Chapter 27

********** Flashback **************

Romion was walking towards his own chamber when he saw a figure slumped over just a few feet ahead of him.

His heart dropped when he realized that the figure was his little brother, Legolas. Quickly, he rushed over to his brother's side.

"Legolas!" he called out as he cradled the his brother in his lap. But his call went unanswered.

Slipping his arms under the neck and knees of Legolas, he quickly carried him and rushed back to the dining hall where his siblings and father is still at.

As he pushed through the door using his body, he yelled for his father," Adar! Adar!"

"Romion? Legolas! What happened?" King Thranduil asked in concern when he saw Romion carrying an unconscious Legolas in his arms. His sons quickly got up from their seats and ran over to Romion.

Romion tried to keep calm and explained," I found him in the hall. I think he has fainted. I tried to wake him but it was useless."

"We must get the healer. Romi, you get Las to his chamber. Nari, Kai, go fetch a healer. We'll be in Legolas' chamber," Taelas gave his commands to his family members when he saw his father and Romion was too shocked to even think clearly.

Haifirion hesitated but he asked anyway," Adar? You don't think it's the curse right?"

Everyone stood still at the question. They have the similar question in mind but no one dared to ask or even to think that was the cause of it. But it was the first thing that crossed their mind.

King Thranduil cleared his throat and say in the most confident voice that he could gather," No, Haifirion. It's just the wine. And he was tired. He just collapsed from exhaustion, that's all. It's not the curse, don't be silly."

Haifirion nodded as if satisfy with the answer that his father gave. But even to him, it sounded as if Thranduil was trying to convince himself.

When no one moved, Taelas barked his orders again," Nari, Kai, what are you waiting for? Didn't I tell you to fetch the healer? Go now!"

Naramin and Kaimion quickly went in search of the healer while the others made way for Legolas' chamber with Romion still carrying Legolas.

To Romion, Legolas's weight was alarmingly light. But he didn't want to mention this to his family, especially his father. So he kept quiet. He thought maybe it was that Legolas did not like the food in the camp. It was never famous for its delicacies. But somehow he knew that was not it. But he did not ponder on it for long.

When they reached Legolas' chamber, Taelas pushed opened the door and hold it opened while Romion carried his brother in. King Thranduil and Haifirion followed behind.

"Firi, get some warm water," Taelas ordered his brother. Haifirion got going and went in search of warm water. Romion lay his brother on his bed.

Then King Thranduil spoke," Romion, you should take off his tunic. He could breathe more better with his tunic off."

Romion did as he was told. He gasped as he noticed something was missing from his brother's neck.

"What?" Thranduil asked as he saw the shocked expression on his son's face.

Romion looked at his father and gulped. He did not know how to tell the king. "What is it?" Thranduil asked again, this time rather impatiently.

"His ring. He's not wearing it," Romion managed to whisper out his words.

"What?" Thranduil and Taelas managed to shout in unison as they went ahead to inspect Legolas' neck.

"Oh no," Thranduil said in alarm.

But Taelas was calm and optimistic," Maybe he had it in his possession. Maybe he just didn't wear it. Let's not jump to conclusion."

Both Thranduil and Romion thought about it and nodded. Any explanation to exclude the curse is fine with them.

Haifirion came back with the warm water the same time as Naramin and Kaimion arrived with a healer in tow.

All of them stood back to let the healer do his work and check on Legolas.

When the healer was finished with the checking, they crowded him to listen to what he has to say.

"I can't find anything wrong with him. Maybe it was exhaustion that wore him out. There's nothing we can do except to let him sleep it over. I can use the smelling salt but I recommend that you let him sleep. Let him get the rest that his body needed."

"Very well, then. Thank you healer," King Thranduil said as his sons made their way to Legolas' bedside.

The healer bowed and left the room.

"We should let him rest now, let's go," Thranduil said as he tried to ushered his sons out of the room. But they were reluctant to move.

Then Romion said," You guys go ahead and rest. I'll stay here with him." And that leave no place for argument, so all except Romion left to leave Legolas for his rest.

"Wake me up if you have to leave," Taelas said to his eldest brother before he walked out the door. Romion only nodded.

When they had left, Romion took a chair and drag it to Legolas' bedside and there he sat holding his little brother's hand while he slept.

"What happened little leaf?" Romion whispered as he brushed a lock of golden hair from his brother's forehead.

The next morning...

Romion fell asleep while holding his brother's hand. He woke up when he felt his brother stirred.

"Legolas?" Romion whispered softly.

Legolas stirred again and then after a while, he spoke softly," Romi?"

"Thank goodness you're awake! You had us scared!" Romion exclaimed and quickly gave his brother a hug. Then he helped his brother to sit up.

Legolas rubbed his eyes, yawned and asked," What are you doing here? What happened?"

Romion smiled affectionately at Legolas and said," You tell me. You fainted."

'Oh no! He caught me fainted? What should I say?' Legolas thought desperately.

"We fetched a healer but he said you were merely tired and it's nothing a good night rest won't cure," Romion continued.

'How I wished it was that simple, Romi,' Legolas thought again as he smiled at his eldest brother.

