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And everyone, here's the last chappie!
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The next time I woke up, night had fallen.
There was no sign of my father or Keldarion. Instead, Commander Linden was now occupying the chair beside my bed. He sat there quietly, his strong hands busily whittling at a piece of wood.
He looked up when he heard me stir. "You're awake, your highness?" With a smile, he put down his project and reached over to touch my forehead. "Your fever has completely gone, thank the Valar."
Turning to the bedside table, Linden continued, "The king wants you to drink some honeyed-tea."
I stared, amused, as he poured some of the medicated tea into a cup and handed it to me. It seemed that everyone was eager to feed something down my throat whenever I came awake. Still, without comment, I took the cup and slowly drank.
Linden returned to his seat and picked up the wooden figure. Curious, I asked, "What are you making, Linden?"
The elven commander blew at the wood crumbs settling about the figure's head. "I'm making another warrior, to add to your collection, your highness," he said, indicating the neat row of carved warriors and animals placed on a long chest by the window, all beautifully and lovingly made by his hands. I had been collecting them since I was a small child.
Getting off the chair, Linden then sat on the bed beside me. He took the empty cup from my hands and gave me the wooden figure. "Here, your highness. I've just finished it."
Breaking into a huge grin, I marveled at Linden's latest creation. The figure was about ten inches tall, complete with a bow and arrow in its arms. "Thank you, Linden. It's wonderful!" I exclaimed.
He instantly sobered, gazing at me adoringly. "It's you, my prince."
I stared back at him, speechless. "M…me?"
"Indeed, it's you," he said. "Several days ago, a young, lonely prince had gone into the woods, but a valiant warrior had returned in his stead."
He stroked one finger down my left cheek, lightly touching the fading bruise there. "You have become that warrior, your highness. When I saw you in the woods that night, I thought I was seeing an apparition. You looked magnificent! Standing tall and proud with your golden hair blowing in the wind, holding that blood drenched sword in your hand, you resembled your father so much I thought I was seeing him. Without a doubt, you are your father's son, whether you realize it or not. You are son of a warrior, my prince. You are a warrior."
I swallowed repeatedly, pleased and touched by Linden's words. A lump was quickly forming in my throat. My heart was expanding in my chest. "Really, Linden? You think so?"
He nodded. "I know so."
Then he took one of my hands and brought it to his lips. With a sigh full of regret, he gazed beseechingly at me and said, "Forgive me, your highness. I've betrayed you when I turned down your request that day. Sending those novices with you instead of the more experience guards was an unpardonable mistake. And in the end, it was you who had to pay the price."
Linden shook his head before continuing, "I've caused great harm on you, captured and badly abused by the orcs. I'm ready to be punished for deserting my responsibilities over you that day, your highness. Whatever it is you decide for me, I'm willing to accept."
I was quiet for a long time afterwards. I stared at Linden's bowed head, thinking of how I loved this seasoned warrior like a father, how he had never failed to protect me before, how vigilant he had been in keeping me safe. I had been the son he never had.
My eyes were welling with tears when I spoke, "You've hurt me, Linden."
He looked up at me, and I saw that he was weeping too. "I know, my prince. I'm very sorry."
I leaned forward and flung my arms over his shoulders. "Please don't hurt me again, Linden. I can't bear it. I just can't bear it…"
He wrapped his powerful arms around me in return, hugging me tight. "I won't, Legolas. Never again. I swear this on my life."
He then kissed the top of my head, the same way he had done after stumbling upon my weakened body in the dungeon all those years ago.
"I swear."
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I woke up to a beautiful morning the next day. For the first time since I got home, I was alone. The 'vigil' chair beside my bed was empty, but the bedside table was laden with foods for me to break my fast.
Feeling slightly better, I swiped the coverlet away and swung my feet off the bed. The chamber didn't tilted when I stood, so I knew I could venture outside without worrying of falling flat on my face.
Elbereth! How I missed the sun!
I quickly changed into a tunic and a pair of leggings. After eating a slice of bread and washing it down with a cup of honeyed-tea, I grabbed a couple more slices of bread and an apple. Then I walked out of the room, heading straight for the grand stable.
