I feel so bad for leaving you guys without a cliffie. Shame on me! But trust me, I'll make it up. (Sort of) Evil laughter …
enjoy chapter… let's see, er… eight! And I only intended to write three for this story. Blame the plot bunnies!
Anyway I promise a little more action next chapter.
R&R
A Brother's safety
Chapter Eight: Family Matters
For the first time in his long life Thranduil didn't know what to say, he couldn't bring out a single word.
A bit surprised by his father' loss for words Legolas decided to start the conversation, "Adar, are you alright?"
"I honestly do not know ion-nin, I have no idea how I'm supposed to react."
Legolas understood what Thranduil was trying to tell him.
The king sighed and eyed his youngest son once more. "My son?" Heasked himself, still a bit shocked.
"Did…your mother give him a name?"
"Naneth told me you wanted the name to end with 'eiden' and then she asked me to think of something to put in front of it."
"Did you choose something?"
"Eleiden, like her name."
The warmth that filled his heart at that point was indescribable; he immediately reached out to take Eleiden out of the cradle and hold him.
"Well, looks like Eleiden's awake now," he said as he dared a small smile. The smile didn't last for very long and he sat down on the bed beside Legolas.
"Are you sure you're ready to tell me everything?"
"No, but I know I have to, I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Go ahead then."
"I left her adar."
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Erynion, one of Elrond's loyal warriors, who had helped extinguishing the flames, silently made his way to the stables again. Only this time not to stop a fire but to take a horse and leave Imladris. He felt guilty for misleading Elrond the way he had but he had made a deal and if he stopped now he would be the cause of his wife's death.
He urged his mare to go faster, the white horse replied with a soft neigh and obeyed its master. The darkness of the forest overwhelmed him a little. He normally did not fear the spiders or other creatures that lured in the shadows but this dark night made him feel very different.
He stopped when he neared a clearing. It was hard to make out but he thought he saw someone waiting on the other side.
"Don't come any closer, do you have my information?" the lone figure called.
Erynion stopped reluctantly and jumped off his horse.
"I do," he yelled back, he didn't like the fact he didn't know who exactly he was dealing with.
"Then start talking."
"The man died, Elrond still lives!"
The unknown man cursed. 'How hard can it be?' he thought frustrated before turning his attention towards Erynion once again, "You work for him, you kill him," he said matter-of-factly.
"I cannot betray him any further."
The man smiled. "I'm sure Delon told you what will happen if you don't."
Erynion remembered the conversation clearly.
llllFlashbackllll
"I'll get right to the point," Delon said, "I want your lord dead, and you're going to help me."
Erynion took a few steps back, ready to call for help if needed.
"I will not help you."
"Then your dear wife shall die." When Erynion kept silent Delon continued, "I see you get my point. It was easy to get in here, meeting the blonde elf was just my luck."
"You tried to kill him?"
"Yes and I believe Elrond knows, that's why I need someone to back me up in case I fail."
"Why?"
"That, I will not explain. If I fail, you will go to the first clearing you encounter on your way to Mirkwood… somebody will be waiting there for you."
llllEnd Flashbackllll
"Do we have an agreement?" The man asked when he didn't get a reply from Erynion right away.
"I don't have a choice."
"Good, I see you understand. Trust me, you've made a wise decision."
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Listening to Legolas' story made Thranduil think of the future. His wife was most likely dead, how could he live without her? Of course he still had his two sons and he understood the choice Legolas had made.
"I believe you made the right choice, Legolas. You did not leave her, you did what your mother told you to and you saved your little brother by doing that."
Legolas finally dared to look up from his hands. "You mean you aren't… mad at me?"
Thranduil was touched by his son's words and stopped a tear from running down.
"No, of course not ion-nin…how could I?" The king leaned closer and hugged his two sons, making sure he didn't crush little one. Legolas winced slightly but did not pull back, he didn't care.
The king waited till both his sons were asleep and then silently left in search for his best friend Elrond. He had a feeling the lord of Imladris was still awake.
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Translations:
Naneth: mother
Ion-nin: my son
Imladris: Rivendell
A/N: Apparently Reviewer replies are forbidden now so I won't be able to answer you guys anymore at the bottom of each chapter. But if you have any questions you can always mail me (See my profile) and I will get back to you as soon as possible. In case you don't have an account, just leave your mail address in one of your reviews and I will personally mail you.
Well, see y'all ;-)