Later that night, Legolas was lying on his bed, waiting for Airëlus to come in and see him. He was unaware that his brother had in fact left the palace hours ago. He was also unaware that Calaen had spent many hours telling the palace guards, servants and healers that in no uncertain terms were they to come anywhere near the Royal Family's private rooms.

Turning onto his back, Legolas sighed deeply, and stared up at the ceiling. He wished that Thranduil had not left. He wished that he could turn back time so that the argument he and his father had had remained non-existent. He wished that so many things in his life could change. But he knew they would not.

He bit down on his lip as a sudden idea flew into his mind. He could leave Mirkwood and ride to Rivendell. It was the only thing for him to do, he realised. He could not stay where he was hated by those who were supposed to love him, and blamed for every single thing, big or small, that went wrong.

Sighing deeply, Legolas got off the bed and went to the window. Night had fallen, and stars were dotted all over the sky, twinkling down at him. He smiled vaguely. At least they offered some comfort. He gazed up at them for a moment, before turning and going over to his cupboard. He opened one of the doors, and pulled out a dark travelling cloak.

As he pulled it across his slender shoulders, the Prince's gaze fell on the leaves that still lay where they had landed on the floor, after being thrown by Airëlus earlier that day. He sighed, and knelt down to pick them up gently. He ran a finger softly across the faded red leaf, and smiled sadly.

"I am sorry for everything," he whispered. "I did not mean for any of this to happen, Naneth."

Shaking himself mentally to break out of the reverie he was falling into, Legolas tucked the leaves into his tunic pocket, and quickly left the room. He knew that the longer he tarried in Mirkwood, then the harder it would be to leave. As he walked down the dimly lit corridors, he paused outside Airëlus' room.

He strongly considered going into his brother and telling him that he was leaving, and would not be stopped. However, he shook his head and carried on walking. That was a mistake on his part though, for as he rounded the corridor, he came face to face with Calaen. The dark haired Elf's bandage had been removed, and he looked nearly as healthy as he had done before the fall.

"Are you going somewhere, little brother?"

"Get away from me," Legolas hissed, trying to walk past.

Calaen however, flung out his arm and slammed his hand against the wall, blocking the younger Prince's way. "Why do you try to push me away? I am only trying to look after you and keep you safe. Just like Naneth would have wanted."

Legolas closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. "This isn't you. Why are you playing with me?"

"You really are quick to judge, aren't you? I do not see why you should think I am playing," Calaen said silkily. "It is like I said: I merely want to look after you. I promised Airëlus that I would."

"What do you mean?" Legolas asked softly. "Airëlus has not gone."

"I can assure you he has," Calaen replied. He took a step towards his brother, and smiled. "So you see, it is just you and me here, alone."

Legolas shook his head – he would not believe it. "Airëlus has not gone," he said shortly, turning on his heel and going back up the corridor to his eldest brother's room.

"Think what you want," Calaen murmured.

The golden haired Elf pushed open the Crown Prince's door, praying that the room would be occupied. His prayers were unanswered though, for it was empty. Exhaling deeply, Legolas went to the cupboard and looked through the various robes and tunics in there. The travelling cloak akin to the one he wore was gone.

Running a hand desperately through his hair, he turned around and scanned the walls, the floor, the bed, the chairs, the desk, everywhere, for Airëlus' knives and bow. They were gone. Legolas closed his eyes tightly, and exhaled deeply. He was alone. His father had gone, his eldest brother had gone.

"This cannot be happening," he breathed.

"You see? I was telling you the truth," Calaen said from the doorway. "You really should learn to trust me. After all, I am your brother."

"Airëlus is not here," Legolas whispered.

Calaen smiled sympathetically as he came forwards to touch a hand to the other Elf's shoulder. "I am sorry. He has gone to Rivendell. But why should that worry you? I am here, after all, to take care of you, and make sure that you do not…get into trouble."

"What are you going to do?" Legolas snapped, hitting his brother's hand away, and going to sit on the opposite side of the bed, back turned. "Whatever it is, do it now, and get it over with."

"What makes you think I am going to do anything?" Calaen asked, feigning hurt. "Do you really think I have enjoyed causing you such pain? No. I want to right my wrongs, Legolas."

The young Prince closed his eyes and shook his head. "You are my brother, Calaen, and one of the only things that I have ever wanted for nearly my whole life, is to have your love. I know how you feel about me."

"No, you don't," Calaen cut in. "Can we not just forget all that has happened?" As he spoke, he sat on the side of the bed closest to the door; not once taking his eyes off the other Elf's turned back.

"I cannot forget it," Legolas snapped.

Calaen sighed, and ran a hand through his dark hair. "This is all I have wanted for so long. Will you not forgive me? It is all that I ask of you."

"How do you expect me to forgive you?" Legolas demanded. Still he did not turn. "You have no idea of the pain that you have put me through."

"There is…something that you should know," Calaen began hesitantly. "I do not expect you to believe me, and I will understand if you do not. But Legolas, before you were born, Airëlus treated me awfully. I know what it is like."

A flash of anger crossed the young Prince's face, and he clenched his fists. "Do not say that about Airëlus. He would never do that. He is not like you."

"Like I said, I do not expect you to believe me. But the only reason I treat you in the way that I do, is because it is a way for me to vent the pain and anger that I have previously felt," Calaen said. 'Valar, forgive me for lying about Airëlus, and using him as part of this,' he thought desperately.

"I find it hard that you can speak in such a way about your own brother," Legolas said coldly.

"Well, that is the way in which you speak about me. How is it any different?" Calaen asked.

"I…you…" Legolas broke off, and sighed deeply. Turning his head slightly, he locked eyes with the dark haired Elf, before looking back out of the window. Confusion flitted across his face.

Calaen reached out, and put a tentative hand on Legolas' shoulder. The younger Prince flinched, but did not move away. "I was able to forgive Airëlus. Can you not forgive me?" he asked softly.

Legolas turned back towards Calaen, and nodded slowly. He locked eyes with his brother, but this time, he did not drop his gaze. But there was something wrong. Hidden behind the emerald orbs, there still seemed to be a hint of malice. He dismissed it, though – this was a chance for him to rebuild the relationship that he and Calaen had once had. The relationship they used to have, before everything had changed. It was all he had wanted for so long, and now…

"I am sorry," Calaen said softly. "I am sorry for everything." He reached out and pulled his brother to him in a tight embrace. The younger Elf tensed slightly, but relaxed again almost immediately.

As he held Legolas with one arm, Calaen slipped a hand into his tunic pocket, and silently drew out a piece of cloth. And as he did so, he moved the hand that was resting on his brother's shoulder up a bit, as though he was making to comfortingly stroke the golden hair.

But Legolas suddenly cried out as a sharp pain shot through him. "What are you doing?"

Calaen smiled as he grabbed the other Prince's hair, forcing his head down to the pillows. "You are a fool if you really believed my words," he hissed.

Legolas tried to fight back, to get free, but he was pinned so tightly that it was impossible. His eyes widened in horror as Calaen brought his other hand down. He held the piece of cloth, and he clamped it firmly over his brother's mouth and nose, cutting off his breath.

The young Prince tried to jerk away as the sweet smell of the drug hit his senses, but Calaen only held him down tighter. The last thing that Legolas saw before falling unconscious, was the evil smile on his brother's face.

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