"We truly are sorry for what happened earlier at the pool," said Merry, for
what seemed to be the hundredth time that evening.
"If I hear those words once more, my axe handle will be finding its way towards your head," grumbled Gimli, his threat causing the two Hobbits to make faces, and the others to laugh at the expressions they wore.
"But he is right," agreed Aragorn. "You can stop apologizing now."
Both Merry and Pippin breathed a sigh of relief, but kept their eyes well away from Gandalf, for the old Wizard was still fuming over the practical joke. Aragorn looked across at Legolas, not knowing whether to smile, say anything, or just incline his head. The Ranger was full of regret for his words earlier, for he knew just how much Legolas depended on their friendship, despite the fact that it was sometimes a very difficult one.
"So, what's the plan of action for tomorrow?" asked Boromir, breaking into the thoughts of Aragorn and Legolas.
"We'll be leaving here at sunrise, and continue the journey throughout the day," replied Gandalf. "I cannot yet say how far we will travel, though. It all depends on what the weather chooses to do, and how much rest we get tonight."
"Might I suggest that we take a few hours sleep now?" asked Gimli. "I don't know about all you, but I will readily admit that I am tired. You see, although we Dwarves are used to such journeys as this, there are times when we can get a little worn out. Mind you, it does not happen that often, so..." Gimli broke off as he realised that amused looks were being thrown his way. Clearly his thoughts about Dwarves were not shared.
Aragorn flicked his eyes across to Legolas, expecting the Elf to make some comment about the ways of Dwarves. However, nothing came. Legolas kept his gaze fixed on the now dying down fire.
"Excellent idea, Gimli. We must have someone to keep watch though, just to be safe," said Gandalf.
"I will do it," said Legolas quietly.
"Thank you. Aragorn, will you be alright to take second watch?" asked Gandalf.
The Ranger opened his mouth to reply, but Legolas quickly cut in, though his voice remained soft and unreadable. "Do not worry about other watchers, Mithrandir. I can watch all night, for I am not tired."
"Ah, to be an Elf would be lovely," said Pippin, pulling out his bedroll.
"Wouldn't it just?" mused Sam. "So many tales, so many years in which to see so many things. So many songs to sing of warriors, great and brave and renowned, so many-
"Thank you, Sam," laughed Frodo.
Aragorn shook his head in amusement, before going to stand in front of Legolas who was twirling a stick in his fingers. "Are you sure you're alright to be up all night? I do not mind-
"I'm fine," said Legolas, cursing himself even as he spoke. Why did he have to be so reclusive and cold? Why couldn't he have said something different, rephrased the sentence so that it sounded more friendly? But no, the same thing as usual.
"See you in the morning then," said Aragorn, turning and going to the other side of the clearing where he would rest.
As all of his companions settled down and were one by one taken by sleep, Legolas exhaled deeply and closed his eyes tightly. He despised the way he had become, and so wanted to change, but didn't know how to. So simple, yet so hard.
Dropping the stick and reaching across to pick up one of his twin blades, Legolas found himself thinking of Thranduil.
*********Begin Flashback*********
One month had passed since that fateful day when Mirkwood had lost two of her Princes and so many valiant warriors. Life was slowly being pieced together for most, but for King Thranduil and his last remaining son, each day proved to be as tense as the last, each night as sleepless.
Legolas breathed a sigh of relief as he quietly closed the door to the armoury. Thranduil still believed that the Prince had attempted to take his own life, and was keeping to the words he had spoken that day; Legolas had not fired a single arrow in one month. Even when he wanted to go out riding, he would only be allowed to go if soldiers trailed behind, to make sure that he did nothing.
Now though, Legolas had slipped unseen through the halls of the palace, and down to the armoury. He would not be able to practise down there, that was certain, but he just wanted to feel a knife in his fingers once more, the streamlined shape of an arrow.
The Prince reached up to a rack which held numerous elaborately and intricately designed knives, and pulled down a long blade. He held his breath, running a finger along the hilt, before swinging it once. No sooner had he done that though, the door was thrown open. He whirled around, the knife falling from his hands as he did so.
"Legolas! What do you think you're doing in here?" yelled Thranduil, slamming the door shut, and going forwards into the room.
"No...nothing, Ada," stammered Legolas, dropping to the ground so as to retrieve the knife he had dropped.
