A Father’s Love
“You should not be moving.” Elrond’s authoritative voice filled the room somewhat startling Estel and forcing him to freeze in his adjustment.
“I know. My muscles are beginning to get achy from lying in the same position for so long. I needed the change.” The words came out strained and laced with pain and Estel cringed at the tone that he had fought to hide.
He continued to push himself into a semi-raised position, his ever tender back easing into the array of pillows piled up behind him. He let out the breath that he was holding and then looked to Elrond with expectant eyes.
The elf lord pushed an extra pillow out of the way then sat down at the foot of the bed, the blue silk duvet billowing around him. “I would imagine that you would be sore from more than just sitting still. How are your wounds? Do they still pain you excessively?”
Estel knew that Elrond already knew the answer to the questions that he asked. He also knew that there would no use in exaggerating to his guardian. “They ache and sting. They heal slowly.”
“May I?” Elrond motioned to the young man and rose again from where he sat. Estel leaned forward slowly, exposing his back so that the healer could have better access to the wounds. He felt comfortable in the presence of the Lord of Imladris and his pains and anxiety seemed to ease with the first touch of Elrond’s hands.
His loose tunic was raised exposing the bandaged wounds and he tried to relax under the pressing fingers that tested the skin around the binding. His elbows rested upon his raised knees and he placed his chin into his open palms. The position making him look even younger than he was. He tensed slightly as Elrond removed the bandaging from the wounds, the fastening pulling on his skin slightly. A hiss of pain slipped through his teeth as pressure was applied to the wound marring his lower back and Estel pulled away reflexively.
“My apologies.” Elrond responded quickly then lowered the tunic back into place. “I do not think they need the bandages any longer. The air may do them well.” The Elf Lord then returned to his previous spot at Estel’s feet and looked the young man in the eyes. “They do not heal slowly. Maybe slower than you would like, but they look quite well. I believe I may allow you to step outside into the gardens in another week.” A small smile graced his elegant face and Estel found it difficult to not return the gesture.
“Thank you. I am anxious to be up and moving again.” Leaning back into the pillows again, a small sigh of relief escaped him and Estel found his thoughts drifting to a topic that had become popular lately. “Any word on Legolas?”
Estel stared intently into Elrond’s eyes, looking for any telling signs but the Elf Lord’s expression remained impassive. He watched as Elrond brushed something imaginary from the duvet and shifted his seat on the bed. “Glorfindel, Angrod, Elladan and Elrohir returned several hours ago. Legolas was with them.”
Estel’s head snapped up at the news and he attempted to push himself up further onto the pillows. “What? Why am I just hearing about this now.”
A strong but gentle hand came down upon Estel’s knee holding him in place. “Peace Estel. Relax before you do more harm to yourself.”
“But I do not understand. Why did you hold this from me?” Estel could feel the panic rising within him at the prospective possibilities of why the information of Legolas’ return could have been held from him.
“Estel please. You are working yourself up and I am afraid that you can not handle the stress right now. Just listen.” Elrond rose from his seat again, as though sitting still were killing him as much as it was Estel. He slowly began to walk to the other side of the bed and finger through several glasses that sat atop the bedside table. “We did not tell you immediately because I ordered Glorfindel and the others to get some rest. As for Legolas, he needed a little care and a lot of rest himself.”
Estel watched the Elf Lord as he picked up miscellaneous glasses and looked at the contents within. His eyes hesitantly returning to where Estel lay. There was something else that Elrond wasn’t telling him. Estel could see it in his eyes and Elrond was usually very good at hiding his thoughts and emotions.
“There is something that you are keeping from me. What is it? What is wrong with Legolas?”
Elrond held the young man’s gaze and then sat, once again, upon the bed, this time on the opposite side of Estel’s legs. Estel found himself shifting upon the pillows again. Apprehension for the news pooling inside of him.
“Estel, Legolas is having some trouble with his memory.”
