Disclaimer: I do not own.
READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!
This chapter is rated pg13 for violence and blood. And major major elf torture...
Oh yeah, before I forget to mention this: don't get discouraged because it seems like its turning into a romance story, cuz its NOT. LoL. Although this chapter shows a lot of the relationship between Legolas and Faerfain, since the last chapter barely introduced it. And the rest of the story isn't going to be as romantic-y as this chappie is, but I thought I should leave it in cuz it explains their relationship...as I said.
Oh yeah, and the entire chapter is NOT as cheesy the whole way through as it is in the beginning where Faerfain is introduced to Thranduil. Who knows, it could be considered cheesy or something, but whatever, I thought it was important so I left it in lol.
Now a thank you to my reviewers!:
Moonyasha- ownership papers!? Cries lol. That's ok. I get to keep the dwarf then! Lol
Andunewen1- wow, that is such a nice review cries again because im happy thank you so much! I will try to continue to do everything you described!
aroswein- yes, I completely agree with you about the title thing. LoL. At the time I thought it made sense, but now that you mention it...lol...yeah...it doesn't. Thank you so much for your review and I will try my best to update fast!!!!
brilliant-author16- thank you! No I wish I made up the name Faerfain, it is pretty isn't it? I actually found it on I probably should have mentioned that.
Faerchithiel- I will definitely develop Faerfain's character. And don't worry she's not a mary sue...although I did make her look like me- im kidding. LoL faerfain is different than she seems...that's all im gonna say for now!... yeah lil clue I decided to stick in. but anyway onto the story!
Lady Alathon- Thank you for bringing that to my attention, about the blood color and the sleeping with the eyes open. I apologize I have made a mistake. Although, I think I'm going to leave the chapters the way they are...although I'll try and remember those facts because they are important details that I overlooked. Thank you for your review!
Appologies if I missed a reviewer, which I'm pretty sure I didn't...And thank you all for your reviews!!!!
Legolas sighed crisply. "Adar, I know you are unhappy. She is a maid and I a prince. But I love her, I do! I love her-!"
"I know, my son." Thranduil answered. "I know. I am not unhappy. If you are happy, I could never be unhappy. My son."
Legolas embraced him, "My Adar."
Faerfain stepped uncertainly into the room, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She bowed as she entered and asked nervously, "You called your highness?"
"Come closer Faerfain." Thranduil ordered.
Faerfain nodded, and took three more steps forward. "Is that close your highness?" Her white dress was wrinkled and her hair was rather messy from her encounter with Astald. She caught Legolas's eye and let a tear slip down her face.
"Do not cry fair maiden." Thranduil said gently, taking her hand. "Is it true that my son is in love with you?" She nodded quickly. "And, fair maiden, is it true that you are in love with him?" he asked. Once again, Faerfain nodded. Thranduil then had the opportunity to glance at her neck and see the large bruises that covered it. The realization came to him of harsh fates that Legolas had saved her from. "Stand beside me no longer fair maiden. Go to him."
Faerfain looked at him hesitantly before running forward and throwing her arms around Legolas. Legolas cradled her softly against him and watched his father intently, waiting for him to say something, anything.
Elrohir sensed the tension in the silence and said to break it. "I've never seen Legolas look at someone with such contempt as he looked at Astald. I've never seen Legolas look at someone with such love and devotion as he looked at Faerfain."
Thranduil turned to Elrohir and said softly, "Aye, I can see that Legolas loves her very much and that she loves him the same. I would never break them apart, not for all the treasures in Middle Earth."
"That is, by your permission," Legolas began, "that we may marry?"
Thranduil smiled softly and said, "You have all of my blessings, Legolas."
Legolas kissed Faerfain softly and they stood in this way for a few more moments before Thranduil clapped his hands together and said, "The two of you, put yourselves into a more presentable appearance. I believe we have an engagement feast to attend."
Faerfain smiled as she ran her hands through Legolas's hair and embraced him. "You have done so much for me, Legolas."
"We have not had a proper engagement," Legolas replied, going onto his knees before her. "I love you Faerfain, more than anything in this world. I want your decision and no one else's, will you except my marriage proposal? Will you marry me Faerfain?"
