Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created etc, etc .
Passing Shadows
Rating - R
Warnings - Not really slash but mentions of rape and Elf torture.
A/N: Thanks to all the fab reviews that I got for this chapter, keep them coming.
Mistal, Autumn Priestess: I am really honoured that you're going against your slash only rule. I hope this doesn't disappoint you. Keep reading and reviewing and maybe I can convert you!!! Thanks so much for all your support both in Leaving these Shores and this fanfic.
Lili: Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Keep reading.
Evenstar: Well thank you so much. My advice about whether you should write it or not is that if you enjoy doing it and you like it then write it, after all that's why we do this isn't it. Go for it.
angelbird12241: Thanks. Read on . . .
Elenillor: Thanks for the tip, I didn't realise that it didn't show up properly, anyway I spent some time going through it and hopefully it should be corrected. Thanks for pointing it out though. Keep reading and enjoy.
R.R.L: Thanks for the review. The next chapters coming up.
Emily: Thank you so much. I'm glad you like my writing, it's reviews like that that make me want to write more so keep them coming.
elda kuruni: Thank you so much. Keep reading.
Thank you so much to all my wonderful reviewers, please keep them coming because I love receiving them.
**
Ch2 The Truth
**
"My Lord, please I am well, what happened to me does not matter." Legolas said trying his best to make himself believe that as well as convincing the Elven Lord.
"I think it is quite clear that you are not well and if the Prince of Mirkwood comes to my doorstep barely able to stand I would say it matters very much. You said you were attacked, by who?"
"I don't know." Legolas lied once more, he was not used to doing this kind of thing, he kept his eyes to the ground trying not to look at Elrond.
"You're lying." Elrond stated abruptly.
"I. . .I would not lie to you my Lord." Legolas said although even then he could hear the lie in his own voice so how could Elrond miss it? "It was. . .I could not see." Legolas looked to the floor as if ashamed at not being able to identify his attacker.
"Whoever it was it must have been an Elf, only one of your own kind could have snuck up on you. He must have been strong also, to bring you down." Elrond pushed, refusing to leave him alone and hoping Legolas might confirm or deny his thoughts but still the Prince said nothing.
"Please do not ask any more questions, it does not matter who did this only that it happened. I only wish to retire to my quarters and perhaps have a bath." He looked down at his muddy clothes and bloodstained skin in what appeared to Elrond to be desperation.
"Please, allow me to dress your wounds. They would feel better." Elrond said taking a tentative step closer to Legolas who noticed but made a good effort not to move back.
"It is nothing really. I will be fine." Legolas insisted making for the door whilst trying to rid himself of the sudden panic that struck him at the thought of someone touching him.
"It would make me feel better." Elrond said loudly and firmly before Legolas could open the door. "What kind of a host, and healer, would I be if I allowed you to walk around like that? Surely your father would want you to be safe." Elrond played on Legolas' weakness, his father. Although Thranduil loved his son he had high expectations and Legolas tried his best to meet them every time and never wanted to disappoint his father. Elrond couldn't imagine Legolas presenting himself as a member of the council looking like he did for fear of damaging the image of Mirkwood that he himself had fought so hard to build.
"Very well." Legolas said after a moment's hesitation. Elrond smiled to himself. He had been right.
"Excellent." Elrond said as Legolas turned to face him. Of course Elrond didn't miss the look of fear but decided to carry on as normal, he didn't want Legolas to turn around and walk away. "Now if you'd remove your weapons and your clothes I can dress your wounds and then you can retire to your room. I have no doubt you are also in need of rest." Elrond smiled again.
Legolas just stood there not knowing what to do. He couldn't show Elrond all his wounds, that would just make him look weak, on the other hand if his father saw him in that state he would never be allowed to leave Mirkwood again. He was completely torn. If only there was a way out. He glanced around the room hoping there was something that would take Elrond's attention away from him, anything.
