Title: Bloom of a Rose
Author: Andrea (Azriel)
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, they all belong to the Tolkien estate.
Summary: Legolas gets caught up in a dispute between Mirkwood and Imladris. Can Elrond and Glorfindel help him to find happiness?
WARNING, this story is SLASH and AU. The pairing shall be G/L with hinted Elrohir/L in later chapters. Thranduil is NOT a nice guy.
JastaElf and Miss V-KC – Don't worry. Hope this chapter answers some of your questions. Not all you understand, I've got to keep a few twists for later chapters. ; )
AJ Matthews – Thank you for reviewing. I'm so glad you like it. I love your stories and you have been a big inspiration to me.
Jan- Thank you very much for your review and your opinions. I've found them valuable and insightful. It's really good to get some detailed criticism. You need not worry about Legolas changing overnight. This isn't a fic where he's going to wake up and everything's going to rosy. And there's going to be no rushing into a sexual relationship, he's no where near ready for that. Now to your questions. The red haired elf was a mistake. My beta pointed out that but I forgot to change it in the final draft. It was in fact Glorfindel, I must have been very tired when I wrote that. Arwen, as it will be revealed in this chapter is betrothed to King Elessar of Gondor. Heck, I couldn't break them up. Thranduil had to offer a replacement for the same reason as Elrond which is also explained in this chapter. I hope you continue to like this and feedback is always welcome. : )
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and I hope you continue to enjoy it. (
Chapter Three: Whispers in the Night
" He is so fragile." Two pairs of eyes watched the figure padding around the room, his footsteps sounding softly as he moved. His eyes shifted curiously, taking in every detail of the elven decorations. " I don't know if I can do this Elrond." Glorfindel's voice almost cracked as he continued to look at the beauty before them.
" He needs time. He will not turn to us overnight." Elrond pulled lightly at Glorfindel's arm, distracting him. " Leave him. I shall get him ready for the feast."
" But…"
" No Glorfindel. He needs support, reassurance. Not to feel as if he is being pushed into anything." Elrond struggled to dissuade his friend from crowding the frightened youngster cowering in the room. " Give him what he needs my friend. Please…" Elrond fell silent watching the warring emotions flicker over Glorfindel's face. Eventually he nodded, turning swiftly to walk away.
Elrond sighed as he softly knocked on the door to Legolas' room, shaking the young elf from his reverie. Frightened eyes stared at him as he entered the room, following his every movement.
" May I speak with you Princeling?" He tried to keep his voice soft and non threatening as he approached the frightened child. The figure in front of him simply nodded, backing up slowly into a corner, his loose robes sweeping the floor as he moved. " Please sit Legolas, there is no reason to fear me."
Again the prince did not speak as he did as he was told.
' Maybe I should have thought this through more thoroughly' Elrond thought as he took his place opposite Legolas on the large, freshly made bed. He looked down to the cream sheets which lay unruffled beneath his fingers. 'If only lives were as easy to straighten out.'
When he looked up he found that the youth had adopted the same stance he had in the kitchens, and also later, when they had visited the tailors. The brilliant blue eyes remained transfixed on a spot on the floor as if searching for something that would never appear. Sorrow filled those eyes, a deep despair that refused to be shed. Even beneath the robes, Elrond could see his shoulders slump in defeat.
" If I could change this I would." The Elven Lord did not know why those words slipped pass his lips. They could not change anything. " Anything you want, you shall have Legolas. You need only to ask."
" Tell me my Lord. Can you change the past? Can you fight a darkness that no one but you can see?" Elrond started at the faint, broken whisper that cut through the expected silence. Uncertain eyes met those brimming with tears. And for once, Elrond could not answer him. " No? Then tell me how it is my Lord, that I have come to be here… In this place where the trees do not speak to me."
" They shall speak Legolas, just give it time. They feel your sorrow and know not how to reach you." Elrond paused seeing that his words offered the smaller elf a feint margin of comfort. " As to how you are here, one could say it is a small gift from The Lady herself to deliver you from harm."
" I do not understand." Still nothing more than a whisper, Legolas' voice continued to falter, stumbling over the few words he chose to speak.
" Tell me Legolas, did you know of Celeborn's decree?" Elrond paused, the small shake of the head telling him all he needed to know. " It was said that our two realms had to be united. That a child of my own was to be bound to one of your fathers." He glanced over to ensure the other was listening. " Your father and I decided it was best if my son Elrohir were bound to your sister, Linuel."
" Thranduil."
"I'm sorry?"
" He is not my father. It is forbidden to acknowledge him as such. He is Thranduil." Legolas spoke with the same autonomy he had earlier in the day. Elrond felt his own heart clenched in pain at the young ones grief.
" Thranduil, he sent a messenger to me three weeks ago." He paused again allowing Legolas to compose himself. A faint breeze brushed passed them causing the candles to flicker gently. The patterns of shifting light moved over the prince's face reflecting a solitary tear tracing a path down his cheek. " He informed me that your sister had run away. And that she had bound herself to one from Lothlorien."
