A Healing Touch

Well, I'm back. Here's another short chapter, brought to you by me, if you're not a LOTR fan, then get the hell off my property! J/K

Natalya: ::Gasp!:: Kill a LOTR character!? Unlike Peter Jackson, I don't butcher Tolkien's characters. Don't worry, no character death in this story, I would have put that in the Warnings otherwise. But I'm glad I've been getting you worried, that just makes me think my story's all the better! LoL, I won't even read stories with C/D in them myself, too sad.

Silent Archer: Oropher is Thranduil's father, Orophin is Haldir's brother. Note the last two letters of each name. I know, it gets confusing. Lol, sorry you kinda lost me, I'm not really a sport'natinatic, the only sport I ever watch is hockey, and that's 'cos my nephue plays it, and because it's a Canadian game and I was sort of raised with it.

Steph: OOOOH! You are just gonna love what I set up for Legolas. Don't worry, he becomes very heroic in the next few chapters, but that's all I'm saying. Actually, Legolas does know Haldir, as he's traveled to Rivendell before for councils, but he's never actually spent time with him.

giggle: ::sniff:: yeah, I hate reading stories where animals die, too, it makes it all the more harder from me since I'm a huge animal lover, I'm also a vegetarian, which sorta prooves the former point. Lol, actually I feel pretty guilty about what I'm about to do to those baby spiders. Lol, anyway... Legolas is 150 now, so that w be be about 19, 20 in our years I think. Enjoy the next chapter.

Mawgy: LMAO! This is getting too freaky, actually I had originally planned for Haldir to make advances on our young prince but later on decided against it. Get out of my head, damn it! Another stick pic would be wonderful!!! Thank you. Anyway.... ut-most, thanks, that makes a lot more sense, actually. I always heard the word but never saw the proper spelling, ah well, stupid me. But the shutter think was purely accidental, lol, actually while I was writing this, my mom told me to fix the window shutter so I kinda wrote what she said, I'm bad for that, writing down what people say when they talk to me, lol. But I went back and fixed. Anyway, yeah, another stick pic would be great!

lilith: Dont worry, I swear on my own head, I won't kill anyone... in the fic. j/k Lol, I made you blush? Yay! And don't worry, yes more Haldir on the way.

Lomawien: Woops! Stupid me. I probably should have re-read this first before posting, eh? I was kinda in a hurry and wanted to give you guys an early present. I actually know how to spell hoof, I have no clue why I spelt it huff. Lol, I just concentrate on my thoughts when I write so I dont forget what I want to type, I don't really pay attention to spelling. Was never too sure about ut-most though, never saw how it was spelt. And shutter was just plain stupidity, I had windows on my mind at the time, lol, lame but true excuse. But for the record, I didll \ll 'Namarie' right. I re-read "Farewell to Lorien" just to be sure.
Anyway, yup. Zipper is half quarter horse, half Canadian, her sire was the Canadian... so shes pretty damn big. Size of a Canadian, features of a quarter horse. She was actually bred to be a chariet racer like her mother but her owner ended up breaking his back and couldn't do it anymore, so he sold her to me. Best thing that ever happened to me, really. Shes about 4 now, shes chestnut-red with a blaze, her mane is kind of a sandy orange and her left hind quarter hawhitwhite sock. And she can be as stubborn as a mule, probably more, but shes still a filly yet so we have time to work on that. What else, hmmm... Oh yeah, she hates dogs, she'll let birds sit on her back, cats run around her but if a dog comes near her she'll throw out a good kick. She can be a real grouch, especially when she's in heat, lol. Oh yeah, and shes very high-spirited, very frisky. Tell me more about your girl! I could talk for hours about them!
Anyway, I'll think about bringing the dragon back, but if I do it won't be for a long time, yet.

Ryou'sMistress265: Heehee, yup, can't argue with that excuse, it's the simplest one. Yes!!! Yes, The Elrond-style eyebrow, that so totally rocks! I love that guy!

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Disclaimer: From now on I'm not even gonotheother with this.

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The small party of elves had ridden hard for the past two days and had now stopped deep within Mirkwood forest to set up camp for the night. It was early evening and the sun was just casting its rays down on the darkened wood as it set behind the ancient trees. The horses were grazing peacefully in a small open meadow, their tack removed earlier on by their masters to give their tired muscles and backs some rest from the day's long ride.

Haldir elegantly kneeled as he picked up another piece of dead wood to feed the fire with. Though the 'Lorien March warden would willingly admit he would much rather prefer beheading orcs and spiders at the moment. Sighing, he trudged back to the camp dumping the pile of wood by the fire which Elrohir was tending and looked up quizzically at Haldir's annoyed expression as he slowly squatted, poking the fire with a piece of bark. "You do not seem too pleased, mellon-nin."

"Indeed I am not, son of Elrond. We are wasting our time. We would stand a better chance travelling through the dark of night rather than under the light of day."

"And walk our way into a spider's web? I think not. You know little about these woods, Haldir, they offer not the sanctity of that of 'Lorien." Legolas replied, wal tow towards the pair, carrying two large palm leaves filled with various varieties of apples and berries. As the prince set them down, Haldir peered into one, scrutinizing the fruit.

"What is this?"

"Your dinner. I suggest you make good use of it and fill your belly before we move on. The deeper we head into Mirkwood forest the less likely we are to find anything edible."

Haldir stood with an audible grunt, still scowling at his so called 'dinner'. Guiding the prince over to where his bow and quiver lay against a tree with a hand on his back, he gracefully slipped the quiver over his shoulder and picked up his bow, gesturing with it for Legolas to do the same with his own weapons. "Come, Thranduilion, let us hunt some game for the main course. A rabbit perhaps, or if we are lucky, a deer." When Legolas did not move to follow, Haldir looked back questioningly at him as the prince backed away from his weapons, shaking his head. "Legolas?"

"Nay," Legolas said bluntly, "I will slaughter no ient ent creature for my own gratification when unnecessary. I gathered plenty of food to meet our needs."

"Perhaps you can eat naught but vegetation like some common rodent but I cannot. The animal will not die in vain, I assure you."

"Oh really?" Legolas angrily replied, "A living, breathing creature losing its life just to satisfy your hunger when you have plenty else to eat is not dying in vain?"

The Mrach warden was silent for several seconds trying to formulate a response but closed his mouth when Glorfindel approached the two, shaking his head at him which clearly stated to drop the subject.

Placing a comforting hand on the upset prince's shoulder, Glorfindel turned his head to Haldir as he spoke calmly to him. "Legolas will only kill to survive, Haldir. Seldom does he kill anything less it be the evils that haunt Arda. He has been as such ever since I first taught him to use a bow when he was a mere elfling . Do not force this upon him."

Sighing in defeat as Haldir peered into the prince's determined, yet pleading sapphire eyes, and seeing how the subject clearly upset him so, he removed his weapons and sat them back down and returned to the fire, pickip anp an apple and began grimly devouring it. His brothers and Elladan joined the small group as they too began to eat their fill.

Turning his attention back to the distraught young elf, Glorfindel spoke to him in almost a whisper, gently squeezing his shoulder. "Will you be alright, penneth?"

Legolas looked sorrowfully at the other elves in the camp before he turned his attention back to the old elf and replied with a sigh. "Why can they not understand, Glorfindel? Can they not hear the voices of the trees or the hearts of the innocent that they kill only for the pleasure of tasting their skin? Does not the smell of charred flesh turn their stomachs? Does not the sight of a frightened, dying animal clench at their hearts?"

Glorfindel sighed sadly, nodding his head in understanding, taking the younger elf into his comforting arms. "I know, I know. Being a wood elf, Legolas, you have a stronger connection with nature than any of us, and Haldir should know better then to bring up such a subject with you. I apologize for his ignorance, glaurohun."

"Nay, do not apologize. I understand that we are of different cultures. All I ask is that he respect my wishes."

Glorfindel held Legolas at arms length. "I will see to iat hat he does. Now come, you have not eaten today and I will not have you starve yourself."

Guiding Legolas by the arm, the seneschal lead him to the fire and sat down, gently pulling the prince with him, offering him a bright red apple which Legolas timidly took and began to nibble on, causing Glorfindel to smile at his shyness as he tenderly wrapped an arm about his shoulders. Sensing eyes upon him, the elf lord slowly turned his head to meet the amused face of Haldir, raising an eyebrow questioningly at him.

"You know," Haldir said slyly, "for a former Balrog Slayer you certainly have a very gentle bedside manner. I wonder if you are still the battle hardened warrior I met so many decades ago."

Glorfindel's response was a deadly glare which did not phase Haldir's smug expression in the least and the seneschal was just about to make a reply but Elladan's voice silenced them. "How did you meet?"

Haldir looked slyly at his brothers while Glorfindel, who’s eyes were now shooting daggers at the March warden, practically growled a warning in the back of his throat before the ‘Lorien soldier turned back to the elder twin. "We found him naked, fast asleep on the shores of the Anduin river."

In unison, all the party’s heads immediately turned their attention on the old elf sho shocked expressions lighting their features, while in turn Glorfindel turned a deep crimson and Haldir and Orophin attempted to cover their amusement with little success.

"Oh for Eru's sake, Haldir!" Glorfindel cried before turning to address the company, "It was when I was sent back to Arda by the Valar. A while after I was killed after the fall of Gondolin, the Valar determined that it was not yet my time to enter the Halls of Mandos, believing I deserved a second chance at life for the loyalty I had shown for protecting my people, and so restored my body as it was. I spent a short time in Valinor with Mithrandir whom tutored me in their ways. I do not remember leaving Valinor though. My guess is that Manwe or perhaps Mandos took me in my dreams, Mithrandir refused to tell me, and placed me at the shores of the Great River."

"We were scouting beyond our boarders," Orophin explained. "searching for any sign of enemies when we spotted a limp figure on the sand. At first we thought him dead, for his breathing was so very shallow but upon further investigation we realized that his heart beat and so as quickly as we could we brought him back to Lothlorien to receive aid from the Lady Galadriel."

"Yes," Haldir inquired with a chuckle, "and when he awoke he was so adamant to reach Rivendell that we were certain that we may have had to restrain him by force before he risked injury to his weary state."

"In any case," Glorfindel continued, silencing any other word that may escape the brothers mouths, "shortly after I returned to full strength, lord Celeborn and lady Galadriel bid me leave and so I travelled to Imladris with the accompaniment of Ha and and Orophin by the will of the Lady."

"How did adar react to your coming?" asked Elrohir.

"Quite well," Glorfindel replied, "though at the time Gil-galad along with Elrond was preparing for battle when the Last Alliance was being formed so by the time we reached Rivendell we had agreed to join in battle. Your father was herald of the army and had only just met lady Celebrian. Gil-galad welcomed me with open arms. Elrond and I became quick friends and he even dubbed me his second in command should anything ever happen. After the fall of Gil-galad, Elrond gathered together his people as well as myself and returned to Imladris, offering me its protection."

The company sat in silence for several moments, each pondering in their own minds before Elrohir broke the silence. "So you are not quite certain why the Valar sent you back?"

Glorfindel sighed, "I have my theories, one of them being that the Valar wished for me to protect Elrond and his kingdom from the evils that haunt Arda much like I did for his father, Earendil, before Mandos took me to his great halls but no more than that can I tell you. It is not our place to question the Valars will."

Elrohir nodded and silence grew upon the party once again, the only noise being the frogs croaking and the chirping of crickets as the sun had now set. With the hoot of an owl and the fluttering sound of its wings not long after, Elladan slowly rose with a yawn and stretched out his weary limbs. "I suppose we aught to get some rest. We have yet another day's travel and we should be well rested in case any trouble comes our way."

"I suppose you are right, Elladan," Glorfindel replied, "everyone get some rest tonight."

"We will set a night shift and stand watch for enemies," Haldir replied, "I will take first watch, Orophin after I, and then Glorfindel and after him, Rumil."

Feeling somewhat offended at the feeling of being untrustworthy and incompetent to do the task, Elladan turned to the March warden. "And what about us?" he gestured to himself, Elrohir and Legolas.

"You young ones should get as much rest as possible, you are inexperienced in these matters."

"Inexperienced?" Elladan repeated with distaste, "Haldir, I would hardly call us 'inexperienced'. Elrohir and I hunt orcs all the time. We are quite skilled hunters."

"Exactly my point, Elladan. You hunt orcs, not spiders, two very different creatures. Spidersack ack differently from orcs, they hunt different, they think different. When you fight the spiders do not anticipate an attack an orc would use. You must be prepared for anything and to be focused your mind must be awake and alert. Get some r for for everyone’s sake."
Elladan sighed in defeat, knowing he would not win this argument, his weary body allowed no protests and he simply slunk into his tent, his twin following close behind.

Clapping Legolas on the shoulder, Glorfindel gestured to their own shared tent with a nod of his head. In turn the prince, whom by now was half asleep, slowly rose and headed into the tent. Turning back to Haldir, the seneschal glared at the March warden as if he were Morgoth himself.

"I will have my vengeance on you, Haldir of 'Lorien, by the Valar, I swear it. If you ever tell anyone something so embarrassing again I swear I will rip out your throat so that you will never again have voice to humiliate me so."

