The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 74

He was cold. It was a strange sensation he’d never felt before. He’d been cold when he died and gone to Mandos Halls of Waiting but that seemed somehow different to the chill he felt now. The ends of his fingers, the tips of his ears and his nose were cool like iced lemon in the summer time. The rest of his body felt numb as if he’d been trampled by a horde of stampeding orcs, yet despite the fact he knew he was in pain all he could focus on was how cold he felt. He’d heard men often talk of feeling the weather and being an elf he’d never experienced unease at the change in temperature around him, but now every breeze he felt across his face made him shiver in chill.

Opening his eyes was impossible his body not responding to anything it was told. In his darkness he could hear voices and while they were too faint to be identified he could hear them all the same. They were soothing voices and while he could not make them out they felt familiar to him as they began to sing. His darkness did not waver yet the voices got louder as the song continued, so that he could just make out the words. It was a song he knew well and had often sung himself on many joyous occasions. The song was that of love sung by Nuienel to his lover upon the eve of their union. It had long been used in binding ceremonies to celebrate the new life of togetherness for the parties involved. He found it strange that such a song would be sung now, around him when he felt neither here nor there in his body. The last thing he remembered was Erestor’s tear stained face staring down at him from above, as the final breath left his body. At present he could neither feel his lungs expanding or his lips parting to capture a breath.

He was not dead though. No. He’dt tht that before and this was certainly not Mandos Halls of Waiting. This was something entirely different. While his body felt weightless and numb there was something inside of him that felt heavy but warm. Like his chill he’d not felt the sensation before but with each moment that passed it grew stronger as did the song that was now like a choir inside his mind. ughoughout his body the sensation spreadulfiulfing him in fiery warmth and a bright loving g His His body sang at the sensation and his muscles tensed as he felt his heart leaping into his throat. It was during the crescendo of the song that he heard the voice in his mind, as clear as any he’d heard from external sources in the past.

“Glorfindel, Meleth nín.” The voice was unmistakably Legolas. As if plummeting from a horse at great speed Glorfindel found his eyes springing open and his body reflexively arching from its flat position to upright sit. Like a babe taking its first breath of air Glorfindel filled his lungs quickly and noisily as his eyes widely searched around him.

“Relax seneschal you are safe now.” Elrond’s was the first face among the many in the room that Glorfindel recognised. The elders face was like a waterfall of comfort washing over Glorfindel and instantly he felt his tense muscles relax as Imladris’ lord gently rested a hand on his back.

“Lie back Glorfindel you are still weak.” Another presence hovered just above Lord Elrond and after a few confusing moments Glorfindel recogd Erd Erestor’s bloodied face. His friend looked terrible, his hair knotted in mats and his clothes were covered in blood and torn in to shreds. When he opened his mouth to speak however Glorfindel found his voice none existent and before he could protest Elrond was lowering him back into the large bed he now found himself in. It was as he settled banto nto the silken soft sheets that he felt the presence next to him. Before he’d even shifted to see his partner Glorfindel kneo tho the other elf was.

“Laiqualassë” Legolas’ name rolled from his lips in the barest of whispers as Glorfindel shifted painfully onto his side to face his lover. Legolas looked almost like a child’s porcelain doll lying motionless on the bed next to him. Legolas was pale his features stone grey against the golden waterfall of his hair that frame his face. His ruby lips were barely parted as the prince’s breath whispered past them. Glorfindel felt his heart physically ache in pain as he forced himself to lift his hand and touch the cold skin of his lovers neck. While he did not know what had happened Glorfindel now realized what that feeling was inside of him. It was obvious that Glorfindel’s realization clear showed on his face as Erestor came and sat down next to his friend a moment afterwards. Glorfindel didn’t acknowledge the hand his friend lay on his shoulder merely staring at Legolas’ lifeless body lying carefully tucked into the sheets next to him.

“There was little else we could do Glorfindel. To save you, the two of you had to bind, the valar told it to be so.” Glorfindel silently nodded and pushed himself closer to Legolas body despite his own agonizing pain. As gently as he could manage Glorfindel wrapped his arms around the still beauty before him and brought Legolas head to his chest. The connection he felt at having Legolas’ body against his own was like spring rain rejuvenating his skin. His body seemed to crave the touch of his partner and was only at ease with Legolas in his arms. “He is weaker than you and feels your pain far more acutely. You must stay close to him, and share your healing ability with him. Just as he is healing you, you inturn will heal him.” Glorfindel again nodded in silence closing his eyes momentarily as he Legolas seemed to shift towards him desperately seeking further contact. Obediently Glorfindel compiled spooning himself to the prince’s body as he felt Elrond pulling the bed clothing up over them to keep out the cold.

“Do you hear his voice Glorfindel?” Another voice entered the conversation nearby and Glorfindel glanced up from his saddening watch over Legolas’ unresponsive face to smile briefly at Filgree who was leaning unsteadily agaithe the entrance to the room.

“Filgree! Did I not advise you to rest.” Glorfindel watched as Elrond was quickly at Filgree’s side helping the elder elf to step into the room and sit awkwardly down on the edge of the bed.

”Aye. In my mind as clear as I hear you.” Again Glorfindel managed to whisper through his dry throat as he watched Filgree run a hand across Legolas’ face brushing a stray strand of golden hair from the youth’s pale face. ThenThen you must talk to him in reply. Let him take comfort from hearing your voice, reassure him that you are here and that you will not leave him. He is fragile, like a child taking his first steps and you must guide him through this time with care.” Filgree leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Legolas forehead before doing the same to Glorfindel. “Take care of him seneschal he is like a son to me.” Glorfindel managed to nod even as fatigue gripped his body. Slowly a warm engulfed him and at length Glorfindel finally allowed his body to succumb to the deep healing sleep he longed for.

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

(A.N)(Sorry I didn't make the ceremony big or anything but I thought you'd only want to read it once and not twice.)