Disclaimer: Nope, me no own. I do own Selaedir, though… who's dead, yet somehow keeps comin' back…
Warnings: Rated R for rape.
Sorry 'bout all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.
Didn't take that long for this chapter, did it? n.n Wrote a lot at the ocean so… yeah. You guys get this. n.n Hope ya like it.
Unforgivable Pain
Chapter Twenty-two: Fear of the Touch
Legolas forced himself to stay awake, for he didn't want to miss a second. What if Elrohir woke while he slept? He also didn't want to run the risk of having a nightmare and yelling during it, which would be likely to wake Elrohir up before he should be.
It had been hours since Elrond and his sons had returned to Legolas and Thranduil. Long hours, unbearably long for Legolas.
Suddenly he gave a startled gasp as a cup was put in front of him.
A quiet "sorry" was said, but the cup was not removed.
"I do not want it," the blonde elf said firmly. He thought that, even if they said otherwise, there would be sleeping herbs in it.
"There are no—" Elrond cut himself off when he saw the look in the archer's eyes. He knew that not only would Legolas adamantly refuse any drink not prepared by himself, but that he no longer trusted Elrond now. This was the most depressing blow yet.
The elf-lord retracted his hand slowly, noticing Thranduil's perplexed expression. He waved him off and handed the drink to Aragorn instead. He was going to give his son a painkilling drink next anyway.
Aragorn had also refused to sleep, feeling responsible for Legolas' behavior and wanting to keep an eye on the elf.
The human gladly accepted the drink, knowing it would not contain sleeping herbs, but painkilling ones. Although Elrond didn't like his sons forcing themselves to stay up in their conditions, he knew how much they needed to be by Legolas' side.
Legolas could feel himself drifting to sleep and quickly stood up to shake the feeling off, but it had been too quick for his weakened body to handle.
Aragorn had to act, for Elrond was treating Elrohir, Thranduil helping and Elladan's leg injury hindered his movements too much, making him slow. The ranger was also closer to the archer so could ignore the pain in his side that was caused by catching Legolas as he fell forward.
"Legolas?" the human asked fearfully. What if the younger elf reacted against his touch again? What had happened in the first place?
When no answer was given and Legolas' body tensed in his arms he tried again. "Are you alright, mellon-nin?"
Both Thranduil and Elrond turned to the ranger. Upon seeing his son fallen against Aragorn the elf king was about to help him. However, Elrond's hand in front of him stopped all movements towards his son. "Nay, I need your help. Estel can handle it."
Thranduil reluctantly looked away from his son and concentrated on assisting Elrond. He still listened for any words or sounds from his son, ones of distress or otherwise.
Aragorn could now feel trembles wracking Legolas' frame and his concern mounted. It didn't help that the elf still hadn't responded. Obviously Legolas wasn't alright... he seemed petrified. Yet he could not let go of him.
What should I do? the human thought starting to panic.
Elladan looked from his brother to his friend, able to see both their faces; Legolas' eyes were tightly closed, fists clenched at his sides, his trembling visibly seen. He debated on whether or not he should help, not sure if he actually could. Was Legolas having another flashback?
He decided that he'd stay back for the moment. If things got out of control then he'd try and help.
Legolas had to fight an inner battle to stop himself from letting his fears get the best of him, he knew they were misplaced.
However, his control soon began to slip when images of Selaedir pressing their bodies close together as Legolas was forced to do things against his will, snuck their way into the front of his mind.
Aragorn felt Legolas' heartbeat quicken as he started to mumble things that could not be understood.
"Legolas, mellon-nin, do not do this. All is well; nothing is going to hurt you," the human said soothingly, trying to sound calm, and loosening his grip. "Be at peace, mellon-nin." He felt that he had to keep reminding Legolas that they were friends, hoping it would help.
Legolas struggled harder, oblivious to the comforting words that were being said and the soothing motions of Aragorn's hands rubbing his back.
"Don't make me. Please… do not… please!" the scarred elf pleaded desperately with the invisible force, beginning to struggle.
The human continued to try and calm his friend down; still not letting go for fear of what would happen.
Aragorn gasped in pain and collapse onto his knees, clutching his side.
Seeing what had happened Elladan stood up as fast as his body would allow and made his way over to his brother who was still gasping in pain. "Estel—"
"I'm… fine. Help Legolas," the human said through clenched teeth.
When the elder twin turned to the archer, however, he saw that he was already receiving help.
Elrond and Thranduil had quickly dropped what they were doing and went to help Aragorn with Legolas. When they saw the human fall to the floor they could no longer stay out of it.
"No, you cannot…" the archer continued to say as he still struggled, not calming to either Elrond's or his father's words.
"No!" Legolas screamed loudly in anguish, causing both elder elves to instantly pull back in horror. They had seen the younger elf act many different ways since the traumatic experience but they still couldn't believe their eyes, especially since this was just been caused by him only closing his eyes; not even asleep.
