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Somehow, Fanfiction's server was full the last time I was on and so I couldn't post this chapter. Forgetting this, I wrote the next chapter and so now you have two to read. Reviews for this chapter and the other one are at the bottom of the other chapter! Hope everyone understands!
Chapter 13That evening, Mirkwood's prince felt it necessary to attend the evening meal. He told Estel of his intentions and asked him precisely not to tell Elrond about it. The Ranger agreed, though had his doubts about the whole thing.
The last thing Estel wanted was to have his friend back in bed after suffering a relapse. But, being the faithful friend, he agreed to help.
Legolas struggled to get into more decent clothes and although his best friend tried to offer help, the prince was having none of it. He had decided that it was well passed the time when he should be doing things for himself.
"I'm sorry Estel, but I need to do this by myself." Legolas batted the Ranger's hands away. "You'd think that me being a prince and nearly three thousand years old, I'd be able to dress myself."
There were a few times when he had to stop his movements as a sharp pain reminded him that he was injured and needed to take more care. Through these breaks, Estel could only watch as the archer's face screwed up with the obvious pain.
Finally, they were ready and slowly made their way to the Dining Hall. Elrond, Elrohir, Elladan and Danuinel were already seated and hardly noticed the two entering the room.
"Legolas!" Elrohir blurted out when he realised that they were there. His outburst made the others turn in disbelief. Elrond's face showed his discomfort at the situation but did not say anything. The prince was old enough now to decide when he should be moving around. He would definitely have to have words with Legolas later though.
"It's nice that you can join us tonight." Elrond stated, motioning to a chair on the right, beside Elladan. Estel followed Legolas round the table and helped him sit before taking his place opposite him. The prince was looking slightly tired from his walk to the Dining Hall but nobody said anything.
During the meal, a servant approached the table. He looked nervous and apologised greatly before giving Elrond a piece of folded parchment and speaking to him privately. There was a hushed silence in the hall as the others pretended not to be trying to overhear.
"Legolas, the letter I tried to send to your father did not send. The bird would not take it. None of the birds would take it. I shall try again tomorrow, they might just be needing a break." Elrond said, turning towards the blonde prince.
"You need not contact him. He will not wish to know since I have been banished from the Kingdom. In his eyes, he does not have a son." Legolas replied, looking away. There were tears in his eyes but he held them back.
"Banished! Since when? What for?" Danuinel cried. He had not heard of this news since turning up in Rivendell.
"I was banished from the Kingdom a few weeks back. That's why I'm here. I was instructed not to return until I could 'prove myself'." Legolas informed his friend. Danuinel's expression was one of pure shock. He knew that Legolas and his father did not get along, but he never imagined that things would get this bad.
Elrond noticed a sudden twitch in the young prince and immediately changed the subject while watching Legolas carefully.
"So, what does everyone have planned for tomorrow?" He asked, brightening the mood. No one else seemed to notice the shudder in Legolas and for that, Elrond was extremely thankful.
"We thought that we would give Dan' a tour of Rivendell to see if anything had changed since last time he was here." Elladan piped up. The Elven Lord nodded his approval all the time watching the prince out of the corner of his eye.
Legolas was concentrating hard on calming his emotions. It was getting increasingly difficult and the anger at his father had not helped. No matter what he tried, he could not rid his mind of his father's face and voice telling him that he was not worthy of the throne.
"Legolas, could I please have a word with you, outside?" Elrond asked, though it was more of an instruction than a question. Reluctantly, the prince rose from his seat, fearful that he would collapse in front of everyone. Elrond put his arm around the prince and led him from the Dining Hall. Outside in the corridor, the Elven Lord made Legolas sit on the floor.
Another convulsion ripped through the Elf's body. Elrond grasped the prince's arms and forced the young one's eyes onto his.
"Legolas, look at me! Breathe slowly and deeply. Think of being outside. The trees are blowing in the wind and the birds and squirrels play in the sunshine. Think of the breeze on your skin. Slowly and deeply." Elrond's smooth voice didn't seem to be working against the ever-growing seizure.
The spasms were coming faster now, and control seemed to be slipping away from Mirkwood's prince. The pain of the jerking against his wounds was increasing and Legolas felt he might pass out. He focused on being outside in the fresh air. He remembered being out on the balcony just hours before and was determined that this was not going to get the better of him, because if it did, it could mean another week of bed rest.
"Can't … do it…" Legolas choked out through spasms that tormented his already weakened body. There was a sign of defeat in the archer's eyes that Elrond was not going to take.
"Yes! You can do it." Elrond argued. He was not going to let Legolas give in. "Just breathe and try to calm yourself down."
After what seemed like years to the young prince, he began to get control of his body's movements once more. The convulsions were easing but the pain remained.
"It's going." Legolas said quietly, to no one in particular. "Please don't tell Estel."
"No one will know about this. Will you manage to remain in the hall for the rest of the meal?" Elrond asked, thinking that this might be too much for the Elf.
"Yes. This is not going to beat me."
TBC