melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter twenty two What did you do?

Rumil hesitantly entered the room. He knew the danger an angered Glorfindel could do and what a provoked Thranduil was capable of and he sure didn’t want to be at the receiving end of them both.

His eyes swiftly scanned the room and widened in terror when he saw Thranduil sprawled on the floor. He rushed forward, screaming for a healer, and kneeled at the other’s side. A thankful sigh left his lips when he felt a pulse.

Before he knew it he was gently pushed aside by two healers, who swiftly had the unconscious elf back on the bed. “Go find Lord Elrond. Hurry! And search for Glorfindel. He’s not fit enough to walk about yet.”

Rumil nodded and ran away. He blamed himself. He should have entered when the raised voices came through the wall, but he hadn’t. And what excuse did he have? Fear! Some warrior he was. Guilt and the need to redeem himself gave him wings as he flew through the corridors in search of Elrond and Glorfindel.

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Arwen smiled as she dragged her eldest brother aside. “Elladan, what is wrong with adar?”
Elladan shrugged. “I don’t know, Arwen. I sense loneliness from him.” His eyes sparkled. “Maybe Orophin can aid us?”
Arwen cocked her head. “How do you mean?”
Elladan shrugged again. “I’m not quite sure myself. But they do spend a lot of time together and I know adar trusts him unconditionally.”
Arwen’s eyes started to sparkle as well. “Really? But then, maybe…” She hugged Elladan, ignoring his protests, and jumped in glee as soon as she released him.

“We should get Erestor to aid us. You know he’s the only one who can meddle in father’s affairs and get away with it.”
Elladan laughed and nodded. “Aye, though the other way around wouldn’t be so healthy for our father.”
Arwen grinned and looked outside, where Gimli could be seen guarding the trunks. “It seems the Dwarf took quite a liking to our counsellor.”
Elladan nodded. “Can you blame him? Erestor is unique, kind and warm, though he hides it well.” He smiled. “Erestor would be the first to defend Gimli.”
Arwen cocked her head. “Not Legolas?”
Elladan shrugged. “Erestor would beat him to it.” He smiled at the scene before them. “Gimli is very protective of both of them. And according to adar it’s exactly what they need.”
He turned and smiled at Aragorn. “And how is my foster brother?”
Arwen pouted. “Brother in law now!”
Elladan grinned and ruffled her hair. “You’re too easy to tease.”

He walked forward and pulled his surprised brother in a hug. “Well, Aragorn, how are you?”
The former ranger grinned and his eyes were warm. “Good. It’s such a pleasure to see you all again. And before I forget: we bring greetings from Ithilien’s inhabitants. And letters from Meleor. One for Legolas, one for Thranduil and one for your father.”
Elladan grinned. “I shall only deliver Thranduil’s for you. Adar will love to hug you some more and so does Legolas, I wager.”

Before they could move the door flung open and a surprised Orophin was seen. “Have you seen Glorfindel?” He shook his head. “He should be here.”
Elladan shook his head. “Nay, he should be in the healing rooms. He’s injured, remember.”
Both Arwen and Aragorn looked surprised but before they could ask questions Orophin spoke again. “I know, but I bumped into Ru just now. He’s looking for him. He said our slayer was anxious to see your sister again. So he left. And Thranduil needs Elrond.”
Elladan gasped and sprung forward. “Right. I take it Rumil is looking for father?” He smiled at Orophin’s nod. “You go to the healing room and see if they need your aid. And I am sure father’s going to need yours at any rate.”
He turned and looked at his brothers and sister. “Ro, go to Erestor. We might need him.” He grimaced, not really looking forward to talking some sense into Glorfindel. “Aragorn, Arwen, it’s up to us to find our slayer and put him back to bed.”

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In the healing house Haldir struggled to sit up right. Rumil had been gone for so long now and he wondered what was wrong. His eyes flashed towards the door when he heard it crack open and he groaned in annoyance. He didn’t need a healer to push him back on the bed. He closed his eyes mentally prepared himself for the battle, for surely he would have to fight to get out this bed and get some answers.

