A/N: Don't own it, don't sue. You should all know this by now.
Memories
Legolas paced around the dark cell. He could barely believe what his father had done. No, he could believe it. His father had always been the type to go to such extremes to protect those he loved. He had failed thrice, apparently he wouldn't fail again. Not with his last son at stake. Legolas sat upon the bench that jutted out from the wall and put his head in his hands. He had tried to block the memories of that horrible day from his mind, but they were still there. They would always be there along with the unbearable regret. Legolas' mind wandered back to that day so many years ago...
**Flashback**
The battle had been raging for what seemed like forever. Legolas was exhausted. How long had the fighting been going on? He remembered how excited he was to fight for his father along with his brothers. He and Ethuilas had never been allowed to fight in an actual battle before. Then again, there hadn't been any major battles to fight in. Only Firithlas, their elder brother could recall any such battle. Now all he wanted was to leave. To go back home to Mirkwood and see his beautiful mother whom was waiting for them. She hadn't wanted any of her sons to go. "A fight for treasure is a waste of life," she had said. And she should know. She had been there when Feanor decided to make war for jewels. She knew the consequences of such things. But in the end she had relented to her husband's desire to have all his sons by his side. Now Legolas wished she had not.
Another wave of orcs came at the elves. Ethuilas had stayed close to Legolas throughout the fight. His dark hair was mussed, but that did not detract from the set look in his eyes.
"Ready for them again Legolas?" he asked.
Legolas only nodded as he raised his sword and took on the onslaught with his kin. The swords clashed, black and red blood mixed on the ground, screams pierced the air, and at some point Legolas and Ethuilas became separated. Legolas looked for his little brother as he fought. There! Surrounded by orcs! Ethuilas had an arrow sticking out of his right arm and was now fighting with his left. He was wearing down. Legolas fought his way to get to him. Ethuilas would not last long without help. On the other side Legolas saw Firithlas coming to his brother's aid as well. The brothers crashed down upon the orcs together, hacking off heads and other orcs parts as they went.
"You didn't have to do that you two!" Ethuilas called stubbornly to them as they fought.
Legolas went to his brother's side as Firithlas held off the orcs. Other elves had seen their plight and were coming as well.
"Legolas get Ethuilas out of here now!" shouted Firithlas.
"Not without you!" Legolas shouted back.
"I can still fight!" yelled Ethuilas.
"I don't care! Go!"
Legolas took Ethuilas by his arm. "Come on. We'll get that arrow out of your arm and then you can fight again."
Ethuilas resigned to this and the brothers fought there way to someplace safe where they could quickly take care of Ethuilas' arm. Legolas took one last look at Firithlas. He was still fighting with the orcs with several of their people and some men. "He'll be fine," Legolas thought to himself. It would be the last time that Legolas would see his elder brother alive.
As Legolas and Ethuilas fought they became surrounded again by orcs. Ethuilas fought as best he could with his injured arm as Legolas finally got out his bow and arrow and started shooting all who came towards them. He looked back to see how Firithlas was fairing. It all happened in slow motion to Legolas' eyes. He saw the orc coming towards Firithlas. He saw it raise its foul scimitar aiming for Firithlas' side. He fired an arrow, but it was not soon enough. The scimitar connected with Firithlas who fell just as the arrow hit the orc. Legolas did not even think as he ran towards his brother. But it was too late. Orcs had started to hack at Firithlas' fallen body. Legolas ripped them off and killed the spawn of Morgoth who defiled his brother. The image was too terrible to bear. Firithlas stared up into emptiness, his arm had been dismembered but his hand still clutched his sword. Legolas had failed to save his brother. It was only then that he remembered Ethuilas. How could he have left him! Legolas turned and began to fight his way back to him, but he could not see Ethuilas anywhere. When he got to where he had last seen Ethuilas, he was on the ground still fighting, but was having terrible difficulty. Legolas fired arrows at the attacking orcs who fell like flies. But one orc fell right on top of Ethuilas its scimitar running straight through him.
"NO!" Legolas shouted. He ran to Ethuilas, shoving the orc of his brother. Ethuilas' eyes were wide with shock. A thin rivulet of blood trailed from his mouth.
"Legolas," he whispered.
"I'm sorry Ethuilas, I'm sorry." But Legolas was more then sorry, be would have done anything at that moment to save Ethuilas. But nothing could be done. Ethuilas grabbed Legolas' arm and held tight till his wound took him from this life.
**End flashback**
Legolas shook his head, driving the memories away back to that corner of his mind where no one could find them. It had been even worse when he and his father had returned to Mirkwood. Luinelen had cast herself upon the bodies of her fallen sons, weeping and screaming for them to return to her while simultaneously cursing Thranduil for taking her sons to their deaths. Luinelen left for the Undying Lands shortly after her sons' funerals.
Legolas was shaken out of all his painful memories as the door to his cell was opened. Thranduil came in and sat next to his son.
