Severity of Silence

Chapter 7: Anticipating an arrival

Elrond

"Arwen, get back here!" I shout down the hall as I chase the young house maiden down the many stairs, trying to catch her so I can stitch up her hand. The cook brought the girl to me after she cut her hand on a knife and refused to get it treated. Since I am chasing her I soon learned her hatred of needles and such. Standing at the base of the stairs I look around, wondering where the young girl had run off to, my elven hearing not picking up her light steps, only the ones of the soldiers and men outside. Walking down the corridor I pass one of the many windows over looking the plains, my eyes searching for the two boys that were supposed to be returning today. Nothing is seen but a few birds and deer. Shaking my head I continue down the hall only to round it to find Lord Arathorn talking to a teary faced Arwen.

" Ah, I'll hold her down. You stitch." He smiles and does as he said. He holds the lithe young female down while I clean and close the wound. Bandaging it I nod to the King to let her go and he does. Arwen turns and almost kicks me in the shin before racing off down the hall. I watch her go, shaking my head. Arathorn only laughs and claps me on the shoulder.

" Come, let us talk." He says and leads me out to the gardens where many wild plants and herbs grown. The many trees around speak highly of the people waling under their branches but I ignore their idle chitchat.

" You seem distracted lately. What is wrong?" My friend and Lord asks, casting a curious look at me from the corner of his eye. I drop my gaze to the garden floor, refusing to look at the man.

" I have a feeling the message meant for Druth was not good and caused more pain to the messengers than the Kingdom." I tell him, stopping near a blooming tree, resting my hand on the trunk.

" Even the trees speak of pain and a shadow coming to the Kingdom." I tell the King, my abilities are not as adept as young Legolas when it comes to speaking with trees and creatures. I can understand the whispers enough by feeling to know what is coming.

" The boys shall return. Unscathed I have no idea but they shall return." Arathorn reassures but I turn to look at the aging human. Aging. Seems like nothing to an immortal, to grow old and die. I use to believe this a fairy-tale told before bed until I watched my own father pass off into his internal sleep.

(A/N: He's half elf and I don't know who was elf or human in his line, so I'm saying his father. Forgive me if I'm wrong.)

" Do you love your son?" He suddenly asks and I start, eyes going wide as I gaze at the human King.

" I love both my boys." His face faults and I realize my mistake. I had always told the King Legolas was my son, as to keep us together. Now that I have messed up I have to explain everything.

" Not those two. Elrond I always suspected Legolas was not your child. You just don't seem alike. You're the passive, he's the aggressive. You don't even look alike." He laughs and I sit beside him on the bench, hands hooked together as I look at the man that has become my friend and trustee.

" I never meant to deceive you." I begin but the man waves his hand at those words.

" I do not care of that. I want to know how you came in possession of such a young man, for I love that Elf as my own, just as I think of both you and Glorfindel as my brothers in a way." He says and I glance down at my hands again. Licking my lips I then clear my throat and turn to look at my friend before starting.

" A horse came racing through my gates one afternoon and upon its back was a young elf, a child clutching to the mane for dear life. No sooner had we got the boy off the horse fell dead from exhaustion. We took the child in and nursed him back to health. It wasn't his physical condition but his mental. He had watched his mother slain when the men breached the first wall watched as the men took the unborn child from her stomach and then slit the woman's throat. She died slowly." I stop, closing my eyes as I remember the sobbing child in my arm tell me this.

" That is when I learned that the elf that came into my court that day was none other than the son of Thranduil of Mirkwood." The King give a small intake of breath

" You mean I've had a Prince working in the stables?" He asks, appalled.

" Don't worry Arathorn! Legolas loves the horses and being outside, I doubt he would have remained so passive if you treated him like a prince." I tell the human and I can visibly see him deflate, shock erasing from my face.

" His is a good young man, I an grateful that Aragorn and he became friends, not only has Legolas helped him, he has helped me fill the void that was made when my other son, Kay died in battle. Like I said before I love Legolas like my own, he is a great person and I think you had a lot to do in making him that way." He says before a horn sound, the King rises to his feet and takes off to the front courtyard, me on his heels. Jerald is already there, waiting for the horses as is Arwen and Glorfindel. The rapid sounds of hooves are making their way to where we stand and soon the riders can be seen. Yet when they departed two horses were used, only one, not even one of the originals, bring them back.

Arathorn

" LEGOLAS!" Elrond shouts and races to where the horse stops. I trail after him when I notice the elf lying limply against my son's shoulder. Aragorn hands the injured elf to his adopted father and then dismounts himself. Glorfindel takes the small blonde and brings him into the castle. I follow after, talking to him about what went wrong.

