Title & Chapter Number: Dragon Fever 17/21
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: LOTR
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. The characters, settings, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for Elwen and other original characters who belong to this author. I make no money from this, more's the pity, considering the number of hours burning the midnight oil.
Warnings: Mild BDSM and non-consensual situations in a few chapters. Some het.
Betas: Many thanks to Caz and Dhvana for beta reading, and to friend Dhvana especially for advice, consultation, and moral support and to Dalogas for being my most thorough reviewer.
Cast: Legolas/Aragorn; Legolas/OCs; also Thranduil, Smaug, Gimli, Balin, and Gloin.
Timeline: In the Third Age of Middle Earth, shortly after The Hobbit.
Spoilers: None
Summary: Legolas tells Aragorn a story about a trip he once made to Esgaroth (Lake-town) with his lover, Elwen, a Rivendell elf. But something is rotten in Esgaroth and Legolas is forced to strike an unusual bargain. A mix of adventure, romance, humor, angst, and hot sex.
Notes: This is actually both a prequel and a sequel to "Ohtarnil: A Warrior Love." The first and last chapters (1 and 21) are sequels and take place shortly after the Fellowship leaves Lothlórien. However, most of the story takes place 73 years earlier when Legolas first becomes involved with my fictional character, Elwen. Feedback, as always, greatly appreciated.
Chapter 17 - Flight from Esgaroth
The elves paddled the canoes toward the west. The sun had just sunk below the horizon and the sky was covered in thick ropy clouds, tinged salmon and lavender.
When they were a sufficient distance from the town, Talagan and Elwen pulled alongside the canoe carrying Legolas and Meril.
"Which direction, Prince?" asked Talagan. "They will expect us to flee back up the Forest River toward home, but if we go that way, we are more likely to meet with our people."
"I deem it wiser to flee toward help rather than away from it, even if that is the expected move," Legolas said. "There will be no moon tonight, so we need to go up the river as far as we can while the light holds, and then make a camp some distance from the water. I doubt they'll come after us in the dark."
They continued paddling as quickly as possible, making a wide berth around the charred remains of the old town of Esgaroth and the place where the dragon's bones lay. Looking back at the dark pylons rising menacingly from the water, Legolas thought he heard a whispery voice.
"Legolassss," it called.
"Meril, did you hear that?"
She had been very quiet. "Hear what?" she said in a tired voice, "I hear only the sound of the falls spilling over the dam, yonder."
"I heard a voice, a familiar voice," Legolas said. His dream two nights ago crawled fully formed into his mind. A dream in which the dead dragon, Smaug, came to him, saying that he had sensed his lovemaking with Elwen, and enjoyed it. What was it, he'd said? "Just remember, Prince, I do not love the Lakemen, and, at present, I have no quarrel with you. You may wish a favor of me sometime soon."
"I have heard that favors from dragons do not come without a price," Legolas had said.
"A price, yes, always," Smaug had replied.
Now, Legolas felt dread steal over his heart, though he did not know why.
They entered the area where the Forest River rushed into the Long Lake. Paddling as swiftly as they could against the current, they finally reached a section of river where the trees marched down and crowded near the banks. Night was upon them. A thin section of lighter sky still hovered near the horizon. The rest of the sky swiftly darkened to a velvety black. Overhead, stars peeped down between patches of cloud.
"We'd better pull out here, hide the boats, and find a place to camp," called Legolas. They beached the canoes and stepped out onto the sand. Meril tried to pull one end of the canoe, and then stumbled and fell. Legolas reached down to help her, catching her arm. Her skin was fiery hot. He put a hand to her forehead. The same.
"Curse of Mandos! You've got the fever too," Legolas said softly. He called Talagan, who came over and knelt by the shivering girl.
Legolas could dimly see the seneschal shaking his head. "I don't have any of my herbs or compounds with me," Talagan said. "I can breathe some of my spirit into her, but that won't help for long."
"Gods, can anything else go wrong?" lamented Legolas.
