Chapter 23

"Legolas!"

Legolas smiled as he recognized his eldest brother, Romion , called out to him as his horse entered the palace ground.

Romion, the Crown Prince of Mirkwood, stood proudly as he waited for his little brother to dismount from his horse.

As soon as he stopped, Legolas jumped from his horse and ran towards his brother. Once there, he flung his arms around his brother's neck and gave Romion a bear hug.

Romion returned the embrace affectionately.

"I miss you so much, Romi," Legolas said as he buried his head into his brother's tunic.

"I miss you too, my little one," Romion replied with a smile.

Slowly, he pulled away from Legolas to take a better look at him. Legolas's eyes were red and puffy and he was sniffling.

Romion frowned and asked," What's wrong little one? Why are you crying?"

Legolas shook his head and said," No, nothing's wrong. I just missed you terribly."

Romion chuckled and cupped Legolas's cheeks with both his palms and said," I missed you terribly too."

Then he kissed Legolas's forehead and then his nose.

"Come along now. Adar would want to see you," Romion said as he took Legolas's hand and led him into the palace.

Legolas chatted with his brother as they walked to the library where King Thranduil was at. Legolas tried his best to be cheerful to hide the fact that he was in deep trouble. He didn't want them to know. At least not that early.

As they come to the library, Romion knocked and King Thranduil's voice boomed from inside to permit them to come in.

Without wasting a moment, Legolas pushed the door open and ran inside. "Adar!"

King Thranduil looked up from his table, smiled and quickly got up to embrace his son. "Legolas! You're home!"

The king had missed his youngest son very much for Legolas had never really left his side in his thousand years of growing.

"You're finally home, my little one. How I've missed you," King Thranduil said with much emotion.

"I've missed you too, Adar. So very much!" Legolas said, still in his father's embrace.

Romion smiled at the affection that took place. 'The mighty king of Mirkwood showing his affection,' Romion thought.

Very true indeed. The king was not a cold hearted person but he was very strict and fearful in his reign. He was respected and loved by his people because he was just and noble. He demanded discipline from his people, and more from his sons.

But with Legolas, he was a soft-spoken, devoted and loving father. Not that he did not love his other sons. He did and still do and they're all his life, but Legolas was his joy. His soul. And now his joy ad returned to him after spending a year in Lorien.

Romion coughed a little to get their attention. Both father and son looked at him.

Romion pretend to pout and said," Here I stand, the forgotten son and brother. Mirkwood has no more use of me now. I shall go away and be left alone for all eternity."

Romion turned and pretend to leave the room but before he could take another step, he was hugged by Legolas and a wet sloppy kiss was planted on his cheek.

"Ewwww... Legolas! Could you be more disgusting? Next time keep your saliva to yourself!" Romion exclaimed in disgust.

Both the king and Legolas laughed.

"I'd have to say you deserve that 'reward' after your splendid performance there. Don't you think so Legolas?" King Thranduil asked good-naturedly.

Now it was Legolas turn to pretend to pout. "Don't you love my kisses no more, Romi? Don't Romi love little Las no more?" And the puppy eyes trick.

Romion only rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in annoyance.

King Thranduil chuckled at his youngest antics.

"You should go rest now my son. You looked tired. I believe you would want to seek out your other brothers. We'll have a family dinner tonight and we shall talk more then."

Legolas smiled and nodded. After giving his father another hug, Legolas and Romion left the library.

Meanwhile....

"Where exactly are we again?!" Arwen whined for the thousandth time.

"Will you stop whining, you brat? It's very annoying you know?" Elrohir snapped at his sister. Arwen pouted and stuck out her tongue at him.

"But she's right. Where the hell are we?" Haldir asked with a tired tone.

Elrohir threw his arms in the air and said," Dear Valar! Not you too... ONE whiner is enough. We don't need two."

Haldir turned to face his friend and glared dangerously at him," Who are you calling a whiner?"

"Whoever that answers." Came back the reply.

"Will you guys just shut the hell up," Elladan snapped at them.

"Geez... Someone's moody this morning."

"Who are you to tell us to shut up? This is your fault you know?"

"First of all I am your OLDER brother and it was YOUR fault too. So... shut up!"

"Adarrrrr... Are we lost? We are lost, aren't we? I knew it! We are lost! And I'm cold. I think I'm sick! Adar, you must heal me. I don't want to die out here."

"Adar, are you sure you've been to Mirkwood?"

"Maybe he was just imagining things. You know, old age and all."

"Mirkwood can't have moved right?"

Elrond rubbed his temple, trying in vain to relax his veins. All the constant nagging and fighting between the younger elves was really getting to him.

Before they could say another word, Elrond glared at them and shouted," I have been to Mirkwood! And it is certainly NOT my fault that we are here. AND I AM NOT THAT OLD!"

Four pair of eyes stared at him in shocked. When he clamed down a bit, he said," Arwen, elves do not feel the cold nor do we get sick. And no, you are not going to die out here, unless of course, for some reason I decided to help you end you life here."

"And as for the three of you, this is ALL YOUR FAULT for pulling a prank like that. So stop annoying me!"

After that, they continue to ride, this time in silence. But after some time, they could see Elrond shook his head and sighed.

Elladan rode up to his father. "Adar, what is it?"

"We have been riding for a whole day now, but I remember this part of the wood. We've been riding in circles. We'll never get to Mirkwood like this."

Elladan frowned and asked," What do you mean, Adar?"

Elrond let out a sigh and said," It's the woods. They refused to let us pass. They won't let us into Mirkwood."

"But how?" Elrohir asked from behind.

"Wood elves magic. My guess is Legolas did something or somehow ordered the woods to do so. He is their prince after all."

"He didn't want to see me," Elladan said sadly.

Arwen put a comforting hand onto her brother's shoulder.

"So, what do we do now? Go back?" Haldir asked.

"NO! We must find a way to undo this magic. Otherwise, Legolas will die," Elrond said.

At Mirkwood...

Legolas touched his reflection on the mirror in his bedroom.

The curse was taking it's course now. He nearly could not recognize himself in the mirror. Or maybe it was his imagination?

His eyes was dull, without the twinkle of spirit that he used to possessed. His skin was pale. Most importantly, he looked tired. Almost like the dead.

He thought of the spell that he had chanted in the woods. He did not want Elrond or Elladan to come after him.

His family must not know that Elladan was the one who broke his heart. Knowing the protectiveness of his family over him, a war would be waged upon Rivendell and he did not want that.

Let what had happened between Elladan and him stayed hidden from his family. They must not know.

He sighed.

He did not know how much time he had. Maybe days, maybe weeks. He did not know.

But he was thankful that the signs or symptoms were not obvious. One could guess if one looked close enough or knew what to look for.

But he doubted it. Dying of grief were not common even though it had happened before.

Closing his eyes, he smiled weakly. He promised to be the best son and brother to his family while he still have the chance to do so.

While he still have the strength to do so.

TBC...

Hmmm... Do I have any Chinese reviewers or readers out there??? If I have, then Happy Chinese New Year to you... May you have a prosperous new year... Well, Actually the wishes is for all of you, chinese or not! ^.^

Review please...?