Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings isn't mine. That doesn't stop me from wishing though. *sigh*

Author's Notes:

I just can't stay away from you guys can I? I feel so guilty for not updating daily…well you can REVIEW to make me feel better! Also I have started to release some of my poetry on fictionpress. I have gotten no reviews. Please read (even if you don't review!) My pen name is FriendlyPoet.

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After dawn…Legolas' thoughts are in italics.

Glorfindel woke up and saw the legendary Elven Lord sleeping with him head on a book. He had to suppress his laughter. Well at least it looks like he did get some sleep, Glorfindel thought.

"Lord Elrond." Glorfindel said clearly. He put his hand lightly on Elrond's shoulder. Elrond did not respond. "Elrond!" he said more sharply.

Elrond raised his head sleepily, realising that it was Glorfindel he groaned. "What time is it?" Elrond dreaded to know.

"Breakfast. You should ask your guests if they want to eat in the Great Hall," Glorfindel reminded.

"Thanks. I almost forgot," Elrond said. He stood up stiffly. "I really shouldn't sleep in that position. I feel like I've been trampled by a herd of oliphaunts."

Glorfindel laughed out loud. Elrond was not amused, instead he straightened his robes regally and began to walk towards the Healing House.

"Really, my Lord. You need some humour to spice up your day. It's part of my job," Glorfindel said, still chuckling.

Elrond raised his eyebrows and knocked on Herendil's door. The door swung open instantly to reveal Herendil bowing deeply. Legolas was nowhere to be seen.

"Good morning, Lord Elrond."

"Good morning, Herendil. I insist that you call me Elrond. Legolas should also. Speaking of which, where is he?" Elrond asked.

"Forgive me, Elrond but we are unused to the customs here. Legolas isn't really allowed to be in your presence when he has not yet been called," Herendil explained.

Elrond waiting as Legolas shuffled out of the bathroom. He knelt down on the ground.

"Rise, Legolas. You are a friend and a guest. You do not have to bow to me," Elrond stated. "Now, would you like to have breakfast in the Great Hall or the Healing House?

"If my choice is not a bother, I would prefer the Healing House. I am feeling tired today," Herendil chose. He did not want to meet too many people. Legolas seemed drained.       

Elrond studied their faces and he could see that they had barely slept. "I agree with your choice. You did not look like you have had much rest last night. You should not work yourself for the next two or three days. I will get a healer to bring your breakfast to you."

"Thank you, Elrond. We do appreciate your wonderful hospitality," Herendil spoke sincerely – for Legolas and himself. Legolas had risen, but he had kept his eyes downwards.

Breakfast was a nutritious meal, both were able to eat until they were full. Herendil and Legolas rested until late in the afternoon.

Elrond walked in. He was wearing a silk robe, richly decorated with gold threads. A silver circlet was on his head. He looks like a King. Legolas caught this thought. I don't want to think about father. Legolas and Herendil bowed in unison.

"I hope that I'm not interrupting anything. Have you had an enjoyable morning?" Elrond inquired pleasantly.

"Yes. Is there any service you require from us?" Herendil answered formally.

"In fact, I do. If you feel up to it, I was wondering if you could tell me what the message from the King of Mirkwood was. I want to give him a reply and inform him that you were attacked on your journey." Elrond continued gravely, "Unfortunately, your companion – a body guard, I assume, by his dress. He has passed on. We have the body so it can be given a dignified warrior's funeral."

Legolas stopped breathing as all the memories came back to him. Ruthiun waking him up for the first time, Ruthiun lying, Ruthiun holding him as he beat him, Ruthiun smirking, Ruthiun throwing him against the tree, Ruthiun being stabbed, Ruthiun crying out in pain, Ruthiun decapitated…Ruthiun, Ruthiun, RUTHIUN…All of it was too much for Legolas, he started to hyperventilate. He was being choked by his memories.

Elrond was alarmed at this sight. Herendil was very frightened but he reached Legolas first, violently shaking him.

"Snap out of it Legolas! LEGOLAS! LEGOLAS!" Herendil yelled into Legolas' face. He hoped that Legolas would be startled out of his trance.

Legolas was suddenly brought back to the present by Herendil's voice. He looked slightly dazed but what was more disturbing was the distressed look that haunted his eyes. I feel very tired. So tired. Ruthiun is draining me. He is taking what I had. He hated me. Legolas was not concentrating. I can't let them know. They'll think I'm a weakling. With much effort, he tried to readjust his features so he appeared to be calmed.

"I'm sorry. I was just shocked," Legolas lied.

Herendil was not really convinced but appeared to be so that he could avoid Elrond's questioning gaze. He would speak with Legolas later – when they were alone.

Elrond could see that Legolas was trying to hide his suffering, he didn't understand why Herendil would believe such a blatant lie. Unless he was pretending? Elrond was very confused. Why would he need to pretend? For now, Elrond went with the act.

"Legolas I insist that you stay and rest. You have strained yourself today. You look tired. You do not need to be present for the discussion, I can speak with Herendil," Elrond convinced.

I do feel tired. "Thank you for your kind offer uh…" Legolas suddenly remembered Elrond's earlier request, "- Elrond. I will do as you wish."

Giving Legolas an encouraging smile, Herendil and Elrond closed the door quietly behind them.