They hid the canoes under some branches and stumbled into the dark forest. More by feel than sight, they finally found a shallow dip under some trees, and slid down into it.
"I feel dizzy, Legolas," Elwen said. Indeed, when Legolas ran a hand over his face, the Imladris elf felt hot and moist.
"No, Elwen! This can't be happening," cried Legolas. "I never heard of an elf contracting a sickness before!"
"This must not be an ordinary sickness," Talagan said. "Perhaps it is witchcraft. But I can't imagine where it's coming from?"
"I know," said Legolas suddenly. "It's from Smaug!"
~*~*~*~
Thrin thought his lungs would burst. All day, he'd battled up the river, plying the canoe with a sense of urgency he'd never before experienced. As the daylight fell into night, he finally came near the first outpost of the elven realm. He waved his hands and frantically shouted to alert the guard. Several elves rushed out as he steered the canoe alongside the dock, and then tumbled onto the platform.
"Make haste," he said, breathing heavily. "I must reach the king, immediately. The Lakemen have captured his son!"
"Get in," said one of the elves. "We will take you." They fixed a lantern to the prow of the boat. Two strong elves took the paddles, while Thrin lay in the center of the canoe, as if dead.
In the early hours of the morning, they reached the King's halls. Thrin heard horns blowing and messengers dispatched to awaken King Thranduil. He and the others came to the throne room.
When he heard Thrin's tale, Thranduil's rage was a sight to behold. He hurled a wine goblet against the wall and then a chair after it. His courtiers cowered about him.
"To arms," he cried. "I want five hundred warriors mustered and ready to leave by early morning. The Lakemen will regret that they ever heard my name!" Then he summoned his oldest son, Feredir. "It seems we need to rescue your little brother," he said. "I want you to lead the host down to the lake. Surround Esgaroth. I'll expect you there day after tomorrow. I'm going to take a squadron of hand-picked guards to reconnoiter the situation. We're leaving in two hours."
"Yes, Father." Feredir bent his head.
"Thrin," Thranduil called and the elf bowed deeply. "This has been a great feat, coming so quickly to bring tidings. I thank you for the loyalty you have shown me and my family. I know you must be weary, but I cannot let you rest. You must return with me, as you are the one who has most recently been to Esgaroth and knows the situation."
Thrin bowed his head, then stumbled forward. He felt hot. Exhaustion overtook him.
~*~*~*~
Talagan had done what he could for Meril and Elwen, wetting cloths and pressing them to their faces and necks. Then he breathed into each of their mouths. Afterward, he sat exhausted with his cloak about him.
"Valar's gifts, that is tiring," Talagan said. "But I think it'll hold them through the night."
"Then what?" Legolas said. He lay down next to Elwen, kissing his fevered brow. He had never felt this helpless before.
"I know one thing sure to cure this, quite close at hand, and yet it might as well be at the Grey Havens as we can't get to it."
"The dragon's teeth!" Legolas said. "Yes, I remember how sick it made both Elwen and me to be anywhere close to his carcass, but maybe this time I'd be able to do it . . ." He remembered the low, hissing voice, "You may wish a favor of me sometime soon, I expect." Yes, this was the favor. What was the price? It didn't matter. He was willing to pay it.
"Legolas, you aren't going after those teeth! It's too dangerous. I won't permit it," Talagan said.
"You have no say in this, Talagan," Legolas said. The seneschal knew that tone. It was the voice of the prince's father speaking, and he knew better than to argue.
"All right, we'll go at dawn. I'll bring these two in my canoe. If you're successful, we'll have to go back to Esgaroth to brew the potion. Remember, Thorvald is a healer. I'll need access to his equipment."
"That won't be an easy feat, either," Legolas said.
"The fever has afflicted the Lakemen as well. If we bring promise of a cure, I'm sure we'll get cooperation. Leave that to me."
"Seneschal, you're a jewel as I've said before. I'll keep watch while you rest."
Talagan lay down, pulling his cloak about him. Legolas pressed the wet cloth to Elwen's hot face and peered anxiously into the night.
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