The Healing of Elves and Trees

Title: The Healing of Elves and Trees
Author: Eliza 422 (eliza_422@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Elrohir/Haldir (eventually), Elladan/Legolas
Rating: NC-17
Summary: AU Story. Elrohir anlebrlebrian are captured by orcs. They survive the attack but Elrohir is changed. Will he ever recover from what he has experienced?
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JRR Tolkien.

Author's note: I hope you enjoy this chapter. We are starting phase 2 of the story (finally!).

Chapter 7

"Lay him down on this table, gently," said Elrond.
Glorfindel and Elladan carried the litter into the tent set up specifically to treat Elrohir. Anorion and other healers had set up the tent with a full complement of medicines and instruments. They were standing aside as the injured elf was brought in.
They laid the litter on the lightly padded table, then carefully slid the blanket out from under Elrohir. Elladan moved to the head of the table to stand by his brother's head.
"Elrohir," he said softly, stroking the shorn hair.
Elrohir opened his eyes. He hadn't been asleep, but the medicine's after effect and the swaying of the litter had made him nauseous. He was relieved to feel himself lie still.
"Yes," he said. He looked at Elladan's face. It was still slightly swollen from crying, and he was remarkably disheveled and dirty. And what was wrong with his hair?
"You're safe now, little bro. The dwarves have destroyed the orc stronghold."
"What happened to your hair?" Elrohir asked. He looked around at the healers milling about. Every elf he could see had cropped hair. "Everyone's hair?"
"You should have seen it, Ro. After we came out of the mountain pass every elf cut his braids off! Even Erestor, and you know how vain he is!"
"Why?"
"For you and mother, that's why!" Elladan leaned over to kiss his brother's forehead. He stayed bent over with his head next to Elrohir's. He could feel tears welling up again at the thought of what his brother had gone through, and he hadn't been there to protect him.
"Dan-Dan, don't cry. You saved me, and mother too!" Elrohir groaned when the healers removed the soiled and tattered tunic they had covered him in and began removing the splints.
"Not soon enough!" Elladan draped his arm over his brother's chest.

"Elladan, you're going to have to leave us now," Elrond said. He hated to separate the twins, but Elladan would only be a hindrance.
"No, father, I'm staying," Elladan said, tightening his grip. "He needs me."
Elrond stroked his hand down Elladan's back, trying to soothe him. "I know this is hard for you, son, but we need to start working on It\ It's not going to be very pleasant, and you will only agitate him further."
"I'm not going," Elladan said stubbornly.
"Elladan, it's OK. You can stand watch outside, how about that?" Elrohir said. He pushed Elladan's head up so he could see his face.
"But..."
"I would feel safer knowing you were out there guarding this tent. Please?"
"I can do that, I suppose."
"Thank you." Elrohir let his hand fall back on the table.
Elladan got up and looked at his father. He grabbed him in a fierce hug. "Father, you must save him!"
"I'll do my best, son, now go."
Elladan slowly walked out of the tent, turning several times to look at his brother.

"I don't know where we should start," Anorion said, looking critically at their patient.
"I think it's the legs, no doubt. They beat him pretty badly over the rest of his body, but I think an infection has set in deep in the leg," Elrond said.
"Do you think we have enough healing energy to make headway?"
"I cannot say. The damage is so extensive, and the bones are shattered, not just broken. We're just going to have to dig in and see what we can do."
"Elrohir, let us know if you feel anything at all from what we are doing," Elrond said.
"Yes, father," he replied faintly.
Elrond and Anorion stood next to each other and began to work on Elrohir's left leg. The other healers stood by to assist.
They used a cleansing wash to clean off the dirt and blood from the leg, then began to manipulate the bone fragments back into place.

