Don't kill me! I got this out as soon as I could! (Go see Hidalgo!) This
chapter is longer than most. . . lucky for you all, I suppose. . .
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"Legolas," The voice was firmer, begging Legolas not to leave.
"Legolas! Wake up!"
The elf automatically grabbed his blades and sat bolt upright.
"Calm down, mellonamin. It was just a dream."
Legolas blinked in the dark, his breathing heavy.
Aldarion sat on his heels. "Are you all right, Legolas?"
"I am fine." The answer was brusque and slightly panicked.
"What did you see?"
"What?" The two friends portrayed exact opposites; one was calm and relaxed, the other unable to gain his composure in a storm of thoughts.
"They say you can see the future."
"I can't."
"I think you can. You were saying Mithfalas' name."
"Mithfalas died, and Strider was greatly wounded."
"I hope you cannot see into the future."
Legolas allowed himself to chuckle. "How many did I wake?"
"Only me, Legolas. There are still many hours before dawn."
"I will find no more rest tonight, of that I can be sure."
"Tomorrow will be a long day. Please try to sleep, my friend."
Legolas nodded, though he knew he would not find the peace to sleep again. He saw too many horrible things in his sleep. The world of the living was far more peaceful than his sleeping visions.
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Morning could not come early enough for Legolas. During the night, his bird had found him with a letter from Aragorn. He did not write back: it could wait until he returned home.
He sat still until he was sure that the sun was fully over the horizon, then set about the task of waking his warriors.
"Good morning, my lord," one of the younger elves yawned cheerfully from a tree-branch.
"Good morning, Naphath," the prince responded, cheered by the elf's light- hearted-ness.
"How much rest did you take, Legolas?" Aldarion had caught up to his friend after Telemnar had awoken him.
"Enough."
Aldarion sighed. He knew what that meant. "Legolas, if you get eaten by a spider because you're dozing off, don't expect me to come save your ass."
Laughing, Legolas shook his head. "I don't think you should use such language when addressing a prince."
Raising a challenging eyebrow, Aldarion countered, "A prince, no, but a contingent leader, yes. Wasn't it you who said 'I am nothing more than a fellow warrior outside of Thranduil's halls'? Need you be reminded of that so often?"
"All right, you win. This one."
Dropping his smile, Aldarion lowered his voice. "I'm serious, Legolas, you have me worried."
"I do wish you would stop mothering me. When we dropped you in the river and almost drowned you, were we fretting over you?"
Eyes rolled at the memory. "No, I do believe you were laughing at me, and Tel was. . . a bit beyond laughter. But I am not quite as important to Mirkwood as you, Legolas."
"You are just as important as I am. Now, will you please drop this? I am done speaking of it, and, should you continue, I shall only ignore you."
"You are so annoying for royalty."
Legolas smiled. "So I've been told. Pack up."
The prince woke the last of the warriors, earning a small 'good morning' from each of them. In less than half an hour, they were all mounted and moving.
When the sun set, the elves decided to continue. None but Legolas were tired, and the prince was more than willing to keep going. When morning dawned, Legolas pulled his steed back, instructing Aldarion to lead the group forward. He waited until Telemnar was next to him, then urged his horse into a walk to match the other's.
"What are you thinking, Leg?"
"I think we should split up here. I saw a web a little ways back, but it was abandoned, I'm pretty sure."
"They've moved farther north than I thought."
"Aye. You take your warriors and follow the eastern path, I'll take the western. Call for help if you need it. With any luck, we'll meet on the other side by nightfall."
Telemnar nodded, pulling his horse to the left and calling out to his contingent. The large group of elves split, leaving only twenty with Legolas.
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The prince was smiling at his good fortune. So far, they had not come across any large packs of spiders, only two or three at a time. That was due mostly to the fact that spiders were solitary creatures, but if made their job easier.
"I see another one," Tyondiel, a younger warrior, squinted through the foliage.
"Fire at will," Legolas said, pulling his horse to a stop. The others followed suit.
The single arrow that flew hit its mark but unleashed an awful terror. From the contingent's left, a particularly small spider jumped into the horses. Legolas turned a sharp left on his horse, letting an arrow fly. Aldarion had been the target of the spider and was now lying on the ground. Tyondiel gasped, stuttering broken apologies.
Legolas hushed him, dismounting in the blink of an eye. "No one move," he ordered. "Aldarion, are you okay?"
"Is it dead?"
"Yes," Legolas affirmed, kicking the beast aside.
"Then yes, I am fine."
The prince offered a hand to his friend just as Tyondiel saw their worst nightmare. "Legolas, don't make any sudden moves."
The prince glanced to the trees where hundreds of eight-legged beasts stared back. "Arm yourselves. Remember, you protect your fellow warriors and yourself above all."
He had to talk himself into being calm. If he panicked, everyone else would. "Dismount. Send the horses home."
