Healing Hope

Chapter Twenty Three

Why Now?

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” Mark Twain

Legolas continued to sit on the tree limb long after Thranduil had retired to his rooms for the remainder of the night. The young elf smiled to himself as he thought about the king’s remark that he wanted to “look in” on Estel before retiring. How long ago it seemed that he had worried over his Adar’s reaction to Estel. The child’s winsome way had entranced the King of Mirkwood as it had everyone else that met him.

The smile soon faded, however, as he recalled his father’s words.

When we marched from Greenwood to help defeat Sauron, I had no idea that I would return a king…that our warriors would be decimated and our people dispirited. The shadow began to fall upon our lands and we retreated before it as it spread ever northward because we had not the warriors left to mount a proper defense. Finally we determined we would retreat no more and delved into the hills to create our fortress, like Thingol of old in Doriath. Oh, our halls are not to be compared with Menegroth, for we had not the artisans, nor the wealth, nor even the dwarves, but they are beautiful to me for what they represent to our people.”

From the time that Legolas was old enough to have memories, his Ada was the majestic, self assured King that he knew now. How difficult it must have been for such a proud and accomplished warrior as his father to be forced into continually retreating rather than standing to fight! But how could he have? Legolas frowned as he tried to visualize what it must have been like for his Adar then with most of his warriors dead, his people to protect and yet the shadow continuing to come upon them. And all the while grieving for Oropher and trying to learn what it meant to be a king!

The sun was just rising above the eastern cliffs and the morning light spread slowly across the landscape like a wash of watercolor, turning the gray stone to silver-gold, the pale river to sparkling blue, the dull-green fields to vivid emerald.

In the distance Legolas could see Beling and Falathar making their way over the arched bridge spanning the Bruinen. He hastened down, anxious to hear what they might have discovered of the mysterious intruders.

The weary pair was just entering the yard as the prince approached.

Beling dipped his head respectfully. “Prince Legolas.”

Falathar inclined his head as well, aware that how he greeted his Prince, albeit his friend, in public would be observed and commented upon. Falathar was, after all, the chief of the guard for the King of Mirkwood, as well as a lifelong friend of Legolas.

Legolas usually hated protocol and all things official, but he understood Falathar’s actions and after the earlier conversation with his father was particularly sensitive to his position. He responded appropriately by acknowledging both greetings before asking his question.

“Did you find signs?”

Falathar opened his mouth to respond, but was stopped by Beling’s hand on his arm.

“Respectfully, Prince Legolas, I should report our findings first to Lord Glorfindel,” said Beling.

“Of course,” answered Legolas immediately. This being under the command of another was going to take some getting used to. As a prince, Legolas was used to being rather independent. “Of course, Beling. I meant to disrespect. I am simply anxious to find the source of this evil harassing your home and responsible for the injuries to my friends.” Belatedly he remembered that this evil was also responsible for the death of Beling’s brother.

Beling smiled sadly. “Thank you for understanding. I, too, am anxious for answers.”

Legolas put his hand on the elf’s shoulder. “Beling, forgive me! I am truly grieved for your loss.”

“I did not take offense, Prince Legolas. We are all anxious for answers. Falathar and I found some interesting signs. Why don’t you come with us to Lord Glorfindel?”

“Thank you. I would like that,” nodded the prince.

The trio went together to the third floor when Glorfindel sat keeping watch on one of the empty beds. Two beds were occupied by Elladan and Elrohir. Lord Elrond dozed in the rock-ing chair that Glorfindel had specially crafted when Estel was just two, while Sariboril rested on the fourth bed.

Glorfindel saw Beling pause in the doorway and rose quickly, holding his finger to his lips and nodding his head towards the Lord of Imladris. Uneasy about leaving, Glorfindel placed his hand on Sariboril’s foot. The healer immediately roused.

“Elrond still sleeps. I am stepping out in the hall way for a bit.”

Sariboril was already rising. “Do not worry. I will watch over the twin’s condition while their father naps.”

Glorfindel stepped out of the healing room and led the young warriors to Lord Elrond’s library on the first floor. He motioned them to sit at the same table holding the maps of the valley.

“How are the twins?” asked Legolas. He had spent a significant amount of time during the night watching the light filtering from the window of the surgery and wondering about his friends.

