melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter two ailing elves

Thranduil smiled as the others walked into his room. “Welcome once again. Elrond, have some wine.”
Elrond smiled and nodded, accepting the offered glass.
“Where are your seneschal and counsellor?”
Elrond sighed. “Erestor isn’t feeling well and asked to be excused and I had to drug Glorfindel. He’s forgone his sleep too often lately. Forgive me.”
Thranduil waved the apology away and poured another glass for Celeborn. About to fill a third he frowned. “Meleor, where is my son?”
Meleor, since long Thranduil’s advisor and recently Legolas’ right hand man, looked apologetically. “I fear he’s not feeling well, my lord. I was hoping Lord Elrond would take a look at him.”
Elrond immediately inclined his head and lowered his glass. “How about right now? I do think we should discuss the future with Legolas present.” Celeborn nodded and Thranduil agreed as well, though concern for his son was more prominent on his face.

Meleor showed Elrond the way.
“Can you tell me what the symptoms are?”
Meleor shrugged. “We don’t know, lord Elrond. He sways, he is short of breath, he shivers and he suffers headaches. But never at the same time and always sudden. We are puzzled.”
Elrond nodded and he could not link the symptoms to any disease he knew.

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Aragorn ran around the premises looking for his elven friend and growled when room upon room proved fruitless.

He jumped when he heard his name gruffed behind him. He shook his head but smiled. “Gimli, you could scare me half to death.”
The Dwarf grinned and leaned on his axe. “Only half, Aragorn? I must be losing my touch.” His eyes sparkled and he took in the Gondorian with interest. “You look smarter than I am used to.”
Aragorn laughed. “Happens when you turn into a king after being a ranger, Gimli. Have you seen Legolas?” He noticed the Dwarf’s spirits going down almost instantly and frowned.
Gimli sighed. “Aye. Come, he’s in his room.”
Aragorn’s alarms went off at hearing the tone. “Gimli, what is it?”
The Dwarf shrugged and huffed. “You tell me.”

The Gondorian had to force himself not to push Gimli aside when the Dwarf opened the room. He gasped when he saw Legolas. Paler than he knew him. His mind went into overdrive. /Pale elves are usually fading, but Legolas’ heart is unclaimed, so he can’t be fading. Besides; he would look paler. Perhaps it is a result of the war. He is an elf./

He smiled warmly and approached his friend. “Legolas, meldir.”
Legolas’ blue eyes twinkled in delight and his arms embraced the former ranger. “Aragorn, Gimli and I have missed you.” They both ignored the snore Gimli produced and looked at each other.

Try as he might, Aragorn could not hide his worry and concern and Legolas grinned after detecting it. “Don’t worry, Aragorn, Gimli has a nag for over exaggerating.”
Gimli snuffed. “And you for belittling everything. Elves!”
Aragorn laughed warmly. “What else is new?”

He shook his head. “Have you seen a doctor?” Legolas glared at him but Aragorn ignored it. “I take that as a no.” He turned to Gimli. “Can it be a result from his wound, Gimli? How long has he been ill?”
Gimli frowned as he thought. After a while, during which silence reigned the room, he nodded. “It could be, but it didn’t start until he was in Ithilien, or better phrased: it didn’t show so much until then. Who knows how long this silly elf has been fooling us all?”

Aragorn nodded. “Stay with him, Gimli. I am getting Elrond. He should take a look at you.”
Legolas growled and pulled him back. “Don’t you dare leave yet. You only just arrived.” He gasped and started shivering uncontrollably. He looked pleadingly at Aragorn, not feeling above asking aid at this point. “Get that blanket?”
Before Aragorn could move Gimli was already draping the heavy object around the elframframe. He then moved to the fireplace and kneeled down. “You get Elrond here, Aragorn, I’ll take care of the elf.”
Aragorn smiled and nodded. He opened the door but jumped back instantly. His eyes were wide in disbelief. “Adar?”

