Chapter Eleven

OOOOOOOOOOOO

The sun had moved well into the western sky when Elrond awoke.

"Good day," he heard Glorfindel bid him merrily as he sat up. "I had just decided that you were going to sleep the whole day away."

Elrond smiled at his friend, somewhat chagrined at having unintentionally fallen asleep.

"Ah well, it was a much needed rest, I am certain," Glorfindel added, returning a grin, but then his expression grew serious. "You are well recovered?"

Elrond puzzled slightly at that, for what had he to be well recovered from? It was Legolas who had suffered…

Reading the expression, Glorfindel smiled patiently and remarked, "You are as aware as I, my friend, that injuries to the spirit are no less taxing than those to the body. You have suffered much these past days…"

Elrond waved off his concerned. "I am well, my friend, truly," he asserted, with an easy smile. "Legolas is restored, and with him, my spirit."

Glorfindel nodded, though Elrond thought his friend seemed not wholly convinced. The elf-lord let the matter drop, however, much to the healer's relief.

"Speaking of which, I should check on our young friend," he murmured, turning to enter the great house. Glorfindel simply watched him. He, as well as the twins, and no doubt Aragorn, had checked on Legolas several times throughout the day, but there was no value in informing Elrond of this; he would have gone to Legolas's room, all the same.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Upon entering the room, Elrond was pleased to discover that a well-furnished tray of food and drink had been brought to Thranduil. He was further gladdened to see the Elvenking eating his fill of it.

Thranduil nodded his greeting as Elrond approached the bed and moved to set the tray aside, but Elrond stopped him. "Please, my friend, continue. You have endured much and have great need of replenishment."

With a smile, the Elvenking nodded and resumed nibbling. Elrond noted that his eyes, though, remained fixed on the healer, keenly watching his every move as he bent over Legolas.

"I hope Baelorn has found a bed," Elrond remarked, hoping to ease the tension.

Thranduil shook his head, smiling wryly. "Nay! I could not make him leave my side so long as that, even were I to command it, I think." He chuckled lightly, thinking of his son-in-law's over-protectiveness. "I did manage, though, to convince him to stretch his legs long enough to refresh himself. He shan't be gone long, I have no doubt."

Elrond nodded.

"Legolas is much improved," he assured, as Thranduil's expression grew serious once more. The Elvenking smiled, visibly relieved. "The wounds received from the wolf are healing well," Elrond continued. "The swelling is much reduced..." He paused long enough to mix together a paste with the healing herbs that remained on the bedside table. Noting Thranduil's close scrutiny as he moved to apply the medicine, Elrond explained, "This is only to prevent the tender new flesh from pulling uncomfortably."

Thranduil nodded again, relaxing a little – a very little.

Continuing his exam, Elrond listened to the young elf's breathing. He resisted a frown at what he heard, fearing the Elvenking would perceive the expression as more dire than warranted. More congestion remained than Elrond had hoped to hear, considering the speed with which the injuries were healing, but it was greatly lessened from it had been.

"There is still some congestion in his lungs," Elrond finally said, deciding bluntness was the best option. Thranduil was far too astute to attempt to dissemble. Before the Elvenking could grow too anxious, however, Elrond added, "It has improved much, though, since I last listened, and I will send up herbal steam that will help ease it further."

He smiled reassuringly, before excusing himself and heading to the kitchen.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

It was Aragorn who returned with the steaming basin of herbs. Thranduil quirked a brow as the young ranger's head popped through the door and craned around the room before entering. Quickly ascertaining the reason for the hesitation, the Elvenking stifled a chuckle.

"Baelorn has not yet returned from refreshing himself," Thranduil announced, shaking his head amusedly as Aragorn visibly sighed with relief and stepped inside to place the basin beside the bed.

The ranger hovered beside the bed, then, seemingly wanting to stay awhile, and yet skittishly watching the doors, ready to bolt at first sight of Baelorn. Thranduil sighed, the humor of the situation dimming.

"It is not you, Estel, with whom he is angry," the Elvenking consoled. "It is the situation… His family has suffered harm, and there is no enemy to fight by which to avenge the injury. Thus, he sits and simmers and waits to be needed."

Aragon nodded, comprehending the frustration of helplessness, but he remained not wholly convinced Baelorn's ire was not personal.

