THERE'S ONLY ONE CHAPTER LEFT! Only one last chance to get a review response! (winkwink) I soooo love to talk to all my amazing readers, you are the best! Thanks so much for all the amazing reviews you've left me, I never thought I'd get that many. You all have encouraged me to keep posting and inspired me to improve my writing, which I know wasn't very good when I started here almost a year ago. You guys all rock, thank you so much and please keep leaving comments! I really do love them!
Also, I currently have zero ideas or inspiration for my newest story, Hopeless Despair. It would mean so much to me if you could check it out and tell me what you think. Thanks so much!
I knew that I had to keep my three week deadline but have been so busy! I had a great time at camp but there was no freetime to write there! So pretty please excuse the minor typos I'm sure will be in this chapter, I typed this in about two days so that I could keep my promise! Feel free to tell me the mistakes though, so that I can fix them. Just don't flame or hold in against me. THANKS! :-)
And try not to jump to any conclusions or get upset with what I've done in this chapter. A lot might change unexpectedly in 25!
DeepBlueSomethingWe'll just see if Legolas forgives him…but will Estel forgive Legolas? As for the poison, all might not be well…Thanks so much for the wonderful review, I hope you will also like this chapter!
Galadriel Evenstar- Thanks for the review! Short and sweet! "OH NO!" - I bet that's what you'll say after you read this chapter too… Hope you like it!
Lord Elrond of Hogwarts- Thank you sooooooo much for all the wonderful reviews! Like I said in IM, most people would just review the latest chapter. So thanks soooo much for all the time spent in reviewing for me! It meant a lot! Hehehe, here I am trying to make people feel sorry for Lerienion and you are happy he is dead! LOL! 'Do you want to die talking to yourself?' LMAO! Maybe he won't die…and maybe someone else will… I hope so much that you will also like this chapter and I'm so sorry that it's late. I hope you enjoy it, mellon nin! : )
Arienis- (blushblush) Thanks so much! I'm so glad that you feel bad for Lerienion, I was really trying to portray him as a decent person despite his actions. I hope you aren't too upset with this chapter though… And thanks for wishing my fun at camp, I loved it! I don't think I'm all that great of an author, but fanfiction has definitely made me a better writer than I was before. Thanks again for reviewing and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Hp-Azn- I am not meaning to give you a heart attack. I just love writing cliffies and seeing how upset people get from them. I have no clue why I like character torture and angst, I guess I get anger bottled up and I get it out in writing. Also, I like writing how the other characters help the injured one. I have no clue why you are asking so many questions, but I don't mind. I just love that you are a faithful reviewer. Thanks so much, and I hope you will enjoy this chapter!
Warrior Elf- LOL! Thanks so much for all the great compliments, I'm blushing like mad here. But everyone might not survive, (cringe) , sorry. Just wait and see. Oh yes, Bush is horrible. I could go on for hours on how much I despise him. But I have to finish this chapter! I hope you like it and hope to hear from you soon! Thanks again, mellon nin.
Crazyrabidfangurl01- Amazing? Wow, thanks! I hope this is soon enough for you. I am so sorry that I almost made you cry, I'm not trying to. And I am so sorry about your Grandpa. I hope you enjoy this chapter, though. Thanks again for the review!
Kurafoxgirl LOL, a sadistic author, that's what I am. I could kill 'Leggykins' if I wanted to, though. You'll just have to wait and see if I do. Hehehe, I think I can tell who your favorite character is. I'll try to go slightly easy on the elf prince for you… Thanks for the review and I hope you like this chapter!
A Lurker- LOL, yay! Someone who is sad about Lerienion! Well, Legolas might die. He does have elven healing, so he can probably survive the stab wound though. You'll just have to wait and see. And no, I'm not going to kill him and bring him back, I promise. Thanks for the compliments and the well wishes for camp, it was lotsa fun! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Elenor Edhelen- Legolas could die if I felt like it, you'll just have to wait and see. I definitely know that the twins are strong, they're my favorite characters. But their mortal blood makes them more susceptible to the poison. I'm not trying to portray them as weak, just wait and see how it ends. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for the review!
Sielge- Thanks! I hope you also like chapter 24 and I am looking forward to hearing more from you! I really appreciate the review!
Arayelle Lynn- (cringe) Sorry! I am mean, I admit it. Can you forgive me? I pity whatever elf you chose to kill now. But thanks for the great review!
