Brothers In Arms Chapter 12
Author: Robin9
Beta: Cara
Disclaimer: I am not making any money from this at all, I do not intend
to infringe on any rights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas, Turian and Asfloth walked through the grounds of the palace.
Looking out over the foals they were silent. Legolas tried thinking of
ways to ease the tension but nothing came to mind. No words passed
between them as they continued to walk through the grounds of the palace
eventually sitting on a log by the stream. Turian climbed into Legolas'
lap and they sat quietly for a time.
"Legolas?" Asfloth whispered. "Did you have any adventures when you went
away?"
Legolas felt Turian shift around to stare at him with big eyes.
"No, Asfloth. It was not very exciting. I met up with a patrol and they
brought me back." Asfloth looked sort of disappointed at this. Then
Turian whispered. "Are you leaving again?"
Legolas hugged his brother tighter in his lap and whispered. "No."
***************************************
Thranduil opened the journal of his brother. He turned some of the pages.
He felt bad about doing this. Maybe he shouldn't. Towards the end he
picked up on an entry.
My poor child is being tortured. I can see it every day. Where once I
would know what he would like and what he enjoyed. I fear now for I know
it is influenced by our feelings. He once used to run through the woods,
now he sits in a chair. Only the water relaxes him. I have tried to
suggest for him to go to Lorien but he won't have it. He begs off
pleading to give him time, he will get used to it. I never saw Mariene
suffer like this and I wonder why she passed it to him. Why pass it to
one who would be so pained? She called it a gift! None of what I see
suggests anything to be grateful for. I moved from the palace in the hope
that with so few of us here he might be able to differentiate between us.
I fear I was wrong.
I sense something soon will happen. I can feel it. I wonder now if I were
a little foolish to allow so many people free reign to my home. I have
never refused a request for aid or shelter no matter who they may be. But
now I can feel it in the air...Danger. Together with Legolas and Noralis we
have devised a way to protect Turian and Noralis if something does attack
us. In one of the guest rooms I found a nice spot in a wardrobe for
hiding. Every three days I put fresh food and water in there. The
password is Rainbow. When that is called Noralis is to hide Turian in
there and not to leave until either myself or Legolas comes and says
sunrise. We have practiced until I am now very sick of the word rainbow
and I am wishing I had chosen another word.
He looked up to see Laomir enter the room and stand beside the bed.
"Edain is here."
Edain of Lorien was a tall elf with jet-black hair he had inherited from
his father, along with the dobhracht. He was one of the healers of Lorien
and he had also trained with Elrond of Rivendell. It had surprised him
slightly when Elrond had contacted him about the children of Mariene and
Sorian. He had known her and had a great deal of respect for her. But he
had not been aware that any of her children had been given that gift.
He had left Lorien as soon as he had gotten Elrond's message along with a
group of warriors. Though it had rained, the weather had not been as bad
as he had feared, though he was looking forward to the halls of Mirkwood
where he could get warm and eat something apart from lembas bread. He had
not met many elves of Mirkwood, but he heard the king was fair and the
queen beautiful. He had heard they were shyer than most elves and so did
not attend the big balls and such that normally happened. They were
walking through the woods when a particularly loud birdcall startled him
and he turned around. When he turned back an arrow was inches from his
face. Edain suddenly felt glad he had packed an extra pair of leggings.
***************************************
It was Asfloth who first started the game. He had been poking at his
leggings leg, which had some dirt on it. Turian staring at the dirt said.
"You're a big messy!"
"Am not!!"
"Are too, are too are tootootootootootootootootootootootootootoo!!!!!"
Asfloth stood up glaring at Turian. "Legolas, am I messy?"
Legolas who had been smiling a little said "No Asfloth you aren't messy."
Asfloth smugly smiled at Turian before walking away.
Turian turned to Legolas and said, "I think I hurt him."
Legolas was about to reply when all of a sudden everything went dark and
he felt something running down his face. He gave a start when he heard a
distinctly gleeful, annoying voice yell.
"Now look!! See who is messy now!!!!"
Legolas wiped the mud out of his eyes and looked at Turian's muddy face
and said gently to his brother, "You know this means war."
