Chapter 23

Glandur nervously walked through The Great Doors. He was still reeling in shock over what had transpired in the past day. He still couldn't believe that The King himself had selected him to personally guard the young Prince. Such an honor was rare and he took the immense trust Thranduil had placed in him very seriously. By the time he had returned home late the previous evening word had spread like wildfire. His parents had already learned of his promotion before he had even opened the front door. They were delighted for him and the shame of the accident the year before seemed to have been washed away now that The King seemed willing to forget it.

"Glandur!"

Glandur turned and saw Elros walking toward him. "Mae govannen," he greeted him with a compatriotic smile.

Elros returned the greeting, trying not to look as nervous as he felt.

"The King asked me to help you settle in," Elros said as he motioned for the younger ellon to follow him. They began to walk away from the public area of The Palace and toward the Royal Quarters.

"The King and Prince Legolas are at breakfast with Lady Amoniel," Elros explained, "We will wait outside the Dining Hall until they are finished. You normally would go with Lord Legolas either to stand guard over him inside The Great Hall if The King requires him there or to report to Military Headquarters and go with him to do whatever duty he is assigned. But with Lord Camthalion still in such poor condition, I look for him to stay near the Infirmary. Of course, it will just depend on what His Majesty wishes."

Glandur nodded.

"It is really quite simple. Just guard him. Do whatever you must to keep him safe. You will be with Our Ernil from his first to his last duty every day except when you are on official leave. Stay within arm's length of him outside of The Palace. Never let him from your sight even for a moment and be ready to draw your sword in an instant in his defense."

Glandur nodded again.

"In here with a heavy guard and The Great Doors you can relax a little," Elros continued as they took a seat on a bench outside the Dining Hall. "Just know where he is at all times and don't let him do anything too stupid that would annoy His Majesty. Within the confines of The Palace, you must walk a few feet behind him if The King or The Crown Prince is with him to give them some privacy. You must stand at attention directly behind him in The Great Hall or in The Council Chambers if his duty takes him there. But outside of here you will be assigned with him and will escort him everywhere he has to go until he crosses the threshold of The Palace. You must always know where he is and what he has been doing. The King will want to know and believe me, he will question you regularly."

"I understand. The King told me you have been his guard since he came to The Greenwood," Glandur told him.

"Yes, Oropher asked me to be his son's personal guard not long after they settled here and I have been at his side since that day," Elros replied, his gray eyes clouded in long memory, "The King was very young then. I have been with him through many, many centuries and I have not once regretted my decision to take this path in my military career. I have served him when he was our Crown Prince and now I continue to do so now that he is King. He is one of my oldest friends."

Glandur's eyes widened. The King was so serious and temperamental. He almost seemed so remote and isolated that it was hard to believe anyone would call themselves his friend.

"He wasn't always as he was now," Elros told him, with a sad smile, recognizing the look on Glandur's face, "He has seen far too many battles and wars. He has lost almost all of those dear to him. His adar...his naneth...Our Queen. The weight of the Crown takes its toll on him. He was once young like you when he smiled often and laughed easily. But much has changed since those glorious, peaceful days. Now his fëa is full of sorrow and burdened by duty."

"I am sorry for him."

"As am I," Elros replied, "I often miss the young Sinda Ernil that I mentored as he learned to become a son of these Woods. Though already scarred by war he was much less jaded than he is now. But he was happy here under The Greenwood. He learned our language and customs so quickly we soon forgot that he was born in Beleriand."

"You know him well," Glandur commented, feeling as though he would never have such intimate connection to Legolas.

"Don't worry if things are rough at first," Elros told him, "It will take some adjustment on both your parts. But with time I am sure you will learn to trust and rely on each other just as Thranduil and I have. When I accepted this position from Oropher, Thranduil wasn't happy. He didn't think he needed a guard and he tried to slip away from me constantly. I was always running after him and barking orders at him and telling him that he made my life difficult and The King angry. It wasn't working well. He was very resentful and suspicious of me. So I took a different approach. Instead of ordering him around like his jailer I started to treat him like I would my younger brother. I guided him. I encouraged his strengths and challenged him when he struggled. I celebrated his triumphs with him and stood beside him during hard times. When he saw that I was there to help him and support him he became very receptive to me and to this day we have a strong bond."

"Prince Legolas was not happy with this assignment," Glandur replied, "But I will keep your advice in mind in handling him."