Kelly Kragen- Yep, I tried to go kinda easy on Lerienion. I actually like the poor guy. My little OC. Oh, I adore horses, I love animals more than people. So trust me, the horse will be alright! Camp was great, thanks for asking! And glad you enjoyed the chapter, I hope you also like this one! Thanks so much for the review!
Gozilla Thanks! I'm so glad that you found it exciting! Here's the next chapter for you, I hope you like! Thanks so much for the review!
Zammy- I know this isn't soon enough, I'm so sorry. But I hope you like it anyway. Thanks for always reviewing! It means a lot!
Ringmarciel- LOL, I have actually only read a little (Bad Shadowfaxgal! Review more often!), I'll get around to reviewing one of these days. I've seen you review for other people and you just sound like a really cool person! I'm so glad you liked this chapter, I hope you enjoy this one too! I hope to hear more from you! Thanks so much for reviewing! I really appreciate it!
Kathleen LaCorneille- Wow, thanks so much for the long review! They're the best, they make me feel so wonderful that someone would actually take quite a bit of time to talk to me! I hope that this chapter is good enough for you also! I'm glad you like all the POV, I try to portray how everyone is feeling. Yeah, I love the twins so much and how close they are to each other. Elladan wouldn't think twice before helping Elrohir, they love each other (in a brotherly way) so much! And me too, I would love to have him as a twin. And yes, everyone is making bad choices. It's basically like life, people are constantly making decisions for the wrong decision and horrible things happen because of it. Though Legolas was acting under the influence (sounds like he's on drugs, LOL) of the poison. He regrets what he did to Estel, and the child may not forgive him. Camp was great, thanks for asking! And I do love Estel and Legolas friendship, but this chapter will show some rocky points in the beginning of their friendship. Hopefully they'll get through it! Hope you enjoy this chapter, I can't wait to hear from you again! Thanks so much for the amazing review, mellon nin!
Lady Jaina- Thanks sooo much! (blushblush) Angst is the best! I don't mind when you r/r, I'm just so glad you enjoy my story! I hope you also like this chapter! Thank you again for the great review!
Joslin- Yep, I'm back from camp and loved it! Thanks for asking! I am so glad you love the story! I hope this chapter came soon enough for you and I hope you like it! Thanks so much for the flattering review, it makes me feel so good! I hope to hear from you again soon!
Melcrazybabe- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You make me feel so good! Yeah, everyone in my story has pretty crappy luck, LOL. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Freddy'sGirl01- Hello, mellon nin. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate being told my typos, so I'd like if next time you could actually specify where they are so that I can fix them. Besides, I told you that I wrote it in the car, so to try to not mind the errors. No one's perfect. So anyways, not to sounds snappy, but please either tell me what's wrong or don't say much at all. And thanks for the summary point, I fixed it. And thanks for the compliments. I hope you enjoy this chapter, hope to hear from you again soon. I'll probably see you pretty soon at that horrible thing called S…C…H…O…etc. Horrible waste of our lives…
Lirenel- Sorry, I love cliffies so much! I hope this is soon enough for you, and I hope you like this chapter! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Linuvial Greenleaf- Graphic (grin), I like that. But my stories aren't nearly as sadistic as yours! (glares) You twin beater… Why are you upset with what I've done after what's happening in Dementia of Love? You erased Elrohir's memory and put Elladan in a coma! Grrr, you know how protective I am of my twins. That's why this chapter is going to seem kinda hypocritical, LOL… Sorry, mellon nin. But I hope you like it! Thanks so much for the wonderful review, good luck with your original writing! I am still working on an illustration, sorry I'm taking so long! You're the best writer on all of fanfiction dot net!
Legolas-Aragorn-R-Hot- Yeah, I felt really guilty about killing my cute little OC. I actually liked the killer, LOL. LYLAS too, mellon nin, thanks for the wonderful review! I hope you like this chapter too! Hope it doesn't make you too sad…
Mornflower- (blushblush) Aw, thanks! I hope you like this chapter! I'm so sorry that you didn't enjoy your camp, I love mine! But I missed wonderful fanfiction… Thanks so much for the flattering review, I hope to hear what you think of this chapter!
