Severity of Silence
Chapter 4: Silent no longer
:Gandalf:
Upon reaching the room, which the Elven Lord stayed, I helped Elrond begin making the tea, unlike Elrond I could contain my excitement of having the youth speak again. Glorfindel wouldn't be able to hear his musical voice again but he would as soon as he returned. I remember traveling to the kingdom of Mirkwood and listening to the small elfling that was his father's pride and joy sing merrily to the trees so early in the morning. His musical laughter has long since faded but the same smiling youth remains, although plagued by horrid memories that could be sparked by the simplest thing. Watching the greenish water boil I remove the pot from the flame and pour it into a cup, while Elrond prepares some other herbs. Turning I look at the elf sitting on the bed, the elder twins laughing at something he must have written before responding with their own comebacks. The youth was surprisingly strong, for most elves wouldn't be able to survive if so much had happened to them. They would simply give up, while Legolas being so young fought to stay alive.
" Is it ready?" Elrond asks as he comes to look at the liquid itself. He peers into the cup and wrinkles his nose at the offensive smell.
" Well who ever said Fairies had good breath?" I smile and the Elven lord laughs before shaking his head. He takes the cup and moves over to where the boys sit, and instructs the blonde prince to drink it all in one gulp. Legolas takes one whiff of the concoction and instantly pushes it away. Shaking his head defiantly and clamping his jaw tightly. Elrond mutters something and the youths around him begin to laugh, jaunting the younger prince.
" C'mon chug it." Elladan jests and Legolas gives him a nasty look.
" I bet you can't do it." Elrohir says, playing on the prince's determination and pride. Legolas shakes his head and then takes the cup, takes a deep breath and downs the whole cup before coughing at the burning feeling that must be running down his throat. He closes his eyes in a wince and then glares at Elrond as the elder smiles triumphantly. He then turns and glares at the twins and shoves both in the shoulders. They fall back slightly, laughing at how easy it was to trick him. Elrond watches the youth intently, as do I and Legolas seems to notice this scrutiny and cocks his head to the side.
" Penneth, I want you to say my name." Elrond says and the child gives him a strange look before smiling, he thinks this is all a joke.
" No, really. Say my name." Elrond orders again and Legolas looks into the Lord's eyes and swallows. He opens his mouth and works his tongue, only slight sounds come out, but at least they are sounds. I watch as the small elf furrows his brows together and tries again, trying to make the desired sound.
"illon..d.." he tries and I smile, watch as he gives the Lord a questioning glance and receives a praise for his accomplishment. Legolas looks around and smiles brightly finally realizing what had been done.
" Now.. I want you to say your name." Elrond instructs and a fierce look of determination comes over the face as Legolas tries to operate the sounds.
" Nal..oss." The twins try not to laugh but fail at the name that just spilt for his lips. Legolas glares at them his eyes becoming like ice fire as he tries again, this time a bit closer.
"Lilloass" he tries but becomes befuddled with the 'g' sound. I smile and clap my hand on the small shoulder.
" Analf!" He says happily and I smile at the new variation of my name.
" Try not to strain yourself little one, you have plenty of time." I tell him and Legolas smiles. Beckoning for Elrond to follow me into to the hall I close the door and give my old friend a serious look.
" Progress will be slow.. and I am not entirely sure that this is going to be a full restorment. Not even the Lady of the Golden Wood could tell me that it would work. It's going to take time, and patience." I tell him and I know I would have no problem with the elf-lord not having patience. To raise two identical boys without a wife had to have been a very trying experience. The Lord smiles and nods his head before returning back to the door, preparing to open it.
" It is time for me to be leaving my friend." I tell him and a look of sadness comes over his fair features.
" Thank you my good friend for reuniting my boys and helping Legolas. It means more to me than you would ever know." He says and claps a hand on my shoulder, I return the gesture making the elf smile and I turn and leave. My staff clicking softly as I walk down the hall of Gondor.
" Oh and Elrond. Don't keep those two boys apart. They will bring light to the darkness that clouds both their lives." I put in and keep walking, knowing my Elven friend has a very confused look.
" I wonder what Bilbo is up to at this moment." I amuse myself with this question.
:Elrond:
Closing my chamber doors behind me I sigh and look at the three young elf's lounging on the bed. The twins are trying to teach Legolas some simple words since he is going to have to re-learn everything. I smile and watch as a harsh look of determination comes over his features as he tries to say a trying word, and comes out very closely to what the said word should sound like.
