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Legolas glided swiftly through the deserted corridor, cradling the broken boy to his chest. So many thoughts ran through his head.
First was rage. How could Lenwe, an obviously respected teacher at Imladris, abuse anyone to such an extent? Elves were hardly ever known for hurting someone intentionally.
Second was comprehension. This had to be the reason why Estel was so timid and nervous around others.
Why hadn't Elrond noticed? Even if he was busy, wouldn't the twins have noticed?
Legolas forgot his own thoughts when he heard Estel's pitiful whimper. Legolas knocked on a nearby door, and when he received no answer, he opened it.
The room was small and sunny, and looked like guest room. A large feather bed sat at the center next to a nightstand. A bathroom was connected to the bedroom.
Legolas gently laid Estel onto the bed, and at once began filling up a large basin with warm water from the bathroom sink. He searched in the cabinets for a clean cloth, and grabbed a few basic herbs that were in the small medicine cabinet.
The elf returned to the hurt boy, and pressed a slender hand to his forehead. Legolas frowned; Estel had a fever, and it was growing higher.
At the slight contact, Estel's gray blue eyes fluttered open. He stifled a moan and struggled to get away from Legolas.
"Shhh...nay, Estel, relax. I will not hurt you," Legolas whispered in what he hoped was a soothing voice.
The young man closed his eyes and tried to slow his rapid breathing.
Legolas now could really get a good look at Estel's injuries. His shoulder was black with bruising, and Estel's leg was scratched badly. Another dark bruise colored his eye and cheek. Lighter bruises in the shape of fingerprints covered Estel's neck, and a raised red mark also decorated the sensitive skin.
"How long has he been doing this to you?" Legolas questioned, sympathy and sadness thick in his normally melodic voice.
"Years," Estel began softly, and kept his eyes on the ground, "Ever since I can remember. It has gotten worse lately."
Legolas bravely made an attempt to clasp Estel's hand in comfort, and succeeded.
"Hasn't....hasn't any of your family noticed?" Legolas asked, as this fact bothered him greatly. Elrond and his children were caring people, and the bruises wouldn't go unnoticed.
Estel looked Legolas in the eye. "Ada is running a kingdom; the twins are always on patrol. Yes, they notice and ask, but I make up excuses. I cannot tell them, or Lenwe will find ways to hurt them and me even more. Even if I told them; would they care? I am only a mortal man who has no importance in this world."
Legolas shook his head firmly. "You know that is not true, Estel. You are a kind soul that deserves to be loved. Lenwe has no right to treat you like this."
Estel shook his head in protest. "You must have heard him; I am worthless. I am good for nothing. I cannot change the world for the better. He has always been right; even if he was wrong, I would be afraid to disagree with him," the boy murmured, his voice ashamed and quiet.
"You are truly terrified of him." Legolas realized. Estel nodded.
"Of course. Anyone who has been abused for nearly 15 years would be frightened of him. Lenwe is a cold soul who has found no joy in life. Yet, he is highly respected, but no one knows him like I do...."
Legolas nodded, feeling terrible for Estel. But, if Lenwe had abused Estel, he could've abused other elves.
"Who taught Elladan and Elrohir?" he asked.
"Glorfindel," Estel began, "He taught them for years and would've taught me, if Lenwe hadn't requested to teach me."
"Requested?" Legolas wondered, and his brow furrowed.
"Said I had a thirst for learning and he wanted to explore my abilities," Estel mumbled and again looked at the ground.
Legolas nodded sadly. "You are hurt, Estel. Please let me care for your injuries."
Estel looked at him warily.
"I won't do anything you do not want me to do," Legolas assured him quickly, and was relieved when Estel nodded. The boy lay down cautiously, watching Legolas with wide eyes.
"Can you take off your shirt?" Legolas asked, clearly concerned if Estel could even move his one arm because of his shoulder.
Estel gave a valiant try, but sighed and shook his head in defeat.
Legolas stood and walked over to Estel's other side, and gently removed his tunic. His fingers accidentally brushed the blackened skin, but it was still soft as a petal.
The elf carefully removed Estel's tunic, and his chest was finally bare. Bruises and scratches covered the well muscled flesh, and Legolas clucked softly.
