Another long awaited chapter :) Enjoy...

For silverarrow: I often have to ask myself that too! Why is there always a cliffie? I guess I am just mean ;) and yes it has been 6 months mellon nín! I appreciate every comment and kind words! And I am sure you can already see that this story may not end with the amount of satisfaction you desire...

Wishing a very happy birthday to Hello_LOTR :) My this next year be the best one yet!

And the biggest thank you I can give to elvenmaia for standing by my side through it all!

Out of Mirkwood

Scribbles-on-Parchment

December 19, 2020


Chapter 72 – Home

"What is it Kélion?"

The crown prince glanced at his brother's mentor but did not respond to the question. He just shook his head and looked back out at the surrounding forest. Both ellyn had reluctantly done as Thranduil had commanded them and had traveled to the front of the elven group. Neither one had been particularly pleased with the prospect of leaving the young Sinda at the mercy of the king's temper, but they knew there was no point in protesting.

Kélion had spoken briefly with the general who was leading the patrol back to the palace about the expected time of their arrival and had been pleased to hear that they would be back within the hour. Already the forest around them had brightened and the song of the Greenwood had returned leading the prince to suspect that they had passed through the barrier. However, this was not a great relief to the ellon as he still had doubts on whether or not the wall of elven magic was even still standing or not. It was very likely that its integrity had been so badly damaged or compromised that it had started to allow evil creatures or even, Valar forbid, yrch into the healthy part of the forest. He did not want to let down their guard yet and was very anxious to return back to the safety of the palace.

So many things had happened and so many changes had been thrown at him that Kélion was eager to have a chance to process it all, though he had a feeling that Meldir would have much to ask him about. He doubted that he would get any time alone before telling the Silvan all that had happened.

And then there was Legolas. His younger brother was alive, though everything now felt like a strange dream to him; he half expected that he would wake up and it would all be gone and everything would be back to normal. The elfling had still said little to nothing about what had happened to him and Kélion worried that there was something weighing on his heart that he would not speak of.

However, the thing that was resting heavily on the crown prince's mind at the moment, was the face of the dead ellon whom they had buried in place of his younger brother. If that poor eldar had not been Legolas then who had it been?

Kélion had little doubt in his mind that this was the work of evil and his mind went back to the illusion of the gate in the forest. There was nothing else that could explain all of the strange deaths and occurrences that had been happening besides dark magic. Dark magic…

At this thought the elf's mind immediately went to Rívorn. He had still yet to speak with his adar about this and he had, truth be told, forgotten about the ellon until now. This had to be the dark Silvan's work for there was no other explanation.

"Legolas has been much to closed off," Êmand's voice broke through the prince's troubled mind startling him slightly, "There is something that is sitting heavily on his mind. I can see it and I know you can too. Yet, I worry that he will not tell us of it."

Kélion ran his hand through his hair in agitation. Why in Eru's name did there have to be so much going wrong all at once? At last he replied,

"I know. I think something happened to him while he was with those blasted Noldor. If they planted any dark thoughts into his mind then I will kill them all myself."

"And what good would more death do? There is already enough of that to go around. You must learn to forgive and forget. Whatever is wrong with Legolas I am sure we will be able to remedy. We always have before."

A spark of anger flashed to life in the Sinda's eyes.

"But this is not before, Êmand. This is entirely different. Now if you will excuse me I want to go and see if my adar is finished speaking to my brother."

Kélion turned to leave but before he walked away he glanced at the Silvan and added,

"I think it would be best if you leave the two of us alone for awhile. I wish to speak with him unaccompanied."


It did not take long for Kélion to work his way back to his younger brother. To his surprise he saw that Thranduil had already left the elfling's side, leaving a frustrated Legolas behind.

"Muindor, I am pleased to see that our adar has finished his talk with you."

The younger ellon looked up at his brother, his azure eyes cold and guarded,

"Where is Êmand? I would have thought he would have come back with you?"

"No. It is just I. Does that bother you? If so I can leave if you would rather his company than mine."

"No," Legolas shook his head and looked back down at the ground as he kicked at a rock.

"Good," Kélion fell into step beside his brother, "Then pray tell me what did adar wish to speak with you about? I am curious to know."

"Nothing. He only wanted to express his expectation for me when I return home and to explain why he had us leave the Noldor so suddenly."

The crown prince nodded. He had feared it to be much worse.

"And what do you think? Do you feel that he made the correct decision?"

Beside him the prince could see Legolas shrug,

"It is not like it really matters now does it. The choice has already been made and my opinion would not have made any difference. It never does."

"Legolas…"

"No. Do not Legolas me. I am merely stating a fact and you denying it does not make it any less of my reality. This is what I have to live with, not you. I have managed to survive thus far and therefore do not need your pity. I have gotten enough of that from the Noldor already."

