Forgiven

by Silwen Aurdomiel

Sequel to 'A Lost Life, A Lost Soul' 1st story doesn't have to be read to understand this one. Legolas finally returns home, full of guilt. When he is mortally wounded, will he and his father finally face their pains together? Better than it sounds!

11. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

          Legolas lay motionlessly on his bed, his eyes closed as if he slept.  His fair hair was loose and fanned out on his pillow and across his bare shoulders.  His left arm laid over the sheets, bound with bandages where it had been burned. 

          The sheets on the bed had been changed to fresh ones, the bloody ones cast away.  A torch burned brightly in its bracket above Legolas's head.  There was no hint left in the room of the tragic circumstances save for the rolls of bandages and jar of salve on the desk.

          Thranduil sat on the edge of the bed, Adrahil and the twins on chairs at the bedside.  All four watched the youngest member of their family intently, each praying silently to the Valar.  Thranduil rested his hand on Legolas's temple, gently murmuring in soft elvish.

          "*Amin cân lle ed, ion-nin, od ir dûr ennorath ar othrad mas lle revia.  Tulta tuolya ar tolo dan nan galad, ae sen na ir iest ò lîn gûr."

          Legolas's eyes flickered open slowly.  He blinked several times in the light of the torch as his sapphire eyes unclouded, regaining their usual sharpness. 

          "Ada?" he whispered, looking up at his father.

          "Ion-nin," Thranduil sighed, sliding off the bed to kneel by his son, and wrapping his arms around him.

          Legolas felt his father's hot tears on his shoulder as his own slipped down his face, mingling with his father's golden hair.  He buried his face into Thranduil's neck, wrapping his own arms around his father and wept.

          After much tears had been spilt forth, Thranduil finally reluctantly let go of his son, remembering the other three.  As soon as he stood up, Adrahil, Brethilorn, and Thalion immediately seized upon their younger brother.  They wept as well, in joy and relief that they had not lost another sibling and member of their family.  Too many had been lost in less than a year**, first their mother, then their sister, Ithilwen.  Tragedy had struck too hard upon this family.

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*"I call you forth, my son, from the dark lands and roads where you wander.  Summon forth your strength and come back to the light, if that be the choice of your heart."

**Referring to one elvish year – 144 human years

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