Chapter 9
Legolas and Estel were sitting quietly in Legolas' guarded room.
"How do you feel?" Estel asked as the Elf woke up.
"Shoulder's hurt a little...how's Lord Elrond? I noticed he bled..." Legolas was concerned.
"He is fine, just a little scratch to his arm and face," Estel assured.
"Can I come in?" Elrond knocked on the door quietly
"Of course Ada," Estel smiled, "are you..."
"Fine Estel, I'm fine." He said quickly, mentally cursing himself for letting his passive face slip.
"I'll leave you to talk." The man said and left the two Elves alone.
"How are you feeling Legolas?" Elrond asked, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"I am well my lord, thank you, yourself?"
"Well." He nodded and smiled softly, "I think it would be a good idea if you went home...for your own safety." He said softly, "I must apologise for Elladan's behaviour, it was totally uncalled for...there is no reason..."
"My lord," Legolas cut him off, "you are not responsible for Elladan's actions..."
"He is my son...whether I like it at the moment or not, I should have realised he would do something..."
"My lord," Legolas said sharply, "even the wisest cannot see everything, or know what will happen." Elrond offered a tired smile.
"I just wonder where I went wrong as a father...is it something I have or have not done to cause such hate in my son? What have I said to make him want to kill one of his own kin..." he trailed off looking away, forgetting Legolas was there, and didn't hear Estel re-enter the room.
"Ada?" Estel whispered, hearing the last part of the words, "is that what you truly think? That it is your fault for Elladan's actions?" he asked, lifting the elder Elf's face to meet his own, "Ada?" he asked softly, but a little sharper, drawing the elf's attention, "is that what you think?"
Elrond just broke eye contact, giving his youngest confirmation.
Estel closed his eyes briefly, wondering how his father could think such things and pulled the Elf into a loving embrace. "Ada, that is not true...you have been a great father, not just to me, but the twins too, there isnothing that could fault you for what Elladan has done. You cannot control his actions, only he can, and you cannot blame yourself for things that are not your fault, I won't let you," he gave the elder an encouraging smile, "No matter what anyone says, or whatever happens, you will always be my Ada, and I am proud to call you such." He placed a kiss on the Elf's brow, "I love you Ada."
"I know Estel, I love you too my son." He pulled the man close into a tight, loving embrace.
Legolas, who, had been completely forgotten smiled softly watching the two.
"My lord," a guard ran into the room, a thin trail of blood down his face, "He escaped...he attacked us...we tried to stop him my lord...but he is a strong fighter...and he took my sword..."
"Is everyone alright?" he asked in alarm.
"Yes, he hurt no one...he just got away."
"Double the guards around Legolas...Estel too..."
"Ada?" Estel frowned, he did not need guarding.
"Estel...Elladan has gone mad...he attacked us before...he nearly hurt you and would have if Glorfindel had not stopped him...I do not want to risk anything happening to you."
"Is everyone in here alright?" Glorfindel burst into the room.
"We are fine...but you..." he trailed off, "fought any Balrogs lately?"
"No, just that delinquent son of yours." He growled, "I asked him what he was doing and he drew a sword against me."
"Are you hurt?"
"Not deep. It's just a scratch." The blond assured, holding his hand over his cut ribs. The other three exchanged looks, knowing from experience that 'just a scratch' could be a cover up for a mortal wound. Sighing Glorfindel allowed Elrond to probe the slightly deeper than he wanted to admit gash which bled onto his favourite light blue tunic.
"So it is you that taught these two that phrase," Elrond shook his head, "it is not deep, but deep enough. It will need bandaging, but it should heal soon." He trailed off cleaning the gash.
"Legolas, you should leave as soon as you are able...this house is no longer safe for you, not with Elladan so ardent on harming you and seeing him free..."
"Of course," Legolas nodded.
"I'll go with him," Estel offered, "if Elladan has any compassion within him, any caring left for me as a brother...he would not harm me."
"Estel...he would have harmed you if Glorfindel hadn't stopped him...if you stand in the way of him and Legolas...he will kill you..."
"I don't believe he will," Estel disagreed firmly.
"Estel...this is how Elladan started...with firmly believing he could find Elrohir...look what that has driven him to, do not follow his path." Elrond pleaded, unable to bear the thought of loosing his last son.
"Don't worry Ada, I follow Legolas and I know he would never let me stray." He smiled to his friend.
"I know...are you sure you want no more with you?"
"No, we will travel faster as just the two of us." Estel said.
"Come," Elrond smiled pulling his son off the bed, "I will join you whilst you pack."
"Thank you Ada," he whispered, following the elder into his room, afraid that Elladan would attack him if he was alone.