Asfloth who had been laughing at them now began to shriek and tried to
run away when he saw the two muddy elves start running straight for him.
********************************************
Thranduil met Edain of Lorien in the family chambers. He was embarrassed
that he had been caught unawares. He had misjudged the length of time it
would take to travel from Lorien to Mirkwood.
The door opened and an usher brought a dark haired tall elf into the
room. He bowed before the king and queen.
"King Thranduil, Edain of Lorien at your service" he said pleasantly.
Thranduil found himself trusting the elf almost from the beginning, he
had a relaxed way about him and it was refreshing to meet him. He seemed
to be quiet but he had a wicked sense of humour.
"Elrond has told you of our problem." Laomir stated bluntly. Thranduil
looked a little in surprise at her tone. Even Edain stared for a moment.
"Elrond told me that Mariene's son was one of the Dobracht. He also said
that this had only just been discovered and that the elf was suffering a
lot from other troubles. In Elrond's own words, he is being 'split in
two'."
Thranduil nodded before reaching out to pick up a glass the decanter of
wine. Offering some to Edain who nodded. "You knew Mariene then?" It was
more of a statement than a question.
Edain sipped for a moment on his wine. "Yes, I knew her from Lorien. She
spent some time there honing her Dobracht and medical skills. I was
saddened to her of her death. I also offer my condolences over the death
of your brother and nephew, my lord."
"Call me Thranduil, please Edain. We are at a loss at the moment over
what we are to do over Legolas, the eldest elf. He is severely
traumatised at the death of his father and brother. He did not speak in
the aftermath of their death. When he finally spoke it was to tell my
wife he had killed them. That night he ran away, it was by sheer luck
that a patrol found him. He is back in the palace but I do not know for
how long. I. . . we are at a loss over him."
Looking at Edain, Thranduil saw his mouth slightly open and a look of
shock on his face. Laomir, who until now had simply glared now looked
worried sat up and took Edain's hand, "Edain what is wrong?"
Edain simply shook his head before looking back at the two worried faces
above him. "Do not worry friends. I was simply surprised. You say the
eldest son, correct?" At Thranduil and Laomir's nodding Edain continued
in an exasperated voice. "I am sorry, I see now why Elrond said it was so
important. I was not aware Mariene had passed the gift to Legolas. I
assumed that she passed it to the child she last bore into the world. I
was aware she died a short time after. . . but"
"Short time? Try five minutes after birth."
Edain looked in horror at Laomir. "But she would have been dying during
the birth had that happened. . ."he stopped at the slow nodding before
him. Edain brushed his hands against his face for a moment. He stood up
and walked a little away from the chair.
"I can see that you do not know very much about the dobhracht." Thranduil
and Laomir stared at each other for a second and sort of shrugged.
"They feel other's pain?" Laomir tried.
"I will start from the beginning. Very well. Mmmmmm, a dobhracht is
decided during the pregnancy of the mother. In that time she will decide
which if this child is the one. If the dobhracht is male the decision is
made at the same time. The father to be will send feelings to the child
and when close together there is a connection. The birth of a dobhracht
elf is normally not as difficult as a normal elf. The infant is very
sensitive and will. . .not feel. . .but be aware of the discomfort of the
mother."
Here Edain took a large gulp from the wine glass Thranduil had filled.
"Dobhracht children develop from the time they are born. If you have a
five year old dobhracht child it will have had the dobhracht gift
developing over five years."
"What are these gifts?" Here Edain stopped for a moment. "They are
different between elves. You are correct, some dobrachts feel pain, some
feel emotions, and some feel both. Others can take away pain. In my case
I feel a little of both, but I am stronger with emotions."
"To give an example, when I entered, I felt anger and suspicion from you
Laomir. I felt a little bit of fear from you Thranduil. But overriding
all these emotions is the desire to help this elf get a normal life."
Laomir nodded her head. "Where do Legolas and Turian fit into this? You
say Turian was meant to have it. Does he? Or what?" Laomir took a last
swallow from her own wine before filling the containers of the others.