When the horses were gone and the pounding of their hooves could no longer be heard, arrows flew. The spiders dropped from the trees like black rain.
When Legolas' arrows ran out, he drew his knives. Spinning them wildly, yet skillfully, he sent a silent prayer to the Valar. "Don't fail me now."
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"Telemnar, I do not mean to question your authority, but the path that Prince Legolas chose was shorter than ours, and we have been waiting for him for quite a while."
Telemnar sighed at the young elf. He had been thinking the same thing, but if he doubled back and missed the prince. . .
One the other hand, if they were having trouble, and he took his contingent down Legolas' path, he could meet it there and help.
"You're right. Change of plans, we will follow this path north and find Legolas there."
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Legolas heard a muffled cry somewhere to his left. Without losing concentration, he spun towards the sound. . .
And gasped. "Aldarion! Get up! On your feet!"
The elf did not respond. Throwing a wild glance around, the prince shouted new orders. "Watch my back, protect us if you can!" He knelt by his friend's side. "What happened?"
Dar moved his hand, revealing a large puncture wound in his chest. "She stepped on me."
"Stepped in you, I think."
The elf chuckled, but the laugh quickly turned into a blood-splattering cough. The prince sobered. "Hey, it's all right, just be still. We'll take you back to my father's, and the healers will take care of you."
Aldarion shook his head. "No, Legolas, I'm not going back. I can't."
"Don't say that, you're going to be fine."
"Tell her. . . that I. . . love her," his breathing was growing rapidly shallow.
Legolas pulled his friend- his brother- to him, cradling his head in his lap. "Dar, I won't do that. You can tell her that yourself in a few days."
"Don't do this, Legolas. Go. . . help them. . ."
Tears sprang into the prince's eyes. He refused to accept this as reality. "We made a pact, do you remember? Where you go, I will follow! Do you remember that?"
Dar only turned his head away, but the prince would not let him escape the question. "Do you remember that?"
"I do."
"Then please do not go where I cannot follow!"
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"Legolas! We should pull back!"
The prince looked towards the voice, but his eyes were blurred. He knew not who spoke to him.
"Legolas!"
The prince fell to his knees, a spider just inches from him. He could not keep his feet, nor his mind.
"What happened to him?" Telemnar hissed at the nearest warrior.
"He was bitten by one of the beasts. He will not let us tend to him."
Legolas felt hands on his waist pulling him up. "Come, my prince. We ride back to the palace."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas woke up later on a soft bed with a terrible headache. His bewildered eyes landed on Telemnar.
"My lord," the elf bowed his head.
"Why are we here? Are the spiders not defeated?"
"Most were defeated. Only a few were left."
"Why did we leave?"
"You were bitten, my lord. You needed care."
"It does not matter! We had a job to finish! Why did you pull out?"
Telemnar's eyes searched the floor. "I am in charge of your contingent when you are unable."
"Telemnar? Tell me what happened."
"You needed care. Even though I am a warrior, my first duty is to protect my king and my prince."
"Telemnar, I've fought by your side for many long years. I know you better than this. Tell me what happened."
"Do you not remember?"
Legolas searched his memory, but the pain from his headache made the task impossible. He uttered a soft "no."
"Aldarion is dead."
There was a moment of stunned silence, then—
Legolas threw the silk covers off of himself, rising quickly to his feet.
"Legolas, you are in no condition to be running through the halls!"
The prince paid his friend no heed.
Legolas stormed into the great hall, marching straight to his father's seat. He threw his hands up, in either frustration or defeat, none could tell. "I don't want it."
"Pardon?" Thranduil raised an eyebrow, slightly disappointed in the outburst from his son, quite unaware of what had taken place. Legolas' contingent had not arrived until the middle of the previous night.
"I deny the crown, I will not take it. Find someone else."
Thranduil sat up straighter. "There is no one else." It was then that he finally looked at his son. Legolas was dirty, caked in mud, and the front of his tunic was stained dark. He could only guess it was blood. "What happened, Legolas?"
"What happened? You mean you have not heard? Worthless messengers!"
As if on cue, two elves skidded into the hall and locked eyes with Legolas. The prince glared at them, then dismissed them with an informal wave of his hand.
"Legolas-"
"No, don't tell me to calm down. I just witnessed the murder of my best friend. Do not tell me to calm down! As for the crown, I do not want to deal with this regularly, and have to close myself off to it emotionally. I can't do that! Fal can, make him come back."
"I can't do that, Legolas. Besides, you are perfectly fit to rule Mirkwood."
"You can, you just won't because of your pride." Legolas mumbled the statement just loud enough for his father to hear.
Thranduil said nothing for a long time. Finally, he nodded. "I am sorry for your loss, my son."
"Do not apologize to me, I don't want to hear it."
