Hey! Be proud of me; I'm going to write a somewhat happy slash story! *cheers* I don't know what drove me to this madness, but I will write a little "prequel" somewhat to Prophecies and Convictions. You should be proud of me: no one (I don't think yet) will die! I'm not sure what's come over me, for even the slash stories I didn't put on FF have ended in death, this one won't! Well, not directly.
Please, read and enjoy!
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Chapter 1: Humans and formalities
"My lord, get down here now!" the servant called as she huffed through the gardens. Somewhere, up in the trees, the prince waited, hiding from her. She glared up at the nearest oak and called again, "My lord, please come down now! I do not have time to play games with you!" When there was no response, not even the stirring of leaves, she cursed and moved to the next tree. "Please, my lord, ah!" She jumped away as there was a thud behind her. She turned about to find the prince, crouched on the ground, his clothing dirty and his hair flying in front of his face.
"My lord," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "You are a mess. You must return to your room to clean yourself. And are you not a little old to play these games with me?" The prince smirked.
"Dear Athakia am I not spared even a slight prank to play with my noble status, or must I hide in finery all my life? I only desired to lift my own spirits a little higher," Legolas explained. Athakia rolled her eyes, though a smile twitched on her frowning face. Legolas rose, stretching out his lithe form. He appeared around the age of fifteen in human years, though Athakia had long lost count of how old the prince really was. He walked past, smiling down on her, and she gave him a little shove.
"The procession from Rivendell will arrive by this evening, prince. You must clean yourself up." Legolas smiled at her over his shoulder and sauntered out of the garden.
He decided, instead of taking the normal route through the maze of wooden halls to his quarters, that he would make it much shorter by going outside and scaling a few trees to reach his room. It was a common practice for him, normally used after long nights out, far past the acceptable time for "a prince to wander alone," as his father said. He did not think that the wee hours of the morn were that late, when he could wander beneath the boughs of the great trees of Mirkwood freely and sing to his delight, calling to the stars and moon far above. He heart burst with joy just at the thought.
He hummed a tune under his breath as he casually made his way through the trees, keeping the palace walls in sight. Sometime he would find his own room.
"Legolas, mellon!" a voice called just as he veered farther into the forest as a servant passed by. Legolas turned to face the voice and heard a quickening pace. Soon, a new elf appeared, and Legolas smiled warmly as Haldir came to join him.
"I have searched far and wide for you," Haldir explained with a laugh, "at Athakia's orders. I know never to disobey her." The older elf put a hand around Legolas' shaking shoulders from his laughter. He was glad, though he quested for solitude in the woods; Haldir was here with him now.
"Are you sure that's the only reason you searched for me?" Legolas inquired at the vacant look on Haldir's face as he studied the elf beside him. Haldir shook himself, wrinkled his brow in concentration, and then shook his head.
"Well, truthfully, I need some time with you before duty overwhelms you in the entertaining of your guests from Rivendell. I heard," he lowered his voice and bent down to Legolas' height, "that Elrond's foster child, Estel, will accompany this time. He has not set foot in the woods of Mirkwood before, and rumor has it they will entrust him into your care." Legolas cocked his head.
"The human?" he spat the last word with disgust. Haldir wrinkled his nose in consent.
"Yes, the human," he responded. "Maybe though, your blessed luck will hold true, for I have encountered a few decent humans in my many travels. Also, Lord Elrond would keep him well, teaching him much of the elvish tradition." Legolas let out a little sigh. He clenched his fists.
"Still, that doesn't erase that he is a human, elvish-raised or no." His eyes turned towards the forgotten palace, where he saw the familiar window, high up in the levels. He swerved away from Haldir.
"Excuse me, Haldir, for though I would fain spend time with you, Athakia sends her orders on my shoulders also. I must clean myself for the arrivals tonight." Haldir laughed and embraced his friend warmly. Legolas returned it with just as much companionship.
"I will see you at dinner," Haldir said as they parted, taking Legolas' hand and squeezing it. Legolas nodded before turning to scramble up the oak tree nearest to his balcony. With elvish lightness and speed, his sprung from each branch until he could reach his balcony with ease. He vaulted over the decorative rail and onto the tiles, his boots making no sound as he darted in to his chamber.
***
Legolas threw the bar of soap across the room as he climbed out of the bath. It hit a wall and shattered into little pieces, the already weak bar not able to withstand the impact. Legolas grabbed his towel and wrapped it around himself. Water dripped onto the tiles as he growled and took a brush to his hair. He ripped through the tangles quickly and re-fixed his braids with quick fingers.