After a few hours the healers took a break. Elrohir was beginning to feel a lot of pain and they had administered a strong painkiller. They couldn't continue until it took effect so they used this opportunity to refresh themselves.
Elladan and Legolas were sitting outside the tent next to a fire. They stood when they saw Elrond and most of the others emerge from the tent. Elladan stopped his father.
"Well?"
"It's too early to say, Elladan," Elrond replied. He was weary and thirsty and he didn't have the strength to deal with his son's questions.
"Elladan, leave him be. Can't you see he's exhausted?" Legolas said, pulling Elladan away from Elrond. "My lord, we made tea. Please have some." He sat his father-in-law down on a seat by the fire and pressed a mug of tea into his hand.
Elrond smiled. "Thank you, Legolas." He took a long sip of the tea. He put the mug down and rested his head on his knees.
Legolas sat down next to Elrond and hugged him. He looked at Elladan who wasn't doing anything. He nodded to the seat on the other side of Elrond, but Elladan didn't take the hint. He nodded more vigorously, but that didn't work. He finally pointed at Elladan, then to the seat, and he finally understood.
Elladan moved to the seat on the other side of Elrond and copied Legolas' action. He put his arm over his father's shoulders, and was surprised to feel them shaking.
"Father, what's wrong?" Elladan asked.
Elrond shook his head, not rasing it from his knees. He was trying to control his emotions, but he wasn't succeeding.
"Please, father!"
"I'll be OK, Elladan," Elrond said, his voice muffled against his knees.

Elrond sat that way for a few more minutes until he mastered himself again. He finally straightened up.
"More tea, Legolas, if you please?" Elrond said.
"Of course, my lord!" Legolas poured some more tea into the mug and handed it to Elrond.
The two younger elves watched anxiously as Elrond sipped the tea.
"Father, Elrohir?" Elladan finally said.
"We're working on him, son, that's all I can say. An infection has taken root in his legs and we can't clear it up. We're trying to reassemble his bones but..." Elrond's voice caught in his throat for a moment. He took a long drink of tea. "But I'm not sure how well we are succeeding. We had to cut open his flesh to get in there. We have a long way to go." He held his cup out to Legolas, who poured some more tea.
"But your healing power, father - you are the strongest healer in Arda! Surely you can zap his legs better in no time!"
"Have you paid no attention to your studies, Elladan?" Elrond said, his voice rising in anger. "This isn't magic, what we healers do. We can only accelerate natural healing processes. Why do people think like that?"
"I'm sorry," Elladan said, cowed by the anger in his father's voice. "I was never very good at healer study - that was Elrohir's thing. I'm more of an action kind of elf," he said, flashing a small smile at his father.
Elrond laughed despite his anger. He stroked his son's cheek. "I didn't mean to yell at you, son. Sometimes *I* think I have great magic that I can wield. This has been a humbling afternoon."
"I know what you mean," Elladan replied.

"My lord, he is unconscious," said the apprentice healer who had been watching over Elrohir. He had stepped out of the tent to call the other healers back in.
Elrond sighed and got up. He couldn't face what was in there, but what choice did he have? His son's very life depended on his skill. He steeled himself and entered the tent.