The king sighed, now standing just in front of his only son. He would chastise him if not for the sorrow he must have been feeling. Legolas knew better than to act so childishly, but who would expect anything else now? "Is that your blood or Aldarion's?"
Legolas looked at his tunic and seemed to notice the crimson stain for the first time. "I. . . I don't know. Both, maybe."
The king pulled his son into a warm embrace, anger boiling in his veins. Why had he not been informed of his son's condition, much less his return? "Have been tended to?"
Legolas offered no answer, then, "I don't know."
The king looked over his son's shoulder. "Telemnar, has he been tended to?"
"Only slightly, my lord. He was unconscious until just minutes ago. He would let no one touch him in his sleep."
Legolas hung his head in slight shame. Thranduil turned his attention back to his son and lifted his chin, so that he was looking directly into his son's blue eyes. "You are hiding something, ion nin."
"I should have been able to save him! He fought under my command in nothing but total trust, and I failed him."
Telemnar couldn't hold his tongue. "You failed no one, Legolas!"
The king stayed silent, waiting to see if Telemnar's words would have a calming effect on his son.
"We were sent on a dangerous mission, Legolas. Every one of us knew the risks involved. You are by no means a failure! We lost one warrior between us. That is nothing short of a miracle."
The prince would not look at his friend. He could not deny the words, but his eyes held disbelief. The king watched his son's eyes and the emotions playing in them.
"Telemnar, leave us, please, and kindly close the doors on your way out."
The elf bowed, "My lord."
When they were alone, Thranduil hugged his son again. "There is more bothering you."
"I am not capable of being a king in your absence, Father. I am incapable of protecting those whom I love, I cannot hide my emotions so well as you, I let my dreams plague my sleep."
"Your dreams, Legolas?"
"I have dreams every night. Someone always dies. Someone that I should have been able to protect."
"No one is perfect, my son. I still dream of the day your mother left us. I should have been able to make her stay, but no, I couldn't. I. . ." he trailed off. Could he really admit to this? "I should have never exiled Mithfalas."
Legolas' face showed pain and hurt, from everything he was feeling, but he was otherwise stoic in manner.
"Are you hurt?"
Legolas shook his head, but his body betrayed him. He fell suddenly into the king's arms. "Legolas? Legolas!" He picked the boy up and ran to a healer's room.
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Legolas woke and immediately mumbled a quiet "I'm okay. I'm not hurt."
"You were poisoned by a spider, my son. You are hurt, whether or not you wish to admit to it."
"I'm okay."
The king smiled. "Yeah, I know you are. You scared me."
"I am sorry, Ada."
"Do not apologize, Legolas. You did nothing wrong."
"I want to go North."
If the king hadn't been used to his son's erratic ways, the change in conversation would have surprised him. "You can't. The Festival starts tomorrow night. I understand that you do not wish to go, but you need to be there."
"My best friend just died, Ada. I am not going to the Festival."
Thranduil kept his voice gentle, but there was a no-nonsense tone to it. "This is not negotiable, Legolas. I know you think me harsh for this, but you have missed too many events as it is. You need to attend this one." Nor would he allow his son to hide away form the world. He had done that twice before and only further hurt himself, if only emotionally. He would not see his son go through that again.
Legolas nodded in defeat. "As you wish."
"Legolas?"
The prince blinked. "My lord?"
Thranduil sighed. Legolas only used "My lord" whenever he was in trouble, uncomfortable, or angry. Though, he supposed his son felt a little bit of everything just now.
"My son, I understand your loss. Aldarion was like a son to me, and I know he was a brother to you. But he would not want you to mourn and keep to yourself. We have planned a memorial for him tomorrow night, just before the Festival begins. I will not require you to announce it.
Gratitude first flooded his mind, but Legolas shook his head. "I could not save him, the least I can do is lead others in remembering him."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. May I leave?"
"You may."
"I need to find Séreméla. She needs to know what happened. I would rather her hear it from me than anyone else."
"She will not react well."
"I don't expect her to." Legolas nodded to his father then took his leave. The king sat in the healing room with his head in his hands.
He was traveling down the familiar path to losing his son. Another son.
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His cousin met him half way down the hall. "Where is he?"
"Sera," Legolas took a deep breath. There was no god way to say what he had to. "He is gone."
"When is he coming back?" She refused to believe her cousin's words.
"Sera,"
"He'll only be gone for a little while, right?" The questioned begged for agreement. When Legolas said nothing, Sera spoke again. "Will you just let me believe that for a little while?"
Legolas nodded slowly. "He'll be home soon."
The girl hugged her cousin. "Thank you," she whispered.
Legolas nodded into her hair. He did not trust himself to speak just now.
"I'll see him soon."
Legolas pulled back from the girl. "No, you're staying with me. Don't you dare go to him."
Her eyes were pleading. "There's no reason for me to stay, Legolas. My heart is broken."
