AN: I would like to apologise about the summery in the first chapter, I
accidentally unloaded the summery of a fic that's not meant to be published
for a long time. It's quite good and the ending made my cousin Adrian cry
like a baby. He's 22 in December.
Also for the delay for the update, I've recently suffered from the aeroplane disease Deep Vein Thrombosis. Only, it (the blood clot) is from the tip of the major vein to my heart that then goes to my right arm, so I've been on a drip and under constant annoying vigilance from family, friends, nurses and doctors. But I'm kinder okay now on twice daily injections of blood thinner, still, it shows that I'm stubborn and love my Fanfiction. But what would make me feel better is reviews and plenty of money or hugs from the elves.
Dedication: For the ones who believe they do wrong when in fact they do right. It's only your fears that speak, not your conscious. And for the people and nurses at The Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, you guys are SOO under-appreciated, go the strike and GET THAT PAY RISE!!!
Chapter 2: What They Really Are
Immediately Legolas jumped over the door and stood in the middle of the stables. He stood there breathing rapidly and out of control that soon his head felt light. Seeing that Rogan and Táralóm had not left yet, he raced for Rogan and pulled on his arm, nearly in tears. Looking down in surprise, Rogan blink at what he was seeing.
"What are you doing, Legolas?" he asked softly. "You should not be up this time of night, it's not safe."
Now, with silent tears pouring down his fair face, Legolas managed to stumble over his sobs to tell the older elf firmly. "Hon avo dhago."
Kneeling down, Rogan held the elflings shaking shoulders. "We are not going to kill her, Legolas. We are merely trying to stop her pain."
"Then help her," Legolas mumbled, his lip still trembling. "Don't punish her, what would atara say?"
Now, to come to think of it, Rogan thought, what would Lady Lasilaem say if she found out her favourite horse was to be put to sleep? She would have him without any position within the guards stand on the spot, he thought humourlessly.
"I'll make a deal with you," Rogan said softly as he took the little elf's hand. "If you can get Jewel to eat and respond to us again, I won't have her put to sleep. But I'll only consider this if you go to bed, before your father or siblings find out."
Looking at the stall that held the white horse, Legolas finally nodded. "You promise not to hurt her?"
Putting his right hand over his heart, Rogan pledged. "You have the word of Rogan, your fellow protector and friend."
Nodding in satisfaction, Legolas started to make his way back to bed with the white cat following in his wake, the little elf stoped, turned and looked at Rogan. "You won't tell my father I was here, will you?"
A small smile grew on Rogan's lips. "That will also be put upon my pledge, little one."
Satisfied, Legolas left.
~*~
"Why won't they leave me alone?" sobbed a small elf hours later, the pale moon made his fair hair glow against his pale skin. Silver tears now streamed from his innocent grey eyes and fell upon the white fur of a purring cat who was trying her best to calm the child.
"I just wanted her back, but the dreams are too scary, Marilla." He continued to sob, his chest heaving in gasps as he tried to calm himself down. "They want me, they hate me for hurting their friend."
Green eyes continued to look at grey as Legolas continued to cry, she knew that crying was helpful but the amount that this little one did seemed to concern her deeply. When he was alone, or in bed he sobbed and called for his mother until he fell into a sleep where he would toss until he awoke crying that he was 'sorry'. But whenever his family was around he was happy and his usual self, a mask for his emotions, she believed it was called.
His weeping quietened down and he again layed back on his mattress with Marilla tightly against his tiny chest. He was holding the very thing that reminded him of his mother, and he still couldn't feel her there. "I just wanted her back." Legolas murmured as his eyes began to glaze with sleep.
~*~
"Have you been sleeping these past few nights, Legolas?" came a soft voice.
Legolas continued to stir his breakfast around his bowl, not having heard his sisters voice. Alassë lowered her head to look into her brother's downcast eyes to see if he heard. Unnatural for an elf, Legolas's eyes were pale and with slight creases beginning to form under his lids.
She tried again. "Legolas?"
His head snapped up and he stoped playing with his food. "Yes?"
"Have you been sleeping well?" Alassë asked again.
"Yes," he lied, "why?"