"Speaking of the Noldor…" The crown prince began but was stopped short as his younger brother glared at him.

"Not now, Kélion. I have already had to speak of it to adar. If you want to know what happened then you can ask him. I am sure he would be more than happy to tell you everything."

The young ellon picked up his pace and began to walk away from his brother.

"Legolas? Where are you going?"

Without casting a glance back, young Sinda said,

"I am going to walk with Êmand. You can follow me if you want. I do not care."

The blond head of elfling disappeared into the Silvan ellyn around them, leaving Kélion to wonder what he had said to make his brother so upset.


Meldir glanced down at the unconscious form of the Silvan elf. The ellon lay deathly pale on the makeshift litter they had constructed, red blood still pooled around him from the hastily wrapped arrow wound to his chest. He thanked the Valar that the arrow had missed the eldar's heart and instead logged itself into the ribs right below it. Still the injury was grave and the bleeding would not stop no matter what the Silvan had done. All he could do now was pray that they reached the palace soon enough or the ellon would never wake again.

The elven commander cast another furious glance at the young guard who had shot the arrow. The Silvan had claimed it had been on accident and that he had thought the eldar had been about to attack. Meldir did not know if he could believe the story. If the elf's foolishness and bad judgment ended up costing an immortal life then that blood would be on his hands for the rest of his life. No doubt the guilt would dive the young Silvan mad.

Up ahead Meldir could begin to make out the clearing in which the gate was located. They were so close, all they had to do was make it to the healers. The ellon glanced back at the crumpled body on the litter and frowned anew at the growing blood stain.

He had recognized the eldar as soon as he had leaped down in front of him. It was Tamír; it had to be. The Silvan had been his teacher and commander when he had first joined Thranduil's guard so many years ago and he had grown a close bond with the elf. Tamír's disappearance after the Greenwood massacre had caused him great grief over the years. Yet here he was alive… for now.


Legolas walked side by side with his mentor. Neither one had spoken a word since the elfling had arrived at his side and for this he was grateful. He figured that Êmand knew he was upset and therefore was not pushing him to talk.

The young prince felt bad for the way he had dealt with his brother, but he was still too upset still to go back and seek out Kélion. He needed more time. His adar had already demanded that he tell him all that had happened since he had stormed out of the palace what now felt like months ago. The Sinda had thankfully not spoken a word about their argument but Legolas could still tell he was not happy. His adar had instead gone on to make a point to remind him of his place and what was expected of him as prince upon his return. He could only hope that his punishment would not be too severe when he got back to the palace.

It was all beginning to feel quite overwhelming to the elfling. All he wanted was to get back to the palace, shut himself in his room, and crawl into bed. However, he was well aware that sleep would be a long time coming as his arrival was not expected and many questions would be asked. Even the mere thought of it brought dread to his heart.

"Penneth, you are home."

The young ellon glanced up and realized that in his daze he had not realized they had just entered a familiar clearing. The gates to the palace stood open and many Greenwood soldiers were stationed around it. It was clear that his adar's arrival had been anticipated. Suddenly all of his courage left the elfling.

"Êmand, I do not want to do this. Can you just take me to my room?"

Legolas cringed at how weak and childish his request sounded.

"I would do anything for you, but this I cannot guarantee," his mentor's voice was soft, "Yet, I will see what I can do."

Êmand's hand came to rest on the back of the young prince's shoulder as he began to guide him towards the gate. Upon their entry into the clearing many eldar had rushed out to greet their king and take the wounded inside to the Halls of Healing.

In the disarray that had occurred Legolas had lost sight of his adar and brother. He could only hope that neither would make a big fuss about his return. He was already embarrassed enough and was just content to be home. He did not need nor desire fanfare.

The elfling put his head down to try and let his long locks fall in front of his face to try and hide it. Several ellyn gave them a passing glance but no one stopped nor called out to him.

As they approached the gate Legolas was brought to an abrupt halt by his mentor. He looked up to see what had caused this. He suddenly found himself wrapped in someone's arms and lifted him off of the ground before he could see who it was.

"Legolas! I cannot believe it!"

Meldir's voice was loud and joyful as he swung the prince around in a bear hug. All eyes immediately turned towards them. Legolas felt his cheeks go red as the clearing at once seemed to explode into joyful shouting and calling out to him. Even the trees around the palace seemed to burst into life and sway happily at the joyful reunion. Hope was returning to the Greenwood.


Rívorn let out a low growl as he watched the reunion at the palace gate. He had thought he had sent Hethion out to kill the foolish young prince. How in arda had he managed to survive? When he found that idiotic Silvan he swore he would strangle him. The return of Legolas was going to make his plan more difficult than he had hoped.


Elvish Translations:

yrch - orcs

adar – father

muindor – brother (Sindarin)

penneth – young one