Thranduil however, darted forwards and kicked the weapon into the corner of the room, before reaching down and grabbing Legolas by the wrist. "What possessed you to come down here? You know that you cannot-
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to-
"Silence!" hissed Thranduil, still not loosening his grip on the younger Elf. "I do not allow you down here any more, as you well know, so tell me exactly why you went against my wishes."
"Because I care not for your wishes!" snapped Legolas, eyes flashing defiantly as he pushed Thranduil's hand away from him and jumped to his feet. "They will not keep me safe. Don't you see? By keeping me away from all this, you are only endangering my life. Or is that what you really want, deep down?"
Anger flitted across Thranduil's face, and he took an angry step forwards to his son. "How dare you? How can you even think to say something like that? You've said some things in your life, Legolas, but that...that just tops all of them. Do you honestly think that I want you harmed any more than you have been already?"
"I don't know," said Legolas quietly, holding his hurting wrist against his chest. "I just don't understand why you keep me from the things that I enjoy and will keep me safe. It doesn't make sense."
"Because I care for you," whispered Thranduil.
Legolas bit his lip and lowered his eyes down to the ground as bitter shame washed over him. "I am sorry, Ada. Will you forgive me? I should not have come down here in the first place, and I should definitely not have said what I did. It was stupid. I know that you do not want me hurt."
Thranduil smiled weakly and gently pulled Legolas' wrist towards him, grimacing at the sight of a bright red handprint on the younger Elf's porcelain skin. "What have I done? Forgive me, ion-nin. I should be protecting you, but instead I just-
"I am fine," said Legolas. "Truly, I am."
"Well, alright then," said Thranduil slowly. He paused for a brief second, before turning and pulling a bow down from the wall. Praying he was doing the right thing, the King held it out to Legolas.
"Are you sure?" asked the younger Elf hesitantly.
"Of course," replied Thranduil. "Look, I will come down to the archery fields with you for a while if you want. But Legolas, you must realise that this does not change the way I feel at the moment. I still do not-
"You still do not trust me," cut in the Prince angrily. "That's alright, I understand. After all, father, why should you?"
Thranduil snapped his head up, stunned that Legolas had just addressed him in the Common tongue. They were so close, that the younger Elf had always called him the more affectionate term of 'ada'. Shaking himself mentally, Thranduil reached out and put a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I do trust you, ion-nin. But can you not see how hard this is for me? You are all that I have left, and I have no wish at all to see you harmed."
"Let's just forget about going to the archery fields," snapped Legolas, hitting his father's hand away and throwing the bow to the floor. "You never know, I might try and shoot myself in the heart."
As Legolas stormed from the room and slammed the door behind him, Thranduil took a deep breath and stepped back against the wall, raising his eyes skywards, before sinking down to the ground in desperation. He rested his arms on his knees, gazing through glistening eyes at the opposite wall. He wanted so much to protect Legolas, but it seemed that everything he did just pushed the two further apart.
Thranduil only wanted his son back.
*********End Flashback*********
Legolas was so busy living in the past, that he noticed too late the sounds of rustling in the trees above him. He jumped to his feet and stared wildly around the clearing, all the while cursing himself for letting his attention wander in such a way.
Taking a chance and reaching down to pick up his bow proved to be a mistake for the Prince. Somebody jumped from a tree branch and landed on his back, knocking him to the ground. When he tried to get up, Legolas found that he was being held down, and not only that, but many more figures had appeared, had gone over to Aragorn and the others, and were now roughly pulling them from sleep.
"What are you doing? Who are you?" breathed Legolas, forcefully turning himself onto his back. He was just about to push himself up from the ground, when he caught sight of his attacker's features. The long fair hair and pointed ears made Legolas freeze.
Whatever happened next, Legolas did not see, for a rock was raised high in the air, and soon came crashing down upon his head. Everything went black.
............................................................................................................
Jennifer: Well I guess you could say that. But don't leave it at that, cos all will be revealed soon enough! There *is* a reason why he's been biding his time for so long. But again, all will be revealed! :)
Rachel13: That's a really funny image of Prince Charles being pushed into a pool! But I don't think that Legolas would be that impressed if he heard that you compared him to a picture of a donkey! LOL
Gollum-Girl: Excuse me? Purple pandas? OK...confused!