Night fell over the elf camp. Legolas set up two bed rolls by the fire in front of the healer tent. Elladan looked completely wiped out and needed some rest. Legolas had been able to snag a light sleeping draught from a healer that he would use to help his husband get some undisturbed sleep. He decided not to tell Elladan that he had dosed his tea with the potion. They lay down together in their bed roll.
"We are absolutely filthy, El," Legolas said. It had just struck him that they hadn't bathed since the previous day.
"I don't care," Elladan said. He snuggled close to his husband.
"Well I do. First thing tomorrow we bathe."
"Whatever you want, babe."
Elladan tried to access the link to his brother for the fiftieth time today, but he still couldn't get through. He could feel his brother faintly, as if he was hundreds of miles away, but could not feel any emotions or thoughts.
"What are you thinking?" Legolas asked.
"I think father gave Elrohir something to block our bond."
"So? I don't think Elrohir needs to deal with his own condition and your own at the same time."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Elladan sat up onto his elbow, anger darkening his features.
"You know what I mean. Ever since we got to this camp two days ago it's all been about you. How do you think he felt in that cell to see you completely lose it? He'd been repeatedly violated by orcs, beaten to a pulp, and had his legs smashed by a hammer - and yet all you could do was curl up like an elfling on the floor while he killed the orc!"
"How dare you? You have no idea how I was feeling!"
"Of course I know how you were feeling - we are married, you dolt! I never said anything because I know how distraught you were about Ro, but I think you need to take a good look inside. You profess to be this great warrior descended through the most noble houses of elf and man, but you barely held it together on our way here. It's been 'If only I had been there' and 'I have to save them'. I wonder why this has been all about you."
Elladan threw off his blanket and got up. He had never felt such anger toward Legolas before. How dare this ellian tell him how to behave?
"I will *not* be spoken to in this manner by my husband! You will show me proper respect, ellian!"
Legolas stood up and faced Elladan, his own face white with anger. "I show respect to those who earn it, elf, and to none other." He watched Elladan's face redden; he was afraid, but he would not be moved.
"I can't believe you just said that to me." Elladan felt burning rage in his heart. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
Legolas noticed the fists. "You would strike me, then?" He was trembling inside, but he didn't dare show it on the outside. What kind of madness had overtaken his husband?
Elladan looked at his hands, his gut clenching when he realized that is exactly what he was thinking. What was wrong with him? He loved Legolas with all his heart and body and soul, and yet now he contemplated physical violence against him?
Legolas could feel Elladan's tortured feelings. He decided to risk it and stepped forward. Elladan stepped back, but Legolas wrapped his arms around Elladan's neck and hugged him.
"Please, El, you need help. Please, for me," he said quietly.
Elladan hugged Legolas close to him. He was shaking in relief when he felt the madness drain away, leaving a hollow feeling in his heart.
"I can't believe I was thinking those things," he whispered into Legolas' hair.
"I'm sorry I had to be so rough on you, El, but you need to face the truth. We all have our faults, but you will not own up to yours."
"You are without fault."
"Don't say such nonsense. My biggest fault is putting up with you, I think," Legolas said.
"Please forgive me?"
"I forgive you, but we have some serious talk time ahead of us. And I want you to see a mind healer."
"What? No way - I'm not seeing one of those quacks!"
"You will see a mind healer, Elladan, and I won't stand for any objections." Legolas fixed a stern eye on his husband. Elladan hung his head.
"OK, I will."
"Now, please, lie down, and drink your tea. I have put a light sleeping draught in it." He held up a hand to still Elladan's protests. "You think I am without fault? I wasn't going to tell you originally, but under the circumstances I think we need to starbuilbuilding some trust. And before you say anything else we're both going to drink it. I'm worn out." Legolas downed his tea in one gulp, then returned to the comfortable bed roll.
Elladan frowned for a moment, then also drank the tea. It couldn't hurt to sleep, could it? And Legolas did tell him about it, so that was OK. He lay down and snuggled back up to Legolas.
"Do you think our marriage will survive this?"
"That's up to you, El. I've told you before that Ro warned me before we got married to think carefully about this. He loves you, but he sees into your heart and knows the darkness that resides in there. He wanted me to go into this marriage with my eyes open."
"But I haven't given you reason to worry before, have I?"
"No, but then we've never been tested like this before. It is in how we face tragedy and possible defeat that our true colors come out." Legolas stroked Elladan's hair, trying to comfort him. "It's hard to face the truth of one's own self, isn't it?"
Elladan smiled weakly at that. He could feel the potion relaxing him. He remembered all kinds of adventures he and Elrohir had experienced. He looked at Legolas.
"I've always known Elrohir is stronger than me," he said quietly.
"What? But you're always going on about him being an ellian and all that."
"I know. Did he ever tell you how we first met the dwarves? Why they call him dwarf-friend?"
Legolas perked up at that. "He told me that you and he helped some dwarves under attack by orcs, and they were grateful. They let you stay in Dwarrowdelf."
Elladan chuckled at his brother's modesty. "He has a gift for understatement. Let me tell you...oh my, I'm feeling really sleepy all of sudden."
"Me too. I think the potion is working."
"Can I tell you tomorrow?" Elladan pulled Legolas close.
"Sure, babe," Legolas mumbled, falling asleep.
Elladan kissed his brow. "I love you," he said, drifting off to sleep.

