Disclaimer: I do not own LotR. I just like to torture the characters, especially Legolas! n.n
Warnings: Well, there's a lot of angst... that's about it. This fic would have been a lot easier to write if it were shounen ai, but I said I wouldn't make this one it... next one, though. n.n
Sorry 'bout all grammar and/or spelling mistakes. I'm only human... n.n
Well, this was originally supposed to be a one-shot, but I wanted to post this today since I wasn't sure how long it'd be 'til I'd be able to type the rest up... This fic isn't exactly complete yet, and that's another reason why it's two chapters. Cuz it's so long, too. So far it's 12 pages written, usually my chapters are around 6, and I don't think I'm close to finished yet... -shrugs- We'll see... n.n
This fic was a lot harder to write than I thought it was goin' to be. I just couldn't get Legolas' personality right, and I wanted to make it as close as I could. I dunno if I did that great of a job on it, but it was a lot better than I originally had it. I really hope you all enjoy this! n.n
In Memory of Thy Honor
Chapter One: Tragedy Strikes
"No! He cannot be! He is not!" Legolas frantically shouted. "Come on, Adar. Wake up!"
The blonde elf collapsed on his father's chest, tears falling freely, muttering for him to wake.
King Thranduil didn't move an inch; eyes still closed in death. His breathing had stopped only seconds ago.
"How could this happen? You are supposed to protect him!" the distraught prince yelled at the warriors that were by him.
There was a moment of silence while the warriors shifted under their prince's piercing stare.
"We... we were over-powered, my lord," a brave warrior spoke up. "We... tried our best."
Legolas couldn't believe this. Any of it. First his mother had died at the hands of orcs... and now his father? No, it wasn't true. It just couldn't be!
"Why would you not let me go with you!" he spoke to his father again, wishing to somehow receive a response. When King Thranduil had left he said it was a short and easy task that required few warriors. They just needed to scout ahead, to see how much the evil had spread. They weren't even planning on getting close enough to engage in battle. Unfortunately, it had gotten a lot closer than any suspected. Legolas couldn't go with them because the king had said there was no point in risking both their lives. If anything happened to Legolas Mirkwood would be left without an heir.
"You should have listened to me," Legolas said quietly.
Everyone in the hall had their eyes closed, some having tears pouring down their faces.
After what seemed like an eternity, Legolas suddenly stood up. "Those orcs are going to pay! I will get revenge for my father!" he shouted and made his way to the doors.
The others took a step back at first, seeing the fury that was in their prince's eyes. None wanted to mess with that; however, they couldn't allow him to leave. Who knew what would happen then...
A few warriors ran up to him. "My lord, you cannot leave, especially in your state of mind." Seeing how words wouldn't deter Legolas, they grabbed onto his arms trying to stop him.
"How dare you! Release me at once!" Prince Legolas commanded, enraged; the warriors not helping matters at all. He struggled even harder against their grasps.
"Please calm down, my lord," a tall warrior told the blonde elf.
"'Calm down!'" Legolas shouted, blinded by his grief. "How can you say such a thing!" the prince asked, tears still pouring down his face.
"My lord, you must," a warrior on his left told him.
"But my father... my father..." Legolas fell onto his knees, buried his face in his hands and sobbed uncontrollably.
The warriors were surprised by his actions, and almost fell with him, but stopped themselves in time. They were relieved that he had stopped trying to leave. They really did not need their prince to go after a horde of orcs and be so rash about it. They couldn't do anything to ease the pain in the archer's heart, however much they wished they could. They couldn't even stop their own pain and they were sure that the prince's was in so much more.
Everyone in the hall stood where they were in silence, mourning the death of their beloved king. If someone had entered the room not knowing what had happened, they would have been able to guess that someone had died by how gloomy the hall was, and they would indeed be right. The King of Mirkwood had just passed away, at the hands of orcs, just as their queen had. A devastating blow for the kingdom, and everyone that dwelled there... most of all, the prince.
It had been three weeks since King Thranduil's death and Prince Legolas had been acting as though everything was alright; that his father's death wasn't affecting him. There had been a small ceremony with few people, Legolas hadn't wished for lots of people to be there.
However, no matter how hard the archer tried he couldn't hide how he really felt, though he did have a lot of people fooled. He felt torn inside, like the grief was slowing eating him, from the inside-out. He still went about his duties, doing what was needed of him, but he still hadn't taken the title of King. The death was still far too near.
