Wild Justice
Chapter 17: Temperament
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The sight before him was despicable, never in all his years as Lord of Imladris had he bore witness to a guest so grossly mistreated, and by his own sons no less. It was clear to him that Legolas Greenleaf was distressed; he had heard him asking forcibly to be released only to continue being held back.
Elrond's voice rang clear and harshly out towards the trio as he entered the training yard: "What, in Valar's name, is going on here?"
Three heads turned his way, two looking guilty and intimidated, one looking relieved yet fearful. Elrond approached closer and watched as Elladan hurriedly stepped away from the young prince as his twin released his arms. Legolas sprang away from both his sons as soon as was possible, his face turning from an ashen white to a burning red in his humiliation.
His bright eyes flittered about the three dark-haired elves hesitantly before he offered a small bow and mumbled thanks to Elrond. He waited not for an answer, and certainly not to be interrogated, before fleeing the scene as fast as his walking body would allow him.
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Legolas Greenleaf collapsed against the door of his room, his mind a whirl of confusion and half-thought of scenarios and escape plans. Feet folding underneath him as he held his head in clenched hands, Legolas knew it was now only a matter of time before Lord Elrond found out and came to confront him.
He had seen the anger in the Elven Lord when he had stepped into the yard, and that was mainly directed towards his sons', Legolas most certainly did not want it focused solely upon him. He had never actually seen Elrond in as foul a temperament as he had looked earlier, but he knew he didn't want to experience the Lord's wrath. Especially not now.
Grinding his teeth, the young prince thought of the actions of the two he deemed his closest friends. Betrayed was only a small part of what he was feeling towards them at the moment. Damn him for being so foolish! He should have known! He just should have. No matter that the twins were always able to manipulate him into doing things their way, but never before had their plans been at his expense. Never before had they put their friendship in such a tentative hold.
What now was he to do? Surely he could no longer remain in the realm of Imladris? He could not trust the elves he would once have with his very life, could he? Not after what they had done? And what of Elrond? When the Elven lord found out he was bound to keep him here and inform the King of Mirkwood that his son was indeed in Imladris. His sanctuary would be terminated and he would be sent back to Mirkwood and his child… his baby…
Legolas gave a strangled sound, somewhere between a cry and moan as images of exactly what would occur once he was returned home flashed before his eyes.
His baby would be destroyed. And even if his father would change his mind, he knew Ahearn would never allow the child to live past its few minutes in the world. It was puzzling as to why his lover- ex-lover- did not want the child. Valar knew why he was so adamant that this one die before breath filled its little lungs. For if the child were born, Ahearn would be (through eventual marriage of course) one of the Royal Family and elevated to even greater wealth and status than before.
Wrapping his arms protectively about his growing stomach, Legolas sighed heavily. But he had known, or thought he had, from the start of his relationship with the half-elf that even if power and wealth were what he desired, he had loved Legolas. Loved him in his own way.
Deluding visions flashed before his eyes of times when he and Ahearn had been happy and so in love with each other. Maybe if he went back, if he returned to Ahearn and apologized, things could go back to how they were? And Ahearn would tell him he was also sorry and that they would raise their child together?
Yah, sure, and they would live happily ever after until the time came to depart this world for the Havens.
Legolas snorted to himself. No, returning to Mirkwood was not an option. And with that decision made, neither was staying in Imladris. Despite the sanctuary granted, Elrond would feel the obligation to have him return home. After all, the crown prince was pregnant; he should surely be with his family for the experience, should he not?
And even if Elrond would allow him his sanctuary, would he too not tell him he could not have the child? Was it too late to terminate his pregnancy? Legolas didn't know, he didn't actually know much about being pregnant other than what he was experiencing at the moment. And what he was experience was mostly unpleasant: The aches and pains; the fatigue and sickness; as well as the hot and cold spells. Yet, there were also the moments, when all was calm and still, when he could feel the child within himself move, the lurch of his stomach pleasant and strangely satisfying.
He wouldn't let anyone harm his baby.
