Behind Blue Eyes
Chapter 3: Chaos
(Elrond)
I wince as Laconia takes a neat jump over a fallen branch, looking down at my nephew I see the blue eyes opening into slits. Smiling at the youth I rub his shoulder gently, frowning when he tenses at my light touch. Noting this behavior I tuck the information back into my mind for later use.
" It's alright, no one is going to harm you any longer Legolas." I tell the prince who watches me with weary eyes, still half glazed with pain and confusion. I hear Fenris snort and look behind me to see Estel eyeing the area ahead of us. I stop and wait patiently for what I know is coming.
" No one enters the Rivendell woods without proper consent from Lord Elrond himself. Turn back now trespassers!" I roll my eyes at the authoritative tone. Estel holds back his laughter as two, dark haired elves present themselves to us, their faces and movements alike, but the minds totally different.
" Elrohir, Elladan, I have no time for this foolishness." I mutter and look hard at my twin sons, watching as they suddenly realize who we are. Their eyes widen and they lower their bows, coming to Laconia's head, smiling.
" Father! We didn't expect you back so soon!" Elrohir cries as he grasps for my arm, but finds none. I shift the shaking body in my arms, making myself a bit more comfortable. Legolas gives a wincing sigh and closes his eyes against pain. Estel comes closer to my side, eyeing his brothers and then Legolas.
" What is this you carry father?" Elladan asks, noticing the bundle.
" Your injured cousin, Legolas. Come now, it's been a long ride and I need to see to the wounds." I tell them tersely and urge Laconia forword, she moves quickly through the trails until we reach the gardens and stables. I allow one of the other Elves there to hold onto the prince while I dismount. The helper doesn't say a word only looks away sadly. I take the child from him and nod my thanks, then go up the stairs and into the building. Lying the youth on the bed I quickly remove my own cloak. Legolas is shivering on the bed, a small stream of blood coming from the side of his mouth. Gathering up a few supplies I turn when I hear pounding footsteps and see Estel racing in with my pack.
" Father, your herbs!" He yells and puts them on the chair. I smile and take the pack, grabbing what I need from it and returning back to the injured elf's side.
" What happened to him Adar?" Elrohir asks, coming to the right side of the bed and picking up the pale hand there. I quickly glance at the boy and then return my eyes back to my task of cutting off the tunic. Elladan gasps at the sight of the chest, covered in bright bluish black bruises, some ribs protruding from his side.
" Whatever happened brother it wasn't good." Elladan says to his brother, and puts a hand on his younger brother's shoulder.
" Leave all of you. I'll come and speak with you later. Estel take care of the horses. Elrohir, Elladan go and see Rathager, I will need his assistance." The twins nod and take off ushering their adopted brother out with them. Looking down at the pale child on the bed I realize just how long this has been going on and it angers me to know I was there while this was happening.
" Elrond?" I turn to see Rathager standing in the doorway, holding a bunch of bandages and salves.
" Rathager I am in need of your assistance. Young Legolas has been badly injured and has internal bleeding." Rathager's eyes widen and he quickly moves to the boy's side. Although I know much about healing there are only a few surgeons known to the Elven world. Rathager is one, and I have had the privilege to know him since childhood. I watch on as my friend examines the badly injured child, and wincing when Legolas squirms away from the man's hands in pain.
" This doesn't bode well Elrond. The rib has struck a lung and has caused it to fill with blood. He is slowly drowning in his own blood." Rathager shakes his head sadly then begins unpacking his instruments, I look on.
" I need you to drug him into sleep while I do this. Also I will need you to mix a great deal of numbing herbs for after." He instructs and I move about the room, gatheirng the many bowls and crushers I will need before stopping and looking back at Rathager.
" What do you plan to do my friend?" I ask and watch as the Elven surgeon washes his hands in hot water.
" I plan to stitch up the bleeding and save his life." I nod, knowing if Rathager already has a plan, everything will be fine.
(Later on)
Emerging from the room I take a great gulp of air, trying to steady my own racing heart and turning stomach. Behind me Rathager comes out, holding onto his many instruments, his face somber and pale.
