Behind Blue Eyes

Chapter 5: Realization

(Legolas)

When Elves sleep they sleep with their eyes open, and when they awake it is almost like when a human wakes, our eyes which are glazed over in sleep become unglazed and act like a human opening their eyes. Now that I am awake I quickly run my eyes over the room, sighing when I find I'm in Rivendell. A sound beside me alerts me that I'm not the only one here in the room, turning my eyes to the side, slanting them slightly I peer at Estel, curled up in the armchair, his face buried in his arms. Watching the human boy I take in how young he looks when his face is relaxed, noting the white bandage on his forehead I frown. Kneeling on the bed I lean closer to the boy, careful not to put any weight on my throbbing arm. I am almost eye level with the human when one of his blue eyes open slightly, eyes focused right on me. I gasp and jump back, only to be greeted with the sound of laughter. Looking back over at Estel who is rubbing sleep from his eyes and laughing.

" Pray tell what is so funny?" I ask, cocking my head to one side and watching the boy with narrowed eyes. Estel seems to laugh harder at this and I wonder why

" You- you look like adar when you do that!" Estel laughs and I picture myself in my mind of what I must look like, head cocked and eyes narrowed and a frown on my face. At this I even begin to laugh, falling back onto the soft blankets my stomach turning with laughter.

" Well I'm glad to see you up and smiling young Legolas." I jump at the voice, cursing myself for not noticing him before hand. Elrond stands in the doorway, his eyes full of laughter and delight at the sight before him. I sigh and stop laughing, but keep a smile on my usually expressionless face.

(Elrond)

Walking down the hall I stop when I pick up the light sound of laughter, coming from Legolas's room. My curiosity gets the best of me and I peek into the room to find Estel laughing and Legolas sprawled across the bed, holding his stomach as he laughs. The sound of both boys laughing warms my soul, for I really know Legolas is healing now. Before the boy wouldn't give an expression, less a laugh. Smiling I walk into the room

" Well I'm glad to see you up and smiling young Legolas." I tell the two and Legolas sighs, stopping his laughter but on his face remains the smile. Going to his side I glance at my son, who's face is flushed from laughing and his eyes dancing with spirit.

" Let me see your arm. Estel don't you go anywhere I want to check you head wound as well." I order the boy as he tries slipping from the chair without my noticing. Estel sighs and slumps back into his chair a frown on his face. Legolas sits up and holds his wounded arm so I can easily un-wrap it. He turns his head away at the sight of the dirty bandage, and I cringe at the slowly healing wounds. The bandage is dirtied with the grime the antiseptic withdrew and dried blood, so I put it into the basin to be washed. Looking at the arm itself I smile when I see that the puncture wounds have stopped bleeding and are now closed up, all around them though are bruising of the worst kind, and it seems tender to the touch.

" Wow Legolas, look at those!" Estel exclaims and Legolas shoots him a withering glance before grimacing when I apply a new bandage. Turning to my son I undo his own bandage and smile when I find his gash well cleaned and fine. I reapply the cleaning fluid and bandage, this one smaller and less bulky.

" I don't see why you two must stay inside, go out and enjoy the day. Just remember to keep those wounds clean and if they get dirty come find me at once." Both boys scramble out, Legolas stopping to change his sleeping clothes into something better. I gather up my supplies keeping my back turned while he changes his pants. Turning when I know he is finished I catch a glimpse at his back, drawing in a hiss at its condition. Legolas turns with a question on his face before realizing what I was so shocked about.

" Sorry my Lord." He says quickly and draws the tunic over his head. I stop him, and look at the deep scarring lining his back. The pale markings run down his spine, deep and wide while some criss-cross his shoulders. His eyes are hidden from my sight as I slowly bring him around to face me, hands on his small shoulders.