So if not Mirkwood and not Imladris, where then could he go? He didn't know, but wherever it was it would need to be where none knew of him or his pregnancy. He lifted himself to his feet and hurriedly began packing up his meagre belongings. He wouldn't have much time, not with betting on Elladan and Elrohir telling their father.
He paused a moment to massage his aching shoulders. He should have known it was a trap, especially after the incident in the woods with Elrohir. He rubbed his eyes as fatigue tried to overtake his adrenaline and overwhelm him. With a shake of his golden head he finished his packing, he needed to detour to both the kitchens and the training yard to pick up food and his weapons before heading to the stables and leaving Imladris- hopefully without hindrance.
Knock. Knock.
Like a bucket of cold water had just been pored over him, Legolas spun to face the door, freezing in panic. Not so soon! It couldn't be Elrond. Not yet. He had barely been in his room for long, surely not long enough for the twins to confess what spurred their assaulting actions upon him?
The door opened slowly and inwardly he cursed himself for not locking it against the world. "My prince?" It was Abie, all auburn-haired and tight smiling.
He cleared his throat to hide his panic at her arrival: "Abie, how may I help you?"
"My prince, I have news for you."
"Oh?" he asked by way of permitting her to speak.
"Lords Elladan and Elrohir have been asking after you and your health, they seem suspicious of you."
"What did you tell them?"
"Nothing, only that you were in good health and that they would do well to address their concerns to you yourself."
Legolas nodded his head, not speaking.
"I've told you before, my prince, that it is not my place to spread thy business, but I must ask: does my Lord Elrond know of your condition?"
"He will no doubt be informed this very day, my lady, do not worry about it."
Her keen eyes swept over him suspiciously before falling upon his packed satchel. "You are leaving?"
Legolas simply nodded, pulling his hair back into a long braid with only minor difficulty.
"Is this wise, Legolas?" she used his name as opposed to his title to make him see sense. Her own maternal instincts for this young elf kicking in, the urge to protect him flaring up despite the knowledge that he was well past the age of needing a minder.
"I thank you for all your help, my lady Abie, and for the herbs."
"Very well, my prince. But I must pass on one last message from Lord Elrohir," Legolas looked up at her warily, "He says: 'apologies for our actions, melonamin, but we were worried for you and afraid that you were too stubborn to seek help. We only meant to confirm what we already believed true in order to help you. We are eternally sorry and beg your forgiveness.'" She finished her message, watching his face for reaction. "They know?"
"Yes, they know. And so I must leave."
"Leave because they know? Why, my prince? I know 'tis not my place to question you nor your actions, but I fear you are not in the right frame of mind to leave. How far do you think you will be able to travel in your condition, it is dangerous for both you and the baby! Think of the baby, my prince!"
"I am. And that is why. To protect my unborn child I must leave."
"But why?"
Legolas just shook his head; his eyes slightly glazed with his inner musings as he lifted his hood of his cloak to hide his features and slung his bag upon his shoulders. He left the room without a backwards glance.
Abie watched after him with a pained expression. Why ever did the young prince feel the need to leave? It was clear to her that he hadn't thought ahead to the consequences his actions would bring about. It would be well if Lord Elrond were informed, for whom did the young elf expect to deliver his baby? Rare as male pregnancies were, lord Elrond was perhaps the only elf in Middle-Earth (save from the Lady of Lothlórien) whom knew how to deal with the complications that could arise in male-pregnancies, for even if the delivery were straightforward enough, problems could arise within the birthing male for a few days after the baby were born.
Indeed, she was probably the only other one in Middle Earth versed enough in male-pregnancies to know of the problems even if she could not solve them. Wringing her hands together, Abie knew she had a decision to make. She could break her word to Legolas and head to Lord Elrond now and tell him of the prince's flight. Or she could allow Legolas to leave and live with the worry and perhaps guilt over that decision.
Closing the door to the empty room, Abie turned on her heel and left down the hallway, he mind easily made up. Elrond it was. She would not lose another young elf to complications in male-pregnancies.
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To Be Continued…?
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Peace,
CS WhiteWolf
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