Author's note: It was pointed out to me that Elrond's wife did not die, but
she instead went to the Undying Lands. I knew that somewhere in the recess
of my Tolkien knowledge, but missed it last chapter. Anyway, there you have
it, what ACTUALLY happened. PS. I still need a name for my series. Also, no
one knows exactly how old Legolas is, my interpretation here is just one of
the theories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Soft sunlight filtered through the window, cascading the bed in a warm glow. Its inhabitant rolled over, groaning softly.
Legolas let his eyes open slowly. It had felt so nice to sleep again in Rivendell, a place so safe and peaceful to him. It was more of a home to him than Mirkwood was.
He glanced out the window where the sun had barely risen above the horizon. The hour was still early, and the prince doubted that anyone else in Elrond's house was yet awake. Still, he was used to rising early in his own home, and he knew there was no use in trying to fall back asleep.
He rubbed a hand over his face, wiping the remnants of weariness from his eyes. He readied himself quickly, then silently opened his door and wandered towards the library.
He smiled to himself upon reaching his destination. He remembered being there as a small child, and staring at the collection of books in awe. His own father had a limited number of books, most of which had been his wife's, Legolas mother. He would not allow his son to read any of them, mostly because it was too painful for him.
Elrond had countless shelves filled with books on every topic from traveling to fantasy stories. They were easy to access, almost welcoming in a way.
He walked towards the bookcase farthest to the left and skimmed the titles. His fingers finally closed on a story he had heard read many times in the elf lord's castle. Breathing deep, he searched for one page in particular.
"You always were mesmerized by these books."
Legolas, startled, nearly dropped the book in his hands. He smiled. "I did not think you would be awake."
"I wasn't until just a few moments ago."
"Then I suppose you awoke the same time I did." Legolas moved to a chair by the window, his finger delicately holding his place in the book.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you came here. Did you sleep well?"
"I did, Lord Elrond. Thank you."
"There is no need to thank me. Do you find solace in these books?"
Legolas paused; the question surprised him. He finally nodded slowly. "I always did. They are not mere books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. They are a person's most valuable friend. They let you use them whenever you need, and they wait patiently for you, holding your spot, until you return to them at your leisure."
Elrond was smiling.
"I'm sorry," Legolas said, shaking his head. "That must sound so childish."
"No, it doesn't. I felt the same way about them until I met my wife. I'll admit, after she was gone, I found solace in these books again. I understand you."
He locked eyes with Legolas, communicating the true meaning to his last statement. The prince did not respond, so Elrond continued. "You have in you your past, shut like the leaves of a book, known to you by heart. Let your friends read more than just the title, Legolas. Let them past your title."
Lord Elrond, in his infinite wisdom, had connected with Legolas. He had opened the prince up, if just for a second, and broke down the wall that the elf had built around himself. He could see it in the young one's eyes. But just as quickly as it had been torn down, the wall grew to its original height. Elrond smiled to himself, though. If nothing else, he had taken out a brick, and that was a start. He knew that Aragorn would help him breach the wall. It would be a long process, but he had faith in his son.
"Shall we wake the others?" The elf lord asked cheerfully, rising from his seat.
Legolas looked at the book in his hands. "Yes."
Elrond sighed. "You may have that book, if it so pleases you."
Legolas' head shot up. "Are you sure, my lord?"
Elrond smiled and nodded. "Now let's go. You have a long day ahead of you, if I know my sons at all."
Legolas rose from the chair slowly, following the elf lord into the hall. Aragorn met them from his doorway, yawning.
"A bit too early for you?"
Aragorn narrowed his eyes at Legolas. "Why in the name of Middle-Earth are you awake this early?"
Legolas laughed at the grogginess in his friend's voice. "I'm used to being up this early. Father requires it."
"Oh." He nodded at the book Legolas held. His finger still held he page he had been searching.
"Looking for something in particular?"
"Aye, i nangweth," came the reply.
Aragorn yawned again. "The answer to what?"
"Just the answer." Legolas looked up at the sound of a thud and started laughing.
"Hey, that wasn't funny," the human was distractedly rubbing his face.
"Most people walk through doorways, human. Not into them."
