Finally, after many moths too long, I am ready to start posting the sequel to this story! I'm so excited to continue this adventure with all of you wonderful readers and reviewers. It has had its challenges, but all in all, it has been a real pleasure to write. Updates to "The Courage to Mend" will begin tomorrow, but first, let's take a quick visit back to "To Heal a Broken Heart". This short chapter will act like a bridge between where "To Heal a Broken Heart" ends and where "The Courage to Mend" begins. I hope you enjoy. See you all tomorrow :)
Thranduil released a weighty sigh as he stepped out into the hall after spending some visiting with Malorn. The boy was already showing great changes in his attitude and demeanor. He no longer gave off the air of a furious killer, but of an elf who had just reached the first stage of maturity and still had much childlike excitement, curiosity, and energy in him. Such a drastic change in the few weeks Malorn had ben there was astounding and Thranduil found he was enjoying spending time with his nephew immensely.
But nagging in his mind also was still some distrust of the speed at which Malorn had seemed to change his thoughts. It all seemed too good to be true to the ElvenKing, and despite the bond he had begun to form with Malorn, he still found himself fighting anger at the young elf for what he had done to Elrond, Elrohir, and of course his Legolas.
Thranduil sighed again and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. It was all so confusing and his fëa felt torn in two between the views he had on the matter. He was king! He should always know what to do in every circumstance, but he was at a complete loss at what to do about Malorn and it was giving him frustration to no end.
"You must have some heavy thoughts on your mind", Elrond suddenly said.
Thranduil jumped, not having realized he had even met his friend in the hall as he headed to his chambers. "Aye, I do, mellon nin. I am so conflicted about what to do with Malorn."
"I thought the matter was settled", Elrond said, staring hard at Thranduil. "He is to come to Imladris with me, my sons, and Glorfindel when we leave in a few months. What is there left to do with him? You are not thinking of going back on your word now that he is beside himself with excitement, are you?"
"I do not know, Elrond", Thranduil growled. "It all seems to be going too well in my opinion. He is too willing to change, too willing to think differently. I fear his only goal is to get you all out in the woods and kill you all in your sleep! He will not care if I hunt him down after he succeeds in his mission first. He is just too dangerous, Elrond!"
Elrond shook his head in amusement. "Thranduil, you are a wise elf and a wonderful king to your people, but, my friend, you oftentimes think far too much with your head and not enough with your fëa. Ignore what your mind is telling you for a moment and reach into your fëa. See what it alone is telling you about Malorn."
Thranduil closed his eyes and reached past his mind and into his heart. The doubts melted away as he thought about Malorn with his fëa. He felt Malorn's deep desire to learn how to love himself, his family, his people, and life in general. He felt how Malorn's presence had begun to soothe the lingering ache that Malgath's passing had left with his joyous laugh that came more and more often and with his bubbling excitement for life that was being released. He felt the deep, genuine sorrow Malorn carried for his actions and how it fueled his to strive with all his might to break the habits that created his rage and become a good ellon.
Thranduil pulled out of his heart and swallowed back the tears that threatened his eyes. "H…He really is trying."
"Yes", Elrond nodded. "The progress you see is not because he is trying to win your trust so he can cause more pain. He is coming along so quickly because he wants with all his heart to do the right thing. He is not so far gone that he cannot change, mellon nin. Malorn sees that within himself and is trying to bring it out, but he needs help. We also need to see it within him and do all we can to guide him to what is right."
"He is so much like Malgath when my brother was almost that age", Thranduil murmured. "I see within him the same excitement and curiosity for life that Malgath had."
"Then do all you can to pull the good side of your brother out Malorn and help him cast away the bad teachings your brother gave Malorn. That can start with you allowing yourself to begin him some trust. It is not fair for you to assume what he will do with increased freedom without first giving it to him and seeing for yourself what he will choose to do with it."
"I understand, and I will try my best to do so. I still do not want to free him completely from his confinement however. I want to observe him more."
"I am not suggesting you go to such drastic measures immediately, but do not break your word to him that he can come back to Imladris unless he shows some doubtless sign that he is not to be trusted. Right now, all I see is an elfling, still confused about his identity, but trying his best to succeed and earn back our trust."
"I do too if I am completely honest", Thranduil said. "But I am afraid that I will never be able to love him and trust him completely, Elrond, not after what he put my son through. Legolas is my whole world and seeing him writhing in pain with Malorn's poison coursing through him is a memory that will haunt me forever."
"I do not doubt you still have anger toward him. Legolas did suffer greatly, more than any of the rest of us. But I would advise you to start telling yourself that it was not Malorn's poison, it was Malgath's. Malorn did not craft it himself for an evil deed nor did he convince himself that you and your family were cruel usurpers. He was fed lies by his last remaining parent, his last hope that he knew of, while his heart was still tender from the loss of his mother. Then when Malgath was taken from him, he turned to the only knowledge he had and tried to show loyalty to his father by avenging him."
"But he almost killed my son! I do not know if that is something I can ever forgive."
"I just told you I acknowledge your feelings, Thranduil, but I think, once again, you are thinking with your head and not your fëa. That is an added reason for me to take Malorn to Imladris for a bit. You need time away from him to allow yourself to let your anger go and he needs time away from the cold looks and angry words he is receiving here so he can find himself. All I ask is that you try to see this situation through his eyes too. I think once you overcome your anger at him, you will find that you love him very much."
"And if not?"
"We will cross that bridge when we come to it, mellon nin. For now, assume that you will learn to love him. Keep going to see him as often as you can and look at him…with…your…fëa, not your head."
"Very well. I shall keep trying and I shall not go back on my word. He can still accompany you back to Imladris."
"You are making the right decision, Thranduil", Elrond said smiling. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am late for my daily two-hour visit with Malorn."
The elf lord swept on down the hall toward Malorn's room and Thranduil continued to his study. He thought long about his conversation with Elrond and forced himself to try to see the world through Malorn's eyes, letting his fëa guide him through what life might have been like. It was not at all pleasant. By that evening, Thranduil had a completely new understanding of his nephew, and he felt the beginnings of something stirring within his heart. A love for the young elf that he had never been able to acknowledge before. He smiled to himself as he went to bed that night. Yes, it was time to let Malorn prove himself. He would let his nephew leave in the spring and he would give him the second chance he promised.
And something told him he would be far from disappointed.
Elvish Terms
Mellon Nin – My Friend
Fëa – An elf's spirit
Ellon – A male elf
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