Legolas POV

Legolas flinched backwards as the sudden ear-shattering scream bounced off the stone walls, but soon leapt into action as the initial shock wore off, and pinned the flailing arms to the bed. Leaning forward, he cooed gently in his trembling love's ear.

"Shh. You are alright. It is just a dream, A'maelamin, open your eyes." Legolas' attempt went unheard as Elion continued to scream and fight against him.

"N…No! Naneth! Gaining…escape…Zan…Rend!" The harsh Orcish words were now rolling from his tongue. Legolas caught the word for Elf, and the word for Mother a few times, but everything else was beyond him, Orcish was always his worst language. Sweat beaded across Elion's brow and his struggles intensified, as he muttered unintelligibly.

"Saes, A'maelamin, Open your eyes. It is me, Legolas. You are safe." He shook the Halfling desperately. Suddenly, Elion's eyes shot open and stared back at him. Legolas swept his fingers through the dark, sweat soaked locks soothingly.

"Shhh. It was only a dream." Elion's eyes slowly focused on his before he buried his face in Legolas' shirt, arms wrapping themselves firmly around the lithe torso. Elion was not quick enough to evade Legolas' keen elven eyes. They saw the tears that had welled up, before they were hidden.

"Oh A'maelamin. What has happened?" Elion merely shook his head against him, trembling with barely suppressed sobs. Legolas pushed back on the Halfling's shoulders so he could get a good look at his face. What he saw nearly broke his heart. The Dark Prince's face was scrunched up in grief, sobs wracking his thin body. As Legolas gazed at him, the tears finally spilled over and ran down his face. He allowed Elion to bury his face against him again and rubbed his back soothingly. Wracking his brain for anything to help his grieving love, he instantly knew the cure.

"Come Elion." Elion complied without protest, following behind Legolas when he strode towards the door. No one paid heed to the sniffling prisoner, something Legolas was glad of. He led them outside, stopping in front of a large Oak. He laid his palm on it and smiled faintly, shutting his eyes as old memories flitted behind his lids.

"I used to come out here as an elfling," he began softly. "She has lived many centuries, and has offered much comfort in my time of grieving." Finally, he parted from the tree and opened his eyes, revealing a confused Elion.

"What comfort can come from a tree? They cannot speak. They have no feelings." The harsh statement brought a smile to Legolas' lips. The Halfling knew nothing of the life of the forest that all elves were aware of.

"You are wrong A'maelamin. The trees are very much alive, and have great wisdom. They speak to one another ceaselessly, and if you listen closely enough, you can hear their whispered songs." Elion paused for just a scant moment, straining his ears for a sound.

"Well I don't hear anything," he blurted out. The Prince moved behind him with a sly smile, taking the back of his hand in his own. He twined their fingers together, and pressed Elion's palm to the tree.

"You are not listening A'maelamin. Open your ears and listen."

Elion's POV

At first, there was nothing. Just the feeling of the coarse bark rubbing against his hand. But then, a whisper brushed across his ear. So gentle he imagined it was all in his head, but then it came again. A faint humming reached his ears, the melody slow and haunting, but somehow still beautiful at the same time. He gasped and felt Legolas press flush against his body in a silent form of comfort. The song escalated in volume until he could hear it clearly.

Soon, more voices joined in, adding to the song. It was so beautiful. Suddenly, everything came into focus. The forest was brimming with life. He could feel everything. The curiosity of a woodland creature that had come to investigate and the smooth languidness of the stream as it rolled across the riverbed. But most of all, he could feel the mighty power of the Oak as it stood in the forest, towering above all others. Its power seemed to wrap around him in a loving embrace, whispering promising safety and protection.

Legolas withdrew their hands from the tree, and gradually everything faded away, leaving the Dark Prince feeling slightly bereft. Calloused thumbs brushed across his cheeks, startling Elion as they met wetness. He had not even realized he had been crying, though this time it was in happiness instead of sorrow. He kept his eyes closed, even as Legolas turned him around and hugged him to him, swaying them back and forth gently.

"You do not have to talk to me if you do not wish A'maelamin, but if you do, I am here to listen." All was quiet for a long moment before Elion answered.

o-o-o-o-o

A'maelamin- My Beloved

Rend- Run (Orcish)

Naneth- Mother

Zan- Elf (Orcish)

I know. Really short chapter. I was going to write more, but I'm really tired at the moment and I wanted to get some words out there to y'all because it's been a while since my last update. I couldn't find an Orcish word for Mother, but I concluded that because the orcs used to be elves before they turned evil then they can use some elvish. Berate me if you will. More to come soon. Hope you liked this chapter because for some reason, I hated it.