The Healing of Elves and Trees

Title: The Healing of Elves and Trees
Author: Eliza 422 (eliza_422@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Elrohir/Haldir (eventually), Elladan/Legolas
Rating: NC-17
Summary: AU Story. Elrohir and Celebrian are captured by orcs. They survive the attack but Elrohir is changed. Will he everoverover from what he has experienced?
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JRR Tolkien.
Author's note: Next chapter. More trouble for all our elves.

Chapter 15

Legolas and Elrohir lay quietly on the chaise. It had been several hours since Gailind's visit, and dusk was approaching.
"Elrohir?"
"Yes?"
"It's getting dark, and I'm hungry. It's dinner time - do you want me to bring you into the dining room?"
Elrohir jerked his head up. "No I do not! I'm not hungry."
Legolas sat up, stretching his arms upward, his back cracking loudly. "Ooh, did you hear that? I think I've been lying down too long. Tomorrow I'm going to have to keep busier." He frowned when he realized what Elrohir had said. "Not hungry? How can that be? You've had nothing since that apple this morning."
"I ate some lunch."
Legolas stood up and stretched more kinks out of his muscles. "You call that eating? Two spoonfuls of broth do not a meal make! I'm going to tell your father about this."
"Snitch!"
"Baby!"
"Tattletale!"
"Crybaby!"
"Ha! You used baby twice! I win," Elrohir said, smiling triumphantly at Legolas. The twins had perfected the insult game over the years and Legolas could never quite get a handle on it.
"You and your stupid twin games. I'm staying out of it." Legolas rifled through the small pack he had on the table and pulled out a hairbrush and a mirror. He sat on one of the lounge chairs and leaned the mirror against a mug. Elrohir watched him brush his hair.
"Your hair is really growing fast. It's already down to your shoulders."
Legolas smiled at his reflection. "Elladan is very happy that it's growing in."
Elrohir was about to reply when both elves turned toward the path. A loud argument and pounding footsteps could be heard rapidly approaching.

"Arwen, father said no!" Elladan said, striding quickly next to his sister.
"I don't care! That stupid ellian is going to see me whether he likes it or not!"
"Is that any way to talk about your own brother?" Elladan grabbed her arm.
Arwen stopped short and turned blazing eyes to Elladan. "He doesn't know what's good for him. I heard father tell you and Legolas that Elrohir wouldn't heal until one, he left that dark room he was in, and two, he gets love and attention from his family. Well damn it, I'm going to give him the love he needs!" She yanked her arm out of his grip and ran to the walled garden.

"Legolas! Stop her!" Elrohir panicked. He wasn't prepared to see Arwen, so he hunkered down under his blanket and pulled it up to its usual spot under his chin.
"Are you kidding? Stop your sister? It would be easier to stop an oliphant on a rampage!" Legolas laughed when Arwen came down the path. "I don't know if you're going to survive her love and attention!"