Seeing that his son's friend remained uncertain, Thranduil continued, "No blame rests upon you for what has happened, Estel. The forces that conspired here are far greater and more powerful than any of us, Man or Eldar. There is naught you could have done beyond what it is that you did do – being there at my son's side. For that you have my gratitude." He finished with a slight bow of thanks, before adding, "And, in time, you will have Baelorn's as well." He winked then, before stating almost under his breath, "perhaps a good deal of time."

Aragorn sighed, and it occurred to Thranduil that the ranger perceived Baelorn's mood to be directed at him because, in his heart, despite the Elvenking's word, he did indeed blame himself, at least somewhat, for what had happened to Legolas.

"Is there fault that lies with you?" he queried bluntly, deciding it was the best approach for getting the ranger to speak his mind. Thranduil began to wonder if Aragorn would respond, as the ranger's gaze fell to his floor.

But then, hesitantly, Aragorn spoke. "Whatever forces were at play here," he began slowly. "Legolas would not have become entangled in it all were it not for me. I dragged him out there…," he lamented, flicking his eyes up to meet the Elvenking's gaze and then dropping them back down. "In fact, he would not have been in the valley at all were it not for me."

"Estel," Thranduil said gently, hoping to get his son's friend to meet his gaze. He smiled patiently when Aragorn finally lifted his eyes. "Let go the guilt to which you cling. Legolas is here to visit you, true enough, but you cannot know with certainty that he would not have been here otherwise - for little happens in this life that was a part of the great song from the beginning. And had he not been here, had he not gone out with you into the wilds, it is just as likely that this fate would simply have found him elsewhere – mayhap at home…but it is equally possible, he would not have been at home – for he does not sit always idle within my halls when he is not here, as you well know – and he would have had to endure this trial alone. So, take heart, young ranger. Whatever power set this in motion intended him to be here, and thus he would have been, even had you not played the part that was planned for you."

Aragorn nodded, though in his eyes, the Elvenking could still see a shadow of guilt. Let him hold onto it if he must,Thranduil admonished himself, resisting any attempt to further assuage his son's friend. He no more has an enemy to avenge his helplessness on than does Baelorn. They both simply need time.

As if on cue, Baelorn entered. Aragorn visibly winced as the elf glowered at him, but Baelorn soon relented. Though too chagrined to admit it, he had listened from the hallway to all that was said and could find no good counter to Thranduil's argument.

"My king is wise as always. You bear no blame in what has happened," he acknowledged, somewhat begrudgingly. "Stay. I am certain it would please Legolas to have you wait with us."

Aragorn smiled genuinely at the proffered olive branch and nodded, "I will stay awhile. Thank you."

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Legolas slept all through the rest of that day and night and then the next day, as well. Elrond, the twins, and Aragorn checked on him regularly, assuring Thranduil and Baelorn, who never left his side long, that he was indeed improving with every hour. Most importantly, as Elrond, observed, the congestion in his lungs had diminished as much as could be expected until the young elf was conscious and able to cough out the last remnants of it.

As the next day faded into the gloaming, Legolas seemed finally ready to do just that, stirring restlessly as the itch in his lungs began to rouse him. His face contorted into a grimace as the first rumbling coughs pushed their way up, sending Baelorn racing out the door in search of Elrond.

When the healer appeared, fairly shoved into the room by Baelorn, he found Legolas in his father's arms - Thranduil keeping him upright as the young elf coughed and gagged and gasped for air. Forewarned, Elrond had brought with him an empty basin. Rushing forward and sitting beside father and son, he held the basin beneath Legolas's chin. With little else that could be done, he muttered soothingly to both Thranduil and Legolas, encouraging the latter to get it all out, and reminding the former than the coughing was a necessary step in his son's recovery.

Thranduil glowered dubiously, but soon the spell eased, and as Elrond had promised, Legolas's breathing became easier. Worn out, the young elf flopped limply back against his father.

"Welcome back, young one," Elrond greeting, offering Thranduil a cool cloth with which to wipe his son's face. Pushing open reluctant eyes, Legolas peered at him wearily. Elrond smiled, but it quickly dropped into a bemused frown as the young elf silently turned into his father and, quivering slightly, clung to him as though he feared Elrond might snatch him from Thranduil's arms.