Estel was extremely tense. He obviously didn't want to be even half naked. When Legolas began to apply a paste of healing herbs to the bruises on his shoulder, he flinched involuntarily. The elf sensed his discomfort and whispered soothing words of elvish to him.
After bandaging the severe bruises to keep the paste on them, Legolas helped Estel with his tunic. The young man had been shivering and Legolas regretted not covering him with a blanket.
Legolas them moved to treat Estel's leg, and asked the man to remove his tattered leggings. Estel tried to protest, but no sound came out of his mouth.
"Please, Estel. I only want to check the cuts on your legs and treat them," the elf soothed, and felt even more concerned. Estel's breathing became faster and he seemed like he wanted to run out of the room. But, with shaking hands, Estel removed his shredded leggings.
Legolas gasped with horror as he saw the long, strong limbs. Deep blue bruises shaped like hands and fingers covered Estel's curved hips, and pink scratches also covered the bruises.
Legolas could not stop himself from gaping. "What...what did he do to you?" he asked in a hushed voice, and dreaded the answer. The bruises were tell-tale signs.
Estel again did not meet his eyes, and quickly pulled his leggings up, ignoring the pain that went through his battered hips.
"I...it was just another beating, but he targeted my hips...." he began, but Legolas could see he was lying through his teeth.
"He touched you by force, didn't he? He touched you intimately without your consent. He...he raped you."
A thick and uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"It...it has not been the first time," came Estel's small voice, and tears and misery were evident in it.
Legolas stood in disbelief and anger. Lenwe beating Estel was bad enough, but...raping him? How could an elf rape another? Sexual abuse was thought to be one of the worst crimes committable in the Elven world. And Estel had gone through it for years, without anyone's help.
"When?" Legolas whispered, his voice still hushed.
"Last night, after I saw you in the stables."
The two looked at eachother in silence.
"Please do not tell anyone. Lenwe has always threatened me that if I tell anyone, he will hurt me and anyone who is close to me. I cannot bring that upon my family. they are the only one I have ever had," Estel pleaded.
Legolas looked like he was having an internal battle with himself.
"Estel...I cannot let him hurt you anymore. I want to respect your wishes, however. Maybe there is a way I can keep you from him...."
The elf thought about ways to get Estel out of the abusive Lenwe's hands. Maybe if Estel did not have to be tutored....
"Perhaps I can talk to Lord Elrond about teaching you archery and fighting skills. Glorfindel is a marvelous sword fighter, but he lacks in archery. I could get you out of normal lessons with Lenwe so I could tutor you myself." Legolas desperately wanted to keep Estel safe, and archery seemed like a perfectly good excuse.
Estel's dull eyes now brightened. "That could work. Maybe you should talk to Ada tomorrow. We have missed dinner." But then a dismayed look passed over Estel's face.
"Oh no..." he began.
"Yes?" Legolas asked, curious.
"How are we going to explain that we weren't at dinner? If anyone finds out that I was hurt, someone could think you guilty. Also, what if Lenwe finds out about you tutoring me? He might hurt you..." Estel said, fear evident in his voice.
That was a problem, Legolas decided. Their disappearance at dinner was suspicious, and questions would have to be answered.
Legolas, however, was not afraid of Lenwe. Who knew? Maybe he should be afraid of him. But, his own safety was not important to him right now. All that mattered was Estel.
"We will worry about that when it comes, Estel. All that matters to me is your safety right now."
Estel shook his head. "I just do not want you to be hurt, Legolas. You really helped me."
Legolas smiled tenderly. He gently leant down and placed a gentle kiss on Estel's forehead, and let his lips linger for a few moments. A wild and unwanted thought ran through his head; he wanted to kiss the boy on his lips. Legolas mentally slapped himself, and tried to look normal.
Estel looked at him in the eye, and then smiled back. "Thank you," he whispered.
"I...I am going to get you some clothes from your chamber. It is next to the twins' room, isn't it?" Anything to get out of the room quickly, Legolas thought. A blush was creeping over his cheeks, and he knew that Estel would notice.
"Aye," Estel noted Legolas' slightly nervous attitude, but simply dismissed it.
Legolas nodded, and then left the room, very confused thoughts running through his head.
Hope you like. Please, please review!!