Elrond poked his head back into the hallways. "What did you do, Estel?"
"Nothing," he grumbled. "You two should not be up this early. It should be against the law."
"I'll bring that up at the next counsel, Estel." The elf lord looked at Legolas, smiled, then disappeared into the great hall again.
"Where are we going today, Strider?"
"Going? Whatever do you mean?" It was evident that he was still angry about his run in with the wall.
"Well, every time I come here, I am whisked away into some adventure. So. where are we going today?"
"Don't you remember the last time you were here? Perhaps those adventures are not what you should most look forward too."
Legolas sat down in a nearby chair. Aragorn paid him little heed. "That last time I was here gained us both a friendship that otherwise would not have been."
Aragorn sighed, a slumped into a chair next to his friend. "Yeah, yeah. I hate when you're right. Well, we'll find out what we're doing when all the normal people wake up."
"I would hardly call your brothers normal."
Aragorn laughed. "I suppose you're right." He paused. "You know, I've always wondered. . . are you older or younger than my brothers?"
Legolas shrugged, not surprised by the complete randomness of the question. "It never really mattered enough for us to find out."
"We're older," a tired voice interjected.
Legolas smiled. "Well, it never really mattered to me, but your brothers feel the need to beat me at something, and if age is the only way they can, who am I to interfere with that?" He looked at Aragorn, who was laughing.
The twin to the first voice, after glaring at Legolas, asked, "What are you two doing awake at this hour?"
Aragorn smiled at Elladan. "I've been asking him that for a while."
Legolas sighed, rolling his eyes to Elrohir, the only one in the hall that understood. His friend shrugged, then motioned them all into the great hall.
Elrond looked up at them, barely acknowledging their presence. "Breakfast should be here shortly."
"So, Legolas," Elrohir said as he sat in the chair on his father's left. "What shall we do today?"
Elladan took the chair on his father's right, and Legolas the chair next to him. Aragorn sat across from him.
"Strider mentioned something of orcs?"
Elrond snapped to attention. "I forbid it."
"Father," the twins moaned in unison.
"No, you all know full well what happened last time you went searching for orcs." He glanced at their guest. "I would not make enemies with Thranduil by letting his son get killed."
"You've come close a few times, Ada," Elrohir mumbled under his breath. The elf lord glared at his son.
Legolas half-heartedly smiled at the jest. "You never did show me that cave."
"All right, we'll go there," Elladan said, smiling as a servant set a plate before him.
Elrond raised an eyebrow at his son. He knew full well that it was no use telling his sons not to search for the orcs, for they would anyway.
"I swear, Ada. No orcs."
"Why does this conversation sound so oddly familiar?" Elrond looked at Legolas. He was reading the book he had acquired rather contentedly. He decided to go out on a limb; something he was very careful about doing when it involved the prince. He still saw Legolas as fragile, though physically, the prince was anything but. "How is Mithfalas?"
A thick silence followed. Both twins had fixed their eyes on Legolas, waiting for a reaction. Legolas, in turn, was watching Elrond. Aragorn once again felt left out and not so blissfully ignorant. He glanced at every face in the room; his father's was the only one who seemed calm.
"You know, last time I was here, I never did get to compete in that archery competition."
Elrohir laughed. "We actually canceled it, because all four of us were missing at the time."
"Legolas."
Elrohir let the smile fade from his lips, and Legolas sighed, his shoulders falling in defeat.
"I don't know."
"Would you mind expounding upon that." Lord Elrond did not intend it as a request.
"My father forbids me to have communications with him. He himself will not even accept letters. If you don't mind my asking, Lord Elrond, what brought him to mind?"
The elf lord sat back in his chair. "Arwen wrote to us about him."
At the mention of Arwen, Aragorn watched Legolas for a reaction.
"How is she?"
"You cannot avoid him, Legolas. I see no reason why you would want to. His dispute is with your father alone, and he did not intend for it to involve you."
The prince's eyes flashed. "But it did involve me. He left when I most needed him to stay." He let his voice die in shameful realization of how childish he sounded. He let his eyes drop back to the book, but he was not really reading.