Deana- Hehehe, if you consider five days 'fast' and then taking another two weeks to get around to writing the chapter. I'm so busy and such a procrastinator, sorry! Thanks you soooo much for the review, you're one of the best writers on the site! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 24: Blame
The noise of forest underbrush rustling slowly became audible in the otherwise silent forest. A tall grey mare walked into the small clearing, whinnying sadly and nudging the lifeless body of Lerienion. Nuzzling him gently, she let out a quiet, heart-broken cry.
Her wonderful master was dead.
She stood for a moment, in sorrow and confusion, before walking over to the other elf that was sprawled on the ground. Whickering, she began to rub her nose against his side. The elf moaned softly and turned a little. One ear perking forward, she pawed at him gently and gave a loud neigh, nibbling his shirt.
The elf made no further movements and she snorted in frustration, slamming her muzzle into his chest roughly.
Legolas let out a low groan as he was unwillingly dragged into consciousness. He opened his eyes slowly, his vision spinning terribly. He swallowed thickly, a sick feeling in his stomach, as he tried to sort out his thoughts.
Rosse whinnied happily, encouraging him to sit up with soft little shoves.
The prince's hands fumbled about as he tried to recall his surrounds. His fingers brushed against something warm and soft. Fur. He heard a familiar noise and almost immediately identified that who had awoken him was a horse.
Memories bombarded him as his mind began to function properly. Lerienion. Dead. Estel. Gone. Poison.
"No…" he whispered. He had sent Estel away, overcome with anger and confusion from the toxin within. The poor child probably thought he hated him.
The orc. Estel had been attacked by an orc. 'But why had he gotten off of the horse?' Legolas found himself desperately wishing he had talked to the boy instead of sending him away. What if the human had needed to tell him something important?
'I have to find him.' Legolas decided, weakly pulling himself onto the patient horse. He didn't know whose it was, but he trusted that it could help him get to the young mortal.
The horse whickered contentedly and made sure her injured passenger was safely on her back.
"Thank you…" The blonde elf managed, stroking her neck with a trembling hand. His back still burned with pain and he knew that the poison was going to take his life within hours.
She trotted forward without instruction but Legolas did not protest, feebly sitting up to see where they were going.
Within a few minutes, she stopped. The prince looked down to where she had firmly planted her feet.
The dead orc.
He weakly slipped off her back. Stumbling, he grabbed her mane as his legs threatened to give way beneath him.
He curiously walked up to the body and rolled it over slowly with his foot. In its grasp, mostly hidden underneath itself when it collapsed in death, was a large club. Covering the top half were skinny spikes not much taller than a fingernail, coated in a thick dark black liquid.
Legolas felt his back tingling, just by looking at it. This was it. This was the weapon that had caused everything to go wrong. This was the weapon responsible for taking lives of innocent elves in the past few months and causing so much pain for the Peredhil brothers.
This was why Estel had gotten off the horse.
'I have to get this to Lord Elrond immediately!' He thought anxiously. He shakily grabbed the handle and lifted, finding it surprisingly heavy. There was no way Estel would have been able to pick this up.
It all made sense now.
'What have I done?'
'I've made a horrible mistake!'
Panic surged through the prince as he managed to pick it up and carefully mount the horse, keeping the spiked end far away from his or the animal's body. If Elrohir passed because the antidote was made a few minutes too late, he would never forgive himself.
He kicked the horse's sides and urged her to run as fast as she could in the other direction. To Elrond and the twins.
Fear and adrenaline pumped through him as he hoped desperately that he wouldn't be too late.
His body shaking with sobs, Estel ran blindly through the forest. Legolas hated him, he knew it. Valar, perhaps the prince had never liked him in the first place.
He stumbled over tree roots. He felt so tired…
'No!' He screamed at himself. He wasn't going to let himself collapse. Legolas and Elrohir's lives depended on his father getting the club and making the antidote.
'Maybe I should go back and try to talk to Legolas. He could help me carry it and we could save time!'
But what if Legolas wouldn't talk to him? Then he would have just wasted more important time.
His lungs strained for air and his sides burned horribly, but he kept running as fast as he could. His legs began to throb. They had occasionally hurt after being broken, but this was the worst. It had only been one break in each leg, but when he walked on them it had made the injury so much more serious.
But he ignored the pain with all his will power and kept going, dearly hoping he was heading in the right direction.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he began to hear distant voices. Elves.