"Because you look awfully tired." Answered Cassageln, shovelling a spoonful of honeyed porridge into his mouth. Legolas wrinkled his nose at his brothers manners and ability to eat more than his elvan mouth could hold.
"Legolas, no faces at the table, please." Thranduil sighed, also noticing Cassageln's manners. "Cassageln, put less in your mouth."
"But I'm hungry!" he protested.
"I don't care!" Thranduil said more harshly. "Remember who you are, and it's not a pig!"
"Yes, ada." The elf replied.
"Can I be excused?" came Legolas's small voice. "I'm not hungry anymore."
Thranduil watched his son for a moment or two, nodding his head slightly in permission, his father closely examined Legolas's face and movements as his son scampered way, almost desperately.
"This mood is sudden." Lúrin mused quietly, and he also topped his breakfast with honey and sugar.
"I don't believe so, I think it's being going on for some time." Alassë frowned as she also watched her brothers disappearing form down the hall. "We just don't see it happen."
~*~
Sting in the deep straw, Legolas dozed between Jewel's legs, feeding the white mare bits of carrot every now and then, Marilla stretched out over the horses back, her head snuggled in the golden falls of the young elf's hair.
Rogan had discovered the prince in the stall, sleeping with his hand held in mid-air just under Jewel's muzzle, apparently still unconsciously thinking he held a treat within his palm. A small smile grew on the Commanders lips, since the rescue of Legolas in the tree-tops he'd noticed that now Legolas seemed tired and most likely suffered from nightmares.
The arm dropped into the straw and the little elf muttered something as he rolled over to bury himself in the soft snow white mane. Deciding to leave Legolas to his untainted dreams, Rogan went out to find one of the other royal elvan-children and let them know their brothers whereabouts.
Quiet eyes of the horse watched as the elf left, they were worried for both her and this child's safety. Nuzzling the elf's chest gently, Jewel made a deep and loving nicker to Legolas, who's response was an empty hand just under the muzzle and a murmur for the 'horsy to be quiet'.
~*~
Making sure that no one was around, a white cat slipped her head out of the ajar wooden door before slipping the rest of her soft body after her, closely a pare of naked and pale feet followed the cat quietly, who paused every now and then to make sure her peruser was staying close.
The dreams had come again and had awoken the small being, but now it had shown a door along a quiet and dark corridor where the orcs went after they had grown weary of taunting their prey. Knowing that the door was somehow connected to the dream, tonight Legolas would try to fight the demon.
It was with some mild surprise that he found the huge double oak doors with slightingly frightening ease, it was as if something or someone wanted him to find it. Letting his small, thin and slender fingers grasp the round bronze handle, Legolas pushed down on the handle and pushed forward.
The stench was incredible and if wafted over both the elf and female cat as they entered. Marilla started to make a choking sound in her throat and Legolas had to pull his thin night-shirt over his sensitive nose. So this was what death smelt like? He mused quietly.
Fifteen orc bodies lined the floor of the filthy ground, it was slippery and thick where the orcs black blood oozed and caked the floor thickly. Feeling slightly dizzy, curiosity now took hold of Legolas and her stepped into the room that had apparently been forgotten about.
Legolas found the orc, and kneeled in the thick blood that slipped from the broken green/grey skin on the neck, where the fatal sharp rock had hit.
"This is not a place for children, especially ones that are trying to forget the past." Came a quiet voice, but still Legolas almost jumped six inches in fright.
"Rogan?" the little elf replied. "Why have they not been buried?"
"They are creatures that were of our light, but they turned from us." Rogan said with slight disgust in his soft voice, and he kneeled next to the prince also. "When they did, they lost the privilege to be buried with our kindred as well."
"Everything deserves to buried," the five-year-old commented quietly. "Even if they are or were elves."
"You knew? How?"
"You said they were of our light, I may be only 5, but I am smart." A nervous grin lit Legolas's eyes for a brief second. "I still believe that he disserves to be buried, don't you Rogan?"
"I believe that they should all be burnt and never allowed to enter past Mandos's gates." Trying to comprehend these harsh words, Legolas again looked at the body. Rogan could only guess what was going through the son of Thranduil's mind.
"But he was an elf once . . ." Legolas trailed off, unsure if his words were true or appropriate for him to say. "So doesn't he deserve to be buried like one?"