" He will live?" I ask looking at my friends pale green eyes. Weariness etches the very depths but he nods, looking back into the room where the still patient lay.
" I have done everything I can. It's up to him now to heal himself. Although the risk of both fever and infection are high, other than that I think he should recover enough to get up in a few weeks." I nod, and place a hand on my friends shoulder feeling it sag under my hand.
" Rest, you have done well. I'll watch over Legolas for this night." Rathager nods and slowly walks down the hall. Taking one more breath to calm myself I return to the room to find bright blue eyes open and gazing about curiously. Smiling as I approach the bed I vaguely wonder how he could have fought off the effects of the sleep herbs I gave him. Yet as I gaze at the pale, sweat drenched face I realize he hadn't shaken off the effects, but was held in a trance like nightmare. His eyes darted back and forth, fear evident in their very depths. His breathing began to become ragged and fearing that the stitches inside would split I quickly kneel beside him, whispering comforting words to the distressed youth.
" Legolas… your okay you'll be fine. Your safe child." He looks at me and he swallows painfully before his voice reaches my ears
" Ta- Tasinver?" He asks and I feel my heart sink. The prince isn't seeing me, but people from the past.
" W-where's mother?" He ask, trying to rise but I hold him down.
" She's… she's.." I am at a lost for words, not knowing what to say to the child, who gasps in pain as he struggles. Looking down at the youth I see he has fallen unconscious again, something that I pray to the gods for. Sadly I remove myself from the bedside and tend to cleaning up the desks, then finally collapsing into the chair I watch the bruised chest raise and fall.
" Adar?" I jerk from my slight slumber to look upon three heads peeking through the door.
" Yes?" I ask, rubbing sleep from my eyes as the three boys walk into the room silently, gazing now and then at Legolas, who hadn't moved since passing out.
" Don't worry, he's out cold." I tell them and visibly see them all relax slightly but still walk lightly. They all come to where I am seated, the twin's eyes wide with curiosity and Estel looking worriedly at his cousin.
" Adar? Are you going to tell us now?" Elrohir asks and I sigh, knowing it was basically impossible to keep anything from the boys. I nod and they quickly seat themselves on the floor and watch me, with the curious eyes of all Elven children.
" King Thranduil has…." I stop, unsure of how to continue. " He has fallen into a deep depression since the death of his wife." I start and look at the boys, both twins nod, having been around when I was called off to help and save the woman, but I got there to late and could only save my brother's only son.
" He has begun to take it out on his son, being so much like his mother I guess it just snapped something inside of your Uncle. Young Legolas will remain under the care of us until I feel certain his wounds, both physical and mental, have healed enough for him to confront his father. Also by keeping the two apart I hope Thranduil will realize just how important his son is to him and snap out of this darkened state he is in."
" I hope so too father." Elladan whispers and lays a hand on mine before moving off to leave.
" Elrohir, come we have to go on patrol." He says to his twin and Elrohir goes with him, casting one last look at his cousin and me before he takes off after Elladan. I sigh, forgetting that anyone else is in the room and close my eyes. Shaking my head I wonder what had gone so wrong in my brother's life other than the death of his wife that caused him to harm his own blood. Granted even I have wanted to slaughter my own son's for their antics I have never stuck either of them for no reason other than reprimand. I snap my eyes open when a cool hand touches mine and I look to see Estel watching me with his bright blue eyes, brows arched in question.
" Adar?" he asks cautiously and I smile at the human child.
" I am fine Estel, only a bit tired from the ride and the healing that had to be done on Legolas." I tell the human youth, a look of concern runs over his face and I smile knowing what was going to come next.
" Father, go and rest I will watch over Legolas." He offers, I gaze at him and vaguely wonder where the many years went where I was the one telling him to do something. Estel isn't the youth that was handed to my by his dying mother, he is now a strong young man of fifteen with the dark, rugged features of his father, as well as the human race, but the thoughtfulness and wonder of his mother. Although his body is human, being raised amongst elves did have an effect on him as well. Most humans are loud in the woods and can be heard miles away, but Estel can walk as lightly as the smallest elf, although he isn't as efficient as most elves he certainly has take a few of our traits.