They had told me that Snow White had caused quite a stir when she stumbled to a stop in front of the palace entrance that night, bearing Valahir's unconscious form on her back. The novice warrior was near death when they pulled him off the mare. Thankfully, he had survived his wound and was able to explain of what had happened to me.
Snow White whickered happily as soon as she saw me. I entered her box with a grin and wrapped my arms around her neck. "Hello, my white lady. How are you doing?"
She neighed in respond, and I laughed to hear the scolding note in that sound. "I'm sorry for making you worry about me. My hero. Here's your treat." I gave her the apple and she took it gratefully, munching at the juicy fruit noisily.
I laughed again and moved towards her flank. The arrow wound there had been treated, but still not fully mended. So I placed my hand over the injury, forcing my healing energy to close it completely.
After a final pat to her head—and a wet kiss from her on my cheek—I left the stable and walked for the fishpond in the garden. A wooden bridge spanned over the pond. I settled myself on the bridge, my legs dangling.
Taking out the two slices of bread, I started picking at them and tossing the crumbs into the water. What a joyful sight it was to see the colorful fishes beat one another to nibble at the offerings.
Not long after, Keldarion came over to join me.
"You are supposed to be in your bed," he chided, sitting down beside me. "And where is your cloak? You'll catch chill out here."
Without waiting for my reply, Keldarion took off his flowing mantle and draped it over my shoulders. I smiled thankfully at him, gathering the warm fabric closer around my body. Together, we sat there in silence, staring at the pond, our legs slightly swinging.
After a long while, Keldarion finally spoke up, "I've been meaning to ask you one thing."
I turned to look at my brother and raised one eyebrow, urging him to continue.
"You had had the opportunity to run when you heard the orcs," Keldarion said. "So, why didn't you?"
I frowned slightly before replying, "Because I couldn't do that. Valahir and Galdulas needed my help."
"I knew you would say that." Keldarion smiled and shook his head before throwing his gaze into the pond once more. "Actually, I know why you didn't run."
"Which means…?"
"You weren't thinking."
I rolled my eyes at that. "Right. So what else is new?"
Keldarion chuckled. "No, wait. Let me explain."
I gave him a sidelong glance and shrugged nonchalantly. "Go on."
My brother smiled wanly before he resumed, saying, "If you had been thinking, you would know that you had had the chance to save your own skin. You would also realize that to help those two warriors would mean your own doom, that you could not escape those orcs because they were too many. Yet, you still went to help them, totally forgetting about your safety, your very life. That's why I said you weren't thinking, little brother. For if you had, you could have fled the area as fast as you could to avoid getting caught."
"You know I couldn't let them face the orcs alone. I had to do something."
Still smiling, Keldarion said, "That proves how noble and valiant you are, warrior prince."
I believed I blushed deep red because Keldarion burst out laughing. A smile was also tugging at my lips and I heard myself chuckle.
As his laughter abated, Keldarion suddenly showed me his right hand. My eyes widened when I saw a long gash across his palm, still bleeding. "What happened?"
"A stupid mishap in the training field," he replied sheepishly. "I slipped and my sword cut me. Do me a favor? I'll be needing that hand soon so I would be grateful if you could do something about it."
I looked at him, uncertain and slightly afraid. "You…you will let me?"
He nodded. "Hurry up, will you? It stings!"
I tentatively reached over and closed my hand over the wound. It took me only mere seconds to heal the cut completely. But before I could retract my hand, Keldarion abruptly tightened his grasp and grabbed me into his arms.
"Forgive me, dear brother," he softly said. "I know I've hurt you when I rejected your healing touch that day. I had let my emotions overruled me, without a single thought to your feelings. I could see the huge guilt in your eyes then, but still I dumped all the blames on you. It was an accident, yet I've treated you like you were a murderer."
"But…isn't that what I've become? Hadrian died because of what I did," I croaked, already weeping.
Valar! I have been crying a lot the last few days I am surprised there is still no flood!