"He was an elf . . . once," Rogan said calmly. "But his soul was tortured and twisted against his will, even if we could, he would never again grace this world as an Elder."
"But he *was* one, he must have been in there somewhere, fighting the black hurt." Legolas sounded almost pleading. "He will be released from his dark thoughts, won't he?"
A look crossed Rogan's face and he knelt in front of the elf. "Why are you so determined to see this particular orc buried?"
Taking a deep breath and letting it go unsteadily, he looked at the older elf with tear filled eyes. "He was the one that I killed first. I . . . murdered him."
A sharp intake of breath and realisation finally came to Rogan's confused mind. "Who told you this?"
"The orc," breathing slightly faster now Legolas wouldn't glance at Rogan. "I dream of the ones that I killed, but not of the ones that I injured."
"Let me ask you a question, what was he trying to do when you killed him?"
"Looking for me, to capture me and kill me."
"In that case, the ends justify the means." Rogan dismissed.
"But atara said that it was wrong to hurt or kill things for pleasure." Legolas said still not glancing at Rogan. "I don't think I'd like it if someone came and injured me because I am a elf."
"But," this was hard, even for Rogan, who had limited experience with elflings. "It wasn't fun, now was it? Just because you defend yourself doesn't make you a murder, it doesn't make you anything."
Grey eyes met blue, and a sort of feeling past the two. Legolas looked satisfied that he'd been told the truth and wasn't belittled or lied to because of his age or because of his title. Rogan had that thing about him, he treated you with the same manners, no matter who or what you were.
"But," Rogan added. "Maybe sometimes orcs who still have a soul so very deep are allowed to rest, and even come back."
"I hope so." Legolas murmured and again glanced at the corpse. "But I want him out of my dreams."
"All in due time, my prince," Rogan said, a sad smile in his voice. "All in due time."
****
Translations:
1) Hon avo dhago = Don't kill her
AN: Well, seeming that tomorrow is Monday in Australia and I have Year 10 S.C. Trials, the next chapter may be a little slow, but I might be able to slip it in. After all, I've been known to come up with fic's in exams, so I'm allowed to write as along as I don't speak or give it to anyone. (Doesn't my school rock?)
Also for the delay for the update, I've recently suffered from the aeroplane disease Deep Vein Thrombosis. Only, it (the blood clot) is from the tip of the major vein to my heart that then goes to my right arm, so I've been on a drip and under constant annoying vigilance from family, friends, nurses and doctors. But I'm kinder okay now on twice daily injections of blood thinner, still, it shows that I'm stubborn and love my Fanfiction. But what would make me feel better is reviews and plenty of money or hugs from the elves.
Dedication: For the ones who believe they do wrong when in fact they do right. It's only your fears that speak, not your conscious. And for the people and nurses at The Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, you guys are SOO under-appreciated, go the strike and GET THAT PAY RISE!!!
Chapter 2: What They Really Are
Immediately Legolas jumped over the door and stood in the middle of the stables. He stood there breathing rapidly and out of control that soon his head felt light. Seeing that Rogan and Táralóm had not left yet, he raced for Rogan and pulled on his arm, nearly in tears. Looking down in surprise, Rogan blink at what he was seeing.
"What are you doing, Legolas?" he asked softly. "You should not be up this time of night, it's not safe."
Now, with silent tears pouring down his fair face, Legolas managed to stumble over his sobs to tell the older elf firmly. "Hon avo dhago."
Kneeling down, Rogan held the elflings shaking shoulders. "We are not going to kill her, Legolas. We are merely trying to stop her pain."
"Then help her," Legolas mumbled, his lip still trembling. "Don't punish her, what would atara say?"
Now, to come to think of it, Rogan thought, what would Lady Lasilaem say if she found out her favourite horse was to be put to sleep? She would have him without any position within the guards stand on the spot, he thought humourlessly.
"I'll make a deal with you," Rogan said softly as he took the little elf's hand. "If you can get Jewel to eat and respond to us again, I won't have her put to sleep. But I'll only consider this if you go to bed, before your father or siblings find out."
Looking at the stall that held the white horse, Legolas finally nodded. "You promise not to hurt her?"
