Okay, here's a new chapter. I wanted to update earlier but, once again, I wasn't using my own computer.
I am now excepting anonymous reviews. Please keep reviewing; I love reviews!
And, as always, enjoy.
Romen
20.
Arwen glanced back at the woman that she was leaving the room alone. She felt a bit sorry about her rude behavior earlier. It had appeared as if she did not want to accompany Klia to the guestroom because she was a Wild Woman, but in truth, it had been because she had wanted to go with her brothers. She hated being sent away just because she was 'the woman'. It had happened before. Still, it had been no reason for her to act pout. She turned back around and smiled softly.
"If you ever need anyone to talk to, I am here," she began. "I also must thank you for treating my brother's wounds while he was away, and for bringing our friend back. We are forever in your debt."
"Oh, really, it was nothing," Klia replied, tugging on the end of her sleeve. 'I only almost got killed!' She looked around. "Your friend...is there something wrong with him?"
Arwen paused, wondering if she should tell her. Would there really be any point? Even Estel, who had lived among the elves for almost his whole life, had not understood the madness within. Klia probably wouldn't either, especially if this was her first contact with Elves. Arwen hesitated.
"Yes," she decided. "He will be fine though, it will just take a large amount of healing." 'I hope.'
Klia nodded. "Yes...He did not seem like the rest of you." She paused, as if reluctant to tell Arwen something. "I didn't just find him; he took me prisoner."
Arwen drew her eyebrows down in concern. "He took you prisoner?"
"He threatened to kill me, if I escaped." Klia stopped abruptly. "I believe that I should rest now."
Arwen nodded concernedly, shutting the door behind her and feeling disturbed.
"Estel?"
Estel felt Elrohir release his grip on his arms as the man removed his hand from the youngest twin's mouth. "How are you feeling, mellon-nin?" he asked, crouching next to Legolas's bed and followed by Elrohir, who was biting his lip.
Legolas's eyes filled with tears. "Are you in pain?" Elrohir asked quickly, hurriedly beginning to rummage through a package of herbs.
"This is a dream," Legolas whispered. "This is only a dream. You are really dead."
Estel grabbed his friend's shoulder. "I am really here, do you see? You're not having a dream!"
Legolas sat for a moment in silence, his eyes growing ever wider as he took everything in. He suddenly shot up and made a poor attempt to get out of bed. He grabbed his arm and grimaced as Estel gently pushed him back down.
"Calm down! It's all right; I'll be here." He observed Legolas's arm. "Besides, you don't want to tear the stitches."
"I'm fine," Legolas said through clenched teeth, shutting his eyes. Estel sighed as Elrohir rushed over with a cup of steaming liquid.
"Here, drink this," Elrohir commanded. "It will help with the pain."
Legolas reluctantly took the cup from what he believed to be Elrond's only son left on Arda but he still listened to him. When he was finished, he handed the cup to Estel and leaned his head back, closing his eyes and yawning.
Estel heard Thranduil stir behind them. The king stood, looking down at his son and frowning. Legolas slowly opened his eyes and smiled. "Quel amrun, Ada."
"Quel amrun, ion-nin." He looked at Elrohir. "I am going to speak with your father. Please, will you stay with him?"
Estel wondered why Thranduil sounded so nervous. "Of course we'll stay with him! You'd have to drag us away if you'd think that we'd leave."
Thranduil smiled gratefully and left the room without saying another word. Legolas looked back and forth between Estel and Elrohir.
"What happened?" he asked, his head relaxing back on the pillows. "I thought that you were dead."
"It's a long story, involving Wild Men and burning houses," Estel replied. "Everything is all right now. You don't need to be afraid of anything."
Legolas yawned again, pulling some of the blanket and securing it under his chin. "Yes, everything is fine now." He paused. "Except for Varda..."
His eyes once again welled up with tears. Estel found himself being attacked by another pang of guilt. "What about Varda?"
"I had to do it, Estel. She was in pain!" Legolas sounded as if he were pleading for mercy. "She could not go on for much longer anyhow. She wanted me to do it."
"Legolas," Elrohir began, biting his lip, "what have you done?"
"I killed her." His words hung in the air. "I killed her with my own knife."
Estel wasn't sure of what to say. This just didn't seem like the Legolas that he knew. But what about what he had said before? He killed her so that she wouldn't have to suffer. Even though Estel knew that he would be just as miserable in Legolas's position, he wanted to find some way to console his friend. Sighing once again he patted him on the back.
"I'm sure that she understands, mellon-nin," he whispered, feeling the elf shake beneath him. "She will forgive you."
