Disclaimer in Chapter 1 - They may yet be alive.
Nin-dethro hîn, Mellon-nin.
Chapter 19 – Lord Aragorn is right.
"Finally awake?"
Legolas turned his head towards the sound of the voice. His smiled weakly as he watched Elladan walk over with Elrohir and Théodred. The Prince of the Woodland Realm nodded silently before wincing at the slight pain that ran throughout his mind.
Elladan and the Rohirrim Prince sat down beside Legolas' right side while Elrohir went beside the other, checking the wound to see if it hadn't reopened during the time they had left the Prince along with Gimli or it had suddenly caught an infection.
Elladan looked towards the Dwarf, which still slept by his Elven friend and he smiled slightly, nudging Théodred's arm and nodding at the Dwarf. "How long do you suppose he has been like that? The eldest son of Elrond asked.
"Probably from the moment you finished that story and left him to tend to others in the room." Théodred smiled and then looked back to the blonde Elf when he heard him moan in pain.
"Sorry, Legolas…" Elrohir apologised when he had pocked a tender part of the wound. "…I must say that you are healing nicely and it should heal completely within the next hour or so." The youngest twin smiled at his own news and watched as Legolas' pained expression became soft once more.
All around him, except the Dwarf and other injured, they could see the quick healing process the Mirkwood Prince was going through. The morning sun was still with them and the twins were thankful for it helped speed up Legolas' own healing and made the Prince stronger by the minutes that were passing.
Legolas nodded his thanks and slowly shut his eyes once more "Just one more hour." He thought but then his eyes shot open unexpectedly and he grabbed a hold of Elrohir's sleeve, made the twin jump at the sudden touch. "Wake me…In case I have…"
Elrohir nodded his understanding and gently released the Prince's tight grip from his arm. He, Elladan and Théodred all watched as the Prince slowly shut his eyes once more, a slight fear within them as darkness took him again.
"What was that about?" The Rohan Prince asked, still a slightest bit shocked of how quick the Prince's moves were to warn the Elf twin about something he had no knowledge of.
"He suffers from nightmares." Elladan sighed as he looked at his twin, who careful watched Legolas' facial expression to know when he should interrupt the nightmare he was to be experiencing.
"Nightmares?" Théodred furrowed his brow, not really understanding how an Elf three times his age could get such silly things.
"He has been through a lot in the past." Elladan gently pulled back the blanket that laid apon the blonde Elf's being and heard a gasp from the Prince beside him. "He was taken from his home at the age of six, in mortal years, and spent imprisoned within the fortress of Dol Guldur for five hundred and fifty seven years, at the hand of the dark Lord himself." The eldest son of Elrond sighed again and placed the blanket back over his dear friend.
"By the gods…" Théodred whispered as he slowly brought his hand up to his hair and ran it through "How old is Legolas, if you don't mind me asking?" He asked, wondering how long it could have been since the Prince had been to Dol Guldur.
"He is the youngest of our kind..." Elladan answered.
"...Two thousand, eight hundred and ninety two." Elrohir finished, still looking to see a change in the Prince's expression.
So far, so good.
If Théodred was drinking he would have spit out the contents in disbelief. "That old?" His eyes went wide and he heard a small chuckle to his right coming from the eldest twin.
"If you think he is old, you haven't heard our age yet…" Elladan laughed and saw a small smile apon his brothers face "…Or our fathers to be exact. He is truly old."
This time Elrohir did laugh "What about our Grandmother and Grandfather?" He winked at his double, making Elladan laugh harder.
"They are ancient, Gwador!"
Many of the people who looked over at the laughing Elves and their Prince, who had joined in also, smiled at the great friendship that seemed too had formed in the shortest of time. Soon, they all heard a moan from the sleeping Dwarf and their smiles grew wider as he started to complain about the loudness of Elves and their stupidity.
The door to the great hall opened and the familiar figure of Gandalf the white and the future King of Gondor walked in. They both smiled at the merry gathering and walked over to the three Elves, Man and Dwarf.
"Having fun, are we?" Aragorn asked as he looked at his two brothers who were wiping tears from their old eyes.
"Ai, Gwador-nin, you have missed much." Elladan laughed with his identical brother when Aragorn narrowed his eyes and smiled at the two pranksters.
Soon, Elrohir's laughter came to a stop and he looked at the pained expression of the Prince below. He shook him slightly and was glad that the Prince snapped out of his dream quickly before the dream he was having, got out of control.
"Hannon le." Legolas said to the youngest twin with a smile.