Faerfain laughed lightly at the site of the prince of Mirkwood on his knees before her and replied, "Aye!" He stood to his feet and swept her off hers.
After a few moments, the two took leave of the king and left to prepare for the welcome feast, which had so suddenly transformed into an engagement dinner. Faerfain left for her room, but Legolas detoured into the dungeons.
Astald was a wrecked site. He was chained to the wall, screaming and begging the guards to release him, claiming that he was wrongly accused and that they were to let him go immediately. The guards did not heed him, but stripped him of his shirt. At this, they struck at his back, blood trickling down to the floor.
Legolas confused even himself. He derived so much pleasure out of having this man beaten for what he had done to Faerfain and yet the site of his blood raining down onto the stone floor made him shudder. He had never watched a man bleed so clearly and yet not rushed to his aid. It was not in his nature to let something like this happen. He continued to tell himself that it would be a pure insult to Faerfain to bound forward and grab the whip from the guard's hands and yet guilt passed through him, so much guilt at the sound of Astald's agony.
Astald indeed sounded as if he were in grave agony. He screamed and fought and struggled, never stopping his horrible cries. From all of his fighting, the whip had managed to hit him on the face and blood smeared over his hands as well.
Legolas shuddered and turned away. The site of a silver puddle forming underneath Astald was making him queasy. He had never held such contempt for a man before in his life, and yet he felt remorse for placing this terrible order upon him. He tried to reason with himself, tell himself that when he had ordered this, he had pictured all of the times when he was an elfling and had gotten beaten for doing something wrong and not clearly defined the difference. Guilt continued to wash over Legolas. Of course he had defined the difference.
His mind had been counting all along the number of times the whip came down across the man's back and each time he thought to himself, "Why don't these guards stop!? Enough has been done!" He turned however, when a hand was placed gently on his shoulder.
"Faerfain," Legolas said quietly. "You should not be down here."
"And neither should you," Faerfain replied. "Obey your heart."
Legolas let a tear slip from his eyes and shouted to the guards, "Stop!"
The guards immediately threw down their whip and bowed to him. "Yes your highness?"
"Enough, this man has learned I am sure." Legolas replied. "Let him free."
The guards nodded and obeyed the prince's orders, quickly unlocking Astald's chains. Astald stood up, wrapped his torn shirt about him, glared at Legolas and ran as fast as he could carry himself out of the dungeon.
Faerfain was in a gorgeous dress, white laced, down to her ankles. It was a gown that she had only had for special occasions within the palace, feasts or royal visitors, to look more presentable. It was the most expensive thing she had ever owned, but she was glad that Legolas did not mind. "Are you wearing that?" Legolas inquired after a few moments.
"Yes." Faerfain replied. "Are you wearing –that-?"
Legolas smiled grimly as she motioned to his traveling clothes, "No, I think I will go and change."
"You did a good deed, letting him free, Legolas. He has done wrong, but I do not wish him to suffer so much. A wrong for a wrong..."
"I understand Faerfain. It was foolish of me to make a decision without you." Legolas answered. "Without myself present."
She kissed him softly on the cheek. "Come Legolas. The others are waiting for us. Hurry and ready yourself." At this, she led him up the stairs and left him standing in the hallway.
Legolas sighed crisply. It had been quite a tiresome day for himself and quite emotionally draining. An engagement feast, his own, was to be held that night, but he was not happy. He was with Faerfain, whom he loved above all, and yet he was guilty because he had so brutally punished her offender.
He ordered a bath to be heated up by a servant and quietly slipped into it, his thoughts drifting away much as a river would. After many long minutes, he picked up the soap and scrubbed his skin, as if trying to wash away who he was, to clean himself of the prince he was, to wash away the dirt of everything that had happened to him. After an hour of bathing, he came to his senses and wore one of his finest tunics to dinner.
He made his way as quickly down the hall as possible, his hair still slightly wet. He looked handsome, but yet sad within his blue eyes. His appearance was royal, as a prince's should be, but his expression was downtrodden. When he entered the dining hall and glimpsed Faerfain, now with her hair pinned up in a flowing way, many of his fears were forgotten.
