Sorry it's taken so long to bang this thing out. But, when you become a senior in high school, they don't tell you how much work it's gonna be! Anyways, thanks to everyone who reads this and enjoys it! As always, feel free to review, even if you don't like it. I'm a big girl. I can take criticism.
Note: There's just a teeny, tiny hint of slash in here. If you blink, you'll miss it. Just thought I'd warn you ahead of time so that I don't get any nasty notes from those who are offended saying that I didn't warn them.
Disclaimer: Same old song and dance. Not mind. Ylana belongs to the twisted demon in my mind.
The Silent Prince
Chapter 4: A Friendship Forged
Legolas tried not to look too nervous as the two of them walked side by side in companionable silence. He was admiring the way the starlight reflected off of her hair, giving her a sort of halo, and trying to think of a clever way to break the silence when she did it for him.
"Legolas, why didn't you give them my warning?" Her voice was soft, sad. As if by not doing what she asked he had physically hurt her or himself in some way.
He hung his head in a sudden sense of shame, marveling the fact that the only other person who could make him feel this bad was his older brother. Back when his older brother---
'Forget it.'
"I did not wish to trouble them further," he answered softly. "Your warning was for me alone, and their burdens are already heavy enough without me adding what may have been a needless worry."
She smiled at this. "You have a kind, unselfish heart, Legolas Greenleaf." Then she sighed, and a sad look flittered across her face for a brief moment like a shadow. "That is something I find rare among our people anymore."
He allowed himself a slight frown. "What do you mean?"
"It's just that, well…" She turned to face him, the sad look back on her face. Her voice was soft. "I've seen your heart, Legolas. I know that, if you could, you would take all the burdens of your loved ones upon yourself. And I want nothing more than to protect my home and the people I love. But most of the others…all they're worried about is themselves." She stopped, then shook her head. 'Listen to me. You have questions you want answering for and here I am going on about nothing. What is it you wished to ask of me?"
He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts, trying to find a way to word the question that had been in his mind since the night before. "I would like to know how it is you got into my dream."
A smile crossed her face. 'Ah, you get right down to the point, don't you? It is actually quite simple. Every Elf has his of her own special Gift. You should know this better than anyone, you who speaks to animals and trees."
Legolas blinked at her in surprise as a faint blush crept into his pale cheeks. "How did you know?"
She laughed, and he could feel his heart lift at the musical quality of it. To him, it sounded like water running over rocks. "Even in Rivendell we have heard tell of the Golden Prince of Mirkwood who converses with nature. My Gift is not with nature as yours is, but with the mind. The Dream-contact began shortly after I left to become a warrior. I sorely missed Aragorn and Arwen---it was first time to be so far away from home without any family or close friends---so I began to visit them in their dreams. When I learned I was to set out and what my mission was to be, I attempted to warn you I your dreams."
"And why is Saruman after me? You promised to explain."
"I believe that the reason the evil wizard has targeted you is because you are the easiest to get to of those that would sorely grieve Gandalf if something were to happen to them. Frodo is too well guarded, as is Aragorn. He wishes to get back at Gandalf, and this seems to be the best way."
Legolas allowed himself a slight frown. This was most troubling. But what could he do? He could not run away and abandon the Fellowship, even for his own safety. They needed him!
Ylana suddenly grabbed one of his hands and forced him to look her in the eye. "Legolas, lasta enni," she whispered. (1) "You cannot go on being the Silent Prince forever. You must speak up, else I'm afraid you'll be silenced for good."
As he stared deep into her pleading eyes, Legolas felt something inside him breaking. And, at that moment, he knew that this girl had touched his soul deeply, though he had just met her.
With his free hand, Legolas covered the one that she had used to take his. "I will promise to try," he said softly." But that is all I can promise, for it is my way to leave the crucial decisions to the others and simply do as I'm told, not to be heard."
Ylana studied him for a moment longer. "I see, my liege. And I understand." She graced him with her secret smile as she squeezed his hand and dropped it. "Now go and rest, for your questions have been answered, and we have a long journey ahead of us on the morrow."
Legolas nodded as he reluctantly pulled away from her. "Idh mae," he said softly, then faded away into darkness.(2)
Morning rose, and Tilion, the Huntsman of the silver bow, guiding the Moon down, told Arien of the friendship he had witnessed being forged during his journey. Everyone seemed to be affected by this new pact. Even the animals and trees seemed to be more cheerful.
Legolas woke feeling lighter and happier. He had slept well after his talk with Ylana, and now felt refreshed for the first time since leaving Rivendell.
As was quickly becoming custom, Gandalf had been the first to rise and had started the morning blaze. Aragorn and Ylana sat close together, talking and laughing quietly. Boromir was sharpening his blade. Gimli and the hobbits were still asleep, the loud snores coming from the Dwarf assurance of that.
"Fair morning, friend Legolas," Gandalf called merrily as the Elf joined the group by the fire. "I trust you are well rested?"
