Disclaimer: I do not own any of The Lord of the Ring's characters or its story.

The Wounds of the Past

by: firewingz


Chapter 11: Drifting

King Thranduil and his summoned army stood by the entrance of the caves. Thanrauil placed his elven sword in his hands and received a nod from his captain. The king of Mirkwood opened the stone doors as the night received them. They were met with the carnage of the spiders. The entire elven army stood in rapt fascination and at the same time dread. What could have killed all the spiders? What had happened?

Thranduil was the first to venture out and soon, the army trickled out, scouting the area. The captain plucked off an arrow from the back of a spider and examined it. It was of Imladris' markings. There were an unanimous questioning, their long-time-enemy comes to help them? It seemed highly unlikely.

But before King Thranduil could dwell on it more, he suddenly remembered his dream...his son, Legolas. With the army flanking him, the king rushed towards the palace. Imladris soldiers were stationed in all the archways, gateways and doorways. Upon the appearance of King Thranduil, the Imladris guards immediately bowed in respect a little awkwardly due to their surprise, but the mere presence of the King of Mirkwood told them to lower their eyes. But Thranduil paid none of them any heed, only rushing into his palace, having a dreaded feeling that his dream might have come true.

From down the hallway in Legolas' room, he could hear cries, cries of Legolas. Thranduil rushed down the hall and burst into the room. Legolas was laid upon the bed, a long deep cut drenched in blood engraved into Legolas' chest, his face was extremely pale. Estel was by Legolas' side, chanting,"Legolas, come back. Don't give up, c'mon Mellon-nin, come back!" Elrond was just starting to bandage the wound, his twin sons, rushing over the herb tray getting everything their father commanded. So intense were they in their work that they didn't even notice that anyone had barged in.

"Hahaha! Everything is complete! It's no use, Lord Elrond, stop trying," a high shrilly voice spoke over the panic. Thranduil turned slowly towards the voice, the voice of his trusted soldier, companion for over several milleniums.

 It was only then that Estel turned around, meaning to backhand Rahnir when Estel noticed Thranduil. "King Thranduil! You're here!" Estel was too excited that Legolas' father was here to even care that Thranduil did not have such a high opinion of him.

Elrond suddenly looked up and smiled a knowing smile. "Thranduil, do not just stand there. Come quickly and call your son back. He is drifting, and I fear he is drifting astray," Elrond commanded, snapping Thranduil's attention back to his son, extingushing the flames of anger directed towards Rahnir.

But Elrond knew that anger is useless and would not help the situation. Elrond and his twin sons had done everything they could for his physical wound. Luckily, Elrond got to Legolas in time, or else his wounds itself would have killed the elven prince. But now, the main concern is that Legolas' mind and spirit have drifted. If he is not called back, he could die from mental trauma. But even if Legolas is called back, he may never recover fully.

Elrond told his twin sons and Estel to leave the room and take care of Rahnir. The lord of Imladris would stay, in case Legolas needed him. Thranduil quickly went by Legolas' side, taking Estel's vacated seat. He looked at the pale face of his son, caressing his hand. "Legolas, come back. I lost your mother, I can not lose you too. Legolas, can you hear me?"

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Legolas was in the middle of Greenwood the Great. Everything was so peaceful, he could hear the trees softly whispering to him, though he could not tell exactly what they were saying. He could feel the sun shining upon his face. But most importantly, he could see his mother, standing a couple yards in front of him.

He reached out towards her, running towards her, but she would never get closer. "Mother! Where are you? I miss you."

"I miss you too Legolas. Do you really want to come with me? Do you really want to leave Middle Earth behind?"

It was then that Legolas could hear Estel calling to him. His words were laced with fear and hope. Legolas cast his eyes down to the floor of the forest. "Estel..." he whispered.

Legolas hadn't made up his mind yet when suddenly, he could hear his father. Legolas heart beamed with hope that his father is still alive. Thranduil kept calling, 'I lost your mother, I can not lose you too.'

Legolas looked up to his mother, who smiled at him. "Legolas, I love you. I will always be watching over you."

"Mother!" Legolas shouted in vain, but she had already vanished. Legolas just wanted to hug his mother one last time. He was not able to say good-bye the last time he lost his mother, but this time, Legolas knelt down on one knee and whispered, "Goodbye mother, I love you too."

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"Legolas, please, come back!" Thranduil spoke earnestly, tears slipping down his check. Suddenly, Legolas' pale hand squeezed his father's. Thranduil quickly looked up at his son's face, but there was no changes. Elrond came by his side and placed his hand on Thranduil's shoulder. "You were his deciding factor. You have brought him back."

Thranduil could not speak but only nodded his gratitude. Elrond knew that Legolas' physical and mental state was balanced at last. The lord of Imladris left the room with a solemn expression. He was met with his sons waiting outside, wondering how their best friend was doing. Elrond managed a smile and a nod. The twins and Estel smiled with relief.

But Elrond continued to walk down the hallway, to the chamber he use to use when he came to Mirkwood for visits many centuries ago. Elrond closed his door carefully, without a sound and sat down on the bed. He wished dearly that Legolas could recover completely for he feared not only for Legolas, but also for Thranduil and his twin sons and Estel.

Elrond knew that even if Legolas was brought back from the edge of death, Legolas had been too close to death and Legolas still has too much regret, anger, and sorrow to fully come back. The elven prince would be in a coma. For how long? It could be one day or even as long as eternity.  It depends on Legolas.


To Be Continued:

I'm sooooo eternally sorry. I was starting college and everything got really busy so there was no time to write. I also do not have a computer/lap top anymore and it makes updating very hard. But I finally did! I hope you have enjoyed. But I just wanted to say how awfully sorry I am for keeping you guys waiting. Thank you for the reviews and hope you rr plz!!!

Deana: I'm sorry for taking so long. Hope you enjoyed.

got-lotr: Thanks for the cookies! And sorry for the wait. Hope you've enjoyed.

Moonyasha: no...please no rabid squirrels. Don't kill me plz!

mascara freak: I hope you're not disappointed.