Oooo…some of you are so angry with me for leaving you guys hanging on that cliff!! Good. I love it! Cool reviews guys! I can't answer some of the questions right now because it will spoil the surprise. If there were no more surprises, how am I going to create those cliffies you like so much, right? He! He!
Ok, read on, read on…
Gandalf and the troop of elves looked on in astonishment at the chaos. They saw the villagers throwing stones at something in the middle of the courtyard. Some of the men were carrying out bows and arrows. "Kill it! Kill that beast!" Bregus was yelling to his men, throwing his arms in pure agitation.
Keldarion and the others quickly dismounted, trying to make sense out of the whole confusion. They also heard the roar of a tiger. Is the village being attack by the mad beast?
A man and a woman came forward then when they caught sight of the wizard. "Gandalf! Thank the lord you are here!" the woman cried out. "Please tell them to stop!"
Gandalf grabbed the woman's shoulders. "Calm down, Gertha. What's going on?"
Tears were streaming down her face as she said, "They are punishing my child! Bregus had sentenced him to be stoned to death!"
"Your child?" Gandalf looked up to Hasmon for explanation. As far as he knew, this couple never had a child of their own.
"We found him by the river last two days. Bregus's men had taken him from our home yesterday, saying that the elf had killed his brother, Brutus," answered Hasmon.
Keldarion's face had lost all its color. "Elf?" Pulling out his sword, the prince stormed right through the courtyard. What he saw there nearly brought him to his knees. "Legolas!!"
The tiger roared when he saw Keldarion. "Tiger?" Oblivious to the flying stones and small rocks, Keldarion rushed forward towards his brother and his pet.
"Your highness!" Linden called out in horror as he saw the prince dashed into the storm of pebbles. He quickly ordered his men to ready their bows. Like lightning, the elves nicked arrows to their bows, pulling the string taut and prepared to fire. The villagers were aware of the elves' presence then. They ceased throwing and stared at the elves in fear.
Bregus was quite intimidated, though he didn't show it. "Get away from here, elves! This is my village, my problem, not yours!"
Hearing that, Keldarion's face went absolutely expressionless. He smoothly straightened up, gripped his sword in his fist, and advanced towards the man. As he raised his sword to cut down Bregus, Gandalf called out, "Keldarion! Wait, my lord!"
The prince halted. He glared at Bregus who was now cowering in fear. The man could see how furious the tall elf was that veins stood up clearly in his slender neck. Keldarion stole a glance at Gandalf before he lowered his sword. His voice was just a low whisper, but Bregus could hear it clearly. "I'll deal with you later. I'll make you regret of ever being born."
Whirling around, Keldarion rushed back to his brother's side. Gertha and Hasmon were busy untying Legolas's bonds. Kneeling down, the crown prince gathered Legolas's limp form into his arms, staring in dismay at the amount of blood that splattered against his spotless cream-colored cloak. "Legolas? Answer me, please."
Legolas did not respond. His eyes were closed, which was a bad sign. Blood were coming out from his nose, mouth and ears, and various other parts all over his body. Gandalf knelt down beside them. "His wounds must be treated fast." The wizard frowned at Legolas's bare neck. He swiveled and walked briskly towards Bregus. "Give it back!"
"What are you talking about?"
"The silver chain, and the shining stone attached to it. I know you have it, and I want it back!"
Bregus pulled the chain out from his pocket, and reluctantly tossed it back to Gandalf. Keldarion had already stood up with Legolas cradled protectively in his arms; the broken being all bundled up in his brother's cloak. Hasmon had suggested that Legolas be brought to their dwelling for treatment.
The humans stood looking in silence and awe at the procession of elves leaving the village. Keldarion rushed towards his mount, carrying the precious bundle in his arms, murmuring consoling words in elvish all the while. He mounted gracefully, placing his brother in front of him and wrapped an arm around Legolas. "You will hang on, little brother. You're not going to die. Not this time."
Keldarion glanced down at Tiger who was never far from his master. "Tiger? Can you keep up?" The hurt tiger growled. For once, Keldarion understood the animal. "I know you would not leave your master. But if you're badly hurt, I will ask a carriage for you…" Tiger roared in annoyance. Keldarion smiled. "I guess not."