" The stable boy in Druth poisoned our horses and as we were escaping they dropped dead. Legolas killed the rider of the one you saw us on and we took the beast up into the mountains. We checked our wounds and were about to settle in before riding out that morning when an assassin shot Legolas. At this Glorfindel, now relieved of the elf turns and asks sternly

" What kind of assassin?"

" Legolas said something of an Arkots named Kerrick." My eyes go to the cursing elf and then back again, thoroughly confused.

" Elrond! It's Kerrick's arrow!" He shouts into the healer who's hands stop pulling the arrow out and be begins to curse.

" I'll need help Glorfindel. I suggest none of you stay here for this, it won't be a nice thing. Aragorn you should rest, you look terrible." Elrond says and I nod my head knowing the elf needs no distraction while he tries to save Legolas. I pull my own son after me and instruct him not to go and see Legolas no matter what and to rest.

" Father what was in that message?" he asks as he stops in the doorway of his chamber.

" We have cut off all alliance and trade with the people of Druth, for they are the ones that began and enslaved all the elves. Even Legolas." I tell him and Aragorn sucks in a breath.

" We passed through Mirkwood father. Legolas found his cousin, dead with her innards spilt on the forest floor and so many dead and tortured. He had nightmares every night. After the attempt… attempt on his life was the only time he slept a whole night. Father it was terrible. So much death, and to find his cousin there… I think it did more damage to him than he is going to admit." He says and I hug my son close, whispering into his ear

" Fear not child. Elrond, Glorfindel, and I will not allow Legolas to lay down and die. I highly doubt he would let something like this make him die as well. He's too strong for that child. He will overcome. Don't worry." I draw back from the embrace and look my son on the eye. Kissing him lightly on the forehead I step back.

" Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a better day." They young prince goes into his chamber nad closes the door. I sigh and walk back to the room where Elrond and his son's are trying to repair the injured elf. I am about to knock when Elladan, or Elrohir comes out.

" Sorry Lord. Excuse me." He says and races off to the kitchen. I peer into the room to find Legolas lying on the bed, his body covered in a light sheet, injured leg sticking out. Elrond is wrapping the wound up; hands covered in dried blood and face a mask of stern annoyance.

" We need to let him rest. By the looks of him he hasn't been sleeping well." Elrond tells the other two and I chose this point to walk in clearing my throat.

" Aragorn said they rode through Mirkwood and came across one of the death sites. He found his cousin." Elrond washes his hands of the blood before turning to look at me.

" Hmm… that is not good." Glorfindel says before covering the prince in a quilt and sitting in the chair beside the younger.

" How is he?" I ask, coming to look down at the youthful and perfect face, pale but strong.

" Well his leg will be healed enough to walk around in a few days but to go out on missions and other adventures I want him to be taken off that list until I say so. Even to an elf an injury to the knee can be devastating. He's going to fight with me, but I stand firm on this." Elrond says and replaces some herbs and things.

" I agree, both boys are ordered to stay in this realm. With the declaration upon Druth I don't want to risk either being caught or worse." I tell them and prepare to leave, casting one last look at the three elves that has become a part of my family, my companions. Closing the door softly behind me I head for my own chambers, to find some form of sleep. The matters with Druth forgotten until tomorrow.

Aragorn

Waking the next morning I stretch and yawn, blinking sleep from my eyes. The bright sunlight of the fall does little to warm the chilled air and my lungs protest at the deep breath. Washing up after heating some water from the basin over my room's fire place I quickly dress and head down for breakfast, beating my own father with my early rising. Eating the few fruits out this early I head for the stable to find Jerald and see what he says about the new stock. It's obvious that those people of Druth have something against our horses but what kinds of stock are theirs? Could that stallion we took be a good line to breed? Walking into the stable I go to my mare's stall but find it empty, as well as Saipan's. Finding this odd I head up into the loft to find Jerald. Sure enough the young stable Master is organizing the bins and things, humming to himself.

" Good morning Jerald." I greet the young man who turns quickly.

" Lord Aragorn." He nods and then looks sadly at me.

" I'm sorry to tell you, but both Saipan and Wyne died during the night." He says and I nod my head sadly.

" I kind of figured something happened to them. Does Legolas know?" I ask, worried over my friend's mental condition considering everything that has happened and now the death of his longest companion. Helping the stable master with the morning feeding I am disturbed to find more about the stallion we brought in.

" He is badly malnourished. Druth warriors are known for taking the colts right from the mother and training them as war horses before they are old enough to be used for that kind of work. When they don't act right, they starve the horses. Believe it or not the stallion is very smart, we had to put a lock on the stall door because he keeps finding ways out." Jerald says as he brings me to the Stallion's box. The dark brown lifts his head and snorts before turning back to his grain. Now that I stop and look at the horse he is very skinny and unhealthy looking.

