To Mirkwood
Chapter 3: Skits and Dreams
Don't own.
I guess this is AU.
-- -- -- --
3 days later
Legolas wandered helplessly around Minis Tirith. All who tried to console him failed. He seemed to have lost the reason to live. His friends were starting to worry about him.
Legolas was sitting on a bench in the courtyard of The Great Hall. His eyes were closed, his mind wandering to the times he had as a child in Mirkwood. As he was about lost in his thoughts, a voice pulled him away.
"Legolas?" He opened his eyes to find the young hobbit, Pippin, standing before him.
"What can I help you with, Pippin?" Legolas asked. Pippin climbed onto the bench beside the elf he so admired.
"Actually, I was wondering if there was something I could help you with." Pippin said. Legolas looked questioningly at the hobbit.
"Help me?" He asked.
"You have been sad for these last few days. What's wrong?" Pippin asked innocently. Apparently, the hobbits, or at least Pippin, did not know what transpired three days ago. "I was also wondering why you didn't leave with your kin." Legolas sighed lightly.
"My father got the idea from me that I never wanted to return home. He took away my right to the throne. I also believe that he has shunned me from my family… and my home." Legolas confessed. Pippin's bright eyes saddened.
"I'm sorry, Legolas." He said. Normally, he probably would have said something to make the elf more upset. Not intentionally of course, but he had a habit of doing so. However, this day, he was thoroughly upset at his friend's misfortune that he had nothing he could say. The two sat in silence for a while. Pippin soon perked up. "I'll be back, Legolas. Don't go anywhere." He said. He took off running into the Great Hall. Legolas watched after him.
-- -- -- --
Thranduil's face was expressionless as they rode across the lands of Middle Earth. Ethane rode silently beside his father. "Ada?" He asked after a long while.
"Yes E'thane?" Thranduil asked, his eyes locked on some point far ahead on the horizon.
"Do you think it was truly wise to treat Legolas in such a way?" E'thane asked. "He never said he didn't want to return to Mirkwood. He just wanted to spend more time with his friends. That's all." E'thane said, trying in vain to defend his brother.
"No, E'thane. He thought his life in Mirkwood was boring. The realm does not need someone like that ruling over it." Thranduil said, his voice flat.
"No, Ada. He loves Mirkwood. Sometimes, it is boring for me as well. My friends are off training to be in the armies while I have to sit and study. Surely you remember those feelings when you were younger?" E'thane asked.
"It was too long ago." Thranduil answered. E'thane sighed. There was no convincing him. He was set on believing that Legolas hated Mirkwood, there was no changing him.
Please think of a way to change Ada's mind, Legolas. And please hurry. I'm not ready for the task of crowned prince. Hurry Legolas… He pleaded silently.
-- -- -- --
Legolas did as Pippin asked of him and didn't move from his spot on the bench. Pippin soon returned with Merry at his heels. "Alright, Legolas. Merry and I made up this little skit back when we were younger. We're going to perform it for you." Pippin said excitedly. Legolas smiled at their attempts to make him happy. For the sake of the young hobbits' pride about the skit, he sat silently, watching.
They retold a tale from the hobbits' history. Legolas actually found it quiet amusing and laughed several times. Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn had heard that the skit was being performed, so they joined Legolas in watching the performance.
When it was over, Merry and Pippin bowed before the small audience, and they were met with a standing ovation.
"That was wonderful." Legolas said as the two hobbits approached him. "Thank you." He smiled. The hobbits leaped forward, hugging the slender elf.
-- -- -- --
That night when Legolas laid down in his bed, he felt slightly better, knowing his friends were there for him. However, the aching feeling that his father no longer cared for him was burning a hole in his heart. A single tear slid down his cheek as his eyes fogged over and he was asleep.
--dream sequence--
Legolas was in Mirkwood again. The familiar trees greeted him, welcoming his presence. Aside from the welcoming feeling he got from the trees, there was another feeling, circling him like the wind. It made his skin crawl and sent a shiver up his spine. He looked around. There was nothing there except for the trees.
As he stood in the forest, searching for the source of the evil presence, he saw something moving in the distance. Slowly, he started to walk in the direction of the movement. When he saw it again, he started jogging, and when he saw it a third time, he broke out into a sprint.
Soon, he was catching up to whoever it was that was moving. His slowed his sprint to a walk, and started searching the trees with his keen elvish vision. Nothing. Finally, there was a noise behind him. He spun around, and saw a shadow. It loomed over him, tall, dark, menacing. Legolas stepped back, but the shadow passed by him. It obviously had no interest in the young elf. The shadow glided through the trees. It was moving in the direction of Mirkwood. Legolas started after the shadow, but out of no where, a line of Mirkwood soldiers stood in front of him, their bows fitted with arrows, pointing at him.
"Let me pass!" Legolas shouted.
"We have orders from King E'thane, and they are that the former prince of Mirkwood is not allowed near the city. Now leave." The lead soldier said. Legolas blinked, confusion forming in the back of his mind.
"E'thane said that?" he asked quietly.
"That's King E'thane to you, Legolas." The soldier nearly spat out his name, as if it was some form of elvish curse. "Now leave, or we will fire." He said. Legolas's eyes narrowed. He spun around and started walking away. He was about to turn back and break through their line, but as he was turning, there was a sharp pain in his stomach. And another, and another. His body was screaming in pain. He looked up and saw that the bows no longer had arrows fitted in them, and that the arrows were now sticking out of his body… as he fell lifeless to the ground.
--end dream sequence--
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End of chapter 3. Weird. A dream. What could it possibly mean? Well, actually I have an idea, and it's probably not what you're thinking. So there… hehe. Keep reading my friends.
ALSO… for those who read "Beneath the Surface"!!! I wasn't entirely happy with that way that ended. So… I was thinking of maybe rewriting the ending. Tell me what you think! Thanks guys!
Peace in-
Banana Nut Muffin