Elrohir nodded and smiled back. "lle ier creoso, mellon-nin." *You are welcome, mellon-nin.*
"Ah, Laegolas, man mathach?" *Greenleaf, how do you feel?* Gandalf asked in the grey tongue, knowing that the Prince would be speaking like this for a few minutes or so.
"Amin suetrec tereva" Legolas answered back, the smile still apon his face. He quickly turned and faced the Rohirrim Prince and repeated his answer in the common tongue, already snapped out of his Elvish quicker than usually. "I feel fine."
Théodred nodded as he began to understand what the white Wizard had said to his new friend. The Prince soon turned and faced the door that had just been slammed open and the King's lieutenant, Gamling, came running towards the group. "How is my father, Gamling?" He asked the ginger bearded man as he finally stood in front of them all.
"Your father wishes to speak to you all, my Prince." Gamling bowed in respect and then walked back. Almost the opposite of what he had entered the room like.
Aragorn looked down at the Rohan Prince and asked "Might you know what that was about?"
"Unfortunately, I don't." Théodred replied "I have not seen my father since we rode down the causeway into battle and after that, when we were on the fields with Éomer." The Prince sighed "Whatever it is, he has summoned us to his chambers. It is likely we will find Éomer and Éowyn there." The Man stood and then waited for the two identical beings to help their Elven kin up from the stretcher he still laid apon and onto his feet.
Elrohir took the blanket from the Dwarf, who held it out towards him and thanked him for it. He placed it around Legolas' shoulders to cover up his tortured bare body and then slipped a hand around his friends waist, feeling his twin do the same. All three, walked in perfect sync on soundless footsteps as they walked towards the door at the back of the Throne.
Théodred led the way, Gimli beside him, the three Elves next and then Aragorn and Gandalf behind. None uttered a word as they silently walked through the royal halls and in the direction of the King's chambers.
Rohan's Prince knocked twice before speaking "Father, it is us. May we come in?" When he heard the command, he opened the door to confirm his suspicions before as he saw his two cousins sitting around a fireplace, waiting patiently for the group to arrive. The Prince walked over to his father, who sat on the bed, his legs underneath many layers of sheets and the other half of his body propped up against the headboard, Gamling stood beside the bed he was on.
"We have plans to discuss." Théoden spoke and motioned for those that stood by the door to sit somewhere around his chambers.
Elladan and Elrohir guided Legolas over to the sofa by the grand fireplace and sat him down slowly, trying not to cause the Woodland Elf any pain as they did. Aragorn and Gimli took a seat beside Éomer and the two nodded their greetings at the Rohirrim before sitting down in silence. Théodred sat beside his father on the bed and Gandalf stood on the other side next to Gamling.
"Is he well?" Éowyn furrowed her brows as she whispered at the blonde Elf, looking also at the identical ones beside him.
"He is well, my Lady." Both answered and watched her smile, rolling the blue eyes she had ever so slightly. They had come to know the maiden well already as she always smiled and rolled her eyes whenever they spoke at the same time. They could tell she found it amusing and yet, they couldn't wait until she began to get their names mixed up.
"What are these plans, father?" Théodred asked as he looked up at his father, breaking the silence and causing those around to look at the two Royals on the bed.
"Tomorrow, when the sun has met the centre of the skies above, we will leave and journey back to Edoras." Théoden hoped that there would be no objections but then again, he was in the world of the living and not in the world of his dreams.
"You surely jest?" Gimli spoke first, almost about to stand before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at the future King of Gondor and huffed as he sat back down again.
Reading the atmosphere within the King's royal chambers, Aragorn said "You have many Men that lay injured in your halls and streets; they will not be able to make the journey back." He stated his opinion, knowing that everyone else thought the same.
"Uncle…" Éowyn began "…Lord Aragorn is right." She stood from where she sat and turned towards her uncle she had previously had her back to. "I have seen the injured and the numbers of the dead that line these streets. Two few will return back home with us."
"They will stay."
"What?" Théodred looked at his father in disbelief and then repeated what his King had just said "They will stay?"
"Yes." Théoden answered, looking at his dear son who sat beside him "I have already seen to the healers that they will stay and care for the many injured. Only a handful of us shall return back to Edoras."
"How are they going to return without any protectors when we have left? Surely you will not send them back alone?" Éomer stood beside the future King of Gondor.
"I have already ordered some guards to stay and send thirty back at a time, six of those will be the guards." Théoden then looked to his nephew. "They are rushing to conclusions." His mind sighed.
"They are rushing because they care about their injured." A voice within the King's mind sounded and the Théoden furrowed his brows. "Do you not care about your people, oh, great King of Rohan."