“Elrohir has lost a significant amount of blood, but that has been stopped and he is in no longer in danger from that source. The blow to his head is a worry until he regains consciousness and it can be determined whether or not there will be complications from that quarter. Elladan’s life is secure, however there is a possibility that he will have permanent damage to his sword arm.”

“Permanent,” repeated Legolas, sickened at the thought of how a warrior like Elladan would be impacted by that news.

Glorfindel rubbed his brow tiredly. “That is only a possibility, young prince.” He fixed the three young warriors with a piercing stare. “I have said too much. Information about the twins should come from their father.”

“What you have told us will not leave this room, my lord,” said Falathar. “I give you my word on that.”

The other two nodded their agreement.

“I mean no insult to any of you,” said Glorfindel after a moment. He sighed, placing the worry from his thoughts – though not from his mind. Straightening his back, the golden warrior once again became the commander of all the defense of Imladris. “Report Beling.”

Beling glanced quickly at Falathar and then launched into his report. “We searched the immediate area of the attack and then branched outward. I fear we have found more questions than answers.”

“Just tell me what you can tell me, Beling. If you cannot answer the questions we have, then tell me what information you have determined.”

Beling sighed. What he actually knew was very little and that fact frustrated the elf more than he cared to admit. “We know that a large band of orcs entered the valley and attacked the twins. Those orcs, or most of them, were killed. We also found tracks that would indicate iron shod boots on at least five orcs…or some beings. The tracks were similar to those that would be left by dwarves, though much larger.

“Dwarves?” asked Leoglas, all too aware of the past wars his people had waged against the dwarves.

“Iron shod?” said Glorfindel at the same time.

“They were much too large to belong to dwarves, my lord,”

Glorfindel’s mind was processing all that he was hearing. “Those tracks must belong to the larger orcs that Legolas saw leaving the area. But why did they leave? And why only the larger ones? It is not like orcs to give up on the chance to torment or kill elves.”

“Larger orcs?” asked Beling.

“I saw some large orc-like creatures leaving the area of the attack on the twins. There was not time to see more than a glance, I’m afraid,” explained Legolas.

A healer appeared at the door, interrupting any further discussion for the moment. “Lord Glorfindel. Lord Elrond asks that you return to the healing rooms. Elrohir is agitated and insists upon speaking to you.”

“I will come immediately. Thank you.” Glorfindel waited until the healer had turned to go back upstairs. “Beling, you should be with your family now. Illuin is preparing to go back to the border with more warriors. Falathar, Helcar has the assignments for all the warriors. You will continue to serve as commander of the Mirkwood forces. I have decided to ask you and your warriors to take up the responsibility for the security of Imladris proper and the area immediately surrounding the inner valley.”

Falathar was immensely relieved, for this would place the king’s security directly into the hands of his own warriors. “Thank you, my lord. I will see to it now.”

Glorfindel nodded. “Legolas, come with me, please. Perhaps Elrohir can shed some light onto our mystery.”

O-o-O-o-O

Erestor sighed as once again Estel inquired about his father and brothers. Estel had not seen his father since yesterday morning when Thranduil brought him down to reassure him that his Ada was well. The child had been as patient as a four year old was capable during the day. Once during the day Erestor had needed to prepare the child a mild pain draught as the swelling in his hand increased. The seneschal had made sure that the arm stayed elevated all day and throughout the night, and the swelling had finally responded to the treatment and subsided. Thankfully there was no repeat of the night terrors that had caused the swelling in the first place.

“Are they mad at me, Restor?”

The pair was just finishing blueberry hotcakes, which cook had sent up to the child’s bedroom. It was well known in the kitchens that Estel adored anything flavored with blueberries!

“No,” Erestor said patiently as he took his napkin and wiped a bit of berry from Estel’s lip. He had, of course, been kept apprised of the twin’s condition and reasoned that perhaps it was time for Estel to learn the truth.

“Restor?” Estel was watching the play of emotions on the elf’s face.

Erestor could not help but smile at the boy. “You don’t miss a thing, do you Estel?” He took a deep breath and began. “Your brothers were injured while on patrol and your father has been caring for them in the healing rooms down the hall.”

Estel frowned. “Will they have to drink Ada’s tea?”