" There is nothing for you to be sorry about young one, this isn't your fault and you have to understand that not all people are out to harm you. There are some, Estel, Elladan, Elrohir and myself that only wish to help you. Please child do not turn from those helpful hands, allow us to help you heal." I tell the child, watching his watering eyes closely. He sighs and finishes drawing his tunic over his head. I am about to turn away, thinking the boy wouldn't want to talk about what's been going on, but I am surprised when his soft voice asks

" My Lord? I- I mean.. Could I tell you?" He asks and I turn again to look at the youth, who's bright blue eyes are clouded with tears and a deep pain. Nodding I gather my things and bring him to the study, passing Estel in the hall. The youth is about to ask but I quickly mouth a 'no' and he seems to understand. He runs off to possibly annoy his brothers, leaving Legolas and myself in the study. I direct him to one of the chairs that are set in front of one of the many windows, overlooking the main waterfall that runs through Rivendell. Legolas sits there, staring out the window as I take a seat beside him waiting for Legolas to start. I look at him and he opens his mouth but stops and sighs, watching me carefully.

" Legolas know that I will not pass judgment on you, for there is nothing to judge since this isn't your fault." Some of the uneasiness seems to disappear from his eyes and he looks away, thinking on how to begin.

" It all started when my mother was slain by Orcs and Tasinver brought me home with him instead of her…."

}}}~~~~~~~~ ( It's an arrow! ^^)

Rubbing my hand over my face I gently rock the sobbing boy in my arms, saying calming words to him. Soon the boy's breathing evens and he looks up at me, his storm tossed eyes now alight with something new.

" Feel better young one?" I ask, smiling when his face flushes a slight tinge on red. Legolas looks away, suddenly ashamed of what he had just done.

" Sorry Lord, forgive me I didn't mean to show my weakness." He mutters and moves away from me, but I only hold his good arm tightly, forcing him to look at me.

" There is nothing to forgive. Because you told me what has been going on you can finally heal. The wounds on the outside were bound to heal on their own, but the wounds on the inside were festering and refused to heal. Once you told someone, those wounds have no reason not to heal. All you had to do Legolas was trust someone." I tell the Mirkwood prince and he smiles, his face coming alight with a new feature instead of the one of misery.

" I trust you my Lord. The trees said I could and I trust the trees." He says and smiles widely. Getting to my feet and releasing the boy I shake my head indicating the outside.

" Go now and enjoy yourself. The day is beginning to fade and you will miss what happens if you not out there in the world. Go." I usher the youth out and he takes of down the hall his long legs carrying him to wherever Estel and his brothers are. Signing I rub my temples, so much came from the boy during the discussion, so disturbing were the things that boy was put through.

"Father forced me once into a locked storage room, which became my room, and locked me inside. I was so alone and scared that by the time he remembered to let me out I was terrified of the dark and the sunlight hurt my eyes…."

I can't see how anyone could be so heartless to such a gifted child. Legolas is full of spirit and is easily influenced. The way he was being brought up was not only cruel, but not the way his mother would have brought him up.

" After mother died I was always afraid of my father, he would attack me for no reason and often threaten me. I never went to anyone in fear that they to would become victims of my father's violate rages…"

Arthesisa, if she was still alive would have stood up for her boy, but now that she is gone Thranduil has become a monster that prays on his only son. Growling to myself I go out onto the balcony and listen to the sounds of running water, the light breeze that ruffles the many leaves.

" Adar?" I turn when Elladan and Elrohir come into the study, their faces full of concern and question.

" How did it go with Legolas?" Elladan asks, coming to my side and leaning over the balcony. His twin does the same but against the wall, watching me and the sky.

" Boys, you will be having another brother…"

" What! Father what are we doing? Picking up any stray that needs our help!?" Elladan asks suddenly, and I turn angry eyes on him that he matches with his own ones of pure ice.

" I will not send Legolas back to Thranduil!" I tell the boy more forcefully than needed, but his eyes harden even more.

" He's not even a Rivendell elf!"

" Neither is Estel."

" Father Legolas is a warrior, he's not the passive type! He'll grow to be the warrior that all Mirkwood elves are!"

" I don't thinks so Elladan. There is something very different about the boy, and I chose to allow him to live among us. If he is raised differently than how he was being raised he might be different." I clench my jaw as my eldest boy stalks from the room, Elrohir just looks from one to the other and unsure of what side he wants to be on.

