The weeks following the pranking incident had been extremely fun for Malorn. He picked up on the art well after his evening helping Glrofindel. The twins' screams of disgust upon finding the slimy slugs and worms in their beds and boots still made Malorn laugh every time he thought about it. The twins had of course had their revenge a few days after that and both he and Glorfindel had been forced to slink around Imladris for the next week while trying to hide their bright pink hair. After that, Malorn had been completely drawn into the ongoing prank war. He had quickly perfected his traps and was able to use his talents at stealth to sneak into both the twins' and Glorfindel's rooms on many different occasions and set up incredibly elaborate pranks without them even knowing. The three Imladris elves were quickly regretting pulling Malorn into their prank war.

Training also went very well for him. Ascal still did not give him trouble above an occasional glare when no one else was watching. They continued to prove an even match in sparring, with days that Malorn won and other days when Ascal emerged the victor. With every victory or loss, they both pushed each other to become better and made great progress in their swordsmanship.

Malorn's free time was divided between doing his homework, spending time with his friends, working in the healing wards with Lord Elrond, and seeing Alais, the latter of which was by far his favorite. With every passing day, their love grew stronger and their fëar grew closer. Warm, late summer days were spent picnicking by the many rivers and streams around Imladris and cool nights were spent walking under the stars and gazing at the moon. But as Malorn grew closer to Alais, a feeling of unrest grew proportionately to the happiness.

He felt that the time to disclose his past to her was growing nearer and nearer and it twisted his stomach into knots. The images that sprang into his mind of her face, twisted in horror and disgust as she stormed away from him was almost too much to bear. He loved Alais with every fiber of his being and the thought of losing her filled him with despair. But as much as telling her saddened him, the thought of continuing to keep his past a secret was even worse. Malorn knew Alais deserved to know and he had decided not to put it off any longer. They were to meet that night for an evening dinner to watch the sunset and he planned to tell her then.

As soon as training was over, Malorn hurried to his chambers to bathe and dress for the evening.

"What if she hates me?" was the thought that swirled around and around in his mind. "What if she cannot stand to even look upon me when I tell her what I have done? Why do I even think I deserve more than her complete and utter disgust."

Malorn heaved a deep, sad sigh and finished braiding his golden locks in front of the mirror before pulling on his boots and leaving his room. Alais was waiting for him by the front gates like they'd planned and she smiled when she saw him, her unbound hair rippling in the wind. Malorn swallowed thickly as he thought about the possibility of it being the last time he would ever see her smile at him, but managed to push the feelings away for the time being and force out a smile for her. They walked into the gardens and found a spot that overlooked the west beautifully. Light hearted things were talked about over their meal and then they sat and watched the sun begin to sink close to the horizon. Malorn shifted uneasily. He knew he had to do it now or else he would lose his nerve.

A…Alais, I have something I must tell you", he began.

"I was wondering when you finally would", Alais said. "You have been troubled all evening, meleth nin, and I have worried about why. A…Are you growing displeased with me?"

Malorn blanched in shock and immediately shook his head. "Alais, I love you with all my heart. I would not, nor could not ever grow displeased with you. You have been the cause of naught but happiness for me. You…You complete me, Alais."

Alais smiled in relief, but her eyes still showed concern, for she knew something was still wrong. "Then tell me what troubles you. I would share not only your joys, but your worries as well, meleth."

"There…There is s…something you must know…about me", Malorn said, the feeling of dread twisting his stomach yet again and making him feel like he was going to lose the small dinner he'd ate. "I…I told you about my parent's death already and that the way I grieving for Ada was unhealthy, but I have not told you why."

"Malorn, if this will bring up painful memories, you need not tell me anymore", Alais said. "I know how the loss of one's family hurts and I would not have you relive that."

Malorn swallowed. She had just given him a way out for the time being. He could wait. But he knew it would be no easier later. He shook his head slowly. "No, this is something you must know."