"Oh no one envies you, Glandur," Elros said with a laugh, "That young princeling is really going to make you earn your wages. He is very spoiled and very undisciplined. You have your work cut out for you!"

"I know," Glandur groaned, "His Majesty told me as much yesterday after I signed the contract."

"You will find that The King tends to indulge his sons," Elros said not unkindly, "But with Prince Legolas, he has especially so. He tends to mollycoddle him and is extremely overprotective. Don't be surprised if he expects you to report to him every day."

Glandur groaned. The Elvenking was a very intimidating ellon. He didn't want to spend every evening reporting the Ernil's every move to him.

"You will be fine," Elros told him encouragingly, "Just do what is in Lord Legolas's best interests and everything else will fall into place. The King would never have asked you to do the job if he didn't think you were worthy of having such a vital role in his son's life."

Glandur nodded solemnly. He hoped that Thranduil's trust was not misplaced.

"The King has you and Feren to guard him and now Legolas has me," Glandur observed, "Why does Lord Camthalion not have a guard?"

"She was killed several centuries ago during an attack in the North. She saved Prince Camthalion from certain death, " Elros said seriously, "and the Ernil refused to accept another placement no matter what The King said. Besides, he was promoted to the rank of Commander and spends less time in combat so he has little need of a guard since so much of his work is from The Military Headquarters. But there are times when he does go out and The King typically makes him take Feren with him."

Glandur nodded yet again at the reminder of the danger he would place himself in. His somber musings were interrupted when the doors opened and Legolas stepped out into the corridor, causing the two guards to rise to their feet. Elros smirked at the suspicious look the young Prince gave him as though he knew they had been talking about him.

"Do try to remember my lord Legolas that today is Glandur's first day on duty," Elros gently teased with a wicked smile, "Please go easy on him."

"This is none of your affair, Elros," Legolas snapped irritably, "You are The King's guard and not mine!"

"I am only trying to help, my lord," Elros said innocently, still smirking.

"Legolas, stop being rude," Thranduil commanded as he stepped into the doorway, "I have had my fill of it today."

Glandur swallowed nervously at the impertinent look Legolas gave The King and it was clear he wanted to say much on the matter but wisely kept his mouth shut. Thranduil looked annoyed as he turned to Glandur.

"Since Legolas had decided that he doesn't owe his father and King obedience he is going to report to Neurion in the Commander's office this morning," Thranduil told him.

"Yes, Aran nín," Glandur replied with a slight bow.

Legolas looked at Thranduil sullenly for a long minute. Glandur was once again shocked at the lack of maturity and respect. By the time he was 50, he had learned to do as he was told and it would never have occurred to him to treat his father so disrespectfully.

"Good day, Adar," Legolas said finally, though it was clear to all he wasn't sincere. He turned and walked down the corridor without looking or saying anything to anyone. Glandur fell in step behind him. They walked away from The Great Doors and toward Legolas's rooms. "I have to retrieve my sword and bow before we can leave," he explained.

"Yes, my lord," Glandur replied instantly, glad that Legolas's rash anger was directed toward The King rather than at him.

"Remember it is just Legolas now," The Prince told him as he opened the door to the adjoining sitting room.

"Of course," Glandur replied as they went into the sleeping chamber. He tried not to gape so obviously and make his features neutral and he looked around the untidy room. The bed was unmade and it looked as though trolls had been wrestling on it. The floor was littered with clothing and some of the bedding. A trail of towels led into the bath chamber. A half empty decanter of wine and glasses were on the bedside table and every available surface contained an untidy stack of books.

"The maids have not come in today to clean yet," Legolas said somewhat defensively as he hurriedly tied his belt around his slim waist.

Glandur nodded. This young ellon's life was so very different from his. Perhaps that was why Thranduil chose him to be his son's guard. He had never seen such wealth as The Elvenking's. He had not realized how spoiled Legolas was and how he seemed to want for nothing. As he looked around the extravagance of the beautiful room he noticed that Legolas did not seem to notice it at all. He paid no mind to the expensive rugs on the floor, exquisite art that hung on the walls or the ornate furniture. By the time he had been Legolas's age, he had known how to clean up after himself. But Legolas didn't seem to know how to do that and had others that were willing to do it for him. Glandur wondered if he even knew how to dress himself. He sighed as he watched his Prince shoulder his bow. He had his work cut out of him that much was clear, just as Elros had said. Giving Legolas a small smile he followed him out of the room and started toward The Greens.

