Black Death

AN: ::screams and shrinks away:: Someone said my name!

HN: Say her name sever times over maybe she'll turn into a gollem.

AN: Golem? Why a golem?

HN: Cause you already resemble a hobbit, big feet, big appetite, love for partying.... Short for an elf.

AN: Oh yeah maybe Legolas and Rosie got it on behind the scenes at Sam's wedding to her.

HN: ::groans and holds his head::

AN: ::sees Legolas:: DADDY! ::glomp::

LN: ::pale:: I be what?


(*)

Things are not as they seem,
Hidden passage ways,
Secret Agendas.
Thus this is what it is like,
In a city that just,
Began to heal.

(*)

Ursa watched as Legolas paced on a ledge above the water. At first he paid no real attention. Caught in the rare scene before him. From his point he could see the falls unobstructed by any elvish building, or structure. The trees turning with the season, painted a breath taking back drop to the grey rocks, and the white falling waters. Now he was drawn by the annoying pacing, Ursa sighed heavily.

"Legolas what troubles you?" Ursa asked finally.

Legolas stopped his pacing. "I apologize... As for what is troubling I cannot figure out why Elrohir and Elladan can't be pardoned."

"Mmm, that." Ursa nodded. "As you know when this plague started to show up here Elrond put out a notice prohibiting any elf from exiting Rivendell. Under the pretenses of Rivendell, any elf who dare step forth out of Rivendell under such an order, would be arrested till the amount of damage done could be assessed."

"Then what?"

"Well, depends how much damage." Ursa pointed out. "If there was no real damage they'd be more then likely reprimanded. In the case of something bad happening the violator would be shunned after the order is lifted, and caste out of Rivendell. Forever unwelcome by the elves."

Legolas' eye brow twitched hearing this. He had herd the order, but he never had thought of what would happen if it were violated. Guilt struck him, it was his idea after all to tell the humans. His eyes fell unto the dark water, watching it flow out of the cave.

"Do not worry Legolas, Glorfindel forgives them. But he cannot just pardon them on his own. The elves of Rivendell are just still confused. Especially with what Figwitt did."

Promptly Legolas looked at Ursa, "Figwitt did?"

"Yes, he tried assuming command. Everyone knows that Glorfindel is the leader when Elrond, and his sons are unable to lead us."

"That is why Glorfindel called him a traitor?"

Ursa didn't respond, he just looked back out of the cave. Sometimes cities had their secrets, Legolas knew this was probably one of them. Respectfully he didn't push any further. Legolas sat down on the ledge staring out the entrance of the cave, urning for freedom.

(*H*)

Glorfindel entered Estel's room, shutting the door with his hip. His hands balancing a cloth covered tray. Eagerly Estel watched him as Glorfindel set the tray down. Pulling away the cloth revealed three bowls. It was venison stew prepared by the chefs. Setting one bowl aside, quietly Glorfindel carried the tray to the closet. Opening the secret door he shoved in the bowls.

"Your father still does not wake." Glorfindel said. "I'm hoping for a miracle, but Estel." Glorfindel paused shutting the door. "I have to be honest with you, I do not think Elrond will live much longer."

"No," Estel whimpered.

Walking over to Estel, Glorfindel kneeled down in front of Estel. His big elven hands taking the small human ones in his. They were not yet half his size.

"I know Estel it scares you, but I need you to be a big boy for your father. If I stay with him more it's likely he will survive. That means of course you will have to eat regularly and," Glorfindel nods towards the closet. "Think you can do that."

Estel shook his head yes, despite the tears that were building in his eyes. Glorfindel reached up and wiped them away.

"Now lets see how you are healing."

Carefully Glorfindel took off Estel's shirt, taking off the bandage that wrapped around his neck and upper body. As he got closer to the wound he found more and more that the bandages stuck. It had been to long since the bandages had been changed. Glorfindel sighed quite loudly hanging his head.

"Now would be a great time to have your brothers around." Glorfindel glowered. "Estel you lay down, I need to get water for your bath."

Remembering his last bath, Estel managed a glare. "Better be nice and warm! An'... an'... an' deep to!"

"Yes Estel, I'll have another elf do it, I must get back to your father. You rest and get some sleep."

"Who?" Estel asked.