Erestor fought the smile tickling the corner of his mouth, for the child was asking a serious question and he would not have Estel believe that he had said something that would elicit ridicule. He knew that the child could not comprehend his brothers being anything but strong. How to explain it… “In all likelihood, yes, your brothers will require pain or sleeping draughts, and they may be sleeping. Can you be very quiet if they are?”

Large silver eyes widened as the boy nodded solemnly. “I won’t even jump on them to wake them up.”

“That is good, Estel.”

O-o-O-o-O

Elrond was not pleased with his son’s agitation. “Elrohir, you must lie back or your stitches could tear.”

“El?” Elladan stirred on his bed, straining to see his brother.

With one hand firmly against Elrohir’s shoulder, Elrond smiled at his elder son. “Welcome back, Elladan. How are you feeling?”

“Not bad, Ada. How is El?” Elladan tried to sit up, but Sariboril, on the side of the bed, placed a restraining hand on his shoulder, much like Elrond was presently doing to Elrohir.

“Stay down, young one,” she said. “You are not that long out of surgery. Give yourself time.”

“Ada, I must speak to Glorfindel!” insisted Elrohir.

“I am here, young one,” responded Glorfindel, walking through the doorway with Legolas. “What is it that has you so concerned?”

“Elrohir, if you do not lie back this second, I will sedate you!” warned Elrond. “You may speak to Glorfindel from a prone position, or I will ask him to leave. Is that understood?”

Elrohir knew that tone of his father’s voice and knew that he was deadly serious. He sighed, and nodded weakly. “Yes, Ada.”

Glorfindel sat on the side of Elrohir’s bed and smoothed back the braid that had fallen across his forehead. “What is it that you need to tell me, Elrohir?”

“The orcs…” Elrohir had to stop to swallow. His panting was evidence enough of his weakened condition.

Glorfindel reached over to the table to pick up a glass of water. Elrond propped Elrohir’s shoulders up so that he could more easily take a sip of the water.

“Relax, Elrohir,” Elrond said. “Let me bear your weight. You just take small sips.”

Elrohir could only manage two drinks of the water before tiring, and Elrond lowered him back carefully.

The twin swallowed again and started over, his face slick with sweat and his face as pale as a winter moon. “The orcs that attacked us were led by some different, larger creatures.”

Glorfindel shared a look with Legolas, who had moved just inside the doorway.

“Legolas caught a glimpse of them as they left the area.”

“Glorfindel, the leader…the leader knew me.”

That news brought a frown to Glorfindel as well as Elrond. “He knew you?”

“Yes,” Elrohir said weakly. “He said that he had stalked El and me…and that he had stalked our home.” He had to stop to regain his breath for a moment.

Legolas had edged his way over to where he was standing beside Glorfindel. “Do you think he meant the inner valley itself?”

“Impossible!” said Glorfindel.

“No,” said Elrohir. “We…El and I…could, could not see them. We could sense them after a fashion, but only see them when they charged us.”

Glorfindel looked at Elrond. “Could the blow to his head have affected his memory?”

“No!” Elrohir was becoming agitated again. “Glorfindel, you have to believe me. El will tell you too.”

“It’s true,” said Elladan softly. “We could not see them until they were nearly on top of us. It’s possible they could have gotten closer into the valley without us even knowing it.”

Elrond had been listening to the exchange in silence. Now the elf lord walked over to the terrace entrance and stared out into the morning sunshine. Absentmindedly he fingered Vilya, deep in thought, his face a study in downward curves. “If orcs are penetrating the valley and hidden from us, then there is more at work here than we know.”

“The dark one has been gathering power for some time, but why the great push now? Could the one ring have been found?”

Elrond slowly shook his head. “I do not know. I must concentrate more effort on sensing through…” He let his voice trail off, aware that Legolas was in the room. “I have been distracted of late.”

“But we have not had orcs penetrating the valley since the great siege. How? Why now?”

“How indeed,” said Elrond. “I fear that there may be wizard magic involved.”

“Ada?”

All eyes turned towards the doorway where Erestor stood with Estel. The child smiled upon all, his face alight with joy at seeing his family.

“As to the why now…” Elrond did not need to finish the sentence. All in the room, save one small human, knew what he was thinking.

TBC