" Has anyone took him as their own yet?" I ask, opening the door and walking into the stall. The horse's eyes come and lock on mine, making me stop and wait.

" No." is the reply and I nod, reaching out to stroke the nose.

" I want him." I see Jerald nod and then the young man begins saying everything he will be doing to bring the horse to its full body mass and beauty.

" I'll visit him and groom and walk him. Have no fear Jerald." I tell the man before exiting the stable. It is time to go and find Legolas and see how my friend is faring. Knocking on the door I wait. Soon the great oak is opened to reveal a very sleepy and disheveled Elrohir, his hair askew, eyes half open.

" Ah Aragorn… Leoglas has been annoying us all morning about you. Please come in." He steps back allowing me access. Stepping into the slightly darkened room I find my friend lounging on the bed, knee bandaged and propped on a few pillows. He is sitting at an angle, playing a game of Chess with Elladan, who seems to be livelier than his brother. The two laugh and Legolas shouts something in Elvish, pointing at the twin of Elrond.

" No… I didn't cheat!" Elladan shouts back in plain. I laugh and draw the attention of the two arguing elves.

" Aragorn!" Legolas smiles and sits himself back up on the bed, wincing as his knee is forced to stretch. I go and seat myself on the side of the bed, smiling at the happy expression on the elf's face.

" Good to see you awake, you had me worried there for a while." I tell him and then look over at Elladan as he leans back in the chair

" He scared us all. You… dear adopted brother. Slept with your eyes closed." Legolas' face falters and he looks down at the sheets. I am slightly shocked by this and remember the first time I had to sleep in the same room as the elf. I woke up and glanced over at my sleeping friend and shouted when I saw his eyes open, glazed over as he saw nothing. Legolas was so angry with me for jolting him from his sleep that he explained to me about how elves sleep until morning, all with a disgruntled manner.

" I didn't mean to worry you." He whispers and I place my hands on his shoulders. He looks at me with a questioning look before I tell him.

" Legolas… Saipan and Wyne died…"I begin and the look of shame leaves the elf's face as one of utter disbelief takes its place.

" What? No…" He starts, looking at Elladan who only shrugs.

" No.. he… he was a horse of Rivendell, one of the longest living horses. He was a member of Shadowfax's herd! He can not die." The elf protests and I look down.

" Legolas I know how you feel, but my own mare died as well. It was time for them to leave this world. Just be glad that they are to be reborn free." I try to tell the elf but he will hear none of it. He shakes his head and then looks out the window, eyes clouded with emotion that he refuses to let fall.

" Everyone I care about is gone… there is really nothing left for me to stay here for." He whispers and a tear falls from his silvery eyes. Elladan and Elrohir come over and embrace their brother, knowing what he is saying.

" Legolas, you still have Arwen, Elrond, Glorfindel, Jerald and myself. You are not alone and not everyone you care for is gone." I reassure the elf.

" Nothing remains of my people. What is there to live for in this life Aragorn? Live to see the hatred of men for my people? I have seen all the hatred my heart can take and I am not willing to take any more." He says, and leans back into the pillows, eyes drooping slightly.

" Must be the herbs father gave him a little while ago." Elladan whispers to Elrohir.

" Ignorance is just like hatred Legolas. Right now you see not the people who care for you through your pain. I will be back to speak with you again when you are able to see through that pain and self-pity. You are a warrior Legolas, don't allow yourself to be reduced to this. This is not the elf I befriended long ago." At this the Prince's eyes snap open.

" YOU know me not! You have no idea who I am Aragorn, I am nothing. I have no family, I belong nowhere. I am nothing but a killer who wants revenge for the slaughter of my life." He says stonily. Elrohir pulls me from the room before I can say anything else. He brings me into the hall and closes the door, eyes a stormy green.

" What is the name of Arda are you thinking?" He asks, and I shake my head.

" I want my friend back Elrohir. I'm trying to get him back the only way I know how." I tell the elf and he looks down.

" After everything he has been through all he wants now is someone to understand. You have not lost people you grew up with you were around. You don't know what it is like to lose your only true friend from a life long ago that you can only visit in your mind." He says and I shake my head.

" Your wrong. I lost my only true friend back in the woods of Mirkwood when he stopped talking to me. I LOST my only friend. So don't tell me I don't know how it feels." I tell the dark-haired elf and turn on my heel, leaving him to stare after me.

Okay folks I know it was stupid to have them lose their real horses but it was the only way I could make it all like it was. What will happen? Will Legolas snap out of this? Will Aragorn try to revive the friendship on the rocks? Will Elrond ever get a life? FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!

I'll update… while you all review! REVIEW!

oh if you want to know how to get bold and italics… save the document as an HTML document, that will work.