"Raeka, you know him, tuff looking, unusual blue eyes for a Rivendell elf." Glorfindel described standing up. "Feel free to abuse him."

It was then Glorfindel left Estel's presence. Returning to the unconscious elf lord. Sadness came back to him as he reached for the door handle to Elrond's room. Faith, he had to keep faith. He would get by, he had to for the people of Rivendell, for Elrond.

Suppressing his anxiety Glorfindel stepped into Elrond's room. The elf lord was laying just as he left him. Arms flat to his side, and the covers pulled up to Elrond's chin. Elrond's hair laid neatly behind his head, his face calm, his eyes unnaturally closed.

"Elrond," Glorfindel said low. "Your people need you, your sons are in trouble. Please awake, we need you."

Resting his hand on Elrond's forehead, he cringed at how cold it was. Ugly boils formed on his neck. Elrond was the only one to contract this that didn't get a fever. In fact the elf lord seemed to get colder and colder. Any more cold and Elrond would be walking the path to the great halls.

(*B*)

Hours later the blue eyed elf, Raeka, entered the room with three other elves. Between two poles was a steaming pot of water. Two elves for one pot. Smirking, Raeka looked at Estel. He felt high, as if he outsmarted this kid. Little did he know how devilish this human child could be. The two kettles were poured into the tub that still sat by the fireplace.

"The fire is not lit." Estel complained at once. "And the tub is only half full."

"Got that covered." Raeka chuckled.

Five more elves, three things more of warm water. Estel peered over the tub, sticking his finger in. Promptly pulling it out like he burned himself. Angrily he glared at Raeka.

"This is hot enough to cook a crawdad!" Estel yelled. "And there is still no fire."

Raeka sighed, motioning for two elves to start a fire. Then him, himself went to go fetch some cool water. Estel tapped his foot waiting. Soon he came back with two buckets, dumping them in with a rumble. Fire going, water acceptable, Estel stripped. Holding his hands up for Raeka to put him in.

"Brat." Raeka mumbled picking up Estel.

Estel screamed loudly, his armpits still sore. Tears that Estel did not like came to his eyes. Raeka dropped Estel, the kid falling on the floor with a thud. Defensively Estel grabbed an empty bucket swinging it at Raeka. Chasing him, and the other elves out of the room.

As hard as he dared Estel slammed the door, locking it as Glorfindel showed him. Then using the bucket he used to attack Raeka he climbed into the tub. The water going up to his chin. Taking a deep breath Estel submerged himself, letting the tears come freely under the water.

"Estel you should not submerge yourself so long." A voice scolded, garbled by water.

Slowly Estel's head appeared above water, looking at his twin brothers. They had drawn the curtains, now stood with sponges and soap. Gently, but not as gently as Elrond, they washed up Estel, freeing him from the stuck bandages. Cleaning the sores of all crusty stuff.

Playfully Elladan messes up Estel's hair, as Elrohir tossed in a ball.

"Soak for a bit brother, you deserve a good bath." Elladan smiled.

"We'll be out till you are done."

Their brothers herd everything Glorfindel said. They too were concerned for Elrond. Both troubled by the fact their father might not live. For the sake of Estel they played normal, as if nothing was wrong. Deep with in their minds they built a plan to go see their father, with Estel.

You cannot be born in the house of Elrond without knowing how to sneak around. Elrohir looked at Estel, and apparently the youngest son knew something they did not.

"Elly."

"Yes Estel?" Elrohir answered, causing Estel to look at him weird.

"Um, can I have my stew?"

Elladan grabbed the bowl, "Yes you can, need any help? You are up to your chin in water."

They had to hold on to what they had. It didn't make a differance what they faced, they would make it together. Life is a thread, a thin one we all walk. A threat so much easer to walk when you got faimly behind you to keep you fall falling. Living on prayers to the elven god, holding each other when things got to tough.

Rivendell had been through so much as of late, it couldn't get worse then the days before. They had to belive that, if for just the sake for holding on, they had to belive.

(*)

AN: This chapter was a filler and to answer some questions concerned to me. Next chapter I promise you will get us moving along. There's maybe 4 more chapters left to this... 3 or 4 but no more then 4. Need a guest poetry, or I'll go to Pookums again.