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Disclaimer: Middle earth and all of the characters
associated with the Lord of the Rings are the creations of J.R.R. Tolkien and
are not mine. I do not own them.
“When
you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.”
-
Eleanor Roosevelt
********
Celaviel banged on the door louder eliciting a few stares from some of the early risers. She ignored them, bent on her task of getting into that room.
“My Lord, open the door. Elrond?”
Celaviel huffed in frustration. This was ridiculous! She steeled herself and gripped the handle.
“Elrond open this door or I am coming in anyway.”
When there was no response the elf maid gathered her courage and opened the door. The strange glint she had saw in Elrond’s eyes made her nervous and she intended to see if he was well. She entered the dark room and scanned the chamber. Elrond was not in the room, so there was only one place he could be. The healer had to push aside the feeling of guilt she felt for being in here without leave, but the situations warranted it. She was a good friend of Glorfindel after all and he had never been punished for intruding before. The elf maid hesitantly walked farther into the room.
“My lord?” she called softly.
The elf maid walked over to the balcony door and looked out. Elrond was standing there, his dark red robes blowing in the breeze.
“Elrond? Will you not talk to me?”
Right now Elrond was finding it hard to just stand calmly, let alone talk to this person.
He winced as a memory painfully flashed through his mind. No, not just any person. One of Rivendell’s healers. One of his healers. Yes, that was it. Elrond looked up to see the maid staring at him in concern. He ignored her and closed his eyes in concentration as he brought his hand up to his head.
‘Remember,’ he ordered himself. She had a name. He knew she did. What was it? It was right there on the tip of his tongue.
Celaviel! That was it!
Elrond felt a brief sense of satisfaction. That was not so hard, now if he could just get the rest of his thoughts to fall in line as well…
…running… he was running through the trees… the dark shapes were ominous and frightening… what did they want from him… where was he going… who was he… why could he not escape them…he was afraid… he was in pain…
Elrond gasped in pain and blinked up at the maid leaning over him.
He was in a dark room lying on the floor. A strange elf was leaning over him and he began to panic. What was going on?
Elrond sat up and tried to scramble away.
Celaviel sat back suddenly.
“It is alright, you are safe.”
Elrond still continue to stare at her wide-eyed and timidly.
“Elrond? Do you know who I am?” she asked slowly.
Elrond’s confused gaze settled on her and she admitted she was frightened. She reached out tentatively and placed her hand reassuringly on one his hands.
“It is alright, I will not hurt you.”
Elrond swallowed, but did not remove his shaking hand. Celaviel did not know what to do.
“Maybe we should get you off the floor and into bed,” she suggested.
She slowly guided her confused lord to his feet. Elrond swayed unsteadily as he rose and the dimmed room darkened even more.
“Tulunka,” she said. //steady//
They never made it to the bed before the elf lord’s knees buckled and they crashed back to the floor. The elf maid shook Elrond gently and called his name, but he did not stir.
********
“Oh, this is not going to be pleasant,” remarked Nienor.
Elrohir looked to Elladan. Elladan sighed. Why was he always expected to deal with such things?
“Wake Estel up Elrohir,” Elladan said.
Elrohir shrugged and knelt down next to his brother. Estel would probably not be able to sleep through this anyway and there was no doubt Thranduil was going to want to hear what had happened. They as yet did not even know and it would be easier on the young one if he only had to tell his tail once.
“Estel,” Elrohir began gently, “it is time to rise.”
It took a little more prodding, but eventually the ranger’s gray eyes focused on Elrohir. It took a minute for Aragorn to orient himself and when he did a serge of panic swept through him. He shot up into a sitting position and Elrohir had to steady him for the sudden movement.
“Easy Estel, Glorfindel yet lives,” Elrohir, guessing Aragorn’s reaction, reassured his brother.
Aragorn took a deep breath to calm his rapidly beating heart and turned questioning eyes to his brother.
Elrohir never got the chance to answer the look before the door swung open and everyone turned to see King Thranduil in the doorway. Aragorn was relieved his friend was still alive, but this was not quite the answer he would have hoped for either.
Thranduil was wearing the green and brown travel attire customary for his people. His long golden hair was breaded away from his face in much the same fashion that Legolas wore his when traveling. He was already rather frustrated for the elves outside would not tell him what had befallen, only that the sons of Elrond were up in the tower and they would be able to better answer his questions.