" Ada, I think this is the right decision, but I do agree with Elladan we can't keep brining every thing that needs our help into Rivendell." He says and walks out of the room, leaving me alone. I groan and bury my head in my hands. Both of my boys are now against me, Arwen is not even here to talk reason into them and Estel is very happy with the outcome of this now that he has a friend. Sighing I go back to my desk and begin to write.

Lady Galadriel,

I have taken King Thranduil's boy, Legolas Greenleaf into my home and will be raising him as my own. I have reason to fear for his life since I took him from Thranduil in sever condition it is not safe to allow the boy to stay in that kingdom. I am sure my brother has already written you on this matter, and if he hasn't I would like you to be filled in. Since the death of Arthesisa, Thranduil has become increasingly violent and has turned to beating his only boy. I was visiting their Kingdom with my younger boy Estel when I found out about this. What I saw of the boy's injures and mistrust of Elven Kind this has been going on for a while.

The many injuries include, internal bleeding where a rib pierced the lung, Stiff Joint in his back from being forced to sleep on the stone floor. The boy is afraid to be in dark enclosed places and often has nightmares. His spirit was also broken during this time, for his eyes were blank and expressionless was his face.

Legolas has told me what was going on and I can tell you I have seen a major difference in the boy since his awakening here in Rivendell. He is much happier and open with his feelings and isn't so adept to shy away from the touch of others. He has also brought much joy to Estel, who has been helping him, recover slowly.

The boy is much happier, healthy and safe here among my family and I and I am asking you to intervene and help me keep my half brother away from his son until I think it is a good time. Legolas is still emotionally hurt and making him see his father so soon might just tip the scale and we might loose Arthesisa's only son.

Please respect my wishes for I can not do this without help, you know my brother and when he sets his mind to something, nothing can stop him.

Singed,

Lord Elrond of Rivendell

Caretaker of Legolas Greenleaf

Completing my letter to the Lady of Lothlorien I roll it and stick it into a leather scroll holder. Calling one of my fastest horse messengers I hand him the scroll and tell him where to take it. He bows and is off without a word. Going back to the balcony I look down upon the small wadding pool that comes off from the mighty river. There are two boys, knee high in water. One with dark hair, holding onto a Horned Frog and laughing, his companion with golden hair touching its hide, musical laughter filters up from the pool and I smile, knowing this is the right decision and that my other boys will come around soon. This was a right decision and Legolas will not be your typical Mirkwood elf, he it to gifted for that. I look foreword to watching the two boys grow, and develop their own sense of loyalty, hopefully they won't get killed while trying.

Immortal Sadness: NO THIS IS NOT THE END!

REPEAT: THIS IS NOT THE END!

The next chapter begins a few years after this, when Legolas and Aragorn are… oh…19 in human years. They have already been out exploring the lands and stuff.. I'm not going to give it away. So, I hope you enjoyed it and I know that Thranduil isn't like this in the book I KNOW this! I have read it! But I am enjoying myself writing this!

SlaughterURchildren: yeah she is, she got off of work, did homework and was writing since!

Immortal Sadness: ::dies:: Sooo tired…. I hate work but I got paid so it's all good! I have to do this movie poster, and I'm going to do a remake of Lord of the Rings… anyone got any ideas? I could use some help because all I could come up with was The Ford and it's Dings. HELP! REVIEW!

Responses

Deana- Nice! But I need to focus on my driving since I almost hit a mailbox. ::long story.::

DemiDevil- Thanks! Yes it's in 1st person I'm glad u like it!

Stormy- Ya know I thought you weren't serious about reviewing all the chapters! My god Mel I wasn't serious! Yo did you see the angry/stern look on Elrond's face in the first movie, and how friggen long it took for Boromir to die? Jeez… forever..

Wadeva- yes, I my world he must suffer. Don't worry, he won't be having such a hard time in upcoming chapters!

Nikki- Thanks much! I'm really happy you are enjoying this!

Lexi-chan( forget the rest sorry ={) I wrote this name down too. Thanks much and I might be writing more LOTR fics, I dunno. Wrote one about the thoughts after Helm's Deep.

EQJS-thanks and there ya go!

Thank you to all those have been nice enough to read this and review! Please review!

REVIEW! Please? REVIEW!