"Why are you here?" Legolas asked.
"To tell you news of your... others," Thranduil said carefully. He refused to say "wife" or "daughter."
"What have you done to them?" Legolas shot up and glared at his father. If Thranduil had done anything to Arathia and Miriel he swore in Elbereth's name he would kill him.
"Done? I have done nothing to them!" the King replied. "I simply sent out knights to find these intruders to the Wood and escort them out."
"What did you do?" Legolas shouted. His hands clenched and unclenched.
"I told you, I have done nothing to them," Thranduil replied calmly. "How could I? The knights reported to me that no one was found in their house. It seems that they have left without you." Thranduil stood up and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "The love of mortals is fleeting. They cannot truly love. Forget this mortal. If she loved you, the knights would have found her."
Legolas shrugged off Thranduil's hand. "You're a liar," he spat out. "Arathia would never leave without me."
"But she has my son. And if you do not believe me, I will allow Thalionsul to come and tell you. He led the knights. And after all he is your best friend. Shall I allow him to speak with you? He's waiting outside."
Legolas could not believe it. Thalionsul had never lied to Legolas, so whatever he told him would be the truth. Legolas nodded his head numbly.
"Very well," Thranduil replied. He left the cell then and a moment later Thalionsul appeared.
"Is it true mellon?" asked Legolas, "Does my father speak the truth?"
Thalionsul spoke in a whisper. "Arathia and Miriel are gone, but only on my council. Your father told me to drive them into the forest so orcs or the spiders would kill them. I warned them of what I would have to do and counseled them to flee to Lothlorien. They are on their way their now and will wait for you their until you can join them. The knights think they did as they were commanded for Calawen pretended to be Arathia. Believe me my friend, Arathia and Miriel are safe and Arathia loves you still. She would not have left without you if necessity had not forced her to."
Legolas breathed a sight of relief. "Thank you Thalionsul. Thank you forever. Thank Calawen for me as well."
"I will," he replied and left.
Legolas put a grim face back on before Thranduil returned to his cell. "Now do you believe me my son?"
Legolas nodded. "I am sorry my son. I hope you have learned from this. I still do not wish for you to leave this cell just yet. I want you to reflect on what has happened. When you are done, you may be freed."
With that Thranduil left. Legolas sat down on the bench with a sigh. Arathia and Miriel were headed towards safety. Arathia still loved him. He prayed that no ill would befall them on the road to Lorien.
TBC...
Memories
Legolas paced around the dark cell. He could barely believe what his father had done. No, he could believe it. His father had always been the type to go to such extremes to protect those he loved. He had failed thrice, apparently he wouldn't fail again. Not with his last son at stake. Legolas sat upon the bench that jutted out from the wall and put his head in his hands. He had tried to block the memories of that horrible day from his mind, but they were still there. They would always be there along with the unbearable regret. Legolas' mind wandered back to that day so many years ago...
**Flashback**
The battle had been raging for what seemed like forever. Legolas was exhausted. How long had the fighting been going on? He remembered how excited he was to fight for his father along with his brothers. He and Ethuilas had never been allowed to fight in an actual battle before. Then again, there hadn't been any major battles to fight in. Only Firithlas, their elder brother could recall any such battle. Now all he wanted was to leave. To go back home to Mirkwood and see his beautiful mother whom was waiting for them. She hadn't wanted any of her sons to go. "A fight for treasure is a waste of life," she had said. And she should know. She had been there when Feanor decided to make war for jewels. She knew the consequences of such things. But in the end she had relented to her husband's desire to have all his sons by his side. Now Legolas wished she had not.
Another wave of orcs came at the elves. Ethuilas had stayed close to Legolas throughout the fight. His dark hair was mussed, but that did not detract from the set look in his eyes.
"Ready for them again Legolas?" he asked.
Legolas only nodded as he raised his sword and took on the onslaught with his kin. The swords clashed, black and red blood mixed on the ground, screams pierced the air, and at some point Legolas and Ethuilas became separated. Legolas looked for his little brother as he fought. There! Surrounded by orcs! Ethuilas had an arrow sticking out of his right arm and was now fighting with his left. He was wearing down. Legolas fought his way to get to him. Ethuilas would not last long without help. On the other side Legolas saw Firithlas coming to his brother's aid as well. The brothers crashed down upon the orcs together, hacking off heads and other orcs parts as they went.
"You didn't have to do that you two!" Ethuilas called stubbornly to them as they fought.
Legolas went to his brother's side as Firithlas held off the orcs. Other elves had seen their plight and were coming as well.
"Legolas get Ethuilas out of here now!" shouted Firithlas.
"Not without you!" Legolas shouted back.
"I can still fight!" yelled Ethuilas.
"I don't care! Go!"
Legolas took Ethuilas by his arm. "Come on. We'll get that arrow out of your arm and then you can fight again."
