Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
Warning: Concepts contained in this chapter is dark, filled with angst and hurt! You've been forewarned!
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ XCVI: Made of stone and wood! ~
Mirkwood, 3019 TA, May 19th
Made of stone and wood!
The prince slowly came back to his senses one thought was repeating in his mind. Made of stone and wood! He always believed that his father was made of stone and wood. After all, that the Elvenking was through he could still stand on his feet and he had not succumbed to darkness. Legolas was raised like that, to stay strong and calm not to give in to the darkness or despair.
Made of stone and wood!
In addition, he was in a rush to criticise his father and his friends, he thought. The only thing he could see was blackness, yet he was certain that his eyes were open. They were not though. His whole body hurt and throbbed, and when he attempted to get up, he discovered he was laying on a cold hardwood floor. He had no idea how he got there. His strength was waning, and his mind was performing strange games. It was as if sorcery and misery had surrounded him, and he awaited the last piece of the jigsaw to become permanently lost.
He could feel his palms against the wood, as he attempted to stand, but could not. His memories of the past and the present had blended together creating a new world for the prince. He would see the ghost of his mother half-eaten by the orcs asking him why he did not rescue her. He would recall Uagz serving him a disgusting mud stew and he could not recall what it was made.
Bones and ashes!
However whose bones and ashes Legolas did not know. Perhaps his mind was protecting him, one last charm placed by Elrond trying to keep his memories locked. It was with terrifying relaxation that Legolas knew what was happening to him. He was slowly fading away, for how long would be able to last through this despair and pain. Honestly, he wanted to remain in Endor, and spend more time with his father, and friends. Was all hope truly lost!?
Made of stone and wood!
This gave him a glimmer of hope, and he hobbled over to the wooden walls, leaned his back against the chilly wall, and took a long breath. It seemed like an opportunity to beat himself mentally. When he first discovered that he was not alone in his rooms. A big number of elves and others were arguing at the door to his bedroom. Now, he was attempting to adapt his eyes to the brightness and shadows of the individuals who were ignoring him. He leaned back against the wall, pulled in a deep breath, and continued to look and listen with his eyes and ears; this gave him renewed hope.
Made of stone and wood!
As Legolas had seen, a big throng had formed outside the entrance and was arguing. Thranduil, accompanied by Xena, Gimli, Tauriel, and Glóin, had entered the halls of the Elvenking. Nienna was one of the Elleth capable of attracting notice. Even though she was not a Sindar Elf, she was very smart and deferential. She was Oropher's personal healer in the past. After the death of Oropher, she followed the Elvenking. And was responsible for the treatment of himself, his wife, and his children. She was in charge of all the other healers, had earned the Elvenking's respect and confidence, and was the only one who could criticise his acts without being imprisoned for offending the king.
Nienna discovered the prince in such a deplorable state upon his return, after Amethyst had left him in a rush to deliver the credentials signed by Legolas so that she might become officially his mate. Because she was aware that she would be expelled from his halls upon the Elvenking's return. Nienna comprehended the situation after a few minutes of listening to the Prince mumble. The prince had remembered, and in front of her was the tormented and shattered elfling.
As soon as he heard that Legolas was last seen in his quarters, he sought out Thranduil and found him hurrying through the corridors to reach Legolas' chamber. She blocked the King's path and quickly recounted to him what had transpired. The agonising ache he had previously escaped had returned to engulf him once again. All of his attempts were in vain, and even the human's willingness to sacrifice herself to protect Legolas was ineffective.
Before their arrival, Thranduil praised Xena for inspiring him to believe his words and murder the orc chieftain. He revealed to her that he had hidden information regarding the death of Legolas' mother out of concern for Legolas. The anguish of betrayal was excruciating because the links of love that had been forged were counterfeit, and they must now be completely sundered and sealed from the inside out. He ultimately betrayed his son to ensure his safety. However, his efforts were unsuccessful.
Orome and Thilion are two of the guys he has the greatest faith in. They assisted the Elvenking in all battles and conflicts. They were aware of his darkest secrets and sufferings. If he could overcome his heart of stone, he may consider them dear friends. Both were children of Nienna. During the Battle of Dagorlad, their father perished. They were two of the fiercest Elves of Mirkwood and were never wed. Nienna and her children were the most revered Elves in Mirkwood. They were personally favoured by the Elvenking.
When their king opened the door to his son's chapter and saw Amethyst standing in front of him, Orome and Thilion stood behind him. The confusion consumed a section of his brain, as though coping with it required sufficient work without the addition of new ideas. He remembered Amethyst's assurance that he would be able to witness Legolas's demise unfold piece by piece.
Thranduil narrowed his eyes, his facial features uncaring and his behaviour icy and egocentric. He refused to let Amethys see through his suffering. "You have gained access to my hallways and now my son's bedroom. If I am not incorrect, you were instructed to avoid Legolas!"