Elrond looked at Elladan, then to the door. His son nodded, giving Elrohir the same motion, who, in turn, nudged Aragorn. The three left swiftly.
The two remaining elves sat in silence for a while. Elrond watched Legolas carefully. The prince kept his eyes down, but Elrond could see all the emotion within them.
"Well," Legolas said in a much harsher tone than was intended, "Say what you will. Get it over with."
Elrond leaned on the table. "You cannot hold a grudge against him. He saved your life once, do you remember?"
"And then he abandoned me shortly there after."
"He didn't have a choice, Legolas. Mithfalas is one of the most noble elves I have had the pleasure of knowing. You are following in his steps."
Legolas finally looked up, rage in his eyes. "Don't say that! I do not want to be anything like him!"
"You did, once."
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Aragorn looked to his brothers, waiting for an explanation as to what was going on with his friend. Elrohir read the look in his eyes well.
"I don't know how much I can tell you," he said.
"Shh!" Elladan hissed. "They are raising their voices now. You can hear exactly what they are saying."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
"Legolas! Listen to yourself! You do not mean that!"
Legolas sat back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest.
"Don't close yourself off to me. Talk to me, son of Thranduil."
Legolas shot daggers at the older elf with his eyes. "What did Arwen say of him?" He didn't really want to know, but it would get Elrond off his back. He also knew that he could not push much harder without getting in trouble.
"He was visiting the Golden Wood. Asked if the two of you were still engaged."
Legolas looked up, mildly curious. "But he left before I asked for Arwen's hand."
"Firstly, Legolas, Mithfalas did not leave you. He was banished. Do you remember that? Or did your father hide that from you?" He did not give Legolas a chance to respond. "Secondly, though your family may have given up contact with him, mine did not."
"He should have taken me with him."
Elrond shook his head sadly. "Legolas, my boy, he wanted to. But that would have left Mirkwood without a prince, and he knew you would be all right."
The young elf made no response. He waited a moment, then rose to his feet, bowed his head, and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn saw Legolas exit the great hall, and ran up to him. He reached out his hand, and placed it on Legolas' shoulder.
The elf's body shivered involuntarily. Legolas closed his eyes before turning to Aragorn. He hadn't meant to react that way. Aragorn seemed not to have noticed.
"Are you-"
"I am fine."
Aragorn sighed. "Why do I even bother asking?"
"Legolas,"
The voice drew the prince away from his friend. "Yes, my lord?"
"I will need Elrohir and Elladan today. However, Aragorn is free this afternoon."
Legolas nodded his head once.
The man waited until Elrond had left. "So, that's it then. Let's go."
"Go where?" Legolas was still irritated by the earlier conversation.
"To the cave," Aragorn said, as though it was the most obvious thing in all of middle earth.
"Oh. No, Strider, not today."
"Yes, today. You're not going to get out of it. Let's go."
Legolas sighed. He was not in the mood to match his friend's stubborn behavior, though he could have easily. "All right, let's go."
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Reviewers: You guys got a long chapter today, comparatively. Talk to me, did you like the OC? Can you see where my plot bunnies might be running with this? (Mithfalas does have a purpose, I promise.) Absolutely hate it? Let me know!
HalandLeg4ever: Thank you!
True-Slytherin-Girl: Thanks. Hope it stays as good as the beginning!
ForceofHobbit: Lol, nah, I don't care how fast you read, just that you are! ::big smiles:: thanks!
Angel With No Wings: Ah, it's okay. You put me on ur fav authors list, so I knew you were there. (Thanks for that, by the way.) And yay! A really long review! No, really, I am wonderful too. (Lol, I'm just kidding. I'm not that egotistical, lol.) Thanks! You're so sweet! Haha, you know, I was thinking that too, and wondering just how many people would see him in like, little boy pajama's. . . the cowboy print. I was cracking up reading it. I dunno, I guess he'd just use a nightshirt. Believe, you don't talk too much. Can you imagine how much his bed would smell if he wore his regular clothes? Ew. Thanks for the review!
Bec: Lol. You crack me up. Every time. Yeah I know, the last tory just kind of jumped into things,
Moro the Wolf God: Thanks.
