The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 97

Legolas panted heavily as he leant against the tree, his twin blades hanging loosely at his side covered in the foul blood of the creatures he had just killed. It had been almost four weeks since he’d left Imladris with Elladan’s patrol and as yet they had not spent an entire night of rest without being forced to attack the plagues of orcs, which had infested the southern borders. This patrol was definitely unlike the first patrol Legolas had taken with Glorfindel. It seemed like Legolas had not stopped since the moment he’d stepped out of the Last Homely House four weeks ago. His muscle’s ached and he longed to just lie down and sleep without fearing for his life. Despite their obvious fatigue Elladan had continued to push them on cleansing the lands of his father from the foul creatures, which threatened to take it from them. At times Legolas had longed to just give up and return home, the task seemingly endless but each time he’d been close the familiar ache in his abdomen forced him to continue. There would be no other time for him to prove his worth and even though he refused to acknowledge it he was getting heavier and more vulnerable as the weeks wore on. With every challenge the orcs through at them Legolas would rise against it along side the warriors nearly twice his age in years and experience. Using every ounce of his strength and skill Legolas had killed as many orcs as those seasoned warriors of a thousand patrols, hiows ows coming swift and deadly to the enemy. Yet as the weeks wore on his strength was beginning to waver, his meagre diet of lembas and spring water was barely keeping him full let alone giving him the energy to support himself and the child he now carried also. The concealing belt he had worn for nearly four weeks without freedom was beginning to get too tight for his slowly swelling stomach and for fear of his secret being discovered he had not bathed at all. StilStill despite all his grievances and his hardships endured, they were paying off. He had become apart of their tightly woven group. They now offered him to share their fire and conversations at night; some would even offer to keep him company during his watch. They talked to him like he was just another one of their friends, a warrior they had grown up with, trained with and now trusted with their lives. Despite all his agony and guilt Legolas had finally achieved his objective in what littlme hme he’d been allowed. He had become one of them, proved himself in battle as both a loyal friend and a capable warrior. They now all knew that although he was from Mirkwood he was willing to give his life to save their realm and all those within it and respect and trust had blossomed from that point alone. Admittedly there were still a few who doubted him but their influence was insignificant and Legolas didn’t care for them anyway. Even Elladan had warmed to the prince, his snide remarks and jests falling aside in favour of praisd god good-natured jokes, although Legolas never forgot what Elladan’s secret was and was cautious that the elder elf could turn him whenever he chose. They had learned to respect one another but jealousy was not an emotion easily forgotten.

Now however Legolas felt what remained off his strength beginning to fail him, having worked so hard for the past four weeks to achieve his seemingly small goal his body was now beginning to rebel against him.

In the heat of battle Legolas had lost sight of his comrades and even now as he leant against the tree desperately panting for air his vision began to swim and blur. The forest floor was littered with bodies of the dead orcs he had killed, their foul stench permeating the once fresh air of the tress around him. Unable to hold himself up any longer Legolas let his twin knives slide easily from his grasp to ground at his feet before he too slid effortlessly down to the damp grass. As he lay down on his side between two particularly large tree roots protruding from the ground Legolas could only see the orange and purple haze of the sun beginning to descend from the sky above him before his vision went completely dark and he passed out into a dark abyss his hands protectively cradling his stomach and the child growing within.

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Legolas awoke to someone’s frantic e cae calling his name. Still groggy from passing out and his vision still not perfect Legolas could do little but reach up and camp his hand down over the one that was now painfully shaking his shoulders.

“Oh thank the valar. You are alive.” The voice slowly became more distinguishable and Legolas smiled weakly as he heard Elrohir’s relieved prayer to the valar. “Elladan I have found him! Come quickly!” Legolas heard Elrohir call to his brother in elvish and listened quietly as he heard pe run running towards them. Blinking his sore eyes Legolas managed to clear his vision enough to focus on Elrohir who was kneeling beside him and cradling his body against his own.

“Legolas are you alright? We feared we had lost you in battle when the last of our enemy fled and you were not to be seen.” Legolas was a little shocked as Elladan was quickly at his side his bloodied and battle sore hands coming up to cup Legolas face as if to really insure Legolas was alive by physically feeling him.

“I lost sight of you….” Legolas took a shuddering breath in the belt around his person again causing difficulties for him to breath. “I am so tired…….” Too weak to continue with any more conversation Legolas sagged against Elrohir’s chest taking comfort from the warm embrace of his friend. Legolas felt Elladan’s hand on his cheek again brushing the hair from his face where it had stuck to the sweat, blood and grime on his face.

“Aye we are all tired Legolas but a battle field is not the best place to take rest in, my fair warrior prince.” Legolas managed a smile at Elladan’s friendly joke and the others gentle endearment. “That is why we are going to head back into the forest for tonight away from the border so that we might find some peace to tend our injuries and sooth our weary minds.” There was a chorus of cheers from the patrol that had gathered around Legolas, all of them obviously relived to hear Elladan’s plan for the evening. “Now Elrohir is he fit to ride alone?” When Elladan spoke next it was not directed at Legolas but to Elrohir. For a moment Legolas felt Elrohir prodding him and particular wounds he had sustained during the last battle before he replied to his brother.