Elrond and Anorion left the tent. It was the middle of the night and they were both exhausted.
"I think we've done all we can, Anorion. It's up to him now. I have nothing left," Elrond said, clasping Anorion on the shoulder.
"We've been at this for what, 12 hours? No wonder we're wiped out."
"I don't know what I'm going to tell Elladan and Celebrian. They think I'm some kind of miracle worker."
"You will tell them the truth, my lord. Victim's families always have a tough time dealing with the realities of the healing process - even the families of healers."
"I would gladly trade my life for his," Elrond said.
"That is not possible, my lord. You will have to stand by and let Elrohir recover at his own pace. You can only provide love and support. You also must face the possibility he won't survive."
"Anorion, you have the worst bed side manner ever," Elrond said, laughing softly.
"I don't believe in mollycoddling patients or their families, my lord, it only leads to misunderstanding, hurt feelings, or other nonsense. Besides, as I always say, I learned it all from you," said Anorion, winking.
"Let us sit and have some tea." Elrond stooped to get the tea pot off the fire where Legolas had left it for him. He looked over at the two young elves who were wrapped up in each other in their bedroll. Elrond knew that Legolas had asked for a sleeping draught earlier, and from the looks of it they had both taken it. It would do them both good.
Elrond sat down to enjoy some tea. He saw Glorfindel approaching.
"My lord, I'm glad to see you. How fairs Elrohir?"
"He is resting for now, Glorfindel. We have done what we can for him, but he is not out of the woods yet. Tea?"
"No thank you. If you have a few minutes, I have some things to discuss."
Elrond sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Fine. What is it?"
"My elves have cleared out the last pockets of orcs on this side of the mountain. The dwarves have been helping. They seem very pleased with the work they did - they refer to it as 'blowing up' the mountain." Glorfindel looked slightly puzzled.
"The dwarves have developed a new substance - a powder - that when touched with fire releases a lot of energy. They use it to break up rocks in their deepest mines. The rock disintegrates and they can work with it after that. Elrohir told me about it after his last visit to Dwarrowdelf."
"The Master of the Mews has received a falcon-message from Thranduil. He is coming over the pass with a security force to see you. I sent back an affirmative, is that OK?"
"Yes, I would like to thank him personally for his help. Did he say anything about the reinforcements the orcs expected?"
"He did hint at some fell denizens traveling with the orcs, but he didn't say who they were outright. I think that is part of what he wants to speak to you about. He should be here by tomorrow afternoon."
"Fine. Anything else?"
"I think we should consider sending some troops back to Imladris early. We emptied out the vale of every able-bodied warrior, and it concerns me that it is so unprotected."
"What do you think is sufficient to keep here?"
"I think we need keep only 100 elves here, and send the rest back. Oh, I forgot that the dwarves are going to stay until they know for sure that Elrohir will survive. So that's 50 dwarves, plus 100 of us, that should be enough."
"OK, send the others back first thing in the morning."
"How long do you think we'll be here?"
Elrond briefly glanced at the healer's tent. "A week, at least. I think we should know by then whether..." He couldn't continue.
"That's fine, my lord, I'll let the captains know."
Elrond looked at Glorfindel, smiling his thanks. He noticed his friend's short hair was braided with several tiny braids on either side of his face.
Glorfindel held his head high, seeing Elrond examining his hair. "Yes, my lord?"
"The braids are nice, Glorfindel."
"Many of the elves have been working on new hair styles that flatter the shorter hair. I like it."
"So are you going to leave it short?" Elrond laughed at Glorfindel's indignant expression.
"Certainly not!" He stalked off to speak to the other elves.
Elrond laughed again, finishing his tea. He saw that Legolas had set out an extra bedroll, evidently for him. What a sweet ellian he is, thought Elrond. Elladan doesn't know how lucky he was! Elrond settled into the bedroll and pulled the blanket up to his neck. He quickly fell asleep.