Legolas didn't answer. He buried his face in the pillow, ashamed of himself. He was too afraid to tell them about Elladan. He was sure that even now they were finding it hard to be in the same room with them. He would only make matters worse by telling them that he killed their brother. Besides, they would find out soon enough. He was sure that was why his adar was going to speak with Elrond.
Legolas could feel his body relax. His head felt so light. He looked up at Elrohir and Estel, who were staring at him with fairly normal expressions. Legolas had expected them to look shocked or disgusted, or perhaps even both. Maybe they really had forgiven him. He felt a small tear leak out of the corner of his eyes and quickly brushed it away. Any reassurance that they had of his returning sanity would be brushed away if they saw him crying like that. He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling quite content.
"Where is Meg?" he asked them, his voice sounding farther away.
Elrohir laughed. "Meg? Who is that?" He smiled wryly. "Is she an Elf-maiden that you've been courting?"
"No." Legolas felt himself yawn again. He covered his mouth, feeling slightly embarrassed at his obvious fatigue. " She's the woman who brought me back."
Estel crossed his arms. "Legolas, her name is not Meg; it's Klia."
"Huh?" Legolas could remember her saying that she was Meg. "But she told me that was Meg. I know that she did."
Elrohir shrugged. "It's probably nothing. Adar said that you would forget a few things considering your..."
Estel cleared his throat, his eyes wide and shaking his head.
"What?" An expression of realization spread over the youngest twin's face. "Oh, uh, nothing."
Legolas frowned. "What you mean? Go on, say it." Elrohir remained silent, making Legolas's ears pound in rage. "Say it, Elrohir. I know that you want to. All right, if you don't want to do it, then I'll just have to guess, won't I?"
"Legolas," Elrohir began, "dar..."
"Let's see, considering that I'm a murderer, or considering that I'm evil? What about a maniac?"
"Stop it, mellon-nin," Estel muttered. "This isn't funny..."
"This isn't funny." Legolas paused, bursting into hysterical laughter. "This isn't funny."
"Stop it, Legolas, you're scaring me." Elrohir's brow furrowed. "This isn't funny."
"You think that I think all of this is funny?" Legolas shouted, suddenly becoming serious. "You think that I think that some of this is all one big joke?" He sat up, leaning against the headboard weakly. When Estel tried to make him lay down, he pushed him away. "Stop it! Stop it! None of you understand what's even going on, do you? You think that you know everything about me, don't you?" Legolas was close to tears. "You don't get any of this. You don't get any of it at all."
Estel stared at the strange elf before him. This wasn't Legolas; it couldn't be. Perhaps it was another elf with the same name...
"Here, you look thirsty." Elrohir put a cup to Legolas's lips and began tipped it up high. Legolas started choking, though he managed swallowed most of it. He sat for a few minutes before putting his hand to his forehead and groaned. Elrohir heaved a sigh and helped their friend lie down, pulling the blanket over his shoulders.
"Rest, mellon-nin," he whispered. "You're tired."
"All...all r-right..."
Legolas's head sunk into the pillows, his eyes half-closed and glazed over. Estel looked up at his brother.
"You gave him sleeping herbs."
Elrohir looked at Legolas for a moment before slowly nodding his head. "He needed to rest. He was upset."
Estel watched Legolas sleep, his chest rising and falling. Only when he slept did he look peaceful. Estel faintly wondered what he dreamt about. Legolas never talked about his dreams unless they truly disturbed him.
The sound of the door opening made them turn. Dolenion stood in the frame, looking nervous.
"Lord Elrond calls for your presence."
TBC...
Oooh...Legolas's elatedness didn't last for very long, did it? Anyway, here are the responses:
Deana: I hope that you liked this chapter. I didn't end with as much of a cliffy lol.
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: LOL I liked that part a lot too. I hope that you liked this chapter as much as the last!
From: Slayer3: Uh...He's okay 'physically' (pretty much) right? Doesn't that promise more of his returning sanity? Doesn't it mean there's HOPE? (Hands over a box of kleenex) I hope that you liked this chapter too.
Moonyasha: LOL I hope that I updated soon enough, and that you liked this one just as much!
Faerlas: I hope that you liked this chapter! It was a little crazy...
IwishChan: Where is Elladan, actually? He hasn't been around for a while. And true, you cannot blame Tithen Estel for saying that. I hope that you liked this chapter and getting to see Leggy's reaction to Estel!
Freak Goddess of the Crypt: LOL I hope that this length was good, and I hope that you liked it.
Viresse: I hope that I updated soon enough! I don't know about everything turning good, Murphy's Law REALLLLY applies to these poor unfortunate souls (cackles an Ursula cackle). And where is Elladan? He needs to get back to Imladris! Anyway, I hope that you liked this chapter as well.
Please keep reviewing; I love reviews!