Legolas glided swiftly through the deserted corridor, cradling the broken boy to his chest. So many thoughts ran through his head.
First was rage. How could Lenwe, an obviously respected teacher at Imladris, abuse anyone to such an extent? Elves were hardly ever known for hurting someone intentionally.
Second was comprehension. This had to be the reason why Estel was so timid and nervous around others.
Why hadn't Elrond noticed? Even if he was busy, wouldn't the twins have noticed?
Legolas forgot his own thoughts when he heard Estel's pitiful whimper. Legolas knocked on a nearby door, and when he received no answer, he opened it.
The room was small and sunny, and looked like guest room. A large feather bed sat at the center next to a nightstand. A bathroom was connected to the bedroom.
Legolas gently laid Estel onto the bed, and at once began filling up a large basin with warm water from the bathroom sink. He searched in the cabinets for a clean cloth, and grabbed a few basic herbs that were in the small medicine cabinet.
The elf returned to the hurt boy, and pressed a slender hand to his forehead. Legolas frowned; Estel had a fever, and it was growing higher.
At the slight contact, Estel's gray blue eyes fluttered open. He stifled a moan and struggled to get away from Legolas.
"Shhh...nay, Estel, relax. I will not hurt you," Legolas whispered in what he hoped was a soothing voice.
The young man closed his eyes and tried to slow his rapid breathing.
Legolas now could really get a good look at Estel's injuries. His shoulder was black with bruising, and Estel's leg was scratched badly. Another dark bruise colored his eye and cheek. Lighter bruises in the shape of fingerprints covered Estel's neck, and a raised red mark also decorated the sensitive skin.
"How long has he been doing this to you?" Legolas questioned, sympathy and sadness thick in his normally melodic voice.
"Years," Estel began softly, and kept his eyes on the ground, "Ever since I can remember. It has gotten worse lately."
Legolas bravely made an attempt to clasp Estel's hand in comfort, and succeeded.
"Hasn't....hasn't any of your family noticed?" Legolas asked, as this fact bothered him greatly. Elrond and his children were caring people, and the bruises wouldn't go unnoticed.
Estel looked Legolas in the eye. "Ada is running a kingdom; the twins are always on patrol. Yes, they notice and ask, but I make up excuses. I cannot tell them, or Lenwe will find ways to hurt them and me even more. Even if I told them; would they care? I am only a mortal man who has no importance in this world."
Legolas shook his head firmly. "You know that is not true, Estel. You are a kind soul that deserves to be loved. Lenwe has no right to treat you like this."
Estel shook his head in protest. "You must have heard him; I am worthless. I am good for nothing. I cannot change the world for the better. He has always been right; even if he was wrong, I would be afraid to disagree with him," the boy murmured, his voice ashamed and quiet.
"You are truly terrified of him." Legolas realized. Estel nodded.
"Of course. Anyone who has been abused for nearly 15 years would be frightened of him. Lenwe is a cold soul who has found no joy in life. Yet, he is highly respected, but no one knows him like I do...."
Legolas nodded, feeling terrible for Estel. But, if Lenwe had abused Estel, he could've abused other elves.
"Who taught Elladan and Elrohir?" he asked.
"Glorfindel," Estel began, "He taught them for years and would've taught me, if Lenwe hadn't requested to teach me."
"Requested?" Legolas wondered, and his brow furrowed.
"Said I had a thirst for learning and he wanted to explore my abilities," Estel mumbled and again looked at the ground.
Legolas nodded sadly. "You are hurt, Estel. Please let me care for your injuries."
Estel looked at him warily.
"I won't do anything you do not want me to do," Legolas assured him quickly, and was relieved when Estel nodded. The boy lay down cautiously, watching Legolas with wide eyes.
"Can you take off your shirt?" Legolas asked, clearly concerned if Estel could even move his one arm because of his shoulder.
Estel gave a valiant try, but sighed and shook his head in defeat.
Legolas stood and walked over to Estel's other side, and gently removed his tunic. His fingers accidentally brushed the blackened skin, but it was still soft as a petal.
The elf carefully removed Estel's tunic, and his chest was finally bare. Bruises and scratches covered the well muscled flesh, and Legolas clucked softly.
Estel was extremely tense. He obviously didn't want to be even half naked. When Legolas began to apply a paste of healing herbs to the bruises on his shoulder, he flinched involuntarily. The elf sensed his discomfort and whispered soothing words of elvish to him.
After bandaging the severe bruises to keep the paste on them, Legolas helped Estel with his tunic. The young man had been shivering and Legolas regretted not covering him with a blanket.
Legolas them moved to treat Estel's leg, and asked the man to remove his tattered leggings. Estel tried to protest, but no sound came out of his mouth.
"Please, Estel. I only want to check the cuts on your legs and treat them," the elf soothed, and felt even more concerned. Estel's breathing became faster and he seemed like he wanted to run out of the room. But, with shaking hands, Estel removed his shredded leggings.
Legolas gasped with horror as he saw the long, strong limbs. Deep blue bruises shaped like hands and fingers covered Estel's curved hips, and pink scratches also covered the bruises.
Legolas could not stop himself from gaping. "What...what did he do to you?" he asked in a hushed voice, and dreaded the answer. The bruises were tell-tale signs.
Estel again did not meet his eyes, and quickly pulled his leggings up, ignoring the pain that went through his battered hips.
"I...it was just another beating, but he targeted my hips...." he began, but Legolas could see he was lying through his teeth.
"He touched you by force, didn't he? He touched you intimately without your consent. He...he raped you."
A thick and uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"It...it has not been the first time," came Estel's small voice, and tears and misery were evident in it.
Legolas stood in disbelief and anger. Lenwe beating Estel was bad enough, but...raping him? How could an elf rape another? Sexual abuse was thought to be one of the worst crimes committable in the Elven world. And Estel had gone through it for years, without anyone's help.
"When?" Legolas whispered, his voice still hushed.
"Last night, after I saw you in the stables."
The two looked at eachother in silence.
"Please do not tell anyone. Lenwe has always threatened me that if I tell anyone, he will hurt me and anyone who is close to me. I cannot bring that upon my family. they are the only one I have ever had," Estel pleaded.
Legolas looked like he was having an internal battle with himself.
"Estel...I cannot let him hurt you anymore. I want to respect your wishes, however. Maybe there is a way I can keep you from him...."
The elf thought about ways to get Estel out of the abusive Lenwe's hands. Maybe if Estel did not have to be tutored....
"Perhaps I can talk to Lord Elrond about teaching you archery and fighting skills. Glorfindel is a marvelous sword fighter, but he lacks in archery. I could get you out of normal lessons with Lenwe so I could tutor you myself." Legolas desperately wanted to keep Estel safe, and archery seemed like a perfectly good excuse.
Estel's dull eyes now brightened. "That could work. Maybe you should talk to Ada tomorrow. We have missed dinner." But then a dismayed look passed over Estel's face.
"Oh no..." he began.
"Yes?" Legolas asked, curious.
"How are we going to explain that we weren't at dinner? If anyone finds out that I was hurt, someone could think you guilty. Also, what if Lenwe finds out about you tutoring me? He might hurt you..." Estel said, fear evident in his voice.
That was a problem, Legolas decided. Their disappearance at dinner was suspicious, and questions would have to be answered.
Legolas, however, was not afraid of Lenwe. Who knew? Maybe he should be afraid of him. But, his own safety was not important to him right now. All that mattered was Estel.
"We will worry about that when it comes, Estel. All that matters to me is your safety right now."
Estel shook his head. "I just do not want you to be hurt, Legolas. You really helped me."
Legolas smiled tenderly. He gently leant down and placed a gentle kiss on Estel's forehead, and let his lips linger for a few moments. A wild and unwanted thought ran through his head; he wanted to kiss the boy on his lips. Legolas mentally slapped himself, and tried to look normal.
Estel looked at him in the eye, and then smiled back. "Thank you," he whispered.
"I...I am going to get you some clothes from your chamber. It is next to the twins' room, isn't it?" Anything to get out of the room quickly, Legolas thought. A blush was creeping over his cheeks, and he knew that Estel would notice.
"Aye," Estel noted Legolas' slightly nervous attitude, but simply dismissed it.
Legolas nodded, and then left the room, very confused thoughts running through his head.
Hope you like. Please, please review!!