"Can't you just believe that he's coming back soon?"
"Sooner if I go and find him."
"I can't lose you too, Sera. Don't do this to me. We can get through this together."
"Don't you see, Legolas? I've nothing else to live for! He was everything to me."
"Sera, I don't want to fail you too." He spoke the words to an empty hall. His cousin had left him alone to his thoughts.
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Reviewers: All right, so what was wrong with that chapter?
Holy monkeys there were a LOT of you! And yes, Aldarion actually DID die. And don't think that Fal's off the hook yet. . . Aragorn's chapters are NOT dreams, nor or they part of Legolas' dreams. All you know is that he hasn't died yet.
Dragonfly: Sorry I took AGES. . . I do believe that you're the only one who caught the double traitor in Berylla. Nicely done. And no, I won't kill Aragorn. . . he has to make it to the Fellowship, but Fal is free game.
Lauren: I'm usually a lurker too, lol. Oh jeez, your nails must be gone by now, I've waited so bloody long to update. I don't like slash either, but I will read the occasional non-con (even though it technically doesn't work. . .) Thanks so much for the review! (And yes, I recognize you!)
Silvertoekee: No cliffie this chapter, right? See, I'm not all bad. To be honest, I didn't expect Berylla to be on their side either, until I wrote that chapter, anyway. It was going to be something very similar to Nifren's story, but my muse thought otherwise.
Angel With No Wings: You don't need to go back and read everything, it's something I've stressed quite often. Lol, sorry, look at all the reviews I got this chapter (how many replies I wrote!) and you were one of about three people that liked her. If it means anything, she wasn't originally bad, lol. Thank you for the great compliments!
SPEoD: Ah, but see, there's more to how cool Fal is. . . what REALLY happened in that story, not just what Legolas remembers of it. . . but NO, no one voted for that story, lol. And let me just say. . . never jump to conclusions!
Shadow Warrior: Yes! You caught the double traitor in her too! Yay! Uhm. . . and all I have to say is, "ask and ye shall receive." Cryptic, I know, but I can't say more. . .
Lady of Nimrodel: Lol, that was the most emphatic review ever! It was so cool! (Thanks!) You're a seriously cool reviewer!
Kenderbender: Lol, thank you. I don't know, would I? He's an OC, so there's nothing that says I have to keep him alive. . .
Das Blume: You know, I'm a fast runner, and I'm really taking advantage of that ten seconds. . . I'm serious, how soon you all forget. . . I will tell you in a few chapters WHY I laughed. I can't say just yet. Actually, I can't remember. . . you either pegged the plot right on or you were way out in right field. Have you actually used a Ouija board? I did once, and it spelled "Satan" and the candle blew out. . . I have touched the thing since. Uhm, hm. . . I don't know how to say this without giving it away. . . well, you'll see. Just, if I had a motto, what would it be? There you go. There's the answer to your pleas.
Lady of Aqawondel: Sorry for the long wait. Most people go through doors, hun, not walls. And. . . hm, I'll just grin evilly.
Gwyn: You're right about Strider, and you are definitely on the right track about Fal. Actually, you were right, he WASN'T dead, but that says nothing for the future. Do you remember last chapter's cliffie?
Luthien: Yeah, school work sucks. I'm so sorry for my memory, but what would you like a summary of? (What can I say, school bites!) And please don't kill me, the story will never be finished!
Grumpy: Lol, you knew about her before I did. . . her evilness was spur of the moment. I'm glad she's gone though. (
Nenya: I always have it my way, lol! I like Mithfalas. Too bad he's dead (or soon will be!) The Festival is the next Leggy chapter. I'd reply more to your review, but I'd end up giving too much away. . .
Dimostiel: Bob is a strange little spider. He was tap dancing for me today. Odd little creature.
Das Blume: Didn't I already reply to you? Hm, what you remembered wasn't exactly what I was thinking, but you do make a beautiful point there. I didn't forget that either, lol, don't worry. Don't you think (after this chapter) that a dream is part of that connection? Lol. . . all I can see if Minastir all drunk now. . . Jack Sparrow, lol. Well, now can it be proven that he wasn't playing a sick game on Legolas? And very nice with the nightmare question. You pegged it exactly! You're the only one, too. Cookie for you.
Wildfire2: I was lying 'cuz Leggy was only dreamin'. Evil, aren't I? He will meet up with Aragorn soon (not the next Leggy chapter, but the one after that.) Maybe not Fal though. He could very well be dead.
Jazzy: I've just created a tally of poor Mithfalas'. You're the first. He is hot! Plus, I feel like I know Leggy so well (cuz I'm writing him) that Fal is like, your friend's hot older brother. . . I'm not insane, I promise. Hey, he's free for prom. Plus, I'm still using him, so he can't run too far away!
Arayelle Lynn: You're the only one that liked the cliffie, lol!
