Poison

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The darkening sky of Arda began to shine with the silver light of the thousands of stars as the sun made her disappearance below the Western horizon. Though to the less poetic Elf staring up at the night sky from his bedroom window, the stars were no more than holes in the sky that light was clawing to get through. Only to vanish at dawn, proving the struggle in vain.

The young Elf shook his head in an attempt to vanquish the bleak thoughts from his mind. He was grateful for the light knock on the door that drew his attention back to his surroundings.

Glorfindel's voice sounded from the other side of the door. "Legolas? Are you going to let me in? Or must I find another way?"

Legolas could hear the smile in the ancient Elf's voice and opened the door. "Good evening, Lord Glorfindel."

Glorfindel 'tsked' and set the tray he had on the small table. "Legolas, unless you want me to call you 'My Prince' all evening, I suggest we lay aside the formalities. You should know thatlestles do not stand between us."

The older Elf looked over the much more pallid youth before him, "Are you feeling well? You did not eat much during dinner."

Legolas sighed and moved to sit on the bed, "I feel fine. Now, if you do not mind, I would rather this take as little time as possible."

Glorfindel smiled, "There is no need for a sample of blood tonight. Lord Elrond has not quite used up the one from last night."

"Has he found anything?"

"Unfortunately not," Glorfindel poured two cups of the berry tea he had brought. "He does not think there is a way to neutralize the poisons, or stop the fits completely."

Legolas accepted the cup, "And here I thought you meant to bring me good news."

"I do. The fits may not be avoided, but they may be treated. He has been looking to find a treatment."

"That is not new news," Legolas said softly.

"You seem rather bleak this evening."

"I am sorry, Glorfindel. It is just that I have yet to hear from my father. With what is going on in my homeland, I do not know if he will be visiting this season."

The older Elf nodded in understanding, "I am certain that he will."

There was an uneasy silence for a few seconds before Glorfindel spoke again. "The twins will be returning in a week or so. And Aragorn will be coming with them."

Legolas smiled at the memories the mention of the twins provoked. "I suppose Lord Elrond has already began to secure the House?"

Glorfindel chuckled, "Elrond? No. Erestor? Most deffinately."

The conversation eased into more pleasant topics and Glorfindel was ready to take his leave when Legolas had begun to get drowsy. Glorfindel made sure Legolas was comfortable before he left to check on Elrond's study.And as he expected, the Lord of the Last Homely House was sitting at his desk, looking over the day's work.

Glorfindel leaned against the doorframe and gave his friend an odd look. "Really, Elrond. You have been at this all day."

Elrond barely looked up, "I am an Elf, Glorfindel. I do not have the limitations of Man."

"Perhaps not," the ancient blonde conceded. "But even you need rest. And I am certain that you have not only shut yourself up in this boring place, but you have most likely missed dinner."

Elrond smiled, "You know me too well." He closed the books he was looking through and looked up at his friend. "And I suppose I will now be scolded like a child?"

"Nay. But I may send you to bed without desert."

Elrond stood and stretched, "Ah, the familiar threat. I do not believe you have ever carried it out."

Glorfindel grinned, "No, I have not. And just what kept you up so late in the evening?"

"'Tis not late, is it?" Elrond looked out the window. "Dark already. Perhaps I was a bit distracted."

"And my question was with what."

"The condition of our little fosterling."

"Hardly little, anymore," Glorfindel stated.

Elrond led the way from the study to the Hall of Fire, "Indeed. He's grown quite a bit in seven years. I had forgotten how short childhood is."

Glorfindel retrieved a bottle of wine and poured a glass for himself as well as one for Elrond. "Just what have you discovered?"

The Elf-lord sighed and shed all guises of a Master Healer or a powerful Elf-lord. Instead, he took the air Glorfindel had seen only when it concerned the well-being of a friend or child. "Nothing of value. I can do nothing to ease the fits, nor can I stop them. And it is far too late to develop an antidote."

"You've tried, Elrond. If there is nothing to be done, than so be it."