"I guess I WAS tired," Legolas lied.

"And I hope you have rested well enough. How are you feeling today?" Romion asked.

"I feel fine. Don't worry about me," Legolas assured his brother.

Romion stared at Legolas for a moment before he cold gather his courage to ask," Las, where is your ring?"

'Shit! My ring!' the question caught Legolas off guard. 'Think quickly, think quickly.'

"I... er... left it in one of my packs. It... um... it didn't really go with my clothes when I went to the Last Feast in camp. So I had to take it out. I guessed I must have forgotten to put it back on," Legolas explained quickly hoping that his brother would buy his story.

Romion looked at his brother for a while, as if he was deciding whether to believe his brother or not.

Then he broke into a grin and laughed," My, my, little leaf. I never knew you were so vain before."

'Of course he still has it. He's not that stupid to give it to someone. Thank the Valar! Taelas was right,' Romion thought happily.

Legolas pretend to be hurt and mocked a pout. Romion chuckled as he plant a kiss on Legolas' forehead.

"I'm glad you're fine. I was so terrified when I found you fainted in the hall," Romion said.

Legolas smile sadly and said," I'm sorry I gave you a scare last night."

"That's okay. Just don't do it again. Come on then. Go wash up and I'll see you at breakfast okay," Romion said again.

Legolas nodded and said," I love you, Romi."

"I love you too, little leaf," Romion said as he walk out of the room.

Later that day...

Everyone was relieved to find Legolas up and about again. Romion had told his father and brothers about Legolas' ring and what he had done with it and Legolas was teased mercilessly about his vanity.

But Legolas was glad. At least he didn't have to worry about his family being suspicious of his ring.

The brothers had decided to take a day off their work and went riding and hunting. They had missed Legolas' company and had wanted to spend some time with their youngest brother.

"Let's have a hunting game! The olds versus the youngs!" Naramin exclaimed happily.

"Olds versus youngs? Whatever did you mean?" Haifirion asked in puzzled.

"The olds were referring to Romi, Taelas and you , dear brother," Naramin answered with a grin.

"While the youngs are Nari, Kai and me, of course!" Legolas continued for his brother, smiling happily.

"I resent that remark! I may be older than you but I am NOT that old. Hah! With my skills, you young ones are as good as losers," Romion protested.

Haifirion snorted and tried to hold back a chuckle. "What? You don't believe me? Wait a moment, you're supposed to be on my side you know. Taelas, what say you?" Romion said.

"I am of course with you, my dear brother. Someone ought to teach these younglings a lesson, don't you think?" Taelas said with a smile.

Romion narrowed his eyes and looked at Haifirion. Haifirion laughed and said," Okay, okay. I'm sorry. You are the best hunter there is in Mirkwood. Satisfied?"

Romion smiled in triumphant while the others laughed.

"Well, let's go then. The first team to get a game wins," Kaimion said.

The two teams went their separate ways but never too far from each other in search of their game.

Legolas saw a deer and gestured to his brothers. Slowly, they approached the deer. Feeling confident of the his target, Legolas notched an arrow and aimed.

Suddenly, his vision was blurred. He shook his head to try and clear his vision but to no avail. He lowered his arrow.

Kaimion saw his brother lowered his arrow and was puzzled for he knew it was a perfect aim. He looked at Naramin but his brother only shrugged as he did not know what was wrong himself.

Legolas opened his eyes and tried to focus again but he was unable to do so. His vision was very blur that he could not even make out the deer in front of him.

Then, out of a sudden, jolting pains hit his chest. He dropped his bow and arrow and clutched tightly at his chest.

Kaimion and Naramin saw Legolas dropped to his knees on the ground and quickly went forward to help their brother.

Kaimion caught Legolas before he could dropped to the ground. "Legolas!" Kaimion and Naramin shouted.

"Las, what's wrong? Las?" Naramin asked in concern.

Legolas could hear his brother but he does not have the strength to answer him. He could only feel the pain in his chest. Unable to stand the pain, he screamed.

Romion, Taelas and Haifirion was still looking for their game when Legolas' scream alerted them.

"Legolas!" Taelas shouted as he realized who was screaming. Quickly, they went in search for their younger brothers.

"Nari? Kai? Where are you? Answer me!" Haifirion and Romion yelled to get their brothers attention.

Kaimion and Naramin could hear the elder siblings shouting for them so they yelled out," Over here! Romi! Here!"

"What happened?" all three asked in unison when they get to them.

"Don't know. He just dropped and then he shouted. I think he's in some kind of pain," Naramin tried to explain.

"Kai, carry him. We need to get him back to the palace," Romion said.

With Kaimion carrying Legolas, all of them made way to the palace.

In Legolas' room...

A healer was fetched as soon as they reached the palace. All the way back, Legolas moaned and screamed in pain.

Kaimion put his brother on his bed and waited for the healer. Suddenly the door opened and a concern King Thranduil came rushing in. Haifirion had gone and got his father while they carried Legolas to his room.

"What happened?" the king asked as he sat beside Legolas.

"We don't know Adar. We need to wait for the healer," Taelas answered.

