The truth shall make you free.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

In the hall Thranduil grabbed Edain by the collar and shoved him back against the wall. "What did you say?"

Edain's voice was strangely controlled despite the violence. "It came out. Before he could not remember exactly what happened when Sorian and Noralis was killed, he had vague images. Legolas now knows. I know. I saw it as if I were there."

With another shake Thranduil released Edain. "What happened?"

Edain shook his head. "He will tell us."

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Inside the room Legolas lay on the bed. Complete devastation had now taken over his body. He constantly wracked with shudders as he tried finally to accept what had been hidden from him all this time.

Occasionally he would try and stop the gasping and control his breathing, but then the utter sadness leaked into him again and he just shuddered and allowed the tears to roll.

For his uncle, aunt and Edain, there was nothing they could do. Incredible guilt ate at their hearts. Had they had known, they may have been able to stop the confrontation that led to this turn of events. Had they only stopped Legolas meeting the man, he might not have had such a shock.

Sometimes they thought Legolas was beginning to regain control for tortures young elf would be quiet a moment. But it seemed whenever he tried to stop it would come back and they would see him shudder and give into the tears again.

Inside the young elf he was constantly re playing the images over and over. He needed to let these go. He could not take much more of the pain. Edain approached the figure on the bed and placed a hand on his shoulder, immediately his hand was grasped tightly. Blue eyes locked with his and Edain felt power. Edain pulled his hand away and stood up.

Turning to look at Laomir and Thranduil. "He will tell us now. Clear the room."

Thranduil left the room so suddenly he almost walked into Deral. "My friend, I must ask you to guard this room. No one is to enter. Laomir and Edain are inside. We will be well. Make sure we are not disturbed."

Deral nodded his understanding and Thranduil re-entered the room.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Inside Edain had pulled up two chairs beside the bed. Laomir was already on one while Edain motioned to Thranduil to sit on the other. There was silence for a few moments. Then the room changed.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sorian awoke that morning to the sun shining in his room. He loved days like this. He had written in his journal his intention to return to the palace. He thought about it as he lay on his back. He knew it would be difficult but hopefully from there he could get Legolas the help he needed.

He did not look forward to the conversation he would have with his brother. Though they were always close, Sorian had not told his older brother of the situation with Legolas. He never knew why he did not tell him. It just never felt right.

Above him he could hear one of his restless sons moving about. A moment later the door opened and Turian came bounding into the room, his bright young face chasing all the worries Sorian had away.

Breakfast in the house was and always would be an informal affair. There were no servants so the usual rule was if you were hungry you made it. Normally everyone, including Legolas, seemed to have a light banter going. This morning, however, the air was different. Legolas seemed all moody and quiet. Sorian knew this means he would be angry today and that sooner or later a large fight would happen.

He was right. About evening time they began to row. It was as always, over something small. Legolas refused to do the washing up. Sorian told him he had to. Legolas fought back, saying he did not to. A war of words happened. Then Legolas stormed out the door. He ran deep into the forest to a small stream to help relax his weary emotions. Legolas would never forget that the last words he ever said to his father were harsh.

Sorian never worried about those arguments. He knew it was Legolas' way, however crude the result may be, of dealing with the emotions pent up inside him. He carried on with the cleaning and soon began to put Turian to bed.

Legolas was high up in tree far from the house. Using the feel and call of nature around him, he began to feel a little more relaxed. He was completely caught unawares when he felt fear grip his system. Though not fully trained he could tell the difference between his family. His father was worried. Now Noralis was really scared. Legolas climbed and began to run.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Noralis and Sorian had been relaxing in the study, playing a game of chess. All of a sudden Sorian felt uneasy, and then the horses began to squeal. "Rainbow Noralis! Hide!" Noralis ran up the stairs to his brother's room. Pulling the bedclothes off his younger brother, he inadvertently knocked a book off the locker. He pulled his brother into his arms. "Come Tur, Rainbow. Hide!"

Sorian did not know who was out there. He was happy that Noralis and Turian were hidden but now he feared for his eldest. Grabbing a sword from the wall, he made his way to the kitchen in time to see the door shatter as eight strong men pushed their way into their home.