Haldir's only reply was a slick smile. "Oh, come now, mellon-nin. You carry far too much pride. Surely you of all people can risk a wee bit of humiliation from your friend and saviour. "

"My saviour, Morgoth's arse." Glorfindel mumbled as he turned his back and entered his tent, leaving a very smug March Warden under the forest canopy.

When Glorfindel entered the tent, Legolas was sprawled out upon the floor on his bed mat, eyes half lidded though sleep had yet to claim him. He had removed his tunic, gauntlets, leggings and boots and was now only dressed in a light pair of breeches and a sky blue shirt with silver embroideries and silver clasps buttoning it. His hair was un-braided and his sapphire eyes were staring questioningly at the seneschal.

The seneschal sighed as he stripped down to his own breeches and shirt before he settled himself down next to the young prince and smoothed back his golden mane. "He can be... difficult to deal with sometimes."

A small smile quirked the young elf’s mouth. "Indeed. So I’ve recently learnt. Although I do not find a story about you sleeping in the nude in the sand as bad as you make it out to be."

Glorfindel's response was a groan as he buried his head into his knees. "Of course you wouldn’t. Oh, I shall never live this down."

Legolas chuckled. "Worry not. If they are your friends then they will understand. I am sure Haldir meant no harm, he was merely jesting."

"Aye, he seems to take pleasure in tormenting people he likes," Glorfindel murmured. Stifling a yawn, he stretched out on the canvas floor pulling Legolas in front of him. Spooning him, the seneschal gently draped his right arm around the younger elf, kissing him tenderly on the temple. "Now, penneth, get some sleep."


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Elrond watched silently from the entrance of one of the outer caves at the rising sun in the distance as it shown its golden rays across the ancient forest of the once majestic Eryn Galen. Ever since the darkness crept back into the once thriving kingdom, the trees began to wilt as if they were weeping in sorrow and not even the crows dared to venture too deeply into the haunted wood, for the suffering trees spoke to them of an evil danger.

Elrond sighed sadly. Perhaps it was best that Legolas was raised in the sanctity of Imladris rather than the dark Mirkwood. He did not have to grow amongst the evil that inhabited the dank forest that would have darkened the young one's spirit and turn him suspicious and untrusting towards others as it already had most wood elves. Besides, the elf lord thought, if Legolas had been raised in Mirkwood then he would most likely never have met the adorable little imp - and would never have fallen in love with the gentle heart. It was a bitter-sweet union.

Elrond was suddenly snapped out of his reverie by the approaching sound of footsteps and turned to face the form of Thranduil whom caught his gaze when he came to a stop beside the Imladris lord. After scanning the horizon, the golden haired elf looked curiously at Elrond.
"At what were you observing?"

Elrond sighed. "I was merely contemplating a time not so long ago when this forest was pure and... the lives of the wood elves were peaceful."

Thranduil lowered his head in remembrance and sorrow, letting his own mind wander to the days that Greenwood the Great thrived. He swallowed against the lump that suddenly formed in his throat when he thought back to those days when his father ruled the fair kingdom and after Oropher's passing when he was crowned king and darkness slowly engulfed the forest.

Elrond allowed the king's thoughts to wander until he heard Thranduil mumble something unintelligible. "I beg your pardon?"

"It is my fault." the king croaked out.

The dark haired elf furrowed his brow in confusion. "What's your fault?"

"Ever since I took reign of Greenwood," Thranduil whispered, "things seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. 'Tis my leadership that is the problem, I think, I must be doing something wrong. My father would never--"

"Do not start that again, Thranduil, for I will not stand by and listen to you wallow in self pity again and watch you sink back into depression. You will never be Oropher. Yes, timave ave been difficult but it has naught to do with your leadership. You are a fine leader and you know it. Your subjects respect you greatly which in its self shows you just how good a ruler you are. It is merely coincidental that these dark times have come during your rule." Elrond sternly chastised as he stared hard at the other elf.

Thranduil lowered his eyes in silent defeat. "I suppose you are right. Elrond... it is good to have your council again. I must admit I have missed it through the years. You are very wise and understanding. It is no wonder your subjects follow you so loyally.... as well as my son."

"I love him." Elrond murmured.

Thranduil sighed and nodded his head. "I know." He would have said more if it were not for the sudden loud trumpeting of a horn. Immediately both elves ears perked as they furrowed their brows and stared in the direction the sound emanated from.

Both elves grew worried as Tallen rushed out of the clearing of the forest, running his steed as fast as it would take him and came to an abrupt stop in front of them. Leaping off his horse, Tallen bowed while strugglior bor breath, a haunted look masking his features. "What is it, ion-nin?"

