Disclaimer: Tolkien's masterpiece. I'm just messing around with it.
Author's Notes:
This is a second chance for those who missed out first round. If you don't have an account at FFN, I would suggest you get one cos its useful if you ever feel lyk writing. Also, because its easier to get updates, you get them instantly. But if you don't get one, I totally respect your decision. I have a list for those who don't and want an e-mail when I update. I can't promise anything but you can tell me if you want to join. E-mail me, or say it in your review. I read all reviews. I won't promise cos I don't want to break it. And third choice is just pop in and check, I don't mind either. I usually updates Fridays and Saturdays. Although lately its been a bit out of the blue cos of school yea…woteva choice you make, I hope you read it but if you don't I ain't gonna mind…
WARNING! Next update will be late cos I have exams all of next week…
Starlit Hope: You could join my list and I will send you an E-mail…I can't promise anything though. But FFN has stuffed up lately. I got 107 alerts today…hmm…just see how its goes, it should be fine.
Irish QT: Thanks for being so encouraging.
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Tara: I hate facing up to life. Sometimes fantasy is more fun…*sigh*
Feanen: First to review for last chappie!
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More…Legolas' thoughts are in italics.
**In Imladris, Gardens**
Elladan was testing out his tracking skills. There were very faint footprints in the dry dirt. So faint that even Elladan, with his Elven eyesight, had to squint. He examined the ground. Yes, these looked fresh and were made by an elfling. Probably Legolas. He looked around the clearing. He noticed that the prints stopped abruptly at a tree. Elladan groaned, it was the biggest tree in the whole garden. He stooped to examine the bark. There were telltale signs that it had been recently climbed, a slight peeling in the bark where his foot had been. Smiling, Elladan climbed up the tree.
Legolas knew that Elladan would find him. When Elladan had started to climb Legolas decided that he would climb down and change trees. So he synchronised his climbing with Elladan's so he wouldn't hear the rustling of the leaves. He climbed steadily and stealthily downwards.
Elladan climbed up, looking up every now and then. When he reached the top, he stopped to catch his breath. Legolas must be a good climber; he's not here unless…Elladan looked around the tree. Up and down. He saw a flash of golden hair, definitely Legolas.
Legolas had stopped climbing. He was halfway down.
Elladan scanned the area again and sighed.
Legolas released his breath slowly and continued climbing. I haven't been seen. Phew. He went downwards trying not to make a sound.
Elrohir was grinning. He knew that his brother was tracking Legolas down. He was safe for the moment. The sound of trickling water was slowly lulling him into sleep. Elrohir's eye's closed unwillingly as he fought to stay awake.
Legolas had made it. Now he just had to find another tree to hide in. He smiled and turned…
**In Mirkwood, Healing Rooms**
Meleris was just outside, slumped in the corridor. It's not fair, he thought. I help him and all he does to repay me is with his wrath. He promised me his friendship. How can I forgive him? He hurt me so much. I cared about him, I really did.
You think you know me but you don't, Herendil had said. Maybe it is true. I don't know about him. I don't know him at all. He was different…
**Flashback**
"Herendil?" Meleris asked tentatively. "Is that really you?" He reached out to touch the sub-supervisor as if to make sure that he was real.
"Yes, that's me. I'm fine, thanks to you. I owe you my life. You saved me yesterday."
"It's nothing. You don't owe me anything. You would have done that for me."
"You didn't have to. You didn't have to stay up all night, watching over me."
"I was worried about you, sir." Meleris said.
"Don't call me that. I don't deserve to be called that by my saviour. Please call me your friend. I owe you my friendship." Herendil said emotionally. "Hannon lle, nin mellon. [Thank you my friend.]
"I am honoured to have you as a friend," Meleris said lovingly.
Both of them clasped each other's forearms and look in each other's eyes. The silence in the room was a comfortable one. It seemed that an eternity passed before they let go.
**End Flashback**
Meleris rubbed his forearm. The same one Herendil had held only days ago, when he was his friend. Was. A voice inside him protested…but friendship isn't like that. You go through thick and thin. Would he stay up and watch over Herendil again? He questioned himself. Yes, he would. Meleris sat there and collected himself, he would go to Herendil. Herendil meant a lot to him. He said that he would give anything for him. Meleris was not one to make a promise and break it. Meleris would give him his love. No matter what.