Sorian was shocked to see men attack elves. However, it was when they took of their masks that Sorian recognised them. He had helped them the previous week, when they were lost in the woods. Sorian was a battle-trained elf. He fought hard, however he was outnumbered eight to one. One of the men got a lucky shot to the elf's chest and Sorian fell heavily to the ground.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A scream echoed through the woods. For Legolas it was agony. He was feeling his Ada's pain and he was still too far from his home. With tears pouring down his face, he tried to press on, all the time cursing himself for having gone so far.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sorian was led to the top of the staircase as he watched the men pull things off the wall. Unseen, as the men began to debate over a shield, Sorian began to pull a blade from his boot.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Noralis knew it was serious, he also knew that Legolas was not around. He made a decision. He had to help his Ada. "Tur, I am going to help Ada. You are to stay here, don't move or make a sound until Ada or Legolas comes. Do you understand?"

His little brother quivered a little beside him, he had never been left alone before. Even so he gave a firm nod and whispered. "Yes." Noralis smiled down at his little brother. "Good, now take care of Mansloth for me. I will be with you later,"

Noralis pushed his way out of the wardrobe. Underneath he grappled a little trying to find the blade that was always held beneath. He crept stealthily out of the room. He could hear noises farther down the corridor. However, he never heard the man who had been waiting outside the room. Noralis jumped when he felt a blade against his throat and a rough order to move growled in his ear.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sorian had taken out one of the men with his blade, he was about to take out the leader when he saw Noralis being held at the edge of the balcony with a blade against his throat.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Legolas was close to home now. He was so close he could feel it. Through pure determination and grit he had dragged himself home. Soon he would be with his Ada. Then he felt raw pure fear from both his father and brother. Digging deep within himself for even more energy, he ran faster.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Drop the knife Sorian. We do not want to hurt your son," a harsh voice called out. Sorian looked devastated. Noralis looked petrified. When Noralis got scared he began to shake. He was now shaking so bad that the man holding him was having a hard time. The man pulled Noralis, as though to slap him, when Noralis pushed back against him. The backward motion caused Noralis to fall over the balcony to the ground below. Sorian shocked at having seen his son disappear over the edge, rushed forward. One of the other men drew up his sword and stabbed the elf in the stomach.

The leader, looking around, saw one elf dying. He did not even know about the other. He said the first thing that came to mind "Run."

They ran down the staircase and out the door to the stables where they took the horses.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Legolas fell to his knees in the forest. He felt both their pain. His Ada's had been bad and it suddenly flared up. Noralis? It felt so like him but... He felt his Ada slipping away. Not believing this could happen, he sent strength and power and energy to his Ada and brother. He began his mantra. I coming Ada, I'm coming Ada, I coming Ada, I'm coming Ada, I coming Ada, I'm coming Ada...

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It was with a dreadful cry that in the garden of his home Legolas said good-bye to his Ada. He had given everything to try and make it home in time. At the garden he felt the pain, fear and upset all gone. For a brief moment it felt like he had part of his soul removed. Kneeling on the grass as he looked up to the stars he let out a cry and he leaned back to face the stars. He just wanted it all to be over but he knew he had to get to Noralis.

He burst through the kitchen barely noticing the mess as he ran to the landing. His Ada was dead. Falling to his knees the devastated elf crawled up to his Ada and laid his head on his shoulder. Tears and deep sobs came from his very soul. A whimper made him raise his head. Another whimper, Legolas crawled down the staircase and saw his brother. His little brother who looked so much like him they could be mistaken for twins. His little brother was lying in a pool of blood, a dagger from the man who hurt him lying beside him.

Legolas crawled closer. With his gifts he could see and feel the pure agony Noralis was in. He also knew there was nothing he could do. His brother would die. With tears rolling down his face the devastated young elf moved closer and lay beside Noralis. Looking at his younger brother who whimpered.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry it was my fault..." here Noralis gasped for breath, "I didn't hide. I came out."

Legolas didn't say anything simply holding Noralis as he tried to take some of the pain. Legolas could feel his little brother relax ever so slightly.

Legolas looked around and he took stock of the situation. In his own heart he knew even the best healers could do nothing.

Noralis looked up at his brother. "Legos, please stop the pain. I can't take it."

Legolas cried against his brother's head as he heard his final pleas. Wiping his brother's sweaty forehead, he whispered. "I can't, please don't ask. Please don't leave me."

Noralis looked beyond his brother. "Please Legolas make it go away. I see Ada and Nana. Please?"

Legolas lay his head beside his brother's and he sobbed. Reaching down beside him to the dagger that was left Legolas took a deep breath. He tried to take even more of the pain away from his brother.

Noralis seemed to be accepting that he would now die. "I see Nana! I will be with them, Legos."

With his brother lying in front of him Legolas raised the dagger that would end Noralis' immortal life. Twice he had to stop, tears overcoming him. The third time, Noralis whispered. "Love you Legos."

Legolas raised the knife and this time did not turn away.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo