DISCLAIMER: Yessss.... they are mine, my own, my precioussssss. And then I fall from the tree I was sleeping in and woke up.
Author Notes: I'M SORRY!!!!!!!!! That is all I can say to you wonderful reviewers, I am deeply sorry. I don't know where my vacations go, but now I am in school again and facing the first partial exams!! (Mordor!) but since inspiration seems to come in those bizarre moments when I am suppose to be studding or doing homework, I think it's a good sing.
Please remember that my mother tongue is Sindarin and Quenya, not English, sorry for the mistakes
The Truth in those sad eyes
By Fantasia of the Moon
Chapter VI
A week now from the arrival of the princes of Mirkwood, Legolas found himself, still in his nightshirt and with his hair loose, gazing through the window of his guest chamber in the fair Imladris. Dawn had been an hour before and so the dew still shone in the trees' leafs making them an ethereal sight.
With a sigh he reluctantly left the window and headed to the dresser where he put on the cloths the Lord of Imladris had provided him with, for his own were torn and bloodied. Since they were deep blue, he didn't look so pale, because even if his wounds were only scratches now, he hadn't recovered fully yet of the blood loss and his complexion was still paler than usual.
The first day of the Counsel was beginning in a few hours and so the crown prince wanted to take a walk in the gardens before finding himself sitting in a chair, even a comfortable one, for a long time. A knock in the door announced the servant with his breakfast.
"Enter" he said
"Good morning Your Majesty" the elf said with a precarious bow, holding Legolas' food. The elf then put all the plates in the table in front of the balcony and with another bow he left the room.
Without his mask of indifference, as no need was to cover his true self for he was alone, he sat looking at the view that the balcony's open doors gave and enjoyed the light breeze. Since the incident of Vinyaron in the Hall of Fire, the Imladris' elves weren't too eager to be with him and Legolas knew better than to impose himself. Only the twins, Erestor, Glorfindel, Lindir and Elrond were kind to him even seeking his company sometimes, but the crown prince thought it was more of diplomatic courtesy than of interest and so he had decided to take his meals on the solitude of his rooms.
Always alone.
Sighing again he finished the fruits, bread with honey and tea and stood up stretching a little. The soft breeze increased and played with his still loose hair making Legolas laugh. He always found something amusing to laugh when he was alone, since he was a merry soul even if melancholic.
Stepping out the balcony he looked as some elves were already singing or playing in the gardens. He stood there a moment, combing his hair and clipping it in his usual tresses as he watched them, until the sight of his brother approaching Lindir made him bit his lower lip. The head minstrel was one of the few elves he ever felt comfortable with, even if he believed that his friendly manners where due of hospitality. He knew that if Vinyaron talked to him, he will put him against him.
"Even if he really does not like me, I do not want him to hate me. or the twins. I know he will not believe me if I tell Vinyaron wrong, but I will try. I will not let my brother make them despise me"
And with that he went out of his rooms and to the gardens.
****
**
Despite what Legolas thought, Lindir was beginning to appreciate the company of the crown prince of Mirkwood, for the few moments he had been with him, he had found him interesting, caring and a lot more of qualities he relished.
But the head minstrel wasn't an elf who gave his friendship easily, even if he had an open nature. No, Lindir choused his friends carefully and after knowing them well. So was the case of the twins, Erestor, Glorfindel and even Elrond.
That morning Lindir had woke up early and when the first light of sunrise grace the valley he and other musicians had welcomed it with a sweet song. Then all the group had dispersed to occupy themselves in their respective activities and since Lindir had no pending tasks for the day, he decided to take a walk in the gardens before going to tease his twin lord friends. It was then when Vinyaron joined him.
"Master minstrel" Vinyaron called cheerily, his golden hair dancing around him playfully, for the two tresses he had done weren't enough to hold it in place.
Lindir cursed in a whisper and holding tighter his harp in an attempt to control his annoyance he turned around wearing a polite smile. Erestor had taught him well after all.