Then he heard Herendil's voice.
"Meleris."
He was startled. Was Herendil talking to him? Meleris stood up.
"I pushed him away. Meleris was right. I did need help. I am avoiding my problems. I pushed him away from me."
Meleris did not feel any satisfaction in hearing his friend admit that he was wrong. It made him feel sad.
"He saved my life, he probably regrets it now."
No. No. I don't, Meleris thought. He strained to hear Herendil's voice. It was so faint. He touched the handle of the door but he did not want to intrude on his friend. It felt wrong to be listening to him but Meleris felt compelled to.
"I'm so sorry Meleris. How can you forgive me? I'm so sorry…"
Herendil was crying. Meleris felt a tear slip down his face.
Then strong arms held Herendil, surprising him.
"Me too. I'm sorry for making you sad. But I wanted to help you," Meleris said. "I believe in you. You can trust me."
"It's just that it's so hard. I'm afraid of being helped and I'm too proud to ask for it," Herendil admitted.
"You don't need to. I will listen to you. I will believe you. I will be here to help you. Just trust me."
"I know," Herendil said, his tears abating. "I know I can."
Herendil turned his head away to wipe his face. Then he looked at Meleris.
They hugged each other, not wanting to let go.
"Forever." Meleris tightened his hold on Herendil. Don't leave me, he was saying.
"Never." Herendil leaned in the hug.
"That's a long time for us Elves…" Meleris said.
"A mighty long time," Herendil smiled. "I'm ready now. I have to ask you something, just to make sure…"
"Anything."
"Can you forgive me?"
"You don't have to ask. I already did, my brother."
Those two words poured out love from Meleris. Herendil had the answer to his question. It was the second time that day. But it did prove, that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. The pair had been cracked, broken, shattered and repaired – all in a day. Only that this time, their bond was stronger than ever.
It was then Herendil told Meleris his story. The full story, he left out no details. Sometimes they stopped to rest. Sometimes they stopped as Herendil composed himself. But Meleris was always there, writing the statement, listening. Meleris was shocked but he was honest. If Herendil asked him how he felt, he said exactly what was his mind. Herendil knew this and was grateful for it.
"…and that's how I ended up here with you," Herendil looked away suddenly. Herendil feared that if he did look into his friend's eyes that he would see pity.
Meleris said nothing but gently tilted Herendil's head to that he looked straight into his eyes.
Herendil did not need to look twice. It was not pity Meleris gave. It was friendship.
**In Imladris, Gardens**
…right into Elladan. Legolas shrieked then opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"I found you!" Elladan said in a sing-song voice.
"So you did," Legolas agreed. He was still breathing heavily, "You gave me a fright. How come I didn't see you?"
"That is because I have my tricks. Cheer up, I know the shortcuts so I can get down faster. Its harder to use the shortcut up though."
Legolas looked puzzled.
"I'll show you later."
"Okay," Legolas agreed. "What do I do now?"
"You can help me find 'Ro. Did you see where he hid?" Elladan instructed.
"No." Legolas shook his head.
"We have to do this the hard way then," Elladan said. Then he reassured a nervous Legolas. "It's not that hard. It just takes more time. We'll find him. It's only a matter of time." Elladan's confident tone helped Legolas believe. He said "we." We'll find him.
Elrohir was asleep in deep dreams. A smile was on his face. He was slumped inside the hollow.
Legolas and Elladan thoroughly checked every tree and shrub. Where are you, Elrohir? Legolas frowned.
On seeing the frown Elladan said, "I can't find him either. He is hiding very well. I've already checked this tree three times."
Legolas heard the water and suddenly he got an idea. "We didn't check the fountain…"
"Oh Valar, I forgot!" Elladan chuckled. "No wonder we couldn't find him. He has got to be there. You are a smart elfling."
Legolas blushed as Elladan tousled his hair gently. "Come on," Legolas said eagerly.
Please Review! Btw, Someone tell me what an S&M club is. I'm dying to know. It was in a fan fic. Also what is AWOL? I don't get what it means. I'm just wondering…