I would like to apologise for this chapter being very short, and very late. I often drive behind another car that is going very slowly, and wonder if there is a reason for the car going so slowly. Well, there is always a reason, but there is almost never a very good reason. Same with this story.

Disclaimer: The idea of the void belongs to Robert Jordan.

To: The Reviewer, without whom this chapter would ever have appeared.

The lost Heir

Chapter 4: An Idea

Legolas reached the archery range only slightly out of breath. Quivering with excitement he scarcely glanced at the vast expanses of grassland that covered this part of the village. For once he was not left breathless at sight of the looming mountains on the horizon. Nor did he feel the sense comerady from those who trained around him.

He had found it. Something none before him had ever thought about. The road to being the ultimate archer. A way to shoot two arrows at once. To hit two targets with one shot.

Still shaking with excitement he took two arrows from his quiver and removed a feather from each. He placed both in the bowstring, the one notched between his index and middle finger and the other between his middle and ring finger. It was a clumsy hold, but one that could be perfected with practice.

Before he released the arrows, Legolas formed a single flame in his mind. Concentrating only on the flame, he fed all of his emotions to it, until it disappeared into a void, with even thought on the outside. He was one with the arrows, one with the bow. One with the ground. One with the two targets. He did not even feel the arrows leave the bow.

Time and motion seemed to slow. For what felt like an eternity the arrows flew straight, propelled forward by the force of the bow. They moved towards the center of the two targets, and at that moment Legolas knew the meaning of defeat. Then, ever so slowly, they began to lose momentum and turn, both to the left.

Disappointment quivered through the void on waves of light as Legolas watched the arrows reach only the one target. One of them missed it completely, while the other stood quivering on the wood – a proclamation to the world that he had missed. From the first time Legolas had held a bow in his hands, his arrows had always found the bulls-eye. But not this time. This time even he had failed.

Shaking his head, Legolas fed all his thoughts and disappointment to the flame. The void took him again, and a sense of calm returned. He could feel the particles of air move as the men around him shook their heads in amusement. Without thought he tried again, holding the arrows slightly different than he had the first time.

A shocked silence enveloped the training field as both the arrows stood quivering in their respective targets. He had scored two perfect hits.

****

Kari watched regretfully as her husband paced around the room, muttering to himself under his breath. She had always believed that she could curb his temper. In her youth she had believed that she could somehow still the anger that seemed ready to boil over at any time. For a short while she had succeeded, but the fire in his eyes had always been there. His temper had been like a bound lion, subdued for the moment, but always ready to pounce when the opportunity presented itself to it. And the opportunity had come when she had failed to bring him a living child into the world.

He did not blame her. That she knew as certainly as she knew that she would never bear a child again. And his love for her was still as strong as hers was for him. But it was Legolas who kept him alive. Legolas was the reason why he got up in the mornings. Why he tried to renew his strength at night. He was the reason why Frumgar had conquered these lands. And yet, Legolas could never be King of Éothéod. He was the son of a King, who had no claim to his throne.

She almost laughed out loud at the futility of it all.

Frumgar turned when he heard the sound behind him. His expression softened when he saw who had intruded on his thoughts. Kari was as beautiful as she had been when he had first laid eyes on her. She had always had a calming influence on him. She was the gentle breeze that floated through the termoiled waters of his soul. *She should be more than a queen* he thought ruefully. *She should be a mother. Oh, if only I could have brought her a child*

He did not voice his thoughts, knowing that they would only bring her pain. "A King's word should be law." he muttered instead.

"And so it is." She raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him to show that she did not know what he meant, while in her heart she knew exactly what was ailing him.

He sighed. "Then why can't I change what is to be?"

The pain and resignation in his voice hurt Kari even more than the anger she had previously witnessed. She took his hands and said softly: "But you can. You have always had the power to change it. Can't you see that even though you can't ease my pain, if you ease your own, my heart will be lighter? "

"I know what you would say, and it would seem like wisdom, but… but you know that I can't." He searched her face, looking for a sign that she understood. That she understood that what she suggested would be the worst kind of betrayal.

Kari returned his gaze searching for understanding in the vast oceans of his blue eyes. When neither of them found what they were looking for, she stood up, and kissed his brow. "I plea for you to reconsider. I will await your answer."

She knew that she would never receive the answer she was hoping for, but she also knew for the first time in years what she must do. He would see it as betrayal, but it would be an even worse treachery if she went against what her heart told her.

***

"Well done, Legolas!"

One of the young men clapped him on his back, as yet another two arrows stood embedded in the targets. Legolas had surpassed his previous record, managing to cut the sheaths of the arrows that had previously occupied that spot.

The young man, Etret, notched his previously prepared arrows and took aim. Legolas stopped him. "You're not holding them correctly. Remember what I told you, position is everything."

He went over to Etret and changed the position of the arrows slightly. Standing back he nodded in approval. Etret fired, missing the two targets completely. He threw the bow down in disgust "If I hadn't seen you do it, I would not have believed it possible."

Getting only a grin in response he added: "You might be the best on the archery range, but I can still beat you with a sword."

"Do you feel like proving that?" Legolas smiled, accepting the challenge.

Without any further conversation they both took their bows and began walking towards the practicing area.

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OK, that's it for now. Didn't want you guys to think that I've given up on the story.

Thanks to all of my reviewer:

Himalayan-Rex: You're new, and it is always nice to have new people read your stories. Thanks for taking the time to write a review.

Princess Istawen: No, It's not over. It hasn't even started yet ;) But I'm still waiting for you to update your story!

Arwen Tinuviel: Thanks again for your constant support. Sorry once again for such a short chapter, but it was either this or nothing.

Strawberry Chick: No, you are not alone. I am a procastinator as well ;) Thank you for being one of the nice people who always makes me feel better about mysel.f

Ophelia: I don't think that people realise how difficult it is to find a story again if you don't have it in your review box. That's why I appreciate anonomous reviewers who come back almost more than the signed reviewers. Thanks for your support.

Last, but not least ;) The reviewer. Thanks for not gining up hope for another chapter even when everyone else did. You did not irritate me with your e-mails and reviews. Thanks again, it is people like you who makes new stories and chapters appear on ff.net.