Equally puzzled by his son's reaction, Thranduil murmured soothingly, petting the golden head reassuringly. Behind him, Baelorn bristled, and thus, accordingly, Elrond decided to take his leave. After all, Legolas had endured much and slept long. Weak and no doubt disoriented, it was not so unreasonable that he would seek the comfort of his father's arms.

"I will send up some tea to ease his coughing," Elrond stated, as he headed for the door.

Once Elrond was out of sight, Legolas loosened his grip on his father and allowed himself to be sat up against the pillows. Despite have only just awoken, his eyelids were already growing heavy. I seem to have coughed out all my strength,he mused to himself as he started to drift back into sleep.

Thranduil considered prodding his son back to wakefulness, but he found it an encouraging sign of returning health when Legolas's eyes drifted only half-way closed before glazing with sleep and decided to leave him be.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Legolas continued to cough intermittently during the night, but suffered no further serious spells and did not wake fully again until morning. Tensing, he reached for his father as the haze of sleep blew away, and sure enough, found the Elvenking still beside the bed, wandering the paths of elven dreams. Behind him, Baelorn sat, also dozing. Legolas relaxed at the sight and, with a jaw-cracking yawn, pondered whether to rise or return to sleep himself.

Before he could decide, Legolas caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head to find a grinning Aragorn staring unabashedly at him.

"It's about time, mellon-nin," the ranger scolded playfully. Legolas grinned at him.

"I am glad to see you, too, my friend," he replied. "You are well?" Last he'd seen of Aragorn, the ranger had been under-the-weather.

Aragorn's brow rose in bewilderment. Events had pushed the memory of his own cough from his recollection; Legolas always took more noticed of trifling illness than he did at the best of times. In the end, Aragorn simply shrugged and replied with a chuckle, "I am. How are you?"

As if in answer to the question, Legolas coughed lightly, prodding Aragorn to turn and fetch a cup of tea from the bedside table. By the smell of it, the elf recognized it as the same tea Elladan had given Aragorn after finding them by the river. He gladly accepted it, remembering how much improved the ranger's cough was after drinking.

The warm liquid was near bliss as it slid down his abused throat, and Legolas grinned appreciatively. "Thank you, my friend."

Aragorn returned a half-smile, taking the emptied cup back again before replying. "Do not thank me. It was ada who sent me up with it."

Legolas's expression darkened at the mention of the healer. Noticing, Aragorn frowned. "Legolas?"

His friend waved off the concern however, forcing the storm from his eyes and plastering a smile on his face. "You will thank him for me?"

Aragorn pursed his lip at the deflection, but said nothing about it. "You may thank him yourself; I'll fetch him…," he said instead.

"No!" Legolas exclaimed, startling his family awake. He quickly composed himself as Thranduil and Baelorn looked to him in alarm. "No, I thank you for the offer, but there is no need to disturb him needlessly."

Aragorn's frown returned. Clearly, there was something unspoken lying between his foster-father and his friend, but he was not sure whom he should confront first – Legolas or Elrond. Either way, he doubted he'd be able to speak of it to Legolas with Baelorn glowering in the background, so Aragorn let the matter drop for the moment.

Instead, the ranger launched into a retelling of all the gossip Legolas had missed while he slept, managing to successfully amuse and lift the spirits of all three elves as he did so.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

It was late in the afternoon when Legolas next awoke. He had fallen asleep amidst Aragorn's prattle and was somewhat disappointed to find the ranger no longer there. Disappointment quickly gave way to apprehension however; as he registered that his family was no longer there, either.

"Ada finally convinced them to join him for a proper meal on the veranda instead of nibbling at your bedside," he heard Elladan announce and swept the room in search of him. Legolas found the twin sitting near the hearth, gazing pensively at him. "They will not stay away long, I have no doubt," Elladan continued reassuringly.

Legolas nodded in acknowledgement, but didn't speak. Instead, he studied Elladan. There was something on the twin's mind, he was certain of it – something Elladan was uncomfortable speaking of. Legolas scoured his recollection, attempting to ascertain what it might be.

"Legolas?" Elladan mumbled, hesitantly, and a knot began to tighten in the prince's stomach and a vague notion of what was about to be asked began to form in his still-foggy mind. "I.."