He sped up, breathing a long sigh of relief and slowing down shakily as the party of Firstborn came into view.
"Ada!" he cried weakly.
From somewhere in the crowd, Elrond quickly emerged, racing forward to his youngest son.
"Estel!" he exclaimed, looking frantically over the child's bloody body.
Estel pulled away. "I'm alright," he insisted, still out of breath. "I'm not hurt. I found it, I found the club! I couldn't pick it up, you have to come get it!"
The Imladris Lord motioned for one of the elves to ready a horse. "That is wonderful news to hear, ion nin," he told the boy. "For we have slaughtered every orc in the battle and not one had the club. I believe that it was a one of a kind weapon. Valar, are you blessed to have found it."
The boy smiled faintly.
"Where are your brothers and Legolas?" Elrond asked suddenly, fear taking him.
Estel froze. He couldn't tell his father what he had done to the elf... "We split up when some orcs came after us." He answered tentatively. "I don't know where 'Dan and 'Ro are. The archer…it was Roneinen's brother…" he paused in uncertainty. "Legolas. Legolas killed him. But he got hurt. We have to go back there!" He felt his stomach churn as he hid the complete truth.
The Rivendell Lord nodded as he mounted his horse and motioned for some of the soldiers to come with.
"Can I come?" Estel begged, sensing that he was about to be left behind.
Elrond knew that they needed the boy to tell them where Legolas was, no matter how much safer he would be if he just stayed with Erestor.
"Yes," he replied reluctantly, helping the human up and setting off.
After riding for about quarter of an hour, Legolas suddenly heard hoofbeats in front of him.
"Lord Elrond!" he gasped incredulously. He hurriedly showed the elder elf the weapon. "I have the club, my lord."
Elrond didn't question whose horse it was and let Thranduil, who had come forward, deal with the injuries. He simply nodded and took the club from the prince, never noticing that Estel was avoiding eye contact with the blonde elf.
"Where are you hurt?" The Mirkwood king asked worriedly, helping his trembling son down from the horse.
Legolas let out a feeble moan and collapsed into his father's arms.
Elrond quickly dismounted and knelt next to the prince as Thranduil gently set him on the ground. He rested his palm on the younger elf's forehead and looked at the wound on his side.
"Stay here with him." He advised Thranduil, knowing that Legolas still had a few hours before the poison took its toll.
He had a horrible feeling that Elrohir didn't have as long.
The elf lord nodded as he stroked his son's hair nervously.
"I will make sure he that he will be alright." Glorfindel said comfortingly as he also dismounted and laid out a blanket for the young prince.
"I do not think the twins are that far away, and it would be better for his health if Legolas is not moved. I will return quickly," Elrond promised. He looked to Estel, who was sitting on the horse and not looking very concerned. "Do you want to stay with Legolas, ion nin?" he asked.
Estel shook his head quickly. "No."
Elrond did not take the time to question his son's response, he simply remounted. About half of the dozen elves went with him, and the rest stayed with the lifeless Legolas.
"Hold on…" Thranduil whispered to his son as the Rivendell Lord rode off.
Following the hoofprints, Elrond traced his oldest sons' tracks until he reached a small group of dead orcs. He felt worry spike in him as he leapt off his horse and looked around.
"Everyone dismount and search!" he ordered sternly.
Something was very wrong…
Estel slipped off the stallion and headed nervously into the thick trees, praying that his brothers were alright.
He hadn't walked for very long when he froze in horror. There were two bodies lying on the ground in the distance.
Racing forward, he dropped to his knees and screamed as loud as he could for his father.
Elrond was at his side immediately.
"Oh, Valar…Please no…"
His twin sons looked horrible. Bloody and unmoving, it was impossible to even tell if they were breathing.
Legolas sat up with a choked scream, looking around in panic.
Gentle hands grabbed his shoulders, holding him still.
"Legolas, calm. It is alright."
The prince took deep breaths and looked up at his father as he had several other times in the last few months, injured and confused.
"Where are Elladan and Elrohir?" he asked immediately. "What happened?"
Thranduil took a deep breath and began. He told his son how he had collapsed shortly after giving Lord Elrond the club. He told him how the Imladris lord had then left to look for the twins. He told him how they were found…barely alive.
Legolas stared in shock. "Where are they? Ada, I have to see them!"