Elrohir's eyes snapped open after hearing the scream and, without thinking, he shot up. It hadn't helped that he had been having a nightmare before that. He let out a pain-filled gasp as he fell back, holding his head which was now throbbing more than ever.
Elladan heard his twin and he whipped his head around to see Elrohir awake and in pain.
The elder twin looked over at his father, finding him too busy with Legolas to help, and Thranduil was as well.
Legolas was still screaming and struggling but not as much as before, still too much for Elrond to handle on his own with only one good arm, though.
He looked back down at Aragorn who was still in obvious pain. Too many things were going on at once! What could he do? He couldn't just leave his brother.
"Go," the ranger panted, having seen Elladan's unsure gaze after looking at his twin.
"Legolas!" Elrohir shouted weakly once he realized who was screaming. He tried to force himself up and felt hands helping him.
"El-Elladan," he gasped out against the pounding in his head, "wha-what happened to Legolas?"
"He… he…" the elder twin fell short, unsure of how to explain.
"And Estel?" the younger one asked, when he saw his brother kneeling on the ground, hand clutching his side, before Elladan could even try to answer the first question.
"Legolas."
"Legolas?" Elrohir queried in shock and confusion.
"Elrohir!"
Before either could move or make a sound Legolas stumbled next to them, falling to the floor.
"By the Valar Legolas!" Elrohir exclaimed shocked by the archer's behavior and condition.
Elrond and Thranduil stood behind the younger elf, watching him intently; breathing heavily from trying to calm him down. They were relieved that he wasn't fighting against them anymore and that he had calmed down enough to be aware of his surroundings, however, his behavior wasstill alarming.
"I… I thought you were… dead," the archer forced out. Tears had started to trail down his face before, but now ran faster.
"Mellon-nin…" the younger twin started quietly, but he had no idea what to say.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Legolas suddenly shouted, the tears dropping onto the tanned covers of the healing wing's bed, leaving damp spots.
All of a sudden Legolas fell forward as his consciousness fled.
Thranduil reached for his son, pulling him back into his arms gently, even though he was still shaken by what had just happened. "I'm brining him to his room," the elf king informed softly. Legolas needed his rest and he hoped his son would get that and not a nightmare.
The others nodded in understanding.
"I shall be there shortly, mellon-nin," Elrond called to Thranduil. He wanted to check on Legolas' injuries while he could. The last time he had been able to was before he left to find his sons. He didn't know if Thranduil had treated him or not, but he doubted that he had. What had just taken place would have been likely to reopen some – if not all – of his injuries.
Elrond looked back over to Elrohir and saw that his eyes were closed tightly. "Elladan, prepare the herbs for Elrohir," he ordered, knowing his eldest son would be glad to help.
Sure enough Elladan carefully lowered his twin and went to do as his father had told him, limping to the counters.
The elf-lord then knelt down next to Aragorn, who was now leaning against the bed Elrohir was on, his arm across his stomach, holding his side. "Let me see, ion-nin," he said caringly.
Elrond sighed heavily when the human pulled his hand away with blood on it. The wound had reopened again.
"It's never going to heal at this rate," Aragorn stated, laughing dryly, though he immediately stopped, for it only caused more pain.
Elrond smiled faintly, feeling sorry for his son.
He stood and gently lifted Aragorn up, bringing him over to one of the beds. Then he got the supplies he would need in order to help his youngest son.
Once done he turned back to Elladan and Elrohir. He was relieved to see that the younger of the two had been able to remain conscious even after all the excitement. He no longer seemed to be in any pain either, thanks to the painkiller.
The elf-lord told Elladan to lie down on one of the other beds.
The elder twin was surprised to find that he was too weary to argue against his father and obeyed, though he wished to stay by his twin.
Elrond treated Elladan's injuries as well, and was none too pleased to find that his leg wound had also reopened.
We shall have to keep a closer eye on Legolas... the healer thought in dismay. He hadn't expected the archer to be so deep in his despair when he returned. He had hoped that Thranduil would have been able to help. It was not Thranduil who he blamed for this, though, for it was in no way his fault.
When he finished up Elladan he went back to Elrohir and, having already grabbed supplies, he treated him again just in case. This time he was glad to find that his wounds hadn't reopened and that Elrohir was more aware than he had been since the blow to the head.
"Ada, what happened to Legolas? Why was he acting like that?" the younger twin asked in concern, for the second time.
Elrond stopped wrapping the bandage around Elrohir's head for a moment. "Well… it's complicated," he started, unsure of how to explain it just like Elladan had been, resuming his treatment. "He had another flashback, I believe," he finally answered slowly.
A moment of silence passed as Elrohir thought. "Why did he hit Estel?" he asked, looking over at the human, who he found had lowered his gaze in sadness.