Keldarion stared at me in horror. "No! That incident did not make you a murderer! It was an accident, Legolas. It was just Hadrian's bad luck that he got in the boar's way. Ai Elbereth! It could have been you!"
He wiped the tears off my cheeks, while tears of his own streamed down his kind, handsome face. "It could have been you," he repeated. "Hadrian was my friend, yes. But you are my brother. I want you to know how glad I am you are not the one who was killed that day. I love you, Legolas, and I'm sorry for the way I've treated you."
I sniffed. "I thought you wanted to kill me that day in the field."
Keldarion shook his head, gently stroking the abrasions still viciously evident on my wrists. "I was grieving and wasn't thinking straight. Did I scare you? I'm sorry again. Really, I am."
I took a deep breath before replying. "To be frank, what you said to me that day had actually saved my life."
He was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You told me that I must learn to protect myself because you will not always be there for me to get me out of silly scrapes…"
"Legolas, I didn't mean it that way…"
"Let me finish," I told him, smiling slightly. "You were right. You cannot possibly be there for me all the time. You are not my keeper."
"But I am your older brother! It's my duty to protect you!"
I grinned at him. "I thought I was the hotheaded one. Now who is losing his temper?"
Keldarion glared. "One of these days, I might be tempted to drown you in this pond!"
I broke up laughing.
He growled and attacked, tackling me bodily onto the wooden floor. We grappled about on the small bridge like foolish children, laughing and cursing, almost falling off the bridge into the water from our wild exuberance. But Keldarion immediately stopped when he heard my groans of pain.
"Valar! I'm so sorry. I forgot that you are still not fully healed. Did I hurt you?"
Lying on my back, I stared at Keldarion's worried face hovering above me.
"Even when you were not there, you had truly saved my life, Kel," I said quietly instead of answering his question. "I did what you told me to do. I emptied my mind, forgetting all my pain and anger. I paid attention, completely focused on my opponents. They couldn't get to me, not as long as I could get to them. You taught me that, and forever I am in your debt. Thank you, Kel, for saving my life yet again." I reached up and embraced him wholeheartedly. "Thank you."
Keldarion stroked my head, sighing softly. I could feel the wetness of his tears seeping through my hair.
"Aw, Legolas. Here you are, making me bawl all over again! Will you stop already!" he complained.
Chuckling, we released each other. Then my smile slowly faded. "Kel, I…I want to see Hadrian's grave."
Shaking his head, my brother cupped my cheek before responding, "Do you think that's a good idea?"
"I have to do this. At least, my conscience will be clear."
"All right." He finally nodded. "Come. I'll accompany you."
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In complete silence, I stared at the carved head stone with mixed feelings—guilt, shame and sorrow. I didn't know which was worst; to know that I had caused Hadrian's death, or knowing that my healing ability was powerless to bring him back to life.
My brother came near and gripped my shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Let it go, Legolas. That is all we can do."
I looked sadly at him before turning to his friend's grave once more. The small mound of earth was still fresh, and someone had taken the extra care to plant a bush of simbelmyn on top of it. But the white flowers were slowly wilting under the bright sun.
Gingerly, I get down on one knee and buried one hand into the soil, as if reaching out to the dead warrior who now resided in the Hall of Mandos. "May you find peace, Hadrian, for your sake…and ours," I whispered, forcing out my healing energy through my fingertips.
Almost at once, the white flowers started to open once more, blooming back to its full glory. The small plant began to spread, covering the entire mound in seconds. When I finished, hundreds of simbelmyn peppered the grave. Some even had climbed up the headstone, trailing all over it in gentle caress.
I smiled to see the awestruck expression on my brother's face. He looked greatly amazed to witness this rare spectacle from me.
Well, being a manyan did have its advantage.
"Oh, my lord!"
I quickly straightened up when a lady's voice broke through the deep silence. Whirling around, I saw her walking towards us, a basket full of rose petals slung over one arm.
Oh, Valar! It's Hadrian's mother!
Gulping uneasily, I glanced at Keldarion for assurance. My brother nodded slightly and came to stand close beside me, always ready to lend me some of his strength.