Thranduil shook his head sadly. "Lord Elrond immediately worked on the antidote, giving it to them immediately-"
"Both of them?" The prince interrupted.
The king cringed and kept talking. It was best if Elrond told Legolas what had happened. "It had little effect on them. He then gave the antidote to you, and two weeks have passed. You had me so worried, ion nin. But in the past few days it has been obvious that you would be alright. You no longer have a fever and your wounds have completely healed. The healers are positive this time, you have made a complete recovery." There was obvious relief in his eyes.
"But what about Elrohir?"
Thranduil hesitated. "I think you should go to the healing rooms and talk to Lord Elrond."
Legolas was surprised that his father was allowing him out of his room. He really must have been perfectly healed. He did feel strong and there were no burning feelings of the poison anywhere. He felt fine.
But what about Elrohir? Why wasn't he in the twins' guest room, why was he in a healing room? How bad was he? Why hadn't the antidote worked? Why were both brothers given it?
He stepped out of bed quickly, a little unsteady on his slightly numb legs, and rushed out of the room.
Thranduil sadly watched him leave and sighed, wondering how his son would handle the news.
Legolas ran out of the room, not caring that he was still only wearing a long white sleeping robe. Fear for his best friends took over him.
He reached the healing rooms and froze in the doorway.
They both lay on a single bed, Elladan's arms wrapped protectively around his brother's trembling body. Both twins' hands were bandaged heavily with white strips of clean cloth, which confused Legolas.
"Lord Elrond, I don't understand," he managed after a moment. "Why are Elladan's-"
The Imladris Lord sighed tiredly from his position next to the bed. "He took some of Elrohir's poison by using their bond. It has made him horribly sick, but Elrohir would not still be breathing if he had not done so. I fear…I fear they will not last much longer."
Legolas felt misery overcome him, staring at his friends. The older twin had a bandage around his torso and crimson could be seen faintly on his side and back. There were also several strips of cloth around his head, covering the horrible gash.
The younger twin simply had a light bandage around his chest to protect the arrow wounds. But he was shivering and choked whimpers escaped him often. His face was taught with pain, mouth open slightly as his breath came in weak, shallow gasps. Elladan's breaths were also feeble and shallow, but slightly smoother than his twin's. His face was strained with obvious pain, and also what seemed like fear. Their skin was sickly pale, lips blue-tinged and eyes tightly shut.
"Oh, Valar…" The prince whispered softly. His best friends. Dying.
He walked forward and gently brushed his fingers across Elladan's outstretched arm, finding it deathly cold.
Elrond glanced at the blonde elf as he pulled the blanket from their waists up to their shoulders and draped another quilt over them, gently rubbing his sons' shoulders to warm them. Grief and hopelessness shone in his eyes.
"They have been like this since we found them." He said softly. "Everything we have tried has been useless. They will not wake, nor will the pain or the poison subdue."
Legolas turned away from them and left the room as fast as he could. He didn't know where he was going, but he didn't want to stay in there.
He made his way to the forest and leaned against a tree, feeling guilt swallow him up. And he stayed there for many more hours.
Estel's breath shook as he inhaled and tried to keep back tears. He sniffled quietly and rubbed the horse's nose, resting his forehead against hers.
He had gone into the barn for release of the pain he felt in his heart. He had never felt so horrible in his whole life. He honestly wished that he was still in the cellar with Roneinen, as long as everyone else was unharmed. So many people had gotten hurt for him. People had even died because of him…
The mare nickered softly in sympathy, breathing warmly against his shoulder.
The boy stepped off of the crate he'd been standing on to reach the horse. It was Legolas' mount, the one that had gotten so badly hurt by the orc. Her front leg was immobilized by a thick cast, but with elven healing was expected to mend in a few months. Even better, the poison of the club had not affected the animal at all.
He gently stroked her neck before walking over to the other injured steed. It had been the one his brothers were riding when attacked. Her ears perked forward as the child approached and she whickered happily, pawing at the ground. Her back limb was lightly bandaged, but was also unlikely to be permanently damaged. Estel was grateful that with all the death and loss, the innocent loyal animals would be alright.
He patted her flank momentarily before heading past the twins' horses' stalls. The two faithful mounts had remained on the river bank after Elladan and Elrohir left them there until an elf had brought them back to Mirkwood. They were perfectly healthy, but concern shown in their eyes as they raised their heads to look over Estel in hope of seeing their wonderful masters.