SPEoD: And it's even spelled correctly! A sugar high? No, really? I couldn't tell, lol. Sheesh, no more sugar, I command you, or I won't update forever. Ah, I couldn't survive without riding. I've fallen off so many times, I couldn't name them all. Been stepped on enough, gotten kicked once, (not my fault,) fell off and landed on a jump once. Fell off during a circle/canter/buck. My back has hurt me ever since. The doctor's say I shouldn't ride anymore. Ha, yeah frickin' right, lol. Thanks for the incredibly long and hyper review!
Lizzie: Ah, but Thranduil's got good intentions. Really, he does, lol. It just won't seem like it for a while.
Deana: Hm, "some" is one way to put it, lol. Thanks for the review! And thanks for the second one too!
Limiothiel: Haha, yeah, no kidding. Happy reading!
Luthien: Dear, before I get into a really long speech, you're reading the wrong story if you don't want elf torture. Second, have you ever tried getting something published? What you're going through is the very reason a lot more talented authors don't become published. I understand that you may not be trying to get published, but you can't write for the public. If you write for them, they will tear you apart like wolves. If YOU like your story, than you keep writing it, and that's all that matters. Also, as a side note, I like your story and I'm reading it, and I haven't noticed that many spelling errors. I'll look for them next time, but usually that type of thing stands out to me, (being an English major and all,) so take whatever comfort that might give you. Be happy, write because you love it, and don't let one bad review make you stop.
Dimostiel: Ah, lol. That's okay!
Alkvingiel: Thanks! Ah, I feel like an idiot. It took me a while to understand what you meant. I kept thinking, "Leggy didn't almost die in that chapter." (It's really late, lol.) Do you plan on reading any of the other stories, or would you just like me to give you the reader's digest version?
Gwyn: Haha. I love your little synopsis of death by hanging. Well, yes, assuming it snaps. Then, what if by miracle it doesn't? Then they hang there until they suffocate. I have to warn you, in this story, Thranduil does some stuff that will portray him as a bad father figure, but that is not my view of him at all. I love him, and firmly believe that he is trying to be the best father and king he can be, but as seen from the Hobbit, his temper can get the best of him. Things with him will be resolved, and just remember that this will end up being a good thranduil series! Ah, darn it, I had the orcs part right, I just could not remember what happened after that. Thank you for pointing it out. (Kudos, you know your stuff!)
Bunny-Lover: Thanks! Hope it keeps you interested.
Nikki: Lol, I am writing a series. And for some reason, so many people have said, "I'm back," and I keep thinking of "I'll be back," which is timely considering California's new governor. Lol, anyway. . .
Sara: You're back! (Starts cracking self up. See above note. Sheesh, I need a life.) Lol, CPR. You and your sister, I swear. Evil lady will be back, but I'm not going to tell you when. ::evil grin::
F h c: Thanks! Can I ask what the name stands for? Ah, jeez, you're sweet! Thanks! Interesting ending, is that a good or bad interesting? Lol. You're making me blush, dude. As wow, I've never gotten so many reviews from one person before, this is so awesome! Lol, yeah, they didn't like each other very much there in the beginning, did they? Oh, darn it, that was almost my 35 poor Legolas. I guess I have 35 ½ now, lol. Thanks for all the reviews!
Das Blume: ::Hugs back:: I missed you too! I love you, man. Lol, sorry. It's late and I still have a term paper to write. Lmao! Oh wow, that had me cracking up. "Well, there's a ball tomorrow. Can you tell him to hurry up with it?" Haha, see Legolas with one of those tags on his ear so his father can keep track of him. Yeah, I know, my chapters are really short. It's usually just the way I break them up, but this one was a whole page longer in Word. Right on, yeah? Thanks for that review, ah, it was funny. "Be ready at six."
Bill the Pony2: Truthfully, I agree. However, I won't write Frodo/Sam stuff because A. I don't like Frodo, and B. I am scared I wouldn't do justice to Sam. Legolas/Aragorn you can play with, but the Frodo/Sam relationship is untouchable, lol.
Sky: Gee, I have no idea who she might be after. What a mystery! And I can't tell you that. Technically, SHE'S not gonna do anything. She'll let others do her dirty work, (and she doesn't come in this story.) So you're just gonna have to keep reading to find out, lol.