Ethuilas resigned to this and the brothers fought there way to someplace safe where they could quickly take care of Ethuilas' arm. Legolas took one last look at Firithlas. He was still fighting with the orcs with several of their people and some men. "He'll be fine," Legolas thought to himself. It would be the last time that Legolas would see his elder brother alive.
As Legolas and Ethuilas fought they became surrounded again by orcs. Ethuilas fought as best he could with his injured arm as Legolas finally got out his bow and arrow and started shooting all who came towards them. He looked back to see how Firithlas was fairing. It all happened in slow motion to Legolas' eyes. He saw the orc coming towards Firithlas. He saw it raise its foul scimitar aiming for Firithlas' side. He fired an arrow, but it was not soon enough. The scimitar connected with Firithlas who fell just as the arrow hit the orc. Legolas did not even think as he ran towards his brother. But it was too late. Orcs had started to hack at Firithlas' fallen body. Legolas ripped them off and killed the spawn of Morgoth who defiled his brother. The image was too terrible to bear. Firithlas stared up into emptiness, his arm had been dismembered but his hand still clutched his sword. Legolas had failed to save his brother. It was only then that he remembered Ethuilas. How could he have left him! Legolas turned and began to fight his way back to him, but he could not see Ethuilas anywhere. When he got to where he had last seen Ethuilas, he was on the ground still fighting, but was having terrible difficulty. Legolas fired arrows at the attacking orcs who fell like flies. But one orc fell right on top of Ethuilas its scimitar running straight through him.
"NO!" Legolas shouted. He ran to Ethuilas, shoving the orc of his brother. Ethuilas' eyes were wide with shock. A thin rivulet of blood trailed from his mouth.
"Legolas," he whispered.
"I'm sorry Ethuilas, I'm sorry." But Legolas was more then sorry, be would have done anything at that moment to save Ethuilas. But nothing could be done. Ethuilas grabbed Legolas' arm and held tight till his wound took him from this life.
**End flashback**
Legolas shook his head, driving the memories away back to that corner of his mind where no one could find them. It had been even worse when he and his father had returned to Mirkwood. Luinelen had cast herself upon the bodies of her fallen sons, weeping and screaming for them to return to her while simultaneously cursing Thranduil for taking her sons to their deaths. Luinelen left for the Undying Lands shortly after her sons' funerals.
Legolas was shaken out of all his painful memories as the door to his cell was opened. Thranduil came in and sat next to his son.
"Why are you here?" Legolas asked.
"To tell you news of your... others," Thranduil said carefully. He refused to say "wife" or "daughter."
"What have you done to them?" Legolas shot up and glared at his father. If Thranduil had done anything to Arathia and Miriel he swore in Elbereth's name he would kill him.
"Done? I have done nothing to them!" the King replied. "I simply sent out knights to find these intruders to the Wood and escort them out."
"What did you do?" Legolas shouted. His hands clenched and unclenched.
"I told you, I have done nothing to them," Thranduil replied calmly. "How could I? The knights reported to me that no one was found in their house. It seems that they have left without you." Thranduil stood up and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "The love of mortals is fleeting. They cannot truly love. Forget this mortal. If she loved you, the knights would have found her."
Legolas shrugged off Thranduil's hand. "You're a liar," he spat out. "Arathia would never leave without me."
"But she has my son. And if you do not believe me, I will allow Thalionsul to come and tell you. He led the knights. And after all he is your best friend. Shall I allow him to speak with you? He's waiting outside."
Legolas could not believe it. Thalionsul had never lied to Legolas, so whatever he told him would be the truth. Legolas nodded his head numbly.
"Very well," Thranduil replied. He left the cell then and a moment later Thalionsul appeared.
"Is it true mellon?" asked Legolas, "Does my father speak the truth?"
Thalionsul spoke in a whisper. "Arathia and Miriel are gone, but only on my council. Your father told me to drive them into the forest so orcs or the spiders would kill them. I warned them of what I would have to do and counseled them to flee to Lothlorien. They are on their way their now and will wait for you their until you can join them. The knights think they did as they were commanded for Calawen pretended to be Arathia. Believe me my friend, Arathia and Miriel are safe and Arathia loves you still. She would not have left without you if necessity had not forced her to."
Legolas breathed a sight of relief. "Thank you Thalionsul. Thank you forever. Thank Calawen for me as well."
"I will," he replied and left.
Legolas put a grim face back on before Thranduil returned to his cell. "Now do you believe me my son?"
Legolas nodded. "I am sorry my son. I hope you have learned from this. I still do not wish for you to leave this cell just yet. I want you to reflect on what has happened. When you are done, you may be freed."
With that Thranduil left. Legolas sat down on the bench with a sigh. Arathia and Miriel were headed towards safety. Arathia still loved him. He prayed that no ill would befall them on the road to Lorien.
TBC...