Disclaimer:
Need I repeat that I own nothing at all! Cries
Rating:
Will be R.
CHAPTER FIVE
Legolas wheeled around toward the sound of the voice, his sharp eyes making out the dark silhouette of man by the balcony, the drapes obscuring his features. The elf's heart hammered against his ribcage like a trapped prisoner and his blood roared in his ears, deafening…the torment of his own anxiety. What had happened to his composure? Crumbling…he was crumbling.
"Aragorn?" the Elf demanded more than asked, turning more fully toward the stranger.
"Fortunately not." The stranger muttered, parting the drapes and stepping into the chamber.
The moonlight reflected off the dark hair and instantly the elven features drew all suspicion away from the ranger. Legolas's eyes grew wide with unpleasant surprise.
"Elladan...."
Aragorn stared quietly at the single flame of the candle, flickering and swaying to some unknown melody. Tilting his head, he sighed wearily, feeling that same uncertainty curl within his heart. He knew why it lingered there, unwilling to depart. But then, he reminded himself that he would do better to leave his friend in peace.
Perchance Legolas is right. Mayhap I have pondered his condition too deeply....
The ranger had reluctantly let his friend walk away after their small quarrel, watching the retreating form until the golden-haired Elf disappeared into the stony refuge. He had also reluctantly turned to meet the gaze of his foster brother, who had stood, leaning casually and seemingly unnoticed against one of the trees, his gentle eyes also trained upon the retreating Prince before they had turned toward Aragorn. The words he had shared with Elladan troubled his mind, but he trusted his brother and could only hope that the half-elf's approach would be more effective.
I am too close to Legolas to give wise council…
The mortal pondered as he stared at the wall, considering the fact that Elladan and Legolas had not seen each other for a very long while.
With a sigh, the ranger rubbed his eyes and allowed his body to sink into the warmth of the bed; his thoughts on Legolas as the flicker of the candle cast contorted shadows upon the walls. The golden flame had reminded him of his friend, golden-haired and golden hearted, yet the flames of merriment and gentleness that had once lit those eyes had vanished now when their gazes met…what had happened?
With thoughts of Legolas' extinguished spirit, the flame flickered brightly, before the room was cast in darkness and a thin line of smoke curled from the black wick.
Blue eyes locked with pewter as both refused to yield. Elladan stood stubbornly before the prince, his dark hair billowing lightly as the night breeze swept through the curtains. In turn, Legolas squared his shoulders, jaw set and eyes as tenacious as his stance. Sensing the tension that was beginning to weave between them, the dark haired elf lifted his head, breaking his intense stare.
"It has been a long time, mellon nín."
"So it would seem." Legolas replied, eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to discern Elladan's intentions.
"Aye, it would appear that much has changed since I saw you last."
Refusing to be drawn in by the underlying question, Legolas tensed his jaw and shrugged slightly. Elladan appeared to accept this reaction and bent down to retrieve the candlestick that had been swept aside in Legolas' outburst. The Elven Prince almost flinched as the other elf waved the object in front of him, as if it were the evidence of his argument, before stepping forward to set it down upon the table.
"I do not-"
"I believe that your lies hold no sway here, Legolas." The other cut in before the Prince could invent a new string of untruths.
"Did your father not tell you it is rude to insult your guest?" The fair-haired immortal chided, turning away from the accusing glare. The forced humour was sour.
Eyes following the Prince, Elladan stepped aside as the other elf brushed past him.
"Did your father not tell you that it is rude to insult a friend's intelligence?" the dark haired elf bit back.
"Enough, Elladan. I did not come to Imladris for interrogation." Legolas murmured before closing the large doors which led out onto the balcony, casting the room in further darkness as he searched for the candle.
"Under normal circumstances, one would not have to interrogate you."
"Under normal circumstances," Legolas echoed, turning to face the other elf, "one should not try."
Arching a slender eyebrow the elf-twin eyed the archer carefully, "I overheard your talk with Estel."
"Why am I not surprised?" Legolas whispered as he set the candle on the desk.
Ignoring the comment, Elladan continued, "Or should I say, your talk at Estel. He is merely concerned for you."
"He has no reason to be, nor do you. If you heard our talk then surely you heard the reason for my weariness, lest my words have fallen upon deaf ears."
"Look me in the eye now, meldir and tell me that all is well." Elrond's son drawled, insensitivity lacing his tone.
The cruelty underlying the last three words caused Legolas to frown as he stared at the other elf, wondering why the twin was pursuing the matter rather harshly. Pulling the reins on his new found temper, Legolas levelled his gaze with Elladan's and lifted his head proudly.
"All is well." The fair-haired being alleged, pronouncing each word clearly.
