Title: Hunting a different prey
Author: MysticHeero
Chapter: five: Death flies on the wings of hope
Warnings: Angst! Major Angst. But not how you might think. Implications and intended slash – but still no graphics.
Authors note: I apologise for how late this update is. I've been trying to focus on my English coursework for the last two months and keep up with my chemistry. My teacher for that is a bitch and so I'm trying so very hard not to give her reason to bitch at me – not that she needs any but… I actually wrote this back in July but have only just gotten around to writing it up onto Word.
By the by this is set a few hours on from chapter four.
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Dinner was simple, but delicious none the less. Thranduil had been called away from the table early, due to the arrival of an urgent messenger and so only the six younger elves were left at the table. It was still enjoyable though as they freely spoke with reference to the day, and the teasing continued, without having to worry about the King's disapproval on the topics. All went smoothly, finishing with then all bidding each other good night before retiring to their respective rooms.
A servant caught up with the three princes, informing them that their father wished to see them immediately in his study and so they headed there, clueless as to why they were being summoned so late. Malcalen knocked and they entered upon hearing the reply from their father.
"Father? You wanted to see us?" The crown prince asked and was surprised to see Thranduil looking so grave. The last time he had looked like this was just after the death of their mother.
"Yes, I… I received a message from Brethilon's group half an hour ago." The King's voice was as dark as his mood, laid heavy with raw emotion. "Yester eve her group was set upon just outside of the Misty Mountains by orcs." His words stoked up fear in all three of his sons and Malcalen forced himself to speak."
"Were any of them harmed?" The crown prince had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, seeing his father look at them sadly.
"Galithil was… slain." Thranduil watched as his son's took this in, each portraying different reactions.
"And Brethilon?" The King heard the undoubtable fear in his eldest's voice when asking of his wife.
"She was minorly injured. A few scraps and bruises I am told, nothing more." Came Thranduil's reply and he stepped forward, holding out his arms to his sons and was immediately embraced tightly by his eldest two. "Legolas?" Thranduil waited for his youngest to at least reply, his face already appearing ashen from grief. When Legolas failed to reply, Lancril moved away from his father, intent on comforting his little brother. But Legolas stepped back out of reach before turning and fleeing the room.
"Legolas?" The middle son called after him, making to follow, but his father's voice stayed him.
"Leave him be, for now. He needs to be alone for a while at the moment."
"I'm scared he'll react the same as he did to Mother's passing." Lancril admitted, once again moving into his father's comforting arms.
"So do I. But we will be here for him." Thranduil soothed. "Brethilon's company will arrive tomorrow, around midday."
"What of Galithil's husband? He needs to be informed." Malcalen's practically inserted, his voice slightly wavering from both grief for the loss of his sister, and relief that his wife's safety.
"Brethilon has sent them a message by bird, according the message she has sent me. Ruingil will most likely head here immediately, and once he has arrived we will hold the funeral. Tis only right he should be here."
"Do you think Brethilon's group will be safe?" Lancril sadly enquired.
"I've sent a guard group out to meet them and escort them the rest of the way home, do not fear." Thranduil explained and both younger elves lost some of their worry, though much still remained. "You should both get some rest. There will be plenty of time to grieve starting tomorrow and it will do no good to loose much needed strength through not resting."
"But what of Legolas?"
"I will find him." Thranduil answered Lancril and they all moved towards the door. The King walked with the two brothers to their rooms, looking in Legolas' to find it empty, before heading of heading off in search of the youngest prince. He was walking down the corridor leading to their guests' rooms, when he saw the two younger March Wardens exiting Haldir's room. The pair saw him, noting his worried expression and smiled sadly.
"He's in there." Orophin gestured to back the ways to Haldir's closed door, receiving a thankful nod. "We are sorry to hear of you daughter's passing."
"Thank you. Is he alright? He left rather abruptly."
"Haldir is taking care of him. Legolas is very grieved." Rumil said.
"I fear he will go a similar way to his grieving of his Mother." Thranduil told them sadly. "I only can pray he won't."
The brothers nodded in agreement, having heard of how Legolas had reacted following his mother's death, and bided the King good night, heading to their own rooms. The Eryn Galen ruler peered in on Haldir and Legolas, walking over to the bed and saw they were both asleep in one another's arms. Legolas was clutching to Haldir as if his life depended on it and Thranduil feared his thoughts were not far off the mark. The tears were still wet on his face, having not long fallen asleep, and Haldir was protectively holding him close, clearly having been soothing the other's sobs. Thranduil prayed to the Valar, hoping that Haldir would be able to help Legolas over his grief as the younger elf had never been good with dealing with it. Silently he drew the covers further over the pair, Haldir's brothers having most likely pulled them up earlier, kissing Legolas's head lightly and left, seeking his own rooms.
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Neither Legolas nor Haldir turned up for breakfast the following morning, but Thranduil hadn't expected them too, instead he had made sure some food was sent up to them. The palace was sent into mourning the loss of their princess, Thranduil having informed everyone first thing. He had dismissed his sons from their duties for the day, as they required time to deal with their grief and Malcalen was too worried about his wife's safety to concentrate on anything else. Thranduil had intended to continue on with his own duties as King, but his councillors had been persistent and refused to let him do any work, saying they would handle it all. For that the king was grateful. Now he was walking down the corridor leading to the guest quarters to check up on his youngest child. According to Orophin and Rumil, Legolas was still there, as was Haldir, though they were now both awake and Thranduil intended to talk with Legolas.
He knocked on the door, awaiting a call to enter, but instead the door was opened for him by Haldir.
"Is Legolas still here?" Thranduil asked, hopefully.