"Good morning my prince" he said with his melodious voice. If Legolas had caught his interest, Vinyaron had only annoyed him.
"Good morning to you too" the younger prince of Mirkwood gave him a charming smile, although within he was grinning evilly. He had noticed that Legolas was beginning to be welcome by some elves and he wasn't going to allowed him that. He was the favorite of Thranduil, his older brother was the unwanted and so it has to be in all the elven lands. "Can I walk with you?"
"I am afraid I need to attend some things" Lindir said
"Oh, it is shame, since I wanted to listen to your lovely music"
"It will have to be in another time my prince"
"I do not thing so. After all it is I who is asking you to play your harp for ME" said Vinyaron emphasizing the last world.
Lindir looked at him as if he had suddenly turned into a dwarf. "Pardon me?" What was this arrogant prince thinking?
"Do not be so surprised, I know it is an honor for you that I personally ask you this" continued Vinyaron. Lindir nearly dropped his harp, his fair face flushed with rage.
"I must remember you, Prince Vinyaron, that I am considered one of the best minstrels ever in the elven history, just below Lord Maglor. I am certainly not at your disposition."
"Watch your words minstrel, do not forget you are talking with a prince" Vinyaron said pale with anger. Nobody had ever talked to him like that, less of all a simple minstrel.
"And you must not forget where you are" a third voice broke in the discussion, a tint of anger in the light and melodious voice.
Vinyaron's angry gray- green eyes turned furious when he turned around and found the crystal blue ones of his brother. Not knowing what else he could do he left the older elves in a rush, banishing among the trees.
"My prince" Lindir bowed at Legolas.
"I thought we had come to an agreement regarding formal titles" Legolas said.
"True. Well then, with you permission I take my leave"
"Enjoy this beautiful day" Legolas said with a nod and stepped aside, beginning to walk in the opposite direction. The way the blond prince had said the last sentence made Lindir stopped.
"You will be indoors all day, will you not?" He asked
"Unfortunately I will" Legolas said turning around with resignation in his face. Lindir looked at him surprised, little by little and only if there were just one elf around (or two in the twins' case), Legolas was beginning to open himself.
"And you do not look forward it, I assume" Lindir said amused.
"That I do not" Legolas admitted, then realized what he was talking about, but it was very late. "I am sorry, I did not want to insult your Lord or the fair Last Homely House" he added quickly and then bit his lower lip. How could he be so foolish? Now wonder why his father thought nothing about him. He was nothing but a stupid fool.
"No need to apologize Legolas" Lindir said all amusement gone at the prince's last words, for he had seen a bit of anguished as well as grief, but it seemed that the sinda elf wasn't even listening to him and kept biting hard his lower lip. "You know" Lindir added quickly and a little louder, gaining Legolas' attention once more "That reminded me awfully to the twins. They do not like this political meeting either"
"Really?" Legolas asked, his curiosity making him forget his worries. Lindir smile grew at how childish Legolas looked.
"Indeed. Glorfindel and Erestor had to drag them to the meeting chambers or to Lord Elrond's study when it comes to discuss formal problems. Actually" he said chuckling "they still have to"
Legolas smiled as he imagined the scene, after a few moments he turned serious again " I am sorry Lindir, I am delaying you" and with that the crown prince of Mirkwood walked away leaving an astonished minstrel behind.
"He is strange" Lindir thought as he looked in the direction Legolas had gone "One moment he seems ready to open himself and it seems that when he take notice of that he close again, I do think it is worth trying to know him better. And on the other hand." he said turning to see the direction Vinyaron had taken a while ago and his face flushed with anger again.
****
**
"You look furious" Elladan said raising an eyebrow after he looked at the newcomer.
"How perspicacious you are!" Lindir said sarcastically, his fair voice a bit angry. He had entered the twins' room after a hard and only knock and then had taken sit in one of the plush sofas in the big chamber, his harp at his feet.