"'Dan and 'Ro aren't here," the child whispered sadly and rubbed their muzzles. He tried not to cry again. "I don't know if you'll be able to ever see them again."
The horses whinnied softly and nudged the human as he walked to the final animal.
"Hello, mellon nin." He whispered to the smallest horse.
Hyalma neighed joyously and shifted around in the stall, hoping to go for a ride.
Estel shook his head sadly but slipped onto her anyway, laying down on her back and rubbing her sides softly as he lost himself in thought.
He hadn't gone in to see them yet, he didn't want to see his brothers so weak. They were his role-models, his best friends. He didn't want to see them almost dead.
But he also wanted to be with them so badly. He wanted to help them get better and be with them if…Valar forbid, they passed.
He thought to himself about how much he would rather have his brothers than Legolas. He actually wished that Legolas was lying in bed, dying, as long as Elladan and Elrohir were alright.
All his life he had wanted to be like the twins. He admired them since the day they rescued him from the orc attack, holding him close and telling him that it was going to be alright. They were never quite the best role-model or caretaker a parent would want, letting the child stay up late, feeding him sweets, and teaching him how to trick people. But to Estel, they were perfect.
He had actually sort of wanted to get hurt. He wanted to survive something horrible to be able to be just like Elladan and Elrohir. He wanted to prove that he could go on their hunting trips. While his body was screaming in agony in the clutches of the orcs, his mind believed that it made him like the twins. That he'd be alright in the end, and he'd prove that he could be just as good as an elf.
But it hadn't happened that way. He hadn't proven anything but that he was just a weak little mortal.
And his brothers were paying for it.
It would probably have been better if he had never been adopted by the Peredhils, he thought to himself. He had never caused them anything but trouble. They probably didn't even want him anymore.
He heard elflings giggle outside as they chased each other, climbed trees, and play-fought with their small bows and toy swords. Just completely happy, they'd never experienced any pain or horror in their life. And they'd grow up to be graceful, skilled, beautiful elves. Scarcely aging, never susceptible to sickness, light and agile, brilliant elven glow…
Tears burned his eyes and Estel tried to suppress them. He knew it was selfish and foolish, he knew it was useless to even think about, but Valar how he wished he was an elf. He always had, he had always wanted to fit in with his family. But now the yearning was at its strongest. Perhaps if he was an elf he could have helped his brothers, he could have prevented them from getting hurt. Perhaps Legolas would like him. None of this would have ever happened if he was one of the Firstborn.
Thinking about Legolas, he subconsciously tried to shift the blame off of himself. It was Legolas who had gotten so angry when Lerienion had been killed. If he hadn't sent Estel away, an antidote could have been created sooner. Elladan and Elrohir could have been saved.
Legolas obviously didn't like Estel at all. He would never be friends with a human.
Valar, he had been so foolish in his accusation towards the mortal. Estel felt anger spark within him as he began to hold Legolas responsible for everything. It wasn't the prince's fault that Elrohir had gotten the poison, that had only been an accident. But it was his fault that Elrond didn't get the poison sample in time.
'This is all Legolas' fault.'Estel thought to himself as he slid off of Hyalma's back and headed for his bedroom. He spent all of his days there, hopeless, and knowing that he'd never feel happy again. He wouldn't talk to his father or anyone. He hated everything.
After a few days, Legolas returned inside. He silently got some food from the kitchens and barricaded himself in his bedroom, shrouded in sorrow.
He didn't sleep, nor let his father come in to try to talk to him. This was all his fault, and no one could convince him otherwise.
On the fifth night, his thoughts drifted to those who had already passed.
He walked outside, finding four marked mounds in the dimly lit garden courtyard. The graves of Sila and the three Mirkwood soldiers. Their families had been so crushed when the young elves had been brought home dead.
'It wasn't right. It should never have happened.'
Lerienion wouldn't have been a murderer if Roneinen had not wanted him to. And Roneinen never would have gotten so angry with Estel if the mortal hadn't come to Mirkwood. And Legolas had brought him there. So it was his fault that the four noble soldiers had lost their life.
Farther away, in the dark with no decorations or flowers, were two more mounds. The prince walked up to them miserably. He felt so horrible that he had killed Roneinen, and driven Lerienion to do such terrible things.