"Legolas are you alright?" Elrond asked walking carefully over to Legolas who did one last desperate search of the room before turning to Elrond. "We don't have to do this now if you don't want. I think I can guess what happened to you." Elrond waited for a moment before continuing. "He raped you didn't he?" Elrond said gently.
At first Legolas' head snapped up and looked completely stunned that Elrond had known. There was an uncomfortable silence before Legolas finally spoke but it was more of a whisper than his usual confident self.
"You already knew. Why did you press me for details?"
"I just wanted to give you the opportunity to tell me yourself." Elrond stepped aside as Legolas walked slightly unsteadily over to the bed. "What did he do to you?" He said careful not to upset Legolas even more.
"I thought you already knew." Legolas replied a little more strongly than before, with just the slightest hint of sarcasm.
"I am not a mind-reader Legolas. I can help treat your wounds but I must know how long you've been like this. Last night, the trees were calling for you weren't they? That's what upset them. I heard it."
"I assume so. I was in the forest, they probably felt my. . ." Legolas faltered.
". . .Your fear." Elrond finished for him. Legolas nodded.
"I was going to travel here last night but I remembered about the council and figured you would be far too busy entertaining Dwarves so I stayed outside the gates and waited until morning. You should tell your guards to work on their greeting skills." He blurted out wishing he could get rid of the images that haunted his mind. He laughed quietly although it soon disappeared.
That uneasy silence filled the room again until Elrond finally spoke.
"Allow me to look at your wounds. You could barely stand up just now; he must have hurt you very badly. You are safe in Rivendell, I promise you that. And I am never too busy to help a friend when he is in trouble, not even when I'm 'entertaining Dwarves'." Elrond said very seriously.
"I know. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight last night." Legolas admitted quietly.
"I understand. Let's take a look at that cut and bruise and see if we can help you. We can go slowly and just tell me if you want to stop." Elrond said gently sitting on the bed next to Legolas. When he saw him hesitate he added, "You know I won't hurt you."
"No. It's not that. It's just. . .my father. . .if he finds out. . ." Legolas made sure he avoided eye contact with Elrond, not wanting him to see the fear that lay there.
"What happens in my healing rooms stays between the healer and the patient and that includes you. Neither your father, or anyone else, will know anything you don't wish them to know." Elrond assured.
Legolas nodded before standing and removing his quiver from his back and his twin daggers from his belt. At the same time Elrond stood up and locked the door making sure no one could come in and disturb them. When he turned back around he saw Legolas stood with his hand lingering over the buttons of his tunic. Elrond noticed that his hands were also cut and bruised, the thought that Legolas had struggled with his attacker pleased Elrond it certainly wasn't like him to give up without a fight. However, those same hands were now shaking as Legolas tried to decide whether it was safe to remove the tunic or not.
"It's alright Legolas, you're safe here, you know that. No one will see you and I will not judge." Still Legolas hesitated before he put his fear aside and quickly unfastened the first button. After that he seemed to get more confident and undid them all before stopping and looking at Elrond. He nodded and waited for Legolas to remove his tunic.
Finally Legolas pulled the bloodied tunic off and let it fall to the floor. Elrond had to work hard to keep from gasping at what he saw. The Elf's usually perfect skin was covered in bruises and cuts and, more surprisingly burns. Whoever had attacked him he also beat him up very badly before leaving. Legolas just looked straight ahead as though he didn't want to see what he looked like. Elrond quickly noticed that Legolas was waiting patiently for him to do something so he gathered up his healing things and walked over to the bed.
"It's probably best if you lie down for this." He instructed and was surprised when Legolas did as he was instructed without hesitation; maybe he just wanted it all over.
Elrond first allowed his eyes to scan the young archer's body. It was bruised and battered as though Legolas had just been in battle. A large bruise was already taking up a large part of his chest with small amounts of blood seeming to be coming from grazes and scrapes. Elrond carefully washed off the area and once again examined the bruise. He was pleased to see that the Elf's excellent healing powers had already began to kick in and he imagined the bruise was much bigger before Legolas entered Rivendell.