Koriaena: No, I haven't read that. But I like things where everything is sorta...contradictory. I'm weird. :)
Well, that was a cliffhanger and a half, wasn't it? Ever so sorry to you all, but you're gonna have to wait until the next chapter to find out what happens! Luv Misto x-x
"If I hear those words once more, my axe handle will be finding its way towards your head," grumbled Gimli, his threat causing the two Hobbits to make faces, and the others to laugh at the expressions they wore.
"But he is right," agreed Aragorn. "You can stop apologizing now."
Both Merry and Pippin breathed a sigh of relief, but kept their eyes well away from Gandalf, for the old Wizard was still fuming over the practical joke. Aragorn looked across at Legolas, not knowing whether to smile, say anything, or just incline his head. The Ranger was full of regret for his words earlier, for he knew just how much Legolas depended on their friendship, despite the fact that it was sometimes a very difficult one.
"So, what's the plan of action for tomorrow?" asked Boromir, breaking into the thoughts of Aragorn and Legolas.
"We'll be leaving here at sunrise, and continue the journey throughout the day," replied Gandalf. "I cannot yet say how far we will travel, though. It all depends on what the weather chooses to do, and how much rest we get tonight."
"Might I suggest that we take a few hours sleep now?" asked Gimli. "I don't know about all you, but I will readily admit that I am tired. You see, although we Dwarves are used to such journeys as this, there are times when we can get a little worn out. Mind you, it does not happen that often, so..." Gimli broke off as he realised that amused looks were being thrown his way. Clearly his thoughts about Dwarves were not shared.
Aragorn flicked his eyes across to Legolas, expecting the Elf to make some comment about the ways of Dwarves. However, nothing came. Legolas kept his gaze fixed on the now dying down fire.
"Excellent idea, Gimli. We must have someone to keep watch though, just to be safe," said Gandalf.
"I will do it," said Legolas quietly.
"Thank you. Aragorn, will you be alright to take second watch?" asked Gandalf.
The Ranger opened his mouth to reply, but Legolas quickly cut in, though his voice remained soft and unreadable. "Do not worry about other watchers, Mithrandir. I can watch all night, for I am not tired."
"Ah, to be an Elf would be lovely," said Pippin, pulling out his bedroll.
"Wouldn't it just?" mused Sam. "So many tales, so many years in which to see so many things. So many songs to sing of warriors, great and brave and renowned, so many-
"Thank you, Sam," laughed Frodo.
Aragorn shook his head in amusement, before going to stand in front of Legolas who was twirling a stick in his fingers. "Are you sure you're alright to be up all night? I do not mind-
"I'm fine," said Legolas, cursing himself even as he spoke. Why did he have to be so reclusive and cold? Why couldn't he have said something different, rephrased the sentence so that it sounded more friendly? But no, the same thing as usual.
"See you in the morning then," said Aragorn, turning and going to the other side of the clearing where he would rest.
As all of his companions settled down and were one by one taken by sleep, Legolas exhaled deeply and closed his eyes tightly. He despised the way he had become, and so wanted to change, but didn't know how to. So simple, yet so hard.
Dropping the stick and reaching across to pick up one of his twin blades, Legolas found himself thinking of Thranduil.
*********Begin Flashback*********
One month had passed since that fateful day when Mirkwood had lost two of her Princes and so many valiant warriors. Life was slowly being pieced together for most, but for King Thranduil and his last remaining son, each day proved to be as tense as the last, each night as sleepless.
Legolas breathed a sigh of relief as he quietly closed the door to the armoury. Thranduil still believed that the Prince had attempted to take his own life, and was keeping to the words he had spoken that day; Legolas had not fired a single arrow in one month. Even when he wanted to go out riding, he would only be allowed to go if soldiers trailed behind, to make sure that he did nothing.
Now though, Legolas had slipped unseen through the halls of the palace, and down to the armoury. He would not be able to practise down there, that was certain, but he just wanted to feel a knife in his fingers once more, the streamlined shape of an arrow.
The Prince reached up to a rack which held numerous elaborately and intricately designed knives, and pulled down a long blade. He held his breath, running a finger along the hilt, before swinging it once. No sooner had he done that though, the door was thrown open. He whirled around, the knife falling from his hands as he did so.
"Legolas! What do you think you're doing in here?" yelled Thranduil, slamming the door shut, and going forwards into the room.
"No...nothing, Ada," stammered Legolas, dropping to the ground so as to retrieve the knife he had dropped.
