Disclaimer: Tolkien's work.
Author's Notes:
There is a surprise for you! I hope its good! I hope you like this chapter. For all those who asked that I put the author notes at the end, I have asked people this question before and most people didn't mind. I dunno. Tell me what you think. I am very VERY annoyed. FFN server is busy and I couldn't post this chapter as soon as I want! Someone please PLEASE tell me how to load the chapter so the bold comes out in all of the fic. It's not working even in HTML format. Only parts of it is showing…I've already uploaded six times!
Everyone: I have added an even better surprise at the end!
Astievia, azla and cherryfaerie: Thank you for adding me to your favourites!
The prodigal son returns! …Legolas' thoughts are in italics.
Legolas ran down the empty corridor as fast as he could. He was half-hoping Herendil would follow him but he also wanted to be left alone. He was both disappointed and afraid when he realised Herendil was not there. He isn't there for me! Why does everyone leave me when I feel like I need them most! In a new fury, Legolas ran down more corridors until he reached a dead end. Legolas' tunic was soaked with sweat and he stopped momentarily to catch his breath, his hands resting on his knees. He walked into the corner of the abandoned room and slid down the marbled wall.
This room was beautiful. The arches gracefully dipped and curved, the trees continuing this graceful dance. The song of the birds could be heard. Yet, Legolas did not notice this. Legolas was still fuming inside, although other negative feelings were also strongly radiating from him.
The King would never be proud of you. Look at me, so weak that I can't even take a comment from a healer! Legolas was now in the curled into the foetal position. His back was pressed against the wall, his bruises were still tender but he did notice for so great was his pain in his heart. The King wouldn't love a weakling like you. He's not even my father – he's only the King. Legolas pressed his head into his knees. Valar, why couldn't I have DIED!
Legolas balled his hands up and began to hit the marble floor. Thump! Why? THUMP! WHY? Tell me WHY was I born to be such a burden! Legolas was now beating the ground in a rhythm, not caring that his knuckles were bruised. Why can't anyone be proud of me! Why doesn't anyone love me? Why? Why me? The steady ostinato continued as Legolas exhausted himself even further. He did not care that he was hurting himself. He wanted to hurt himself if he could only prove that he was strong.
Herendil! Elrond! MOTHER! Legolas wanted someone to hold him, to tell him it was going to be okay. But only weak children need that…He wanted to be accepted, to have somewhere where he belonged. I want to be home. But I have no home. Legolas leaned against the wall. He pressed his forehead against the cold stone. No. I won't cry. Legolas fought with himself. I can be strong. I will be stronger – stronger than the tears so even father would be proud.
Legolas stayed in that position for some time. As it approached dusk, Legolas was starting to feel cold. He shivered. Where am I? What if Herendil and Elrond don't care? The young elfling (which was what he was) felt fear rise in his heart. They left me to be alone. Legolas huddled in the corner, hidden in the shadows. I'm alone.
Somewhere further away was Elrond and Herendil. Elrond had already all the staff to be alert for the missing child. Herendil was fretting endlessly, his fear rose as each minute passed.
"I don't understand! No one has seen him!" Elrond burst out in a rare display of impatience. He was worried that Legolas might be alone and scared.
"What if he got hurt? We'll never find him in this place!" Herendil vexed.
"You forget that I am the Lord of Imladris," Elrond reminded with new calmness. "We will find him. Hold onto your hope, it will guide us."
"I'm sorry," Herendil stammered. "I did not mean to offend, my Lord, its just that I'm so worried for Legolas. I just can't calm down. We've been searching for what seems like ages, we've walked around these corridors at least twice! I just want to find him so badly…"
"I understand. Let's look down this wing shall we?" Elrond suggested.
Please Valar, let Herendil come for me. Even if I get punished. I just want to be with him. I need a friend. Legolas was really struggling with his emotions now, he was torn. I need to be a warrior. Warriors don't cry. Legolas wrapped his arms around him. Please come for me.
Herendil was desperate. "Where could he be?" he muttered under his breath.