Once he had finished prodding the black and blue area Elrond began cleaning the numerous small cuts that covered Legolas' body. He felt the Elf start slightly whenever he touched a particularly painful spot but he did not cry out or say anything. Legolas was too busy trying to concentrate on anything else except the other Elf's hands on his body, touching him. He tried to tell himself that it was just Elrond and that nothing could hurt him in Rivendell but the memory of the night before was still too strong.
Elrond had noticed how Legolas' body tensed whenever he touched him and he wasn't surprised when Legolas' shaking started all over again. Never before had he seen the young Prince so frightened, he had known him when he was young crying into his father's robes after one of those awful nightmares of his mother's death but he never expected to see him so frightened around other Elves. Not that he could blame him, after something so traumatic he had the right to be scared of people that touched him.
Finally Elrond finished cleaning all the wounds and applied a healing cream to Legolas' body hoping it would reduce the swelling and bruising. Elrond pulled a blanket over the shaking body and packed away the things he had been using. When he had cleaned everything up he turned back to Legolas who was now sitting up and looking at when the Elven Lord was doing.
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable in your own rooms. They have all been set up for your arrival. I will send a servant to make the bed, when you didn't show up last night I'm afraid another person borrowed your room but it is no trouble to find them somewhere else. I'll have it cleared immediately." Elrond was already walking to the door. He grabbed a servant that was walking past and ordered her to make Legolas' room presentable for the Prince.
Once she was gone Elrond closed the door and turned back to Legolas who was staring off into the distance looking at something that Elrond couldn't see.
"Legolas?" He reached out and touched Legolas' shoulder causing the Elf to jump backwards to avoid him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Would you like to talk about what happened last night? I know it's difficult but it might help."
"Not right now. I am tired. Rivendell soil is not as soft as you might imagine." Legolas said with false cheer, he had that blank mask that Elves were so good at doing when they were emotional and didn't want anyone to know.
Elrond nodded and watched as Legolas stood up and got dressed, that carefully controlled face was quickly replaced with just a small flash of pain every now and then, which didn't last long enough for Elrond to mention.
"Of course. I should think your room is ready by now. Please fetch me if you should need anything, food or anything." Elrond looked sternly at Legolas who was facing him and bravely trying to keep eye contact with him. Even though he could make his face emotionless he could not hide the fear from his eyes, nor could he change what he had already said. It didn't matter how much he denied it now Legolas was terrified of whatever had happened to him and Elrond had no doubt that it wouldn't be as easy as just cleaning a few wounds to make him better. He decided to leave Legolas alone for now but made a note to talk to him about it later when he was a little more rested.
"I'll see to it that you're not disturbed." Elrond said following Legolas to the door but also keeping his distance, he didn't want to scare him away from Rivendell, not in his current state.
"Thank you. I'm sure I'll feel better later on. Is there anything I need to know about the council yet? I don't want to miss anything that might involve Mirkwood. I am after all its representative." Legolas tried to keep his business voice on, hoping it might stop the Rivendell Elf from asking too many questions. He wanted to pretend that everything was normal.
"I can assure you no decisions will be made without the full attention of the council. However, if anything does come up I'm sure your fellow companions will be all too happy to report to you." Elrond smiled. He didn't miss the shadow that crossed his face at the mention of his companions. Yet another thing he would have to ask Legolas about later.
"Thank you for your kindness my Lord." Legolas said as he stood in the hall. "Good night, or rather day." He smiled once again but the feeling that he was still hiding something would not leave Elrond.
"Sleep well." Elrond whispered as Legolas walked down the corridor to his room. Elrond sighed as the Prince turned the corner. There was definitely something else going on and he was determined to find out what it was. He closed the door and began clearing away the things he had used in his room. He made a mental list of all the things he had to do that day, he almost wished he was looking after Legolas instead it would probably be easier than trying to prevent the Dwarves and the Elves killing each other over the next few days. Still he made sure he remembered to check on Legolas later on that day, both on his physical wounds and the Prince's mental state.