"He thought Estel was the enemy from his flashback," the elder elf explained simply. Tying off the bandage he looked into Elrohir's eyes for any sign of discomfort or otherwise. "Now, get some rest, ion-nin. I must see to Legolas."
The younger twin slowly nodded. He wanted to see Legolas, but knew he would not be allowed to do so for some time still, let alone be able to get out of bed.
"Hannon le," the elf-lord said, grateful that his son hadn't argued against him. Too many things had just happened for him to deal with that as well. He couldn't believe all this had been caused by Legolas… He was certainly stronger than any of them had thought, though it was probably only in his desperation.
He picked up supplies to treat Legolas and headed for the door. Before he left, however, he found Aragorn trying to get out of bed. He opened his mouth to stop him, but the human spoke before he could.
"Please Ada, let me go too. This is my fault; I need to see him," the ranger pleaded. He felt that he could have prevented all that had just happened if he had only let go of the traumatized elf instead of holding onto him for so long. He knew Legolas couldn't stand his touch…
Elrond closed his mouth. How could this be Aragorn's fault? He really wanted his youngest to rest and recover but, upon hearing the desperate plea, he couldn't force him to.
"Very well," he relented, going to the human and helping him as best as he could with the supplies he carried still in his hands.
"Elladan you stay here and watch over Elrohir… Or the other way around," he corrected, seeing that the elder twin had fallen asleep already.
This had actually caused some laughter from the three. The first of which that had been heard for… far too long, even if it hadn't lasted long.
So… how do ya like…? …Or not like…? Yeah, sorry if some parts are messed up… I… yeah. Just sorry. n.n;; I like parts, but then some I don't so… yeah. I'm done.
Man, the ocean was so boring… like I knew it would be. I did get a lot of writing done, though. But it was only for this fic and I started a new one. It's a Gundam Wing fic… yup, yup. Haven't written one of those in a while. It'll be weird since all I've been writing recently have been LotR. .:shrugs:. But anywayz…
Review Responses (dude, does anyone know for sure whether or not these aren't allowed? If they aren't FF . net really need to tell peoples…)
Inuyashaloverfan – Well, ya just reviewed yesterday… Does that count as fast…? n.n
Gemini969 – Every time! I always type 696… my eyes always see it as that; I have to concentrate to make sure I get it right. XD .:ahem:. Lol… yeah, took long enough for that, huh? n.n
yami pandora – Thank you, and here's your update. n.n
Elvin BlueEyes – Seriously? Three hours? O.O Thank you. n.n I hope that everything will, too… n.n;;
jen – lol. Well, I'm glad to hear that. n.n Yup, seems like he's fallen even farther too… ;-; Our poor little elf. Lol… well, it definitely didn't exceed my expectations but… .:shrugs:. Thank you anyway. n.n
yllom21 – Thank you! n.n Glad you're enjoying this so much. n.n
KerowynGreenleaf – Lol… yes, yes, you did. You just laughed at a sad story. Lol. I feel bad for them too! Lol… well, they got treated again so it's all good… right? n.n;;
Haldir's Heart and Soul – Yeah, I've heard that too, but they haven't said anything about it on the main page so they better not be deleting fics or whatever without at least a warning. I'll be pissed if they do. Thanks for the concern. n.n …if that's what that was…?
inulover28 – Lol… And yet ya read my YYH fic still… Lol… yup, the damn shift key. But it's all good now. n.n Too bad we can't continue our RP since everyone is always around… sheesh… Get to workin' on your fics, man! n.n
Saerwen – Lol… I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Thank you. n.n I'm glad you're letting me decide. XD Some people are really adamant about him surviving… .:shrugs:. I don't quite know what that last part was supposed to mean so… yeah, I'll just leave it at that.
empath89 – wow, thank you! n.n Yup, Japan's freakin' awesome. Wish I could go back…
HarryEstel – Lol… yup, I don't think any of them are in one piece… Heh… oops. Yeah, hope he does get better too… so far it's only getting worse. XD
lunelwe – lol… yeah, the poor elf! There was only… one death… .:scratches head:. Did I miss one…? .:sniff sniff:. That was sad, man. And messed up. ;-;
Thank you so much! n.n Got thirteen reviews… the best number, man! n.n;; But seriously, thanks! It's really appreciated. n.n I'll work on the next chapter as soon as I can. Still have to write up the next one for Heart's Truth, though… Sorry. n.n
Dude, FF . net really needs to tell people if review responses are allowed or not… on the main page. If they delete this fic or whatever they're doing to anyone… they better not do it without a warning first. That'd be messed up; I'd be extra pissed to. But yeah.. please tell me if you know for sure… It'd be greatly appreciated. n.n
Let me know what ya think of this chapter too, will ya? n.n
Ja ne