As Keldarion kicked his heels, his horse neighed and bucked up, standing tall on its rear legs in one mesmerizing moment. The prince glared dagger at Bregus and the villagers; his regal charisma clearly evident. The humans couldn't help feeling incredible fear and anxiety. Bregus already prayed for the earth to eat him whole. Landing back on its front feet, the magnificent stallion then sped of, followed by the elven warriors. Hasmon and Gertha saw it all, open-mouthed. "Gandalf, you know Legolas?" Hasmon asked.
"Indeed I do, all his life. I was there the day he was born."
"Who is Legolas, really?" Hasmon asked again in awe. "And who is that elf riding with him?"
Gandalf turned to the husband and wife that rode beside him. "That, Hasmon, is Keldarion, the crown prince of Mirkwood, Prince Legolas's older brother. They are sons of Thranduil, the king of Mirkwood."
"Prince…? Legolas is…an elf prince?" Gertha whispered in disbelief.
Gandalf raised his eyebrow. "It's just Legolas's nature, then. He never makes a great deal of his noble birth. I see that he didn't tell you about his real self."
"Actually, Legolas has lost part of his memory. He remembered his name, but he forgot everything else. He was near death when we found him, so severe his injuries were," said Hasmon. "I know that Legolas is extra special, but I never thought that he is a prince!"
"And to think that I'm adopting him; an elf prince as my own child. Silly me!" Gertha said, chuckling to herself. But Hasmon could detect a deep sadness in her voice. Her fantasy of having a son was now over.
*************
As Keldarion cradled his fading brother in front of him, his mind flew of to the numerous past occasions similar to the current situation, where he kept coming to Legolas's rescue. There was one time when Legolas had broken both his legs after falling down from the palace highest roof. Legolas was just an elfling then; full of curiosity, and wanted to know if he could fly like the eagle.
And then, there was the time when Legolas had gotten lost in the dungeons after going down there all alone. When they found him, the elfling was too weak with exhaustion and hunger after spending a whole week of terrifying darkness and loneliness.
Five years ago, the very year that they'd gotten Tiger, the younger prince had fallen victim to a hunting trap and kidnapped by the dwarves! Keldarion shook his head at his brother's prone to troubles, as if troubles follow him everywhere…or rather, he went out looking for troubles himself.
"I'm going to lecture you for worrying me like this till your ears grew tall, you hear me?" Keldarion growled, even though Legolas didn't hear him. "So you better not die!"
**************
Keldarion rubbed his stiff neck. Exhaustion started to climb up his body after spending days searching for Legolas. Now, in the middle of the night, he stay awake watching over his brother who was still unconscious. But Legolas was breathing much easier; the massive bleeding had stopped. Even some of the cuts and bruises were closing up and healing. They had treated his many wounds with the stone of Manya, submerging the healing stone in a bowl of natural water, pouring the water down Legolas's throat before using it to clean his other injuries.
Hasmon and his wife had watched in awe when the shining stone turned the water into very translucent blue. They had never seen such magic before. Keldarion had asked their help to tend to Tiger's mild injuries with the water. They were nervous at first, expecting Tiger to lunge and attack them when they got near. But Tiger lay absolutely docile during the whole treatment, lying on his stomach, staring at his master lying unmoved on the bed.
"You are tired, Kel. Why don't you go out for a spell and get some fresh air?" Gandalf suggested. He had walked in silently and saw the fatigue clouding the crown prince's face. Keldarion looked up and smiled weakly. "I can't rest until I know he's all right."
"He is going to be fine. The stone had done its work." Gandalf sat on the stool, staring at Legolas's still pale face. "Go. I'll let you know when he awakes."
Keldarion reluctantly left the room. As he walked pass the small hall, he saw Hasmon talking quietly with his wife at the dining table. Gertha was crying. The prince moved towards the couple. "I have yet to thank both of you for taking care of my brother."
They looked up. Keldarion saw Gertha's teary eyes. "Please, your highness. You don't have to thank us. We're just doing what we're supposed to do for another living being," Hasmon said, smiling in return.
