Young Storyteller : Too bad on your bad exam. Don't worry, my friend, I've been there before. Don't give up and keep on err…studying. Oh, ROTK DVD will be out on 25th May. I've booked mine with the Video Eazy KLCC! Yippee!
Dur En Thurin Naur : You have more funny pics? Give me! Give me!
Aranel of Mirkwood : Err…no, they can't see that.
Brazgirl : Best fic ever? Really? Oh, thank you…
astalder27 : Oh, yeah. That was stupid, Leggy! Real stupid! But like you, I'm madder at Keldarion right now.
Fire Breathing Ferret : Poor you! I didn't mean to cause you to cry like that. Here, let me give you a hug!
Mellaithwen : I never like Keldarion in those kind of moods either.
tbiris : How is he going to gain their respect? One thing for sure, I will not make it easy for him!
newfan : To be forgiven, Leggy needs to go through 'something'. Let's see what I have in store for him. He! He!
szhismine : Of course, it was an accident! So let's make his life more miserable, shall we?
Sparrow Greenleaf : I'm glad you like his POV.
lili & Fadhilah : I'm sorry that you don't like this story written in first person, but I can't change what I have done.
Gina : Thank you, thank you! Great one, eh? I'll try to do justice with the compliment!
beginning-end-314 : Oh, yes! I already have a story of Thranduil and Marwana. Wait n see, mellon! Wait n see!
Enigma Jade : I'm afraid that this one is a tear-jerker. I've warned you, haven't I?
seeing spots : I love it when you called this a cruel story! But if course, I am cruel! Ha ha ha...!! Sorry. Losing control there.
LegolasLover2003: Leggy will grow up a little. You will see what happens next.
Sarwenaletari Elanese : This story will take about 5 to 6 chapters long.
AbbiCat14 : Yes, I can see you a VERY HAPPY to see me! I'm so HAPPY to see you too, mellon!
Thank you for all those wonderful reviews! Most of you must have realized that this is the second time I write a POV. Many of you like it, while some of you cannot quite accept it. Anyway, I hope that the real message that I'm trying to convey in this story will be noted by all. So, keep on reading and keep those hankies at bay for I myself cried a lot while writing this! Waaa!!!
#############################
Three days later, I finally came out of my chamber after I had secluded myself there like a hermit, heavily guilt-ridden and too ashamed to see anyone. Only the servants came and went, bringing me my daily meals and tending to my other needs. And none of them dared or bothered to speak a word to me.
I didn't even have the courage to be present at Hadrian's funeral. I couldn't bear to face the crowd, the people, my family. I was not brave enough to put up with the accusing whispers and condemning gazes. My father's words still rang in my head. My brother's tears were still visible in my mind. How I wished I could turn back the time, or take Hadrian's place instead. Death seemed a lot more forgiving than what I was going through.
I walked through the quiet hall. Somehow, I found myself heading for my father's study.
I must be crazy then. The king was still greatly displeased with me, I was sure. Still, scared as I was of my father's reception of me, I could not avoid seeing him forever. I also deeply missed my brother because Keldarion, who never failed to be there for me in better or worst, had ceased speaking to me.
But, first thing's first. Let's see the great elven king now, shall we?
The door to my father's study was opened. I could hear several voices, deep in discussion. Tentatively, I peered around the door before stepping inside. Two of the king's most trusted aides were sitting across my father, ledgers and journals spread open on the table between them.
My father looked up and frowned to see me standing there. The conversation ceased as the other two lords turned around and stared at me.
"Yes, Legolas?" voiced out my father with a lift of his eyebrow. "Anything I can do for you?"
I hesitated. From the controlled expression on his face, my father didn't look displease to see me. But he didn't actually look glad to see me, either.
"I…Well, I…" I swallowed nervously, unsure of my father's true mood. "Uh, nothing really. I didn't mean to intrude..."
"Unfortunately, you are intruding," said my father. "We are discussing a very important matter. So I'd be grateful if you'll shut the door on your way out."
I blinked. My heart stopped. My lips moved but no words came out, so shocked I was at his callused response.
My father might have noticed the crestfallen expression on my face for I saw his eyes softened. "Legolas…"
I didn't wait to hear more. I quickly mumbled an apology before whirling around and striding out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me. Then I ran, cutting through the long stretch of hallway, down the short flight of stairs, through another long corridor and out a great door right onto the green lawn before I found myself rushing for the gazebo in the palace garden.
Stumbling to a stop, I leaned my forehead against one of the wooden pillars, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. Blinking back tears, I forced myself not to think much on my father's words, not to take heart for being rejected once again. I deserved this after all. I had brought this upon myself by being so rash and thoughtless, causing the death of one of my own people, making everyone stop trusting and appreciating me. So I must live through it all until…
Valar! Until when?!