Thranduil selected yet another roll of parchment from the thick stack on the bedside table. He was still unwilling to leave Camthalion's side. Just attending a simple meal in The Dining Hall caused him to be anxious and worry the short time he was gone. Camthalion's condition had not improved since he had opened his eyes the previous day. His fever had remained the same and he was soundly unconscious. He responded slightly to pain but Aranhil did not have the heart to subject him to it regularly. Thranduil and Amoniel had only been successful twice to get him to briefly open his eyes with that blank stare. Thranduil was trying to be patient. He knew his son should have died from his wounds. But he hadn't. It was going to take him a long time to recover. But the long hours at the bedside only have him time to dwell on it and it nearly drove him mad from idleness. So he started to work from the Infirmary to help pass the time.

"Good morning, Aran nín."

Thranduil looked up and returned Eleniel and Aranhil's greeting.

"We are going to change the dressing," Aranhil explained, "And then I would like to try to get some nutrition into him. He is wasting away with each passing day."

"Do what you must," Thranduil said. He agreed with the assessment. Camthalion had not taken in any nourishment for over a week. Each day he looked thinner and more frail as he used all of his reserves to battle fever and infection.

He watched as Eleniel pulled the thin sheet down to rest below the wound. As she did that Aranhil placed his hand on Camthalion's brow.

"It still burns."

"I figured as much," Thranduil replied, "But at least it is lower than it was a couple of days ago."

"Absolutely, my lord," Aranhil said as he watched Eleniel gently cut away the bandages. He grimaced as he observed the wound. "Cleanse it again," he told her.

"Goldenseal and calendula?"

"Yes," Aranhil answered her before turning back to Thranduil, "I can determine from examining the wound externally that it is still badly infected. His abdomen remains swollen with infection. It is still seeping from the wound." Thranduil grimaced as he looked down and watched Eleniel gently clean away the infection that had dried to the sutures. "But there is still cause to hope, my lord," Aranhil said with a smile, "Blood is no longer seeping from it. He has pulled through the complication from the poison. That is one less thing Our Prince has to suffer."

Thranduil sighed. His poor boy had suffered enough. He would do anything to be able to switch places with him. He would gladly do it in an instant. He watched as Eleniel spread a soothing, healing salve thickly over the red and blackened angry skin and then wrap it in a new, clean dressing.

"I have some chicken broth for him, hîr nín," she said, picking up the small bowl from the table, "I hope he can keep it down. It will help him regain some strength as he continues to battle this Infection."

She sat down on the edge of the bed and started to speak to him soothingly as she gently opened his mouth and fed him one small spoonful at a time. Thranduil appreciated her approach to his ailing son. She always spoke to him as though he were able to converse back, explaining what she was doing and why. She often sang to him to try to soothe away his hurts and held his hand when she knew she had to do something that would cause him pain. He was seriously thinking of offering her a position when her training was complete.

"He really needs the nutrition," Aranhil said, "It will help him fight this infection. We simply can not keep him hydrated with his fever this high for so long. It must lower soon. He can't keep on like he is much longer."

"I know, mellon nín," Thranduil said sadly, "And I do appreciate all your efforts and hard work that you have put into healing my son. I trust his care with no one but you."

"Thank you, my lord," Aranhil replied, "I am honored and humbled by your faith in my skills. I only wish I had more positive news to report to you."

"As hard as it is I will just have to wait," Thranduil said as he looked down at his broken son, "and as you know I am not a patient ellon."

Aranhil chuckled. No, he most certainly was not.

Glandur stood to stretch some of his muscles. He wasn't used to sitting behind a desk all day. But Legolas had been commanded by The King to assist Neurion in the Commander's office and that was what they had to do. They were swamped with work. There seemed to be no end of paperwork or edhil filing into the office. But Neurion seemed very grateful to have him there to help. He seemed very stressed and feeling the pressure of the position in which he found himself.

"Do you think His Majesty will allow me to have an audience with him, Legolas?" Neurion asked as he organized the paperwork that littered The Commander's desk.

"No, he was going to sit with Camthalion for the day," Legolas replied as he handed him another sheet of parchment to add to his pile, "He is still unwell. The King won't leave the Infirmary unless there is something extremely urgent that requires his immediate attention. You may be able to speak to Aearion."

"I would rather not," Neurion quipped, wrinkling his nose in disgust. He and The King's advisor had never gotten along.