"That is not the point!" The King shouted, causing everyone, beside Legolas, to face him.
"Father?" Théodred narrowed his eyes at his Fathers sounded shout.
Théoden looked around and then his features softened. "Théodred, can you not hear it?" He asked wondering if he was slowly going mad.
"Only you can hear me, King of Rohan."
"Hear what?" Théodred answered this time, his eyebrows furrowed in worry.
Gandalf turned his eyes towards the Prince apon the sofa. He had not turned around at the shout and the white Wizard could tell the Prince was up to something. He turned his eyes back and hoped that the King would not realise that it was Legolas talking to him for that would cause many curses and anger all on the King's side.
"Only I?" Théoden whispered and looked down at the sheets that covered his legs.
"Do you care?" The voice asked him and Théoden kept silent.
Elladan and Elrohir by now had begun to understand what was happening. The youngest looked at Legolas and saw the Prince's eyes were glazed. Anyone beside them, Aragorn and Gandalf would've thought that the Prince might've fallen asleep but they knew the Prince too well for him to suddenly decide to sleep during an important meeting.
"Do you care about your people?"
"I do." Théodred answered back, not knowing that the room had gone completely silent as they waited for him to reply back his son's question.
"Then wait until most are well." The voice spoke highly "You will have no cause of celebration when you return back to your town if hardly any of your people are there with you."
"I understand but how can you be sure that my city has not burned to the ground by the foul beasts that were sent to destroy it?" Edoras was the King's home and had been for many, many years. If he had returned and nothing was left then he would give up on life. He would not be a King for there cannot be a King without his home.
"Do not worry King of Rohan. You will still be a King even if you city has gone. A King does not need a home to be called King. The King needs his people. That is what you need right now." The voice faded from Théoden's mind and Legolas' eyes held their usual sparkle once more.
Elrohir sighed and then whispered "Lle yuettre ner rashwe san' lye, mellon." *You cause more trouble than us, friend* He watched as Legolas smiled and him and winked. He returned the smiled and looked back at the King.
"We will stay here and tend to the injured." Théoden mumbled and then turned to face his lieutenant. "Gamling, notify the guards that there has been a change of plan." Théodred looked in wonder as his father gave Gamling the order to tell the guards and the healers, as well, about the sudden change. "I want you all out my chambers now before I change my mind."
"Thank you, uncle." Éowyn gave her uncle a soft kiss on his cheek and then walked with everyone else out of the King's chambers.
"We leave in four days!" The King shouted to those that were now walking down the hallway away from his room and towards the great hall.
Gandalf smiled as he walked past Legolas and gently placed a hand on his shoulder before walking away. "You truly are a sneaky Prince." He had whispered and this made Legolas chuckle slightly.
"Now, what are we going to do for four days?" Gimli mumbled as he folded his arm across his chest, joining it with his other within the sling he wore.
"Ah, I fear the Dwarf might be bored in the coming days, Gwador." Elrohir looked towards his brother on the other side of Legolas.
"Gwador, I do believe you may be right..." Elladan replied back, snickering the slightest as he saw the Dwarf glare at him and his twin. "…But surely that broken arm of yours is stopping you from doing many things…
"…Is this why you might be bored, Master Dwarf?" They both said together and Gimli howled in anger.
"You stupid Elves! Talk for yourselves and not merge your sentences together! Do you know how annoying that is?!" Gimli huffed as he let out his anger, pausing in the hall way and facing the twins as he did.
Legolas silently held in a laugh as he saw his dear friends angered expression. He hadn't seen that since they first met in Imladris, all those days ago.
The twin sons of Elrond looked at the Dwarf with wide eyes and then faced each other. "I think he's lost it, Gwador." Elladan whispered to his brother, loud enough for the Dwarf to hear.
"Ai, Gwador, maybe we should fetch and bucket and poor it over his head." Elrohir gave a small smile to his brother and then both looked back at the red-faced Dwarf.
"Maybe steam will show." They both whispered in unison and Legolas couldn't take it anymore.
The Elven Prince finally let go of his laughter and the musical sound spread out throughout the corridor and into the great hall in front of them.
Many looked on at the sight that greeted then and laughed also as the Dwarf began to shout at the Elves again, making amusement and filling many wounded hearts with joy and happiness. The soft laughter from the three Elves melted all hearts and many felt revived by the sound alone. The Dwarf's constant shouts about the Elven race made the amusement grow and they all laughed at the sight. Even Aragorn, Gandalf, Théodred, Éomer and Éowyn couldn't surpass a laugh as they looked at the four.
