I'm so glad to see an update! And the situation feels a bit more hopeful, even though Thranduil has a long way to go. It's horrible to think he will always suffer pain from the dragon fire, though.
It's good to see Legolas feeling more cheerful, too. I hope he'll be allowed to see Thranduil soon - he clearly needs his father.
I feel for Thranduil. Not just the physical pain he's suffering, but his awareness of the need to project his authority as a king at all times. It means there are so few people he can confide in, and even fewer he can allow himself to appear weak to. That must make his injuries all the more difficult to deal with.
Author's Response: Yes - it is exactly that! And boy our poor elven King is going to struggle - this is a rather difficult and tender position for him to be in. The recovery ahead of him will be very difficult in light of all this and his pride will take somewhat of beating. Angst ahoy for beloved Thrandy. Thanks for reading :)
Oh! This is such a sad chapter.
I could really feel the rising tension and anguish in young Legolas, as he strives to find his father.
And the Royal Healers shock at the severity and uniqueness of Thranduil's wounds.
An enjoyable read!
Author's Response: Thank you for reading and dropping me a line too - much appreciated. Yes poor little Legolas will be going through some stress throughout this fic! I'm glad you liked my little opener. I hope you find the rest of the story as enjoyable.
I like the careful detail of your descriptions, the dress-making is very good, and the images of a small and rather sad Legolas leaning against the window. And you have got the character of Radagst down to a tee.
Author's Response: Oh wow Ziggy that is high praise coming from you. I'm glad you like the details I pop in here and there - I can't seem to help myself. And I agonised so long over Radagast so I'm glad to hear he comes across well and believable - thank you for reading :)
Ilike the idea of this and the title. Intrigued.
Author's Response: Glad to hear I've piqued your curiosity Ziggy - do read on and let me know what you think :)
Poor Legolas - what a terrifying nightmare. I'm not surprised Rithel is out for Mithrandir's blood! It's good to see some hope for Thranduil, if only a tiny hope at present. I hope Legolas will soon be able to see him, because surely however bad Thranduil is, it can't be worse than what Legolas is imagining.
Author's Response: I know poor wee Legolas - such a nightmare would be truly terrifying. Rithel is a super protective big sis so Gandalf is certainly in for it! There is some hope for Thranduil of course but I'm not sure he can really see it at present - he's so caught up in his current misery and pain that he's not looking at the bigger picture right now. More angst to come for him I'm afraid. Thank you for reading and reviewing :)
Oh, poor Legolas. I hope a wise adult finds him and helps him through. Facing up to a loved one's suffering is so hard to bear. I hope Thranduil allows him to visit soon as well. It might help calm the worst of Legolas's fears if he sees Thranduil for himself.
I'm sorry to hear about your wrists. Get well soon!
Author's Response: Poor Legolas indeed with the over confidence of the young he thought he could handle the truth but reality is different. Legolas seeing Thranduil would help but I don't think Thranduil is in the right frame of mind to face anyone at the moment. Poor elfies Thanks for reading and reviewing and thanks for your well wishes. Both wrists are heavily bandaged at the moment but I'm still determined ;)
Poor Thranduil! I like how you tie this in with that brief glimpse we got in the Desolation of Smaug, though. This explains Thranduil's 'melting face' moment. Now I wonder how Legolas will react to his father's injuries. That's going to be tough for both of them :(
Author's Response: Yea - I always felt like PJ left us hanging a bit what with showing us Thranduil's melted face then never mentioning it again - so that's what inspired this really. My own little take on it. Poor Leggy and Thrandy are both in for a tough time - I can't imagine recovery from such injuries would be easy. Thanks for reading and reviewing :)
Poor Thranduil - you brought his suffering to such vivid life I almost felt his pain. Thank goodness Mithrandir was able to bring him back, although his recovery will be v slow, I fear. Legolas seems to be on the edge of a breakdown too, hardly surprising. I think he's going to need the wizards just as much as Thranduil to stop him fading.
Great chapter! I look forward to more :)
Author's Response: I'm glad I was able to get his pain across - I re-wrote that bit so many times I'm glad tfinally worked. Our lven King survives with thaid of his wizadry friends but it will be a lenghty recovery process for poor Thrandy. How will he cope with it all? And yes Legolas is two steps away from his own crisis - a bad time all round for the House of Oropher at the minute. As ever hannon-le for reading and reviewing :)
Oh poor Thranduil. Things look bleak. Thank goodness the healers have the sense to send for the wizards. I get the feeling Legolas might need their help as well...
Author's Response: Poor ol Thrandy is in a bad way but wizards to the rescue. I'm having a bit of fun writing those two. And yeas we can't leave Legolas out of the angst can we? *wicked grin* Thanks as ever for reading and reviewing Naledi
A great start. I like how you show Legolas's belief in Thranduil's invincibility. His denial of what all the evidence points to is very realistic. Poor Thranduil and poor Legolas. It's going to be a long, hard road ahead for both of them, I imagine.
Author's Response: Legolas is quite young here (12-13) so he still has that unwavering belief in a parents strength. He just doesn't want to believe anything bad could happen to his Adar - especially after the previous loss of a parent - I think he just blocks out all the evidence. And yes - recovery from this will be quite difficult for Thranduil - and poor Leggy too once he accepts facts that is. Thanks for reading and reviewing :)