"Why the human?" he grumbled. He did not doubt the authenticity of Haldir's news at all; the elf would never give him false information. "Why a human?" He had people put under his care before, though most were tolerable. They were mostly maidens that his father thought he might grow affections for if he conversed with them long enough. He did not mind them; they were quite content with a tour of the palace then insisted that Legolas could do what he wished. There were some persistent ones here and there but never anything Legolas couldn't handle.
Legolas laughed as he remembered the looks of those young elves as he explained that he would never dare to love them, not if he had to. He found nothing attractive in them at all, at all.
He strode into his adjoining chamber. Fresh clothing, a nice tunic, embroidered with the flowing designs of branches and leaves, along with a nice pair of leggings, sat on his bed, mocking him. He slipped on the finery quickly as it jeered at the game he played.
Look nice, dress fine, speak regally, hold yourself proud, and all for a foolish human mortal man. Legolas banished the voice and slammed open the door to his balcony. The sun set behind the canopy, making the marble look like gold. Legolas leaning idly on the rail, his elbows propped up and his hands cupped beneath his chin.
"Lord Elrond, and Elrohir and Elladan with him, along with many other elves," he comforted himself, "I do not just play this game for the mortal." Still, the fact that he did play a game disconcerted him. He wished he could be rid of these vile garments, free of his commands. He had a young heart bursting for an outlet of power and life, and to remain as prince would not suffice.
Suddenly, there was a great commotion of the sound of horses' hooves, and Legolas turned to the front of the palace gate. He could not see around the wall, so, taking one glance at the clothing, jumped nimbly into a tree. He climbed down and rushed to the front, curious yet spiteful of this entourage from Rivendell.
He climbed into the boughs of another tree, well hidden from view, and watched as the elves filed through the gates. At their head rode Lord Elrond upon his regal horse, his velvet cloaks streaming across its flanks. To either side of him and a little back rode Elrohir and Elladan. They cast an involuntary glance back to Legolas, Elrohir almost smiling as if he caught sight of the elf. Then came fair Lady Arwen. Legolas shot a glare full of daggers at her pretty back. She had an air of royal selfishness that Legolas despised to no end. Just the sight of her made him burn.
Then, beside her, riding on a simple grey horse, was a strange sight. His wavy brown hair fell in a tangled mass, its surface somewhat dirty. He was out of place amongst the glowing elves, producing no radiant light of his own. He turned his head to Legolas, and the prince felt his grip loosen on the branch. The man's blue eyes met with his own, and he did not release him even as he rode along. The fading light caught a strand of his hair and cast gold shadows across his face. Legolas gaped in a strange combination of awe and horror as the man...literarily human, disappeared through the great arch to the inside courtyard.
***
"Prince Legolas," Elrond acknowledged, bowing his head. Legolas smiled at him and inclined his head as taught. He sat at the high table for dinner that night, politely making conversation with the elves around him. To his dismay, he found himself sitting between Lady Arwen and another elf he had not made acquaintance with, though she kept sending him glances. He tries staring ahead, but all he found was the unhelpful face of Elrond. Also, there was no Haldir; he excused himself from this meal.
He promised though, and Haldir keeps his words truthfully. I bet I have just not seen him in the other masses of elves.
"I hear from your father you will watch out for Estel," Elrond stated, breaking Legolas' thoughts. Legolas looked up, puzzled.
"I am sorry, but I have heard nothing of the sort," he lied, casting a glance to the human on the other side of Arwen. He vainly tried to deter the elvin maiden from conversation, but she trudged on, giggling at him. A little string of pity went out to the man.
"Well, it would be nice of you if you show him around tomorrow and spend time with him. He is not familiar with your palace." Legolas smiled fakly.
"I would be pleased to do that, Lord Elrond," the programmed response flowed freely off his tongue.
"Father, if I might, may I accompany them also?" Arwen suddenly asked, turning her attention from Estel. The man let out an inaudible sigh. Elrond gave his daughter a sideways look as she turned her pleading eyes on him.
"Legolas?" Elrond inquired. Legolas felt quite "disinclined" to accept. In fact, he felt like smacking Arwen over the head with the nearest plate he could find. Not only would that mean dealing with the human but her too.
"Lord Elrond," Legolas made sure to say in his most convincing voice, "though I am not denying your daughter's company wholly, I think it might impede upon Estel's tour if she comes, being she has been here many a time." He felt very confident in that statement, and Elrond bought it easily. Arwen sat back with a huff, though it was not long before she was up to her traditional pestering of Estel.
