Winnowing

Lord Elrond walked through the corridors of Imladris gently leading Prince Legolas. He wondered if anyone, including Legolas’ father, knew he was here. Elrond and Thranduil had never agreed, since Thranduil held Elrond responsible for his father’s death in the Last Alliance. The Lord of Imladris had some sympathy for Thranduil, though, knowing that he would want word of where his son was, even if it was with his most hated enemy. But he would think more on the King of Mirkwood later. For now, there was Legolas to tend to.

“I am glad to see you again, Legolas, for I missed you at the wedding of Estel and Arwen.” Elrond had heard that the Mirkwood prince had indeed been in attendance, but only briefly, and he had not set eyes on him while in Gondor.

“I did not have the time to tarry…but I wished to give my regards to the couple.”

Elrond raised a brow at this, wondering what business kept the other Elf away from his friends. “I shall escort you to the guest chambers where you may freshen up and rest a bit, and I will bring you food later.”

The Prince nodded dismissively and a frown tugged at Elrond’s lips. He selected a vacant set of rooms very close to his own and led Legolas inside.

“I will prepare the bath for you, if you wish,” Elrond said, moving to the nearby closet as Legolas sat down on the bed.

The Lord of Imladris rummaged through the hanging garments, all of loose sizes for all manner of visitors, looking for something to fit Legolas.

“Ah, here,” Elrond smiled, holding up a pale blue garment. “I have found a robe for…” The elder Elf sighed and shook his head slightly. Legolas was sound asleep.

Elrond crossed the room to where the sleeping prince lay. He tucked a lock of loose hair behind Legolas’ ear and sighed again. “What has happened to you, Prince of Mirkwood?”

The Elf Lord unstrapped Legolas’ bow, quiver, and knives, easing them out from beneath his body. He carefully puloff off the riding boots the prince wore before pulling a light cover up over the sleeping form and piling Legolas’ belongings on a nearby chair. He drew the heavy drapes to block out the light of day and quietly left the room. He would check on the Elf Prince later.

“Are you sure he is alright?” Glorfindel asked on the second day of Legolas’ slumber. The Eldar elf was standing in front of Elrond’s desk as his Lord worked on a bit of paperwork.

“He has no physical wounds, but he is mentally and emotionally exhausted,” Elrond said, his quill lightly scratching the parchment before him. “I think his recent trials have affected him more than we know.” Putting down his feather, he regarded his seneschal. “War takes a toll on all those involved, you know that, Glorfindel.”

“Aye…I do, but Legolas is so young. He was always so full of life. One would expect him to be overjoyed at the outcome of the quest, despite the hardship.”

“He is happy for his homeland, I am sure. But there were many battles, and the Quest was perilous. For many months, the fate of Middle-Earth rested on Legolas’ shoulders. He was the only representative of the Elves in the Fellowship.”

“All that fighting…for a world he is destined to leave. That must be hard as well. You should have sent me on the Quest.”

Elrond’s brow went up. “Indeed, I had not fully considered how it would impact Legolas to fight so hard for something he had to give up so soon.” He took a deep breath and sighed, he suspected Glorfindel’s feelings had been injured when he chose Legolas to go with the Fellowship instead of his trusted friend. “The Ringquest was not for you. Younger blood was needed and our age passed long ago. Besides,” Elrond smirked, “you would have gotten along so charmingly with Boromir and the dwarf.”

The Eldar laughed and shook his head. “True,” he admitted, grinning. “I must get back to my own work. I am facilitating a horse trade between Imladris and Rohan. I shall look in on our young elf as I pass.”

“If you could check on Legolas’ steed as well, I would appreciate it. He seemed very concerned for the welfare of his mount, even in the state he was in.”

A smile passed between the two lords, and then Glorfindel departed for the stables.

Elrond was surprised, and somewhat relieved a day later to find the bright blue eyes of Legolas looking up at him from the pillows.

“I see you have finally decided to join us, my young Prince,” Elrond smiled.

“I have slept long?” Legolas said, sounding slightly confused.

“A good while, but I daresay you needed it. How are you feeling?”

“More rested…and yet, still weary. I would like to thank you for your hospitality, my Lord.”

“These doors will always remain open to you while I dwell on these shores, Legolas,” Elrond gave another smile and retrieved the robe he had chosen for the Prince several days ago. “You will feel even better once we get you cleaned up. Here, put this on.”

Legolas took the proffered garment and stared at it. Elrond hid his frown and went into the next room, drawing a warm bath for the Elf prince. When he returned, Legolas was sitting up with the robe draped over his lap.

Elrond took the Prince gently by the arm and helped him to stand. Slowly, he began to undress him, peeling off the soiled garments and frowning at the too-slender frame he revealed. He noticed that there were several newer scars on the pale skin. They did not look to be healing as fast as they should, and Elrond made a mental note to apply a healing salve to them later.

He wrinkled his nose. “You smell like an Orc, Legolas. How long has it been since you last bathed?”

“I know not, I have lost track of time…”

“You have also lost your sense of smell, it seems. Come on.” Even though Elrond did not doubt Legolas’ ability to stand, he kept his hand firmly on the other’s arm. He led the naked Prince into the bathroom, getting his own robes slightly wet in leading Legolas down the short steps into the tub.

The Prince sunk down into the water and sighed. Elrond watched him with a frown of concern as Legolas made a half-hearted attempt to wash himself.

“Let me help you,” the Lord of Imladris said, stripping himself of his robes and descending into the hot water.