Bowing his head Edain shrugged. "I do not know. I will have to meet
Legolas to see. I know that Mariene did not pass it to him. She told me
she was torn. Part of her really wanted to, but another part said to
wait. She came to Lorien looking for help, but no one could be sure why
this was happening. Normally it is very obvious which child to pass it
to. It has never happened that one would feel so torn. In the end she
decided not to risk passing it to Legolas and she waited."
"But he has it, that much is obvious." Thranduil stressed.
"If he does, this elfling will have gone from being a normal elf to
having a one hundred and fifty year development of the dobhracht
overnight. I do not have the answers Thranduil. I do not know. I will
have to talk to them and see, but. . ."
******************************************************
Deral had left the palace after speaking with some friends. He had gotten
some of the information he needed and he was walking down one of the
paths to the house of Resim.
Resim meanwhile had been enjoying a long rest since his return from the
border. He was surprised by the knock on the door and even more surprised
to see himself face to face with Deral, the king's bodyguard.
"Deral? Come in, is something the matter?"
Bowing, as was the custom when entering the homes of other elves, Deral
stepped into the single room that was Resim's home. For a moment the two
elves stared at each other, seemingly sizing each other up. It was Deral
who spoke first.
"I have a favour to ask, Resim."
Sitting on a chair before looking at the other elf, Resim motioned with
his hand for Deral to sit before asking "Old friend, I have know you for
longer than I care to remember. What is wrong? Really?"
Deral relaxed a little in his seat and began to talk.
"We were wrong Resim. I was wrong. I never assumed foul play occurred
with Sorian. I never for once even thought of the safety of the king."
Putting aside his drink, Resim leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
"After the bodies of Sorian and Noralis were found, we assumed wrongly
that it was a one off action. We waited to hear what happened from
Legolas. I know more than most about his state and for weeks there was no
fear. He seemed traumatised but we assumed that if there were any more
pressing danger he would have informed us. The patrols were increased and
safety around the palace was increased but we thought that it was over."
"What changed?"
Here Deral looked out the window. "Resim, you and I both have instincts.
We all do. I was in that home today. I saw items missing. The king,
unsurprisingly considering what is occurring at the moment did not. There
were items taken, the feel of the home was gone. The shield that Legolas
first used, it was gone. The kitchen was destroyed .The horses are gone."
"What are you saying?"
Deral stood looking out the window. To Resim he seemed to be looking into
the past. Resim heard him mutter. "I should have known."
"You should have known what?"
Deral turned and faced Resim a second before Resim answered. "It was
planned."
*****************************************
In their chamber Thranduil stood by the balcony. He looked out over the
forest. He needed this moment alone. He looked at the journal and re-read
the passage.
We have just been attacked. Orcs are now reaching into this side of the
forest. It is my estimation that they were on the prowl. I fear we may
have to leave our shelter sooner than we hoped. Legolas got a few cuts
from a sword. It may be better if we move back to the palace. Legolas is
getting no better here. I feel angry at myself that I did not force him
to Lorien previously. But then I knew if you force him, he would close
twice as fast.
Even though he had scoffed at what Laomir had said of Sorian a little
part of him had been afraid of the truth. Having read the passage he knew
the truth. He sent a silent apology out to the sky. He wished things had
been different.
He needed more than a moment and he knew this. He needed months. For the
last few weeks he had not been completely dedicated to his work as he
normally was. A gentle breeze swept across his face and he leaned into
it. Too much was happening. He needed time. He needed to return to the
problems and the joys of this land. He needed to organise food for the
winter. He needed to meet with Deral and all captains to organise the
patrols. He needed to write to Elrond and make sure no bridges were
burned. He needed to be with his wife and son. He needed to make sure his
nephews were safe. With a deep sigh he tried to let go of some of the
pain.
A rustle outside the door alerted him to Laomir. She entered quietly and
stared at him for a moment before coming up behind him and wrapping her
arms around him. He leaned against her embrace needing her strength. He
knew her strength. He knew her heart. She was stubborn like a mule. But
it was her honour and her loyalty that had won his heart. For a short
time he decided he would use her strength. They stayed like that for a
time.
