The Jewel of Mirkwood

(A/N) sorry it's taken so long to update this time around but I am making it up with another three chapters.

Chapter 42

“Legolas!” Legolas jumped almost out of his skin as the song he was singing was interrupted by Glorfindel’s frightened scream. He had not known how long he’d sat at Glorfindel’s side gently sponging the warm water over Glorfindel’s hands. Out of the need to hear someone’s voice Legolas had begun softly singing to his charge, hoping that those searching for him wouldn’t hear it and come looking. So far he had been lucky only two healers had entered the room and both had reluctantly agreed to keep silent on Legolas’ whereabouts despite the fact the entire population of Lothlorien had been dispatched in search of him. In the silence of his thoughts Legolas had allowed himself to wander freely over everything that had happened to him since being taken from Mirkwood. Some of it made sense yet a lot still did not but he was left to ponder no further at Glorfindel’s helpless cry. At hearing the seneschal’s obvious pain Legolas instantly the knelt beside Glorfindel’s low stretcher and gently began caressing the elders cheeks with his hands while whispering soft reassurances. Glorfindel began to toss his head from side to side in agony and Legolas desperately tried to hold the seneschal still and quiet.

“Please Glorfindel you are but you must be silent or they will discover me and I do not want to be found.” As if sensing Legolas’ own distress Glorfindel began to relax again his eyes still firmly closed with pain clearly etched into his features. Legolas smiled in small success as reached over to the fire surround to grab one of the spare blankets. Glorfindel was cold to touch and although Legolas rationally knew elves didn’t feel the elements he still draped the warm blanket across the great warrior. “There see I am here and will comfort you.” Awkwardly Legolas shifted himself onto the edge of the stretcher careful not to move Glorfindel accidentally and further cause the elder elf pain. Gently manoeuvring himself Legolas lay down on his side next to Glorfindel on the stretcher. From times when he was a babe he had remembered the comfort he had found from Filgree when he was sick when the tutor had lay next to him and cuddled him during his sleep. Although the situation was a little more awkward, considering that Legolas hardly knew Glorfindel, he still felt obliged to offer the seneschal warmth. Nervously Legolas placed his arm across Glorfindel’s chest before gently slipping the other behind the warrior’s head so that Legolas essentially enveloped his charge into his arms. In all his life he had never comforted another soul like he was doing now and despite the odd feeling at first that soon gave way to a feeling of contentment to be so close to the warrior. Legolas did not know how to react as Glorfindel turned his head slightly to rest on Legolas’ chest and so simply began to sing again his hand gently brushing through Glorfindel’s silken locks, untangling the wind swept knots. Slowly Glorfindel relaxed and Legolas assumed the warrior had fallen back into his healing sleep.

Legolas was slowly beginning to drift into his own comfortable slumber beside Glorfindel when the whoosh of the tapestry being pulled back from the door, startled him. Unthinking Legolas sat up, unintentionally jarring Glorfindel awake with an agonising yelp. Legolas only saw the red robes of the visitor as he turned sharply back to his charge who was now fully awake and having difficulties breathing.

“I am sorry, I am sorry.” Legolas rolled hastily from the stretcher landing with a thud on the wooden floor before twisting back to begin comforting Glorfindel again for his mistake. The visitor swiftly crossed the room and Legolas watched in shock as Glorfindel’s dark haired friend kneeled oppe hie him beside Glorfindel, also moving to comfort his friend. “Lord Erestor?” Nervously Legolas stopped his ministrations of Glorfindel and looked fearfully into the dark eyes of the Lord before cautiously looking towards the still swaying tapestry of the doorway half expecting his father to walk through the door as well.

“Do not fret Legolas, they are all still searching for you in the woods.” Erestor’s voice was barely above a whisper as he devoted his attention torfiorfindel who’s breathing was again beginning to return to normal after the incident. It was obvious Glorfindel was incapable of moving on his own although Erestor knew that Glorfindel was fully awake, the warriors eyes alert and listening. After having left the healing talon earlier Erestor had gone in desperate search of books and scripts to help him bring back his friend. He had been devastated at the prospect of loosing his friend and having heard Elrond’s grave diagnosis he’d desperately gone in search of contradictory evidence. After all this time Erestor could not afford to lose the closest thing he’d ever had to a brother, even if it meant seeing his own heart broken in the processes.

Legolas opened his mouth to question why Erestor had returned but fell silent as he watched the dark haired lord move quickly around the room gathering a small satchel full of supplies as he went.

“What are you doing?” Erestor paused at the timid voice of the young prince and turned to smile gently at him. Glorfindel had been right. Legolas was beautiful, his features glowing with radiant youthfulness and excitement while his eyes reflected the innocent and virtuous soul that lay hidden beneath. Sighing heavily Erestor gestured to the window Legolas had climbed in through when he’d first entered the chamber.

“I saw you there hiding but chose to say nothing. I care for Glorfindel just as much as you do and I do not want to see him hurt. We must get him to Haldir’s talon so that he can rest in solitude and recover fully from his injuries without being pestered by those who wish him gone.” Legolas frowned at Erestor not having recognised the name the Lord had just used.

”Haldir…..” Legolas was about to continue when the sound of the tapestry being swung back drew both their attentions over to the doorway. A blond haired elf stuck his head into the room and smiled warmly. Legolas instantly recognised the blonde as the elf he’d walked with this morning and also the one who had been held so comfortingly by his father. Haldir’s name came back to him instantly at the memory. A pain of jealousy ran down his spine and Legolas was tempted to speak but having created a friendship with the elf earlier that morning chose to hold his tongue.

