The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 133

Glorfindel sat propped against some pillows on the tent floor, sweat pouring from his body soaking through the flimsy undershirt he wore and drenching the pillows beneath him. Filgree had knelt relisly sly by his side from the moment the seneschal had been brought back to camp lifelessly limp over the back of a soldier’s horse.

“Legolas…” Feverish and incoherent Glorfindel called his lovers name to the visions that swam in his mind. With a soft hand Filgree tried to calm the erratic tossing and turning of his friend before again soaking the cloth from Glorfindel’s forehead in the bowl of ice water beside him. Never in his entire life devoted to healing had Filgree seen such a raging fever in an elf before. Not even during the trails of male childbirth had Filgree witnessed such horrific symptoms from an elf. Glorfindel was white, his skin almost translucent, like the, thinnest and oldest of the parchment scrolls in the Lord Celeborn’s great library. While the seneschal shivered in cold his body felt like fire to the touch. Fearing that the wound in Glorfindel’s leg had been from a poisoned arrow Elrond had performed surgery on the warrior immediately. Yet after cleansing and stitching the wound the Imladris Lord had found no signs of poison within Glorfindel’s body. Potions and herbs seemed to have little affect on the severely ill elf and it had only been through a small hollowed out water reed that Filgree had managed to coax some cold broth and water down the seneschal’s throat.

Again Glorfindel called for his lover and Filgree sighed as he pressed Glorfindel’s shaking hand above his heart sending a prayer to the valar that they keep both his friends safe. Glorfindel had told them clearly that Legolas had gone into labour andgreegree had hoped to have Glorfindel explain to him what he felt coming through the connection between himself and Legolas, yet Glorfindel’s condition had worsened and neither he nor Elrond could get more than a few words from the seneschal.

“How does he fare Filgree?” Filgree again re dampened the cloth on Glorfindel’s forehead before turning to face the five faces now staring in at him from the entrance to the makeshift tent.

“There is no improvement my Lord’s, I fear he suffers greatly yet there is little that alleviates his pain.” Lord Celeborn stepped into the tent and over to Filgree’s side, followed by the other leaders all of them still covered in the blood and grime of the battle just gone, all of them still garbed in the armour of their realms. Everyone looked tired and weary yet for the sake of appearances none complained as they took up seats around the tent. Elladan, Haldir, Elrond, Celeborn, Erestor, Thranduil and the few centuries not occupied with organizing the troops outside all watched on as Glorfindel threw his body violently about on the cushions, Legolas’ name forever on his lips.

Kneeling by the side of Filgree, Lord Celeborn gently eased his grimy; scratch covered hand across Glorfindel’s forehead, hissing audibly as he felt the heat from the seneschal’s skin. Filgree went to re wet the cloth for a third time but was stopped short as Lord Celeborn completed the task before him, the lord’s concern clearly etched in his hardly recognizable battle weary form.

“Tell me Tutor Filgree, this fever of Glorfindel’s has it anything to do with my son? Is it an indication of his labour?” Thranduil was pacing back and forth past the door of the tent his hands tucked uncomfortably in his tunic very much like his father used to do. Everyone looked questioningly across at Filgree who had now sat away from Glorfindel’s body allowing Lord Celeborn to take over for caring for the fevered elf. Filgree didn’t quite know what to say, never in his life had he felt such a responsibility falling upon him from the leaders of the three great elvan realms.

Slowly taking a sip from a flask of water by his side Filgree looked sadly up at Thranduil who had now stopped dead and was staring determinedly at the tutor he had for the past 500 years entrusted the life of his youngest son to.

“I can not be sure of anything. In all aspects Glorfindel suffers from this illness such as a human would do. Whether it is an occurrence of an unfortunate contact in battle or the effects of his bond with Legolas I can not tell…” Filgree paused and lowered his chin to his chest afraid of what else he knew he should say. Elrond picked up immediately that Filgree had left something unsaid and instantly urged the Tutor to continue.

“The rest Filgree, tell us what it is you fear to say.” Sighing heavily Filgree reluctantly lifted his gaze again to meet Elrond’s before glancing sadly across at Glorfindel who was now writing about in Celeborn’s arms as the lord Lorien tried to calm the warrior.

“I fear that Glorfindel’s condition maybe an indication of complications in Legolas’ labour. It has been recorded in the diaries of maidens that when difficulties arise in their pregnancies that their mates too suffer the pain they go through. While it may differ in males the principals are the same.” Filgree closed his eyes as Thranduil let out a concerned and extremely unsteady whimper as he heard the tutor’s words. Immediately Haldir was at Thranduil’s side, ignoring the looks of the centuries as he gently wrapped his arms about the king and held the warrior against his chest in comfort.

”What happens if this is so?” Determined to hear more about this situation Elladan prodded Filgree for continued information, of which the Tutor was becoming more and more reluctant to give. Elladan was not deterred however and firmly gripped Filgree’s hand reassuring the tutor that they were all capable of handling what was to be said, no matter how grim it might be.

“Sometimes if the complications result in the death of the unborn child, the suffering mate may die with grief through the bond.” There was a unanimous gasp of horror that swept through the tent and Haldir was forced to sit down as Thranduil collapsed to his knees at the mere thought of loosing his son and grandchild. Silence befell the tent and only Glorfindel’s whimpering cries of Legolas name penetrated the thick moment.