**
Once he was out of sight of Elrond and around the corner Legolas stopped and leaned against the wall and covered his face with his hands. He could still feel those filthy hands on his body, touching him. He felt a cold chill suddenly go through the corridor. Elrond's hands had been gentle and warm, not pushing him, not hurting him. He felt the hard fists beating him, the fire being held against his body as he screamed for him to stop. It made no difference though, he carried on, just making the pain worse the more he screamed.
Those cold hands grabbing him, holding him down, making him cry out in pain. No matter how hard he tried to get away he held him down. . .
Legolas tried hard to block out those images from his mind but there was something that wouldn't let him. A danger close by, one that he just couldn't shake. He knew that Rivendell was safe and that Elrond was close by and no one could hurt him in Rivendell and yet he didn't feel safe. He looked around taking in everything that he was seeing trying to if anything was out of place. Nothing.
"You really shouldn't be wandering around on your own My Lord." A deep voice came from beside him. Legolas jumped and instantly fixed his eyes on the shadows where the voice was coming from. "You certainly shouldn't be without a body guard." The voice came again and this time the speaker came into view. Legolas looked warily when he saw that it was Taron.
"Do not sneak up on me like that Taron." Legolas said sternly, looking at his friend and advisor.
"Forgive me your majesty I did not realise I was sneaking. Is everything alright?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Yes, I was just going to my room." Legolas said suddenly feeling incredibly uneasy. "What are you doing wandering the halls?"
"Nothing my Lord. I was merely admiring Rivendell, it is truly beautiful." He said looking around.
"Yes. Excuse me. I have things to do." Legolas said turning around.
"Of course. May I escort you back to your room?"
"I think I am capable of finding it myself thank you." Legolas said just wanting to be away from the Elf he had known for years, who had been chosen by his father. Suddenly he felt incredibly uneasy around the older Elf, there was something about him that Legolas couldn't place.
"As you wish." Taron bowed before turning away. Legolas walked as quickly as he could until he was back in his room.
**
Passing Shadows
Rating - R
Warnings - Not really slash but mentions of rape and Elf torture.
A/N: Thanks to all the fab reviews that I got for this chapter, keep them coming.
Mistal, Autumn Priestess: I am really honoured that you're going against your slash only rule. I hope this doesn't disappoint you. Keep reading and reviewing and maybe I can convert you!!! Thanks so much for all your support both in Leaving these Shores and this fanfic.
Lili: Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Keep reading.
Evenstar: Well thank you so much. My advice about whether you should write it or not is that if you enjoy doing it and you like it then write it, after all that's why we do this isn't it. Go for it.
angelbird12241: Thanks. Read on . . .
Elenillor: Thanks for the tip, I didn't realise that it didn't show up properly, anyway I spent some time going through it and hopefully it should be corrected. Thanks for pointing it out though. Keep reading and enjoy.
R.R.L: Thanks for the review. The next chapters coming up.
Emily: Thank you so much. I'm glad you like my writing, it's reviews like that that make me want to write more so keep them coming.
elda kuruni: Thank you so much. Keep reading.
Thank you so much to all my wonderful reviewers, please keep them coming because I love receiving them.
**
Ch2 The Truth
**
"My Lord, please I am well, what happened to me does not matter." Legolas said trying his best to make himself believe that as well as convincing the Elven Lord.
"I think it is quite clear that you are not well and if the Prince of Mirkwood comes to my doorstep barely able to stand I would say it matters very much. You said you were attacked, by who?"
"I don't know." Legolas lied once more, he was not used to doing this kind of thing, he kept his eyes to the ground trying not to look at Elrond.
"You're lying." Elrond stated abruptly.
"I. . .I would not lie to you my Lord." Legolas said although even then he could hear the lie in his own voice so how could Elrond miss it? "It was. . .I could not see." Legolas looked to the floor as if ashamed at not being able to identify his attacker.