****************************
Author: Robin9
Beta: Cara
Disclaimer: I am not making any money from this at all, I do not intend
to infringe on any rights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas, Turian and Asfloth walked through the grounds of the palace.
Looking out over the foals they were silent. Legolas tried thinking of
ways to ease the tension but nothing came to mind. No words passed
between them as they continued to walk through the grounds of the palace
eventually sitting on a log by the stream. Turian climbed into Legolas'
lap and they sat quietly for a time.
"Legolas?" Asfloth whispered. "Did you have any adventures when you went
away?"
Legolas felt Turian shift around to stare at him with big eyes.
"No, Asfloth. It was not very exciting. I met up with a patrol and they
brought me back." Asfloth looked sort of disappointed at this. Then
Turian whispered. "Are you leaving again?"
Legolas hugged his brother tighter in his lap and whispered. "No."
***************************************
Thranduil opened the journal of his brother. He turned some of the pages.
He felt bad about doing this. Maybe he shouldn't. Towards the end he
picked up on an entry.
My poor child is being tortured. I can see it every day. Where once I
would know what he would like and what he enjoyed. I fear now for I know
it is influenced by our feelings. He once used to run through the woods,
now he sits in a chair. Only the water relaxes him. I have tried to
suggest for him to go to Lorien but he won't have it. He begs off
pleading to give him time, he will get used to it. I never saw Mariene
suffer like this and I wonder why she passed it to him. Why pass it to
one who would be so pained? She called it a gift! None of what I see
suggests anything to be grateful for. I moved from the palace in the hope
that with so few of us here he might be able to differentiate between us.
I fear I was wrong.
I sense something soon will happen. I can feel it. I wonder now if I were
a little foolish to allow so many people free reign to my home. I have
never refused a request for aid or shelter no matter who they may be. But
now I can feel it in the air...Danger. Together with Legolas and Noralis we
have devised a way to protect Turian and Noralis if something does attack
us. In one of the guest rooms I found a nice spot in a wardrobe for
hiding. Every three days I put fresh food and water in there. The
password is Rainbow. When that is called Noralis is to hide Turian in
there and not to leave until either myself or Legolas comes and says
sunrise. We have practiced until I am now very sick of the word rainbow
and I am wishing I had chosen another word.
He looked up to see Laomir enter the room and stand beside the bed.
"Edain is here."
Edain of Lorien was a tall elf with jet-black hair he had inherited from
his father, along with the dobhracht. He was one of the healers of Lorien
and he had also trained with Elrond of Rivendell. It had surprised him
slightly when Elrond had contacted him about the children of Mariene and
Sorian. He had known her and had a great deal of respect for her. But he
had not been aware that any of her children had been given that gift.
He had left Lorien as soon as he had gotten Elrond's message along with a
group of warriors. Though it had rained, the weather had not been as bad
as he had feared, though he was looking forward to the halls of Mirkwood
where he could get warm and eat something apart from lembas bread. He had
not met many elves of Mirkwood, but he heard the king was fair and the
queen beautiful. He had heard they were shyer than most elves and so did
not attend the big balls and such that normally happened. They were
walking through the woods when a particularly loud birdcall startled him
and he turned around. When he turned back an arrow was inches from his
face. Edain suddenly felt glad he had packed an extra pair of leggings.
***************************************
It was Asfloth who first started the game. He had been poking at his
leggings leg, which had some dirt on it. Turian staring at the dirt said.
"You're a big messy!"
"Am not!!"
"Are too, are too are tootootootootootootootootootootootootootoo!!!!!"
Asfloth stood up glaring at Turian. "Legolas, am I messy?"
Legolas who had been smiling a little said "No Asfloth you aren't messy."
Asfloth smugly smiled at Turian before walking away.
Turian turned to Legolas and said, "I think I hurt him."
Legolas was about to reply when all of a sudden everything went dark and
he felt something running down his face. He gave a start when he heard a
distinctly gleeful, annoying voice yell.
"Now look!! See who is messy now!!!!"
Legolas wiped the mud out of his eyes and looked at Turian's muddy face
and said gently to his brother, "You know this means war."
