Hi guys. ;)
This is literally a post and run—I really shouldn't even be ON this thing—but I figured that I'd made you all wait long enough…and I didn't know when I'd have another chance to do this. So be happy. *g*
A big thanks goes to everyone for reviewing! We love all you guys!
Only one more left to go after this…but remember again that this is the first of a series, so technically this is only the beginning, NOT the end.
Thanks for sticking with us and giving us all your support and encouragement, we appreciate it so much!
And now…on to the chapter! Hope you enjoy!
Three days had passed since Feaear had disappeared, and still Legolas tried to avoid his father. Malelee had spent time with him, but now he just wanted to be alone. Collecting his bow from his room he sat outside on top of a log, carving into it carefully with a small knife. With a sigh he held it up in front of him, examining the battered piece of wood. //It was horrible,// he thought dully to himself.
"My, what a nice bow you've got there."
The voice startled Legolas out of his reverie, and he turned to see Arrcryliss coming into the clearing. "Did you make that yourself?" he questioned.
Legolas nodded. "My mother helped me some," he muttered under his breath. At the thought of her tears built up in his eyes, threatening to fall.
Arrcryliss knelt beside him, placing a hand on his back. "All will be well young one. Do not despair."
Legolas gave him a curious look, but he did not answer as Arrcryliss rose, leaving Legolas alone once more. He let out a frustrated sigh, and turned back to work on his bow. //He would find out what happened,// he vowed silently.
~*~*~
With a final tug, Legolas pulled the flower from the firm soil. Brushing away the excess dirt and leaves he placed it in the basket, next to the others. He had given up on his bow some time ago, turning instead to pick the purple flowers. The ones in the sitting room were wilting now.
His hands hurt from the constant pulling, and he was getting tired and hungry, but he stayed at his task. By nightfall he had filled the basket full of the vibrant flowers, and he carried it back to the palace.
Once inside he made his way up to his room, changing into his nightclothes before heading back downstairs. His father was still hard at work; a dim light came from the study. He could hear voices coming from the room, and they belonged to his father and someone else. It was not strange for his father to have visitors. Sometimes the entire room in front was full of strange Elves from Rivendell or Lorien.
Legolas made his way to the sitting room, carrying the basket of flowers by his side. Climbing on the couch he reached the vase carefully. The last thing he wanted to do was to break it. It was his mother's favorite.
Legolas wiped away a tear that was sliding down his cheek as he pulled out the dead flowers. Collecting a handful of fresh ones he dropped them lightly in the vase. He smiled to himself as he placed it back on top of the table. It was just like his mother would have done.
With a sigh he sank back down on the couch, pulling a small blanket around his shoulders. As he fell into a relaxed sleep, his thoughts and dreams were that of his mother, and that one day, he would see her again.
~*~*~
"My Lord, you have not been from your work since the incident. You must get out, breathe the fresh air," Arrcryliss advised Thranduil.
He stood near the window of the Elven Lord's study. The Elven King, a dear friend of his, still sat at his desk, working on reports he should had finished long ago. Arrcryliss could tell his friend was grieving, and why, but he dared not breathe a single word of what he had done.
Thranduil sighed wearily. "Do not bother me Arrcryliss, I have much work to do."
"My Lord, you grow weary. I have seen you. You hardly eat; the cooks take food up to you, but the amount on your tray does not diminish when they bring it back to the kitchens. The light in your room never ceases. Take a rest, it will do more good than harm, I assure you."
"And what, pray tell, do you know?" Thranduil asked, his voice starting to rise in anger and irritation.
Arrcryliss knelt besides his desk, placing a hand on top of his. "You are my friend, and I will not stand to see you act like this. Come, walk with me. Do this as we once did, long ago when we were still children."
Thranduil glanced out the window. "At this hour?" he questioned curiously.
"Night is sometimes the best time for a walk," Arrcryliss informed.
Thranduil sighed, looking down upon his work. He still had much to do, for it was true that he had not been working constantly. Many times he found himself looking out of the window, where his thoughts would drift to Feaear. First they were always sad, but then they flared when he remembered what she had done. But now a single question was beginning to enter his mind. What had she done?
He glanced over at Arrcryliss, who still knelt by his side. "You won't be satisfied otherwise, will you?"
Arrcryliss laughed. "Let me fetch my coat from the sitting room."
"I will accompany you there. If I'm right that is where my coat lies as well."
The two Elves made their way down the hallway, and paused before the door. Thranduil sighed, smiling sadly. Legolas still lay curled up on the couch, his quiet breathing filling the room.
"Let me get him to bed, wait for me here," Thranduil told him, gently scooping up the young Elfling in his arms.
Arrcryliss nodded as he left the room. As the king placed the young Elf on his bed, Thranduil stroked Legolas' bruised cheek lightly. He felt tears threatening to fall. Thranduil had not meant to hit him. His only son was dear to him. He had not stopped to think about how his one decision would affect his son. He pulled the covers up around Legolas' chin, and he kissed his son on the forehead before leaving.