" Well, how about some food. You all must be starved and it is well past time for noon meal." I tell them and my two are instantly up, eagerly looking for anything edible.
" Ada you would not believe how bad Gandalf's cooking is!" Elladan exclaims while he stretches. I chuckle and head for the door, not choosing to remark on the comment. I lead my twins and Legolas down the hall to where the dining chamber is and open the great door. The dining chamber is usually set with food and wine all day long in case of the patrols coming in want something to eat or guest show up something is always ready. At the sight of the food the twin's eyes light up and they cast me a look and I only nod. They instantly go to the table and begin downloading their plates. Legolas follows but only places a few selective foods on his own, since most didn't appeal to his liking. I sit and watch the boys eat, admiring how much they have grown and feeling saddened by how much I have missed. As I gaze at my boys I miss the incoming of a few people. I look up at the young Prince and Arwen who are covered in hay, showing they were in the barn only moments before.
" Good afternoon Lord Elrond." Arwen greets and I smile back at the small girl. Aragorn goes and sits across from Legolas and smiles at the youth
" How are you feeling Legolas?" He asks and a frightened look comes over the elf's features and he quickly turns to look at me.
" He only mean to be kind." I tell him in Elvish and the Legolas nods, smiling easily at the human before shrugging his shoulders. He opens his mouth and begins slowly forming the words.
" Good." He then smiles brightly once more at the shocked look on Aragron's face. The human prince stares at Legolas awe struck before looking at me in amazement.
" My Lord I was told he couldn't speak." He says slowly still watching the elf closely. Leoglas laughs, not his usual high musical laughter but a raspy one, his vocal cords protesting to this new action. Legolas ceases his laughter and takes a sip of water from his glass, but his eyes do nothing to hide his mirth.
" My good friend Gandalf the Gray brought a herb with him that was said to restore his voice, we tried it on him after the barn incident and it seems to have worked. He is very shaky in words and must relearn them but in time he will talk like you and I." I explain to both humans and Arwen hugs her friend from behind, kissing him lightly in the cheek.
" My happiness goes out to you my friend." She says and then sits back in her seat, beginning to eat her midday meal. I smile at the blonde elfling and then begin to eat my own meal.
" Uh.. Lord Elrond?" Aragorn asks, eyeing my sons in a very curious way. Both Elladan and Elrohir aren't helping the matters by making faces at him and acting like fools.
" Act your age. Not your shoe size." I tell them in my native language, putting that fatherly growl into the very words. The twins cease their actions, becoming normal once more and introducing themselves.
" I am Elladan, and this is my twin Elrohir." Elladan introduces and Aragorn does the same.
" Aragorn." He smiles and looks at me when I clear my throat.
" These are my two boys. Elladan and Elrohir were sent to live with their Grandmother when the first round of killings began in our homeland. My friend Gandalf brought them with him along with the cure for Legolas." I explain and the realization comes over his face as if lightning had just struck. He laughs and shakes his head before eating a few tips of venison. We sit in silence, every now and then the sounds of voices from the hall for the rest of the meal.
}}~~~~~~
After the meal I begin showing my boys around the castle, the gardens and such. Both boys fill me in on what had been happening since I sent them away and I fill them in on how Glorfindel, Legolas and I came to live in Gondor.
" Then the King came into the camp, killing most of the men and freed us. Glorfindel being the warrior he is pledged his allegiance to Arathorn and rode out in the final battle against them while Legolas and I were recovering here in Gondor. Upon his return Arathron informed me that there could be no trace of any elf left upon Middle Earth and that we could remain within his walls as long-term honored guests. Since then Legolas has become a top trainer of the King's horses, Glorfindel the captain and trusted bodyguard to the King and I a teacher, and healer." I finish my tale as we take a seat on the bench in a more secluded section of the large garden. Both Twins are looking away now, their faces clouded with anger and sadness. Pulling each boy into an embrace I allow myself to let go of all the grief I had after I thought my boys gone forever. Never in my whole immortal life had I ever been so happy as I was now, sitting in the garden holding my boys.
:Legolas:
Walking down the path and leading the twin's horses Aragorn keeps trying to strike a conversation with me but ends up getting broken answers. I have been silent so long that I have forgotten how it feels to roll the words and make the sounds I was born to make.