Elrond shook his head, "Legolas is a sweet lad. Surely I cannot fail him. The Valar would not be so cruel."

Glorfindel stayed silent, looking into the deep red of his wine as he thought. In the light of the fires, the ancient being seemed much more weathered and less playful than Elrond had seen him before, save on a few solemn occasions. Elrond placed his still full glass on a table and was about to say his good-nights when Glorfindel spoke.

"The Valar rarely make Their will known, Elrond. I do not understand why I was granted this second chance, when there must have been others more deserving of it. I do not believe that you have failed, nor do I believe that Legolas will succumb to whatever fate was carried with that poison. He is a strong one, and every bit the warrior his father is, and his grandfather was. If you cannot physically heal him, then help me heal his spirit."

"And how do you propose that?" Elrond asked. They had had similar conversations when Legolas was first brought to Imladris.

Glorfindel drained his glass and began to leave, stopping momentarily next to his friend. "Legolas feels weak. Let us train him. You and Erestor are more than capable to make him a healer and scholar. I can train him with a sword. And now that there is peace, though uneasy it may be, perhaps we can persuade Haldir to teach Legolas the finer points of archery. We have both seen how Legolas handles a bow, he has a talent for it. I am certain that Haldir would take the opportunity to teach the young prince some of Lothlorien's techniques."

Elrond watched Glorfindel leave and mulled the suggestin over in his own mind. He would speak to Haldir in the morning.

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The rising sun was met with the early morning activity of the inhabitants of Rivendell. A few Elves stopped to greet the first rays as they trickled over the horizon, but most were still inside, preparing for the return of the two Princes of Imladris and their adopted brother.

The creeping rays of light found Elrond in the gardens, having been dragged from his early morning work by his daughter and Legolas. The trio were sharing an early meal together and discussing the day's plans. Though Elrond seemed to be having a hard time convincing the two that he had too much work to do.

"Please, Ada?" Arwen asked, trying her best 'cute' look. Legolas grinned.

"Just a little ride to the river?" The blonde added.

Elrond smiled at the two, "And just what would we do at the river?"

Arwen grinned, "Swim, of course."

"Arwen," Elrond started; "I do not swim."

"Please, Ada?"

Elrond was about to respond when one of the Elves in Glorfindel's patrol appeared on the path beyond the garden's gateway. The soldier bowed respectfully and held out a folded paper, "My lord, a message from King Thranduil's realm has arrived. The envoy is being taken to a room to rest from the journey as I speak."

The letter was accepted and the soldier was sent back to the waiting patrol group. Elrond opened the letter and read it over.

"Your father sends his regrets at not being able to come at his usual time, Legolas. But he will be arriving within the next few weeks."

Legolas smiled playfully, "This does not get you out of swimming."

The Elf-lord sighed, hoping for another interuption.

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Erestor stepped onto the training fields with his bow, quickly finding an open range next to Haldir. He nodded a greeting before taking a stance. Haldir smiled, "I was not aware tthe the librarians of Imladris had any use outside of the great House."

The dark-haired Noldor smiled at the familiar comment. "And I suppose a Marchwarden Captain is always in need of training?"

Haldir snorted, "So Lord Elrond has asked me to train the young prince in the ways of archery."

"So I've heard," Erestor waited for his target to be moved back before taking his next shot. "And just what is your opinion on that matter?"

Haldir sighed and fired another shot, hitting his target dead centre. "It was an injustice that was done to him. And the Lady was right to exile the Elf, if he could be called that, that hired the assassin."

"And of your teaching him?"

"I have heard from a very reliable source that the young prince is a wonderful pupil," Haldir grinned at Erestor. "I have already accepted the responsibility."

Erestor lowered his bow as he mended the feathers on one arrow. "You were less taken by him when you first arrived."

"I did not wish to leave my home. But I suppose he did not want to leave his."

Haldir released another shot, "At least there is peace now."

There was a companionable silence for a few minutes more. Then Haldir couldn't resist asking, "Is all in accord for the arrival of the twins?"

Erestor groaned and missed his target.

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