Elrond’s laugh filled the room. “You’ve known me all your life, Estel. I do not think I have changed that much.”
Aragorn shook his head and hugged him. “Something’s wrong with Legolas.”
Elrond nodded. “I know. Meleor told me.”

His grey eyes settled on the shivering elf and he smiled as he proceeded. He sat down on the bed. “I’m told you suffer headaches, young prince. How long?”
Legolas shrugged. He knew telling Elrond anything but the truth was a waste of effort. The Peredhel would detect it and would definitely not approve. “A couple of months. It’s nothing. I’m sure he also told you I somes has have trouble breathing and I sway suddenly and that I shiver as well.”
Elrond nodded and placed his hand on Legolas’ brow, frowning when he felt a normal temperature. “Are you feeling cold?”
Legolas nodded. “Extremely, yet it does not scare me or anything. It’s just cold.”
Elrond nodded. “And your headaches? Are they bad?”
Legolas frowned but then shook his head. “Not really. Aye, they are severe and make me double over in pain, but they never last long: one second, two at most.”
Elrond nodded. “And where exactly?”
Legolas shrugged. “Nowhere, everywhere. Though I have the feeling it starts at the back of my head and moves to the front like a wave.” He smiled at the Peredhel. “And the swaying is strange as well. I’m not exhausted or anything but suddenly my eyes can’t focus and my head is light and my feet are unable to remain steady.” He shrugged. “But sometimes, when I can’t breathe, it’s like I am extremely exhausted and asked too much of my body.”

He looked pleadingly at Elrond. “Elrond, I can handle the shivers and the headaches. They’re inconvenient and a little troublesome, but nothing more. But the other two, the swaying and the exhaustion, that I can’t handle. They frighten mHe pHe pulled his legs up to his chest and hugged them close. “I survived the war and don’t fear any of those hideous creatures, but I fear this.” His voice carried just the tiniest portion of his fear.

Elrond smiled warmly at him. “To be honest, Legolas, I have no idea why this is happening to you. I don’t even know if those four symptoms belongetheether or not.” He rubbed the brink of his nose in thought. “But, I must also admit, I do not know all illnesses and diseases.”

He locked his eyes with Legolas. “Would you mind if I asked Erestor his opinion? If anyone knows it is him.”
Aragorn nodded, deciding to aid his father aiding his friend. “Aye, he’s a walking encyclopaedia. And I wager he’s added knowledge since I saw him last.” He looked at the others smugly. “He tutored me, you know.”

Although the shivers were gone Legolas shivered. To think he was depended on Erestor. Instantly the image of the council came to his eye.

He shrugged. “But nobody else. And he can’t tell.”
Elrond grinned. That’s how he knew Legolas. “Don’t worry, Prince, none will disgrace you.” He stood and, after exchanging a look with Aragorn and Gimli, left.

The Dwarf was grateful for his beard for it covered up the blush that came to life when Elrond had looked at him like that, a look filled with trust and affection. He slumped to the ground and groaned. /Dwarves and Elves don’t mix. And here I am in an elvenrealm, my best friend is an elf and now another elf shows he trusts me to look after one of them./ He shook his head in bewilderment.

He jumped up when Aragorn placed a concerned arm on his shoulder. “Are you all right, Gimli? Don’t you get ill as well. I need your help looking after Legolas.”
Legolas groaned. “I am not an elfling, you know.” He jumped out of bed, but instantly screamed and grabbed his head.
Gimli growled. “Another headache. I hope that Erestor elf knows what to do.”

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Thranduil smiled at the elves passing him. After walking Celeborn to his rooms he now made a swift way towards his son’s rooms. He was worried and needed to know him well.

