Well, I'm here again, with chapter 10, we are drawing to the end now, and things will soon be wrapped up.

Elven Kitten: Me too, she wasn't really evil, just corrupted, and only death it seems could free her.

Astalder27: Gah! That King is a fool. But he didn't mean to hit Legolas. He was trying to knock some sense into him. But his temper got the better of him yet again.

Chapter 10

There were no major hitches on the road to Rivendell. Indeed it was quiet, which was what both preferred. However, Estel could not help but notice that Legolas was a little more subdued than usual. But he guessed that was simply to do with the latest argument with his father. He decided to leave the elf to his own devices though, but he knew the elf was not sleeping and this worried him. Though, After all Legolas had been through, it was unsurprising that Legolas wanted no sleep. They were two hours out from Rivendell when to Estel's joy the twins rode up, obvious joy showing on their faces, until they saw Legolas.

"Legolas?" asked Elladan concern etched on his face.

"Hello, Elladan, Elrohir" greeted Legolas with a smile

"What's wrong?"

Legolas didn't answer, and the twins thought it best not to pursue the matter. The four elves rode back then to Rivendell, the twins scolding Estel for running off, and worrying them all.

Not long later they rode into Rivendell, to be greeted by Lord Elrond, who almost pulled Estel off his horse smothering him in an embrace. Estel however pulled away, knowing this display would pain Legolas. But the Elf Lord was now scolding the mortal for running away like that. Then he let Estel free and turned to the golden haired Prince

"My Lord Elrond" Legolas said with a low bow.

Elrond looked at Legolas, noting the ever-present sparkle had gone from his eyes, "Come with me" he urged the Prince. For a moment Legolas looked like bolting, but in the end he followed Elrond into the building.

The twins turned to Estel confused, but before they could speak a joyous cry of 'Estel' made all turn. Arwen ran towards them and fell into Estel's open arms.

"My dear Arwen," he whispered holding her for a moment.

In Elrond's study Legolas sat opposite Elrond, staring into the distance, Elrond sat gazing thoughtfully at the Prince, and in the end it was the older elf that broke the silence.

"Tell me what troubles you" the elf Lord had not failed to notice the bruises on Legolas face.

Legolas looked away "he hit me" he finally whispered

Elrond did not understand, "who, Legolas"

"My Father"

Elrond could only stare for a second "Your…your Father?" he stammered, completely shocked at Legolas' words

Legolas looked up, "once, but he doesn't love me"

Legolas, start from the beginning," Elrond urged

So Legolas told Elrond of Estel's arrival, of the diary, of his Father's words, of his capture and treatment at the hands of the men, not revealing to the elf lord that he had been raped, then he told him of his return to Mirkwood, and how his Father had hit him…at the end tears were streaming down his face. The elf lord rose and strode over to Legolas embracing the elf,

"He loves you Legolas, you need to speak to him" Elrond said, half begging

Legolas looked at the Elf lord "I…I can't go back…I can't let him hurt me again"

Elrond shook his head "He won't, Legolas. He loves you more than anything in the world. I know of what I speak, Legolas, it would kill him to lose you"

Legolas did not answer, but pulled away "I think I will go and find your sons now" he then said, smiling softly.

"Legolas, is something else bothering you?" Elrond asked

"No"

"Very Well, could you ask Estel to see me here?"

Legolas nodded and walked to the door as he reached it he turned to see Elrond's eyes still on him, concerned, anxious. He looked away and then left.

Legolas found the twins under a large tree, seated with Estel and Arwen, he bowed to the Lady, and sat down, relating Elrond's message. The mortal rose and walked towards the beautiful building he called home, joined by Arwen. Both knew what this would be about, and Arwen would insist she was there, by his side. They headed up towards Elrond's study where Estel sharply rapped at the door.

"Come in" called Elrond.

Then together the couple entered the room

Elrond looked up at them and sighed deeply "Arwen, my love. Will you leave us?"