"Whyever not?" Legolas asked with obvious feigned innocence as he grinned at him.

Neurion was about to reply when a soldier appeared at the door.

"Captain you are needed to supervise the novice sword training exercise," she said.

"Are these the ones who will be joining the ranks next month?" Neurion asked, hoping they weren't and he could get out of it.

"Yes."

"I will be right there," he said with a sigh before turning to Legolas, "Well, I must go. Legolas, you will have to finish these dockets have them sent to the Treasury. I am sure everyone will want their wages this month. I will return this afternoon."

"Yes, Captain," Legolas replied as he got up and took Neurion's seat behind his brother's desk. He looked at the sea of parchment in front of him and didn't know where to begin. His head ached with a dull throb and he longed to inhale just one thin line of powder to chase it all away. Of course, he couldn't now that Glandur was glued to his side.

"This is boring," he complained grumpily.

"It is," Glandur agreed, wishing they could be out on patrol instead of trapped within the confines of the office, especially on such a beautiful Summer morning.

"I wish my adar would let me stay with my brother," Legolas said suddenly.

"I thought His Majesty ordered you here today because you have disappeared twice now," Glandur mildly commented.

"It is hard to be in the Infirmary for hours," Legolas scowled but then his face softened and he looked worried, "I hope Camthalion has not deteriorated further."

"I am sure if something happened your adar would have sent for you," Glandur tried to reassure him.

Legolas shrugged and then returned to his task. He started to add up the sums for the pay to be distributed within the week. He was glad of it. He was nearly out of funds and would need to purchase more powder. He worked quietly for nearly an hour before he came to Glandur's name. His eyes nearly fell from their sockets when he saw the amount that the Realm was paying his guard. Anger and resentment flared once more and he wished the ellon to be gone from his sight.

"It's nearly time for the midday meal," Legolas said casually, "You can go home to your meal early if you like."

"I am not supposed to leave you," Glandur replied, "You know that I have to make sure you make it back to The Palace."

"It is but a short walk from here," Legolas argued nodding in the direction of The Palace, "My brother and I walked it in a blizzard last Winter. It will be fine."

"Just the same, I will escort you," Glandur said firmly.

Legolas rolled his eyes and heaved a great put upon sigh. He returned to his work without saying a word. A few minutes later the insistent itch of need hit him again. With both Glandur and Neurion in the office, he had been unable to get away to inhale a small amount midway through the morning.

"Glandur?" he asked pleasantly.

"Yes?"

"Would you mind bringing me a cup of tea?" Legolas asked.

"Certainly," Glandur said, happy that Legolas's bad mood had vanished. He walked the short distance to the common room and poured a cup of tea from the communal pot. When he walked back down the corridor he saw that the door to the Commander's office was now closed. He reached out to open the door and found it locked.

"Legolas?" he called as he shook the door, "Legolas?"

There was no answer.

"Legolas!" he called more loudly as he knocked on the door, "Let me in!"

Again he was met with silence.

"Legolas!" he shouted, his patience had run out, "Open the door or I will kick it in!"

There was no response. He set the cup of tea down and considered the heavy ornate oak door in front of him. Focusing his strength he kicked it violently causing it to wobble slightly. It took two more attempts before the door jamb splintered and the door swung open with so much force it hit the wall. Glandur looked around the room angrily and felt a gentle breeze. The window was open and the room was now free of its occupant. He rushed over and stuck his head out the window, looking over the expanse of The Common Greens. The Prince was nowhere sight.

My lord?"

Thranduil looked up as Eleniel called to him from the door.

"A soldier is here and he said he needs to speak with you," she told him.

"Is it Neurion? Tell him I will not be taking audiences today," Thranduil told her.

"It isn't Neurion, my lord," Eleniel replied, "But I do not know his name."

Thranduil frowned. He had a feeling of dread which soldier would personally seek him out. Eleniel took his place at the bedside and he walked out to the entrance of the Infirmary. Glandur stood there looking to be near hyperventilation and downright ill with worry.

"Aran nín," he said hastily as he bowed, "I am so sorry but I have lost your son. I must humbly beg your pardon."

"What happened?" Thranduil demanded, swallowing a flare of annoyance.

"Neurion was called away and Legolas asked me to bring him some tea," Glandur explained, fearing what The King would say or do, "When I returned he had locked the door. I kicked it open and he had climbed out the window. I couldn't find anywhere on The Commons. I have looked everywhere and no one has seen him."

