Poison

Title:

Author: Aithilin (nimcuran_aithilin@hotmail.com)

Pairings:

Ratings: PG (R in later chapters)

Summary: Legolas was poisoned as a child and suffers from fits and weakness.

Disclaimer: The characters Rhiernil, Feinereg, and Nimelen belong to me. But all the others belong to the Tolkien estate.

Warnings: AU, slash in later chapters

A/N:

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Thranduil followed his eldest son to the Healers' Halls, trying to keep his mind from all of the negative outcomes possible that followed the news his son had just given him; "Legolas has fallen ill."

The Mirkwood King had been called away from planning a new border patrol with his chief guard when Rhiernil came in. The war disagreements between Mirkwood and Lorien had gotten worse, threatening open war. Lorien hadn ben been reported to hiring mercenaries from small bands of Elves that had chosen no home.

It was one such Elf that was being held by three guards outside of the Master Healer's room. Feinereg stood with the guards, the ever-protectieconecond eldest Prince.

"Adar, they say he is not well," Feinereg said softly.

"What has happened?"

The Master Healer stepped up from where he had been waiting by the door and answered Thranduil's question. "It seems to be a toxin that affects Prince Legolas' nerves. I have done all I can, but I fear that he will have fits of illness in years to come, as well as possibly never reaching his potential strength."

Thranduil narrowed his eyes at the prisoner, "And just how did my son recieve this toxin?" The captive said nothing but the Healer chose to speak.

"He ingested it, my Lord. You know it is not uncommon for Prince Legolas to carry your lunch to you if you are in your study, and I think that he may have taken a little of the food from the plate. If so, then the poison was meant for you."

Thranduil turned to Rhiernil, "Have no one enter or leave the kitchens, and samples of the food brought to the Healers' Halls to be tested for this poison."

Rhiernil nodded and the King turned to Feinereg and the three guards. "Take this...prisoner to one of the cells and question him."

"Yes, Adar," Feinereg said, leading the guards away.

The Master Healer lead Thranduil through the door to where Legolas was resting. Thranduil fell to his knees next to the bed, immediately abandoning any Kingly air and taking his place as a concerned father.

"His fever has lowered considerably, but I think it will still be several days before any more improvements are seen."

Thranduil nodded absently, brushing hair away from Legolas' face and caressing his youngest son's cheeck gently. "Do you know of anyway to cure him of the weaknesses you spoke of?"

"No. I could send for books from Lord Elrond, but not without him wishing to send a healer from his own house or coming himself."

Thranduil kissed his son's brow and stood. "We must put an end to this feud."

The Healer cocked his head, "And how do you suggest that is done?"

"I cannot say..."

There was an uneasy silence for a few minutes before the Healer spoke.

"My Lord, I think Legolas would benefit from treatment in Rivendell. The land itself is said to heal."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Perhaps a truce can be reached if Lord Elrond was to keep a member
from each court in his custody? Legolas would be safe from the dangers of the st, st, and could be treated by Elrond himself."

Thranduil frowned, "Lorien has no members of a court as we do."

"You could request a Galadhrim; the Marchwarden? Both Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn are fond of him."

"I will consider it."

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As predicted, a few days saw Legolas awake, and a week saw him very frustrated at being bed-ridden. The prisoner had revealed only that he had been hired to eliminate threats to Lorien. Thranduil placed the captive in Feinereg's care, and the second eldest Prince chose to have the Elf released into the forest after being stripped of his weapons, except for a dagger.

"Ada, I do ~not~ want to stay here," Legolas said, pouting.

Thranduil smiled, "Only for a few more days, Legolas. The Healers just need to confirm that the toxin is gone from your system."

"Can I not just come back?"

"Legolas," Thranduil sighed; "It is only for a few more days. Behave, I
have some letters to write."

Legolas kissed his father's cheek and settled against the headboard of the bed as he opened the book that had been brought to him.

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~*~Imladris~*~

"What is it?" Glorfindel asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the letter Elrond held.

Elrond looked up at his friend, "Thranduil wished to call a truce. He offers his son, Legolas, to be fostered here as a sign of peace. But he demands that the Marchwarden Haldir of Lorien is held here as well."

"Seems reasonable."

"Glorfindel, this is Thranduil. Unless he has some ulterior motive, I doubt very much that he would be so willing to give up his child."

Glorfindel sighed, "Must you be so suspicious? Perhaps Thranduil just wants peace between us. He is not Oropher. And even then, Oropher would
have done the same."

Elrond nodded silently, still doubting the situation.

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