towerofanimus | His Prejudice for Failure

Entry tags:

His Prejudice for Failure

Characters: Haldir, Legolas, & possibly Gandalf later.
Setting: Room 02-20
Format: Prose or Action, whichever
Summary: Sometimes pride can be a very deadly thing, especially when one values their pride over their own health.
Warnings: PG-13

A look of sorrow settled in the march warden's gaze as he stared at his wounded hands. The burns there have begun to heal, but they healed slowly. There were too many ugly marks lining in-between his fingers, some of which were dark scabs that healed over the last few days. His hands lacked the regal elegance they once bore, now looking to be scraggly and homely. A deep sigh escaped Haldir as he carefully wrapped them in ointment drenched bandages. Despite all his efforts, the march warden realized he would need help. He utterly detests the thought of asking White Wizard for assistance, but it looks as if his options were waning.

Almost done wrapping his hands, Haldir paused once he heard a knock at the door. He had known that the Prince of Mirkwood would make an appearance soon. Since the last time they've spoke, Legolas showed great concern for his well-being. Whether or not Haldir appreciated such concern is another matter all by itself, but the march warden couldn't help but feel somewhat grateful. If it hadn't been for Legolas, the march warden was certain that he would've perished in this hell months ago. Therefore, he honestly cannot claim to dislike the younger elf too much. In truth, he's actually grown quite fond of him.

"Creoso a'baramin, mellonamin." He called out towards the door.

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Gandalf heard all of course. He just shook his head and sighed.

"So you decided to give in to your pride and keep it for yourself. The same pride that caused the fall of so many civilizations and individuals who could have been lights for the world." he slowly stated, still holding the hands of of the Elf "All confident in their own abilities yet powerless as they met their end, too late in their attempts to see beyond their pride and to welcome the help that was offered to them."

And a lot more could be said. However, the wizard would not say more on the matter for now. Explaining how Sauron could have been defeated three thousands years ago would a few people have put their pride aside, or how this very same Sauron was ultimately defeated because he was so confident and full of himself. As he held the hand, they probably hurt more, but nothing unbearable. And a light can probably be seen for a few moments.

Legolas wanted, right now, to defend Haldir against Gandalf's words but he couldn't help but admit to himself that elven pride could very well be his downfall here. Many times, in fact, if he didn't let it go soon.

"I find myself worrying more now than I would have if you had only told me sooner. You worry so much for others and yet try so hard to reject help from another." Try to understand his words Haldir, he cares and worries for you. Legolas would have no problem teaching the older elf a lesson, once he was properly healed, about worrying him like this.

Seeing all the worry he caused them both was punishment enough. Haldir knew better than to allow his foolish pride to get the better of him again, especially after hearing Gandalf's clever analogy. Everything that the White Wizard said prompted him to think. While his selfless actions towards others is highly commendable, this sort of pride would only prove to be his bane in the end. Haldir vowed that if not for his sake, then for the sake of his friends he cannot allow such foolishness to continue.

A sheepish look settled in Haldir's once defiant gaze as he watched Gandalf. He could feel the pain intensify within his wounds, but the march warden didn't show it. He knew he could trust the sorcerer, especially since Gandalf would never hurt him without good reason. "This I do realize and I humbly apologize." Haldir said in reply to them both.

Gandalf shook his head, not sounding quite as angry as earlier. It was no use to be angry anyway, he admitted his fault and Haldir was too old of an Elf to be given lengthy lectures.

"It is too late to apologize now, if anything apologize to your own self, for it not us you have endangered."

He slowly lets go of the hands but do not look at them just yet. If Haldir or Legolas were to take a look at them though, they could see they were in a much better state than before. Much better, yet not fully healed. It was far too late for Gandalf to manage and heal them completely.

"Legolas, I'll need bandage." he slowly told to the other Elf, turning to him.

Legolas nodded, both to Haldir and to Gandalf, and took a set a bandages from the pouch he'd carried some of the athelas in earlier. He'd made sure to carry bandages with him since Haldir had first shown him his hands. Quickly they were handed over to the wizard and the elf finally dared a glance at Haldir's hands. They weren't quite as they had once been but they were already on the way to mending.

"I'll collect more bandages later, should anything else happen."

Not to Haldir but in general. Legolas was beginning to act much more cautiously now. With two deaths and an injury already, he wasn't going to go without some way to heal himself or his friends. Especially now.

A look of surprise lingered within Haldir's gaze as he eyed his hands. Gone were most of the hideous burns that scarred his flesh earlier. While they weren't completely healed by the Maia's magic, the march warden couldn't help but be somewhat gleeful now. Had he sought for Gandalf's aid when the wounds were still fresh, Haldir wouldn't have suffered so terribly as he did. The more he pondered this truth, the more he found his glee dissipating.

"I was a fool." He thought aloud once Legolas complied with Gandalf's command. "So willing am I to jeopardize my very life for the sake of pride alone, and not for others." A deep sigh escaped him as he glanced towards his companions with a pleading gaze. "Is it truly possible for someone so ancient to be so foolish?" He smiled sadly.

"I had hoped not."