Pirate-chicha: What happened, as in, why did he almost die? Is that what you mean? Let me know, and I'll gladly explain!
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Soft sunlight filtered through the window, cascading the bed in a warm glow. Its inhabitant rolled over, groaning softly.
Legolas let his eyes open slowly. It had felt so nice to sleep again in Rivendell, a place so safe and peaceful to him. It was more of a home to him than Mirkwood was.
He glanced out the window where the sun had barely risen above the horizon. The hour was still early, and the prince doubted that anyone else in Elrond's house was yet awake. Still, he was used to rising early in his own home, and he knew there was no use in trying to fall back asleep.
He rubbed a hand over his face, wiping the remnants of weariness from his eyes. He readied himself quickly, then silently opened his door and wandered towards the library.
He smiled to himself upon reaching his destination. He remembered being there as a small child, and staring at the collection of books in awe. His own father had a limited number of books, most of which had been his wife's, Legolas mother. He would not allow his son to read any of them, mostly because it was too painful for him.
Elrond had countless shelves filled with books on every topic from traveling to fantasy stories. They were easy to access, almost welcoming in a way.
He walked towards the bookcase farthest to the left and skimmed the titles. His fingers finally closed on a story he had heard read many times in the elf lord's castle. Breathing deep, he searched for one page in particular.
"You always were mesmerized by these books."
Legolas, startled, nearly dropped the book in his hands. He smiled. "I did not think you would be awake."
"I wasn't until just a few moments ago."
"Then I suppose you awoke the same time I did." Legolas moved to a chair by the window, his finger delicately holding his place in the book.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you came here. Did you sleep well?"
"I did, Lord Elrond. Thank you."
"There is no need to thank me. Do you find solace in these books?"
Legolas paused; the question surprised him. He finally nodded slowly. "I always did. They are not mere books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. They are a person's most valuable friend. They let you use them whenever you need, and they wait patiently for you, holding your spot, until you return to them at your leisure."
Elrond was smiling.
"I'm sorry," Legolas said, shaking his head. "That must sound so childish."
"No, it doesn't. I felt the same way about them until I met my wife. I'll admit, after she was gone, I found solace in these books again. I understand you."
He locked eyes with Legolas, communicating the true meaning to his last statement. The prince did not respond, so Elrond continued. "You have in you your past, shut like the leaves of a book, known to you by heart. Let your friends read more than just the title, Legolas. Let them past your title."
Lord Elrond, in his infinite wisdom, had connected with Legolas. He had opened the prince up, if just for a second, and broke down the wall that the elf had built around himself. He could see it in the young one's eyes. But just as quickly as it had been torn down, the wall grew to its original height. Elrond smiled to himself, though. If nothing else, he had taken out a brick, and that was a start. He knew that Aragorn would help him breach the wall. It would be a long process, but he had faith in his son.
"Shall we wake the others?" The elf lord asked cheerfully, rising from his seat.
Legolas looked at the book in his hands. "Yes."
Elrond sighed. "You may have that book, if it so pleases you."
Legolas' head shot up. "Are you sure, my lord?"
Elrond smiled and nodded. "Now let's go. You have a long day ahead of you, if I know my sons at all."
Legolas rose from the chair slowly, following the elf lord into the hall. Aragorn met them from his doorway, yawning.
"A bit too early for you?"
Aragorn narrowed his eyes at Legolas. "Why in the name of Middle-Earth are you awake this early?"
Legolas laughed at the grogginess in his friend's voice. "I'm used to being up this early. Father requires it."
"Oh." He nodded at the book Legolas held. His finger still held he page he had been searching.
"Looking for something in particular?"
"Aye, i nangweth," came the reply.
Aragorn yawned again. "The answer to what?"
"Just the answer." Legolas looked up at the sound of a thud and started laughing.
"Hey, that wasn't funny," the human was distractedly rubbing his face.
"Most people walk through doorways, human. Not into them."
Elrond poked his head back into the hallways. "What did you do, Estel?"
"Nothing," he grumbled. "You two should not be up this early. It should be against the law."