Coolio02: Torment is my middle name! Hey, no cliffie in this chapter!
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"Legolas," The voice was firmer, begging Legolas not to leave.
"Legolas! Wake up!"
The elf automatically grabbed his blades and sat bolt upright.
"Calm down, mellonamin. It was just a dream."
Legolas blinked in the dark, his breathing heavy.
Aldarion sat on his heels. "Are you all right, Legolas?"
"I am fine." The answer was brusque and slightly panicked.
"What did you see?"
"What?" The two friends portrayed exact opposites; one was calm and relaxed, the other unable to gain his composure in a storm of thoughts.
"They say you can see the future."
"I can't."
"I think you can. You were saying Mithfalas' name."
"Mithfalas died, and Strider was greatly wounded."
"I hope you cannot see into the future."
Legolas allowed himself to chuckle. "How many did I wake?"
"Only me, Legolas. There are still many hours before dawn."
"I will find no more rest tonight, of that I can be sure."
"Tomorrow will be a long day. Please try to sleep, my friend."
Legolas nodded, though he knew he would not find the peace to sleep again. He saw too many horrible things in his sleep. The world of the living was far more peaceful than his sleeping visions.
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Morning could not come early enough for Legolas. During the night, his bird had found him with a letter from Aragorn. He did not write back: it could wait until he returned home.
He sat still until he was sure that the sun was fully over the horizon, then set about the task of waking his warriors.
"Good morning, my lord," one of the younger elves yawned cheerfully from a tree-branch.
"Good morning, Naphath," the prince responded, cheered by the elf's light- hearted-ness.
"How much rest did you take, Legolas?" Aldarion had caught up to his friend after Telemnar had awoken him.
"Enough."
Aldarion sighed. He knew what that meant. "Legolas, if you get eaten by a spider because you're dozing off, don't expect me to come save your ass."
Laughing, Legolas shook his head. "I don't think you should use such language when addressing a prince."
Raising a challenging eyebrow, Aldarion countered, "A prince, no, but a contingent leader, yes. Wasn't it you who said 'I am nothing more than a fellow warrior outside of Thranduil's halls'? Need you be reminded of that so often?"
"All right, you win. This one."
Dropping his smile, Aldarion lowered his voice. "I'm serious, Legolas, you have me worried."
"I do wish you would stop mothering me. When we dropped you in the river and almost drowned you, were we fretting over you?"
Eyes rolled at the memory. "No, I do believe you were laughing at me, and Tel was. . . a bit beyond laughter. But I am not quite as important to Mirkwood as you, Legolas."
"You are just as important as I am. Now, will you please drop this? I am done speaking of it, and, should you continue, I shall only ignore you."
"You are so annoying for royalty."
Legolas smiled. "So I've been told. Pack up."
The prince woke the last of the warriors, earning a small 'good morning' from each of them. In less than half an hour, they were all mounted and moving.
When the sun set, the elves decided to continue. None but Legolas were tired, and the prince was more than willing to keep going. When morning dawned, Legolas pulled his steed back, instructing Aldarion to lead the group forward. He waited until Telemnar was next to him, then urged his horse into a walk to match the other's.
"What are you thinking, Leg?"
"I think we should split up here. I saw a web a little ways back, but it was abandoned, I'm pretty sure."
"They've moved farther north than I thought."
"Aye. You take your warriors and follow the eastern path, I'll take the western. Call for help if you need it. With any luck, we'll meet on the other side by nightfall."
Telemnar nodded, pulling his horse to the left and calling out to his contingent. The large group of elves split, leaving only twenty with Legolas.
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The prince was smiling at his good fortune. So far, they had not come across any large packs of spiders, only two or three at a time. That was due mostly to the fact that spiders were solitary creatures, but if made their job easier.
"I see another one," Tyondiel, a younger warrior, squinted through the foliage.
"Fire at will," Legolas said, pulling his horse to a stop. The others followed suit.
The single arrow that flew hit its mark but unleashed an awful terror. From the contingent's left, a particularly small spider jumped into the horses. Legolas turned a sharp left on his horse, letting an arrow fly. Aldarion had been the target of the spider and was now lying on the ground. Tyondiel gasped, stuttering broken apologies.
Legolas hushed him, dismounting in the blink of an eye. "No one move," he ordered. "Aldarion, are you okay?"
"Is it dead?"
"Yes," Legolas affirmed, kicking the beast aside.
"Then yes, I am fine."
The prince offered a hand to his friend just as Tyondiel saw their worst nightmare. "Legolas, don't make any sudden moves."
The prince glanced to the trees where hundreds of eight-legged beasts stared back. "Arm yourselves. Remember, you protect your fellow warriors and yourself above all."
He had to talk himself into being calm. If he panicked, everyone else would. "Dismount. Send the horses home."
