For the Love of the Golden Prince: IV
The next morning, having spent the night in his own room, Estel woke with a longing for the Prince. He was quiet at breakfast and barely ate at all, instead glancing around the room when he hoped no-one was watching. Elladan was, but he said nothing. Legolas did not appear at the table and Estel began to worry. Once he had eaten he ran to the outer courtyard and the Prince's quarters. He felt no need to knock on the door so he pushed it open, unprepared for the sight that greeted him.
A maid from fathers' house locked in a tight embrace with Legolas, her lips ravaging his face as his hands hurriedly worked to undo the laces of her dress. Their sounds of passion were enough to make the tears spring to Estel's young eyes and he let the door slam shut behind him as he stood in the room and looked on in horror.
Legolas roughly pushed the maid to one side and stood, clothing uneven and unfastened, staring open-mouthed at Estel. The maid fixed her dress and fled, leaving the door yet again to slam. The noise made Estel blink with shock and as he did so, the first tears began to roll. He made no movement, yet Legolas came towards him, an unreadable look in his stormy eyes. He took sharp hold of Estel and wrenched him further into the room, the shock proving to be enough to stop the Man's tears.
"Do be quiet, Estel," the Prince snapped, his eyes cold and flashing like lightning.
Estel gasped. He did not know what to say. "Wh-what -"
Legolas quieted him swiftly, a long finger placed across his young mouth. "There is nothing to explain," he said sharply. "And so I shall not."
Estel gaped. Legolas seemed quite changed. The Man tugged his arm away and ran from the room, straight to Elladan's rooms where he pounded on the door, demanding entrance. When the door was pulled open Estel fell in without grace and lay, sobbing, on the floor. He felt his brother's hands on him and did not protest as he was lifted to the bed. He curled up, ruffling the pillows and sheets and crying somewhat uncontrollably. Elladan waited until the tears subsided.
"What is it, brother?" he asked softly.
Estel looked up with bleary eyes and flung his arms around his brother, tugging at Elladan's long hair and clinging tightly to his slender frame. Slowly, Elladan reciprocated, his strong arms clasping Estel tightly to his chest as if to absorb the young man's pain.
"Pen dithen," he whispered into the tangled hair of his young brother. "Pen dithen, my brother; I warned you. I told you that he would bring nothing but pain..."
Elladan knew the pain of his brother all too well. It was pain he had felt long after the Prince's last departure. He looked up towards the adjoining room where his identical twin stood. Elladan released Estel with one hand to beckon his brother over.
Elrohir knelt on the bed beside Estel and took the young man in his arms. Estel gasped, swallowing his sobs. He did not notice as Elladan left the room.
"He has hurt you, little brother," Elrohir soothed. "Tell me how. What did he do?"
Estel looked up into the wide, brown eyes of his Elven brother. Their depth showed only understanding and so Estel related the tale. When he had finished, Elladan had returned and he joined his brothers warmly.
"You shall forget, Estel, this will be nothing but memory soon. We shall help you and soon the Prince will be nothing but a memory." He turned his head towards the door where his sister stood sternly. He nodded gently and she turned and swept from the room. Her footsteps were heard all the way to the outer courtyard.
"I am sorry, Legolas, that your journey has been fruitless, but I simply cannot risk allies by speaking to Lord Celeborn of this. You must give your father my grievances and ask that he speaks to the Lord and Lady himself. No doubt they will be more forthcoming by direct correspondence."
Legolas bowed stiffly. "Hannon le, Lord Elrond. You have been most gracious. I thank you for your efforts and your hospitality."
"Must you leave today?" Elrond asked. "Surely you can remain with us for a few more days longer. As my guest."
Legolas ice blue eyes glanced quickly at the Elven Lords children, stony-faced and serious; none more so than Arwen, her arms folded and distinct hatred in her narrow eyes. The Prince had not forgotten her words. He turned back to Elrond. "No, my Lord, I thank you for your offer but I must decline it. I should return to my father so as to lessen his worry and begin talks with the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien." HE mounted his horse somewhat less gracefully than before. The Prince seemed much defeated and weary. "Goodbye, my lords, my lady...Namaarie."
He started the horse with a jolt of his foot and turned away from Imladris. As the sun was rising, the Hithaeglir were soft and washed with pale colour. The leaves rustled in a gentle breeze that carried scents of the kitchens. The Golden Prince's hair blew across his face, streaking the paleness of his skin with dull gold. His eyes, blue and hard, were fixed firmly on the horizon as he rode. Estel noted the gentle hands tugging at the horse's reins and a tear slipped from his eye. The strong hand of Elladan clenched down on his right shoulder, and Elrohir's presence came closer at his left side. The man did not take his eyes away from the scene as the Prince departed, watching until the last leaf had fallen still along the path that he rode. Arwen leant down and kissed him on the cheek before gliding away towards her quarters. The brothers followed with last, reassuring pats to Estel's shoulder. He was left alone, gazing at the path and the last forbidding glimpse of the Prince. Estel felt his heart rise as it had not since the day before, a weight had been lifted. He blinked back tears and held himself higher.
"Come, child, you shall join me in my study. I feel a day of rest and reflection is in order."
Estel took his father's hand and followed Lord Elrond into the library.