" Father I am fifteen! I have watched over other injured friends and I think I have proven myself in those kinds of situations. I promise that if something drastic happens that I can't help I will get you immediately." He says, the memories of how Estel saved a few of his friends from severe snake bits by using his head and the skills I have taught him, surface, bringing what he says into a new light.
" Alright, but" I wave a finger in the youth's face and his eyes follow it then settle on my face " You have to come get me when he awakens or begins coughing, if his fever worsens or bleeding begins from his mouth." I yawn and look at the now smiling human through blurry eyes.
" I trust you to keep him safe, warm and well until I have rested enough. This is something you can't lose interest in my son, for if you do it might cost Legolas his life." I tell Estel and get up from the comfortable chair. Taking one last look at the human boy, who is calmly wringing out a cloth to out on the Prince's feverish head, I shake my head. Trying to tell myself that I can trust Estel I walk out the door and into my own chamber where I collapse on the bed and fall into a sleep quickly.
(Legolas)
Opening my eyes slightly I blink to clear my vision of the haze that has collected. First thing that registers in my mind is the warmth surrounding me, and I sigh. It feels so odd to be in a warm bed instead of being on my cold floor. Opening my eyes further I take in my surroundings and suddenly realize with horror, this isn't Tasinver's room. My breathing hitches, causing my aching ribs to protest but ignoring that I bold upright in the bed, eyes wide in horror. A gasp beside me alerts me to the fact there is someone else here, turning my head I encounter a young human, his own blue eyes opened wide as with the mouth in shock. Taken aback at the sigh of the human, and fearing him at the same time I begin to back away forgetting I'm on a bed and fall right off, landing on my stomach. Closing my eyes against the intense pain I listen to the sound of retreating feet and the human boy yelling
"FATHER!"
Once the footsteps are gone I raise myself to my feet and press a hand against my ribs. The ache is still there and making my breathing worse, but I look about the place for a way out. Finding the door the human so carelessly left open I begin my staggering steps toward it, opening the door further I peer into the hall, finding it empty I make my way into the hall, trying to navigate the strange halls, quickly and silently as possible. Still puzzling over where the hells I am I stumble to a stop in a great hall, filled to the brim with shelves of books and lighted by the very sun itself. Seating myself behind one of the statues in the room I bring my knees up to my chest and hug them close, tears beginning to overflow my eyes.
" Alone… so alone…" I mutter and shudder when another thought possess my mind, numbing it
' Father really did send me to be a slave for the humans. He really didn't want me at all…' Closing my eyes I begin to cry silently, sobs racking my frame as I try to stay silent, feeling neglected and alone, so alone.
(Aragorn)
" FATHER! HE WOKE UP!" I yell as I bust into my father's room, eyes wild and screaming on the top of my lungs. Father jerks from his sleep and stares at me, his mouth slightly opened in shock. He tries to get his mouth working properly but fails so I simply grab his arm and forcefully pull the elf with me back to where Legolas was, only to step into the room and find it empty
" Oh hoolies." I mutter a bit to loud for father's eyes are on me wide with horror.
" Estel…" A hint of warning on his voice as I quickly stutter for a response to my cursing. Yet father ignores me and enters the room before racing from it a second later.
" Hoolies." He mutters and puts a hand on his face. I glare at the older man and he quickly straightens himself
" I'm older, I'm allowed to curse." He states and walks away with me in tow.
" What happened Estel?" he asks me as we begin looking through every room.
" He bolted up in the bed and then looked at me, then began backing away. I didn't see the rest because I ran off to get you!" I tell him and walk into the Library, gazing about myself in awe. This room has always awed me, it is filled to the very ceiling with books that father had collected over the many years of his immortal life. Looking around the room and among the many statues I am about to give up when I notice a few strands of abnormally golden hair. Beckoning my father to the spot he peers behind the statue and looks back at me, nodding.
" He's here." I smile.
(Elrond)
The child is asleep, eyes closed and cheeks stained with tear trails. I feel my heart stiffen when I gaze upon the bare-chest boy and see that the bandages aren't stained with blood so nothing seemed to have strained the injury. As I lean in closer I am taken aback when the eyes snap open, so hard but filled with fear it startles me.