Putting his right hand over his heart, Rogan pledged. "You have the word of Rogan, your fellow protector and friend."
Nodding in satisfaction, Legolas started to make his way back to bed with the white cat following in his wake, the little elf stoped, turned and looked at Rogan. "You won't tell my father I was here, will you?"
A small smile grew on Rogan's lips. "That will also be put upon my pledge, little one."
Satisfied, Legolas left.
~*~
"Why won't they leave me alone?" sobbed a small elf hours later, the pale moon made his fair hair glow against his pale skin. Silver tears now streamed from his innocent grey eyes and fell upon the white fur of a purring cat who was trying her best to calm the child.
"I just wanted her back, but the dreams are too scary, Marilla." He continued to sob, his chest heaving in gasps as he tried to calm himself down. "They want me, they hate me for hurting their friend."
Green eyes continued to look at grey as Legolas continued to cry, she knew that crying was helpful but the amount that this little one did seemed to concern her deeply. When he was alone, or in bed he sobbed and called for his mother until he fell into a sleep where he would toss until he awoke crying that he was 'sorry'. But whenever his family was around he was happy and his usual self, a mask for his emotions, she believed it was called.
His weeping quietened down and he again layed back on his mattress with Marilla tightly against his tiny chest. He was holding the very thing that reminded him of his mother, and he still couldn't feel her there. "I just wanted her back." Legolas murmured as his eyes began to glaze with sleep.
~*~
"Have you been sleeping these past few nights, Legolas?" came a soft voice.
Legolas continued to stir his breakfast around his bowl, not having heard his sisters voice. Alassë lowered her head to look into her brother's downcast eyes to see if he heard. Unnatural for an elf, Legolas's eyes were pale and with slight creases beginning to form under his lids.
She tried again. "Legolas?"
His head snapped up and he stoped playing with his food. "Yes?"
"Have you been sleeping well?" Alassë asked again.
"Yes," he lied, "why?"
"Because you look awfully tired." Answered Cassageln, shovelling a spoonful of honeyed porridge into his mouth. Legolas wrinkled his nose at his brothers manners and ability to eat more than his elvan mouth could hold.
"Legolas, no faces at the table, please." Thranduil sighed, also noticing Cassageln's manners. "Cassageln, put less in your mouth."
"But I'm hungry!" he protested.
"I don't care!" Thranduil said more harshly. "Remember who you are, and it's not a pig!"
"Yes, ada." The elf replied.
"Can I be excused?" came Legolas's small voice. "I'm not hungry anymore."
Thranduil watched his son for a moment or two, nodding his head slightly in permission, his father closely examined Legolas's face and movements as his son scampered way, almost desperately.
"This mood is sudden." Lúrin mused quietly, and he also topped his breakfast with honey and sugar.
"I don't believe so, I think it's being going on for some time." Alassë frowned as she also watched her brothers disappearing form down the hall. "We just don't see it happen."
~*~
Sting in the deep straw, Legolas dozed between Jewel's legs, feeding the white mare bits of carrot every now and then, Marilla stretched out over the horses back, her head snuggled in the golden falls of the young elf's hair.
Rogan had discovered the prince in the stall, sleeping with his hand held in mid-air just under Jewel's muzzle, apparently still unconsciously thinking he held a treat within his palm. A small smile grew on the Commanders lips, since the rescue of Legolas in the tree-tops he'd noticed that now Legolas seemed tired and most likely suffered from nightmares.
The arm dropped into the straw and the little elf muttered something as he rolled over to bury himself in the soft snow white mane. Deciding to leave Legolas to his untainted dreams, Rogan went out to find one of the other royal elvan-children and let them know their brothers whereabouts.
Quiet eyes of the horse watched as the elf left, they were worried for both her and this child's safety. Nuzzling the elf's chest gently, Jewel made a deep and loving nicker to Legolas, who's response was an empty hand just under the muzzle and a murmur for the 'horsy to be quiet'.
~*~
Making sure that no one was around, a white cat slipped her head out of the ajar wooden door before slipping the rest of her soft body after her, closely a pare of naked and pale feet followed the cat quietly, who paused every now and then to make sure her peruser was staying close.