"The only place we haven't check is the old wing. It hasn't been used for years…not since my wife passed away." Elrond spoke gravely, even though it had happened long ago. The pain was not fresh rather it was a dull throb. The passing of his wife was one of the most painful things he had ever experienced, it was as if he had been physically ripped into two. "There is one room…a long way down the corridor. Legolas might be there, all the other rooms are locked."
Herendil just nodded. He could hear the pain in Elrond's tone. He could not imagine it. Herendil walked slowly down the corridor, his footsteps echoing like a song.
Legolas could hear footsteps approaching. Someone – no, two someones were coming. His breathing stilled and he turned his face away. I don't want to see the anger in Herendil's eyes. Or worse the pain I've caused. It's my entire fault.
Herendil stood in the doorway, taken aback by the stunning beauty of the room. Elrond stayed outside. He could not bear to be in the room again. He had not been there since his wife left. Elrond's memories flooded him and he was lost in his thoughts.
At Herendil's first glance he thought it was empty, then he spotted Legolas in the shadows. Without thinking, he grabbed Legolas by the arm and shook him.
"Where were you? I spent the whole day looking for you! Do you have any idea how worried I am?" Herendil said, his patience worn.
Legolas recoiled from him in fear. He refused to look at Herendil. He hates me now. "I'm sorry," Legolas said so softly that Herendil could barely hear it.
The loud commotion caught Elrond's attention. He didn't want to interfere. Instead he stayed in the shadows of the room, unnoticed. Elrond knew that Legolas and Herendil would have to work it out between them.
Herendil was brought back to his senses. "No. I'm sorry. Look at me."
"I can't…" Legolas said. I made you angry.
Herendil gently tilted the elfling's head up. "Look at me. I'm sorry. I'm not really angry at you. I was just worried…so worried about you. Don't do that to me again. I don't want you to be hurting alone."
"I hurt you by running away," Legolas grieved.
"No. You didn't. By running away, you are avoiding your problems. You can't solve anything. You hurt yourself. Sometimes we all need to be alone, but sometimes we need a friend to help us. I promise I will be there for you, if you let me. You need to want to heal. Only you can heal your heart."
Legolas felt the words impact him. "Why?" he asked sorrowfully. "Why did my father send me away? Everyone hates me. I wish I'd died. I wish I had never born. Then I wouldn't be such a burden!"
Herendil quietened Legolas and answered, "Your father loves you and so do I." He did not say anymore except to gather Legolas into his arms. He held him for a long time as they watched the sun set.
"Like the sun sets, darkness falls. But it will pass. Day will come. That is your hope. One day, you will see your father again. That day you will be together. Hold onto the hold that day will come, for it will. If you do not believe in it, it can never happen for you are in the dark. If you are in the dark, you do not know the way. Legolas, you were put in the world for a reason. Don't ever doubt why you are here. And as surely as the sun rises, your father loves you and so will I," Herendil's voice faltered as he cried. This time the tears fell freely, onto Legolas' hand.
"You're crying," Legolas said in surprise. "Is it because of me?"
"Yes. But these are not tears of sorrow but of joy – joy because you are here in my arms."
Legolas turned away so that he wouldn't cry. I WON'T CRY. I WON'T CRY. Legolas willed himself to be strong, fighting the tears.
"There is not shame in crying, Legolas," Herendil said.
But Legolas shook his head. No, I won't give in. Not this time. Not ever. Legolas refused to let go of his feelings. Herendil did not want to force Legolas to release his emotions. He sighed inwardly but rubbed Legolas' back comfortingly anyway.
Herendil hated to break this tender moment but there was the bad news he would have to break to Legolas. Legolas deserved to hear it from no one but himself, it just wouldn't be fair to ask Elrond to do it. It would be the coward's way out. Herendil took a deep breath and prepared himself.
"Legolas, please understand what I'm about to say. I have to go…go back to Mirkwood and send a message to Githil. It is my duty because Ruthiun was my foster brother. I have to go to his funeral. Please understand." Herendil explained. "But, you aren't coming with me because you need to have some rest."