Legolas and Elladan slept late into the morning. When the got up, Legolas saw that the extra bedroll had been disturbed. He was glad to know that Elrond had managed to get some sleep.
"Come, Elladan, we must bathe. I can't stand it anymore." Legolas pulled his reluctant husband out of bed.
"I think elves are too obsessed with bathing and washing their hair and stuff. We should get closer to nature," Elladan said.
"Fine words coming from one of the lords of Imladris! Now get up and get moving. If you do, I'll wash your back for you," Legolas said, winking suggestively.
"Hmmm, I think I'll take you up on that offer. Wait, there's a note here from father."
Elladan picked up a small note pinned to the bedroll. "He says your father is coming today, he should be here this afternoon. Father is back in the tent. He thinks we might be able to visit Elrohir tomorrow morning."
Legolas grabbed the note. His face glowed with joy. "My father! I can't wait! That's wonderful about Ro, too!"
"What about me and my back?" Elladan said, pouting.
"Well, get yourself to the stream!"
Elladan smiled at his husband's happiness. They headed to the stream with towels and soap.

Late in the afternoon Legolas sat by their fire brushing his hair. He couldn't believe he had cut it! He had seen several cute hairstyles some of the elves had come up with and he was going to copy one of them.
"That's the third hairstyle you've tried, you vain ellian!" Elladan said. He was lying down with his head propped up on a pillow. He enjoyed watching Legolas do his hair.
"I want to look my best when father comes! He's going to go nuts when he sees what I've done - what we've all done!"
Both elves looked up when a messenger came running up the path.
"Lord Elladan! Lord Legolas! King Thranduil has arrived, he's in the field."
"Thank you," Legolas said. He ran down the path after the messenger.
"Wait up, Legolas!" Said Elladan, following behind at a more stately pace. He was very nervous about facing Legolas' father again. The King had expressed some serious reservations before his marriage to Legolas, and Elladan felt like he had to continue to prove himself worthy of the golden leaf of Greenwood. His behavior over the last few weeks wasn't likely to win him any points with his father-in-law. He stopped a respectful distance away while Legolas greeted his father.

"Father! I'm so happy to see you!" Legolas cried, throwing himself into his father's arms.
"My golden leaf! I've missed you, as has all of the Greenwood," said Thranduil. He stroked the short blond hair. "You too, my son?"
Thranduil had been struck dumb at the sight of so many elves with short hair. One of the elves that had met his party had explained what had happened, but he didn't consider that his little Leaf would do the same.
Legolas pulled away to look at his father. "Father, we all did it! For Elrohir and his mother! It's OK, it will grow back." Legolas leaned into his father's hand. "Although I think Elladan will be very impatient until it does."
Thranduil smiled, and was about to speak again when he focused on his son's battered face. The bruises were healing and growing more faint, but it was still obvious that something had struck him hard in the face.
"Legolas, did some orc punch you? Your face!"
"I'm all right, father, my face is healing quickly." Legolas smiled, hoping his father wouldn't ask for any more details.
"Tell me how this happened? Was it during the battle yesterday?"
Legolas didn't answer for a moment. "No," he said faintly.
"Then when did it happen? Who..." Thranduil froze. Legolas had dropped his eyes and wouldn't look at him. "Tell me who did this now!"
Legolas briefly looked at his father, then looked away, at a far point over his father's shoulder. A few tears welled up in his eyes. He didn't answer.
"Elladan," Thranduil said, anger tingeing his voice. He looked over to where the Imladris elf stood patiently, waiting for Legolas to finish greeting his father. "Legolas, go to your brothers, they wish to see you."
"But father..."
"Obey me, Legolas." Thranduil pointed to Legolas' three elder brothers who were standing with the contingent of elves who had accompanied Thranduil over the mountain pass. Legolas, dejected, walked over to his kin. He turned back to watch his father walk over to his husband.

"Elf!" Thranduil roared, bearing down on Elladan. "I demand an explanation!"

...to be continued...