They were not the words that Estel expected and he took a moment to allow himself to grasp the words that were spoken. “What do you mean trouble?”
“There is a lot to be told but when the others finally found Legolas he was to be hanged for a murder which he could not remember committing.” Elrond paused briefly to think through his next words. “After he was recovered, Glorfindel discovered that it was not just the crime that Legolas could not recall. It was everything. The young Prince has taken trauma to his head and can not remember who he is or where he comes from. He could not remember Angrod, Glorfindel, Elladan or Elrohir. He could not remember me or Imladris and I fear that he will not remember you. I wanted you to be prepared for when you meet him again.”
Estel was dumbfounded. He could think of no words to respond to what he had just been told and his head fell back against the pillows. As he stared up to the ceiling, he searched his own memories of that fateful day. He remembered the run-in he and Legolas had with the bandits. He remembered being thrown to the ground. He remembered Legolas helping him to escape and the both of them fleeing through the woods. He remembered receiving both arrow wounds. But he could not remember all that had happened to Legolas afterward.
“What can we do for him?” Estel’s voice trembled with worry and sorrow. The fear that Legolas must have experienced over the past weeks. Not knowing who he was or why he was being charged for murder.
“We can be patient with him and talk with him.” Elrond rested a comforting hand atop Estel’s knee again and the contact forced Estel to raise his eyes to his guardian again. “Legolas has been receptive to the talk and I think it is helping him. I know that it is helping him to know that he has friends and family that love and support him. So, that is what we will do.”
“When can I see him?”
“I will bring him here once he wakes. He had not eaten or slept in days and he was in dire need of both. I believe it will do you both good to see one another and discuss what happened that day.” Elrond rose from the bed again and made for the door. “Be patient with him Estel. The memories will not return fast but I believe they will return.”
Estel watched as Elrond slipped quietly from his room but his eyes were glued to the now closed door. He worked the new information through his mind, trying desperately to grasp what he had been told. Trying to force the nightmare from his mind and believe that what he had been told was that Legolas had returned healthy and happy and eager to see him. Trying to picture himself and his friend returning to the life they had forcibly taken from them weeks before.
His own pain had all but fled him at Elrond’s words. Now he was overcome with the pain that he knew his friend must be experiencing.
Elrond walked briskly down the hall of the Last Homely House. He knew his destination and was eager to get there. Since he had left Legolas’ side several hours earlier, he had been curious and ardent to speak with him again. There had been a hope that once Legolas had eaten properly and slept in the healing atmosphere of Imladris that his memory might return to him. Elrond was anxious to see if his hopes had come to fruition.
Clasped tightly in his right hand was an envelope, weathered from travel and sealed with the seal of King Thranduil. It had arrived just moments ago, via messenger bird, and Elrond felt it was as good an excuse as any to check in on the young Prince.
As he approached the door to the guest room where Legolas had taken his rest earlier that day, Elrond hesitated. He was reluctant to disturb Legolas and he warred with his own desires to know of the Prince’s well-being. He raised the envelope up, taking a good, long, hard look at it then tapped lightly on the heavy wooden door.
He didn’t receive a response from within the room as he had expected. Rather, the door opened slowly and the uneasy, pale face of Legolas appeared in the crack.
“May I come in Legolas?” Elrond stood confidently now. He did not want to appear ill at ease in front of this elf who he knew was more uncomfortable then he would ever be.
Again, Legolas did not respond verbally but stepped back, pulling the door open further and allowing the Lord of Imladris to enter.
“Are you finding everything that you need young one?” Elrond stepped into the room but only far enough to be inside. He would not go further until the invitation was extended by Legolas.
“Yes. Thank you. You have been very hospitable.” Legolas moved across the room and took a seat in one of the large cushy chairs that sat before the empty fireplace. “Much more comfortable than my previous accommodations. Please sit.” A small smile pulled at Legolas’ mouth and Elrond was warmed by this sign of happiness from the elf.