"Ai! You are furious" said Elrohir amused, gaining a killing glare from a pair of emerald green eyes.
"What happened?" Elladan asked reassuming his search for something in one of the tables that was a mess with papers, books and quills all mixed up.
"Never had I been so insulted!" Lindir said with his fists tight so hard that the knuckles where becoming white.
"What?" Elladan and Elrohir asked frowning. Elladan had stopped his search and Elrohir, who was looking at something as well under their bed, stood up and approached the minstrel. "By whom?" they asked again simultaneously.
"Can you not guess?" Lindir said and the twins shared a look of indignation as they understood. "He treated me as if I were a human servant!"
"I doubt that he behaves like that in Mirkwood, because if that were the case, he will not be as loved as rumors say he is" Elladan said.
"It is most probably that he had never before met someone who did not like him, and so he does not know how to behave" Elrohir said thoughtfully.
"Glorfindel was right to be annoyed when he learned of the coming of the princes of Mirkwood." Elladan sighed.
"Legolas is not like that, tough" Lindir said and then told them what had happen next.
****
**
Legolas walked through the corridors of the Last Homely House heading to Lord Elrond's council rooms. In the way he had asked for directions and had found that the elves there didn't look at him very friendly and he could heard the low voices that whispered how cruel the crown prince of Mirkwood was toward his brother, how unfair, how spoiled.
So it was with a heavy heart that he was preparing himself to face the Lords of Imladris. Turning around a corridor, a noise took him out of his dark thoughts and couldn't help but smile at the sight in front of him, for there they were, the twin lords of Imladris being dragged by the two counselors.
When the four Noldor elves saw the prince they composed themselves immediately, for the trust with Legolas wasn't enough yet to display that kind of behavior.
"Good Morning my prince" Glorfindel said formally
"Good morning my Lords" Legolas said in return.
"If you are so kind, please enter" Erestor said as he opened the beautiful wooden craved door of Elrond's council meeting and after all of them had enter, it was closed again.
****
**
"What is it Prince Vinyaron?" Runianth said. The prince turned to look with tears falling down his cheeks at the dark hair elf that was kneeling before him.
"No.nothing. It is nothing" the sinda said with a sad voice.
"But then why are you crying my prince? Why are you so sad?" Hitfiriel, another elf asked.
"Because I am an assassin! A murderer!" shouted Vinyaron. This answer took back the group of elves that had gathered around the crying prince.
"Why do you say that?"
"I do not say it, my brother does. Legolas says that it was I who killed mother, that it would have been better if I never had been born"
"Oh, young prince, do not think that. Prince Legolas is wrong; he is blinded by anger and grief." Runianth said caressing the brown golden locks of Vinyaron
"I had heard that he had always been strange, even when you had not even been born" another elf said.
"Do not worry. Maybe you should talk to him" Hitfiriel suggest.
"I can not, he will only hurt me with his cruel words"
"Then, with your permission we will speak to him" Runianth said
"Please do it, I will be very grateful" Vinyaron said smiling to himself. He had made the mistake to cross a intimate friend of the rules of Imladris, while all evidence suggested that Legolas was winning their trust. So desperate circumstances needed desperate measures and what could be more perfect than having the best part of Imladris population against his brother? This was going to hurt Legolas. a lot.
****
**
The meeting had taken all the morning and the best part of the afternoon. Elrond, the twins and the counselors soon realized that Legolas was a natural diplomat that conceded and demanded skillfully, he was reasonable and had an open mind to take suggestions as well as a very cunning tactician.
"The meeting went easier than we had expected Prince Legolas" Elrond said in a very good mood. "If all the topics to discuss are as easy going as this was I am sure your visit here will be more of pleasure than work"
"I am glad my Lord, for I do want to wander in your fair realm without the pressures of politic business, with your permission of course"
"Of course, nothing will please me more. I heard you are fond of books" Elrond made a pause and Legolas nodded. "Then I am sure you will enjoy our Library, feel sure to visit it whenever you want"
"And if you need help finding a certain book, I can help you" Erestor offered.