Then Naramin walked in followed by a healer. Quickly, the healer went to Legolas and started inspecting him while the others stood back to let the healer do his work.

A deafening scream was heard and then there was silence. Another scream. Then they heard the healer chanted a spell to calmed Legolas and to ease his pain. Suddenly, to their surprised, the chanting stopped and the healer gasped.

"What is it?" King Thranduil demanded.

"The spell didn't worked. It... it bounced back to me," the healer said, or rather whispered softly and in disbelief.

Then slowly, the healer turned to face them and his face was grim with sadness.

"It's the curse, my king. I can't heal him," the healer said softly as he shook his head.

Later...

A few hours later, Legolas was still unconscious. But his screaming and moaning had stopped. For that, the royal family and the healer was relieved. It was hard for the, just standing there and couldn't do anything to help ease Legolas' pain.

The king and his sons never left Legolas' chamber. None of them were willing to leave Legolas' side. The servants had to bring their dinner but even then, nobody had the appetite to eat.

Romion lay beside his brother, holding his hand while Legolas slept. On the other side of Legolas bed, Tharnduil sat, also holding Legolas' hand. They had hoped, in doing so, Legolas could feel their presence and would come back to them.

"Adar?" Legolas said in a soft voice for he was tired and sore. He moved his hand a little in an attempt to wake his father.

But it was Romion who heard him. "Legolas? Thank the Valar, you're awake!" Romion exclaimed as he leaned forward and kissed Legolas' temple.

His family members were all waken following Romion's exclaim. All rushed to Legolas bedside to see how he was doing.

"You really had us scared, little one," King Thranduil said as he caressed Legolas' cheek affectionately. Legolas gave him a small smile.

One look at his family, Legolas knew that they knew what was happening. His thoughts were confirmed by his father's question.

"Why didn't you tell us, little one?" King Thranduil asked softly and tried his best to control his emotion.

Legolas tried to smile but he only managed a small smile before he answered in a small voice," I didn't want you to worry about me. But I guess I screw that one up, huh? Here you are, worrying about me. And I screw up my promise as well. I'm sorry."

"For what, little leaf?" Taelas asked as he kissed his brother's brow.

"For everything," Legolas said as he closed his eyes. His plan had failed. He had wanted to keep this away from his family for as long as possible but he had failed.

Romion took his brother hand and squeezed it slowly, as if to give assurance. Then he said," The ring, little one. You gave to someone."

Legolas nodded slowly but did not say anything.

"This someone, who was it?" this time it was Thranduil who asked.

Silence.

"Legolas..." Taelas persuaded softly.

Still silence.

"Legolas, you WILL tell me who this person is!" Thranduil bellowed angrily.

Kaimion put a hand on Thranduil's shoulder to calm his father. Thranduil closed his eyes and sighed. He did not want to lose his temper but he could not help it.

A lone tear trickled down from the corner of Legolas' eye and a sob escaped him.

Romion pulled his brother towards him and hugged him as he sobbed, whispering words of comfort.

Finally Romion said softly," We only want to make things right again, little leaf. And this person might be able to help."

Legolas hiccuped in between his sobs but he managed to say," He can't help me anymore. It was clear he does not love me. Nay, it was all a game for him. He does not love me."

'It was a he,' the same thought went through the royal family's mind.

Romion continued to sooth his brother. "Why couldn't he love me, Romi? Why? Why did he promise me things that he couldn't do? I loved him so much that now it hurts, Adar. So much."

"You must tell us who he is, little one. He must help you," Thranduil insisted.

Legolas shook his head and said sadly," I cannot force him to love me, Adar. I didn't tell him about the curse, you know. I don't want him to know."

Thranduil shook his head but Legolas continued," Please Adar. If... if you ever knew who he was, please promise me you will not blame him. It is not his fault. THIS is my fate. Sooner or later, it would happened. Please... do not blame him." Legolas looked at his father, and then his brothers, expecting a promise from them.

Thranduil took his son's hand and brought it to his cheek, caressing it as he cried.

"How could we not blame him, my little brother? He caused this! He caused you your death!" Naramin argued with tears in his eyes.

But Legolas only smiled weakly and said," He did not caused this, Nari. The curse did this. He did not know. Please, this is all I ask of you. Please do not blame him." No one answered so Legolas had to begged," Please?"

His father nodded reluctantly. Legolas looked over to his brothers with hopeful eyes but every one of them did not want to meet his eyes. They were not ready to commit to a promise as important as this. They were mad at this person.

Legolas understood them but he was sure his father would help him when the time comes. If the time comes. A nod from his father was all he needed.

"Would you not just give us his name, little one?" Thranduil tried to coax him.

Legolas shook his head slowly. Thranduil sighed in defeat.

"Thank you, Adar," Legolas whispered as he fell into deep slumber again.

************** End Of Flashback ****************

TBC...

Rather long this one... actually I wanted to separate it to 2 chappies but decided not to at the last minute...

How should the royal family find out about Elladan? I have a few ideas but haven't decided on one yet? You guys have any special ideas? Let me know...

Review, please?