He nodded. "Indeed I am. And you?"
The wizard smiled. "I am quite well, thank you. And it is good to hear your voice. I see our new friend has lifted your spirits and loosened your tongue. For that I am thankful, for it does a heart good to hear you speak."
Then he sighed, and a frown flitted across his face. "Ylana told me her suspicions as to why Saruman is after you," he said, lowering his voice as to not disturb the others. "And I must say that I agree with her. For that case, I do not want you wandering off alone. I do not doubt your skills as a warrior. The Valar know that, if it wasn't for you, I'd probably be dead by now! But he will risk nothing for you." Gandalf placed a hand on the Elf's shoulder. "You are very dear to us, Legolas. Not only as a member of the Fellowship, but as a friend."
Legolas smiled warmly at the wizard, thanking him with his heart rather than with his words.
Gandalf returned the smile, understanding. He then took out his pipe and watched, amused, as Aragorn and the female Elf argued over the memory of a childhood prank.
'You' were the one who magicked Glorfindel's bed to move," Ylana was accusing the anger. "Arwen was the look-out. I was the one talking to the Lord, trying to keep him from finding you and turning you both into only Iluvatar knows what! You were also the one who shrunk all of Lord Elrond's garments. He couldn't come out of his room until it was remedied, for he had nothing to wear but his dressing gown."
"That's not the way 'I' remembered it," Aragorn protested. "I let a multitude of toads into Glorfindel's room, yes, but that was all. I didn't want to anger him 'too' much. As it was, it took him nearly two whole days to get rid of them all. And 'you' were the one who shrunk Lord Elrond's clothing. I'm the one who changed them all to purple."
Gandalf chuckled, and Legolas couldn't help but smile. The idea of the regal Lord Elrond in purple garments too short for him was enough to bring a smile to anyone's lips.
"Then your memory is much weaker than I thought," the female warrior shot back. "I suppose I am also the one to blame for making Elladan's fingers stick together!"
"Not at all," the Ranger answered smugly. "I'll gladly take the credit for that. We had had an argument over who had won an archery contest, and that was my way of getting back at him for declaring himself the winner when 'I' had been the one who had bested him!"
Legolas felt a bit of a blush creep into his face. Elladan…
Ylana stared at her human companion for a moment longer before bursting into laughter. "What troublesome youngsters we were. I do believe my Lord was glad to see me leave. That was one less prankster he had to deal with."
Now it was Aragorn's turn to laugh. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, dear friend. Once you had gone, Arwen and I began pulling even more devilish pranks. It was to compensate for your loss. Not to mention all the pranks the twins pulled!"
Again, Legolas blushed, though no one noticed. And, for this, he was thankful.
Ylana laughed again, then sighed. "I miss those days, Aragorn. I miss all the joys and tears that we used to share. It's been so long since the three of us have been together."
With a smile, Aragorn leaned over and took her hand. "I promise you this, gwathel," he said, looking into her eyes. (3) "When this is over, we will journey back to Rivendell and spend some much needed time together. You, me, and Arwen. Just like old days. What do you say to that?"
Ylana smiled back, her silver eyes sparkling with what could have been unshed tears. "I will hold you that promise," she whispered.
Legolas looked away. This was a special, secret moment to be shared by two very close friends. Not one to be looked upon by outsiders.
As he let his eyes wander over the countryside, he felt his mind drift. Legolas had secrets of his own. And why shouldn't he? He was nearly three thousand years old! But some secrets cut more deeply than others…
No one knew the real reason why he had journeyed to Rivendell. True, someone had to go to Rivendell to inform Lord Elrond of Gollum's escape. But Legolas was never the one intended to go. His father had advisors and messengers that were to make that trip.
Until that day.
Legolas could recall that day as vividly as if it had been only yesterday instead of weeks ago. He could recall clearly the meeting with his brother, father, and all of the advisors and councilors of the Court. Legolas needn't have been there. He was not the crown prince. That burden had fallen to his elder brother, Annolir. He actually hated meetings. He'd much rather be outside, wandering the woods, having archery matches with his friends, visiting the townspeople who he loved, and who loved him in return. Things expected of the younger prince. But his father wanted him at least to be involved with affairs of state, so Legolas had agreed to attend.
Legolas and his brother had once been very close. Then, when their father had begun to unload more and more royal duties onto Annolir, they had started to drift apart. Now, the gap between them was so wide that Legolas felt as if he hardly knew his older brother anymore.
He had turned on the charm---which he was well known for---full blast, exchanging wits and pleasantries with the Court. His father had even joined in the merriment. Only Annolir had remained unaffected, silent and still as a statue.
He remembered the pressing matters that had been the reason this meeting had been called. His father had been fretting about them for months, and told Legolas of them. The younger prince, always eager to please his father, had given them some thought, and had presented his ideas to them. They had all been impressed. "Too bad you are not the elder, Prince Greenleaf," one of his father's advisors had told him. "You would make a fine king indeed."