Asfloth who had been laughing at them now began to shriek and tried to
run away when he saw the two muddy elves start running straight for him.
********************************************
Thranduil met Edain of Lorien in the family chambers. He was embarrassed
that he had been caught unawares. He had misjudged the length of time it
would take to travel from Lorien to Mirkwood.
The door opened and an usher brought a dark haired tall elf into the
room. He bowed before the king and queen.
"King Thranduil, Edain of Lorien at your service" he said pleasantly.
Thranduil found himself trusting the elf almost from the beginning, he
had a relaxed way about him and it was refreshing to meet him. He seemed
to be quiet but he had a wicked sense of humour.
"Elrond has told you of our problem." Laomir stated bluntly. Thranduil
looked a little in surprise at her tone. Even Edain stared for a moment.
"Elrond told me that Mariene's son was one of the Dobracht. He also said
that this had only just been discovered and that the elf was suffering a
lot from other troubles. In Elrond's own words, he is being 'split in
two'."
Thranduil nodded before reaching out to pick up a glass the decanter of
wine. Offering some to Edain who nodded. "You knew Mariene then?" It was
more of a statement than a question.
Edain sipped for a moment on his wine. "Yes, I knew her from Lorien. She
spent some time there honing her Dobracht and medical skills. I was
saddened to her of her death. I also offer my condolences over the death
of your brother and nephew, my lord."
"Call me Thranduil, please Edain. We are at a loss at the moment over
what we are to do over Legolas, the eldest elf. He is severely
traumatised at the death of his father and brother. He did not speak in
the aftermath of their death. When he finally spoke it was to tell my
wife he had killed them. That night he ran away, it was by sheer luck
that a patrol found him. He is back in the palace but I do not know for
how long. I. . . we are at a loss over him."
Looking at Edain, Thranduil saw his mouth slightly open and a look of
shock on his face. Laomir, who until now had simply glared now looked
worried sat up and took Edain's hand, "Edain what is wrong?"
Edain simply shook his head before looking back at the two worried faces
above him. "Do not worry friends. I was simply surprised. You say the
eldest son, correct?" At Thranduil and Laomir's nodding Edain continued
in an exasperated voice. "I am sorry, I see now why Elrond said it was so
important. I was not aware Mariene had passed the gift to Legolas. I
assumed that she passed it to the child she last bore into the world. I
was aware she died a short time after. . . but"
"Short time? Try five minutes after birth."
Edain looked in horror at Laomir. "But she would have been dying during
the birth had that happened. . ."he stopped at the slow nodding before
him. Edain brushed his hands against his face for a moment. He stood up
and walked a little away from the chair.
"I can see that you do not know very much about the dobhracht." Thranduil
and Laomir stared at each other for a second and sort of shrugged.
"They feel other's pain?" Laomir tried.
"I will start from the beginning. Very well. Mmmmmm, a dobhracht is
decided during the pregnancy of the mother. In that time she will decide
which if this child is the one. If the dobhracht is male the decision is
made at the same time. The father to be will send feelings to the child
and when close together there is a connection. The birth of a dobhracht
elf is normally not as difficult as a normal elf. The infant is very
sensitive and will. . .not feel. . .but be aware of the discomfort of the
mother."
Here Edain took a large gulp from the wine glass Thranduil had filled.
"Dobhracht children develop from the time they are born. If you have a
five year old dobhracht child it will have had the dobhracht gift
developing over five years."
"What are these gifts?" Here Edain stopped for a moment. "They are
different between elves. You are correct, some dobrachts feel pain, some
feel emotions, and some feel both. Others can take away pain. In my case
I feel a little of both, but I am stronger with emotions."
"To give an example, when I entered, I felt anger and suspicion from you
Laomir. I felt a little bit of fear from you Thranduil. But overriding
all these emotions is the desire to help this elf get a normal life."
Laomir nodded her head. "Where do Legolas and Turian fit into this? You
say Turian was meant to have it. Does he? Or what?" Laomir took a last
swallow from her own wine before filling the containers of the others.