“Nay he is too weak. Although his injuries are only minor his fatigue makes them seemed greater than what they are he shall have to ride with me tonight.” Legolas rolled his eyes at Elrohir’s assessment of him but didn’t object as he felt a strong pair of arms lifting him from the ground and up onto the back of a horse. Any other day before now, Legolas would have insisted he was capable of continuing on his own but now keeping up appearances didn’t seem to matter. He had gained their respect and trust it was now time to worry about his own health and condition. Resting forward against the horse’s soft mane Legolas felt Elrohir mount up behind him before a strong pair of arms wrapped around his waisd hed helped him lean back against a warm chest. “Rest Legolas, it will be dawn before we reach our intended camp. I will wake you when we arrive.” Hearing Elrohir whisper softly to him Legolas obediently closed his eyes and allowed the rocking of the horse to lull him into a deep healing slumber, again his hands wrapped tightly around his own stomach in protection.

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As Elrohir had predicted it was dawn when they reached a small clearing in the forest. Legolas had awoken by himself shortly before they’d arrived and remarkably he felt a little better from his brief sleep. Admittedly he was extremely hungry and needed to relive himself but his tense muscles had relaxed a little and he felt far less fatigued than previously. Calling a halt to the patrol, Legolas watched as Elladan climbed down from his horse and briefly scouted the perimeter of the glade with a few of the guards before nodding his approval of the site.

“We will take rest here for a few days.” Elladan came to a stop in front of the horse Legolas and Elrohir still sat upon his hand coming up to rest on the horse’s neck as he addressed the patrol. Obediently everyone began to dismount, and choose suitably soft open grassy places to camp. “Come along there is a large grass patch under those trees over there that we can share, the tree roots will protect us from the wind.” Elladan turned back to his brother and Legolas and softly addressed them, as he gestured over to a large oak tree on the far side of the stream that ran through the middle of the glade.

“Ow it hurts.” Legolas had not realised how sore and stiff he was until he attempted to lift himself from the horse. Quickly Elladan and Elrohir were at his side supporting him as they lowered him to the ground, from the horse. Every bone in Legolas body ached and at the movement from the horse, Legolas was sure he’d reopened some of the wounds he’d received during the last battle. Unable to stand by himself Legolas allowed Elladan to support him as they stepped across the small stream on the rocks and headed to the grassy patch Elladan had chosen for them. Elrohir was scurrying behind them, their things thrown over his shoulder along with the medical pack that he carried with him everywhere. Elrohir quickly threw out Legolas’ one of the spare blankets onto the ground between two large tree roots before helping Elladan lower the tense young prince down onto it. Legolas groaned and rolled awkwardly over onto his side, clutching at his shoulder where a particularly large wound had become infected and was now bleeding profusely.

“Legolas! You are mess, why did you not say something earlier about this wound.” Legolas rolled his eyes and hissed in pain as he felt Elrohir inspecting his wound through the torn material of his tunic.

“Urgh, it smells foul.” Legolas closed his eyes and cried out in agony as Elladan screwed his nose up at Legolas wound shortly before Elrohir pushed his fingers deep into the wound to inspect how deep it was.

”That is because it is festering with dirt. Had our prince said something earlier it might have been prevented.” Legolas sighed heavily at Elrohir’s angry tone. Since their friendship had blossomed Legolas had not ever heard Elrohir raise his voice to him and it seemed strange that the younger twin would get angry over an injury not his own. “There is nothing I can do at present Legolas until we are more settled and protected. You will have to bear it a little longer until it is safe enough for me to work.” Obediently Legolas flipped himself over onto his back before painfully pushing himself up to sit against the large trunk of the tree.

“I am fine the wound looks worse that it is, tend to the others injuries first. I am hungry anyway and need some time to rest.” Legolas looked sheepishly between the two twins who were now staring down at him suspiciously.

“Very well make yourself comfortable while we organize the camp and do not go anywhere.” Elladan was the first to reply and although he accepted Legolas plan he didn’t seem convinced by the prince’s flippant dismissal of his own health. Elrohir handed Legolas his things from amongst the packs he’d brought with them from the horses before he disappeared back across the river with his brother leaving Legolas alone under the tree. Sighing heavily Legolas felt the pressure in his bladder again and cautiously pulled himself to his feet by the trunk of the tree. Knowing that he could not walk very far by himself Legolas circled around the large tree to the side facing away from the main glade. While it was stillosedosed to any who should look it was still private enough for Legolas to relieve himself.

Having finished emptying his bladder Legolas returned slowly to the blanket between the tree roots and sat cautiously back down wary of the aches and pains in his body. Opening his pack Legolas sought out the wra loa loaf of lembas and bottle of ever-cold spring water. He had eaten little over the past weeks and unlike many of the other elves he had almost all of his lembas still left. His own enforced limit on food had been a ploy to try and prevent his morning nausea while they were on patrol. While it had worked to a point it had left him now extremely hungry and weak with lack of nutrition. Breaking off a large piece of lembas Legolas hastily pushed the piece into his mouth and began to chew and swallow in earnest. He was hungrier than he had ever been before and so continued to break off chunks of lembas to feed himself with as he observed the patrol continuing to set up camp on both sides of the river.

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