" I remember. He was furious, he took it out on everyone, especially the border guards who let her past."
" It was at the same time that I had discovered my son had also committed such an infidelity, with the help of his brother." Elrond lowered his head in remembered shame. " It was with regret we had to reach a compromise."
" And I'm it?" Hope fled from Legolas' voice as he whispered into the growing darkness, the dimming light mirroring the feelings in his heart.
" It was not meant to be so. If a Kingdom withdrew from the agreement, their name and honour would be disgraced. I had no replacement for Elrohir, Thranduil had no replacement for Linuel." Legolas nodded in sudden understanding.
" He always said I would be useful someday. But I had heard you have a daughter my Lord. What of her?"
" Arwen, Undomiel. She too is promised to another. She has given her heart to one of the race of men. King Elessar of Gondor."
" I have heard tale of this Elessar. His courage and bravery is legendary even in the deep realms of Mirkwood. You must be proud of her my Lord." Legolas' voice picked up a hint of wistfulness exposing his emotions to Elrond once again.
" I am. But all of this aside, you are here now Legolas. I wish to know of you," Elrond paused, considering how to continue. " I wish to know what you have endured Legolas, I need to know so we shall know how to help you."
Fear. It was the only way to describe the flash of emotion that clouded the prince's eyes. He stood suddenly pacing over to the small window where the evening breeze caught at the soft golden strands of his hair.
" It was not so much him." More broken whispers in the twilight air. " It was Ferinduil. My brother. Thranduil was cruel, he hurt my mind, but he never struck me. That was all my brother. It was always him." His voice choked with sobs and he stuttered, unable to continue.
" Why?" Elrond did not want to push the child, but it had to be resolved.
" My mother. My brother." He turned away completely slumping against the wall and curling up in the corner. Tears flowed freely down his face but he did not give himself over to the sobs threatening to consume him.
" I'm sorry. I won't press anymore." Elrond stood to stand close to the youth, but he dared not touch him for fear of scaring him. " I would ask that you join us for the feast. You need to eat and I would like you to meet some people who you will see around the palace. However, I would understand if you wished to stay here."
" No. I do not wish to be alone. I shall come." Legolas still do not look at him, but Elrond took his acceptance of dinner as an improvement. He had been growing frustrated at the princes sullen silence, and it had been a relief to here him speak, even if it had brought them both unwanted memories.
" Then come." Elrond smiled down at the youngster, offering him an outstretched hand. " Let's see what the tailors have prepared for you." And finally, as night fully embraced the valley of Imladris, Legolas reached out and took his hand…
Author: Andrea (Azriel)
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, they all belong to the Tolkien estate.
Summary: Legolas gets caught up in a dispute between Mirkwood and Imladris. Can Elrond and Glorfindel help him to find happiness?
WARNING, this story is SLASH and AU. The pairing shall be G/L with hinted Elrohir/L in later chapters. Thranduil is NOT a nice guy.
JastaElf and Miss V-KC – Don't worry. Hope this chapter answers some of your questions. Not all you understand, I've got to keep a few twists for later chapters. ; )
AJ Matthews – Thank you for reviewing. I'm so glad you like it. I love your stories and you have been a big inspiration to me.
Jan- Thank you very much for your review and your opinions. I've found them valuable and insightful. It's really good to get some detailed criticism. You need not worry about Legolas changing overnight. This isn't a fic where he's going to wake up and everything's going to rosy. And there's going to be no rushing into a sexual relationship, he's no where near ready for that. Now to your questions. The red haired elf was a mistake. My beta pointed out that but I forgot to change it in the final draft. It was in fact Glorfindel, I must have been very tired when I wrote that. Arwen, as it will be revealed in this chapter is betrothed to King Elessar of Gondor. Heck, I couldn't break them up. Thranduil had to offer a replacement for the same reason as Elrond which is also explained in this chapter. I hope you continue to like this and feedback is always welcome. : )
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and I hope you continue to enjoy it. (
Chapter Three: Whispers in the Night
" He is so fragile." Two pairs of eyes watched the figure padding around the room, his footsteps sounding softly as he moved. His eyes shifted curiously, taking in every detail of the elven decorations. " I don't know if I can do this Elrond." Glorfindel's voice almost cracked as he continued to look at the beauty before them.
" He needs time. He will not turn to us overnight." Elrond pulled lightly at Glorfindel's arm, distracting him. " Leave him. I shall get him ready for the feast."
" But…"
" No Glorfindel. He needs support, reassurance. Not to feel as if he is being pushed into anything." Elrond struggled to dissuade his friend from crowding the frightened youngster cowering in the room. " Give him what he needs my friend. Please…" Elrond fell silent watching the warring emotions flicker over Glorfindel's face. Eventually he nodded, turning swiftly to walk away.
Elrond sighed as he softly knocked on the door to Legolas' room, shaking the young elf from his reverie. Frightened eyes stared at him as he entered the room, following his every movement.
" May I speak with you Princeling?" He tried to keep his voice soft and non threatening as he approached the frightened child. The figure in front of him simply nodded, backing up slowly into a corner, his loose robes sweeping the floor as he moved. " Please sit Legolas, there is no reason to fear me."
Again the prince did not speak as he did as he was told.
' Maybe I should have thought this through more thoroughly' Elrond thought as he took his place opposite Legolas on the large, freshly made bed. He looked down to the cream sheets which lay unruffled beneath his fingers. 'If only lives were as easy to straighten out.'
When he looked up he found that the youth had adopted the same stance he had in the kitchens, and also later, when they had visited the tailors. The brilliant blue eyes remained transfixed on a spot on the floor as if searching for something that would never appear. Sorrow filled those eyes, a deep despair that refused to be shed. Even beneath the robes, Elrond could see his shoulders slump in defeat.
" If I could change this I would." The Elven Lord did not know why those words slipped pass his lips. They could not change anything. " Anything you want, you shall have Legolas. You need only to ask."
" Tell me my Lord. Can you change the past? Can you fight a darkness that no one but you can see?" Elrond started at the faint, broken whisper that cut through the expected silence. Uncertain eyes met those brimming with tears. And for once, Elrond could not answer him. " No? Then tell me how it is my Lord, that I have come to be here… In this place where the trees do not speak to me."
" They shall speak Legolas, just give it time. They feel your sorrow and know not how to reach you." Elrond paused seeing that his words offered the smaller elf a feint margin of comfort. " As to how you are here, one could say it is a small gift from The Lady herself to deliver you from harm."
" I do not understand." Still nothing more than a whisper, Legolas' voice continued to falter, stumbling over the few words he chose to speak.
" Tell me Legolas, did you know of Celeborn's decree?" Elrond paused, the small shake of the head telling him all he needed to know. " It was said that our two realms had to be united. That a child of my own was to be bound to one of your fathers." He glanced over to ensure the other was listening. " Your father and I decided it was best if my son Elrohir were bound to your sister, Linuel."
" Thranduil."
"I'm sorry?"
" He is not my father. It is forbidden to acknowledge him as such. He is Thranduil." Legolas spoke with the same autonomy he had earlier in the day. Elrond felt his own heart clenched in pain at the young ones grief.
" Thranduil, he sent a messenger to me three weeks ago." He paused again allowing Legolas to compose himself. A faint breeze brushed passed them causing the candles to flicker gently. The patterns of shifting light moved over the prince's face reflecting a solitary tear tracing a path down his cheek. " He informed me that your sister had run away. And that she had bound herself to one from Lothlorien."
" I remember. He was furious, he took it out on everyone, especially the border guards who let her past."
" It was at the same time that I had discovered my son had also committed such an infidelity, with the help of his brother." Elrond lowered his head in remembered shame. " It was with regret we had to reach a compromise."
" And I'm it?" Hope fled from Legolas' voice as he whispered into the growing darkness, the dimming light mirroring the feelings in his heart.
" It was not meant to be so. If a Kingdom withdrew from the agreement, their name and honour would be disgraced. I had no replacement for Elrohir, Thranduil had no replacement for Linuel." Legolas nodded in sudden understanding.
" He always said I would be useful someday. But I had heard you have a daughter my Lord. What of her?"
" Arwen, Undomiel. She too is promised to another. She has given her heart to one of the race of men. King Elessar of Gondor."
" I have heard tale of this Elessar. His courage and bravery is legendary even in the deep realms of Mirkwood. You must be proud of her my Lord." Legolas' voice picked up a hint of wistfulness exposing his emotions to Elrond once again.
" I am. But all of this aside, you are here now Legolas. I wish to know of you," Elrond paused, considering how to continue. " I wish to know what you have endured Legolas, I need to know so we shall know how to help you."
Fear. It was the only way to describe the flash of emotion that clouded the prince's eyes. He stood suddenly pacing over to the small window where the evening breeze caught at the soft golden strands of his hair.
" It was not so much him." More broken whispers in the twilight air. " It was Ferinduil. My brother. Thranduil was cruel, he hurt my mind, but he never struck me. That was all my brother. It was always him." His voice choked with sobs and he stuttered, unable to continue.
" Why?" Elrond did not want to push the child, but it had to be resolved.
" My mother. My brother." He turned away completely slumping against the wall and curling up in the corner. Tears flowed freely down his face but he did not give himself over to the sobs threatening to consume him.
" I'm sorry. I won't press anymore." Elrond stood to stand close to the youth, but he dared not touch him for fear of scaring him. " I would ask that you join us for the feast. You need to eat and I would like you to meet some people who you will see around the palace. However, I would understand if you wished to stay here."
" No. I do not wish to be alone. I shall come." Legolas still do not look at him, but Elrond took his acceptance of dinner as an improvement. He had been growing frustrated at the princes sullen silence, and it had been a relief to here him speak, even if it had brought them both unwanted memories.
" Then come." Elrond smiled down at the youngster, offering him an outstretched hand. " Let's see what the tailors have prepared for you." And finally, as night fully embraced the valley of Imladris, Legolas reached out and took his hand…