Arwen stopped a few feet away from the chaise. She had helped nurse Elrohir in the Healing House when he had suffered through another infection and fever, but once he started to mend he had shut her out. It angered her deeply that Legolas and Elladan were allowed to see him but she and mother were not!
Her anger receded rapidly, however, when she saw the look of terror in Elrohir's eyes. She plunked down gracelessly into the lounge chair next to the chaise.
"Isn't this a fine state of affairs! Afraid of your own sister!"
Elladan stopped behind her. "I'm sorry, Elrohir, she wouldn't listen. You know how stubborn she is."
Arwen whipped around. "Me stubborn? Me? Nice words from an elf who wore down two Elven lords with his pleas to marry Legolas before you two were of proper age!"
Legolas chuckled at Elladan's chagrin, but silenced quickly when Arwen fixed her gaze on him.
"And you! Enabling Elrohir with his stupid rules. I would not have let him get away with it!"
"That's not fair! I was helping him get better."
Arwen stood up to stare Legolas down. The blond elf, despite being several inches taller than her, cowered under her murderous look. "Helping him get better? Look at him!" She turned to briefly point at Elrohir. "He's a wreck - so pale and gaunt I hardly recognize him."
"Hey! I resent that. I've been ill!" Elrohir said, feeling a little put out at her comments.
"It's not my fault. What did you want me to do, hold him down and force feed him?" Legolas said.
"If that's what it takes, yes!"
"Fine healer you would make! It's a good thing only the twins inherited your father's healing ability. No elf could survive treatment from your hands."
"Legolas! Apologize to my sisat oat once!" Elladan exclaimed, shocked at his husband's words.
"No, I won't apologize. This harridan has just accused me of harming Elrohir, and I won't stand for it." Legolas stood up to his full height, determined to stand against her.
"What did you call me?" Arwen's voice lowered to an ominous whisper.
"You heard."
"Arwen, stop, please," Elrohir said. He dropped the blanket and leaned forward, pulling gently on her skirt.
She didn't turn to look at him. "Let me go, Elrohir. I have to teach a certain blond elf some manners."
"If anyone is going to teach Legolas manners it'll be me!" Elladan said.
Legolas couldn't believe his ears. "You think you can teach me manners, Elladan? I'm the son of the King of Mirkwood - I need no lessons from a Noldo!"
"You know I hate it when you call me that."
"You're not going to deny your heritage now, are you? Does this mean you're going to stop throwing it in my face every chance you get? Thank Eru for that!"
"Please, stop arguing," Elrohir said. He was deeply worried at the angry words flying around, and it was all his fault. He had to stop them.
"Take back that insult, blondie, or you're going to get it!" Arwen yelled, shaking her fist at Legolas.
Legolas turned to Elladan. "Are you going to let her speak to me like that? She's threatening me!"
"Maybe you should use your impeccable manners to save yourself. I'mt ant an arrogant Noldo, remember?"
"You're certainly proving it today. And back off, elf, if you know what's good for you. I'm not adverse to fighting a maid." Legolas moved his hand to the knife on his belt.
"Legolas! You're not going to fight my sister!"
"Well someone has to defend me, and it doesn't appear that you're up to the task."
"I don't mind a good scuffle, you ignorant backwoods savage - my brothers weren't the only elves tutored by Glorfindel!" Arwen dropped into a fighting stance.
"."

Elrohir despaired when he saw Legolas and Arwen square off and start circling . Elladan was doing nothing to stop them. What was he going to do? He struggled to pull himself up and to stretch toward which ever elf he could reach. He was beginning to feel lightheaded - the lack of food and stress with his new situation was taking its toll. Elrohir's arms started to shake and he tried to lean back onto the chaise, but didn't make it. He fainted and fell to the ground.

Elrond had been finishing up some paperwork when Celebrian burst into his office and told him that Arwen had gone to see Elrohir. Celebrian had tried to talk her out of it but had not been successful. He dropped everything and rushed to the garden.
He stared in stunned silence at the scene before him. Arwen, Elladan, and Legolas were arguing and threatening each other. He had never seen them like this before! Poor Elrohir was pleading with them to no avail.
"Elrohir!" Elrond yelled when he saw the elf fall to the ground. He rushed over to his son and knelt down next to him. He cradled Elrohir in his arms and prepared to go into a healing mode. He stopped when Elrohir started to awaken.
The others stood and watched Elrond, their own arguments forgotten.
Elrond picked Elrohir up off the ground. He was dismayed to feel how light his son felt in his arms - he had not paid much attention to Legolas when the elf had mentioned Elrohir wasn't eating. Yet another black mark on his list of failures when it came to healing Elrohir.
"Father, I'm OK," Elrohir said woozily, his head bobbling slightly.
Elrond lay Elrohir down on the chaise, wrapped the blanket around him, and picked him back up. "I'm bringing you to the dining room, son, and you're going to eat a proper meal."
"I'm not hungry."
"You're going to eat anyway."
"Please, not in the dining room."
"It will only be the family, Elrohir, just the six of us. You'll be safe."
Elrohir was too tired to argue, so he lay still in his father's arms. "Whatever you say." He closed his eyes and leaned against his father's chest.
Elrond faced his other children. "As for you three - I'll see you after dinner. I'm extremely disappointed in all of you." He brushed by them and headed toward the house.
The three elves looked at each other, but didn't say anything. They quietly followed Elrond out of the garden.