Staring wide-eyed at his son's grave, the lady began to cry. "Oh, your highness…"
Feeling incredibly guilty, I reached over and took her hand. "I…I'm sorry, madam. If you don't like the simbelmyn…"
"Don't like? Your highness, what is there not to like about this beautiful gift! You are so kind. Thank you so much," she voiced out, smiling through her tears.
Kind? I've caused her son's death and she called me kind?
Trembling slightly, I went to my knees and pulled her hands to my lips. "Forgive me, madam. I was the reason your son was taken from you."
"Your highness!" the lady exclaimed, astounded by my action. "Please, don't kneel at me. I'm but a mere servant." She grabbed my elbows and tried to pull me back to my feet. I didn't budge.
"My stupidity had killed your son," I kept saying. "My recklessness had left you childless. I've caused your tears and sorrow. I'm deeply sorry."
"Nay, nay, nay!" she enthused, also falling to her knees. He grabbed my hands and laid the palms open. "See these? These two hands have brought my son back to me, again and again and again! If not for you, Hadrian would have died a long time ago. Remember all those grave wounds he had acquired before? You had healed them, your highness. Every one of them. My son had stayed alive longer than expected because of you."
Gently, as only a mother would, she brushed away my tears. "Please don't burden yourself with his death anymore. Things happen for a reason. I believe Hadrian has now found peace in Mandos, having joined his father there. My husband will be proud to know that his son had died in the line of duty, protecting the princes of Mirkwood...like he did. And like his son, he never regrets it."
Still touching my face, she then looked up at my brother. "Prince Legolas is still not well, your highness. He needs to rest."
Keldarion nodded. Together, they pulled me upright.
I stood there swaying, braced against Keldarion's side, as I thankfully gazed back at Hadrian's mother. "It's your heart that is kind, madam."
She smiled. "A kind heart is freely given to much kinder soul, your highness. And believe me, yours is better than anyone."
"That's what I've been trying to tell him," my brother quipped, grinning back at me.
My heart was lighter when we left her, heading back to the palace. Keldarion's arm was strong around my waist as he supported me. His warmth was comforting against my skin. His love for me was palpable that I began to realize how lucky I was to have him as a brother.
"Kel?"
"Yes?"
"If we ever come across a wild boar whenever we venture into the woods, I want you to do something for me."
"Oh? What is it?"
I grinned before answering. "Quickly raise your fist and punch my lights out with it!"
He stared at me for a long time before he burst out laughing. "Aye! Don't worry, I will do that!"
Both of us were still laughing when we entered my chamber. Keldarion took the boots off my feet as I dropped facedown onto the bed, and immediately drifted into sleep.
Like before, no more bad dreams came to plague me.
THE ENDIt's finished! Whoopee! Now I can get to plot more of Leggy's sufferings! He! He!
Thanks to all of you who never tired reading any of my stories, including this one. Your reviews keep me going and going. As usual, here are the faithful reviewers: AbbiCat14; Aranel of Mirkwood; astalder27; beginning-end-314; Brazgirl; Clover; Coolio02; Danielle; Deana; Dur En Thurin Naur; Enigma Jade; Fairylady; farflung; Feanen; Fire Breathing Ferret; Gina; Gwyn; Haldir's Heart And Soul; HissoriOokami; Hp-Azn; IrishQT; Jamie; Jennifer 57; jesusroxmysox; Karri; Lady Lenna : leann; Legolas' Garden Light; Legolas Greenleaf; LegolasLover2003; LOTRfaith; Manders1953; meissalliam; Mellaithwen; Melissa; Midnight Princess; mogcat; Musicstarlover; Neoma; newfan; Nikki1; Riannon; rogue641; Sailor Elf; Sarwenaletari Elanese; seeing-spots; Shannon; Snow Glory; Someone Reading; Sparrow Greenleaf; Starlit Hope; szhismine; TaniaNZ; tbiris; Terrenis Sama; TigerRain; Trista; Young Storyteller
Coming Attractions : 'Two In A Tub' is in progress. So are 'Tremors' and 'Towering Inferno'. Another post LOTR is also in the making, so wait and see which will come up first.
Smile, everyone! See you soon!