Ok, so before you read this story you should know some things. First off, this is a sequel to my first story, The Regret of a Prince, so it will refer to that story often. Next, Legolas and Ascal are older in this story. Legolas is eighteen and Ascal, being two years his junior as he was in the other story, is sixteen. Next, yes I am completely aware I am writing three stories at one time. I am for three reasons: 1. I am obviously insane. 2. It helps me with ideas on the other stories (if that makes any sense). And 3. If I don't write my ideas down when I think of them, I will bore of it and not want to start it in the first place. I am trying to improve my stories with every post so feedback is important to me. Lastly, the kingdom of men featured in this story called Beladge (bell-ad-g) is a place I completely made up because I did not want to write anything contradictory to the people of a kingdom of middle earth and this way I can make up the characters as pleases me and y'all. So coming to an end to this obscenely long intro, without further ado, please enjoy!
_=()=_
King Thranduil smiled, squinting his keen elven eyes to see past the glare of the sun off the freshly fallen snow. The thick powder had come down in droves, burying Mirkwood under a foot of snowflakes and hard ice.
The near silent sound of horses' hoofs trudging through the snow alerted Thranduil to the presence of the scouting party.
Within moments, the beasts and their elven mounts entered the clearing. His smile widened when he spotted Legolas, wearing an identical smile to his own, taking up the rear.
"Oio naa elealla alasse', ion-nin," Thranduil said happily, spreading his arms out as the Prince dismounted in front of him. Legolas readily strode forward, knocking snow from his heavy cloak, and returned his embrace.
"Uma, Nae saian luume'," he muttered against the King's chest.
"I have missed you dearly," his father said, leaning the lithe elf back so he could see his face. "How were your travels?"
"Well, Ada. We eradicated the threat and the survivors fled into the mountain pass. They will not survive the hard winter in the peaks. They will no longer raid villages; we made sure of it."
The King, though elated at the news of their successful mission, was saddened by the measures in which they were forced to act upon.
If the men of Beladge has accepted Mirkwood's offer of food and shelter for their kingdom, and ceased their raiding of nearby villages, they would still be alive. Foolish, stubborn men.
"You did well my son. Come, I am sure you must be weary from your travels. Winter has been exceptionally vicious this year." Legolas nodded his agreement.
Winter had come early, catching everyone by surprise. Small villages were starving, their crops having been killed by the unforeseen frost. The provisions for the cold months had not yet been completed before it struck, and for that, everyone paid the price, even the elves.
"Ada, where is Ascal? I did not see him when we arrived." Legolas looked around to confirm his statement. The King hesitated, gaining Legolas' full attention.
"What is it? Is he ill?" Thranduil shook his head.
"No ion-nin. He is not ill. Perfectly healthy. He has just been rather…difficult over the past weeks you have been gone."
"Difficult? Difficult how?"
"He-well, he has not attended many of our meals. In fact, he has refused to come out of his room most of the time. He will not speak with me. I thought mayhap he was just worried for your well-being."
Legolas' mind whirled with thoughts. Why would Ascal ask in such a way as of late? Was there something bothering him?
"I should go see him." Thranduil nodded in agreement as Legolas strode off towards his brother's chambers.
The two brothers used to be so close after Ascal's accident, nearly inseparable. But in the past few decades, they seemed to drift apart. Like a wedge had been driven between them.
Legolas stood in front of the closed door.
'Ascal never used to close his door,' he thought forlornly. Steeling himself for the task ahead, he raised his pale hand and knocked.
For a few long moments, nothing happened. Legolas could not even hear the footsteps of someone approaching. Then, a chair scraped backwards against the floor and steps neared the door.
The heavy oak swung aside, revealing a frowning Ascal.
"What do you require," he snapped, shocking Legolas speechless. Ascal had never spoken to him like that.
"Adar has told me you have been spending much time in your chambers," he said after he got over his initial shock.
"What do you care?" Legolas frowned, completely perplexed by his brother's actions.
"Why do you speak with such brutality, Muindor? Has something happened in my absence? You can talk to me."
"No," he spat out. "I can't." He turned and slammed the door in Legolas' face, who was once again, struck speechless.
Legolas laid awake in his bed late, turning over Ascal's words in his mind. He had never acted in such a way towards him before. What could be the cause of this change?
Suddenly, the night came alive with the loud bellows of Mirkwood alarms. Legolas shot up in his bed. He flew from the warm blankets, and out the door, barely pausing to throw a tunic and leggings on; grabbing his bow and quiver, in his haste.
Out in the corridor, torch fire lit the dark hallways. A scream caught his attention. At the end of the hall, Ascal struggled hopelessly between four men.
Apparently fed up with his struggles, one of the men swung the handle of his sword down on Ascal's head.
"Ascal!" he screamed as his brother went limp between the men. He lunged forward, but someone caught him around his waist. While his attention was turned to his brother, someone had snuck up behind him. Stupid!
How could he be so stupid? That was his last thought before something heavy crashed down on top of his head and the world turned black.
_=()=_
Oio naa elealla alasse', ion-nin: Ever is thy sight a joy, my son
Uma, Nae saian luume': Yes, it has been too long
Muindor: Brother
That was chapter one. Please tell me what y'all think.