"My King, you have forgotten that I promised your son would ultimately fulfil the pledge you could not. And now you will do nothing except watch your son perish!" She hissed confidently that not even the Elvenking could touch her. "The moment has come for you to carefully care for your son and hand up your kingdom to me."
Since Legolas had ridden away, Xena had been so concerned about the sadness that it had crept into her heart and soul. It had come so suddenly that it was difficult to ignore. She had never encountered anguish of this kind before. It seemed as if something was linking her to him, as she was able to sense the majority of his despair and anguish. Indeed, he felt a different form of anguish when she lost her children and when she stopped seeing her friend Gabrielle, and it was similar to the regret and sorrow she felt when she lost her children.
However, she was unable to comprehend the nature of her current misery. It was his despondency, not hers. It was not her suffering, but his. However, it somehow consumed her heart, causing her to experience sadness and suffering. These sad recollections of his were like chapters of a book she had never read, yet she learned to grasp the plot anyway. She suffered with him and could no longer stand in the doorway while that she-elf attempted to teach the Elvenking fear lessons.
Her arm was raised and she proceeded to get her sword's hilt in order to draw it and terminate the struggle between Amethyst and the Elvenking. Though Thranduil was quicker and was able to seize her hand and put Xena behind him while whispering to her to wait. He wanted to know why Amethyst was so confident and what she had done to have such influence over him and his son. He would soon discover the truth.
"Guards accompany Lady Amethyst to the dungeons and tell the court of her act of treason," The Elvenking issued an order. Gimli and Xena retreated as they prepared to assault the dumb she-elf who had prevented them from approaching Legolas.
Nienna could no longer wait as their debate dragged on too long, so she tiptoed behind Tharduil, Amethyst, and the guards in an attempt to approach Legolas, who was still leaning against the wooden wall in agony and despair. Nienna was a healer, and she was concerned about Legolas' well-being more than what would happen to Amethyst. Amethyst was not a concern for her.
Made of stone and wood!
The pain and despair continued to run causing him to lose himself inside the pain and the memories. Nothing had changed, only that he was aware that his father, Gimli and her were there. He had to remain strong, to tell them that he was sorry, sorry for not trusting his father, sorry for not aiding his mother, and sorry for not telling them how much he cared about them. About her. His entire being screamed complaining to stop finding the pain and simply giving in. But how could he, he was made of stone and wood, he would endure.
His mind was wandering around the time he was only an elfing trapped in the forts of Gundabad, how much was the torture given to him Legolas did not care, but his mother's torture how could he forget about that. He felt familiar hands touching him around his shoulders and trying to return him back to his bed. It was Nienna's hands, he was familiar with the healers' hands. He tried to grasp her hand and bring himself to follow her into his bed. He had to endure.
Made of stone and wood!
"We cannot my Lord," the guards said "We can't touch the princess without a direct order of the court. Even if you order us."
Thranduil's wrath was shown on his face and body. Everything showed he was ready to cut her down. He had enough of her threats and her wrongdoings, he did not wish to lose his time with this worthless elleth. "Do you think you can ignore a direct order of the king," Thranduil said coldly and loudly "I did not ask you, I ordered you! Orome and Thilion take her away!"
His two personal guards followed his command and went to capture the moonlight she-elf as Gimli left the argument behind him and went to aid the healer to place Legolas on his bed. The dwarf almost cried in pain when he saw what had happened to his dear friend, Legolas was no longer shining but it was like he had lost his colours, and was as white as the corpse. His eyes had lost all the fire and pride that they held and he was no longer the prideful elf he once was. It was like only his corpse was left.
However, it was not only that, it was like strange scars were slowly showing across his face, neck and the rest of his body. "Those are from before," the healer said "From the torture he went through as an elfing." And it was these moments that build and define who someone is, that brought the sculpture of his future self from the clay of his youth. However, if his youth left him with so much scared maybe it would be better for the poor elf to sail away.
"My king you cannot! She is Legolas' mate to be," the guards jumped up stopping his guards from taking Amethyst away "Legolas signed any needed documents and they were presented in court."
Many had threatened the Elvenking through his long existence. He was never alerted. There were not many threats that were able to get through him. Yet, that one managed to pierce his heart. "Enough! I had heard enough. You dare threaten me inside my own kingdom. You dare to bring evil upon my son," his voice echoed through his halls but he could not take action. Not before counselling with his court.
Amethyst pulled away from the guards and walked over to Legolas. She sat next to him on the bed, where Nienna and Gimli had placed him. Her finger run through his scarred face and she smiled "You see My King your son signed to find out what happened to the Queen of Mirkwood. I aided him, he remembered everything, perhaps he did not recall the more important detail, that he actually eat his mother!" She laughed and felt that she had won, he had won Thranduil and Legolas. It would not take long before both would be creeping to their doom and she would be Queen.