Moving quickly and gracefully across the room, Elrond was seated in the matching chair opposite Legolas, before either could think to say anything else. They sat in silence for a brief moment, each fighting the awkwardness that seemed to smother them. Elrond leaned back in the chair and rested his arms upon the rests to each side of him, the letter still grasped in his hand.
“I have received word from your father.” Elrond raised the envelope, showing the seal to Legolas. Legolas reached out hesitantly, taking the letter from the Lord of Imladris. “I am sure that he will want you to return home quickly. I would have you know, however, that you are welcome to stay in my home for as long as you feel necessary.”
Legolas’ eyes were fixed on the letter that he now held in his pale hand. “Thank you.” The words were but a whisper and Elrond could tell the elf was lost in thought.
“There is someone that desperately wants to see you.” Legolas’ head rose from its bent position at these words and he looked Lord Elrond in the eye, a look of question deep within. “Estel can not get out of bed just now but he has asked to see you. Would you feel comfortable going to his bed chambers?”
“Estel?”
Elrond smiled warmly at Legolas’ question. “Estel was with you the day you had the accident. He was grievously injured and has been abed since. He misses you and has worried about you non-stop. He would be heartbroken if you refused to see him but would understand if you were not ready.”
Legolas glanced down at the letter in his hand once more and Elrond studied his actions, waiting patiently for a response. He watched as Legolas broke the seal on the envelope and unfolded the paper within. He refrained from rising from his seat and embracing the young elf when he saw tears well up within his blue eyes as he read the words from his father. And he nearly felt his heart tear in two as he watched Legolas refold the paper and press it to his chest, his other hand gripping tightly to the armrest of the chair.
Unable to watch any longer, Elrond rose from his chair and crossed the small distance between the two. He knelt down before the elf Prince and placed his hand atop Legolas’ own. “Your father wants you to return home.” He didn’t ask, he knew. He knew that he would want his own sons to be at home it they were going through what Legolas were.
“What can you tell me of him?” Legolas’ tear filled eyes met those of the Elrond’s and the Lord of Imladris squeezed the hand beneath his.
“Your father?” Elrond laughed quietly to himself. What could he tell Legolas about the King of Mirkwood? The elf that he had known for centuries. The same one who had such a reputation that others would steer far clear of his realm. He couldn’t help the smile that was plastered to his face at the thoughts that filled his mind when he heard Thranduil’s name.
“Legolas. Your father has a fierce love for those that he holds dear and those he holds in his protection. He is loyal beyond measure and passionate to a fault. He loves you more than life itself and would do all in his power to ensure your safety and happiness.”
Legolas pulled the letter from his chest, tears pouring from his eyes as he looked upon the words that were written there. Elrond’s hand rose to the young elf’s face and lay gently on his cheek. “He loves you Legolas.” The Lord of Imladris rose from where he knelt and removed his hand from Legolas’ face. Then tapping the paper that Legolas held in his hand he spoke again. “But you knew that did you not.”
He then turned and walked toward the door and stopped as he reached for the handle. “Take your time Legolas. Estel will see you when you are ready.” Opening the door, Elrond slipped from Legolas’ room, just as he had done from Estel’s.
Legolas sat in peace for a moment, letting the tears in his eyes dry. He lifted the crinkled paper in his hand and read the words once more.
My Son,
My heart sings to know that you are alive and safe. You can not know the fear and pain that I have felt since receiving that letter from Lord Elrond all those weeks ago.
I know what has befallen you and I worry even more now, knowing that you are so far away from me and I am crippled to help you.
You are my heart and the heart of our people. We are all anxious to have you home where you belong and where we can make new memories with you.
I love you more than you can possibly know. Come home my son. Please come home.
All My Love,
Your Father
Legolas folded the paper and tucked it inside of his tunic, next to his heart. He rose from his chair, wiped the tears from his eyes and followed Lord Elrond from the room.