Legolas had been so proud of himself that he hadn't seen the pure hatred that had set his brother's eyes aflame.
That night, as he was preparing for bed, someone had stepped into his chamber. Turning, he found himself face-to-face with his brother. Before he could say a word, even ask what Annolir wanted, the first blow had landed, knocking him painfully to the floor. Stunned, both by the pain and by the fact that his 'brother' had just hit him, Legolas could do nothing as Annolir continued to pound him while shouting the same mantra over and over.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"
Never once during the whole ordeal had Legolas cried out. Not wanting to face the reality of what was happening to him, he had delved deep into his mind, losing all knowledge of reality. It was not until the next morning that he was found, broken and bruised, by a servant his father had sent to find him when he had no shown up for morning meal.
The king had called for a Healer immediately. Legolas was badly bruised, had a few broken bones, and wouldn't say a word to anyone. When asked if he had seen his attacker, the younger prince had simply shook his head. His father had assumed that it was someone with a grudge against him and, since the crown prince was too well guarded, had decided to get at King Thranduil through his younger son.
So it was decided that Legolas would go to Rivendell instead of the king's messenger. Lord Elrond was the most renowned Healer in Middle-Earth, it would get the younger prince away from his mysterious attacker, and he would be around some of his closest friends who might be able to break him of his silence.
He'd hardly spoken a word since. He guessed that, if he stayed silent, no one would want to be around him and he wouldn't have to be worried about being betrayed again by someone he was close to. That, and he was scared he might accidentally let slip the truth of what had happened.
"Legolas?"
He blinked, the memories fading away as he became aware of his present surroundings once more. Instead of seeing the ghost of his angry brother towering over him, he found a pair of kind blue eyes staring at him with worry. "Are you all right?" Gandalf asked softly. "I hope I didn't disturb you."
Legolas smiled warmly at the wizard and shook his head. Nay, dear friend, he thought. You saved me from my own nightmarish memories. Thank you from the deepest places of my heart.
Gandalf smiled back with a nod and patted the Elf on the shoulder. He knew that Legolas was carrying some deep hurt, but he didn't want to push. Legolas would share his troubles when the time came.
Frodo, having just awoke, plopped down on the ground at Legolas's feet and leaned back against the rock the Elf was using as a seat. "What I wouldn't give for a nice, warm, soft bed," he said wistfully, accepting a plate of food from Sam, who took a seat next to his Master. "Rock and hard ground aren't good for a body."
Aragorn smiled around the end of his pipe, which was stuck between his teeth. "I must say that I have to agree, Frodo. Even after spending nearly all my nights on a bed of earth, I still ache in the morning. And, after that soft mattress in Rivendell, every bit of the ground seems harder, every rock sharper."
"Here, here!" Merry and Pippin chimed in together, lifting their cups in salute. Even Boromir threw in a nod.
Gimli, however, didn't agree. "I like the Earth. It's good to us. It offers us rest, shelter, and food."
"'Tis true," Gandalf said, then winced as a joint cracked. "I only wish it didn't hurt so. Hard ground is rough on an old man."
Ylana, catching Legolas's eye across the fire, gave him her secret smile. He smiled back, knowing that she was just as amused by the conversation as he was. They were Elves, used to sleeping outdoors. It didn't affect them in the least bit.
With a grunt, Gimli sat. "Have it your way, then. Just remember this the next time you need the Earth. She might not be so giving!"
"We are not complaining," Frodo said, sounding exasperated. "I thank the Earth daily for giving us a place to rest, food, and medicine. It's my aching body that cries out for a softer mattress."
The female Elf laughed and applauded. "Well said, Master Baggins! The Earth protects us in many ways. Not only does she provided us with the ground to sleep on, but with trees to shelter us, berries and roots to feed us, and medicines to heal us." She winked at Legolas. "Some of us, more in tune with nature, would know this better than I."
The male Elf ducked his head in embarrassment.
Gimli made a noise that sounded somewhat like approval. "Finally," he grumbled. "An Elf with a good head on their shoulders!"
Ylana grinned, her eyes twinkling. "Thank you very much, Master Gimli," she said, dipping her head in his direction. "That means a great deal to me."
Aragorn wasn't sure, but he thought he saw some color rise in the Dwarf's cheeks. "It should," he grunted. Then he turned to Gandalf. "Well, what's the plan for today?"
The rest of the day was spent in packing up and setting out. Ylana and Aragorn lead the way while Legolas brought up the rear. Once again, he found himself lapsing into silence.
I must tread carefully, he told himself sternly. I swore not to allow myself to grow close to anyone. I do not wish to suffer another betrayal such as my brother's.
Yet can I help it? For I find myself growing quite fond of Ylana, wanting her as a close friend, try as I might to suppress my feelings.
What is happening to me?
(1)Legolas, lasta enni----------Legolas, listen to me.
(2)Idh mae--------Rest well
(3)Gwathel-------Sister