~*~*~
The forest was quiet, and it seemed as if he was the only one out there. But Legolas knew that the hunting party would be returning soon. His father kept meat stored in the basements below, so that they would always have food ready, in case a big feast came up. It had happened before, plenty of times, and Legolas knew that the bins were nearly empty now.
In the distance Legolas could hear the birds singing, bringing him thoughts of the young birds he and his mother had found homes for. He watched the sky as a group of sparrows flew overhead and, and he found himself thinking once again of his mother.
"I wonder if I'll ever get to see them again, when they are bigger?"
"Perhaps my son, perhaps."
Maybe they were out there…
"The hour draws late, why have you yet to return home young one?"
Legolas looked up suddenly from where he sat. He was so lost in his thoughts that he did not even hear the Elven warrior approach. "I do not wish to return home, not yet."
"What about your father, will he not worry?"
Legolas shook his head. "Nay, he knows that I am out here."
The warrior seemed as if he was going to say more, but another voice called out to him. Arrcryliss then came into the clearing, stopping suddenly when he saw the two.
"Legolas, my Prince, this is such an odd hour to see you out. How do you fair?"
"I am well Arrcryliss. I was just thinking, that is all."
Arrcryliss smiled sadly. Legolas was acting far above his age, and it was something he had been doing ever since his mother had left. He sighed inwardly. He knew the promise he had made, but he could not help the feeling that was swirling inside of him. He had to do something.
"Rantaello, go ahead and go back to your family for the night, I will finish packing away the meat."
The Elven warrior nodded, and told him as he left, "Take care then my friend."
Arrcryliss turned to Legolas, who still sat on the boulder near a tree. "Would you care to help me?"
Legolas nodded. It was not what he cared for, but at least it would give him something to do. Although Legolas could not carry most of the meat due to its weight, he was able to carry small pieces, and he held the doors open while Arrcryliss packed them away.
Once finished, Arrcryliss turned to Legolas. "Come with me. There is something I want to show you," he told him, holding out his hand.
Legolas grasped it firmly as the Elven warrior led him into the woods.
~*~*~
[When destiny calls you, you must be strong
I may not be with you, but you've got to hold on]These woods were unfamiliar to him, but it seemed as if Arrcryliss had been here before. He led the young Elfling easily over the forest floor, taking care to see if they were being followed.
"Were are we going?" Legolas asked quietly.
"You will see, just hush right now. You must try to make as little noise as possible. These woods are not at all friendly."
At that statement Legolas took a step closer to the Elf. Arrcryliss noted it and smiled to himself. Legolas was unsure of where they were going, or what the Elven warrior had in mind, but all of his thoughts were suddenly lost as they reached the top of the small hill.
Breaking away easily from Arrcryliss the young Elf ran toward the being in front of him. Hearing the sounds of company, Feaear turned to see Legolas racing toward her.
"Atara!" he cried, running into the open arms.
Feaear lifted her son up, holding him closely.
"Oh my Legolas," she whispered, embracing him gently. "I never thought I'd get to see you again."
Arrcryliss stood at a distance, his hands folded before him as a light smile pulled at his lips. "My lady, I am sorry, I know you said not to bring him, but I could not resist. He was so heartbroken."
"Nay Arrcryliss. I am glad of your actions. I know not how I can thank you for this," she told him.
Legolas pulled back then so he would be able to look at his mother. "Why didn't you come back? Don't you love me anymore?"
"Oh Legolas, I love you with all my heart, and I love your father as well. You need to listen to me, you understand?"
Legolas nodded.
"I have to leave. This place that I am going is very far away, and I won't be able to see you anymore, at least not for a very long time."
"Where are you going? Can't I come with you?"
Feaear shook her head, and told him sadly, "No my son, it is not your time. I am going to the Valinor. One day you too will sail there, and I will be waiting. I promise. Do you understand?"
Legolas nodded, wrapping his arms around her neck. "I think so," he muttered under his breath. Suddenly he pulled back again. "Atara, what is that?" he questioned, pointing over her shoulder.
Feaear turned and smiled gently. "That is a ship my son."
"It's pretty," Legolas told her.
The ship was a fair size and now it stood nearly complete. The moonlight washed over it, adding an almost silver touch to it.
"Yes it is," Feaear told him, smiling.
~*~*~
It was hours later, and Arrcryliss stepped nearer to Feaear. The Elf still held her son, rocking him gently as she sang. He had fallen asleep long ago, and he now lay nestled in her arms.
"My lady. The hour now draws into morning. I am sure Thranduil is looking for him. It is time, we must head back."
Feaear nodded. She did not wish to let go of her son, but she knew in her heart that it was the best for him. She sighed heavily as her fingers flicked across the bruise that was still barely visible on his cheek.
"Watch over him for me Arrcryliss," she told him, handing Legolas over.
Arrcryliss nodded. "I will my lady. May your trip to the Valinor be safe, and may you find peace at last. Farewell."
"Namaarie, fair warrior, and many thanks for all you have done." Gazing down at the still sleeping form of Legolas in the arms of the warrior, she brushed back a strand of his golden hair from his face and whispered to him, "Until next we meet, my son."
TBC