"I'll bring that up at the next counsel, Estel." The elf lord looked at Legolas, smiled, then disappeared into the great hall again.
"Where are we going today, Strider?"
"Going? Whatever do you mean?" It was evident that he was still angry about his run in with the wall.
"Well, every time I come here, I am whisked away into some adventure. So. where are we going today?"
"Don't you remember the last time you were here? Perhaps those adventures are not what you should most look forward too."
Legolas sat down in a nearby chair. Aragorn paid him little heed. "That last time I was here gained us both a friendship that otherwise would not have been."
Aragorn sighed, a slumped into a chair next to his friend. "Yeah, yeah. I hate when you're right. Well, we'll find out what we're doing when all the normal people wake up."
"I would hardly call your brothers normal."
Aragorn laughed. "I suppose you're right." He paused. "You know, I've always wondered. . . are you older or younger than my brothers?"
Legolas shrugged, not surprised by the complete randomness of the question. "It never really mattered enough for us to find out."
"We're older," a tired voice interjected.
Legolas smiled. "Well, it never really mattered to me, but your brothers feel the need to beat me at something, and if age is the only way they can, who am I to interfere with that?" He looked at Aragorn, who was laughing.
The twin to the first voice, after glaring at Legolas, asked, "What are you two doing awake at this hour?"
Aragorn smiled at Elladan. "I've been asking him that for a while."
Legolas sighed, rolling his eyes to Elrohir, the only one in the hall that understood. His friend shrugged, then motioned them all into the great hall.
Elrond looked up at them, barely acknowledging their presence. "Breakfast should be here shortly."
"So, Legolas," Elrohir said as he sat in the chair on his father's left. "What shall we do today?"
Elladan took the chair on his father's right, and Legolas the chair next to him. Aragorn sat across from him.
"Strider mentioned something of orcs?"
Elrond snapped to attention. "I forbid it."
"Father," the twins moaned in unison.
"No, you all know full well what happened last time you went searching for orcs." He glanced at their guest. "I would not make enemies with Thranduil by letting his son get killed."
"You've come close a few times, Ada," Elrohir mumbled under his breath. The elf lord glared at his son.
Legolas half-heartedly smiled at the jest. "You never did show me that cave."
"All right, we'll go there," Elladan said, smiling as a servant set a plate before him.
Elrond raised an eyebrow at his son. He knew full well that it was no use telling his sons not to search for the orcs, for they would anyway.
"I swear, Ada. No orcs."
"Why does this conversation sound so oddly familiar?" Elrond looked at Legolas. He was reading the book he had acquired rather contentedly. He decided to go out on a limb; something he was very careful about doing when it involved the prince. He still saw Legolas as fragile, though physically, the prince was anything but. "How is Mithfalas?"
A thick silence followed. Both twins had fixed their eyes on Legolas, waiting for a reaction. Legolas, in turn, was watching Elrond. Aragorn once again felt left out and not so blissfully ignorant. He glanced at every face in the room; his father's was the only one who seemed calm.
"You know, last time I was here, I never did get to compete in that archery competition."
Elrohir laughed. "We actually canceled it, because all four of us were missing at the time."
"Legolas."
Elrohir let the smile fade from his lips, and Legolas sighed, his shoulders falling in defeat.
"I don't know."
"Would you mind expounding upon that." Lord Elrond did not intend it as a request.
"My father forbids me to have communications with him. He himself will not even accept letters. If you don't mind my asking, Lord Elrond, what brought him to mind?"
The elf lord sat back in his chair. "Arwen wrote to us about him."
At the mention of Arwen, Aragorn watched Legolas for a reaction.
"How is she?"
"You cannot avoid him, Legolas. I see no reason why you would want to. His dispute is with your father alone, and he did not intend for it to involve you."
The prince's eyes flashed. "But it did involve me. He left when I most needed him to stay." He let his voice die in shameful realization of how childish he sounded. He let his eyes drop back to the book, but he was not really reading.
Elrond looked at Elladan, then to the door. His son nodded, giving Elrohir the same motion, who, in turn, nudged Aragorn. The three left swiftly.
The two remaining elves sat in silence for a while. Elrond watched Legolas carefully. The prince kept his eyes down, but Elrond could see all the emotion within them.