When the horses were gone and the pounding of their hooves could no longer be heard, arrows flew. The spiders dropped from the trees like black rain.
When Legolas' arrows ran out, he drew his knives. Spinning them wildly, yet skillfully, he sent a silent prayer to the Valar. "Don't fail me now."
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"Telemnar, I do not mean to question your authority, but the path that Prince Legolas chose was shorter than ours, and we have been waiting for him for quite a while."
Telemnar sighed at the young elf. He had been thinking the same thing, but if he doubled back and missed the prince. . .
One the other hand, if they were having trouble, and he took his contingent down Legolas' path, he could meet it there and help.
"You're right. Change of plans, we will follow this path north and find Legolas there."
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Legolas heard a muffled cry somewhere to his left. Without losing concentration, he spun towards the sound. . .
And gasped. "Aldarion! Get up! On your feet!"
The elf did not respond. Throwing a wild glance around, the prince shouted new orders. "Watch my back, protect us if you can!" He knelt by his friend's side. "What happened?"
Dar moved his hand, revealing a large puncture wound in his chest. "She stepped on me."
"Stepped in you, I think."
The elf chuckled, but the laugh quickly turned into a blood-splattering cough. The prince sobered. "Hey, it's all right, just be still. We'll take you back to my father's, and the healers will take care of you."
Aldarion shook his head. "No, Legolas, I'm not going back. I can't."
"Don't say that, you're going to be fine."
"Tell her. . . that I. . . love her," his breathing was growing rapidly shallow.
Legolas pulled his friend- his brother- to him, cradling his head in his lap. "Dar, I won't do that. You can tell her that yourself in a few days."
"Don't do this, Legolas. Go. . . help them. . ."
Tears sprang into the prince's eyes. He refused to accept this as reality. "We made a pact, do you remember? Where you go, I will follow! Do you remember that?"
Dar only turned his head away, but the prince would not let him escape the question. "Do you remember that?"
"I do."
"Then please do not go where I cannot follow!"
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"Legolas! We should pull back!"
The prince looked towards the voice, but his eyes were blurred. He knew not who spoke to him.
"Legolas!"
The prince fell to his knees, a spider just inches from him. He could not keep his feet, nor his mind.
"What happened to him?" Telemnar hissed at the nearest warrior.
"He was bitten by one of the beasts. He will not let us tend to him."
Legolas felt hands on his waist pulling him up. "Come, my prince. We ride back to the palace."
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Legolas woke up later on a soft bed with a terrible headache. His bewildered eyes landed on Telemnar.
"My lord," the elf bowed his head.
"Why are we here? Are the spiders not defeated?"
"Most were defeated. Only a few were left."
"Why did we leave?"
"You were bitten, my lord. You needed care."
"It does not matter! We had a job to finish! Why did you pull out?"
Telemnar's eyes searched the floor. "I am in charge of your contingent when you are unable."
"Telemnar? Tell me what happened."
"You needed care. Even though I am a warrior, my first duty is to protect my king and my prince."
"Telemnar, I've fought by your side for many long years. I know you better than this. Tell me what happened."
"Do you not remember?"
Legolas searched his memory, but the pain from his headache made the task impossible. He uttered a soft "no."
"Aldarion is dead."
There was a moment of stunned silence, then—
Legolas threw the silk covers off of himself, rising quickly to his feet.
"Legolas, you are in no condition to be running through the halls!"
The prince paid his friend no heed.
Legolas stormed into the great hall, marching straight to his father's seat. He threw his hands up, in either frustration or defeat, none could tell. "I don't want it."
"Pardon?" Thranduil raised an eyebrow, slightly disappointed in the outburst from his son, quite unaware of what had taken place. Legolas' contingent had not arrived until the middle of the previous night.
"I deny the crown, I will not take it. Find someone else."
Thranduil sat up straighter. "There is no one else." It was then that he finally looked at his son. Legolas was dirty, caked in mud, and the front of his tunic was stained dark. He could only guess it was blood. "What happened, Legolas?"
"What happened? You mean you have not heard? Worthless messengers!"
As if on cue, two elves skidded into the hall and locked eyes with Legolas. The prince glared at them, then dismissed them with an informal wave of his hand.
"Legolas-"
"No, don't tell me to calm down. I just witnessed the murder of my best friend. Do not tell me to calm down! As for the crown, I do not want to deal with this regularly, and have to close myself off to it emotionally. I can't do that! Fal can, make him come back."
"I can't do that, Legolas. Besides, you are perfectly fit to rule Mirkwood."
"You can, you just won't because of your pride." Legolas mumbled the statement just loud enough for his father to hear.
Thranduil said nothing for a long time. Finally, he nodded. "I am sorry for your loss, my son."
"Do not apologize to me, I don't want to hear it."
The king sighed, now standing just in front of his only son. He would chastise him if not for the sorrow he must have been feeling. Legolas knew better than to act so childishly, but who would expect anything else now? "Is that your blood or Aldarion's?"