"Are you leaving me because I'm bad? I promise I'll be good. I'll promise anything. Don't leave me. I'll be good please," Legolas begged. "I'm sorry."
"No. Child, it's not that. I must go back. It is part of my duty. I don't want to leave you."
"I said I was sorry! Don't leave me." Legolas clung onto Herendil's robes hysterically. "It was all my fault. I'll do anything you want. Please don't punish me like this. Why are you leaving me?"
"Legolas. Legolas. I'm not punishing you. It kills me to leave you. But you will be safe with Elrond. He won't hurt you. I am not leaving because of you. I am leaving because of my duty. I have to face my problems, Legolas, I can't run away. I will come back. I promise you, I will come back for you. I won't leave you forever. Please don't make this any harder for me. I have already delayed my journey. I must go, for your sake as well. Your father needs to know what is going on. I will come back, always, for you." Herendil pledged. He held Legolas tightly in his arms, he was crying. For a while, Herendil just caressed Legolas in his arms. Legolas reached up to brush the tears away from Herendil's eyes. One day, I will be strong…like a warrior…I'll never cry…
Herendil carried Legolas to his room. Legolas was very tired, but Herendil quickly changed his bandages. He was pleased to see that Legolas was almost better – physically. He noticed the bruises on his knuckles and put salve on them. Herendil's heart lurched as he thought of Legolas hurting himself. By now, Legolas was already half-asleep. As Herendil tucked him into the bead, he kissed Legolas gently on the brow.
"Thank you," Legolas said.
"You are welcome young one," Herendil answered.
He bent down and whispered softly in Legolas' ear so that only he could hear him, "Sleep well. I will return for you, always, my brave little prince."
Legolas smiled and held Herendil's hand. "Stay until I fall asleep? Please?"
Herendil could not refuse such an offer. When he looked up, he saw Elrond brushing something from his eye. Herendil swore it was a tear.
When he was sure that Legolas was sound asleep, he got up and strode silently across the room. Elrond held out his pack, everything had been prepared for him. Herendil smiled gratefully.
Herendil walked with Elrond down to the stables with Herendil giving the Elven Lord his deepest thanks.
"The body has been wrapped for you in cloths. It will be slightly uncomfortable to hold it while riding, but I apologise that there is nothing I can do. He does deserve a proper burial. I'm sorry that he died during the journey to Imladris. Orcs do not attack often in these lands, but I fear a darker time approaches Middle-Earth. His death was unfortunate and I am sorry. My sons are out tracking orcs daily, in hope of decreasing their activity around our borders. Please send my deepest sympathies to your King and your family for their loss," Elrond said gravely.
"Thank you. I will," responded Herendil. He looked worried about leaving Legolas.
Reading his thoughts, Elrond assured him, "I will take care of him as if he was my own son. Do not worry. Take care of yourself, I want you to come back for him."
"Hannon lle, [Thank you] once again. I will come back. Until I meet you again. Naamarie, nin mellon. [Farewell, my friend.]" Herendil said.
"Naamarie, nin mellon. Keep safe. Peace be with you and the Valar's grace be upon you," Elrond farewelled. He stood in the cool night, watching Herendil as he departed.
The moon shone brightly, an orb illuminating the sky. As Herendil rode towards Mirkwood in the cover of darkness, he allowed himself one last look at Imladris before it disappeared behind him.
"Wait for my return, my brave little prince."
The End!
Nessa and fanes: You may not have been able to read the newest chapter because it takes around 24 hours to stabilise it, I think. My review often don't appear until the next day so I think it's just the fanfiction.net's system…
Kit Cloudkicker: I will fix the mistake when I post this chapter up. Thanks. It was around 2:00 last nite…too tired…Thank for telling me so I can fix it. Bet you thought I forgot about you, hehe. I just read Sworn Brothers. It's good. Update soon. I have changed the mistakes in this chapter as well. Just another note, I have already read the trilogy it's good. She is on my update list. You are too…
Pris: Hmm. I never thought I could pull off a teak-jerker. Really I'm flattered.
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