Black Death

HN: The lady Irish Elf, forgot some of you dislike Figwitt, and do not understand her reasonings. Well since he has no use in the book by any means, she can beat, or kill him how ever she pleases... Sparing many other important elves the torment. You understand the lady's reasoning now? All she needs now is a spark- ::does a double take at the author who is balancing a knife on her nose::-she has all the reasoning of an orc... And the IQ of a cave troll.

(*)

Swift rider,
Riding fast and hard.
Coming with a message.
Listen and heed his words,
Every one of them.
Salvation will come,
People will survive.
Death is now departing the gates,
Leaving your city's borders.

(*)

"Legolas were are you going?" Elrohir asked jogging up to the blonde elf.

(*)

Three days had passed in the house of Elrond. Day by day young Estel seemed to get worse. Chills, exertion, fever, confusion, and pain from the ruptured buboes (boils) tormented the young child. The elf lord and son had reached a point were they did not hate nor like each other. They just kept their distances, meeting in the middle with the care of Estel.

(*)

"Going out Elrohir; I have to get the word to the humans how to stop this black death." Legolas answered.

(*)

Within the three days Elrohir had recovered. Body restored back to it's usual vigor by the second day. He had remained in bed for extra day to keep the chills away from his human brother. As futile of an attempt as that was. Also in the three days, the humans were buried. Given an elvish burial. It was certain the man killed by Elrond, lay by his sister.

(*)

"No, Legolas you are not." Elrohir demanded. "You will remain here."

(*)

On the forth day is were this story continues in one of the hidden chapters of the black death that touched Middle Earth. Legolas is stopped from leaving to tell about the discoveries, but is stopped by Elrohir. There is risk trying to slip out of Rivendell, for it was strongly forbidden to leave.

(*)

"El-" Legolas started but got cut off.

"I will ride, my body has been purged of this vile disease. You may still be ill Legolas." Elrohir said demandingly.

Legolas smiled, "Ride swift, remember Estel still needs your warmth."

Elrohir stared at Legolas dumbfounded. "Did I just hear your right?"

"Yes," Legolas laughed, "now hurry on your way before you are caught."

Not wasting another heart beat, Elrohir grabbed Legolas' back pack running to the stables. He knew Legolas would have a horse in waiting. Preparation was one of the Mirkwood elf's strong attributes. One reason he was not hesitant to take Legolas' pack.

"About time you arrived." Elladan commented handing Elrohir the reigns to his own horse. "And before you ask how I knew what you were up to; remember that I am your twin... ... And no, I will not go past the Rivendell borders."

"Thank you Elladan," Elrohir sighed, hopping unto the horse.

Together the twins rode silently out of Rivendell. The sun was setting now, they were sure to reach the borders by sun up if they rode all night. Legolas shaded his eyes from the last of the sun, watching as they rode off into the calico colored forest. Navigating the trail out of Rivendell unseen would be the toughest of challenges to come.

(*L*)

Water drizzled into a bowl as Elrond wrung out a rag. Next to him Estel was buried in layers of blankets. Still his body shivered uncontrollably feeling cold that was not there. Still he noted that Estel was awake more often. Meaning he must be feeling better. Setting the rag aside to dry, Elrond stared at his hands.

There he still saw the blood of the man he killed, there he could see the faces of the people he killed. Elrond's hands began to shake violently, he could not control it. Troubled he fisted up his hands bringing them to his chest.

"Father?" A soft voice came.

Taking a breathe to steady his nerves, Elrond faced Estel. "Estel, your awake, I was worried for a while there."

Estel's young eyes bored into Elrond's, pulling unsaid answers from his body. Blinking, Elrond pulled from his sons look. He forced a smile, grabbing the rag he just set down. Sadly Estel watched as his father played with it, he knew his father was hiding feelings again.

"I want to see the sunset." Estel said quickly.

"I'm afraid your much to sick for that still, it'll have to wait for another day." Elrond answered sharply.

"Please," Estel begged trying his best to look cute.