/I should never have allowed him to travel to Imladris to attend the council./ He sighed and briefly closed his eyes. /But he insisted. Could I have done anything more to stop him believing he was to blame? I bless the Valar you returned to me. Aion-non-nîn, you nearly killed me when you went into the war. After all I have done to prevent it./

He sighed again and resumed his pace. /Please, Mandos, guard my son./ He shook his head at his own words. /Why is it that I always call upon Mandos to keep my people and my family safe, instead of Elbereth as any other elf?/

His eyes widened when he heard his son scream. Within seconds he was through the corridor and advanced on the door. He drew his sword and kicked the door open, ready to take down any nemesis that might be endangering his child.

He gaped and dropped his sword when he saw Aragorn and Gimli jump up and look at him in shock and wonder, unarmed so obviously there was no danger.
Aragorn was the first to recover and could do nothing but drag the king inside. “Bless the Valar, Thranduil, you are the only one Legolas might listen to.”
Gimli nodded. “Aye, he’s too stubborn for his own good.”

Thranduil smiled, now knowing for sure there was no danger, and knelt in front of his son, who smiled warmly and leaned against him. “Legolas, ion-nîn, hanne córiel na lin?”
Legolas shook his head and rested it on his father’s shoulder. He was grateful for his presence.

Aragorn shook his head and sat down. “He just had another headache attack. And he suffers from dizziness and shortage of breath as well. And coldness, though he doesn’t feel cold to the touch.”
Gimli nodded to emphasize every word.

Thranduil’s eyes darkened in worry and he pulled back to look at Legolas and take him in. “You do not look well at all. But you’ve undoubtedly didn’t take it easy, at all. Has Elrond already stopped by?”
Gimli nodded. “Aye, he ordered us, Aragorn and me, to make sure Legolas rests.”
Aragorn smiled. “Though you are much more suited for that job.”
Thranduil looked up and met the dark eyes. “Aye, I am his father. But you and that Dwarf are his best friends. I think it best we work together here.” He winked at Legolas who groaned and leaned back into the embrace.

“Now I know why I left.”
Thranduil laughed. “Really? I thought it were the trees instead of me. But rest and get well. We, and I mean Elrond, Celeborn, you and I, need to talk about the future.”
Legolas frowned and shook his head and Thranduil sighed. “A lot of our kin sailed, Legolas, you know that. And what remains is too scattered right now. If we are to be safe we need to life together.”
Gimli grinned and blew his moustache out of his mouth. “What about Ithilien? It is beautiful, so Elrond’s elves will feel at home, and has enough trees for those Lothlóriën elves.”
Thranduil grinned and shook his head, his eyes twinkling as they met Gimli’s. “You and Arwen think alike, master Dwarf. But only together can we decide if that is acceptable or if we should rather build a new realm together.”

When Legolas didn’t answer Thranduil pulled a little back and grinned. Legolas had fallen asleep. “Now at least he can’t say he isn’t tired.” He sat up and put the sleeping elf to bed. “Gimli, Aragorn, you watch him. I am going to search for Elrond.”
“He went to see Erestor.”
Thranduil nodded and left.

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Erestor jumped up when an arm was placed on his back and twirled around. He closed his eyes and swallowed his angry words when he saw Elrohir’s laughing face next to Elladan’s.

The twins looked at him warmly and happily. “There you are, Erestor. We haven’t seen you since we arrived. I believe you’ve never been outside Imladris before. Would you like us to show you around?”
He wanted nothing more than to decline, but their hopeful faces made him sigh. “All right.” He would suffer this walk because of their happiness. He saw their faces turn gloom when Elrond called the three of them back.

The twins turned and looked hopeful. “Ata, please, we are no elflings anymore. And we will protect Erestor if anything happens.”
Elrond smiled. “I know that and I would never hold you back if it wasn’t important, children.” He sighed and forced himself to remain when Erestor’s icy glare settled on him. “Why don’t you wait for him over there? I really need to talk to Erestor.”
Elladan sighed and nodded. “All right. But hurry up.”
Elrohir nodded and looked at Erestor. “Don’t you dare choice the library over us today. We’re going to show him the realm, ata.”
Elrond nodded and ushered them away. He wondered about the pained expression that very briefly entered Erestor’s eyes but shrugged and focused on the problem at hand.

