Chapter 11
For a few moments, Lord Elrond was not able to speak. He was not even able to think at the words which Legolas spoke to him. It was not just Thranduil who thought of this desecrating act being done against a child, but Legolas as well, else Elrond may have dismissed it at the mumblings of a paranoid elf king that hates men, but with Legolas also considering...It had to be taken to a serious level. Such a thing, though, done against the will of another...it was unacceptable even without the power differential. With it, though, it made things much darker and bleaker than before, particularly with the painful brand that marred the boy's flesh.
"I fear with the brand he has, it would not have been difficult for his master to force himself upon the boy. Pain for pain," Elrond sighed, closing his eyes in grief for the pain of such a youngling. Enduring things that he would not wish, even upon his greatest enemy. Elrond knew now this situation was going to have to be handled far more delicately than he had ever handled a situation before. He had never had a patient that was raped before. There was always a first, though Elrond would have preferred this to have stayed in the never category. "You are certain about this?" Legolas nodded solemnly.
"Yes, it was...made quite clear. If not how he acts in general, then...You did not see it, but we had taken him to the healing halls, for one of our healers to assess him, ensure no lingering injuries, and he sobbed and screamed but did not fight. It was...most unsettling to see. Father ordered the healer to be done as quickly as possible so he may be once more covered. He was affected quite deeply as well." It was sort of manipulative, but Legolas knew that would get to Lord Elrond. The half elf was not really fond of his father, no, but for something to disturb Thranduil, Legolas knew it would draw Elrond's attention.
"I will have to ensure a certain matter of delicacy, then, particularly if he sees me as a higher authority." Elrond stated simply, before standing, leaving Legolas taking a slight step back. "I have an idea of how I can remove the brand, but it will be painful, difficult, and require an extensive amount of regrowing of skin and muscle." Elrond said simply. "I assume your father has a time frame he wishes you to return?" Legolas nodded stiffly.
"By winter," Elrond sucked a breath in through his teeth.
"I am not certain I can manage that," He admitted. "I have yet to figure out what sort of cursed magic this brand even does, or the full scoping affects of it. Depending on how deeply the brand is entwined with his own being, this could be an extremely complex procedure, and that is just the procedure itself, not including recovery. Assuming, of course, I can remove it at all. Whatever cursed magic has tainted itself upon him, is extensive." Legolas, though slightly nervous at the revelation, knew his father was to be agitated, but not necessarily angry about the fact that he could not return in time, not if it meant the boy was healed properly. There was absolutely no way his father would want Elrond rushing something this delicate. "I would also suggest you hold off on a letter. I wish to get a bit more information from our guest, and from there I can hand my own observations to your father. King Thranduil, I presume, is taking wardship of the boy?"
"Yes, my Lord," Legolas responded plainly. He did not have to question his father and wonder about it, he already knew. The amount of care and concern his King had shown made that clear enough. Otherwise, he would not have Legolas take him to Elrond. Thranduil had always had a sort of beef with Elrond, and it wasn't as though Legolas did not understand the reasoning for it, but for him to overlook their strenuous relation to help this person, it made things clear.
"He is not a mortal," Elrond said simply. "But I do not think he is an elf either."
"We are not certain what exactly he is. It is possible that he is a mix, I believe father has suspicions, but what they are he has yet to divulge to me." Legolas stated, his words once more leaving Elrond to sigh in frustration. King Thranduil had a bad habit of keeping his thoughts to himself when they were important, and yet when not?
"We should return to the boy, I wish to ask further questions, and if nothing more we most certainly will need to figure out who this boy's master is. That," Elrond stated, looking directly into Legolas' eyes. "Is not a question. We must find this boy's master, and if nothing more ensure none else are marred the way he is. This sort of pain...It is liable to drive one insane." The Elf Lord looked solemn, but Legolas was relieved he was willing to do what he needed to help them. He knew that the situation was uncomfortable, and even more so because they did not have all of the pieces.
Draco, of course, had stayed exactly where Legolas had ordered him when they returned to the room. Elrond, standing at the foot of the bed, watching as Legolas took a seat besides it, turned his attentions to the questions he needed to know.
"Tell me, how long have you had this...marking." Draco felt his lips tremble slightly.
"Not long, I cannot give an exact time though," He had lost track of time upon entering in this confounded place. He had no idea the length of time between his time with the Mirkwood elves, and now with the imladris ones. He would assume not more than a couple of days, but what did he know? He could barely see the sun, keeping track of days was more trouble than it was worth. Truthfully, though, not long. No more than a half year, he'd hazard a guess at.
"If you had to take a stab at a guess?" Legolas asked softly.
"I would say no longer than six months, though I am not entirely certain." He stated, his voice quiet, echoing in the silent room.
"How long have you served this master of yours?" Draco felt his breathing stutter.
"Answer the question, Draco," Legolas demanded, and Draco closed his eyes, a tear falling down his cheek.
"I think two years? My father and grandfather served before me, but he left soon after my birth. He returned not long ago, and I was handed over in service." Legolas internally winced. That sounded a lot like being sold off. Perhaps Lord Elrond was not too far off when he said slave. Though, Legolas really did not like the sound of it.