He took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "My father had been hurt badly by my grandfather. Oropher was cruel in his ways of raising Ada for the throne and when Ada could not live up to the standard Oropher deemed acceptable, he was exiled. Ada's fëa was wounded beyond repair and he lost the moral conscience that elves should possess. He was lonely and one night he met an elleth who was equally as lonely. They let their emotions control them and then parted after that night. I was already beginning to form inside Nana, though. She raised me in the wilds for the first forty-five years of my life, but one night, we were attacked by orcs and they slew her before I could stop them. After I buried her, I headed to Mirkwood. Nana had learned that Ada was living there and told me if anything happened to her, I was to seek him out. When I found Ada, he immediately received me openly and lovingly. He was good to me and, in my already present grief over Nana, I…I chose not to look beyond that, which proved to be my downfall. Ada's fëa had never healed and he was bitter toward Uncle Thranduil and Legolas. He thought they had stolen his birthright from him. Ada was very skilled in the use of different herbs, but he used them to make poisons, not medicines. That is what I learned while I lived with him. He fed me lies and fueled anger within me all while teaching me how to use the plants of Mirkwood to kill and hurt others. One day while I was out gathering herbs, he must have decided to make his final move for he confronted my cousin and uncle. Uncle Thranduil tried to take him captive, but Ada had made up his mind to either steal the throne or die that day. Once he knew he was beaten, h…he ran himself through w…with Uncle Thranduil's blade."

Malorn broke off as a choked sob escaped him, the old memories bringing back the pain of his father's death. Alais sat quietly and tightly held Malorn's hand while waiting for him to continue, compassion shining in her eyes. Once he had regained control of himself, Malorn went on. "I found him in the forest when I was returning from gathering the herbs. Th…There was so much blood, and h…he was so pale, and…and just lying so still. I had not felt such anguish since Nana died. Even more so, I think, because Ada was all the family I was aware of. I…I was scared and alone and I knew nothing about my uncle and cousin besides what Ada had told me."

Malorn broke off again to compose himself before diving into the most difficult part of his story. "I found Legolas' broken bow near Ada's body and I assumed Thranduil and Legolas had slain him in cold blood. I…I became filled with rage and grief at the same time and i…it drove me to do a terrible thing, something I am so ashamed of to this day. Ada had just finished a new poison that would kill the victim slowly and painfully. I took it and I used my skills at stealth to sneak into palace. Unfortunately, it was at the same time that Lord Elrond, Master Glorfindel, and the twins had come to visit. I knew only that they were friends of the ones I perceived my enemies and I struck them too. I…I poisoned Elrohir first because I had observed his bond with his twin a…and I knew it would hurt his brother and father. Th…Then, when I saw Lord Elrond working so hard to save his son, I poisoned him. And then Legolas after that. Then I summoned Thranduil into the forest alone and toyed with him and destroyed the only cure for the poison and…and wounded him badly. I was struggling against myself the whole time and I…I hated everything I did, Alais. I do not know why I did not stop sooner, b…but I was grieving and sc…scared and…and…and, oh Valar, I am so sorry."

Malorn wasn't even trying to control his tears now and he kept his gaze turned to the ground in shame.

"I am sorry", he rasped again.

When there was no forthcoming response from Alais, Malorn hesitantly raised his eyes to look at her and his heart clenched when he saw disbelief and anger shining in her eyes.

"A…Alais", he croaked.

"How could you, Malorn", she demanded. "How could you do something so terrible?! How could your fëa be so callous as to allow you to hurt someone so kind? I thought I knew you, but you are something completely different than what you led me to believe. Something I do not want to be a part of."

She rose swiftly and turned to leave. Malorn felt gut-wrenching panic clutch him and he grabbed her arm in desperation.

"Alais, please, I want to change", he pleaded. "I did not lead you on. I am the person you know. Lord Elrond has given me a second chance. He brought me here and he has helped me heal my fëa. I am not the person I was in Mirkwood. Please, Alais, you have to believe me! I love you!"

"Maybe you can change", Alais said coldly. "But that does not erase the fact that you harmed someone who means the world to me. I did love you, Malorn. But I love Lord Elrond even more. He was there for me when no one else was and he has my complete loyalty. What you did is inexcusable. Now let me go!"

Alais wrenched her arm from Malorn's grip and stormed toward the house.

"A…Alais", Malorn cried through his tears. "Alais, come back please!"

But the elleth ignored his pleas, running up the stairs and disappearing behind the slammed door. Malorn stared after her for a long moment as his heart broke itself into a million tiny pieces in his chest. Finally, with a choked sob, he fled into his chambers and locked himself away, his very fëa beginning to die of grief inside him.

Out in the gardens, a figure emerged from the bushes, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"I have you now, you spoiled little prince", Ascal sneered. "I can take away everything from you and regain the respect you stole from me."

Elvish Terms:

Elleth – A female elf

Fëa/Fëar – An elf's spirit

Meleth Nin – My love

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