The dreams had come again and had awoken the small being, but now it had shown a door along a quiet and dark corridor where the orcs went after they had grown weary of taunting their prey. Knowing that the door was somehow connected to the dream, tonight Legolas would try to fight the demon.
It was with some mild surprise that he found the huge double oak doors with slightingly frightening ease, it was as if something or someone wanted him to find it. Letting his small, thin and slender fingers grasp the round bronze handle, Legolas pushed down on the handle and pushed forward.
The stench was incredible and if wafted over both the elf and female cat as they entered. Marilla started to make a choking sound in her throat and Legolas had to pull his thin night-shirt over his sensitive nose. So this was what death smelt like? He mused quietly.
Fifteen orc bodies lined the floor of the filthy ground, it was slippery and thick where the orcs black blood oozed and caked the floor thickly. Feeling slightly dizzy, curiosity now took hold of Legolas and her stepped into the room that had apparently been forgotten about.
Legolas found the orc, and kneeled in the thick blood that slipped from the broken green/grey skin on the neck, where the fatal sharp rock had hit.
"This is not a place for children, especially ones that are trying to forget the past." Came a quiet voice, but still Legolas almost jumped six inches in fright.
"Rogan?" the little elf replied. "Why have they not been buried?"
"They are creatures that were of our light, but they turned from us." Rogan said with slight disgust in his soft voice, and he kneeled next to the prince also. "When they did, they lost the privilege to be buried with our kindred as well."
"Everything deserves to buried," the five-year-old commented quietly. "Even if they are or were elves."
"You knew? How?"
"You said they were of our light, I may be only 5, but I am smart." A nervous grin lit Legolas's eyes for a brief second. "I still believe that he disserves to be buried, don't you Rogan?"
"I believe that they should all be burnt and never allowed to enter past Mandos's gates." Trying to comprehend these harsh words, Legolas again looked at the body. Rogan could only guess what was going through the son of Thranduil's mind.
"But he was an elf once . . ." Legolas trailed off, unsure if his words were true or appropriate for him to say. "So doesn't he deserve to be buried like one?"
"He was an elf . . . once," Rogan said calmly. "But his soul was tortured and twisted against his will, even if we could, he would never again grace this world as an Elder."
"But he *was* one, he must have been in there somewhere, fighting the black hurt." Legolas sounded almost pleading. "He will be released from his dark thoughts, won't he?"
A look crossed Rogan's face and he knelt in front of the elf. "Why are you so determined to see this particular orc buried?"
Taking a deep breath and letting it go unsteadily, he looked at the older elf with tear filled eyes. "He was the one that I killed first. I . . . murdered him."
A sharp intake of breath and realisation finally came to Rogan's confused mind. "Who told you this?"
"The orc," breathing slightly faster now Legolas wouldn't glance at Rogan. "I dream of the ones that I killed, but not of the ones that I injured."
"Let me ask you a question, what was he trying to do when you killed him?"
"Looking for me, to capture me and kill me."
"In that case, the ends justify the means." Rogan dismissed.
"But atara said that it was wrong to hurt or kill things for pleasure." Legolas said still not glancing at Rogan. "I don't think I'd like it if someone came and injured me because I am a elf."
"But," this was hard, even for Rogan, who had limited experience with elflings. "It wasn't fun, now was it? Just because you defend yourself doesn't make you a murder, it doesn't make you anything."
Grey eyes met blue, and a sort of feeling past the two. Legolas looked satisfied that he'd been told the truth and wasn't belittled or lied to because of his age or because of his title. Rogan had that thing about him, he treated you with the same manners, no matter who or what you were.
"But," Rogan added. "Maybe sometimes orcs who still have a soul so very deep are allowed to rest, and even come back."
"I hope so." Legolas murmured and again glanced at the corpse. "But I want him out of my dreams."
"All in due time, my prince," Rogan said, a sad smile in his voice. "All in due time."
****
Translations:
1) Hon avo dhago = Don't kill her
AN: Well, seeming that tomorrow is Monday in Australia and I have Year 10 S.C. Trials, the next chapter may be a little slow, but I might be able to slip it in. After all, I've been known to come up with fic's in exams, so I'm allowed to write as along as I don't speak or give it to anyone. (Doesn't my school rock?)