Chapter Two: A Feast and Nightmares: Part One
It was a busy morning for the white city of Minas Tirith. The villagers were busy decorating their homes with the flags of their homeland, the soldiers were polishing up their armor to look their best, and the castle was adorned with the White Tree flag on every turret. Every heart was light, and every tongue told the tale of the upcoming feast that was to be held later that night.
For today was the birthday of their beloved king, Lord Aragorn. But not every heart was light, at least not yet. Faramir, the steward of Gondor, was rushing through the halls of Minas Tirith, with a haggard and worn look on his face. He had been up all morning preparing the castle for the feast, telling the cooks what to prepare and whatever else that was needed to be done. He had convienttly sent Lord Aragorn out for a morning hunt with his twin elven brothers, and he gave the elven twins strict orders to return home later that evening, and that the king returned safe and sound.
He was in the stables when one of the lookouts came rushing in with a look of worry on his face.
"Lord Faramir, there is a rider approaching fast. From the looks of it, it could mean trouble." Faramir sighed. "Great, just what I need." He mumbled to himself. Giving his remaining orders to the stable boy, he walked out into the bright sunlight and to the white tree, where the rider was waiting.
His heart leapt to his throat when he recognized the rider as Legolas. He could tell from the way that both horse and rider looked that they had ridden hard and long. The young elf was just slowly dismounting off of his horse when Faramir approached him.
"Hello my friend, you look like the…." He was about to say more when he suddenly noticed the dark stain of blood on the elf's tunic.
"Legolas, you are wounded!" The young elf's face suddenly turned white. Oh Valar, that young man's blood is still on my clothes. How am I ever going to explain that? Faramir looked at Legolas with concern.
"Mellon nin, you look like you are about to pass out. Shall I take you the healers and let them examine you?"
"No, no, that's not nessacery. It's only a scratch and nothing more." Faramir frowned.
"If it is nothing more than just a simple scratch then where did all the blood come from?" "Valar, he just sounds like Aragorn." He mumbled to himself. Unfourtunely, Faramir heard him.
"I'm sorry if I am prying into something that I shouldn't know about. It's just that I'm concerned for you and Aragorn would have my head if he found out that you were hurt and I did nothing about it."
"Well thanks for your concern, if I need anything I will let you know. By the way, where is Aragorn?" Faramir gave him a small smile.
"I have sent him and his elven twin brothers on a hunting trip while we prepare a feast in his honor. But he hopefully should be home in time for the feast." Legolas gave a small laugh.
"Knowing his twin brothers like I do, you'll be lucky if he does come home in one piece."
"Will you be joining us for the feast?" asked Faramir.
"I do not know. Though it has been a while since I've seen Aragorn and Arwyen, I don't think my spirit is ready for any revelry tonight." Faramir frowned.
"Please come, if not for my sake for Aragorn's sake. And who knows? It might actually do your heart good and you must be hungry from your long trip." Legolas sighed, Faramir was right. If he didn't go and Aragorn found out that he was here and did not attend his own best friend's feast it would hurt Aragorn's feelings, and he didn't want to be also blamed for hurting a friend.
"All right Faramir, I will go."
"Thank you. And don't worry I have a place for you right next to me. You'll be sitting at the king and queen's table tonight."
"Is Eowyn not joining you tonight?"
"No I'm afraid she can't attend tonight. You see she is heavily pregnant with child and this pregnancy has been a difficult one for her. So Aragorn has ordered her on strict bed rest till at least. She has the baby."
"And what are you hoping for and when will the baby come?" this time Faramir gave him a big smile.
"Well I am hoping for a son and Aragorn says it could be any day now." Legolas gave him a friendly hug.
"Well congratulations, Mellon nin. If you don't mind now I would like to retire to my room for some rest before the feast."
"That is all right with me. And I will have one of my stable boys take care of your horse for as long as you stay here." Legolas gave him a nod of appreciation and wearily walked into the castle and up the stairs to his familiar guest room.
He was just about to prepare himself for some rest when there was a gentle knock on the door. He told the person that the door was unlocked and one of the maids came in. She curtsied to him and gave him a gentle smile.
"Good evening young prince, is there anything you would have me do for you today?" Legolas looked at his blood stained tunic.
"Yes, there is one thing I would have you do. Could you take these bloodstained clothes of mine and have them washed?"
"Why yes young prince, I would be happy to do that for you. I will wait outside the door until you are ready."
"Thank you." A few minutes later the prince told the maid that she could come back inside the room. Legolas had changed into an elven silk robe that showed every muscle in his slim body. Author's note: Drool time! Drool time. All the fan girls oooh and aaah!!!! Okay back to the story. The maid blushed and took the bloodstained clothes from the prince.
"Is there anything else you need my lord?"
:"No, not at this moment." The maid smiled and curtsied, leaving Legolas alone again in his room. Finally having a moment of peace and quiet, Legolas sighed and collapsed wearily on the bed. It wasn't long that his eyes closed and he drifted off in a deep sleep.
LOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTR
Later that night found Legolas nervously standing in the doorway to the banquet hall. He had found that some familiar faces that he remembered were there and yet he couldn't bring himself to see them once again, including Aragorn. What if they found out? That he killed someone, a young boy, and then like a coward ran away from the scene without taking responsibility for what he had done? He pictured those friendly faces turning into faces of anger, hurt, and betrayal. Their voices accusing, and hateful. No he couldn't face that; he'd rather go to the hangman's noose than to see his friends when they found out about what he had done.
Sighing he turned to leave, when Faramir stopped him, a frown on his face.
"Why Legolas why are you leaving? I thought you said you would come tonight. You look like going to the feast will kill you."
It will kill me inside, thought Legolas to himself.
"I changed my mind Faramir; I don't think I can attend tonight. Do exchange my apologies to Aragorn and I will speak to him in the morning." He was about to leave when a hand was placed was on his shoulder and all too familiar voice spoke to him with concern.
"What do you mean you cannot attend the feast tonight?"
"Oh Valar, its Aragorn!"
"I'm sorry Mellon Nin, I must be more tired than I thought and I feel a little unwell. So I must decline being at your feast tonight and get some more rest. Perhaps we can talk tomorrow?" Aragorn closely scrutinized the look on Legolas face. Clearly the elf was not telling him the truth for the look in the young elf's eyes were of hurt, terror, and agony.
"Legolas there is something you are not telling me. What is it? Whatever it is you can tell me, I'll understand."
"You don't believe me? I'm telling you Mellon Nin, everything I say is true." Aragorn shook his head.
"No Legolas, you are hiding something. I know you all to well." At these words Legolas snapped.
"How dare you accuse me of hiding something! If I had something to tell you I would tell you, you know that! If you knew what I really am," he hung his head, his eyes avoiding the concern in Aragorn's eyes.
"Even if you were the worst person on earth I would still invite to sit at my table, for you are my friend. So please come, and join me."
"No I will not." Legolas answered bitterly.
"You would deny my request? You'd let your feeling get in the way of enjoy yourself with dear friends that haven't seen you for awhile? How can you be so selfish?"
"Selfish?! I'm being selfish?! I'm not the one forcing me to go to something that I'm not ready to go to because it is in his honor! I came here for a reprieve, not to argue and be accused!"
"Please Legolas you are letting your anger get away from you. Please stop before….." but Legolas stopped him before the king could say anymore.
"No I have heard enough from you! Ever since you had been king it has all gone to your head. You think you can tell anyone what to do or force them to do it no matter if they like it or not. Well I am not that kind of person and I won't stand for it." And without warning Legolas stormed away leaving a bewildered Faramir and concerned Aragorn watching him walk away.
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