Elrohir stared at the food in front of him. How was he ever going to eat it all? The plate looked as large as a shield. He wrapped the blanket around himself tighter. He could hear his parents talking quietly - the rest of them weren't saying anything at all. He didn't make any eye contact with any one.
Elrond watched Elrohir out of the corner of his eye. He had sat his son on his right side so he could monitor what he ate. He could see Elrohir was intimidated by the amount of food in front of him, but didnwantwant to take any away. He leaned over and spoke softly into his ear.
"Just start with one bite."
Elrohir huffed a bit, but knew his father would never let him leave the table until he ate something. He maneuvered the blanket so he could take his left arm out without exposing any part of his body. He picked up the fork and poked at the food, trying to decide what to eat. It seemed like the most momentous decision in the world. Greens? Turnips? Venison? His stomach cramped at the thought of eating any meat, so he decided to spear a chunk of roasted turnip. He brought the fork to his mouth but stopped when he noticed everyone staring at him. He put the fork back down and pulled his arm within the blanket. He hung his head back down so he wouldn't have to see their faces.
Elrond sighed, then gave each elf at the table pointed looks. Elrohir would never eat anything if they did that again.
Elladan mouthed an apology and looked away.
Elrond leaned over to talk to Elrohir again. "Try again, son, I know you can eat something." He turned back to Celebrian to continue his conversation.
Elrohir surreptitiously looked around to see if anyone was watching him, but no one was. He snuck his arm out again and picked the fork up. He decided the piece of turnip was too big, so he cut it into several smaller pieces. He speared a piece and checked the table one more time before putting it in his mouth.
He struggled to chew it. It felt strange to have hot, solood ood in his mouth. He finally swallowed it and picked up another piece.
Celebrian was on Elrond's left side, so she could see Elrohir over her husband's shoulder. She didn't try to make eye contact, but she could see that he was eating. She looked at Elrond and nodded slightly to let him know. Elrond rolled his eyes in relief.

Elrohir finally put his fork down. He had eaten most of the gs ans and some of the turnips. He didn't want to eat anymore. He pulled his arm back under the blanket and hunched over, closing his eyes. His siblings and Legolas had been uncharacteristically quiet through the dinner, but he didn't care.
After the meal was over, Elrond shooed the rest of his family out the door. He turned to Elrohir.
"You did good, son. Tomorrow I want you to try and eat some meat - we need to build your strength back up."
Elrohir simply nodded, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over him. He slumped lower in his chair.
Surprised at the lack of response, Elrond put his hand on Elrohir's forehead and entered a healing trance. He could feel the fatigue coursing through his son's body. He smiled.
"This is good," he said.
"What, father?" mumbled Elrohir.
"You are falling into a healing sleep - I don't think you've done that in weeks. The fresh air and food are already working." Elrond stood up and picked Elrohir up. "You can have a bath tomorrow - I'm going to put you to bed."
"Mm-hmm," replied Elrohir, leaning his head against his father's chest.
Elrond slowly walked to Elrohir's bedchamber, trying not to jostle him. He was glad to notice that a servant had already lit some lanterns and turned down the bedcovers in preparation for Elrohir's return. He lay his son on his bed and gently undressed him. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed earlier how much Elrohir's ribs were showing.
"Father?" said Elrohir.
"Yes, son?" Elrond replied, pulling a sleep shirt over Elrohir's head.
"Why haven't you said anything about my legs?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the fact that they don't work anymore. I can't feel anything below my knees."
"It's only been eight weeks, son, you need to give it some time."
Elrohir reached up to grab the flaps of his father's tunic, to stop his father from bustling around. "I probably won't walk again."
"We can't say that for sure. Elves heal from most injuries, eventually." Elrond put his hand over Elrohir's, patting it softly.
"It might be many years."
Elrond hesitated before responding. "True."
"It's OK, father, I don't blame you. You and Anorion did a wonderful job on me."
"Not wonderful enough."
"I'm alive, and except for the legs I'm completely healed - that's pretty wonderful."
"Healed physically, maybe."
Elrohir shook his head. "There's nothing you could have done to heal my mental condition, father."
"Speaking of that, how did your visit with Gailind go?"
"Ugh."
Elrond chucked. "That good, huh? I feel that same way."
Elrohir's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're seeing him too?"
"Everyone except Arwen is," Elrond replied. "This has been very difficult for me to handle. I don't think I'll ever forget what I saw when we entered that prison cell." Elrond shuddered.
Elrohir turned away. "Please don't talk about that."
"I'm sorry, son, I shouldn't have mentioned it."
Tho elo elves were quiet for a moment.
Elrond stroked Elrohir's arm. "I'm sorry Arwen descended on you like that. I told her not to go see you yet, but you know how she is."
"She's a Peredhil, and that means trouble."
"It always has!" Elrond laughed at Elrohir's astute observation.
Elrohir's eyelids started drooping down, and he yawned widely.
"I've kept you up long enough. Your body wants to enter a healing state, and I'm not helping."
"Yes, father," Elrohir murmured.
Elrond leaned over to kiss Elrohir's cheek. He caressed the short strands of his hair, then pulled the bedcovers up. He turned the lanterns down and quietly left the room.
"Now to deal with the others."