Thranduil was not a fool. Something ill had befallen his son and the guards outside where to afraid to tell him. He was prepared for the worst, but was even more alarmed to find that his son was not up here. Where in all of Arda was his son anyway? His ire calmed somewhat when he took in Glorfindel’s deathly pale unconscious form. He also noticed all of Elrond’s sons staring at him like frightened animals and despite himself he almost smiled at the looks. Thranduil forced himself to remain calm as he entered the room. It did not have the effect he had hoped for though. Instead of calming the young ones in the room his calm demeanor appeared to make them even uneasier. The elven king sighed. He knew this was going to be like pulling teeth.
Everyone, even Aragorn, was surprised when the ranger rose to face the elven king.
“Your son is not here your highness,” Aragorn stated.
“Yes, I can see that young one,” Thranduil replied.
Aragorn forced himself not to fidget under the king’s intense look. His apparent calm was much more unnerving than the temper the ranger expected from him. That’s is, Aragorn was sure they were all going to end up in the dungeons of Mirkwood.
“Well,” Thranduil’s voice broke into Aragorn’s thoughts.
“Um… well, Legolas left,” Aragorn fumbled.
“To where exactly?” Thranduil prodded.
Yes, this was like pulling teeth. Thranduil sighed again.
Aragorn sighed in relief when Nienor showed up beside him.
“Legolas ran off uncle, to where we do not know,” she explained.
“Yes, but we might know why, or well, maybe not,” Aragorn continued.
Thranduil resisted the sudden urge to bang his head into the wall. If only Glorfindel were awake, this might be easier. He did not even know what had happened to the other elf yet. The elven king turned his gaze to his niece.
“I am not going to like this am I?” he asked her.
A sad shake of her head was her answer.
“Very well, tell me.”
“I could start off telling our side first if it would help Estel,” Elrohir offered finding his voice finally.
“No,” Aragorn answered quietly, “this is my fault and I will face up to it now.”
Everyone gathered next to the injured elf and Aragorn went about telling everyone everything that had happened since he and Legolas had left Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir filled in their parts as the ranger spoke. Thranduil for his part said nothing as the younger ones spoke. As a matter of fact, Elladan was noticing that he was still saying nothing even after Estel finished talking. Thranduil’s complexion had paled sometime during the ranger’s account and he did not look quite well. The elven king rose without a word and silently walked over to the room’s window.
Aragorn felt completely miserable. What strength he had regained during his rest felt like it was completely torn from him now when he saw the look that entered Thranduil’s eyes when he finished telling him of what the fiend had done to Legolas’ mind. The ranger could not stand that look and lowered his eyes when he finished. He felt tired and drained again and all he wanted to do was sleep.
Thranduil walked up to the window and faced away from everyone. He gripped the window seal and closed his eyes. His legs felt weak and shaky. This could not be happening! He had felt something bad had transpired, but never could he have dreamed his son had lost his mind. What would he do if there were no way to help his son?
Thranduil could not help it, his weak legs could not hold him up anymore and he had to sit down. He sunk to the ground. He heard someone approaching behind him and held up his hand to stop them from coming any closer.
Legolas, his little one, had attacked one of the sons of Elrond, the one he was closest with non the less. Anger did rise in him now. Did he not teach his son better than that? Legolas was definitely never leaving the palace ever again now! He would confine Legolas to his room if he had to!
Aragorn was definitely feeling bad now. His heart sank through the floor as he watched Thranduil fall to it. Of all the people he would expect to react that way it wasn’t the fiery king. He had been prepared to fend himself from Thranduil’s anger not watch him react without it. A glance at his brothers told him they were caught off guard also. He just could not take it anymore.
Aragorn walked half way to Thranduil and stopped.
“I am sorry, this is my fault and I swear to you I will find Legolas,” the ranger said.
At that Thranduil stood suddenly and turned sharply to the ranger. Aragorn took an unconscious step back and Nienor stepped in front of him.
“Uncle…” she began, but could not find the words.
Thranduil gave his niece an annoyed look and walked around her. To Aragorn it suddenly felt like the room had shrunk. He swallowed and held his ground. Thranduil looked at him and the ranger could not read his eyes.
“Did you force Legolas to come with you?” Thranduil asked sternly.
“N, no…” the ranger fumbled.
“Did you know what was happening to his mind?”
“No,” Aragorn answered again.
“Did you force him to run off earlier?”
“No,” Aragorn answered for the third time.
“Well then,” Thranduil started in a tone that left room for no argument, “as far as I can determine you did nothing to provoke or cause this, so I do not want to hear another word from you about this being your fault. Do I make myself clear?”