Legolas cut him off before he could continue. "It is you who must endure the consequences of your choice, Elladan, whichever path you choose. I will tell you nothing of my experience that might influence you one direction or the other."

Elladan's brow furrowed, as troubled that Legolas had read his mind so easily as by his friend's statement. He nodded, though, realizing the wisdom of the words with a long sigh. It would be his doom to suffer, and thus it was his choice to make and his alone.

"I will say…" Legolas began, and Elladan looked up hopefully, "that I do not believe my words would help, even if I were willing to speak of what has happened. For you…you are peredhil, my friend. Thus, for you, there has always been a choice to be made someday. For me there is and has never been a choice - neither in my final doom, or…or in what I just experienced. Walking a path chosen of free will…that must by its nature be different to suffering a doom pre-determined."

Elladan shrugged noncommittally. Again, he could comprehend the astuteness of his friend's words, but they were hardly soothing to his disquieted mind.

"I do not believe there is a wrong choice, Elladan," Legolas finally said, seeing that he had so far brought little comfort to his friend. "Whichever path you walk, there will be joy and there will be sorrow. Trust your heart to know which offers the greater joy and lesser sorrow."

Elladan nodded, turning his pensive gaze to the low flames warming the hearth rather than meeting Legolas's eyes.

The prince sighed, unwilling to say more, though it might ease his friend's heart. He was soon distracted, however, by Aragorn's head popping through the door.

"They are supping with your father, apparently," Legolas informed, smiling in amusement as the ranger perused the area Thranduil and Baelorn had been occupying. Aragorn grinned at the news.

"Elladan, do you think I could…" he started to ask, but the twin had already guessed what was coming. With a flourish of an arm and a slight bow, he excused himself to allow the friends some time alone. He could do with some time alone himself.

"You sound better," Aragorn announced, settling down in the chair Thranduil had previously occupied. Legolas smiled.

"I feel better," he confirmed. "I am over-weary, but the coughing has relented."

Aragorn nodded approvingly, but soon his expression grew more serious, and in a tone very like the one Elladan had used, said, "Legolas?"

"Ai!" Legolas interjected, throwing his hands up in exasperation before Aragorn could continue. "Not you, too, Estel!"

"What?" Aragorn asked innocently.

"I have not the strength for so much deep discussion, Estel," Legolas declared. "By the Valar, if you value our friendship, do not ask whatever is on your tongue."

Aragorn raised a brow. "I only wanted to speak with you regarding my father…"

A groan from the bed stopped him from saying more, though his other brow raised to match the first as Legolas pulled one of the many pillows out from beneath him and threw if over his face, before covering both with his arms.

Deciding that, perhaps,it was not, after all, a good time to confront his friend, Aragorn wisely said no more. Instead, he settled back in the chair to await Thranduil's return. He suspected Legolas might wish to be without company awhile, but Aragorn doubted Legolas's family would be equally pleased to return and find him left alone.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

As so it was that when Thranduil and Baelorn arrived not long after, accompanied by Elrond, that Aragorn watched his father's approach with apprehension. Rising, he made way for Thranduil, but moved only as far as the foot of the bed. Should this encounter not go well, Aragorn wanted to be near enough to lend support – to Legolas, to Elrond, or to both, should the need arise. To his great relief, however, his readiness was unwarranted.

"Legolas," Elrond greeted, masking wariness with cheeriness. He smiled, more pleased than he thought he really should be when the prince lowered the pillow over his face and bowed his head slightly.

"Lord Elrond," Legolas returned.

He did not meet the healer's eyes, but as Legolas also did no shy away when he bent to listen to his breathing, Elrond's unease decreased. He noted abstractly that some of the tension in Thranduil's shoulders eased, as well. Baelorn, however, tense and alert, continued to glower over the Elvenking's shoulder.

"You are healing swiftly, young one," Elrond pronounced after a quick examination.

Those watching breathed sighs of relief, until Legolas sat up straighter and, still without meeting the elf lord's gaze, asked, "I can travel, then?"

The question caught Elrond so unprepared that he was left speechless as he turned his gaze to Thranduil. The Elvenking simply pressed his lips into a tight line, his thoughts unreadable. Baelorn, though, grinned broadly.