Arwen, Legolas, and Elladan waited anxiously in the family's sitting room. They didn't know what Elrond was going to do when he got back from Elrohir's bedchamber. Celebrian was sitting by one of the larger lanterns sewing, not paying attention to the three young elves.
Elrond strode purposefully into the sitting room and stood in front of them. None of them made eye contact.
"I'm ashamed of you," Elrond said. "I never thought I'd see the day that my own children would come to blows like this."
Arwen stood up to face her father. "That's nonsense, father, we weren't..."
"Silence!" Elrond roared, startling Arwen. She sank back down onto the couch. "I heard arguing, insults, and I saw you about to engage Legolas in battle. All this in front of your poor sick brother!"
Arwen hung her head, ashamed at what she had done.
"Elladan, you are my heir, and you act like a mere elfling. How am I supposed to feel secure in giving you more responsibility knowing that you can't even keep peace with your own sister?"
Elrond fixed his eyes on Legolas. "I'm disappointed in you most of all, Legolas. You have always been a kind, considerate, and levelheaded elf. I thought of you as a gentling influence on Elladan. I guess I was wrong."
Legolas' face fell at the harsh words. Tears welled up in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he sobbed.
"We're all sorry, father," Elladan said. "It's just with Elrohir being sick it's been a little stressful."
"Don't blame this on your brother. I think all three of you need to be punished."
Arwen gasped. "You can't! We're not elflings."
"I certainly can. I'm your father and I need to do it. You may not physically be elflings but one would hardly tell the difference considering your behavior. Arwe had had forbidden you to go see your brother until I said so. You deliberately disobeyed me, and now look at the trouble all of you are in. Are these the actions of a mature elf?"
"Well..."
"Enough. I have made my decision and I'm sticking to it."
Arwen looked to her mother, pleading. "Mother, you can't let him do this!"
Celebrian stopped sewing and looked sternly at her daughter. "You disobeyed a direct order, Arwen. What happens when one of our soldiers disobeys Glorfindel or one of his captains when they are in battle? He's disciplined!"
"But mother..."
"Don't you 'but mother' me, Arwen. You must face the consequences of your actions."
"Thank you, my dear."
"How will you punish us, father?" Elladan asked.
"The three of you will spend the next two weeks serving under Amoriel. I believe she is doing some major cleaning around the entire complex. She could use three strong young elves."
"You can't be serious, father!" exclaimed Arwen.
"I'm perfectly serious. You will each take a 4-hour shift to sit with Elrohir. The other 8 hours you will spend under Amoriel's direction. You will obey her without question. Is that clear?"
The young elves didn't reply for a moment.
"Yes, sir," Legolas said faintly.
"Elladan? Arwen?"
His children finally nodded their agreement.
"Now off to your rooms - I wish to be alone with your mother now." Elrond pointed to the door.
They slowly shuffled out of the room and headed down the hallway. Elrond watched them for a moment, then shut the sitting room door. He took a seat next to Celebrian. He smiled when he saw the mirth dancing in her eyes.
"That's quite an ingenious punishment, Elrond. I think it will be very effective.\lronlrond leaned back in his chair and picked up the glass of wine Celebrian had prepared for him. "I wish I could take credit for it, but I can't. It's the same thing Thranduil did to Legolas and Elrohir when they went on that boar hunt without permission. Of course, they had it much worse because it was spring cleaning time and one of their tasks was to wash and wax the floors in the entire public section of Thranduil's palace. On their hands and knees."
Celebrian laughed. "I bet they hated that!"
They sat in companionable silence for a while until Celebrian spoke.
"How is Elrohir?"
"Some good news there. He has fallen into a healing sleep. He should feel very good in the morning." Elrond frowned, recalling his earlier conversation with Elrohir.
"What's g, mg, my love?"
"Elrohir knows about his legs - that they are crippled."
"That doesn't surprise me. It seems harposspossible that he wouldn't notice."
"I was hoping it was just temporary, until the bones healed. But now, I don't know. He seems convinced that they won't heal soon."
"What did you tell him?"
"That most elves heal from grave injuries in time."
"So you think in time he could walk again?"
Elrond stared at his wine glass. "I just don't know."
Celebrian reached over to take his free hand. "It's in the hands of the Valar now, dear. We just have to be strong and support him no matter what happens. He's made it thir."r."
Elrond nodded. He put his glass down and pulled Celebrian over into his lap. He pulled her face down for a kiss.
"I love you, Celebrian."
"I love you too, Elrond." She snaked her arm around his neck.
They kissed for a moment, then Elrond stood up still holding her in his arms.
"It seems I've been carrying elves around all day!" aid.aid.
"Just where are you taking me, good sir?"
"To our bed, my lady."
"You making quite an assumption, elf. I've agreed to no such tryst."
"OK, good night then!" Elrond dumped Celebrian on the couch. "I'm off!" He left the sitting room.
Celebrian giggled, waiting for him to return. Her laughter died away when he didn't. She got up and headed toward the door.
"You're supposed to - eep!" she squeaked when Elrond scooped her up. He had been standing outside thor wor waiting for her.
Celebrian laughed, surprised she had fallen for that old trick. "You win!"
"Don't I always?" Elrond swung her back and forth in his arms as he headed toward their apartment.