"Liar."
"Your hostility is most unbecoming." Legolas growled.
"So are your lies."
"Farn!" Legolas snapped, hating that Elladan was harder to convince than Aragorn.
"Why? So that you might have a moment to invent some new story? To better complement my vivid imagination?"
Vivid imagination…
The words he had spoken to Aragorn…no doubt the ranger had spoken to Elladan about his fears. Staring at the twin, the Prince considered himself fairly lucky that Elrohir was not also there to close ranks against him. The elder twin stared intently at Legolas's eyes, as if searching for the truth, just as Aragorn had done.
How had it come to this? How?
He had been careful of his words and actions, all he had wanted was the chance to be left alone, to purge his mind of the haunting memory….
Stubborn.
His father's voice echoed in his mind and for a moment, for a brief, insane moment, he found some strange hilarity in what was transpiring around him. Fleeting moments had changed his destiny. If only he had heeded his father's advice and taken with him escorts. If only he had not met Aragorn upon his path…he would have had time to be stronger. Concern flickered in his eyes for a moment as he considered what Aragorn would think should he come to know…Perhaps he had known all along.
No....he cannot....
Elladan appeared to notice the Prince's sudden change in mood and uncertain how to resume, he remained quiet for a moment ere he found his voice.
"Ai Legolas, talk to me. Lest I must force the truth from you by some other means, which I am sure Elrohir will aid me with." The twin teased lightly, hoping to lighten the tension, "No one shall hear you scream."
Now you'll scream.
"Please leave me alone, Elladan, I am tired." The Prince prayed for the other elf to concede…to allow him his pride if nothing else. The words that had haunted him swirled within the depths of his mind, a mantra over and over, triggered by Elladan's harmless words.
No one shall hear you scream…
"I shall leave you alone when you tell me what ails you."
"What ails me is the way I am being treated!" Legolas turned toward Elladan in a vicious whirl.
Now you'll scream.
Elladan frowned at the fierceness in his friend's eyes, not liking the way that the blue orbs seemed to darken.
"You are truly mistaken to believe my concern and care naught but pestering, Legolas."
"Why can you not leave me in peace!" the Prince snapped, part of his request directed at the words that seemed to resound against his sanity, grating. He was falling apart, nay, so soon?
Now you'll scream.
Elladan frowned in concern when Legolas began to pace, his breathing hitching slightly with every step that echoed in the dark room.
"Legolas?"
Now you'll scream…Legolas, you never look weary or sombre…Legolas…You appear weary, Legolas…You lie through your teeth…Legolas…Legolas…Legolas… Legolas…Legolas…
"Legolas!" Elladan practically shouted as he gripped the elf's shoulders to still him, having grown far more concerned after having called his friend's name several times with no response.
"BAW!"Legolas snarled, turning like a rabid dog. He viciously jerked away from the touch, his mind flashing images before his eyes that were naught but twisted memory.
Legolas…Legolas…Legolas…
Elladan blinked in shock when he found himself pressed hard against the cold stone wall, with one arm banded across his chest. Elladan's pale eyes lifted to meet the enraged, confused gaze of the Elven Prince who drew back his fist to strike the twin.
Shock did not even register, for so saddened was the dark-haired elf by the utter desolation in the eyes of the Prince, that he cared not for the coming blow. Legolas's eyes flickered with crazed rage as he made to strike. However, he lent forward, only to have a firm hand grip his bent arm, tugging him viciously away from Elladan, ere moving to enclose his wrist in a deadly seizure.
Memory flickered again within the Elven Prince, but Legolas had no time to be overcome by the pain, as he was whipped around and forced to stare into a pair of fierce and shocked eyes…..
Eyes identical to those of Elladan.
Sindarin Elvish Translations
BAW - NO
meldir – friend
Farn! – Enough!
REVIEWERS: "Hannon le" to all of you and for any other people who took the time to read the re-posted chapters so far!
IMTrinity – Hello, mellon! Thank you for your lovely reviews! Bless your heart for leaving them! I'm sorry it took so long to re-post this! To answer your question, I have only changed a few things here and there – a bit of dialogue and description etc. I'm thrilled that you are happy with it. Thank you so much once again for your kind feedback! It really made my day. I hope that you are well!
Deana - Hello there Deana! Thank you very much for your feedback! Needless to say, I'm so glad that you're enjoying the story! This update is a day late, my apologies! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for leaving me your thoughts Hope to catch you next post!
Angharad - What an interesting name you have! Thank you so much for your review! It's great that you're enjoying the story - I hope to post as often as I can. Would love to hear what you think as the story chapters come along. Thanks again for taking the time to review!