Herendil broke the silence as they walked along the corridor. He furrowed his eyebrows as he spoke. "Regarding what you said earlier, I do agree. I think we will stay a while longer, if you do not mind. I am concerned for Legolas' safety and well being."

"You can stay here for as long as you like. My household and I are at your service," Elrond offered.

"Thank you, Elrond, you are most kind. The problem is, I do not have the message King Thranduil wished for you to hear. I do believe that our guard, Ruthiun, carried the message on his body." Herendil said unsure of the solution to the problem.

"That is no problem. We can take a detour from this corridor to the place where his body is being kept. His belongings have been saved. I made sure of this," Elrond said certainly.

They walked briskly with renewed purpose down to the room. As the opened the door, Herendil could see a white sheet draped over a body. His heart felt uncomfortable yet his hands strayed to the sheet.

"Before you lift the cover, I must warn you that the body is not…not very attractive. It will be disturbing," Elrond cautioned as he watched Herendil reach out for the cover.

Slowly Herendil ease the sheet off starting at the toes. He caught his breath. Ruthiun's head was disconnected from the body, his lips were blue and his eyes seemed to stare right into Herendil's. He tore his eyes away.

"The message would have been in his pack." Herendil said. He could taste the bile rising. Quickly he replaced the white cover. Unconsciously he rubbed his hands on his tunic as if to rid himself of Ruthiun's blood.

Elrond noticed the gesture but said nothing, instead leading him to a wooden table in the corner where there was a bloody sword and a pack. The pack was clean and had no blood on it. Herendil was relieved and recalled that it had been carried on Ruthiun's horse.

"The horse is being cared for in our stables, as is your mare," Elrond said.

Herendil nodded thankfully as he started rummaging through the pack. He took out some lembas, some herbs, ointments, bandages, toiletries, hairbrush and a leather pouch.  Herendil felt slightly guilty looking through Ruthiun's things. But he is dead, Herendil thought.

"This is the message," Herendil confirmed as he scanned his eyes over the parchment that he unfurled. "It is a peace treaty. I suppose Ruthiun was meant to negotiate this, he was going to tell me except he hadn't yet had the chance…"

"I see," Elrond said. "I must ask my advisors to ponder this. I will, however, send messengers to Mirkwood with the body and his belongings and tell them of your extended stay."

"Thank you, Elrond." Herendil bowed, intending to exit the room. He was stopped by the sound of Elrond's voice and turned around.

"May I ask you some questions…about Legolas?" Elrond inquired.

Herendil was nervous as where this question would lead but he nodded. We owe him some answers, after all he saved my life, Herendil reasoned.

"Who hurt Legolas? Was it Ruthiun?" Elrond asked boldly. He had thought of this as he remember the way Legolas reacted to Ruthiun's death and the haunting look in his eyes. Elrond was not easily fooled and he suspected Ruthiun had something to do with it.

Herendil evaded Elrond's look. But he answered the question vaguely. "Partially." It was more so his father, Herendil thought but did not say.

Elrond noticed this but he didn't want to force any answers out of Herendil. Instead he asked, "Why does Legolas say he is a slave?" Elrond looked angry at this concept.

Herendil was taken back by this question. "Did he tell you that?"

"His exact words were 'pathetic slave.' Why does he believe so?"

"Because he was told so. He was commanded to be a slave."

Elrond noticed that Herendil did not say whom. "Are you his master?"

"Partially. Mostly Ruthiun and his brother – Githil," Herendil admitted.

"Did you hurt him?" Elrond accused.

"No…yes. I suppose I did but not physically," Herendil said regretfully. At seeing Elrond's disgusted look he explained, "I did not hurt him for my own pleasure, I had to protect us."

"Protect yourselves from whom?" Elrond was confused.

"From certain people," Herendil prevaricated, he was starting to fiddle on the sleeves of his clothing. This was a sign that he was getting uncomfortable about the subject matter. The truth was that he was unsure about how much he could reveal about Legolas.

"Certain people like Ruthiun?" Elrond concluded.

"Yes…and someone else," Herendil disclosed.

"Like his brother?" Elrond dared to ask.

"Yes. Githil as well…" Herendil hesitated.

Elrond could tell there was someone else involved. He read the hesitations and evasions. Herendil, thinking that the questions were over turned to leave again.

"Wait…" Elrond called, "Who is Legolas' father?"

Herendil did not know how to evade this question without being suspicious. Instead he looked at Elrond in the eye and replied, "With all respect, I plead that you ask Legolas in person. It is not for me to answer. I may have revealed too much."

Elrond nodded and thanked Herendil for answering his questions. Both were deep in thought as they returned to their rooms. 

  

Review! Then go to fictionpress and review some more! Please tell me what is wrong with my grammar and spelling…I keep getting reviews telling me this and I have no idea what's the problem. I know that the story isn't perfect but this is due to the fact that I do try and UPDATE DAILY where possible and not much authors I know do this. So tell me what's wrong so those people can stop complaining. I'm trying and this is my first fic…

My pen name is FriendlyPoet or you can search for Broken or Masked Heart.

Also note, this is a bonus chappie for waiting for me. However, I still may not be able to update until later (still haven't done the essays)! Hannon le [Thank you], my faithful readers.  

PS. Someone asked about italics. Can't remember who, sorry. Save it as HTML then bold and italics should appear.  Just "save as" a HTML file.