What goes around, comes around (editing in progress)

Of fear and longing

Tinnueth's heart pounded violently in her chest as she followed Legolas. The prince held her by the hand and tried to calm her down while he brought her to his father. When they finally reached the healer ward, Tinnueth's heart stopped when she saw Thranduil's armor lying on the ground. So much blood, she thought, as her senses were numbed with fear.

"I commanded you to remove the armor," growled the prince angrily.

Two maids hurried to pick up the armor, while the prince led Tinnueth to the back of the room. Tinnueth's shocked gaze was still fixed on the armor, which was battered and smeared with blood.
As Legolas paused Tinnueth looked ahead and her eyes fell on Thranduil. He looked very pale, but seemed to be strong anyway. She let go of Legolas' hand and walked toward him. Tinnueth sat down on the bed and put her small hand on Thranduil's broad chest. She felt his heart beat beneath her fingers and began to draw with her trembling fingers small patterns on his skin.
Thranduil's body was hot and sweaty. Her eyes fell on a deep cut on the right side of his chest. On the upper arm he had a large bruise, which reached below his elbow. Her gaze traveled over his torso until Thranduil gently touched her chin and tilted her head up. Their eyes met and he smiled at her.

"I came back," he said hoarsely.

Tinnueth's eyes widened and she stared at him in horror.

"But HOW did you come back? You're hurt," she said, while her glance fell on the wound on his upper body, which was still bleeding.

Thranduil cupped her cheek and lifted her head again.

"But I'm still in one piece AND the wounds are not as bad as they look."

"Wounds," Tinnueth asked nervously, before she began to look for other wounds.

Only now she realized that the blanket which covered Thranduil's legs was soaked with blood. A healer stepped up to the bed and lifted the blanket, exposing his legs. Tinnueth saw that the shaft of an arrow stuck in his thigh. Thranduil pulled her closer to him, and she lay down without resistance beside him and buried her face in the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arm protectively around her body and she felt his body tense, as the healer began to remove the arrow.
Thranduil bit his lower lip and tolerated the pain, which swept through his body like fire. The arrow had been poisoned, but fortunately before they began their mission, Elrond had made arrangements so that in case of injury, immediately help could be provided. When the night was over, no more poison would be in his body. Thranduil's body swayed between tension and relaxation. His body fought the poison and pain, but Tinnueth's hot breath, which grazed his neck made him relax. She smelled so good. He nuzzled his nose in her hair and kissed her forehead as he looked up at Legolas.

The prince understood his father wordlessly and got a blanket with which he covered Tinnueth. Then he left the healer ward to talk to the advisors of his father. The daily rides in the forest would be continued and Legolas would take the place of his father from now on.

Shortly after midnight the healers had bandaged the wounds and Thranduil lay sweaty and exhausted in bed. He declined the offer to bath and closed his eyes. His arm was still wrapped around Tinnueth which had fallen asleep some time ago. He wanted to do the same. His body demanded sleep, but his fëa craved for Tinnueth. Her warm body which pressed against him prevented him from sleeping. His senses were restless and he could not fall asleep. He had not planned to share a bed with Tinnueth before their wedding, but the situation was a little different from what he had imagined. He had wanted to maintain a certain distance to her, but now she lay beside him in bed. He could feel her calm heart beat and tried to resist the temptation to kiss her. He was old and experienced. He was an elf, who had learned long ago, to control his body and his senses. But this situation required more self control from him than he liked to admit. The need for physical closeness and affection began to grow in him. Thranduil pulled Tinnueth close to him and groaned as he moved his leg. When he had found a more or less comfortable position, he fell asleep from exhaustion.