"Well," Legolas said in a much harsher tone than was intended, "Say what you will. Get it over with."
Elrond leaned on the table. "You cannot hold a grudge against him. He saved your life once, do you remember?"
"And then he abandoned me shortly there after."
"He didn't have a choice, Legolas. Mithfalas is one of the most noble elves I have had the pleasure of knowing. You are following in his steps."
Legolas finally looked up, rage in his eyes. "Don't say that! I do not want to be anything like him!"
"You did, once."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn looked to his brothers, waiting for an explanation as to what was going on with his friend. Elrohir read the look in his eyes well.
"I don't know how much I can tell you," he said.
"Shh!" Elladan hissed. "They are raising their voices now. You can hear exactly what they are saying."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
"Legolas! Listen to yourself! You do not mean that!"
Legolas sat back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest.
"Don't close yourself off to me. Talk to me, son of Thranduil."
Legolas shot daggers at the older elf with his eyes. "What did Arwen say of him?" He didn't really want to know, but it would get Elrond off his back. He also knew that he could not push much harder without getting in trouble.
"He was visiting the Golden Wood. Asked if the two of you were still engaged."
Legolas looked up, mildly curious. "But he left before I asked for Arwen's hand."
"Firstly, Legolas, Mithfalas did not leave you. He was banished. Do you remember that? Or did your father hide that from you?" He did not give Legolas a chance to respond. "Secondly, though your family may have given up contact with him, mine did not."
"He should have taken me with him."
Elrond shook his head sadly. "Legolas, my boy, he wanted to. But that would have left Mirkwood without a prince, and he knew you would be all right."
The young elf made no response. He waited a moment, then rose to his feet, bowed his head, and left.
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Aragorn saw Legolas exit the great hall, and ran up to him. He reached out his hand, and placed it on Legolas' shoulder.
The elf's body shivered involuntarily. Legolas closed his eyes before turning to Aragorn. He hadn't meant to react that way. Aragorn seemed not to have noticed.
"Are you-"
"I am fine."
Aragorn sighed. "Why do I even bother asking?"
"Legolas,"
The voice drew the prince away from his friend. "Yes, my lord?"
"I will need Elrohir and Elladan today. However, Aragorn is free this afternoon."
Legolas nodded his head once.
The man waited until Elrond had left. "So, that's it then. Let's go."
"Go where?" Legolas was still irritated by the earlier conversation.
"To the cave," Aragorn said, as though it was the most obvious thing in all of middle earth.
"Oh. No, Strider, not today."
"Yes, today. You're not going to get out of it. Let's go."
Legolas sighed. He was not in the mood to match his friend's stubborn behavior, though he could have easily. "All right, let's go."
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Reviewers: You guys got a long chapter today, comparatively. Talk to me, did you like the OC? Can you see where my plot bunnies might be running with this? (Mithfalas does have a purpose, I promise.) Absolutely hate it? Let me know!
HalandLeg4ever: Thank you!
True-Slytherin-Girl: Thanks. Hope it stays as good as the beginning!
ForceofHobbit: Lol, nah, I don't care how fast you read, just that you are! ::big smiles:: thanks!
Angel With No Wings: Ah, it's okay. You put me on ur fav authors list, so I knew you were there. (Thanks for that, by the way.) And yay! A really long review! No, really, I am wonderful too. (Lol, I'm just kidding. I'm not that egotistical, lol.) Thanks! You're so sweet! Haha, you know, I was thinking that too, and wondering just how many people would see him in like, little boy pajama's. . . the cowboy print. I was cracking up reading it. I dunno, I guess he'd just use a nightshirt. Believe, you don't talk too much. Can you imagine how much his bed would smell if he wore his regular clothes? Ew. Thanks for the review!
Bec: Lol. You crack me up. Every time. Yeah I know, the last tory just kind of jumped into things,
Moro the Wolf God: Thanks.