"Calm down," Thranduil said as he placed a hand on his shoulder, "I am not surprised at all. I knew he would try something like this."

Glandur nodded and took a deep breath, almost dizzy with relief that The King had not shouted at him or dismissed him from his service.

"Listen to me, Glandur," Thranduil said, "You are his guard and not his servant. You are not to be catering to his every whim." Glandur nodded. "Elros?" Thranduil called, not having to even look behind him to know his guard was there, "What would you say to me if I asked you to fetch me a cup of tea?"

"I would have said for you to get your own damned tea, my lord," Elros answered him, grinning.

"Quite right," Thranduil replied, giving him an amused glance before turning back to the younger guard, "Legolas has absolutely no authority over you in regards to his safety and what you must do to fulfill your duty to me. You are under no obligation to do his bidding. It is not your job to keep him happy. Your job is to keep him alive. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Aran nín," Glandur told him, "I am sorry."

"There is no need for an apology. I should have made your role more clear to both of you yesterday," Thranduil said regrettably.

"I will find him, my lord," Glandur said with a confidence he didn't feel. He had no idea where to even begin to search.

"Elros and I will help you," Thranduil replied, "He probably went out into The Forest. Come."

Glandur followed in step behind The King and beside Elros as he led them out The Great Doors toward the stables.

"Would you really say that to His Majesty?" Glandur quietly asked him in disbelief.

"Yes," Elros said with a smile, "I have before. My oath was sworn to King Oropher and I still hold to that. I promised him I would keep his son safe. Only my death will release me from that oath. Thranduil understands that."

Glandur nodded seriously. He was angry that Legolas had manipulated him so easily only after 3 hours on the job. He stood in the stables next to Elros while the stable hands prepared their horses. He felt so incredibly out of place and underqualified for the job. He felt anxious and wanted nothing more than to go home where everything was familiar. His family was poor and simple. Palace life was anything but. He was unused to such finery and having servants rushing about to do even the most trivial things for him. He was still nervous in the presence of The King. He felt as though he didn't belong.

"You are doing fine," Elros murmured as he placed a fraternal hand on his arm, "Thranduil was every bit as much trouble for me. Don't take it to heart. The King is angry but not with you."

Glandur nodded, sending him a grateful look. Elros's kind words of support made his burdened heart lift a little just when he needed it most.

"Let's go," Thranduil said as he mounted his horse, "I know he is armed but I don't want him alone in The Forest."

Elros and Glandur quickly followed suit and were soon under the dense canopy of The Greenwood. Thranduil rode Sírdal at an easy trot on The Path for several minutes before coming to a stop. There was nothing amiss. Everything was as it should be and there was no sign of the wayward Prince. The bond he shared with Legolas told him he was alive and unhurt.

"Do you think he went off of The Path, my lord?" Elros asked as he looked around.

"Most likely because he knows that would make it more difficult to find him," Thranduil answered him with no attempt to mask how annoyed he was with the situation. He sat for a moment and thought about his strong willed son. When he was troubled he always liked to be in the Woods. Thranduil realized he probably knew where he was. Without a word he veered off the Path, the two guards following behind him.

Thranduil's heart lurched when they arrived at their destination. He had retrieved his son from this very spot that horrible Winter day, the day Sellion had been buried when his fëa had been too consumed by guilt and grief to attend the funeral and he had sought solace among the trees. Thranduil dismounted as did the other two ellyn. They looked around and saw no sign of Legolas. Glandur bit his lip. The Prince had been missing now for well over an hour.

"Get down here," Thranduil suddenly barked, looking up into the thick leaves of the large mallorn tree. They were met with silence. The slightest rustle of the leaves could be heard, giving away that Legolas was nestled in the boughs. "Get down here now, son or I will come after you," Thranduil said in a steely voice that foretold that would be what indeed happened should he not be obeyed.

"Just go away, Adar," Legolas called down to him, "I want to be alone."

"Get down here," Thranduil shouted at him, "Now!"

"No." Elros and Glandur looked at each other with wide eyes, certain that The Elvenking's infamous temper was about to make an appearance.

"You are going to be very unhappy when I get up there," Thranduil warned him as he placed his hand on the nearest bough and made to haul himself up into the branches.

Suddenly there was movement overhead and Legolas gracefully made his way to the Forest's floor in only a few seconds.