"Yes, come in." Haldir moved aside to allow the King to enter, before moving to go. "I'll leave you two alone."
"Thank you." It felt a bit strange for his guest to be leaving his room, just so that he could talk alone with Legolas, but Thranduil soon shook off the thought, instead moving towards the divan his son was sitting on. "Las?" He received no reply, as he sat down beside his grief-stricken child and it hurt to see how Legolas was staring blindly at the balcony windows. He had been much the same after his mother had been killed all those years ago, seeking solitude from others, even his own family and often disappearing for long periods of time into the forest. It had worried Thranduil to no end that Legolas might one day not come back, or be killed himself, but thankfully neither had happened. That had been the earlier days of Legolas' grieving, the days that followed had been darker as Las' grief grew, realising just what would be missing from his life without his mother. He wouldn't even get up from his bed most of the time, choosing to lie there all day, staring off into space, much like he was doing now.
"Why did it have to be her?" Legolas asked in a quiet voice, tears falling down his cheeks unhindered. "She deserved to live more than anyone."
"Orcs are cruel creatures. As wrong as this sounds I am glad that they simply killed her quickly." Thranduil admitted, seeing Legolas look at him horrified by the answer. "I am glad because it meant that they did nothing more than kill her body. They did not do to her what befell the Lady Celebrain. She was swift to leave this world, and I would give all the gold in the world to make sure that happened rather than let them have their ways with her, if I could not buy her freedom and safety. I would rather she died quickly this way than have her alive but broken. Would you not also?"
"I would rather wish that she were alive and home then gone from this world." The quiet voice was heart breaking for Thranduil to hear. Only the day before had his son been carefree and happy, and now it seemed as if his little leaf would never smile again.
"As would we all, Las. But it is not something that can be helped in this case. All I can say to sooth your pain is that Galithil is now far from the reach of pain and suffering. She is eternally resting in Námo's halls now, safe from any further harm." The King stated, and hugged his son to him gently, but firmly. He was pleased when the elf made no objection to the action, but instead relaxed into it and buried him face into his father's shoulder tearfully. "I do not like seeing you this way Las. I do not like the fear of loosing you as well; my heart could not take it. Haldir, too, would not be able to bear such grief as your passing would provoke."
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It had been days since that conversation, within which time Brethilon's group and Ruingil had both arrived. The funeral had been held, the day after Galithil's husband had arrived, her pyre burning in the early hours of the day. Legolas had attended, but he had appeared so lost. He had allowed very few people near him; the small list of those he would grant an audience with grew smaller as time progressed, and only Haldir had managed to keep Legolas from completely shutting everyone out. Since that first night Legolas had never left Haldir's room once, Haldir taking care of him, making sure he ate and didn't wallow in bed all day. For that attention Thranduil was eternally grateful of the March Warden's efforts and Legolas was dealing with his grief better than he had over his mother's death. He had hit what seemed to be the bottom of his endless grief two days previous and now he was slowly climbing back out, though occasionally he would slip back down just a little bit, Haldir always supporting him no matter what happened. He held him through the nightmares; softly spoke soothing words to him while the young prince cried uncontrollably into his shoulder, what ever it took to help Legolas over the grief. Rumil and Orophin had spoken with Legolas' brothers, Brethilon and Ruingil, and they had learned more of Legolas during the days of his mother's passing. All had agreed that though Legolas wasn't exactly doing overly well, it was a vast improvement from the last time, and that it was mainly Haldir that deserved the credit.
The royal family had reassumed their duties to the crown and Eryn Galen, with the exception of Legolas, who was clearly in no fit state to do so. Haldir's days and nights were mostly spent with Legolas, with the occasional change, when a member of Las' family would take over for a bit and Haldir was determined to not let Legolas shrink away from the tender relationship they had been forging over the length of his visit. Instead Haldir poured his love and affection at Legolas, sustaining Legolas' attention through the emotional storm the younger elf was suffering in, praying that it would all pay off and that Legolas would properly grieve.
Their mornings seemed almost like routine. Legolas' brothers would drop off some clean clothing for the day; Haldir would then bathe while Legolas was still asleep and then Legolas would bathe, changing into his fresh clothing. After that the pair would eat the small breakfast sent up to them, Haldir making certain that Legolas ate something; and then the rest of the day would be spent soothing the emotional wreak Legolas had become. He still spent long periods of time staring off into space, but he would also join in with the Lorien elves as they talked – though he would more listen then anything else. The three brothers had managed to draw Legolas into small conversations, making him tell them of Galithil's antics and revenge against Lancril's many tricks, after these times Legolas would often be calmer and he lost some of his grief. But this didn't always work, as sometimes Legolas simply needed to be alone.
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Review Responses
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Empath89: And here's the next chappy for you.
Isildwen: Yes the tormentors should learn when to stop….. But revenge is always fun.
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Wow, have to watch that Xena episode again, maybe Lou will lend me the series he's in – which one is it, do you know?
Angelbird12241: here's more.
Tiamante Salazar TameranYeah there should be soooo many more Hal/Las fics. About the brothers equal teasings… well I've been on the receiving end of teasing from my many siblings (I'm the youngest sob) and I thought it only fair that Haldir had to suffer as well. I'm mean I know…
MK: Things will move a little faster in parts, and I already have a small sequel for this, its only a very short interlude but cute.
Whatevergirl: Keep reading… and you'll find out what Leggie does.
ScottyLass: Yes I know you saw my fic planner. I've seen yours as well. And besides, I have so many fic ideas that if I don't plan the m out like this then I screw them up. P.S: See you in Chemistry…. Such fun that will be. -.-'