"I…uh…well, yes, I suppose, if you take the journey slowly, you are well enough to travel," Elrond finally stammered. He might have said no, but Legolas's eagerness to escape him was so plain that he could not bring himself to do it. Thus, Elrond pasted on patient smile, hiding his desire to weep as he wondered if the events of the past days had forever ruined his association with the young elf.

"May we then, ada?" Legolas implored, fixing his eyes on his father.

Thranduil seemed not wholly convinced, and for a moment Legolas feared his father would deny him. The Elvenking finally nodded his consent however, having come too close to losing his son forever to easily refuse Legolas anything for the time being.

"We will leave no sooner than the morning, and then we stop when I decide you are too weary, whether you agree with the assessment or not," Thranduil declared, making it clear that his terms were non-negotiable. Legolas nodded compliantly.

"I will see to the preparations," Baelorn offered, over-eagerly, and, with a nod from the Elvenking, left to do just that.

"Legolas…" Aragorn finally chimed in, aghast, but his friend would not meet his eyes.

"Come, Estel," Elrond sighed, prodding the young man lightly when he did not initially respond. "Let us assist Baelorn…"

"Nay," Thranduil interrupted, clasping the young man on the shoulder. "You and I can assist Baelorn; let Legolas and Estel enjoy some time together."

Aragorn gave the Elvenking's forearm an appreciative squeeze. He then hovered impatiently as Thranduil and Elrond took their leave. He didn't really know what to say as he sat down beside the bed, so instead he simply stared at Legolas, waiting for his friend to speak.

"Estel..." Legolas whispered, his gaze still fixed on the sheets.

"Please, mellon-nin," Aragorn interrupted. "Look at me, at least."

Legolas complied, though hesitantly.

"That's better," Aragorn remarked, trying to smile. "I am sorry…about earlier. I will not speak of it again," he vowed. "Truly, whatever lies between ada and yourself, I will leave it well enough alone…I swear."

Legolas managed a half-smile, shaking his head. "Nay, my friend, you have nothing to apologize for. Nor do I harbor any ill will toward Lord Elrond," he declared. "Truly!" Legolas added when Aragorn raised a dubious brow. "I just…I just…"

Legolas paused, unable to find words to expression the storm of emotions still swirling in his heart.

"You just need peace," Aragorn finished. Of course he cannot find peace here,The ranger lamented to himself. We are all so unsettled by what happened, Ada especially… How COULD he find peace here?

Legolas sighed resignedly, fearing his friend was reading too much into his desire to be home, but he nodded all the same. "You will see, my friend, I will be myself again all the sooner for being home," he consoled. "And then, before you know it, I will be back, wreaking havoc with you in your fair valley."

Aragorn smiled at this, reassured that, at least, his friend did not intend to run away forever from Rivendell.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Soon after breakfast the following morning, the residents of the Last Homely House gathered somewhat mournfully in the courtyard as the wood-elves mounted up to depart. Though his father's realm kept him too occupied to visit regularly and at length, they had all come to enjoy Legolas's presence when graced with it. Now, much as Aragorn had initially feared, each in his or her heart feared that they were seeing the last of the young elf prince.

Glorfindel, however, feared not. Sidling up to a very glum looking Elrond, he wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders and gave him a supportive squeeze. "He will back, my friend. You will see," he assured. "Legolas is too loyal a friend to stay away long."

Elrond pondered this a moment and then smiled. Wise as always, Glorfindel is right in his assessment. Legolas is fiercely loyal to those he calls friend; he will not abandon Aragorn, whatever he now feels toward me.

Reassured and hopeful that time and patience would mend their association, Elrond stepped forward to bid his farewell to the party. So unexpected was it when Legolas rode forward to meet him, after avoiding him for so long, that an anxious knot formed in the Lord of Rivendell's stomach as the prince bent down to speak to him.

"Do not lament his choice," Legolas whispered to him. "He is happy, and he is content…and he misses you, too."

Elrond's eyes welled with tears. Reaching up, he carefully brought Legolas's forehead down enough to press it gently to his and whispered, "Thank you."

Legolas nodded against Elrond's forehead, then rose abruptly, and with a bow to the courtyard, turned his horse eastward toward home.

The End.