A/N: I am terribly sorry. I thought I had this typed and posted. But I
found my notebook yesterday and realized, 'wow I already wrote the last
chapter' and 'crap I haven't posted it yet!' I hope you can forgive me. I
was in Indiana for the weekend, came home for the last week of swim
practice then back to Indianapolis for another week, then water polo
started, and swimming ended (so sad : ( ) and then I left for Cleveland and
was stuck in the blackout without power. It's been a hectic month to say
the least! Plus I'm trying to finish up all the stories I'm working on and
finish summer homework! And on top of all that I've been trying to apply
for the Naval Academy and I'm constantly getting emails, phone calls, and
packages from the capital. I'm also trying to squeeze in some time for
friends and seeing Pirates four times. (I love that movie). Anyhow. .
.really long author note. BE SURE TO READ THE ONE AT THE BOTTOM!!!
. . .
Chapter Twelve
The elf forced Elrond the pack quickly without even knowing it. Thranduil was down at the stables not ten minutes after strangely embracing the elven lord. He thought he was going alone, but everyone on Middle-earth knew better. A king just doesn't travel alone.
Elrond changed in regal traveling clothes then stopped to make sure the guards were ready, the cooks packed food, and the servants readied his and Thranduil's steeds.
Thranduil was waiting, already mounted, when Elrond exited the castle after bidding farewell to his children.
"You are coming along?" Thranduil's smile had been plastered to his face and unable to rid of it. Elrond couldn't help but smile.
"You really think I would miss this opportunity? I also am interested to see the prince and if he is fit to accept my proposal."
"Your proposal? Oh yes, that, well," his smile faded, "he has my permission although I will miss him terribly if he goes. . ."
Elrond placed a hand on his shoulder. "It will only be a few decades, maybe a century. He will return."
Thranduil nodded, "Yes and he will be safe.and on Middle-earth. I trust you, Elrond. I trust you to take good care of him."
"And I will, for you know he is almost like a son to me also."
The guards approached and Thranduil clapped his hands, "Then we shall be going!"
~~~
While Eyroth was shut in his study, reading over the many scrolls of parchment the prince had given to him, Legolas was trying to resume his ordinary life. It was harder than he expected, however, and he often found himself milling around with nothing to do.
He brought on the responsibility of speaking at meals and meeting with his father's advisors. At other times he would occasionally take his quiver and bow to the training area to shoot. This wasn't for practice, but time to get his mind off how things are and how things used to be.
Slowly, his practices dwindled and he entered the practice field for what he knew would be his last week. He had to leave the past behind and accept what the future held for him.
~~~
The journey was taking far too long for Thranduil. Elrond often found him pacing with anticipation to arrive soon.
"Thranduil, my friend, rest. Everything is going to be fine. We shall be there by midday."
"No, I cannot. The city is so close I can spell it."
Elrond chuckled, "I did not think elves were known for their sense of smell."
The king was not amused and ignored the comment. "I cannot stand waiting!"
"The horses need rest. We shall leave by the end of the hour," on of the guards spoke.
"Thank you, but an hour is an hour," Thranduil replied.
"Why are you so eager to return? You do not seem a joyful eager as I expected."
Thranduil's feet stilled and he turned away. "I am afraid," he murmured.
"Why?"
Thranduil was silent. Elrond actually wished he would pace some more, the sudden stillness of the king seemed awkward.
"That he will not be there and I will have to chase after him," came the weak reply.
"He will be there. You know deep down he will be, you just have been thinking about it too long."
Thranduil nodded and turned, "You are right, but there is nothing else for my mind to dwell on. My son is my life."
The guard returned and bowed before the lords, "The horses are prepared. We may continue on your order."
A half smile formed on the king's face as he bound over to his horse and quickly mounted, yelling, "We ride!"
~~~
Legolas made his way to the archery fields for one last time. Grief was settling upon him from the build up of nightmares the past evening. Memories of his father were fresh and plagued his thoughts no matter what he did.
His meeting with Eyroth later did not help settle his mood, either. Today they would decide on a date for him to be crowned in the near future. The thought of him playing the roll his father did not too long ago made him want to choke.
No elf was in sight and the prince sighed in relief. One more peaceful target practice before his life would change forever.
Sitting on the bench, he pulled his quiver and bow from his back. As his fingers touched the cool wood of his bow, hundreds of memories flashed through his mind. His father had given him the bow over a thousand years ago and the memories they shared with it were priceless.
The elf slid to the ground, not caring if the dewed grass stained his leggings. He put his face in his hands, still clasping to the bow and cried. He let out all the pain he had been feeling for the past weeks. He prayed this was all a dream, that his father would appear and comfort him, that Kama would still be alive.
He heard footsteps nearing him, but didn't care. He continued to cry and silently curse the Valar for making his life a living hell. 'If only my father were here. . .' he thought.
A hand touched his back and its owner knelt beside him. "Shh. . . My Greenleaf, it is alright. I am here."
Recognizing the voice, Legolas slowly sat up. Tears blurred the face of his father beside him.
"Father?" he asked before turning away, believing he was hallucinating and whispered, "I am dreaming."
"No, my son. This is no dream. I am here."
Turning back to him, "but you left."
A smile crept over the father's face. "I have returned."
"Father?" Legolas asked again, astonished. Then a smile formed, "Father!" he cried as he threw his arms around him. Thranduil held him tight, tears forming in his eyes.
"Why did you leave?" Legolas whispered.
"It doesn't matter. I am not leaving. I am never leaving."