"I have caused all of this…" he whispered. Valar, he couldn't live with this guilt. Never, in all the trouble he had gotten into, had so many others been hurt. Never had any one else ever died needlessly because of him.
Almost blindly, he walked inside to his bedroom and practically collapsed in fatigue on the soft mattress. He choked back a sob as he leaned against the headboard and pulled the sheet close, worry enveloping him. He prayed so desperately to Valar that his best friends would be alright. If they died, it would be all his fault. His fault that he came to Imladris a year earlier, his fault Estel was taken, his fault Elrohir got the poison from him, his fault he told Estel to leave when he could have helped the boy bring the orc club to Elrond.
He had gotten hurt so many times, but this was it. This had gone too far. He'd give anything to change the past few months.
The prince felt weariness take over him and sighed softly before falling asleep…
Legolas giggled loudly as his mother gently tickled him and scooped her darling elfling into her arms.
He snuggled happily into her embrace and laughed.
Suddenly, her brilliant blue eyes narrowed and worry creased her fair face.
"Naneth?" The small prince asked worriedly, his smile disappearing. "What's wrong, naneth?"
The elf queen's eyes were darting back and forth, scanning the dense forest. Greenwood was a safe place, there was never any need for fear. But something felt horribly wrong.
"Hush, Greenleaf," she whispered softly, pressing a slender finger to his lips.
The little elfling didn't understand. "Why? What's wrong?" he squirmed uncomfortably to also look around.
"Legolas!" she hissed sternly, the grip on her son tightening painfully.
"But-!" Before he could utter another word, there was an ear-splitting screech. He whimpered in fear.
"Valar, no…" She whispered, her voice unusually shaking.
Tears began to flow from the prince's large blue eyes as she pulled him out of her arms, racing over to a tall tree and kissing his forehead, placing him in the highest branch she could reach.
"Naneth!" he screamed, trying to get down.
"Legolas, no!" she ordered, and he froze. "Stay there, my little Greenleaf, stay behind the leaves and don't move, no matter what."
There were tears in her eyes, he noticed, something he'd never seen before.
"I love you, ion nin." She whispered and reached up, gently stroking his shoulder-length blonde hair.
Then something burst out of the wood, something he'd never seen in his life. It was hideous, much larger than himself, and made horrible sounds. It was followed by a dozen more, their strange colored skin bloody and scarred. Their distorted faces and beady eyes were twisted into large grins, yellow sharp fangs showing. In their hands were large, blood-covered weapons.
Legolas whimpered softly and inched back against the tree trunk in panic.
His mother swiftly bent down and drew an elven dagger from her boot, racing forward and stabbing the closest orc easily.
Her son watched, frozen, from the branch, as she skillfully fought the beasts back. But she was so outnumbered…
Legolas suddenly saw another creature emerge from the trees. It lunged forward with a sword in its grasp.
He screamed in horror and disbelief as the weapon was hurled right through his mother.
One of the orcs heard the sound and turned with a hungry growl, heading for the tree the elfling was hidden in.
With a strangled gasp, the small prince scrambled up the tree, out of the beast's reach. From the safety of the highest branch, he watched, terrified, as the creatures began to kick and scratch the lifeless body. They ripped out her long, gorgeous blonde hair and the sound of her bones snapping echoed through the forest. They began to pull out chunks of flesh…
Legolas' broken screams and sobs got louder and louder, his body trembling violently and uncontrollably.
"Naneth!" he wailed.
The tree began to shake and he managed to look down, seeing in panic that the orc below had pulled an ax from its belt and was hacking away at the trunk. Legolas watched, paralyzed with fear, as it continued doing so. He couldn't move, he could barely breathe. He didn't understand what was happening.
The plant swayed and a cracking sound was heard. The tree began to lean to one side its pained, defenseless cries rang in the elfling's ears.
Why was it doing this? The tree was a living thing, with thoughts and feelings. Why was the orc hurting it?
There was a snap and Legolas involuntarily let go as the tree fell. He screamed when he hit the ground as pain shot through his body from all places.
The orc lunged for him and he scrambled to his feet, screaming for his mother as he ran, looking back once more at the mutilated body. It was the last anyone saw of the Lady of Greenwood
The orc grabbed the small elfling roughly, Legolas sobbing and crying as he fell to the hard ground.
Abruptly, an elven arrow hit the beast's head. It collapsed, releasing the little prince.
