14

Valen spent hours talking to the prince about nothing of great importance with the hope that it would ease his fears, but unfortunately he still refused to be touched.

About an hour after the first incident Val had tried to approach the elf again. She took it slowly, but it didn't seem to make a difference he was still terrified.

"I..I'm sorry." Legolas whispered with tears in his eyes. He could see how much it hurt this lady to see him recoil from her touch but he couldn't help it.

"Don't you apologise little one, you have done nothing wrong." The kind women smiled down at him. Although it was a sad smile, full of empathy, Legolas found comfort in it. It was nice to see something other than open contempt on someone's face when they were looking at him.

Relaxing again Legolas Looked around for the first time since he awoke. The first thing he noticed was a couple of chairs that Samir must have dragged over during the women's story. Apparently he had sensed that it might be a while before Legolas trusted them enough to let them help him.

Moving on he noticed he was in what appeared to be a tidy...bedroom? This revelation awoke panic in the elf. 'Oh no' he thought to himself, 'I've taken their room.'

"I... I m..move." He stammered while renewing his efforts to get up.

Valen could do nothing but sit in shock and watch, as Samir decided that it was his turn to calm the elf. Jumping out of his chair at a surprising speed he approached Las.

"Elf stop your struggling and tell me what's going through that head of yours!" He all but yelled.

Legolas froze. 'Oh no I've angered them. I'm in their bed and I've angered them, could this get any worse.'

Samir didn't have the calm friendly demeanor of his wife but he knew how to get the elfs attention. "Now, are you going to tell me what's got you so riled up?" He questioned the obviously frightened being.

"I..I'm sorry. I.. I made you a..angry and I'm in y..your bed." Legolas said without making eye contact with the man. He was afraid to see the oh so familiar look of disgust and anger he had gotten used to seeing on men's faces.

Visibly softening upon hearing the elfs shaky voice Samir sat down again. "I'm sorry for scaring you lad, but if you keep moving like that then you are going to tear my wife's stitches. Do you understand me?"

Unable to speak Legolas just offered a meek nod.

"Good. Now my wife and I put you in our bed, that was our choice so there's no reason for you to go getting all flustered alright? You've done nothing wrong."

When Legolas offered no sign of understanding the man sighed.

"Hun, I don't think he's gonna let us help him, at least not tonight."

Afformentioned women was studying the elfs features, but eventually she relented as well

"I think you're right." She replied. Valen knew her husband was hinting for her to leave the elf and let him sleep, but she hesitated. Las was no more than a child she knew this in her heart, and being a mother herself she felt the need to just hold this child and never let him go.

With an internal sigh she grudgingly accepted the fact that he needed time to himself.

Standing up, Valen hid her thoughts behind a well practiced healers facade, and smiled at Legolas. "It's ok, we understand you've been through a lot little one. That said we will still need to check on your wounds as soon as possible, so sleep tonight but tomorrow we will try again ok?"

Legolas could only nod. He felt so ashamed of his behaviour. These people meant him no harm and yet he still couldn't let them touch him.

'I truly am broken.' He thought as he felt a tear roll down his cheek.


Storming through the city Keldir was making his way towards what he hoped was Koles house, anger fueling his every step. Anger towards the men who were responsible for Legolas disappearance and any pain he might have endured.

Dispite his anger the elf couldn't help the over whelming fear that was threatening to choke him. The words of the man were playing over and over in his head. It was as if a minstral had decided to turn them into a song and sing it repeatedly just for him.

'He is gone, he is dead'

'drowned in a river he was'

'never to come home, never to have lived'

'He's dead, he's dead'

'Never shall he return.'

Letting out a vivid elvish curse Keldir tried to shut out the voices in his head. He didn't want to be distracted when he had the pleasure of running this 'Kole' through with one of his twin swords.

Turning the last corner that would lead the furious elf to the market square, Keldir froze. Standing a mere 20 feet from him was an army of elves, standing dead still inserting fear into the hearts of all that saw them.

Apon this sight all of Keldir's anger drained away and was quickly replaced by a rapidly growing fear. Fear so strong it almost made him take off running in the other direction.

It wasn't the army that terrified Keldir, but instead the one leading them. Standing front and center of the elven warriors was none other than the Elven king himself. Standing tall and regal he looked every bit the powerful ruler he was known to be.

'Maybe it's not to late to run, they haven't seen me yet? I can find Kole and then find the prince and return to the Elvin king prince in hand.'

The elf was still contemplating this when suddenly the icy glare of the Elvin king found him. 'How does he know it's me? Can he see under my hood? What do I do?'

Unfortunately he didn't have to wait long to find out what the king wanted for he raised one of his bejeweled hands and with one simple movement Keldir knew he was being summoned.

'He's going to kill me, or maybe if I'm lucky he'll just lock me in his dungeons for the next few centuries. What if he banishes me?' This made the colour drain from the elfs face, if he was banished he would never again be able to talk to his family or set foot in the forest that he loves so dearly.'

Choking down his rising fear the elf started towards the king.

"Remove your hood." The king's controlled voice commanded.

"Yes my k..king." Keldir couldn't help the shaking that had taken over his body, and now caused him to stutter.

"Have you any information regarding the prince." Keldir was shocked, there was no obvious anger to be found in the king's voice.

'Why isn't he angry? Maybe he doesn't want to dissapline me in public? Yes that has to be it.'

"Yes my King, I believe I know who is r...responsible for the princes disappearance."

"Well tell me quickly for I'm about to be bombarded with town officials. Where is my son and who can I kill?"

"A man called Kole is believed to have taken the prince and held him captive, but I don't yet know why. And as to the whereabouts of the prince I do not know, I assume Kole will have the answer to that." Keldir didn't want to mention the possibility of the prince being drowned in the river for it would surely worry the king and he wasn't even sure if it was true.

"Thank you young one now join in the ranks, oh and we'll discuss you're punishment later."

Keldir almost choked in a very unelf like way but managed to contain it just in time, although he was pretty certain the elf king had seen it.

'So I was right he just doesn't want to do it in public.' Keldir groaned internally. When we find that prince he's going to owe me big time.

Looking up Keldir realised he still hasn't finished his conversation with the Elf king, so turning red he tried to speak but his voice came out very small. He looked like an elfling who had just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, much to the king's amusement.

"Ah yes My king."

He could have almost sworn he saw the King smile as he walked/ran to find a place among the rows of elves.


I have to admit this is not one of my better chapters. For some reason its been really slow going, and it still doesnt sound quite right. Hooefully my next chapter will be better. Thanks for reading!