Legolas looked at his tunic and seemed to notice the crimson stain for the first time. "I. . . I don't know. Both, maybe."
The king pulled his son into a warm embrace, anger boiling in his veins. Why had he not been informed of his son's condition, much less his return? "Have been tended to?"
Legolas offered no answer, then, "I don't know."
The king looked over his son's shoulder. "Telemnar, has he been tended to?"
"Only slightly, my lord. He was unconscious until just minutes ago. He would let no one touch him in his sleep."
Legolas hung his head in slight shame. Thranduil turned his attention back to his son and lifted his chin, so that he was looking directly into his son's blue eyes. "You are hiding something, ion nin."
"I should have been able to save him! He fought under my command in nothing but total trust, and I failed him."
Telemnar couldn't hold his tongue. "You failed no one, Legolas!"
The king stayed silent, waiting to see if Telemnar's words would have a calming effect on his son.
"We were sent on a dangerous mission, Legolas. Every one of us knew the risks involved. You are by no means a failure! We lost one warrior between us. That is nothing short of a miracle."
The prince would not look at his friend. He could not deny the words, but his eyes held disbelief. The king watched his son's eyes and the emotions playing in them.
"Telemnar, leave us, please, and kindly close the doors on your way out."
The elf bowed, "My lord."
When they were alone, Thranduil hugged his son again. "There is more bothering you."
"I am not capable of being a king in your absence, Father. I am incapable of protecting those whom I love, I cannot hide my emotions so well as you, I let my dreams plague my sleep."
"Your dreams, Legolas?"
"I have dreams every night. Someone always dies. Someone that I should have been able to protect."
"No one is perfect, my son. I still dream of the day your mother left us. I should have been able to make her stay, but no, I couldn't. I. . ." he trailed off. Could he really admit to this? "I should have never exiled Mithfalas."
Legolas' face showed pain and hurt, from everything he was feeling, but he was otherwise stoic in manner.
"Are you hurt?"
Legolas shook his head, but his body betrayed him. He fell suddenly into the king's arms. "Legolas? Legolas!" He picked the boy up and ran to a healer's room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas woke and immediately mumbled a quiet "I'm okay. I'm not hurt."
"You were poisoned by a spider, my son. You are hurt, whether or not you wish to admit to it."
"I'm okay."
The king smiled. "Yeah, I know you are. You scared me."
"I am sorry, Ada."
"Do not apologize, Legolas. You did nothing wrong."
"I want to go North."
If the king hadn't been used to his son's erratic ways, the change in conversation would have surprised him. "You can't. The Festival starts tomorrow night. I understand that you do not wish to go, but you need to be there."
"My best friend just died, Ada. I am not going to the Festival."
Thranduil kept his voice gentle, but there was a no-nonsense tone to it. "This is not negotiable, Legolas. I know you think me harsh for this, but you have missed too many events as it is. You need to attend this one." Nor would he allow his son to hide away form the world. He had done that twice before and only further hurt himself, if only emotionally. He would not see his son go through that again.
Legolas nodded in defeat. "As you wish."
"Legolas?"
The prince blinked. "My lord?"
Thranduil sighed. Legolas only used "My lord" whenever he was in trouble, uncomfortable, or angry. Though, he supposed his son felt a little bit of everything just now.
"My son, I understand your loss. Aldarion was like a son to me, and I know he was a brother to you. But he would not want you to mourn and keep to yourself. We have planned a memorial for him tomorrow night, just before the Festival begins. I will not require you to announce it.
Gratitude first flooded his mind, but Legolas shook his head. "I could not save him, the least I can do is lead others in remembering him."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. May I leave?"
"You may."
"I need to find Séreméla. She needs to know what happened. I would rather her hear it from me than anyone else."
"She will not react well."
"I don't expect her to." Legolas nodded to his father then took his leave. The king sat in the healing room with his head in his hands.
He was traveling down the familiar path to losing his son. Another son.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
His cousin met him half way down the hall. "Where is he?"
"Sera," Legolas took a deep breath. There was no god way to say what he had to. "He is gone."
"When is he coming back?" She refused to believe her cousin's words.
"Sera,"
"He'll only be gone for a little while, right?" The questioned begged for agreement. When Legolas said nothing, Sera spoke again. "Will you just let me believe that for a little while?"
Legolas nodded slowly. "He'll be home soon."
The girl hugged her cousin. "Thank you," she whispered.
Legolas nodded into her hair. He did not trust himself to speak just now.
"I'll see him soon."
Legolas pulled back from the girl. "No, you're staying with me. Don't you dare go to him."
Her eyes were pleading. "There's no reason for me to stay, Legolas. My heart is broken."
"Can't you just believe that he's coming back soon?"
"Sooner if I go and find him."