Bowing his head Edain shrugged. "I do not know. I will have to meet
Legolas to see. I know that Mariene did not pass it to him. She told me
she was torn. Part of her really wanted to, but another part said to
wait. She came to Lorien looking for help, but no one could be sure why
this was happening. Normally it is very obvious which child to pass it
to. It has never happened that one would feel so torn. In the end she
decided not to risk passing it to Legolas and she waited."
"But he has it, that much is obvious." Thranduil stressed.
"If he does, this elfling will have gone from being a normal elf to
having a one hundred and fifty year development of the dobhracht
overnight. I do not have the answers Thranduil. I do not know. I will
have to talk to them and see, but. . ."
******************************************************
Deral had left the palace after speaking with some friends. He had gotten
some of the information he needed and he was walking down one of the
paths to the house of Resim.
Resim meanwhile had been enjoying a long rest since his return from the
border. He was surprised by the knock on the door and even more surprised
to see himself face to face with Deral, the king's bodyguard.
"Deral? Come in, is something the matter?"
Bowing, as was the custom when entering the homes of other elves, Deral
stepped into the single room that was Resim's home. For a moment the two
elves stared at each other, seemingly sizing each other up. It was Deral
who spoke first.
"I have a favour to ask, Resim."
Sitting on a chair before looking at the other elf, Resim motioned with
his hand for Deral to sit before asking "Old friend, I have know you for
longer than I care to remember. What is wrong? Really?"
Deral relaxed a little in his seat and began to talk.
"We were wrong Resim. I was wrong. I never assumed foul play occurred
with Sorian. I never for once even thought of the safety of the king."
Putting aside his drink, Resim leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
"After the bodies of Sorian and Noralis were found, we assumed wrongly
that it was a one off action. We waited to hear what happened from
Legolas. I know more than most about his state and for weeks there was no
fear. He seemed traumatised but we assumed that if there were any more
pressing danger he would have informed us. The patrols were increased and
safety around the palace was increased but we thought that it was over."
"What changed?"
Here Deral looked out the window. "Resim, you and I both have instincts.
We all do. I was in that home today. I saw items missing. The king,
unsurprisingly considering what is occurring at the moment did not. There
were items taken, the feel of the home was gone. The shield that Legolas
first used, it was gone. The kitchen was destroyed .The horses are gone."
"What are you saying?"
Deral stood looking out the window. To Resim he seemed to be looking into
the past. Resim heard him mutter. "I should have known."
"You should have known what?"
Deral turned and faced Resim a second before Resim answered. "It was
planned."
*****************************************
In their chamber Thranduil stood by the balcony. He looked out over the
forest. He needed this moment alone. He looked at the journal and re-read
the passage.
We have just been attacked. Orcs are now reaching into this side of the
forest. It is my estimation that they were on the prowl. I fear we may
have to leave our shelter sooner than we hoped. Legolas got a few cuts
from a sword. It may be better if we move back to the palace. Legolas is
getting no better here. I feel angry at myself that I did not force him
to Lorien previously. But then I knew if you force him, he would close
twice as fast.
Even though he had scoffed at what Laomir had said of Sorian a little
part of him had been afraid of the truth. Having read the passage he knew
the truth. He sent a silent apology out to the sky. He wished things had
been different.
He needed more than a moment and he knew this. He needed months. For the
last few weeks he had not been completely dedicated to his work as he
normally was. A gentle breeze swept across his face and he leaned into
it. Too much was happening. He needed time. He needed to return to the
problems and the joys of this land. He needed to organise food for the
winter. He needed to meet with Deral and all captains to organise the
patrols. He needed to write to Elrond and make sure no bridges were
burned. He needed to be with his wife and son. He needed to make sure his
nephews were safe. With a deep sigh he tried to let go of some of the
pain.
A rustle outside the door alerted him to Laomir. She entered quietly and
stared at him for a moment before coming up behind him and wrapping her
arms around him. He leaned against her embrace needing her strength. He
knew her strength. He knew her heart. She was stubborn like a mule. But
it was her honour and her loyalty that had won his heart. For a short
time he decided he would use her strength. They stayed like that for a
time.
****************************