Legolas had felt a gnawing conscience in the back of his mind, it had been growing seemingly with each passing moment since he had awoken from death nearly seven years earlier. It was an alien feeling to the Elf, so he couldn't put a name to the presence he felt. It felt like someone was watching him, staring unblinkingly at him. Legolas tried to ignore it, but he found it impossible. He always thought there was someone where there wasn't anyone. His mind continuously played tricks on him, soon sending him into near madness. He had become cold and isolated, only letting his father get near him. Legolas knew that all he felt was not real, but he couldn't help but continue to fall prey to his own mind's traps.
Everyone in Mirkwood knew that their Prince had gone insane, but none wanted to believe that the once happy and free-spirited Elfling that they had know was becoming no more than a wraith of his former self. No one could break his barriers and befriend the traumatized Elf. What bothered Legolas even more than being 'crazy' was the knowledge of the fact, he knew that there was no one there, yet he couldn't help but look. Also, being abused by some of the false healers didn't help.
Most of his time, Legolas spent pacing the halls or locked in his room for hours and hours. His hygiene level had dropped dramatically, as to the point where his hair was nearly in mats and his body very dirty. He became violent towards anyone who tried to help him. The only person other than Thranduil he would allow to come even remotely close to him was Glorfindel, who had endured the same experience. Though the twice born Elf of Rivendell (and Doriath) had encountered none of the problems that plagued the Prince, but could offer some small support. Though Legolas was fading.
The young Prince sat cross-legged on the ground beside his bed, rocking back and forth. He was delusional and knew it, yet he could not face the outside world. His own room had become his prison, kept him caged in. Legolas, though, was smart enough still to know that leaving his secure quarters would put himself as well as others in danger, and he wouldn't take that risk.
Legolas slammed his fist on the ground in frustration, he knew he was alone in his room during a peaceful time in Mirkwood, but his mind told him that Easterlings and Orcs were everywhere and would kill him, chop him up, and give his bits to Thranduil, so the Elf stayed as still as the Pukel Men.
Though soon Legolas' stubbornness overrode his mind's games and he stood up and stepped towards the door. Though just as he did, Melannen, one of the healers that had come from Rivendell, opened the door and came in carrying a tray with fruit and a pitcher of medicated herbal tea for the Prince.
Legolas saw the door open, and all his mind told him was that he had moved and now his enemies were coming to kill him. The Elf sprang backwards and flattened himself against the wall. Though when Melannen came in and saw the wild look in his eyes she screamed and dropped the tray she carried, causing Legolas to feel even more threatened.
Though when he saw the Elf maiden and the terrified look on her face, he realized then that he had been mistaken, immediately he felt immense regret for his actions. He walked over to where she knelt, picking up the broken glass and the scattered pieces of fruit.
"Forgive me." Legolas said as he knelt beside her to help clean up the mess.
Melannen looked up, slightly startled that the supposedly violent Elf had asked for her forgiveness. It took her a while to respond. "There is nothing to forgive, Lord." she finally said.
He looked, to her, like a hunted beast, fear and an underlying love mingled together in his eyes, which were dull and brown. He was dirty and looked as though he had not slept for many days, yet his heart was still pure and kind, that would lighten her load immensely.
Thranduil had summoned her here to be Legolas' psychiatrist, to put things lightly. Though she knew that if Legolas ever found out she was his shrink, things could go very badly.
The maiden smiled as she picked up an apple that had rolled back towards the door. She noted how graceful Legolas' movement were as he got up to get a towel to dry up the tea. At one time he had been a Prince of Mirkwood, but now there were no words to describe his horrid state of mind and being.
He came back with a small white cloth and began to blot up the drink. "What kind of sedatives did you put in this, oh Mighty Shrink of mine?"
His question surprised her so much that she was forced into momentary silence. Normally her patients, when this far advanced, lacked all comprehension and were, well, basically very dangerous dimwits. Though Melannen hated to admit it. Legolas had kept his memory and sanity to an amazing extent.
"Umm, there are no sedatives in the tea." she lied.
Legolas shook his head, his hair was black from dirt. "Why do you lie?"
His response shocked Melannen even more than his question before. "Because I want to see you well again."
The Prince snorted, "You don't give a damn."
Melannen grinded her teeth, this Elf was going to be a lot of work. Though in truth she did care for her patients, she always like the satisfaction of seeing one come out of their shell. "I do care, and I just know how much it bothers you to be wrong, so used to being perfect! Just shut up, I won't hear of it!" As soon as the words had left her mouth, Melannen knew she had made a mistake. Her patience had snapped and she had let emotions get the better of her. With any of her previous patients she'd probably have already pushed them over the edge and they would have killed her. Then again, she thought to herself, Legolas is not like the other patients, not at all.
When she looked up, she saw a very rejected look on the Elf's face, his eyes were downcast and he had seemed to get smaller and weaker. "I'm sorry, Legolas. I shouldn't have."
The Prince just looked up at her with large puppy-eyes. "No, it is my fault, I should have known better." Then he got slowly up and sat, with his back to her on his bed. Perhaps his submission came from all of the male healers he had before, those that preferred to use physical force with him.
Cautiously Melannen got up and sat beside him. Maybe now she could reach him. She reached out and gently put her hand on his shoulder, Melannen felt Legolas flinch at her touch, as if expecting a physical blow. Suddenly she understood, Thranduil had subconsciously hired healers that would 'ask to be alone with Legolas,' have Thranduil leave, sedate Legolas, and then beat him. She shook her head.
"I will not harm you, Prince. I am sorry for what the others have done to you." Slowly Legolas turned to face her.
"Not in your wildest dreams can you even get a glimpse of the horror."
Melannen dropped her hand from his shoulder. "I will not try. But trust me, Legolas. Let me help you."
A wild light flashed in his eyes, "Don't you understand? You cannot cure my ailment! It is not a disease!" he raised his fist as if to strike out at her, but