"Adar, lord Elrond," the prince panted, "the spiders, they approach quickly from the north! One of my guard overlooking the watch posts informed me, they are only minutes away and they are accompanied by orcs. I don't believe I have ever seen so many spiders in all my life," he was interrupted by another blow of a horn before continuing. "Five guards have already been killed in an attempt to stop them, Nava is readying our forces."

Immediately stepping into action, both elf lords quickly headed towards the palace, Tallen in toe behind them, leading his stallion. "Go and assist your brother, Tallen, while Elrond and I ready for the attack." Thranduil demanded as he rushed into the cave, Elrond following. "Make sure everyone is prepared but do not attack until I give word. I will not make the same mistake my father did and charge too early before we know what we are up against. I wish to see the enemy for myself first." The prince nodded and quickly ran off towards the courtyard where the soldiers were being prepared.

"Curse it all," Elrond cried as he and Thranduil entered the armoury. "and my soldiers still have yet to arrive. What in Arda is taking them?!"

"We must not dwell on that now," Thranduil said as he fastened a chest plate onto Elrond's person, "right now we must concentrate on protecting my people. We will ward off the enemy as best we can until they arrive."

"And if they do not arrive?"

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it."

Both elf lords said no more as they each assisted each other dress in their armour. Once fully attired, they fastened their weapons to themselves and rushed into the courtyard.

When the two reached the yard all soldiers were clad in armour and bore weapons, prepared for battle. Pushing his way through the crowd, Thranduil headed to the front of the gates where his sons awaited him, Elrond following close behind.

Elrond was somewhat surprised to see Celeborn standing beside the two princes. He too was dressed in armour, prepared for battle and both elf lords stared questioningly at him. Reading their thoughts, Celeborn answered. "I will not have my subjects do something I would be unwilling to do myself. If my people are to risk their lives in battle then so too shall I. My wife is in the healing halls, preparing with Mithrandir and the healers for casualties."

The Mirkwood king nodded in gratitude. "Hannon le, mellon-nin." Celeborn merely cocked his head. Just then a loud piercing shriek echoed through the forest which caught the attention of every elf in the courtyard. "Spiders!" Thranduil hissed.

Peering into the forest, shapes began to appear through the dense foliage and red and yellow eyes glowed in the darkness. Sneers and growls could be heard all around and soon the shapes of spiders and orcs began to slink out of the forest, heading towards the palace gates. As soon as the enemy was visible, the creatures stopped momentarily, sizing up their prey and then after a loud wail issuing from one of the spiders, the enemy army lunged towards the soldiers, fangs and teeth bared as they rushed towards the elves.

"So," Elrond whispered to himself, "It begins."

"Attack!"


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Legolas halted his horse and immediately dismounted along with his companions. Patting the dappled mare on the neck, he shouldered his pack and quickly directed the horse back the other direction, quietly speaking to her in elvish to find somewhere with thick foliage to hide in. Skylenar made a soft whinny before taking off, followed by the other horses in the group.

Quickly joining the company whom was kneeling behind a large fallen tree, the prince followed Elladan's gaze as he gestured towards a large rock wall.

"So," Rumil murmured. "this is it, is it?"

"Yes," Elladan confirmed. "We must make our way through a small crevice in the wall around the back. We will follow the tunnel which will lead us deep into the heart of the cave but we must be careful lest we fall into the cavern as I had nearly done."

"Very well," Glorfindel said. "Elrohir, do you sense any danger?"

The younger twin was silent several seconds as he closed his eyes in concentration. Opening them, he shook his head to the Elda. "Nay, not at present. We are safe for now."

"Then let us be off," Haldir all but whispered, "Elladan, lead the way."

The twin nodded and after adjusting his pack, he slowly stood and entered the clearing, followed closely by his brother. Glorfindel followed next and then Legolas and Rumil. Orophin followed behind his brother and Haldir stayed at the rear to defend any oncoming danger.

Legolas sighed as he stepped into the crevice, feeling not the least bit comfortable in the small tunnel where he was vulnerable to an attack. He silently looked down the dark tunnel and bit his lip, though putting on a brave face. This was what he was set out to do and he would not let his people down. But one thing was for certain; this would be a very long walk, indeed.

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mellon-nin: my friend
ada/adar: father
ion-nin: my son
hannon le: thank you
panneth: young one
glaurohun: golden heart
meleth-nin: my love

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End of this chapter, sorry, folks!