"I am very disappointed in you," Thranduil said as he roughly grabbed him by his upper arm. Legolas tried to wrench himself from his father's grip but he held him firm, "Do you know that in some Mannish cultures it is perfectly acceptable to beat your children? I am starting to understand why."

Legolas's mouth dropped open in shock. His father had never once struck him or his brother and the fact that he was considering it made him feel sick.

"I just wanted to be alone!" he snapped back at Thranduil, "I have no need for a nursemaid. You can send Glandur home because I am not going to allow him to follow me everywhere like some hound."

"You will do as your King commands," Thranduil barked as him as he gripped his shoulders and gave him a firm shake, "You have little choice in the matter."

"I don't need him," Legolas griped, "Camthalion doesn't have a guard."

"Your brother is much older and far more experienced than you are. Can you recall him running off into The Forest to sulk because his ada made him angry?" Thranduil asked nastily, "And further, I do not have to justify my reasoning or decisions to you, penneth. I am your father and you are going to either obey me out of love and respect or you can do it out of fear. It is your choice."

Elros and Glandur looked at each other for a long moment before turning back to the heated argument. They knew they should move discreetly away but were too stunned to move.

"Once again I have thought you could not disappointment me further and yet again you prove me wrong," Thranduil lectured, "Your brother is grievously injured. I should be at his side. But where am I now? I have to chase you through the Wood to keep you from meeting that same fate! Do you have any idea what it would do to me if I lost you?"

"Adar," Legolas started to whine.

"I don't want to hear of it," Thranduil talked over him, "Your behavior serves as nothing but a testament to how much you need your guard."

Legolas turned his glare from his father to Glandur, "I suppose you ran off and tattled to The King."

"Silence!" Thranduil snapped, "He doesn't answer to you. He is not your personal valet and he is not to do your bidding. He is here to make sure you live to see another day." Legolas still looked rebellious and Thranduil itched to remove the look from his face. "Look at him," Thranduil commanded. Legolas defiantly looked down at his boots. Thranduil reached out and none too gently took his jaw in his hand and turned his face toward the guard.

"Look at him," he commanded again and this time Legolas obeyed. Glandur looked very stressed and anxious and guilt flared in his stomach for he personally liked him. Thranduil let go of his face. "This ellon has pledged a very serious oath. He is willing to die in your defense and shield you with his very life. He has already taken a wound for you. He deserves some gratitude and respect, does he not?"

It was silent for a long moment. Glandur could not believe how Thranduil came to his defense. It was unexpected but very much appreciated. Elros looked at The King and smiled sadly. He could have sworn it was Oropher himself standing before him.

Finally, Legolas nodded. "I am sorry, Glandur," he said softly as he looked him in the eye, "Please forgive me."

Glandur nodded. It was tempting to further ostracize the young Prince and tell him how his carelessness had caused him such fear and worry. But The King had already done that and Glandur recalled Elros's words early that morning. He took a deep breath and decided to react the same way he would if he had a little brother. "Come, Legolas," he replied easily, as he placed an arm around his shoulders and started to steer him toward The Path. Surprisingly, Legolas complied with no protest. "I don't know about you but I'm starving," he said in the same friendly tone. Legolas nodded in agreement and continued to allow himself to be led away.

"When we get to The Palace, Legolas, you are to go to your rooms and you are to stay there until I come for you," Thranduil commanded. "I am not going to chase you all over Arda this afternoon. I think you have taken up quite enough of my time for this nonsense."

"Yes, Adar," Legolas said meekly as he looked back over his shoulder, apparently subdued by his father's stern lecture.

"If you continue to elude your guard I will quite literally chain you to him," Thranduil replied, "I will not risk death or injury to you, iôn."

"I am sure that will not be necessary, Aran nín," Glandur said with a smile, "I think the first day is always the hardest. Tomorrow will be better."

Thranduil smiled approvingly. Glandur was proving to be every bit the ellon he had hoped that he was. He and Elros shared a knowing look and then started to make their way toward home

Thranduil wiped a hand over his face. He wished he could retire to his own bed. He was tired after the long, monotonous day and his back ached from all the hours spent sitting in the chair at the sickbed. He had not slept in a bed since he awoke from the healing sleep two days prior. Since then he had dozed in the chair when he could but he longed for rest on the soft, down pillows and large mattress on his bed. But he could not bring himself to leave his son. For now, it was quiet and he was alone. Once again, he had to all but command Amoniel to her rooms after the evening meal and the healers had already made their rounds, leaving father and son alone to the long, dark hours of the quiet night.