"Sauron precedes you by an eternity and is more of a foolish being than you will ever be." Gandalf replied to Haldir's word as he used Athelas on Haldir's hands before bandaging them "For that matter I am more of a fool than the two of you together. I am afraid age is not a factor that helps to eradicate these kind of defaults."

He sighed and finished bandaging his hands and nodded. It was all good for now, as long as Haldir wouldn't do anything stupid this shouldn't worsen and heal completely.

"I am not a healer nor am I skilled in these kind of arts. I could not fully heal your hands, but what infection you had is now gone and won't progress. Now only time will completely heal your hands. You will have to change your bandages everyday for at least fourteen days. Clean your hand with the tower's antiseptic and use athelas along with your bandage. In a few weeks then this then will be only a bad memory yet a valuable lessons."

He turned to Legolas.

"Feel free to use whatever means you deem necessary if our friend stops his treatment." this was said on a more jokingly tone "But I believe this won't be necessary." Haldir looked as though he really had gotten the lesson this time.

To hear such an admission from Gandalf was surprising to say the least and Legolas found himself at a loss for words as to how the Maia could possibly be more foolish than the two of them combined. After a moment though, he decided that there were just no words that wouldn't seem foolish themselves.

"I will take very good care of, Haldir." He had no doubts that Haldir would care for his hands much better now after that scare. Even so, he'd make sure that he did and be wary not to cause him any injury while he was still healing. And prove that Haldir was no fool. Merely stubborn. And prideful.

The slight blush that settled upon the march warden's cheeks were apparent. Why was Gandalf teasing him so ruthlessly, and before Legolas no less? This was beyond cruel and Haldir's damaged pride reached new lows. Trying his best not to seem the least bit awkward as he bid them "farewell", Haldir bowed graciously before the wizard before glancing towards Legolas again.

That red hue upon his face deepened for a brief moment before Haldir suddenly bolted out of the door. He could bear no more humiliation, enough was enough! While he was certain that Legolas would follow him, Haldir was at least grateful to know that Gandalf shan't follow. He just needed some time to digest all this, that was all.

Legolas tried to reach out to grab Haldir before he fled but just missed the sleeve of his clothes. Looking concerned, he gave a look to Gandalf before standing and inclinging his head respectfully.

"Forgive me. Excuse me, Gandalf."

And he was gone after Haldir as quickly as his feet would move him. He had no idea where Haldir had run to but he would find him, one way or another. There were only so many places in this tower that he could hide that weren't dangerous at different times of the day. He was already worried.

"Haldir!"

His pride. His stubborn pride.

Even when he seeks to banish it from his mind and soul, Haldir still cannot seem to do so. He honestly understood every word that Gandalf meant, and understood far too well that his selfishness nearly caused his end. But what he didn't quite understand why the two allowed him to become such a burden for them. They didn't need to show such concern for him or to scold him out of fear for his own safety, and yet they both did so willingly. However, what baffled him most was Legolas' unwavering concern for him.

Why does the Prince of Mirkwood care so much about a lowly march warden hailing from the Golden Woods? Why did Legolas seemed so horrified by the appearance of his hands? Why does he seem so tender to him and so---

His thoughts stopped there along with his pace.

Legolas checked any rooms passed for the march warden, even stopped anyone that he might pass to ask if they'd seen him but he just continued to move on without much thought after. All that mattered was finding Haldir. He didn't stop looking until he spotted Haldir, standing still on the next floor.

For a moment, he just watched Haldir with relief flooding into his expression. He was alright. He was safe and hadn't found somewhere to hide from the prince. He didn't look hurt but that didn't stop Legolas from quickly approaching him and stepping in front of him to get a good look.

"Haldir... Why did you run?"

He honestly hadn't noticed Legolas presence until the elf was suddenly standing before him. It was then he glanced up at the other and stared at him for what seemed to be a brief eternity. Haldir didn't know what to say or even how to approach this matter with the subtly it needed. He wanted nothing more than to confess to everything he felt, and thank Legolas from the bottom of his heart. Yet he found himself mute before the prince's presence.

Therefore, instead of saying anything Haldir leaned forward and swept Legolas up in a tight embrace. The march warden wouldn't dare voice his thoughts to him now, he simply couldn't. However, he could at least attempt to express them if nothing else. The two of them were all that was left of their broken realm, the last two elves in existence. Their concern for each other was at first out of friendship alone, but Haldir couldn't lie and claim it was still simply that. So instead of voicing any of these unexpressed thoughts, Haldir just hugged him as tightly as he could.

Don't judge him too harshly, Legolas. He's not used to having anyone care for him so deeply. It's a wondrous but slightly frightening experience for one as aloof as he. Haldir was used to showing concern for others, but not receiving them in return.

The hug surprised him, he hadn't expected it and especially not from Haldir. Not right now. For a moment, he was simply frozen in place before he wrapped his arms back around Haldir and held onto him tightly. Message received, Haldir. Legolas let his eyes fall shut for the duration of the hug and just continued to hug the march warden. His march warden, now.

For all they'd been through together in the tower, it was no wonder that it came to this. There were times he'd have gladly gone back to war than deal with the tower but this made being here worth it.

"Oh, Haldir..." He muttered, very softly.

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His Prejudice for Failure

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