Xena had heard enough, that one small detail made her stomach burn and she wanted to vomit from the new information. Gimli was in shock gazing at Legolas not sure any longer what to say or do. Though his hand was now resting against his axe and he was ready simply to kill the badmouthing she-elf. Xena as well as the dwarf were confused why the Elvenking was not taking any action.
"Don't tell me that you will let her go away with this?" Xena suddenly interrupted them and jumped in front of the Elvenking. She had enough of the talking, as she could no longer stand the burning pain that was increasing inside her.
Thranduil let his gaze fall on her understanding her pain because it was he was going through the same or through worse emotions as what was happening to his son. "I cannot," he admitted in defeat "I have to bring this issue to court, I am the king and there are rules and protocol I have to follow."
"He is your son," Xena spat and walked away towards Legolas deeply disappointed by Thranduil, and not understanding why he would be allowed Amethyst to remain there, why did he not lock her away. How could he?
The large and open chamber became so small and dark, that it was suffocating and pressing in almost crushing the Elvenking. He stood against his son's bed and felt threatened and terrified at that moment. Even his deepest shadows now were swallowed by the encroaching darkness that Amethyst had unleashed. It burned him like a fire he could not undo. He had once more to forsake his own son to manage to take down Amethyst.
There she stood now feeling his heart being dragged into pain and fear, no one was doing anything about the elf. They were only standing there watching, and allowing the one who caused all that to name herself his mate. She had to scoff at the irony, soon a new debate had started, and she ended up standing away from them. It was then when she heard it, it was more like a thought send to her.
"Xena!"
She turned and her eyes locked with Legolas, a Legolas who seemed beaten up from all the pain and memories. It was like he was now fully taken by the shadows, he was mumbling about his memories and the memory of eating his mother. She noticed how pale now Thranduil looked, and Nienna. It was like everyone had given up on Legolas, it was like he had reached the end of his life span.
She was watching how Amethyst was smirking enjoying watching the son and father being burned inside the same pain. She watched her closely and her fingers found the edge of her chakram, as she pinned her eyes against her. Of all the people she knew that everyone should be given a second chance, but there were a few who could not be trusted, a few who had reached such darkness that they could not be excused. She could not know what made a creature like Amethyst become so dark, and at the same time look so innocent.
"I have won," Amethyst said proudly gazing at Thranduil and then Legolas "I told you so!"
She had attained victory. She had accomplished her objective, and it would not be long before she challenged Thranduil for the position as King of Mirkwood. The majority of the court already supported her, Thranduil was preoccupied with his kid, and she would be crowned queen. And she was allowed to play with Legolas for as long as he could tolerate it. She would not mind putting that individual down, since she was somehow interfering with her goal.
Clang! Clank!
The chakram was hurled and shattered into two pieces; one sliced through her throat and severed her head, while the other pierced her waist. Suddenly, the amethyst was split into three pieces. Upon hearing another sound, Xena gripped her chakram and repositioned it. She remained there as blood poured from the she-elf, causing the chamber to fall into total quiet. And the last thought of Legolas was:
Made of stone and wood!
((Upcoming Chapter Ninety-Seven))
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to Review - Follow - Favorite!
Ops, I have seen that I have not responded to any reviews. Once again, I appreciate you reviewing and reading my FanFiction. It is gratifying to see readers from all around the world reading and reviewing it.
amyunder: Again thank you for being a devoted reader, I hope I had covered all your questions over PM and feel free to ask me anything else you like. I will try to hold my tongue, and that was the reason you did not get any spoilers from the following chapters. Stay along the ride after all our story is soon reaching its end. ^_^
hotlatte: Thank you for keeping asking for more chapters, I hope you received my PM as well and more chapters will be posted ^_^
Guest: Thank you, I really hoped I could be close to the canon. Especially when it came to Legolas and Xena. I am happy you liked it. ^_^
thenoneandonly: You have been with us since this FanFiction started. I could not PM you, which means you can have your answers here. I believe you already know why Xena was able to walk lighter around the snow. I have left through FanFiction many hints for someone to notice that something was different. You found one!
Guest: Again thank you for liking this FanFiction, stay along the ride, and hope you will enjoy the rest of it! ^_^
Guest: Legolas is not dead. I am not sure why you thought that. He is much alive, but not sure how things will end up. The characters will decide how things will continue and I will only be responsible for the plot. ^_^
doomstoday: I hope today won't be the day of our doom. :) Awesome nickname. Wow! You have written a really long review, thank you for reading the story and for finding the time to review it. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Em, I am sorry if my creativity somehow upset you, it was not my intention. ^_^ And it's the first time someone even said something like that to me, I am not sure how to respond I guess thank you! Again, thanks for reading FanFiction and staying until the end, I would like to have more chaotic reviews. ^_^