"Indeed, he knows the Library as well as only Father knows it, for it had been his second room" Elladan added playfully.
"Actually his third room" added Glorfindel and Erestor blushed. Legolas blushed as well understanding the implications of the blond Noldo.
"Are you going to dine with us tonight?" Elrond asked. Legolas bit his lower lip anxious. He didn't want to, since he felt the rejection of the other elves, but not accepting the invitation wouldn't be polite, for it was the Lord of Imladris himself inviting him.
"I will my Lord"
"Excellent. We have some time until dinner is served. If you want to refresh yourselves" Elrond said to the five elves present and so they all left to their rooms.
It was on the way alone to the guest chambers that Legolas was stopped by a group of elves. They looked at him disapprovingly.
"Can we have a word with you my prince?" Runianth asked nevertheless polite and with respect.
"Of course" Legolas said behaving as the prince he was, for although he usually didn't acted like he was superior, he had a very bad feeling about all that.
"We are here to speak in the name of your brother prince Vinyaron" Hitfiriel started.
"You have been cruel to him unfairly, blaming him for something he was not at fault" another elf said.
"What are you talking about?" Legolas asked confused. "Please Elbereth" he though "Please let it not be my mother's accusation again"
"Do not try to pretend Prince Legolas, you know what is happening here"
"I do not know what my brother had been telling you, but I counsel you that first to jump to conclusions you inform yourselves of the truth"
"Prince Legolas, with that behavior you are acting more like an orc than an elf!" Hitfiriel said harshly, not able to bear anymore the 'fake innocence' of Legolas. The sight of Vinyaron crying, deep in his memory.
"How you dare!" Legolas said indignantly. That was one of the most offensive insults an elf could receive as well as one of the most heartbreaking.
"You are too selfish to think in what you are doing with your brother!" Runianth said angry taking the best part of him. In that time all the elves started telling him how cruel, heartless and all kind of hurting words that came to their minds, he was.
"And you are too foolish to believe in all that has been told to you" Legolas said beginning to feel angry and annoyed.
"You should not mistreat your bother, for even before he was born you were not loved, you are not wanted" Hitfiriel spat almost shouting. Silence felt as Legolas' face went very pale and all movement left his body. He stood as still as a marble statue.
He had been working hard and a lot and as his body was still weak, the blood loss make itself felt in that time. His heart hurt painfully and a wave of dizziness took over his senses. He shut his eyes and tried to regain the control of himself, he needed just to be strong for a little longer. He definitely will not collapse in front of them.
"That I already know" he said with a low and calm voice that had no emotions. Then he opened his crystal blue eyes that were as cold as the ice. "I have known it for a very long time, but it has nothing to do with Vinyaron. I am not what you think I am, but I really do not care what you think. You can believe whatever you want as long as you do not bother me with it. It is not your place to speak to me as you have done, for I am the crown prince of Mirkwood and so I own your respect. Is that clear?"
"We did not mean to." Runianth started.
"Is that clear?" Legolas repeated louder interrupting the other elf. All the group bowed deep, recognizing the royal voice and its imperative tone. The Crown Prince of Mirkwood, son of kings had spoken.
With that Legolas turned around and left them there.
Turning a corridor and out of sight he quicken his pace until he was running. As soon as he reached his rooms he entered, secured the door and stayed still close to the wall in front of the bed. He was shaking badly and soon he started crying, the words "you were not loved, you are not wanted" ringing in his ears. Unable to escape of them he embraced himself as if trying to feel some caring touch. He collapsed crying with his arms around himself thinking how fool he had been to believe that he really was not unwanted. Everyone knew the truth and it was time he faced it as well. He was nor wanted, he had never been loved.
To be continue...
We authors feed with reviews, so don't let me starve to dead and REVIEW!!