It was but a mere moment however until Lord Celeborn’s voice broke the silence, the Lord Lorien speaking for the first time since the conversation had begun.

“No. I refuse to believe that theory tutor Filgree. Both yourself and Elrond have witnessed Legolas pregnancy from its early stages and noted nothing obscure in the prince’s progression. What else could this fever be caused by…” Celeborn glared firmly at Filgree who swiftly went to reply in protests.

“But my Lord complications can occur at anytime in a pregnancy and it is during the most crucial time of labour that most unforseen complications happen. Legolas may still be alone in the hills, Elrohir not having found him.” Anger and concern began to fuel Filgree’s reply to Celeborn and before Filgree control himself the events he feared for his charge began to spill freely from his mouth for all the hear. “If he has gone into labour and has no shelter or warmth in which to deliver the child himself the situation alone would create a dangerous amount of stress on both child and parent. This is Legolas first child and you know youf thf the dangers having seen Haldir go through the same thing. He is unprepared for what is to happen to him and without the support of another elf he may very well black out in pain and suffocate the child within the birth canal unborn before slowly bleeding to death himself….” Filgree cut cut short as Celeborn stood hastily from Glorfindel’s body his face full of fury as he glared at the tutor still sitting below him on the cushions of the floor.

“I will hear no more of that tutor Filgree. We must put our faith in the strength of the prince and his abilities. Let us pray for his sake that Elrohir has found him and that as we speak he is delivering the next heir to the throne of Mirkwood, healthy and alive.” Celeborn stood dominantly above all in the tent his gaze filtering between concern and anger as he glared at tutor who had submissively bowed his head in apology to the great lord of Lorien, having forgotten his place and regretting it profusely. “Now try again Tutor Filgree, what else could be the cause of this fever and what is to be done to aid the seneschal’s recovery.” Obediently Filgree took a steadying breath and glanced longingly at Glorfindel’s body, the seneschal having calmed a little although was still labouring in his breathing.

“Legolas as an elfling often suffered sickness having been in contact with the rangers at the inn in Mirkwood. It was never anything serious but because of his unusual bodily reactions he suffered more like a human than an elf. Coughing, sneezing, fever and sweats were all things he experienced in a much less severe form as Glorfindel currently suffers. Perhaps in their union Legolas’ ability to pick up illness has passed to his mate, and as such Glorfindel has caught an illness from the battle field. With his wound and the general fatigue of battle and dealing with Legolas’ labour through their bond perhaps Glorfindel is suffering more severely than would normally happen under less stressful circumstances.” Filgree looked hopefully up at Celeborn and was delighted as he saw a smile grace the features of the elvan lord before him.

“Good that is a very real possibility Filgree, now what is to be done to ensure Glorfindel’s health while this illness passes.” Filgree closed his eyes momentarily in reply to Celeborn’s question trying to remember what he did for Legolas when the elfling in his charge suffered from what the human’s had named a cold.

“We keep him warm and ensure he takes fluids every half hour. Apart from that there is little else to do but let the sickness run its course.” Filgree smiled back at Celeborn who nodded understandingly and sent two of the centuries off to find some more blankets and pillows from the other tents stationed around the camp.

“And what of Legolas?” Haldir spoke up gingerly from the corner of the tent where he was gently cradling the form of Thranduil in his arms.

“There is nothing we can do until we find him and Elrohir. What scouts we could spare that are uninjured are out combing the hills looking for signs of them. When we find them we will have a better idea of what condition Legolas is in and we can take it from there.” This time Elrond answered Haldir’s question having regained his control of the situation and finding hope in the new turn of conversation.

“I pray to the valar that he will be well.” Erestor’s shaky voice whispered softly across the tent, the advisor having been nursing his injuries from battle in silence while all around him argued and debated. Everyone nodded their agreement and Elrond gently leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss to his lover’s dirty forehead.

“Aye as do we all my love.” Elrond softly sighed and rose to his feet helping Erestor up as well, judging that the conference had come to a resolute end. “For now I suggest we retire to attend our own injuries and ailments, and rest a little. Messengers have been sent with the good news back to our respective realms and there is little left to do that the captains are not already organized in managing without us. I understand that we have much to discuss about this victory and as such I will call a meeting at dusk for the evening meal and for such matters to be conversed. For now take rest in your own private sanctuaries and seek medical aid where you need it. I fear there is still a long road ahead of us.” With a respectful bow to both Celeborn and Thranduil, Elrond swept from the tent taking a very weak Erestor with him. Slowly everyone retired each begging Filgree to inform them if there were any changes in Lord Glorfindel’s condition. Finally when it was only Filgree and Glorfindel left in the tent Filgree lowered himself slowly down by the side of Glorfindel and took the seneschal’s clammy hand in his own and squeezed it tightly in both reassurance for himself and for the patient he cared for.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(A/N) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay I managed to get this update despite my hangover and despite it's only 1 chapter I hope you're not dissappointed. I will try and get the rest written this week and next so you can read the stunning conclusion of this epic and with luck I will keep you all entertained until my next project.

Thanks for reading and keeping my muse company in 2003. As always feel free to email me if you wish to chat or whatever, if you don't fancy reviewing. Apart from that Happy 2004 and I hope everyone has a great coming year.

Stay tuned for more JoM

Thankies
RIFFRAFF