Crying out, I slammed my fist against the hard pillar, frustrated and dejected rolled into one. My knuckles screamed in pain, but not as painful as the ache in my heart. Sliding down the wooden post to land with a plop on the ground, I then pulled my knees to my chest and put my head down, my eyes closed. Steadying my breathing, I emptied my entire mind off my misery, trying to find some relief.
I didn't know how long I stayed that way. But when I looked up next, I was a lot calmer. Sighing, I slowly got to my feet, feeling a little regret to abandon the little solace I was able to gain for a short while just now.
Well, life goes on. So should you, Legolas, I told myself. Now, let's face the rest of the world, starting with Keldarion.
I shivered involuntarily. Facing my father was hard enough. Facing my irate, sad brother was another different matter. Keldarion was a levelheaded person, slow to anger and always so caring and soft-spoken. But watch out when he got mad! Even our father dared not get involved when my brother was in his rare surly mood.
It was still early afternoon, so I believed I could find Keldarion in the training field. With heavy feet and even heavier heart, I trudged towards the field situated just on the other side of the garden. As I came near, I could hear the sound of clashing blades and cries of the warriors. Obviously, the daily sword practice was busily in progress.
I caught sight of my brother sparring with a novice warrior. The younger elf was moving a little clumsily, not a worthy enough match for Keldarion's great skill. My brother was actually trouncing his opponent, not giving the other warrior the chance to charge back.
I groaned out loud as I saw Keldarion's grim face. His mood was still black indeed. Boy, this is not going to be easy, I sighed inwardly.
As I watched in growing dread, the novice warrior suddenly crumpled under Keldarion's blow and didn't get up. Keldarion grimaced in exasperation. "Weak young pup," grumbled my brother with a shake of his head. Turning to a couple of warriors nearby, he ordered, "Take him to the infirmary. Get someone to treat that bump on his head."
Then Keldarion glanced up and saw me. His eyes darkened. The muscle in his jaw ticked slightly before he declared, "You are late!"
I was barely able to stop myself from whirling around and taking off at a run, so scared that I was. But I forced myself to step forward and met my brother's gaze. "Kel," I responded meekly.
"About time you show up. You've missed practice for two days. Now get yourself a blade!" he instructed, impatience written all over his face.
Having not the courage to say differently, I wordlessly took a sword that one of the guards held out for me. I faced my brother once more, and our spar began.
Keldarion swung his blade with his utmost strength, nearly severing my head off if I had not been able to block it in time. I pushed down hard and aimed for his unprotected left side. But Keldarion swiftly recovered and brought up his blade in an arc, clashing against mine with a force that was enough to throw me off my feet.
I landed solid on my rump, staring wide-eyed at the sharp point of Keldarion's sword only mere inches from my face. "Again!" growled my brother, glaring down at me. "And make no mistake this time."
I had no other choice but to painfully pulled myself to my feet and continue confronting him. But to keep up with Keldarion's fast and powerful attacks was like pulling the teeth out of a balrog that one could have died trying! My brother was swift and agile on his feet, while his sheer skill was born from the strength of his strong muscles and sharp mind. He was the best swordsman in the realm, the highly honorable crown prince, while I was…
Well, I was the spoiled brat prince who always got himself—and everyone else—into trouble.
A while later, I landed for the umpteenth time on my already aching backside, the price I paid for being too keen on charging at my brother instead of keeping my defense. Keldarion had easily sidestepped before grabbing my wrist and jerking me back, forcing me to lose my grip on the sword. Before I knew it, he had placed the tip of my own blade against my chin while I lay there on the ground, hapless and panting in exertion.
"If you keep moving recklessly like that, you are definitely going to get yourself killed in no time at all!" Keldarion fumed. "Stop thinking of murdering or you will overstep your own skill, but start fighting for the most valuable thing, which is your life. And pay attention, for Valar's sake! Concentrate! Empty your mind and do not let your emotion guide you. You must learn to at least protect yourself, for I won't always be there to drag you out of silly scrapes!"
I could only stare at my brother, totally lost for words, and barely aware that the other warriors had ceased their practice and were watching us with keen interest. I ran my gaze over them but they quickly pulled their eyes away, uneasy and disconcerted at the scene unfolding before them.
I began to feel deeply embarrassed then to be scolded and bested by my elder brother in front of many witnesses. My fists tightly clenched as I fought hard at the sudden burst of anger and hurt. I could have leaped and tackled Keldarion down right then but he suddenly stabbed my blade into the ground several inches from my hand, making me flinch.
"Get up," he said quietly. "And continue on."
I glanced at the quivering blade near my side, at the warriors surrounding us, and back at my brother's handsome yet impassive face. It seemed like an eternity later when I slowly got to my feet, turned around and silently walked away.
If I happened to look back, I might have seen my brother taking a step forward and reaching out a hand towards me.
But I didn't look back. So I kept on walking.
TBC…