“Haldir! What by the Valar do you think you’re doing? Get back down before you add more months to your recovery.”

Haldir’s eyes flashed open and settled on Celeborn’s concerned and worried face as the ruler applied some pressure to force the warrior back down.

“Whatever it is, I can get it for you. Which reminds me; I’ve brought you some personal things. Since you are not allowed to move yet I figured it would be better to bring your room here.” He walked back and picked up the stuff he had brought, grinning when he saw Haldir’s smile.

“So what was so important you risked your recovery?”
Haldir narrowed his eyes. He still didn’t want to talk to Celeborn, but he realised he did not have much of a choice if he wanted to know what was happening. “We heard raised voices from the other room and Ru went to check. It’s taking him too long to return.”
Celeborn nodded and stood. He smiled reassuringly. “I think an argument between Glorfindel and Thranduil was bound to happen, Haldir. But I shall see if they haven’t hit peacemaker Ru.”

He had wanted to force Haldir to talk, but he decided it had to wait. To Haldir this was important and therefore it had to take precedence to what he wanted.

His eyes widened when he saw healers working on the former King. One of them noticed him and smiled. “Please tell us Elrond is on the way.”
Celeborn blinked and listened to the swift explanation. “I am sure they’ll be here soon.” He reached out to make contact even as he walked back to Haldir.

The conversation with Elrond was swift and he smiled, knowing the healer was on his way. He couldn’t keep back a snicker at the last words even as he swayed before sitting down.

Haldir gasped when he saw him sway and sat up instantly, but abandoned his action when pain shot through him.
Realising Haldir’s movement Celeborn shook himself out of it and aided the warrior back down again. “Now stay put!”

He sighed. “They had a fight all right and apparently Thranduil’s wound reopened. I’ve just spoken to Elrond and he’s on his way. And a very angry Legolas is searching for Glorfindel. I don’t think I need to tell you how he will bring him back?”
Haldir laughed and shook his head. “Poor Glorfindel. So that’s why Ru didn’t come back?”
Celeborn nodded and helped Haldir drink some healing tea. “Arwen and Aragorn just arrived and our slayer was too intend on seeing them again.”
Haldir waited till the mug was gone but then smiled warmly. “Then what are you doing here? You should be with your granddaughter.”
Celeborn smiled fondly, the love he bore her easily seen, but he shook his head. “I am sure she’ll find her way here. Besides, they’ve just arrived and a travel wary Arwen isn’t the most pleasant company.”

He sat down and retrieved the letter. “I just found this.” He waited for Haldir to realise what exactly it was before speaking again, but the sounds from the other room overrode him and he sighed. Covering his ears he went to see what was happening now.

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Elrond rushed in the room. “Where is he?” He didn’t wait for explanations but instantly withdrew and started the healing session. It was unfortunate the world faded for it sure could use his stern guidance soon.

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Glorfindel smiled, glad he had finally located Arwen. He refused to feel the pain that coursed through his body. Rationally he knew he should have listened to Thranduil, but he so wanted to see them again. “Arwen. You haven’t changed a bit!”

Arwen rushed forward and supported him. “And just what do you think you’re doing out of bed? Do you have a death wish?”
Glorfindel rolled his eyes. “I see Aragorn finally rubbed off on you. It’s not like I will die because I came out to greet you.”
Arwen shook her head. “Nay, you will die because Legolas will kill you.” She sighed. “Once he hears what you’ve done to his father, that is.”
Glorfindel’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe his ears. “Wh…what?” His breathing had sped up and he looked at her in wild disbelief.

Before Arwen could answer him the blond was hit to the floor. “How dare you, you miserable excuse for an elf!”
Arwen instantly blocked the next blow and summoned all her authority. “Stop it!” Her eyes remained cool even though Legolas raised his hand again.
“Stand aside, Arwen.” But before he could do anything he was drenched in cold water.
Arwen forced her laugh to remain inside and looked gratefully at Orophin, who shrugged and stepped forward, ready to haul Glorfindel to his feet. His eyes were filled with reprimand.