He looked down at Camthalion. His had improved in some ways and remained the same in others. The day had been much like all of the others since he had been brought in; filled with medications. cold compresses and dressing changes on a precisely timed schedule. Thranduil stood and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He looked down closely at his son's face and saw that the swelling was at long last beginning to recede and the bruising was lighter and beginning to turn yellow, a sure sign of healing. He stroked still clammy, fevered brow. He missed his son. He ached for him. He longed once more just to hear his voice or to see his wife's smile on their son's face. It had been weeks since he had bid his eldest goodbye at The Great Doors before he set off for the South. The void it created had been replaced with terror for the past several days and it was taking its toll. He felt so weary and weighed down by every bit of his six and a half millennia. Thranduil closed his eyes and felt the slight brush of Camthalion's fëa. He quickly opened them and saw the familiar features of his son's face morph into a grimace and his ragged breathing came more rapidly.

"Camthalion?" Thranduil called to him as he took one of his hands in his.

Camthalion's eyes shot open. He quickly closed them again as he moaned in pain.

"Camthalion?" Thranduil said again, gripping the slender hand tighter.

"Ada?" it came out no more than a breathy whisper.

"I am right here, iôn nín," Thranduil said as he tenderly stroked the fevered brow, "Can you open your eyes again?"

Camthalion's eyes opened once more. The blank stare was gone and he focused on his father's face. "Ada?"

"I'm here," Thranduil reassured him as he failed to keep his voice steady. Not trusting himself to say anything further he leaned down and kissed his brow.

"Ada?' came the gravelly whisper again.

Thranduil cupped his cheek as he moaned yet again in agony. He looked down and saw that Camthalion's hand trembled where it lay in his.

"Are you in pain?" he asked him, though he knew the answer.

Camthalion looked at him for a long moment and seemed to need time to process what was being said to him. He didn't answer and let out another moan of torment.

"Ada?" he whispered again, "Ada?"

Thranduil tried to soothe him as he gently caressed his dark hair, "I am right here, iôn."

But he could not break through the wall of pain and fever as Camthalion continued to call for him in a weak, barely audible whisper. Thranduil could feel the repeated brush of his fëa, clearly searching for his father and not realizing he was sitting before him. Thranduil was about to go to retrieve Aranhil when the door opened the healer appeared with his sleep rumpled apprentice behind him.

"Is he awake?" Aranhil asked in surprise, nearly dropping the basket in his hands.

"Yes, he just woke," Thranduil answered him, as he gently replaced his son's hand on the bed and stepped out of the way so the healers could examine him, "He is in pain."

Eleniel's eyes widened and she hurried up to the bed, all thoughts of going back to sleep forgotten.

"Ernil nín?" she called as she took his hand in hers. She looked up hopefully at her mentor as his hand trembled in hers. "Open your eyes, my lord," she said.

Camthalion's blue eyes fluttered open. He stared up at her in a haze of agony. Eleniel could see from the look in his eyes that he did not recognize her and could not comprehend what was happening. She reached down to feel his brow. The minute her hand touched him he weakly jerked away at the unfamiliar touch and he moaned in torment again as pain assaulted him relentlessly.

"Shhhh, it's all right," she tried to soothe him, "I'm not going to hurt you, my lord."

She placed her hand on his brow once more and again he tried to avoid her touch, causing himself more pain each time he moved.

"He's delirious with fever," Eleniel told Aranhil, "I think a tea of white willow, lemon balm, yarrow, and honey would be best."

Aranhil nodded in agreement as he looked down at the ailing ellon. His dry, fever cracked lips parted as he took in each gasping breath which was clearly agony to his fractured ribs. His exposed skin was beaded with sweat. He was obviously dangerously dehydrated from all that he had suffered.

"I'll prepare the tea," Aranhil told her as he poured water into a small basin. He handed it to her along with a cloth, "You work on the fever. Once he has taken the tea we can give him something for pain."

Eleniel dipped the soft cloth into the basin and wrung it out. When she gently blotted at Camthalion's fevered brow he again startled violently and tried to evade her touch.

"Ada?" he whispered, trying in vain to find his father. His fëa cried out again, desperately searching for his adar's comforting presence. He had felt him a short time before but thought perhaps it was yet another cruel illusion. He was in so much pain it was difficult to understand what was happening around him. He didn't know where he was and he wished darkness would take him once more. It was all just too overwhelming and he longed to rest his exhausted hröa.