~~~
Elrond watched from a distance as the father and son embraced. He smiled and breathed easier at the reunion that was long past due.
. . .
A/N: Aw, and a sad, gushy ending. There will be a short epilogue posted in a few days. . . depending on reviews. Then I will give you the name and author of the completed sequel so you can see what happened to Kama . . .*gasp* oh yeah, I forgot about her. . .Thanks for reading. Please drop a review!
. . .
Chapter Twelve
The elf forced Elrond the pack quickly without even knowing it. Thranduil was down at the stables not ten minutes after strangely embracing the elven lord. He thought he was going alone, but everyone on Middle-earth knew better. A king just doesn't travel alone.
Elrond changed in regal traveling clothes then stopped to make sure the guards were ready, the cooks packed food, and the servants readied his and Thranduil's steeds.
Thranduil was waiting, already mounted, when Elrond exited the castle after bidding farewell to his children.
"You are coming along?" Thranduil's smile had been plastered to his face and unable to rid of it. Elrond couldn't help but smile.
"You really think I would miss this opportunity? I also am interested to see the prince and if he is fit to accept my proposal."
"Your proposal? Oh yes, that, well," his smile faded, "he has my permission although I will miss him terribly if he goes. . ."
Elrond placed a hand on his shoulder. "It will only be a few decades, maybe a century. He will return."
Thranduil nodded, "Yes and he will be safe.and on Middle-earth. I trust you, Elrond. I trust you to take good care of him."
"And I will, for you know he is almost like a son to me also."
The guards approached and Thranduil clapped his hands, "Then we shall be going!"
~~~
While Eyroth was shut in his study, reading over the many scrolls of parchment the prince had given to him, Legolas was trying to resume his ordinary life. It was harder than he expected, however, and he often found himself milling around with nothing to do.
He brought on the responsibility of speaking at meals and meeting with his father's advisors. At other times he would occasionally take his quiver and bow to the training area to shoot. This wasn't for practice, but time to get his mind off how things are and how things used to be.
Slowly, his practices dwindled and he entered the practice field for what he knew would be his last week. He had to leave the past behind and accept what the future held for him.
~~~
The journey was taking far too long for Thranduil. Elrond often found him pacing with anticipation to arrive soon.
"Thranduil, my friend, rest. Everything is going to be fine. We shall be there by midday."
"No, I cannot. The city is so close I can spell it."
Elrond chuckled, "I did not think elves were known for their sense of smell."
The king was not amused and ignored the comment. "I cannot stand waiting!"
"The horses need rest. We shall leave by the end of the hour," on of the guards spoke.
"Thank you, but an hour is an hour," Thranduil replied.
"Why are you so eager to return? You do not seem a joyful eager as I expected."
Thranduil's feet stilled and he turned away. "I am afraid," he murmured.
"Why?"
Thranduil was silent. Elrond actually wished he would pace some more, the sudden stillness of the king seemed awkward.
"That he will not be there and I will have to chase after him," came the weak reply.
"He will be there. You know deep down he will be, you just have been thinking about it too long."
Thranduil nodded and turned, "You are right, but there is nothing else for my mind to dwell on. My son is my life."
The guard returned and bowed before the lords, "The horses are prepared. We may continue on your order."
A half smile formed on the king's face as he bound over to his horse and quickly mounted, yelling, "We ride!"
~~~
Legolas made his way to the archery fields for one last time. Grief was settling upon him from the build up of nightmares the past evening. Memories of his father were fresh and plagued his thoughts no matter what he did.
His meeting with Eyroth later did not help settle his mood, either. Today they would decide on a date for him to be crowned in the near future. The thought of him playing the roll his father did not too long ago made him want to choke.
No elf was in sight and the prince sighed in relief. One more peaceful target practice before his life would change forever.
Sitting on the bench, he pulled his quiver and bow from his back. As his fingers touched the cool wood of his bow, hundreds of memories flashed through his mind. His father had given him the bow over a thousand years ago and the memories they shared with it were priceless.
The elf slid to the ground, not caring if the dewed grass stained his leggings. He put his face in his hands, still clasping to the bow and cried. He let out all the pain he had been feeling for the past weeks. He prayed this was all a dream, that his father would appear and comfort him, that Kama would still be alive.
He heard footsteps nearing him, but didn't care. He continued to cry and silently curse the Valar for making his life a living hell. 'If only my father were here. . .' he thought.
A hand touched his back and its owner knelt beside him. "Shh. . . My Greenleaf, it is alright. I am here."
Recognizing the voice, Legolas slowly sat up. Tears blurred the face of his father beside him.
"Father?" he asked before turning away, believing he was hallucinating and whispered, "I am dreaming."
"No, my son. This is no dream. I am here."
Turning back to him, "but you left."
A smile crept over the father's face. "I have returned."
"Father?" Legolas asked again, astonished. Then a smile formed, "Father!" he cried as he threw his arms around him. Thranduil held him tight, tears forming in his eyes.
"Why did you leave?" Legolas whispered.
"It doesn't matter. I am not leaving. I am never leaving."
~~~
Elrond watched from a distance as the father and son embraced. He smiled and breathed easier at the reunion that was long past due.
. . .
A/N: Aw, and a sad, gushy ending. There will be a short epilogue posted in a few days. . . depending on reviews. Then I will give you the name and author of the completed sequel so you can see what happened to Kama . . .*gasp* oh yeah, I forgot about her. . .Thanks for reading. Please drop a review!