"I guess the fresh air would do you some good."

Elrond stood gathering Estel's blankets around the child as he picked him up. Estel only wiggled a little for air, and to get a view. The elf lord carried Estel out unto the balcony, just as the sky was in pinks and oranges, the clouds darkened against it all. To Estel it was breath taking, to Elrond it was torture.

Taking in a deep breathe, Estel let the cool air into his lungs. He could feel the life come back into him. Looking over all of Rivendell he noticed the spring colors. Last he was out the trees were still green.

"Father, the leaves have changed, how much have a missed?"

"Not a lot Estel, the leaves change fast. At most you missed a week." Elrond answered Estel.

A few minutes passed in silence.

"Oh, and why are the elfs not singing?" Estel asked again as the dark blue began to show. "The especially sing at sun down."

"I think it's about time we go in."

"No!" Estel screams. "You promised we'd see the sun down and I want to see it fully."

"Estel I say when we go in, now be quiet!" Elrond said harshly, more harsh then he had ever been to Estel.

Estel tensed, pulling back into the blankets. If he wasn't so scared by Elrond outburst he would have started crying right there. Noticing his mistake, Elrond's shoulders dropped.

"I am sorry Estel, I did not mean to shout. We will wait till you say it's time."

No more words were said between father and son. Only the words of a soft elven lullaby danced in the air. It's beauty was marred by the elf's troubled soul. The birds hushed there nightly singing, in a moment of silence for the elf lord. Soon the sun was set, night had now come. Estel spoke of no words of going in, cautiously Elrond looked at his son.

"Estel I thought you were going to say when-" Elrond stopped seeing his son asleep. "Sleep well young one, I'm certain now you will see many more sunsets."

(*D*)

Estel awoke the next day to the piercing eyes of Legolas as he stared down at him. Whimpering he pulled the blankets up over his head. This made Legolas a little confused, but he shrugged it off. He after all, was just still a strange elf to the child.

"It is okay, I'm not here to hurt you." Legolas cooed.

Estel peered out from under the blankets. "Your not?"

"No I'm not, I am just hear to watch you while you father is out."

Estel coughed, Legolas was thankful to see no blood this time. As it did for days earlier. Putting out a hand Legolas felt Estel, were obviously he would find one. It never seemed to go down, but he was glad to see more life in Estel's eyes today.

Before Legolas withdrew his hand Elrond walked in carrying a tray with food. With a clank of the dishes, he set it on the table beside Legolas. Not acknowledging that he knew Estel was awake.

"I'll feed him now, fever any better." Elrond asked stirring Estel's food.

"It is the same." Legolas left the chair.

Elrond said nothing as he sat down. Scooping out the food he offered the spoon to Estel. Estel blanched, pulling the covers over his head. That in it's self was a good sign.

"Estel," Elrond sighed, "you must eat you haven't eaten for days."

"No."

"Let me try." Legolas offered.

"Here," Elrond handed over the bowl and spoon not even bothering to argue.

Legolas sat on the bed, pulling the covers slowly from over the boys head. His eyes twinkling, and a smile across his face. He spooned out some food. As the spoon neared, Estel opened his mouth. Elrond glowered at the site of Legolas, a stranger to his son, feeding him. The elven gods were punishing him, he was certain of it.

"I'm going for a walk." Elrond said bluntly then left.

Legolas looked after Elrond, as Estel took another bite. He could tell the light around the elf lord was fading. It did not show as bright as it used to. In matter of fact it barely shown at all, Elrond was dying.

His distraction cost him, for Estel instead of taking a bite, flicked the spoon. Food plastering the prince's face. Legolas' face contorted as he looked at Estel amused.

"Funny, your definitely getting better." Legolas put down the food. "If your done eating sleep."

"Nope still hungry."

Cringing Legolas continued to feed Legolas till he drifted off to sleep.

(*)

AN: Just read reviews, want to know why Elrohir has scars, read my previous story storm warning. ::Kicks Haldir for insulting her::