He took his seat next to his father, who sat at the head of the table, and beside Faerfain, who was patiently waiting for him. Legolas kissed her softly as he sat down.
"Well, that took you long enough." Thranduil reproached.
"Apologies Adar. I had a few thoughts to sort out." Legolas replied.
"The feast is now ready," a servant announced gladly.
The sons of Elrond sat directly across from Legolas and his affianced, eagerly awaiting the feast. The counselors sat beside them, lined all the way down the table, the empty seat of Termara's, the elf that had been so brutally tortured during the ambush by orcs, impressing into Legolas's already much troubled mind.
The servants placed the feast upon the table. There was roasted game of poultry and boar and there were freshly picked fruits and berries of all sorts. There were fresh salads and skillfully cooked breads as well as the finest wine of the elves. Once this had been laid, Thranduil stood to his feet and made a toast.
"I know," Thranduil started, "That this was supposed to be a feast of the return of my son and myself. But, I must inform everyone, that there has been a much more important matter to have come up. This is the engagement of my son. Legolas has chosen the fair elven maiden, Faerfain, to be his bride." At this there was clapping, Legolas noticing that the applause did not come from the other elven ladies who had their eyes on him. After he had said this, the feast continued.
Legolas began to slowly taste his food and felt completely loved by all around him, but he could not help but ask himself about his journey, and how he had changed so much, for better or worse, throughout that time. He jabbed at his food moodily and pushed the plate away from him. All he could think of was the word worse.
Everyone else seemed delighted with all that happened around them. The sons of Elrond presently carried on a long description of a battle they had fought, a ridiculous one they felt at that. Thranduil's counselors bellowed with laughter as they listened to the exciting, but strange anecdote, that entailed Rohirric jesters and dwarves.
Faerfain sat beside Legolas, her lips parted in a fair grace, pink still, lush, and she moved a wine glass to her lips, never spilling a drop, her eyes intent on Legolas. She set down her glass of red wine tenderly and said to Legolas, "Why do you sit in such silence? Are you still feeling troubled?"
"Aye," Legolas replied quietly. "I do not deny that I am feeling much confusion." He sighed and his distraught face changed as he placed his arm around her softly. "My dear lady, I must apologize, for my mood has brought you much unhappiness." He knew that his statement held true, but that Faerfain brought determination in not letting it show to him.
It was sudden, but Legolas felt cold chills erupting across him as he saw a face of an elf in the doorway, not any elf's but Termara's. He blinked and glanced back up, but he was gone in an instant.
"Legolas?" Elladan asked curiously from in front of him. "What are you looking at with such a fearful glance?"
"Tis nothing, Elladan." Legolas replied. "I have merely just had a very pressing journey and I am weary."
Thranduil placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "Yes, I am afraid that his care for me has been very taxing on our journey."
"Not at all Adar." Legolas answered, although he knew that it was true; he had gone haggard worrying about his father's health. "If you will excuse me, I need a moment to myself, as my mind is indeed very troubled." He stood to his feet and sauntered slowly into the hallway, leaving the rest to just wonder what was on his mind.
Once Legolas had exited the feasting hall and had walked a while down the corridors, he sighed and sat down in a wooden, intricately carved chair to rest. He was indeed growing worried with himself, for he was having some sort of a mental complex within his mind. He closed his eyes and placed a hand to his forehead, but when he opened them, there was something standing across the room from him.
Legolas knew that his eyes must be deceiving him, but when he glanced up once more, he ended up staring, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end at the site. He could feel he was shaking and beginning to sweat and his mind was shouting, screaming, "He's dead! He cannot be standing there! I saw him dead!"
Termara stood there, a crooked grin on his face, his hair ripped and his body beaten severely. He was covered in a dry silver blood and his eyes were boring directly into his own. The elf's skin was shredded and brought in no means the appearance of skin itself. Termara was just as Legolas had found him in the cave that day.
"I believe this is yours," a cold, sneering voice came from behind Termara. He tossed the body down onto the floor at Legolas's feet. It crumpled up, for it held no life inside of it.
When Legolas had recovered shock, he looked up at the voice, to see whom was standing there, but no one was any longer in that dark corridor. They had fled.