“Come now, the way is clear but we must hurry.” At Haldir’s insistence Erestor took up one end of the stretcher before gesturing LegoLegolas to take the other end. Obediently Legolas did as he was told. Glorfindel looked a lot heavier than he was and Legolas was surprised by how light the seneschal was to carry. Following Haldir’s cautious lead the trio scurried down the balconies of the various talons. Occasionally Legolas was forced to get Haldir’s help in carrying Glorfindel along the narrow stretches of walkway when it became difficult to hold Glorfindel straight. Despite his obvious pain Glorfindel had kept silent the entire trip his face buried into the pillow in an effort to stifle any sound he may have made due to particularly jarring bumps.

It wasn’t long before Legolas was being led into a large open spaced talon. It was sparsely furnished and despite it being ofinguingular room and bathing annex it was very homely and had an air of warmth about it. Legolas did not notice the stranger sitting in the corner of the talon watching him, so engrossed was he in Glorfindel’s well fare. Legolas perched himself on the edge of the bed after Haldir and Erestor had sufficiently finished fussing over the warrior who was now whispering softly to them in thanks. Legolas smiled as he watched Glorfindel turn his head towards him slightly his blue eyes fixing upon Legolas’ stare.

“Thank-you.” The word was spoken barely above a whisper and Legolas beamed happily as he bent forward and lightly hugged the seneschal’s body, careful not to hurt him further. Legolas watched as Glorfindel’s gaze slowly slipped into vacancy as the elder elf once again fell into his healing slumber. It was only then that Legolas felt the singular pair of eyes boring into his back. Upon inspection of the room he found that Erestor was sorting out the things in the satchel he’d packed and that Haldir was standing in watchful guard at the door of his own talon, which meant only one thing.

“Who are you!” Sharply Legolas spun around from thd tod to glare at the man, who he found sitting quietly beside the fire in a warm padded chair. A pair of piercing grey eyes stared unwavering at Legolas from beneath the large brimmed hat. Legolas was sure the man was not an elf the long grey facial hair cascading over the front of the man’s robes a tell tale sign. The fire seemed to reflect and flicker upon the man’s face making him almost mystical in appearance but the shadow of the hat brim made it impossible for Legolas to identify the man. When the man failed to answer Las gas glanced back at the two other elves only to find them both comfortable with the man’s presence.

“I am going to return to the search party now before they become suspicious.” Haldir turned back slowly from the doorway to his own talon and looked directly at the old man. Legolas watched as the man in the hat nodded at Haldir’s decision although his gaze never left Legolas. “When you are done here Legolas I advise you to become found again.” Legolas nodded quietly unsure of the emotion he saw gloss over the march warden’s features as he turned to address him. Not knowing what else to do Legolas smiled warmly at Haldir who sighed heavily and smiled warmly although a little bitterly back. “Do not worry little one I wnot not abandon you a second time.” Legolas did not have time to question the march warden before the blond elder had disappeared from view, leaving the tapestry to swing gently in the wind. Confused Legolas turned back to the man sitting beside the fire once again feeling his stare. Surprisingly the man had tilted his head back so that Legolas could not see the man’s face clearly now. The man’s face seemed familiar for some reason and Legolas went to question the man but was pre-empted by the man himself.

”I am Mithrandir an Istari, but most call me Gandalf the Grey.” Legolas’ eyes widened considerably. As an elfling he’d been told tales of the great Istari’s but never had he the fortune to meet one face to face. Legolas went to humbly introduce himself but was silenced as the wizard rose from the seat by the fire and came to stand next to him. “I know who you are Legolas, we have met before but you would have been too young to remember.” Again Legolas could not help but gape in shock at the wizard confused now at how very young he must have been for him not to remember such a meeting with the Great Gandalf. “Come now we have very little time and there are things we must discuss.” Gandalf wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and picked up a long wooden staff from beside the entrance to the talon before gesturing for Legolas to follow him.

“We can not go outside I will be seen and what about Lord Glorfindel?” Panicking a little Legolas glanced back longing at where Glorfindel was lying in slumber on the bed. He had hoped to spend at least a little while longer with the elvan lord before being forced to face his family again. Gandalf chuckled, something Legolas had said obviously amusing him for some reason. Legolas bit his lip as he glanced back questioningly over his shoulder at the Istari.

“Go with him Legolas it is important that you do. Glorfindel will be safe with me until you can find time to visit.” Erestor pulled the blanket up around Glorfindel’s body in small reassurance for the prince who looked so desperately lost to be leaving Glorfindel’s side.

“Erests ris right Legolas you must come with me, what I will say is very important. If you are worried about being caught put Haldir’s cloak on it will shield you from the gazes of those you wish not to be seen by.” Reluctantly Legolas took the green cloak from the end of the bnd pnd pulled it over his shoulders careful to secure the hood to hide his distinctively golden hair. Gandalf smiled comfortingly at the young elf before guiding him from the talon. Erestor sighed as he watched Legolas glance longingly back at him and Glorfindel now huddled together on the bed for warmth before the image of the prince disappeared from view.

“Well I would never have thought it true but I believe he has fallen for you my friend.” Sadly Erestor cuddled into Glorfindel’s side ha gen gently whispered into his friends delicately pointed ear. “I only hope he has the made the right decision, for all of our sakes.” With that Erestor buried his head into the crook of Glorfindel’s arm, silently listening to Glorfindel’s even breathing as he too fell silently into slumber.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>