Legolas followed Elladan into their suite. Elladan stormed about, throwing off his tunic and shoving things around on the dresser. Legolas slumped onto the small couch by the fire.
"This is a fine state of affairs."
"What does that mean?" Elladan said.
"Your sister causes trouble and all of us get punished for it."
"You're blaming her? You were going to pull a knife on her!"
Legolas leapt off the couch. "Your sister was rude and belligerent and she started it all! Things were going fine until she showed up."
"You're older than her by several hundred years - you should be more mature than that."
Legolas threw his hands in the air. "Riordsords coming from you. You let her speak to me in a horrific way! Do our wedding vows mean nothing to you?"
Elladan stopped unlacing his trousers and looked at Legolas. "I can't believe you just said that."
Legolas walked forward until he was just inches away from Elladan. "I'm starting tink ink my father was right. We should have waited until we were of age before we got married."
Elladan paled. "No."
Legolas shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "We were fine this past year, but the first true test of our marriage and we're at each other's throats. This isn't the way married couples act. Can you imagine Glorfindel and Erestor acting this way? Or your parents?"
"I'm sure they had their ups and downs at first. No marriage is perfect."
Legolas laughed sharply. "Perfect? We can't even see 'adequate' on the horizon."
"So you're saying we're a failure."
"No. Well, yes." Legolas grabbed Elladan's undershas tas the elf tried to walk away. "Wait! What I mean is, I think maybe we were too young to get married. Not that I doubt our love, but the responsibilities of marriage seem to be overwhelming us."
Elladan stood staring at Legolas for several minutes. He stroked the short blond curls. "What do you want us to do?"
The despair in Elladan's voice caused Legolas' heart to constrict. He didn't want to leave Elladan, but the situation was getting out of hand. "I think I'm going to spend tonight in my old bedchamber down the hall."
"No!"
"Just tonight, my love. I need some space and some time to think."
"Please, babe, don't leave. We'll work it out, I promise. We'll go see Gailind tomorrow - we can meet with him as much as you want!"
Legolas placed his hands on top of Elladan's. "It'll be OK, Elladan. This is just for tonight. We're going to take this one day at a time."
"Just tell me you're not leaving me."
"Elladan, I'm going now. I'll see you in the morning." Legolas disentangled himself from Elladan's grasp. He quickly retrieved some clothes from the dresser.
Before leaving the room, Legolas looked back. Elladan was still standing in the middle of the room half-dressed. The hopeless look on the elf's face almost made Legolas turn back, but he steeled himself. He knew if Elladan and he were going to make it he had to walk away for at least a little while.
"Good bye, Elladan."
Elladan didn't respond. Legolas left the room and shut the door. He stayed in the hallway when he heard Elladan break down into heart-rending sobs. Legolas reached for the door knob, but stopped before opening the door. He quickly turned and headed to his old room, barely able to see anything through the tears in his eyes.