The meal came and went in the humdrum small talk of royals. Legolas nodded politely and laughed when needed, he gave intelligent comments when the time arose, he responded to all questions asked, and he loathed every speaker who dared to infiltrate his little world. It was so hard to block them out so he could just let his mind wander, and they never went away.
"Well," Thranduil said, leaning back in his chair, "I do say our last course has sadly come."
"Send my compliments to the chef," Elrond said politely. The rest of the table nodded in agreement, and Thranduil smiled.
"He is a talented cook, no doubt. Come, though, there is more merrymaking to come. The hall awaits, where the night calls for our joyous dances!" Legolas' stomach sank as his father stood, smiling broadly and leading the way to the dancing hall. Legolas did not know there was to be a ball tonight. He groaned inwardly as he rose, shuffling his feet to the elegant dancing floor. Elves around him conversed happily, continuing conversations started previously or just bantering. Legolas kept his cold face to the ground as he felt captivity weigh around him.
The large windows to one side only spited him more as he could see from here the great forest stretching out endlessly. Stars glimmered brightly overhead, the moon sending its full beam like a knife through the dense leaves. Legolas wistfully made his way to there, ignoring all the guests. His sense of duty left him as he leaned beside the window, letting a sigh escape his lips. Music started to his right were the amazing melodies floated through the hall and up to the arched ceiling, fretted by spiraling veins of leaves and vines covered with life. Legolas gazed up to that ceiling, where it met at a great point. Wooden beams curled up to that point, where a great tree sprouted out.
"Well, there's my little friend!" a blessed voice called. Legolas looked up to see Haldir, coming across the hall to him. He gave Haldir a weary smile as the great elf settled himself on the wall beside Legolas. "I felt obliged at least to come to this ball, and plus, your father always has wonderful parties, not just dancing." Legolas rolled his eyes.
"I never experienced that. It always appeared to be dancing to me." Haldir smiled and took Legolas' hand in his own.
"As it is, one of these dances might at least be enjoyable." Legolas felt heat on his cheeks, and only his great princely control over his emotions kept the blush down. Haldir whisked him away into the crowd. Legolas felt his body freeze as Haldir danced with him in the mass. Magic ran up through his arms, tingling sensations that only added to the uncomfortable situation.
"Haldir," Legolas started, but Haldir put a hand to the elf's lips. Legolas suddenly burned for more than just his hand to be there. He increased his grip on the other elf, a strange sensation taking hold of him. Haldir let his hand fall, but Legolas' pleading eyes made him hold the elf all the tighter. Their dance turned into blurred movements of all different sensations. Each step was an even odder and stranger emotion, sometimes hate, sometime embarrassment, sometime severe passion, and some emotions Legolas never experienced before in his little life.
When the song ended, he dreaded to part from Haldir's strong arms. Luckily for him, he did not have to for long: only as they returned to the darker corner, only lit by moonlight, of the hall. There, Legolas rested his head on Haldir's chest, his face flushed. Haldir though had other ideas. He gently shoved Legolas away, shaking his head.
"Legolas, not now," he whispered and disappeared into the crowd. Legolas felt his heart drop from its golden pedestal as that face disappeared without even a trace, not even a farewell. Haldir had not bothered to wish him a good night or bid him farewell. He merely shoved the elf off when Legolas gave him the attention he knew the older companion craved for so long.
Before Legolas could ponder Haldir's odd state of mind much longer, his increased hearing alerted him to footsteps, coming his way, though they were hesitant. Legolas looked up in hopes to find Haldir, but instead, he saw the man, Estel, searching frantically through the crowd like a pursued beast. His eyes met Legolas' and the man rushed to him.
"I...I need to thank you," he said nervously, Legolas' cold stare doing nothing to help. "You know, Arwen's such a pain and all. I couldn't have stood to be with her longer than needed. Really, she keeps on making advances on me, like I love her in return." Legolas looked the man straight in the eyes, suddenly seeing a strange fire in them. His confusion must have shown on his face, for Estel laughed.
"Yes, she is fair and all, but I cannot stand her one bit!" he informed the misread elf. Legolas rolled his eyes.
"Of course I did not assume anything wrong with the dislike of Arwen," he growled, "for I would not mind to see her own fall myself. Now, if you would please excuse me," he flashed one of his reserved fake smiles at Estel before turning on his heel and striding off.
"Legolas, wait! I want to talk some more to you Legolas! Don't leave just yet!" However, even Estel's voice was lost to the crowd, and Legolas did not look back to the forgotten human, pleading with the retreating back of the elf for it to slow its pace.
At least turn around.
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Well, I hope you like it so far! Please review or I might not write anymore. I get bored with writing just slightly depressing stories, so I might start writing another really sad slash story if you don't review!