Legolas could feel himself getting weaker as the days passed and would frequently suffer headaches and spells of fatigue. He put up a front when in the presence of anyone, even his friends. The only time he let his 'carefree' mask slip was when he was sure that he was alone.
Although he thought no one could tell how much his father's death had really affected him, his closest friend could. He didn't know to what extent, though. So far Legolas was able to keep his facade up to where everyone around him didn't constantly ask questions and pester him.
A week later and it was no longer possible.
The blonde elf had just woken up and was getting out of bed after getting some rest. Finding it to be well into the afternoon, the prince headed outside, wanting to see the nature around him and how the sun shone brilliantly. He was still tired, but he couldn't sleep even more without rising suspicions.
On the way Legolas ran into his friend, Eitheldol, who stopped to talk with him.
"Are you alright, mellon-nin?" a blonde, well-built elf asked the younger elf. They had long been friends and Legolas had insisted that he did not refer to him as 'my lord' or any such title.
"I am fine, Eitheldol," the archer answered, though it was a lie. He felt terribly weak, as though he was going to collapse. It was also getting harder for him to breathe.
The older elf looked at him in serious doubt. His friend looked far more pale than he usually did, even compared to these past weeks since his father died. The shortness of breath definitely didn't help matters.
However, the two kept walking, Eitheldol deciding to join Legolas. He did not wish to leave him alone given his condition; it worried him greatly.
Legolas suddenly stopped and leaned against the wall to his left, clutching his chest tightly; breathing heavily.
"Legolas! What is wrong!" the blonde elf asked frightened. He had known something was up, but didn't think it was so severe as to stop the prince in his tracks. He also had no idea what was ailing the younger elf.
Legolas, who was in a state of agony, had not heard his friend's frantic question. It has never been so painful before, the archer thought. He had been suffering pain in his chest at least twice a day, but never this great... nor this long...
Finally, the prince was no longer able to bear the pain and succumbed to unconsciousness.
"Legolas!" Eitheldol shouted as his friend fell forward, limp, and caught him. He immediately checked for a pulse. He let out his breath, that he hadn't even realized he'd been holding, when he found one. He quickly, but carefully picked Legolas up and carried him to the healing wing; receiving stares along the way.
Once there he kicked the doors open, having no time to waste.
The healer was startled, and instantly looked in the direction of the loud noise from the door, seeing Eitheldol carrying someone. "The prince! How..? What..?" the healer, who had brown, long hair and equally brown eyes, was at a loss for words. The prince being carried in unconscious was most unexpected!
Eitheldol gently laid Legolas on to a bed. "It seemed like he was having problems breathing while we were walking and he suddenly collapsed, clutching his chest. He fell unconscious shortly thereafter," he explained while the healer examined the lifeless prince, who had dragged his hand to his chest even in sleep. "I know not what ails him," he finished.
The healer gave a short nod to acknowledge the blonde. All this puzzled him. It just didn't fit...
"...Ada..." Legolas said in a quiet, agonized whisper.
The two looked at the prince sadly, then each other.
Now it fit. Now they knew what ailed their beloved prince: Grief, the Elven Sickness. Sadly, there wasn't much they could do about this ailment. Anything else and they would have been sure of the elf's recovery. Now... well, they'd find a way.
"I knew the king's death bothered him, but I never thought it was to this extent. He hid it too well..." Eitheldol said, more to himself. He clenched his fist tightly. "I should have known! Why would it not affect him in such a way? King Thranduil was his father, after all."
"Do not berate yourself. 'Tis not your fault," Árëdur said, trying to comfort the elf. All of them, though, should have known that he would suffer greatly over the loss of his father. Yet none had truly noticed the pain he was enduring silently. Sure, lots had noticed how he had tired more often, but had just thought it was because of his new duties. How wrong they had been...
A couple days had passed since the prince's collapse and his condition only grew worse as time went by. News of Legolas' grief soon spread throughout Mirkwood, causing all who dwelled there to panic. What would happen if their only prince were to fade? They didn't even want to think about it!
Eitheldol had thought that he should send for Estel. He knew how close he and Legolas were. Hoping for the best, he wrote a letter and had a messenger deliver it. He really wished it would reach its destination, and fast! Legolas' very life depended on the outcome of the letter.
"My lord, there is a messenger here for you. Says the matter is of extreme importance and concerns Prince Legolas," afemale elf, with long brown hair said to Aragorn.
Aragorn didn't waste a second before jumping up and running to where he knew the messenger would be. He had a horrible feeling about this...