“Erestor, my trusted friend.”
Erestor rolled his eyes. “What is it, Elrond?”
Elrond smiled at the words. Erestor would always demand a direct approach. “It’s Legolas. He is ill.”
Erestor’s eyes widened and he gasped. “What? But how?” He didn’t understand. He’s been taking extra care of himself ever since, so what was wrong?
Elrond shrugged. “We don’t know. I was hoping you might know something. He suffers headaches; they are fierce, sharp and sudden. He also sways now and then and also he has to fight for breath from time to time. It’s those two things he fears the most. And then there’s also the shivers.” He placed a calming hand on Erestor’s arm. “It isn’t Mandos’ cold, Erestor. He just shivers and feels cold, but his skin is a normal temperature. It’s all very weird. And the irritating thing is that I don’t even know if they are connected.”

Erestor nodded and lowered his head, forcing his mind to remember everything he’s ever read about any of the four symptoms. What he found wasn’t very promising.

He looked at Elrond and sighed. “I know not if this is it, but it’s the only thing I know of. He must be acceptable to someone else’s pain. Either emotional or physical pain, though the emotional pain would have a stronger effect, paining him more. It can explain the headaches.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “As for his swaying. I am positive that’s a remainder of his death. His fëa probably remembers the sensation and temporarily loses the link with his hroa. We should monitor it to determine whether or not it is dangerous.”

Elrond nodded but sighed, knowing there was more to come.
Erestor sighed as well. “His shortage of breath should stop, if only temporarily. Don’t forget: I am his life-force, Elrond, and we weren’t exactly close. And I haven’t been sleeping and resting as much as I used to during the war, though I have been taking care of myself since it ended.”
Elrond nodded. “So he needs you close, just like a normal bond?”
Erestor shook his head. “It shouldn’t be like that, but maybe something went wrong. We were in a hurry.” He closed his eyes. “I shall rest normally and take it easy; maybe it will help him.”

Elrond nodded alacelaced his arm around Erestor. “You should tell him.” He mentally voiced the answer Erestor gave him, having heard it so many times before. He smiled ruefully. “Very well, I cannot change your mind, there are none that can.”

He was about to turn but stopped. “And the shivers?” His voice was filled wiear.ear.
Erestor shook his head. “That I cannot explain at all. It’s not Mandos. I would feel that. But then what is it? Is he grieving someone or something?”
Elrond shrugged. “Not to my knowledge, but I’ll talk to Aragorn, Gimli and Thranduil. And Meleor.” Seeing Erestor’s puzzled look he smiled. “Legolas’ right hand man. Though you would be better for that job.” He grinned at Erestor’s horrified expression and shook his head.

Before Erestor could open his mouth to protest Elrond spoke again. “Don’t worry, I would be loath to part from you. Besides, I promised Gil-Galad I’d take care of you. You are stuck with me, meldir, to the end of time.”
Erestor smiled a true and warm smile. “I’m glad. You, the twins and Glorfindel are my family, Elrond.”
Elrond nodded. “I know; you are part of us too. Now go join my sons before they come here and behead me. They look angry.”

Erestor laughed and turned, forcing a smile on his face. “Come on, you two. Show me the realm.”
Elrohir and Elladan instantly were at his side and started talking and chatting, sensing their friend needed some cheering up. They locked eyes with their father when he mentally gave them the edited version of the conversation. They nodded. They would look after Erestor while they were here.

Elladan looked grim. He would like nothing more than to go to Legolas and tell him what happened, but he was bound to silence.

Translations:
Meleor means : best friend (Sindarin)
hanne córiel na lin means : what happened (lit. what is done to you) (Sindarin)

TBC