"Your adar is right here," Eleniel told him before turning to The King, "Sit here, my lord, if you would," she said him pointing to the edge of the bed, "Your presence may soothe him more than our medicines."

Thranduil did as he was asked. He sat down on the opposite side of the bed and took his son's hand in his. He reached out through their bond. I am here, my child. You are not alone.

"I am here, iôn," he said as he placed a light kiss on his son's hand, "Let's allow the healers to do their work."

Camthalion's gaze rested on Thranduil's face and seemed to draw comfort from it. Eleniel tentatively went about her task and bathed him in the cool water. But she was met with no resistance now that Thranduil was beside her. Aranhil returned to the bedside with a cup of liquid in his hand. Amoniel reached out and took it while he gently lifted Camthalion slightly off of the bed.

"It is all right, my lord," he said soothingly when the ill ellon grimaced in pain the movement caused, "This will help your fever."

Fortunately, Camthalion was able to accept small amounts of tea and swallow the medication on his own. It was a slow process but easier than when he was unconscious. Aranhil gently laid him back down onto the pillows.

"Very good, my lord," he told him, "I will mix you up something for the pain. It will make you sleep."

He walked over to the table and reached for a small vial when he heard Amoniel call out to him.

"A basin!" she cried, "he's becoming ill!"

Aranhil grabbed the empty basin on the table and rushed the few steps over to his patient. Camthalion was already retching by the time he held it up to his face. He and Amoniel lifted him as gently as they could and he cried out in pain before promptly vomiting the meager contents of his stomach. Aranhil tried not to show his frustration as all the medicinal tea that he desperately needed was brought back up. His heart sank when he looked in the basin and saw the regurgitated liquid was heavily tinged with bile and blood.

Camthalion's face was twisted in absolute agony. His shaking hands instantly went to his abdomen. He couldn't recall ever feeling such torment. It started from his lower stomach and radiated through every inch of his failing hröa. Tears swarmed his eyes as each gasping breath he took only served to increase the pain. Thranduil felt his son's fëa tremble. He hummed a soothing melody from their bond, hoping to bring him any sort of comfort.

"I will have relief momentarily, Ernil nín," Aranhil called from the table as he mixed the ingredients into the small vial.

He quickly finished and brought it over to the bedside. Eleniel reached out and supported his head so that Aranhil could swiftly empty the small, dark contents of the vial into his mouth.

"There," Aranhil said empathetically, "It should start working within a minute or two."

Thranduil watched as his son slowly went limp. The healers gently laid him down on the pillows. Camthalion turned his head toward his father and made eye contact with him for a long moment before his eyes closed. The planes of his face smoothed out and he was soundly unconscious once more. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"He is going to be in chronic pain, my lord," Aranhil told Thranduil, "until the fever and infection recede and the wound closes. Until then he is going to rely on pain medications. As you can see this one works quickly and effectively. It is the same one that helped Lord Legolas when he was injured."

"Good," Thranduil said, recalling how the pain medication that Legolas had been given had seemed to take away all of his pain and helped him get the healing sleep that he had needed.

"Even though he is in severe pain this is progress," Aranhil said, "He was awake longer and he was much more coherent. However, my lord, I still must warn you that any complication could have dire consequences. But we must remain optimistic."

"I understand," Thranduil said, never taking his eyes from his son.

The healers took their leave to give him some privacy. Thranduil ignored them, his eyes trained on Camthalion's sleeping form. Swallowing hard against the lump in his throat he reached out and wiped away the tears that remained on his son's face. He felt useless and helpless as he could do nothing but stand by and watch Camthalion writhe in agony. Not for the first time, he wished he could trade places with him. Now that he was alone once more and his son soundly unconscious he finally let his own tears fall.

TBC...

Author's Notes: Well, I went on a writing spree and was able to get this ready rather quickly! Legolas was certainly a pleasure to write in this chapter *cringes* Poor Thranduil!

Chapter 24 should have the gender reveal for the baby! Do you think The Woodland Realm will be gaining a little Prince or Princess?

Thank you horse crazed for your review! I appreciate it so much! Also, all the new follows and favorites and those who took time to PM thank you all! It makes me happy to see so many reading this story, especially when int he beginning I wasn't sure if it was something anyone would even want to read.

I have not started the next chapter yet but it should be posted within 30 days! Thanks again for all the support!