"Whoever it was it must have been an Elf, only one of your own kind could have snuck up on you. He must have been strong also, to bring you down." Elrond pushed, refusing to leave him alone and hoping Legolas might confirm or deny his thoughts but still the Prince said nothing.
"Please do not ask any more questions, it does not matter who did this only that it happened. I only wish to retire to my quarters and perhaps have a bath." He looked down at his muddy clothes and bloodstained skin in what appeared to Elrond to be desperation.
"Please, allow me to dress your wounds. They would feel better." Elrond said taking a tentative step closer to Legolas who noticed but made a good effort not to move back.
"It is nothing really. I will be fine." Legolas insisted making for the door whilst trying to rid himself of the sudden panic that struck him at the thought of someone touching him.
"It would make me feel better." Elrond said loudly and firmly before Legolas could open the door. "What kind of a host, and healer, would I be if I allowed you to walk around like that? Surely your father would want you to be safe." Elrond played on Legolas' weakness, his father. Although Thranduil loved his son he had high expectations and Legolas tried his best to meet them every time and never wanted to disappoint his father. Elrond couldn't imagine Legolas presenting himself as a member of the council looking like he did for fear of damaging the image of Mirkwood that he himself had fought so hard to build.
"Very well." Legolas said after a moment's hesitation. Elrond smiled to himself. He had been right.
"Excellent." Elrond said as Legolas turned to face him. Of course Elrond didn't miss the look of fear but decided to carry on as normal, he didn't want Legolas to turn around and walk away. "Now if you'd remove your weapons and your clothes I can dress your wounds and then you can retire to your room. I have no doubt you are also in need of rest." Elrond smiled again.
Legolas just stood there not knowing what to do. He couldn't show Elrond all his wounds, that would just make him look weak, on the other hand if his father saw him in that state he would never be allowed to leave Mirkwood again. He was completely torn. If only there was a way out. He glanced around the room hoping there was something that would take Elrond's attention away from him, anything.
"Legolas are you alright?" Elrond asked walking carefully over to Legolas who did one last desperate search of the room before turning to Elrond. "We don't have to do this now if you don't want. I think I can guess what happened to you." Elrond waited for a moment before continuing. "He raped you didn't he?" Elrond said gently.
At first Legolas' head snapped up and looked completely stunned that Elrond had known. There was an uncomfortable silence before Legolas finally spoke but it was more of a whisper than his usual confident self.
"You already knew. Why did you press me for details?"
"I just wanted to give you the opportunity to tell me yourself." Elrond stepped aside as Legolas walked slightly unsteadily over to the bed. "What did he do to you?" He said careful not to upset Legolas even more.
"I thought you already knew." Legolas replied a little more strongly than before, with just the slightest hint of sarcasm.
"I am not a mind-reader Legolas. I can help treat your wounds but I must know how long you've been like this. Last night, the trees were calling for you weren't they? That's what upset them. I heard it."
"I assume so. I was in the forest, they probably felt my. . ." Legolas faltered.
". . .Your fear." Elrond finished for him. Legolas nodded.
"I was going to travel here last night but I remembered about the council and figured you would be far too busy entertaining Dwarves so I stayed outside the gates and waited until morning. You should tell your guards to work on their greeting skills." He blurted out wishing he could get rid of the images that haunted his mind. He laughed quietly although it soon disappeared.
That uneasy silence filled the room again until Elrond finally spoke.
"Allow me to look at your wounds. You could barely stand up just now; he must have hurt you very badly. You are safe in Rivendell, I promise you that. And I am never too busy to help a friend when he is in trouble, not even when I'm 'entertaining Dwarves'." Elrond said very seriously.
"I know. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight last night." Legolas admitted quietly.
"I understand. Let's take a look at that cut and bruise and see if we can help you. We can go slowly and just tell me if you want to stop." Elrond said gently sitting on the bed next to Legolas. When he saw him hesitate he added, "You know I won't hurt you."
"No. It's not that. It's just. . .my father. . .if he finds out. . ." Legolas made sure he avoided eye contact with Elrond, not wanting him to see the fear that lay there.