Realising Orophin was acting normal made Glorfindel smile and he looked at him with hope in his eyes. “What happened? What did I do?”
Fear seeped into his voice and the other warrior involuntarily smiled. “I don’t know. Rumil entered when it remained silent and found Thranduil sprawled on the floor. Elrond is there healing him now.” He closed his eyes. “I don’t know if he’s sufficiently recovered already to handle it.”
Glorfindel felt awful and leaned on Orophin. “Then we should hurry there even more.” He hung his head in shame. “I…I…”

Arwen grinned and hugged him from behind. “You were too eager to see us. What do you think happened?”
Glorfindel shrugged. “I don’t know. He tried to stop me and I lashed out. I know he was speaking reasonable, but I just didn’t want to hear it.” He shivered. “When he tried to hold me back, prevent me from leaving I pushed him away.”
Orophin sighed. “He must have made a bad fall, then.” He glared at Legolas. “Come, heated elf, aid us in getting to the healing house a little faster.”
Arwen leaned in closer to whisper in Legolas ear. “Or I am telling Erestor how you misbehaved.”
Legolas widened his eyes and instantly behaved. “That is blackmail, you know.”
Arwen nodded. “I know. And before I forget: Aragorn is most anxious to see you. He’s brought messages from Meleor for you and your father.”
Legolas smiled, but refrained from running away, more anxious as he was to learn how his father was doing. He avoided looking at Glorfindel, feeling angry at him and only Arwen’s threat made him compose that anger.

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The healers shook their heads when Elrohir dragged Erestor inside, who muttered in protest.

The counsellor stopped dead when he saw Elrond attending to Thranduil. “What happened?”
Again the healer had to tell his tale and Erestor turned to Elrohir. “Why didn’t you say so? You just drag me along without voicing anything. And who’s looking for Glorfindel? And where’s Legolas? I thought you had grown by now, but I see you are an elfling still.”
The verbal abuse lasted a few minutes and Elrohir would be facing a hard time if the others didn’t suddenly walk in.

Legolas instantly rushed forward, but a healer prevented him from coming to close. Elrond needed the space.

Erestor now directed his annoyance at the seneschal and glared at him. Glorfindel looked past him, straight to the bed and couldn’t care less about Erestor’s icy glare that settled on him.

The counsellor jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. The words stilled in his mouth when he saw Celeborn’s face.
The ruler smiled. “Could you all calm down, please? Erestor, I think supporting Legolas takes precedence over yelling at Glorfindel, who seems to be feeling bad enough just as is.”
He smiled at said warrior. “Next time you will be more careful when swinging someone away from you, I think.”
Glorfindel nodded and moved forward, still leaning heavily on Orophin. Two healers moved in to take over and Glorfindel smiled. “Elrohir, take care of your father.”
Erestor shook his head. “Nay, Orophin does that.” He smiled at the warrior. “You did an excellent job so far.”

He embraced Legolas and smiled when the elf leaned against him. “I know Elrond is the best healer in the world, but still…” Erestor nodded, understanding him. “Don’t worry. You two can nag each other for many millennia to come.”

He smiled at the others. Elrohir, Orophin and Celeborn were focused on Elrond, ready to catch him the moment he fell, and Erestor felt confident enough to focus on Legolas instead.

When Elrond suddenly swayed and lost consciousness Orophin was the first to catch him. Before long he carefully lifted the Peredhel and walked out. The healers smiled after checking the progress on both healer and patient before they allowed him to do so. “They’ll both be fine.”

Glorfindel released a relieved sigh and looked at the bed longingly.
The ones supporting him seemed to understand for they moved closer and placed him beside the unconscious Thranduil. “I knew you would be trouble still.”
This remark broke the tension that still hung in the air and Celeborn smiled warmly before pulling his grandson along. “Perhaps you should check on Haldir? You need to do something.”
Arwen hastily followed them, yearning to say hi so she could go to bed.
And Legolas allowed Erestor to steer him outside and back to their quarters. /I am so fortunate to have you, melamin./


TBC