SPEoD: And it's even spelled correctly! A sugar high? No, really? I couldn't tell, lol. Sheesh, no more sugar, I command you, or I won't update forever. Ah, I couldn't survive without riding. I've fallen off so many times, I couldn't name them all. Been stepped on enough, gotten kicked once, (not my fault,) fell off and landed on a jump once. Fell off during a circle/canter/buck. My back has hurt me ever since. The doctor's say I shouldn't ride anymore. Ha, yeah frickin' right, lol. Thanks for the incredibly long and hyper review!
Lizzie: Ah, but Thranduil's got good intentions. Really, he does, lol. It just won't seem like it for a while.
Deana: Hm, "some" is one way to put it, lol. Thanks for the review! And thanks for the second one too!
Limiothiel: Haha, yeah, no kidding. Happy reading!
Luthien: Dear, before I get into a really long speech, you're reading the wrong story if you don't want elf torture. Second, have you ever tried getting something published? What you're going through is the very reason a lot more talented authors don't become published. I understand that you may not be trying to get published, but you can't write for the public. If you write for them, they will tear you apart like wolves. If YOU like your story, than you keep writing it, and that's all that matters. Also, as a side note, I like your story and I'm reading it, and I haven't noticed that many spelling errors. I'll look for them next time, but usually that type of thing stands out to me, (being an English major and all,) so take whatever comfort that might give you. Be happy, write because you love it, and don't let one bad review make you stop.
Dimostiel: Ah, lol. That's okay!
Alkvingiel: Thanks! Ah, I feel like an idiot. It took me a while to understand what you meant. I kept thinking, "Leggy didn't almost die in that chapter." (It's really late, lol.) Do you plan on reading any of the other stories, or would you just like me to give you the reader's digest version?
Gwyn: Haha. I love your little synopsis of death by hanging. Well, yes, assuming it snaps. Then, what if by miracle it doesn't? Then they hang there until they suffocate. I have to warn you, in this story, Thranduil does some stuff that will portray him as a bad father figure, but that is not my view of him at all. I love him, and firmly believe that he is trying to be the best father and king he can be, but as seen from the Hobbit, his temper can get the best of him. Things with him will be resolved, and just remember that this will end up being a good thranduil series! Ah, darn it, I had the orcs part right, I just could not remember what happened after that. Thank you for pointing it out. (Kudos, you know your stuff!)
Bunny-Lover: Thanks! Hope it keeps you interested.
Nikki: Lol, I am writing a series. And for some reason, so many people have said, "I'm back," and I keep thinking of "I'll be back," which is timely considering California's new governor. Lol, anyway. . .
Sara: You're back! (Starts cracking self up. See above note. Sheesh, I need a life.) Lol, CPR. You and your sister, I swear. Evil lady will be back, but I'm not going to tell you when. ::evil grin::
F h c: Thanks! Can I ask what the name stands for? Ah, jeez, you're sweet! Thanks! Interesting ending, is that a good or bad interesting? Lol. You're making me blush, dude. As wow, I've never gotten so many reviews from one person before, this is so awesome! Lol, yeah, they didn't like each other very much there in the beginning, did they? Oh, darn it, that was almost my 35 poor Legolas. I guess I have 35 ½ now, lol. Thanks for all the reviews!
Das Blume: ::Hugs back:: I missed you too! I love you, man. Lol, sorry. It's late and I still have a term paper to write. Lmao! Oh wow, that had me cracking up. "Well, there's a ball tomorrow. Can you tell him to hurry up with it?" Haha, see Legolas with one of those tags on his ear so his father can keep track of him. Yeah, I know, my chapters are really short. It's usually just the way I break them up, but this one was a whole page longer in Word. Right on, yeah? Thanks for that review, ah, it was funny. "Be ready at six."
Bill the Pony2: Truthfully, I agree. However, I won't write Frodo/Sam stuff because A. I don't like Frodo, and B. I am scared I wouldn't do justice to Sam. Legolas/Aragorn you can play with, but the Frodo/Sam relationship is untouchable, lol.
Sky: Gee, I have no idea who she might be after. What a mystery! And I can't tell you that. Technically, SHE'S not gonna do anything. She'll let others do her dirty work, (and she doesn't come in this story.) So you're just gonna have to keep reading to find out, lol.
Pirate-chicha: What happened, as in, why did he almost die? Is that what you mean? Let me know, and I'll gladly explain!