He reached the messenger in mere seconds; receiving odd looks the whole time, and still receiving one.
"My lord..." the messenger said, surprised at the human's entrance. He had burst through the doors and was breathing heavily from running.
"What happened to Legolas!" Aragorn said panting, trying to catch his breath. He then noticed that his foster father, Elrond, was in the room, as well as his foster brothers, Elrohir and Elladan, who were twins.
"Estel, calm yourself," Elrond told his son, wondering where he had been when getting the notice. By the looks of it he was pretty far away.
The human turned to the messenger again, needing to know what had happened to his best friend.
"Eitheldol asked me to give you this letter and to personally hand it to you," the tall messenger said, pulling out the letter and handed it to the ranger.
Baffled, Aragorn took the letter. He thought that the letter would have been handed to Elrond for some reason.
He opened it with shaking hands and started reading it. It wasn't even in Legolas' writing!
Estel of Imladris, son of Lord Elrond,
Prince Legolas is in dire need of help. King Thranduil passed away a few weeks ago and grief has consumed the prince's heart. We fear he may fade. However, we still hold on to hope with you, Estel. Please ride here as fast as you can! We know not how much longer the prince can last.
In great need of your assistance,
Eitheldol, son of Edhelita.
"Oh, Valar..." Aragorn said, quietly; dropping the letter. He couldn't believe this!
The human got a hold of himself, knowing how much Legolas needed him. Why did they not send for me sooner? They should have told me about Thranduil's death right away. Of course the pain would be too great for Legolas with no one there to help him through it. He hides things too much, Aragorn thought, furious.
"Adar, I am going to Mirkwood immediately," he said sternly, leaving the chambers to his go to his own, so he could pack the needed items.
The others stared after him, wondering what was going on.
Elladan picked up the letter that Aragorn had dropped and started reading it. Elrond and Elrohir stood over his shoulders also reading it.
Now they understood! Both of the twins hurried off to their own rooms, determined to join their human brother on the way to Mirkwood.
"Hannon le, Liththar," Elrond said to the messenger, who was still standing there, unsure of what to do. "If you would like to rest I can show you to a room..."
"No thank you, my lord. I would prefer to return to Mirkwood... no offense," Liththar added quickly. He was worried about the prince as well, and wanted to see how he was.
"None taken, of course. I insist you come with us then. I shall not take no for an answer, either," the elf-lord said with a smile.
"You, too, my lord?" He couldn't believe that all four of them were going. The letter's original purpose was just to retrieve Aragorn. However, he couldn't complain. Having Elrond by the prince would be a good precaution; he was the best healer, after all.
"Aye," Elrond said; then started to walk to the doors. Turning around he said, "Now, get some food before we leave while my sons and I get ready." Then he headed to his own room at a fast pace. He had to hurry; Aragorn was likely almost finished by now and probably wouldn't even wait for them.
The five met up at the stables once finished packing or, in the Liththar's case, eating. Their horses were ready to leave, Elrond had made sure of this. They strapped their packs to their horses, mounted and then left towards Mirkwood.
The journey was hard on all of them, especially Aragorn. His body, being human, had less endurance than an elf's and the worry over his best friend's life was tearing him apart. He feared he wouldn't get there on time. He was exhausted, physically and mentally. They had been riding for at least five hours and had no breaks. Everyone was too concerned to stop, as was Aragorn, which is exactly why he hadn't asked for them to stop... not like he would have anyway. He truly didn't want to. It was moments like this that he despised being human.
Elrohir looked back at his human brother and saw how much he needed a break. "Ada," he whispered to the elf next to him, "I think we should take a break. Estel looks in need of one."
The elder elf looked back at his youngest son and felt guilty for forgetting his human stamina. He hated to stop, as did everyone else, Aragorn included, but they had to. It would take even longer to reach Legolas if one of them passed out from exhaustion pushing themselves too hard.
Elrond called for a halt and they all dismounted. Everyone actually needed a break so it was for the best... they supposed.
Well, that's the first chapter. n.n It prob'ly woulda been better if I had the whole thing done and whatnot, but... yeah. Sorry! I already said my reasoning on this so I'm not goin' to say anything more about it. n.n;;;
I really do hope you guys all enjoyed it, though, and will continue to when I post the next chapter. n.n I dunno how much I really like it. It sounded better in my head... ;-; -sighs- Ah, well...
Well, Plz Review!
Ja ne