Elladan and Elrohir, who just a moment ago, thought Thranduil was going to strangle Estel, were now smiling to themselves. It would be much more effective to hear the words “it was not your fault” from Legolas’ father than it would be from them. Aragorn was seriously considering bolting for the door a minute ago, but now he stood there dumbstruck.
“I said do I make myself clear?” Thranduil asked again.
“Yes sir,” Aragorn said quickly.
“Why Elladan,” Elrohir chimed in, “I do believe you said you were going to do something.”
Elladan looked at Elrohir in confusion briefly before it dawned on him what Elrohir was suggesting. His eyes widen at his brother.
“Don’t you dare,” he whispered.
Elrohir smiled all the wider and raise his eyebrow.
“Or what?” Elrohir asked quietly.
“Elrohir I am warning you…”
A groan from Glorfindel caused the twins to stop bickering and look down at the elf. Thranduil, Aragorn, and Nienor also came closer.
Glorfindel did not open his eyes, but he spoke quietly.
“Do you two ever stop?” he asked weakly.
The question caused the twins to smile broadly.
“Yes,” Elladan answered, “when Elrohir finally admits I am right.”
Elrohir rolled his eyes, but did not comment. That would come later. Thranduil came around the other side from Elladan and knelt down next to Glorfindel.
When Glorfindel finally managed to pry his eyes open he was fairly surprised to find Thranduil sitting beside him He and the elven king were not what you would call close, but they had a mutual respect for each other.
“Fiose?” asked Thranduil. //surprised//
“I admit, a bit,” Glorfindel answered quietly.
Thranduil nodded at the other elf.
“Hantale, for watching over them all and especially for trying to help my son.”
Glorfindel was not quite fully coherent, but he did catch the ‘trying’ part of Thranduil’s sentence.
“What has happened?” Glorfindel asked.
Thranduil smiled down at the other elf.
“Nothing that cannot be dealt with later,” he reassured the injured elf, “rest peacefully.”
Glorfindel realized Thranduil had not answered his question, but he was too tired to argue. Already his lids were feeling heavy and in no time he was asleep. Thranduil rose silently and went back to look out the window again.
Elladan checked on his friend and turned to everyone else.
“Glorfindel is finally sleeping and not unconscious,” he announced.
The elves present and one human sighed in relief.
“Do you believe he will be alright?” Aragorn asked.
“Honestly Estel,” Elladan began, “I did not think he would make it this long, but Glorfindel has proved he is rather hard to kill, so I would say yes.”
“When we are absolutely sure he will be well, I must go after Legolas.”
“Estel, what if he does not wish to be found?” Elrohir asked.
“If not then he does not know any better right now and needs my help.”
‘What if he will not come back with you?” Elladan asked.
“Do you two not think we should at least try?” Aragorn asked angrily.
“I did not say that,” Elladan snapped.
“You should just realize how difficult this could be Estel,” Elrohir finished.
“You will come then?” Aragorn asked hopefully.
“Of course we will, we set out to bring you both back, Estel, and we will finish what we set out to do,” Elrohir answered.
“But not until Glorfindel is seen to and taken from this place,” Elladan said.
“Which will not be for awhile,” Elrohir finished.
“I agree,” Aragorn consented.
“The three of you are not going anywhere without me,” Nienor said, “someone must keep you out of the severe trouble you seem to attract.”
Aragorn nodded.
“It might be nice to have someone level headed along for once.”
Elladan and Elrohir merely rolled their eyes at their brother.
Nienor did not say anything, but she kept glancing at her uncle, who was being far too quiet. He was being far too calm over this situation for her liking. She was surprised he did not have half of Mirkwood out in search of Legolas by now.
“Elladan is right though, what if Legolas does not want to come back?” Nienor asked.
“He does not have a choice,” Thranduil answered without turning to face them.
“Legolas is a crowned prince of Mirkwood,” Thranduil continued, “and I will not have him running wildly, especially if he is still in the same mind set that he would dare to attack one of Elrond’s sons. He would be a danger to others and not just himself. He will come back whether he wishes to or not.”
Neither of the four present doubted Thranduil’s words.
“Do not worry uncle, we will bring Legolas back,” Nienor reassured him.
“I do not doubt Nienor, for I am coming with you. My son will come willing or I personally will drag him back.”
Four jaws dropped to the floor. They could tell Thranduil was not going to be talked out of this task, so they really had no choice.
Elladan and Elrohir were a little disturbed over the news. An older elf had accompanied them to Angmar and it was true that they could not have done it without his aid, but they had nearly lost Glorfindel in the process.
Now another elder was to accompany them in the search for Legolas.