"He's like a child to me," Gertha sobbed. Keldarion quickly understood the reason of her distress then. He knelt down besides her, taking her hand and kissed it gently. "Indeed he is. He's lucky to finally receive the love of a mother. Our own mother died while giving birth to him."
Gertha's eyes widened. "Oh, that poor dear." Keldarion wanted to say more but Gandalf suddenly appeared at the doorway then. "Kel, he has awakened...and his memory has returned."
Keldarion rushed back to the room, with Hasmon and Gertha trailing behind him. They crowded inside, watching in relief at Legolas who was struggling to sit up. Legolas smiled when he saw his brother. "Kel."
Keldarion had never felt so happy to see his brother smiling back at him like that. He's going to be fine, thank the Valar. But then as fatigue finally took over, he started to feel such anger and exasperation at Legolas for getting himself nearly killed. Again.
Instead of rushing to hug his brother as he had longed to do, Keldarion stood straighter and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at his brother with cold eyes. "So, you had fun?"
Legolas's smile faltered. "Wh…what?" The others were looking on anxiously at Keldarion's changed demeanor.
"I asked; did you have fun worrying us? Again?"
Legolas blinked and stared back at Keldarion in uncertainty. "Kel…"
"Can you imagine how worried we were? How many times have I told you to be extra careful when you go venturing into the woods? Did you even listen to me?" Keldarion threw his hands in the air, his voice getting higher and more agitated. "I can't believe you led us through this again! You knew we have trouble with the beast in the woods! You knew the humans are looking for a tiger! Did you stay inside the palace with your pet to stay out of risk? No, you did not! You actually went out looking for them, dragging your friend here along!" Tiger actually hid his face under his front paws, cowering.
Legolas lowered his head in guilt, feeling like a disobedient child. He never saw Keldarion so angry before. His brother's face was near purple, and his cobalt blue eyes had gone darker.
"I'm tired of worrying myself to death over you, Legolas! I'm tired of going out searching for you, not knowing whether I'll find you dead or alive! I'm tired of losing you again and again! Do you understand me?!!!" Keldarion yelled to his brother's face. Legolas slowly nodded. He did not dare looked up or he'll start crying like a babe.
Keldarion looked away and saw the stunned expressions on Hasmon and Gertha's faces. Gandalf was looking at the two brothers in thoughtful silence. Sighing heavily, Keldarion ran down a hand over his tired face. He took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down.
He turned back around and sat on the edge of the bed, facing his brother. Legolas's lips were trembling, his fists clenching the blanket desperately. "Look at me," Keldarion spoke softly, tipping up his brother's chin with the tip of his finger. "Come here."
Legolas need no more asking. He flung himself into Keldarion's opened arms and the two brothers clung to each other, tears streaming down their cheeks. "I'm sorry," Legolas whispered in a broken voice.
"Shh…quiet. Don't say a thing. I'm just glad you'll be all right. Forgive me for that outburst. I was so worried." Keldarion rubbed his brother's back comfortingly. Now that he's assured that Legolas will recover, Keldarion asked, "How in middle earth did you manage to entangle yourself in this kind of trouble? Did you really kill a man?"
Legolas looked up to his brother; regret flashing in his eyes. "I remember it all now. The man tried to kill Tiger; shooting him with arrow. I did the first thing that came to mind; I threw my dagger at him." He shook his head, staring down at his hands. "I really did kill him, Kel. I should've aimed for his hand or his arm or anywhere that would not kill him. But I aimed for his heart instead. I wasn't thinking. Well, you know how much faster my hands are than my brain," Legolas added sheepishly.
Keldarion laughed. "Actually, everything is much faster than your brain!" Legolas glared at his brother for a moment, before he lunged at him. The brothers dropped to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs, their famous wrestling match in session. Tiger jumped all over them in his excitement to join the tussle. Gandalf and the others looked on in amusement, even Gertha. She laughed through her tears of joy. She was happy for the reuniting brothers, even though she knew that Legolas would soon be leaving her.
Linden, the guard commander, suddenly burst inside. "Your highnesses! The beast is attacking the village!"
TBC…