"I can't lose you too, Sera. Don't do this to me. We can get through this together."
"Don't you see, Legolas? I've nothing else to live for! He was everything to me."
"Sera, I don't want to fail you too." He spoke the words to an empty hall. His cousin had left him alone to his thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Reviewers: All right, so what was wrong with that chapter?
Holy monkeys there were a LOT of you! And yes, Aldarion actually DID die. And don't think that Fal's off the hook yet. . . Aragorn's chapters are NOT dreams, nor or they part of Legolas' dreams. All you know is that he hasn't died yet.
Dragonfly: Sorry I took AGES. . . I do believe that you're the only one who caught the double traitor in Berylla. Nicely done. And no, I won't kill Aragorn. . . he has to make it to the Fellowship, but Fal is free game.
Lauren: I'm usually a lurker too, lol. Oh jeez, your nails must be gone by now, I've waited so bloody long to update. I don't like slash either, but I will read the occasional non-con (even though it technically doesn't work. . .) Thanks so much for the review! (And yes, I recognize you!)
Silvertoekee: No cliffie this chapter, right? See, I'm not all bad. To be honest, I didn't expect Berylla to be on their side either, until I wrote that chapter, anyway. It was going to be something very similar to Nifren's story, but my muse thought otherwise.
Angel With No Wings: You don't need to go back and read everything, it's something I've stressed quite often. Lol, sorry, look at all the reviews I got this chapter (how many replies I wrote!) and you were one of about three people that liked her. If it means anything, she wasn't originally bad, lol. Thank you for the great compliments!
SPEoD: Ah, but see, there's more to how cool Fal is. . . what REALLY happened in that story, not just what Legolas remembers of it. . . but NO, no one voted for that story, lol. And let me just say. . . never jump to conclusions!
Shadow Warrior: Yes! You caught the double traitor in her too! Yay! Uhm. . . and all I have to say is, "ask and ye shall receive." Cryptic, I know, but I can't say more. . .
Lady of Nimrodel: Lol, that was the most emphatic review ever! It was so cool! (Thanks!) You're a seriously cool reviewer!
Kenderbender: Lol, thank you. I don't know, would I? He's an OC, so there's nothing that says I have to keep him alive. . .
Das Blume: You know, I'm a fast runner, and I'm really taking advantage of that ten seconds. . . I'm serious, how soon you all forget. . . I will tell you in a few chapters WHY I laughed. I can't say just yet. Actually, I can't remember. . . you either pegged the plot right on or you were way out in right field. Have you actually used a Ouija board? I did once, and it spelled "Satan" and the candle blew out. . . I have touched the thing since. Uhm, hm. . . I don't know how to say this without giving it away. . . well, you'll see. Just, if I had a motto, what would it be? There you go. There's the answer to your pleas.
Lady of Aqawondel: Sorry for the long wait. Most people go through doors, hun, not walls. And. . . hm, I'll just grin evilly.
Gwyn: You're right about Strider, and you are definitely on the right track about Fal. Actually, you were right, he WASN'T dead, but that says nothing for the future. Do you remember last chapter's cliffie?
Luthien: Yeah, school work sucks. I'm so sorry for my memory, but what would you like a summary of? (What can I say, school bites!) And please don't kill me, the story will never be finished!
Grumpy: Lol, you knew about her before I did. . . her evilness was spur of the moment. I'm glad she's gone though. (
Nenya: I always have it my way, lol! I like Mithfalas. Too bad he's dead (or soon will be!) The Festival is the next Leggy chapter. I'd reply more to your review, but I'd end up giving too much away. . .
Dimostiel: Bob is a strange little spider. He was tap dancing for me today. Odd little creature.
Das Blume: Didn't I already reply to you? Hm, what you remembered wasn't exactly what I was thinking, but you do make a beautiful point there. I didn't forget that either, lol, don't worry. Don't you think (after this chapter) that a dream is part of that connection? Lol. . . all I can see if Minastir all drunk now. . . Jack Sparrow, lol. Well, now can it be proven that he wasn't playing a sick game on Legolas? And very nice with the nightmare question. You pegged it exactly! You're the only one, too. Cookie for you.
Wildfire2: I was lying 'cuz Leggy was only dreamin'. Evil, aren't I? He will meet up with Aragorn soon (not the next Leggy chapter, but the one after that.) Maybe not Fal though. He could very well be dead.
Jazzy: I've just created a tally of poor Mithfalas'. You're the first. He is hot! Plus, I feel like I know Leggy so well (cuz I'm writing him) that Fal is like, your friend's hot older brother. . . I'm not insane, I promise. Hey, he's free for prom. Plus, I'm still using him, so he can't run too far away!
Arayelle Lynn: You're the only one that liked the cliffie, lol!
Coolio02: Torment is my middle name! Hey, no cliffie in this chapter!