"It is hard to believe that such beings are great friends." Aragorn smiled at Éomer as the Rider spoke.
"Many do, my friend." Aragorn laughed again as Gimli shouted something about the way Elves eat. "It has taken an awfully long time for them all to know each other this well. Legolas and Gimli the most."
"And why is that?" Éomer asked, not knowing there was a farther tale behind the Prince and Dwarf Lord. The musical laughter still ran throughout the hall and even the guards and healers had begun to laugh and look at the comical four.
"Legolas' father, the King, had imprisoned Gimli's father, Glóin, as he and thirteen others trespassed in King Thranduil's forest." Aragorn explained and looked at the merry laughter that came from the broken hearts of many children and women who had lost, fathers, sons, friends and cousins.
"I have heard the tales about the thirteen Dwarves, alongside a Hobbit and a certain wizard…" The Prince of Rohan looked towards Gandalf and saw the Wizard ignore him on purpose "…travel towards the great mountain of Erebor to claim back their home."
"It is all true and Dwarves have hated Elves for a many long years due to the fact that one of the Valar mirrored Illuvatar's creation of the Elves, trying to make his own. Illuvatar saw that the dwarves had been brought into life and decided to spare them, but he then doomed and cursed them to be in constant turmoil with the Elves." Aragorn explained "This is why Dwarves can live longer than any other mortal on this world." He looked at the confused faces of the three and sighed with a smile "It is hard to explain but this is how far my knowledge takes me. It is a miracle that Legolas and Gimli are friends."
The three nodded and then resumed laughing at the four in front of them.
Merry laughter rang throughout the hall and it was like no evil would be able to touch them at this very moment.
YAY! I didn't go to college again today either…I feel so gross :/ I will see if I can write another tomorrow and try and end this part on 21 chapters :) Much less than the last one but oh well ;) This one has bigger chapters ;)
Special note! I have just finished writing the first chapter to the Prequel of this entire story! :D I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing it :') It is called "I' tel' supëltíe" - "In the Beginning" :') There will be more chapters but not at this very point in time...jeez...Give me a break, would ya'? )
Something you might want to know? :)
1. The Elves and Dwarves- I found this answer when I looked for it on google. I had no idea the Illuvatar doomed them to be in constant turmoil with the Elves and it shocked me to find this out :o! I added the curse part for my own amusement ;)
That's it I think? ^^
Reviews;
BrightWatcher: Awwww thanks :') I wanted Thranduil to have a small scene to himself as he hasn't had the chance to be in this as much as I would have liked :L Thank you again :3 Yeah, when I proof read it I thought it seemed a bit weird when Frodo said that bit. I thought you might like it ;D Thank you once more :'D
Jasperslittlesister: Thank you and that is true :( I feel sorry for him, just as much as I feel sorry for Legolas :'( Brings tears to my eyes D: I hope this was soon and I know :( But don't worry, we still have "The return of the King" to go through ;)
Calemireth; Ahaha yay for the Elven King :D Awww :3 He is awesome, isn't he? ;) You can indeed, you can have the biggest group hug the world has ever seen ;D Ahaha I will see if the dark Lord will want a hug from you ;D Might have to persuade him a little :') Thank you and I hope this was soon enough ^^
Nardhwentheelf: I will ;) Thanks for offering but no thanks :) Thank you, I am glad you liked them :3 xx
ArwenElf16: He loved your hug ;) Awww thank you *Blushes* :3 I love him too :') I did always...I still do :( Poor ranger :'( Ahaha I have many, mellon-nin ;D I am glad you liked this chapter :D
LightsCDark: Ahhh you will love it when he nearly dies ;) Ahaha you need to learn to keep breathing, mellon ;) Always remember the wise words a Dwarf once said: "Keep breathing, that's the key" xD Ahaha that is true :) I will also be making stories after that carry in from after the war ;) I hope you will enjoy then as well :D They are indeed and they will try and make it their in one piece ;)
Faramir; Aww well this is sweet :3
Frodo and Sam; Agreed :'3
What. Are. You. Three. Doing?!
Frodo: Giving Calemireth a group hug :)
You two are supposed to be on the road to Mordor. Get going or I will feed you to the watcher -.-
*Frodo and Sam gasped and broke out of the hug just before running away*
Now, Faramir...Why are you bright red?! o.o
Faramir; Nardhwentheelf gave me a kiss :3 I am so loved by your reviewers :'D
*eye twitches* I will personally kill you...I mean it Faramir... I will.
Faramir: Teehee :')
Namarië!