She nodded "I will be outside, Estel" she said

When Arwen had closed the door behind her, Elrond embraced his son "Thank the valar" he muttered "Why did you run off like that Estel, we were worried!"

Estel shook his head "I was upset Adar, and angry. I am sorry"

Elrond sighed "I know, and I did not mean to sound harsh. But you must understand, I love Arwen and, if she is to marry you it will cause her heartbreak."

"What!" Estel snapped suddenly "I would never!"

"You would, Estel, you are mortal, someday you shall die, to love you would cause Arwen much grief, and I do not wish for her to follow the path of Luthien Tinuviel."

Estel understood and met his adoptive father's gaze "I am sorry Adar" he said "I love Arwen."

"But still, I cannot allow you to wed until you have obtained your rightful place, as King of Gondor" Elrond's face was grave

"I cannot be the king you ask me to be" Estel said "I cannot Adar" with that he left the room, outside Arwen embraced him and kissed his brow, having heard everything leading him away, to a place where they could rest together.

In the study, Elrond sank into his chair and sighed "You could, Estel; you could be the greatest King Gondor has ever had"

In the gardens below the twins were listening aghast at Legolas' tale, which remained the same as he had told Elrond. The Prince was drawing close to the end, telling of the when his Father had slapped him when he suddenly broke down in tears, the twins immediately scooted to his side, Elrohir pulling their friend into his arms and embracing him, sobs racked the Prince's body, though they were not because of his Father's actions, but because of the treatment he had endured, but the twins were not to know this, and Legolas did not wish to tell them, and so he pulled away and fled, into the trees surrounding Rivendell, leaving the twins sat there, staring after him

Thranduil stood on his balcony staring at nothing in particular, his robes were particularly dishevelled, the king seeing no reason to change them, uneaten food rested on the table, along side a glass of Dorwinion wine. The king walked to this, and drank the wine, swiping the food onto the floor. He saw no point in eating the food either. It would be no use, not when my heart is already breaking…

The Elf King walked to the bar where he kept a few small barrels of Dorwinion for his personal use, and poured himself another glass of the portent wine. He knew it would dull the pain in his heart, he knew it would make him not miss his son half as much as he already did. He drank the glass of wine in one fluid motion and then poured himself another one.

Outside the room, Ilyanna, Mirkwood's healer, and one of Thranduil's closest friend walked back to the infirmary, the King had ignored her knocks and she had realised he was fast giving in to desperation, and grief. She knew not what had occurred between the Father and his son, but knew that Legolas had not left Mirkwood in a good relationship with his Father. She sat at her desk and wrote a letter to Lord Elrond, one she would send with one of the messenger hawks…

In Rivendell, Legolas sat in a high elm tree, tears streaming down his pale face, too much had happened, and he had stayed here almost all night, but now he thought I was time to return, wiping away the rest of his tears and made his way back towards the Last Homely House. On reaching his room he flopped down onto the bed and sighed, curling into the fetal position, hugging his knees to his chest, he missed his Father, and if Thranduil were here the Prince would allow his pride to get the better of him and avoid his Father. He ignored the sound of the door opening and at first tried to ignore Lord Elrond's soft voice saying his name, but he found he could not, he sat up and turned to face the normally calm Elf Lord, who now looked extremely worried

"Legolas, I have news from Mirkwood, from Ilyanna in fact. It concerns your Father"

Legolas looked up "What about him?" he asked tersely

"He is dying"

Legolas shot to his feet "No" he moaned, he knew Ilyanna would not be lying, she didn't lie. And wouldn't especially about something like this. Legolas felt his knees go weak, but he did not collapse instead he stared at Elrond in disbelief, hearing the words he had last said to his Father I hate you! I hate you! "No" he moaned again "I have to go." hurrying to the stables, he was ready to ride back to Mirkwood; he knew he could never live with himself if his callous words killed his Father.

TBC…

Um…