Anyway, this chapter isn't very long. The next few are kind of short.
Please enjoy!
-Romen
18. Not Your Son
Thranduil sat holding his son's hand. He could feel tears spring into his eyes as he looked at Legolas's limp body. His skin was so pale... It reminded Thranduil of the day that he had lost his wife. Legolas had returned half-dead, in a state that was almost as bad as he was now. Thranduil squeezed the young elf's hand tighter.
"My lord, do you want to rest?" Dolenion, Legolas's assigned healer, usually did his best to try and force the person to sleep, but he knew that Thranduil wouldn't leave Legolas's side anyhow. He just thought that he at least make an attempt to convince the king of Mirkwood to sleep. The first rays of sun were shining through the window, and Thranduil hadn't slept all night.
Just like Dolenion expected, the elven king shook his head. The healer sighed and left the room.
Thranduil looked back down at Legolas's face, surprised to see the young elf's eyes were slowly flickering open. He groaned slightly. Thranduil knelt down next to him, folding Legolas's hand into both of his. "Ion-nin?" he whispered as soon as Legolas was completely awake.
Legolas's eyes roamed around before they made contact with Thranduil's. His face contorted in confusion. "Ada...?"
Thranduil put his hand on Legolas's cheek. "Shh, shh, ion-nin. It's all right. You're safe now."
Legolas grabbed Thranduil's hand and, to the king's surprise, snuggled up to it like he was a small elfling, sighing in contentment. "Ada," he said after a while, "are we at home?"
Thranduil was once again surprised at Legolas's childish actions. It made him miss the company of a young one. "No, ion-nin; we are in Imladris."
"Oh." Legolas yawned. "I want to go back to Mirkwood."
Thranduil frowned. "We cannot do that now; you are wounded."
Legolas squeezed his father's hand a bit tighter. "I had a horrible dream. Estel died, and I killed Varda. I was going to die too." He paused. "I am glad that I am awake now."
Thranduil stroked his son's hair. "Yes, you are awake now. It is all over."
Legolas lifted his head, letting go of Thranduil's hand. "But Estel is dead, isn't he, Ada? And so is Varda."
Thranduil didn't answer for a while. He stared at Legolas. "Estel is not dead."
Tears welled up in Legolas's eyes. "Yes, he is dead. Please do not lie to me, Adar." Legolas looked down at his hands. "I remember that night..." He looked back up at Thranduil, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I wanted to die, but that adan-woman took me back here, didn't she? She just wouldn't leave me alone."
Thranduil was at a loss for words. "Legolas, why do you want to die? I do not understand. You are safe now."
"Because of what I've done." Legolas hung his head. "I have killed Varda, and I killed Elladan."
Thranduil held his breath. "What do you mean, you've killed Elladan?"
"I shot him." Legolas shut his eyes. "I deserved to die before I did more destruction."
Thranduil tried to embrace his son but Legolas pulled away. "Stay away from me! I will just end up hurting you too!"
"Legolas, please tell me what the matter is." Thranduil searched his son's face. "I don't understand what is wrong."
Legolas was rocking himself back and forth. "You told me not to, the whole time, even after I did it, you told me not to. But I did it anyway."
"Please, Legolas, ion-nin..."
"I am not your son!" Legolas shrieked his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "Just...Just stay away from me."
Thranduil remained silent as he watched Legolas crumple, sobbing and rocking himself back and forth. It was the hardest thing that he had ever done. He wrapped his arms around Legolas, trying to offer his son some comfort, but to no avail. Legolas allowed him the embrace but he did not accept the warmth that was being given. Thranduil felt a lump form in his throat, but he did not want to upset his son even more by weeping in front of him.
When Legolas had cried himself out, he remained in the same position. For quite some time his body was tense, but Thranduil slowly felt him relax. He glanced down at Legolas's face. He had fallen asleep. Sighing, he helped him lay back down before sitting back down in the chair and staring at the strange elf that was not his son.
TBC...
Freak Goddess of the Crypt: I hope I updated soon enough. I'm glad that you liked it, and I hope that you enjoy this chapter as well.
Deana: LOL Sorry that you didn't get to see the reaction yet. I hope that you liked this chapter!
Moonyasha: Ha ha. Yes, long stories can be enjoyable. I hope that this was soon enough!
IwishChan: Perhaps. We can only hope, right? I would like to see Legolas better. We all would! Anyway, I hope that you liked this. :)
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: LOL Thanks. I hope that you liked this too.
Hawk Willowwalker: I suppose that you are speaking from experience on the latter advice LOL. Don't worry, I won't kill off any more horses. It was really hard for me to do so for Varda; I had grown very fond of her. She was cool. I almost cried, actually. I'm glad that you like this! As for your last question, chapter 18! lolololol. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter.
Slayer3: heheheh. I hope that you liked this chapter.
Please keep up with the reviews; luvemluvemluvem!