Thranduil quickly took his son in his arms, kneeling and holding him close. The elfling was sobbing and screaming hysterically, his small, frail body shaking frantically. There was blood and dark bruises on his legs and arms, visible through the tattered clothes.
"Legolas," the king whispered fearfully, hugging his son protectively. "Where is your mother?"
The Mirkwood prince sat up quickly, short of breath, his eyes darting around the room frantically.
He hadn't had dreams of the event for many years, he had managed to force the disturbing images out of his mind after decades of fear and vengeance.
Trying to catch his breath, Legolas shakily stepped out of his bed. Draping a cloak around his thin frame, he then silently slipped outside again. A gentle night breeze brushed against him and he slowly walked to the forest edge.
He grabbed the branch of the tree nearest to him and delicately pulled himself up, continuing until he was in the highest branch that could still support him. He let out a shuddered sigh and leaned against the trunk, closing his eyes. The leaves smoothly touched his face as they fluttered in the wind.
Legolas laid his hands on the bark as he tried to calm himself. He ran his fingers across the rough skin of the plant and smiled softly at the simple beauty. He had never in his life found anything that matched the splendor of a tree. Opening his eyes slightly, he stared fondly at the many shades of brown and dark green that intertwined on the bark as he caressed the branch slowly.
The trees whispered lovingly to the elf prince and he felt his stress fade slowly.
"Hannon lle," Legolas murmured, barely audibly, as consciousness left him again.
Legolas was awoken, still tired, as someone rubbed his shoulder. His eyes unclouded and he looked over to where his father sat on the branch next to him. His eyes showed deep grief.
"What's wrong?" the prince asked nervously.
The king quietly motioned for his son to come from the tree.
"You need to go see your friends." Thranduil said softly when they were on the ground. "…They are not going to last much longer."
Legolas froze and took off in a quick sprint. He desperately raced down the hallway…
Something was horribly wrong.
He could tell as soon as he entered the room. It was a far worse feeling than the previous week, when Elladan and Elrohir were terribly ill.
It was heart-wrenching.
"What's wrong?" He asked immediately. The twins lay on the bed, motionless. He could barely see them draw breath.
His throat tightened and he could hear his heart beating swiftly.
"Lord Elrond…" he whispered weakly.
The Elf Lord's eyes were full of tears as he looked up at the prince, his hand resting on one of their shoulders. He shook his head slowly. "They have all but completely faded. They will only last another hour or so, at the most."
Legolas stared incredulously. "No…" he managed. "No!" His breath hitched and his voice faltered. "I had the poison first! I had it longer!"
"Yours was somewhat lessened when you were given an antidote last autumn. And Elrohir has mortal blood in him, humans being what the toxin was designed to immediately kill. He already had the arrow wounds, which greatly weakened his body. The same condition came over Elladan when he took some of the poison into his body. It barely made a difference to save Elrohir, except to keep him alive a little longer…"
"It's not fair!" Legolas shouted as loud as he could. "I had the poison! I was supposed to die! Valar, this shouldn't be happening!"
"Legolas-"
"I SHOULD BE DYING!" He exclaimed. "NOT THEM!"
The Imladris Lord cringed but said nothing more, bowing his head as the younger elf raced out of the room.
Legolas leaned against the wall a few feet from the doorway, his breath coming shakily and tears clouding his vision.
'This can't be happening…'
His best friends. They'd be dead any moment…
And it was his fault.
After a brief moment, Legolas remembered the twins' little brother.
Estel. The boy must have heard, where was he? He hadn't spoken with him since he woke up.
Disbelief swirling in his head, the prince made his way to the human's room. A tear rolled down his face when he looked inside.
Estel sat on the bed, his knees curled tight to his chest and arms wrapped around them. His face showed nothing but heartbreak.
"Mellon nin…" Legolas began gently.
The child raised his head, his expression clearly showing that they were not friends. It clearly showed that he held Legolas to blame for what had happened.
"Turo lle doheno nin?" Legolas whispered softly, desperately. Can you forgive me
"Nys." Estel replied angrily. His grey eyes were no longer bright with a shine of happiness like they had been when the prince first met him. They were full of hopelessness, sadness, and hatred. No
TBC
Only one chapter left! Please please please please review! Maybe enough reviews will make there be a somewhat happy ending? Thanks so much!