"Himelon…" Thranduil's soft voice broke through the raven haired elf's thoughts and the slender hand that had come to rest on his left arm brought him back to reality. Himelon flinched at the contact. He knew he shouldn't have because it would likely be taken the wrong way, but he simply couldn't bare for anyone to touch that. It wasn't beautiful and it wasn't attractive. The scars that would have been the pride of men and the beauty of orcs were nothing more than repulsive to elves. Himelon didn't understand the gesture Thranduil had been trying to make or the ultimate meaning behind it. He was only confused as to why the starlight haired elf would even consider touching his left side. As Thranduil retracted his hand feeling slightly hurt and even more guilty thinking that Himelon was blaming him for the injuries Thranduil opened his mouth to speak. He was however cut off by Himelon spinning passed him and over to the main healing table to retrieve a vial of starlight.
"We tried everything," the blonde King started averting his gaze to the ground, "They can't be fixed." Thranduil's words had been laced with sorrow and regret while Elrond's grimace spoke volumes more.
"I know," Himelon replied with a voice as steady and clam as a high mountain lake on the eve of winter, "But I have to try for myself." The statement had been matter of fact and blunt. It wasn't that Himelon didn't trust the healing techniques of his kin, it was just that he knew a few healing spells that had faded from the memories of most. Unfortunately the result was an unchanged stated of being. Just as Thranduil had said, the scars could not be fixed while Himelon yet dwelt in Middle Earth. They could only be concealed. Letting out a shaky breath the raven haired elf let himself drop down to the bed and the illusion that Thranduil had placed on him flowed effortlessly back over the scars. It would appear as if he had been completely healed. Himelon's appearance would look as it always had and for that he was grateful. It was no secret that some elves could be cruel when judging others based on appearance. In truth most all elves judged each other based on appearance even if they didn't realize it. Even though Himelon had little contact with other elves he still felt comforted knowing that he would look as he always had. Whether he was around others often or not he didn't want to have to look at the scars if he didn't have to.
"Thank you," the raven haired elf smiled gently at Elrond and Thranduil despite his eyes swelling with sadness, "I will be gone before the hour is out." The statement had caused both Elrond and Thranduil to startle and they both moved toward the be in unison and one barely managed to speak before the other.
"You are not yet fully healed," Elrond had managed to bite out sharply before Thranduil could speak, "You cannot travel alone." Elrond knew the stubbornness and will of the elder male but he would not allow him to leave so soon after being healed. The Lord of Imladris had half a mind to place a guard at the door to make certain Himelon did not leave until he had fully recuperated. The brunette haired male would have expressed this had Thranduil not cut him off by jumping in as soon as Elrond had finished his sentence.
"I have not yet given you permission to leave," the words had come out as more of a frantic stumble than a real argument, "You will return to Greenwood with me." The Elven King's eyes had returned to their icy stated as he gazed down at the other male once again invading Himelon's personal space.
"Technically that is not your decision to make," Himelon half chuckled as he titled his head to the side, "We are no longer in Greenwood and this is Elrond's home. It's his decision." In the time Himelon had been in Greenwood he had become quite attached to the starlight haired king but, given the recent developments, thought that it would likely be best if he killed his ever growing feelings for Thranduil before they could fully manifest. A King could never find a disfigured elf attractive and Himelon figured he should just spare himself the pain of being told that.
"I do not care," Thranduil had bit out the statement as swiftly as a flash of lightening as his eyes softened once again and he brought himself to crouch down to make eye contact with the raven haired elf, "You will return with me. I have already failed to protect you once and will not do it again." Thranduil pulled Himelon off the bed and tightly into his arms as tears leaked slowly out from the blonde King's eyes and the weight of his confession sunk in to both Himelon and Elrond. In that moment Elrond understood why Thranduil had stayed rather than taking his men and leaving. He had feelings for the raven haired elf.
"You deserve better," Himelon mumbled softly as his own tears began to leak gently from his right eye, "A beautiful maid perhaps…" Despite his soft protest verbally the raven haired elf was doing little to protest to the embrace. Himelon had snuggled softly into the starlight haired male's shoulder and rather tightly returned the embrace. At the moment the raven haired elf had a very low opinion of himself in the physical appearance department. It would likely have been different if Thranduil had not known about the scars. Lying was something Himelon could do with relative ease. The fact that the Elven King had seen the scars is what made his so insecure. Ordinarily these sorts of things would have been the furthest thing from Himelon's mind but his attraction to the blonde king was undeniable and seemed to have made him rather self conscious.
"You're beautiful." Thranduil's tears had stopped and he'd pulled Himelon from his shoulder to look the other male in the eye in hopes of conveying the fact that he was not lying to make other feel better, "I will tell you every day until you believe it." The Elven King let a soft smile play across his features as he saw Himelon's acceptance of the simple fact that he was not to be rid of the starlight haired elf King. A small nod and rather pointed lean into Thranduil was what ended the conversation. Wrapping his arms around Himelon the starlight haired male placed both himself and the raven haired elf back into the bed. As he felt Himelon start to relax against him Thranduil glanced back at Elrond with an appreciative smile. Elrond, in return, smiled gently at Thranduil before excusing himself with a soft nod.