" Jerald will be beside himself when he hears you." Aragorn says as we step into the barn and put the two Elven horses in a tie so they could be un-tacked and brushed.
" Good… freend" I cringe at the sound of the latter word and sigh in frustration. I know how to say the word its just a matter of getting my mouth to form it properly.
" Don't worry. You'll get there in the end." He says and pats me on the shoulder. I smile and walk into the tack room where I find Jerald thumbing through a bunch of herbs, looking for a particular one.
" Ah Legolas there you are. Where is the Willow Vine? I have a horse with an infected hoof." Jerald says giving me a helpless look. I smile and slowly form the words I want to say in my head before pronouncing them
"No…" I stop and contemplate how to say this word.. "Moorr." I smile when Jerald's expression changes from one of pure helplessness, to slight confusion, to happiness. He grabs me about the shoulders and hugs me close as I laugh.
" You got your voice back!" He says happily and hugs me closer and I him, allowing myself to feel proud and happy about having my voice back, not like when I said Elrond's name, it made me feel frustrated and annoyed by the fact that I couldn't say such a simple thing.
" What are we to do about Galith's hoof?" He asks and looks back at the cabinet.
" 'o ret… mor." I tell him and he stops.
" Go get more? Where is it I'll go." He says and begins to grab tack for his old mare but I stop him.
" Me… Araorn…. 'o" I sigh as the word coming from my mouth make me sound like such a dimwit. I begin to hate my predicament and suddenly wish I never regained my voice. Grabbing my bridle I exit the tack room with Aragorn behind me. Going into Saipan's stall I greet the gelding with a rub on his dark muzzle. The conflicting colors in his coat make him look like a storm. The points, muzzle, knees and hocks are all a dark brown while his body is a smooth gray. Warm brown eyes blink and I feel the sensation of his happiness of being outside as I lead him out of the barn. Aragorn is already waiting with Wyne, the mare nuzzling his shoulder as he feeds her a piece of apple. Mounting Saipan I wait for the human to adjust himself in the saddle before clicking my tongue to my gray and he moves off at a gentle trot. Aragorn keeps right up with my long-legged gelding, since his mare is about the same height and soon we come to the gate of Gondor leading out into the forests.
:Aragorn:
We travel for a good hour until we come to a stream where Legolas allows Saipan to drink and rest as he walks to an old Willow tree and resting his hand upon the bark he closes his eyes. I watch as the then smiles and takes the long blond-handled knife from his waist and begins cutting bark from the tree. Once he has gathered enough he slathers some form of dark grim on the spots and then lays a hand once more upon the tree before walking away.
" How about we stop for a bit before heading back." Legolas narrows his eyes and looks about the trees and shakes his head.
" 'old Illond bak 'fore derk" He says slowly and then gives me a pointed look. I nod understanding what he is saying and get into the saddle and trot behind Saipan.
" Where did you get that knife my friend?" I ask as we ride side-by-side down the game trail. Legolas smiles and reaches into the sheath on either side of his waist and draws out twin blades and hand them to me.
" 'om ader." He smiles proudly.
" when tern o' age." I run my hand over the blade, admiring the smooth handle and bright silver blade. These blades are befitting a warrior to fight with in battle. Glancing at Legolas I wonder how old he really is, to be considered a warrior at such a young age. I make a mental note to ask Elrond at some point. I hand the blade back to Legolas who puts them back in their sheaths.
" Legolas were you a warrior?" I ask, glancing side long at the blonde elf. I notice the sad look that plays over his face before he turns to look at me.
" Prence… 'ike.. ou" He states and I cock my head, forming the words in my head to make a sentence.
'Prince like you' my eyes go wide in shock as I gape at the elf. Legolas was the prince of an Elven kingdom long destroyed by the hatred of humans. I smile at this and clap a hand on his shoulder.
" Well prince Legolas. I think we have something in common." Legolas laughs and clicks his tongue to Saipan who moves easily into a canter. I speed after him and soon we are approaching the gates of Gondor, this trip has made us more closer in my mind, maybe in Legolas' as well. I truly do hope, that someday we will travel together over middle earth, as friends.
This is not the end. We're going to skip ahead a few years.. like two. Aragorn will be old enough to leave the castle without anyone around him and Legolas will be able to talk better. It was such a pain trying to get the words to come out like he has speech impairment. I actually had to have my friend from school who is half-deaf help me.
Thank you my good friend Cyber Assassin.
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