"What happens in my healing rooms stays between the healer and the patient and that includes you. Neither your father, or anyone else, will know anything you don't wish them to know." Elrond assured.
Legolas nodded before standing and removing his quiver from his back and his twin daggers from his belt. At the same time Elrond stood up and locked the door making sure no one could come in and disturb them. When he turned back around he saw Legolas stood with his hand lingering over the buttons of his tunic. Elrond noticed that his hands were also cut and bruised, the thought that Legolas had struggled with his attacker pleased Elrond it certainly wasn't like him to give up without a fight. However, those same hands were now shaking as Legolas tried to decide whether it was safe to remove the tunic or not.
"It's alright Legolas, you're safe here, you know that. No one will see you and I will not judge." Still Legolas hesitated before he put his fear aside and quickly unfastened the first button. After that he seemed to get more confident and undid them all before stopping and looking at Elrond. He nodded and waited for Legolas to remove his tunic.
Finally Legolas pulled the bloodied tunic off and let it fall to the floor. Elrond had to work hard to keep from gasping at what he saw. The Elf's usually perfect skin was covered in bruises and cuts and, more surprisingly burns. Whoever had attacked him he also beat him up very badly before leaving. Legolas just looked straight ahead as though he didn't want to see what he looked like. Elrond quickly noticed that Legolas was waiting patiently for him to do something so he gathered up his healing things and walked over to the bed.
"It's probably best if you lie down for this." He instructed and was surprised when Legolas did as he was instructed without hesitation; maybe he just wanted it all over.
Elrond first allowed his eyes to scan the young archer's body. It was bruised and battered as though Legolas had just been in battle. A large bruise was already taking up a large part of his chest with small amounts of blood seeming to be coming from grazes and scrapes. Elrond carefully washed off the area and once again examined the bruise. He was pleased to see that the Elf's excellent healing powers had already began to kick in and he imagined the bruise was much bigger before Legolas entered Rivendell.
Once he had finished prodding the black and blue area Elrond began cleaning the numerous small cuts that covered Legolas' body. He felt the Elf start slightly whenever he touched a particularly painful spot but he did not cry out or say anything. Legolas was too busy trying to concentrate on anything else except the other Elf's hands on his body, touching him. He tried to tell himself that it was just Elrond and that nothing could hurt him in Rivendell but the memory of the night before was still too strong.
Elrond had noticed how Legolas' body tensed whenever he touched him and he wasn't surprised when Legolas' shaking started all over again. Never before had he seen the young Prince so frightened, he had known him when he was young crying into his father's robes after one of those awful nightmares of his mother's death but he never expected to see him so frightened around other Elves. Not that he could blame him, after something so traumatic he had the right to be scared of people that touched him.
Finally Elrond finished cleaning all the wounds and applied a healing cream to Legolas' body hoping it would reduce the swelling and bruising. Elrond pulled a blanket over the shaking body and packed away the things he had been using. When he had cleaned everything up he turned back to Legolas who was now sitting up and looking at when the Elven Lord was doing.
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable in your own rooms. They have all been set up for your arrival. I will send a servant to make the bed, when you didn't show up last night I'm afraid another person borrowed your room but it is no trouble to find them somewhere else. I'll have it cleared immediately." Elrond was already walking to the door. He grabbed a servant that was walking past and ordered her to make Legolas' room presentable for the Prince.
Once she was gone Elrond closed the door and turned back to Legolas who was staring off into the distance looking at something that Elrond couldn't see.
"Legolas?" He reached out and touched Legolas' shoulder causing the Elf to jump backwards to avoid him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Would you like to talk about what happened last night? I know it's difficult but it might help."
"Not right now. I am tired. Rivendell soil is not as soft as you might imagine." Legolas said with false cheer, he had that blank mask that Elves were so good at doing when they were emotional and didn't want anyone to know.
Elrond nodded and watched as Legolas stood up and got dressed, that carefully controlled face was quickly replaced with just a small flash of pain every now and then, which didn't last long enough for Elrond to mention.