Legolas fell to his knees and kissed Termara's forehead. He held the elf within his arms and cried against him. He would have never thought it would have been possible to lose someone so dear to him, so much apart of his family, again...
Legolas strolled through the garden, enjoying the last of the sunshine before the clouds would continue their sway above Mirkwood. It was Autumn, a favorite time of year for his family. The leaves changed completely on every tree, a beauty so wondrous that Legolas himself could not but hold his breath.
He had, out of the corner of his eyes, seen a terrible reality that haunted him whenever he was alone with himself, in his own thoughts, digging and pondering for anything. He would always stumble upon this memory and grasp it between his fingers, not able to let it go, as it was the last time he ever saw his mother.
It was a site he had never forgotten, for since that very day it had been branded within his mind. Her body lay gracefully upon the ground, her long dark curly hair unraveling around her. Her blue eyes were softly closed and her soft lips were parted in a sad way. No air escaped them. Her chest did not rise up and down.
Legolas gave a cry of grief when he saw that she was dead and that his father, sat there, cradling his wife's head in his arms and sobbing into her, sobbing. Legolas had never seen his father cry before- ever. There he sat, sobbing uncontrollably, holding his deceased wife in his arms...
"Legolas," a voice said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Legolas turned, a hard, glare in his eyes, and snarled placidly, "Leave me!" It was happening all over again, a body in his arms, himself sobbing, just like his father, about someone very dear to them both.
Thranduil pursed his lips and kneeled beside him, "My son, how have you come across this corpse?"
Legolas ripped off the top of his tunic and placed it over the corpse softly, putting the elf's hands neatly folded over his chest, a bow from the counselor's sash placed there as well.
"Someone wicked has brought him to me, through this very hallway. But I did not manage to glimpse the offender." He replied with a sad air to his voice, and repressed a sob deep inside of his throat.
Thranduil watched Legolas with much worry, as now that Legolas had no shirt upon him, all the battle wounds of the past were visible upon him, glaring out at whoever cared for him. Thranduil could not help but sigh as he ran his hand down his son's back, where many scars existed from warg bites, orc attacks, and even injuries from training.
"I will kill whoever did this." Legolas said softly. "Whoever did this to Termara. Whoever brought him here to mock our cries..."
"Legolas," Thranduil replied, helping him to his feet, "I firmly suggest that you give yourself rest. You are tired and much has happened. Sleep will clear your mind most generously."
"Not until I kill the person who did this!" Legolas shouted in answer, anger sifting through him. They had killed Termara...tortured him...murdered him...mocked his corpse after he had been through so much... He immediately drew a dagger from his boot. "I won't let this happen again!" He then threw the knife violently at the wall, where it stuck into a wood panel. "I can't...Adar... I can't kill someone...I don't have proof- I don't have any proof of who did it."
"Legolas, rest yourself for tonight. I will send the guards to give this man a proper burial, in the morning we will attend it. As for now, sleep will be a great partner on this journey."
Legolas smiled grimly at the way his father had twisted his own words, "I have trust in you Adar. I know that you would not stray me wrong."
"Worry about nothing." Thranduil continued, ushering him down the hall. "Close your eyes until morning." He then said sternly, "I will not have you wandering this hallway. It will drive an elf mad, Legolas. If I must put guards against your door, I will, for you are troubled enough."
Legolas replied faintly, "Good night Adar." He then shakily walked toward his room, where he changed from his feasting clothes into a light sleeping garment. As he crawled underneath the covers of his bed, which he rarely slept in, for he was always out, as many elves do, reminiscing as their rest within the night, he could only picture Termara's 'crooked grin' and the whip beating down upon Astald's back.
Oooh, yeah I told you it wasn't as cheesy and romantic as the beginning.
Think you know Faerfain right? Well you don't know her that well yet.
Think you know Astald right? Well you don't know him that well yet.
LOL yeah.
Anyway, that's not my favorite chapter...for some reason...but I didn't wanna say that before you read it cuz then you wouldn't read it... and that would just be like devastating to me lol
But now that you've read it!
REVIEW PLEASE! Lol
Next chapter coming up when I get reviews! (and when I get it written. I had all the previous chapters written and this one I'm still working on.)