Thranduil however, darted forwards and kicked the weapon into the corner of the room, before reaching down and grabbing Legolas by the wrist. "What possessed you to come down here? You know that you cannot-
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to-
"Silence!" hissed Thranduil, still not loosening his grip on the younger Elf. "I do not allow you down here any more, as you well know, so tell me exactly why you went against my wishes."
"Because I care not for your wishes!" snapped Legolas, eyes flashing defiantly as he pushed Thranduil's hand away from him and jumped to his feet. "They will not keep me safe. Don't you see? By keeping me away from all this, you are only endangering my life. Or is that what you really want, deep down?"
Anger flitted across Thranduil's face, and he took an angry step forwards to his son. "How dare you? How can you even think to say something like that? You've said some things in your life, Legolas, but that...that just tops all of them. Do you honestly think that I want you harmed any more than you have been already?"
"I don't know," said Legolas quietly, holding his hurting wrist against his chest. "I just don't understand why you keep me from the things that I enjoy and will keep me safe. It doesn't make sense."
"Because I care for you," whispered Thranduil.
Legolas bit his lip and lowered his eyes down to the ground as bitter shame washed over him. "I am sorry, Ada. Will you forgive me? I should not have come down here in the first place, and I should definitely not have said what I did. It was stupid. I know that you do not want me hurt."
Thranduil smiled weakly and gently pulled Legolas' wrist towards him, grimacing at the sight of a bright red handprint on the younger Elf's porcelain skin. "What have I done? Forgive me, ion-nin. I should be protecting you, but instead I just-
"I am fine," said Legolas. "Truly, I am."
"Well, alright then," said Thranduil slowly. He paused for a brief second, before turning and pulling a bow down from the wall. Praying he was doing the right thing, the King held it out to Legolas.
"Are you sure?" asked the younger Elf hesitantly.
"Of course," replied Thranduil. "Look, I will come down to the archery fields with you for a while if you want. But Legolas, you must realise that this does not change the way I feel at the moment. I still do not-
"You still do not trust me," cut in the Prince angrily. "That's alright, I understand. After all, father, why should you?"
Thranduil snapped his head up, stunned that Legolas had just addressed him in the Common tongue. They were so close, that the younger Elf had always called him the more affectionate term of 'ada'. Shaking himself mentally, Thranduil reached out and put a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I do trust you, ion-nin. But can you not see how hard this is for me? You are all that I have left, and I have no wish at all to see you harmed."
"Let's just forget about going to the archery fields," snapped Legolas, hitting his father's hand away and throwing the bow to the floor. "You never know, I might try and shoot myself in the heart."
As Legolas stormed from the room and slammed the door behind him, Thranduil took a deep breath and stepped back against the wall, raising his eyes skywards, before sinking down to the ground in desperation. He rested his arms on his knees, gazing through glistening eyes at the opposite wall. He wanted so much to protect Legolas, but it seemed that everything he did just pushed the two further apart.
Thranduil only wanted his son back.
*********End Flashback*********
Legolas was so busy living in the past, that he noticed too late the sounds of rustling in the trees above him. He jumped to his feet and stared wildly around the clearing, all the while cursing himself for letting his attention wander in such a way.
Taking a chance and reaching down to pick up his bow proved to be a mistake for the Prince. Somebody jumped from a tree branch and landed on his back, knocking him to the ground. When he tried to get up, Legolas found that he was being held down, and not only that, but many more figures had appeared, had gone over to Aragorn and the others, and were now roughly pulling them from sleep.
"What are you doing? Who are you?" breathed Legolas, forcefully turning himself onto his back. He was just about to push himself up from the ground, when he caught sight of his attacker's features. The long fair hair and pointed ears made Legolas freeze.
Whatever happened next, Legolas did not see, for a rock was raised high in the air, and soon came crashing down upon his head. Everything went black.
............................................................................................................
Jennifer: Well I guess you could say that. But don't leave it at that, cos all will be revealed soon enough! There *is* a reason why he's been biding his time for so long. But again, all will be revealed! :)
Rachel13: That's a really funny image of Prince Charles being pushed into a pool! But I don't think that Legolas would be that impressed if he heard that you compared him to a picture of a donkey! LOL
Gollum-Girl: Excuse me? Purple pandas? OK...confused!
Koriaena: No, I haven't read that. But I like things where everything is sorta...contradictory. I'm weird. :)
Well, that was a cliffhanger and a half, wasn't it? Ever so sorry to you all, but you're gonna have to wait until the next chapter to find out what happens! Luv Misto x-x