"Of course. I should think your room is ready by now. Please fetch me if you should need anything, food or anything." Elrond looked sternly at Legolas who was facing him and bravely trying to keep eye contact with him. Even though he could make his face emotionless he could not hide the fear from his eyes, nor could he change what he had already said. It didn't matter how much he denied it now Legolas was terrified of whatever had happened to him and Elrond had no doubt that it wouldn't be as easy as just cleaning a few wounds to make him better. He decided to leave Legolas alone for now but made a note to talk to him about it later when he was a little more rested.
"I'll see to it that you're not disturbed." Elrond said following Legolas to the door but also keeping his distance, he didn't want to scare him away from Rivendell, not in his current state.
"Thank you. I'm sure I'll feel better later on. Is there anything I need to know about the council yet? I don't want to miss anything that might involve Mirkwood. I am after all its representative." Legolas tried to keep his business voice on, hoping it might stop the Rivendell Elf from asking too many questions. He wanted to pretend that everything was normal.
"I can assure you no decisions will be made without the full attention of the council. However, if anything does come up I'm sure your fellow companions will be all too happy to report to you." Elrond smiled. He didn't miss the shadow that crossed his face at the mention of his companions. Yet another thing he would have to ask Legolas about later.
"Thank you for your kindness my Lord." Legolas said as he stood in the hall. "Good night, or rather day." He smiled once again but the feeling that he was still hiding something would not leave Elrond.
"Sleep well." Elrond whispered as Legolas walked down the corridor to his room. Elrond sighed as the Prince turned the corner. There was definitely something else going on and he was determined to find out what it was. He closed the door and began clearing away the things he had used in his room. He made a mental list of all the things he had to do that day, he almost wished he was looking after Legolas instead it would probably be easier than trying to prevent the Dwarves and the Elves killing each other over the next few days. Still he made sure he remembered to check on Legolas later on that day, both on his physical wounds and the Prince's mental state.
**
Once he was out of sight of Elrond and around the corner Legolas stopped and leaned against the wall and covered his face with his hands. He could still feel those filthy hands on his body, touching him. He felt a cold chill suddenly go through the corridor. Elrond's hands had been gentle and warm, not pushing him, not hurting him. He felt the hard fists beating him, the fire being held against his body as he screamed for him to stop. It made no difference though, he carried on, just making the pain worse the more he screamed.
Those cold hands grabbing him, holding him down, making him cry out in pain. No matter how hard he tried to get away he held him down. . .
Legolas tried hard to block out those images from his mind but there was something that wouldn't let him. A danger close by, one that he just couldn't shake. He knew that Rivendell was safe and that Elrond was close by and no one could hurt him in Rivendell and yet he didn't feel safe. He looked around taking in everything that he was seeing trying to if anything was out of place. Nothing.
"You really shouldn't be wandering around on your own My Lord." A deep voice came from beside him. Legolas jumped and instantly fixed his eyes on the shadows where the voice was coming from. "You certainly shouldn't be without a body guard." The voice came again and this time the speaker came into view. Legolas looked warily when he saw that it was Taron.
"Do not sneak up on me like that Taron." Legolas said sternly, looking at his friend and advisor.
"Forgive me your majesty I did not realise I was sneaking. Is everything alright?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Yes, I was just going to my room." Legolas said suddenly feeling incredibly uneasy. "What are you doing wandering the halls?"
"Nothing my Lord. I was merely admiring Rivendell, it is truly beautiful." He said looking around.
"Yes. Excuse me. I have things to do." Legolas said turning around.
"Of course. May I escort you back to your room?"
"I think I am capable of finding it myself thank you." Legolas said just wanting to be away from the Elf he had known for years, who had been chosen by his father. Suddenly he felt incredibly uneasy around the older Elf, there was something about him that Legolas couldn't place.
"As you wish." Taron bowed before turning away. Legolas walked as quickly as he could until he was back in his room.
**