" Get away!" he yells and bats my hand away, struggling to sink further into the wall behind the statue.
" Legolas…" I begin but the hard breathing hitches
" How do you know my name?" he cries and tries lashing out with his feet, but I quickly avoid the attack, having heard of the boy's leg strength.
" Legolas it's Elrond. You're here in Rivendell." I tell the youth calmly but his eyes grow wide with fear and he whimpers slightly. I glance behind me to see Estel watching with a grim look on his face. Realizing suddenly the boy's natural fear of humans I usher Estel away from the line of Legolas's view, hoping to calm him slightly.
" It's alright young one. It's only your cousin Estel.. he shall not harm you." I reassure the heavily breathing boy but he would have none.
" NO! Father sold me to the slavers! Stay away from me!" He lashes out with a fist and instead of connecting with my face as it was intended it makes a solid crack on the wall. Legolas doesn't even flinch at this and stays trained on me with fear-filled eyes.
" I will not be a possession!" He cries as I take this momentary laps in concentration to grab a hold of his arms, stopping his struggles slightly.
" Legolas we're not going to hurt you! We are not slavers! Why would you think that?" I ask trying to understand. When he realizes he can't escape my iron grip he stops struggling, giving up and looking away, whimpering slightly
" F-Father says I am worthless and only belongs with slavers… all I'm good for he says…" Legolas sobs as I pull him out from behind the statue. Estel backs away, giving me room where I lay my nephew on the floor. Tears shine in his troubled eyes as he gazes upon me.
"Tasinver?" He asks and I nod grimly. Legolas's tenses when I put a hand on his shoulder, backing away and shrugging my hand off.
" Don't let father hurt me… please… no more.." He whispers, suddenly his eyes roll into the back of his head and he passes out. I look over at Estel and see the questions in his eyes. Sighing I pick the light elf up and carry him back to the room.
' This problem seems to have more twists and turns. Thranduil what have you done to this boy?'
Identity Thief: Thank u soo much for the reviews!
Responses
Velvet: Thank you!
Mellonim: that was the latest update! I hope you liked it!
Apostlesangel: Thanks much!
Deanna: in this fic I would say Legolas is about 15, maybe 16… Aragorn is 15. And Yes in my world ( that is highly demented) they are brothers. Thought I would add a bit of my own twist to the universe. Thanks for the HTML help I'm going to try that, so if the names are in bold it worked!
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Caunoiech: well don't threaten! I update fairly quickly! Honest!
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MJ Rosemary: Well thank ya, I'm glade your enjoying it!
Legolas_fanatical_Fan_girl: LOL, here ya go! I like ur name as well!
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Nikki: Thanks! I enjoy writing in 1st person.. makes things interesting!
Thanks you to all those mentioned and unmentioned! I really appreciate the reviews, I was scared no one would like it! ^^U
SlaughterURchildren: yeah, low self esteem, so troubling actually ::glares::
::Glares back:: Bite me you pain in the ass! Oh and Hoolies is something I picked up from the Tiger and Del books it's kind of another world for 'oh shit' or 'hell'. So.. yeah…
SlaughterURchildren: sure.. steal from other people!
::Takes Elven blade and pins to SURc to wall:: Ha, now what you pain? Anyway review! ::offers Lembas and Dreamberry wine:: PLEASE? Review?
Samwise the Brave: I'm actaully not new to the world of Fanfiction. I've just been doing Beyblade and anime stories. This is my first actual 'other than anime' fanfic, but I did abuse because of some things going on around me in my neighborhood and thought it ::shrugs:: I dunno, I'm just this huge angst/abuse/torture freak. But I don't want people to feel bad for Legolas and shit like that (SORRY PEOPLES BUT I HAVE A BAD TENDENCY TO SWEAR TOO MUCH) and in the end he won't hate his father! I just write what I feel and how I think it would effect Legolas and stuff. So, yeah but thanks for the review/flame..
Lissom-Howler: thank you but U are a very good author as well my friend and don't stop telling urself that!
angelbird12241 Thanks!