Chapter 3 –Spiders and Friends
The sound of a soft groan reached his ears, causing Elrohir to snap awake. Disoriented he wasn't aware of where the intruding noise came from. He felt cold and weak. Elrohir knew he had over exerted himself; he had gone against his father's cautions and poured too much of his energy into Elladan. Elrohir knew the dangers that came with overuse of his healing powers. They were like a double-edged sword. If he used too much of his energy he would hurt himself more than he could help others.
Elrohir's eyes quickly scanned the room. He saw the soft glow of light from the setting sun filter into the room through the bedchamber's single window. He realized he must have slept the whole day, for Elladan and himself where led to Thranduil's halls early in the morning. He was hoping it was at least still the same day.
Slowly Elrohir turned towards his brother. He heard the groan again and realized the soft sound came from his twin. His heart soared when he saw Elladan's eyes flutter. Throwing the blankets off himself, he leaned over his brother, grasping his left hand tightly as he softly stroked Elladan's still too pale cheek.
"Brother, hear my voice come back to the light," Elrohir whispered. "Hear my voice dear one, please awaken."
Slowly Elladan opened his eyes, taking time to adjust to the light of the room. He gazed up towards Elrohir's face. Elladan's expression fell as saw tears falling from his brother's dark grief-stricken eyes. Remorsefully Elladan brought his hand up to gently wipe the free falling tears away from his twin's face.
"I am sorry Brother. I did not wish to cause you worry," Elladan said. His eyes filled with anguish. It tore at him to see Elrohir cry, knowing he was the cause of the tears.
Elrohir weakly smiled, he had not realized he had been crying. He grasped Elladan's hand holding it firmly against his wet cheek. "Nay Brother, I am just relieved you are well. It would be unbearable if I lost you too," he said.
"How long have I been asleep?" Elladan asked.
Elrohir helped his brother up towards a sitting position, supporting his back with large fluffy pillows. Elladan grimaced at the sharp aching pain in his chest.
"Since this morning, it is almost nightfall. Here brother, drink this," Elrohir said, bringing a cup of warm tea to Elladan's lips.
"A healer called Rudiel made it for you," Elrohir continued. "He was the one who tended to your injuries. He told me the tea contains a sedative to relieve the pain but will make you feel drowsy."
Elladan obediently drank the tea. He was surprised to find it wasn't that horrible tasting and the effects were instantaneous, as the pain seemed to vanish. He couldn't recall having anything like this back at Imladris.
Once Elladan had finished he confessed, "I am sorry I caused you such grief. I only hid my pain from you to prevent you from feeling it. I did not wish to hurt you more. It pains me to realize that I was still the cause of your tears. Please forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive. It should be I who asks for your forgiveness. I had not even noticed you were injured. Do not hide your pain from me brother. Let me help you. Let me comfort you as you comfort me," Elrohir replied.
Elladan looked deeply into his brother's eyes before he felt the predicted drowsiness of the tea take hold of him. He did not fight the effects as his eyes began to close, letting himself drift off into the peaceful healing sleep. He did not wish to dampen his recovery. The faster he could heal, the sooner they could continue hunting orcs. Elladan didn't want to linger in Mirkwood any longer then what was necessary.
Elrohir simply stroked his sleeping brother's hair. Knowing Elladan was unable to hear him, Elrohir softly whispered, "You are filled with more despair than I brother. I can see it in your eyes. Why will you not let me help you? Why do you block our bond? Why do you choose to lock all emotion away within yourself and not seek comfort? Can't you see? It's slowly destroying you."
The sun was setting. The first day of his punishment was almost complete. After tomorrow he could go outside again. Legolas sat hunched over a table in one of his father's private sitting rooms. He sat alone in the room on a cushioned chair, swinging his legs, softly humming to himself.
Legolas was drawing a picture of his father for his father. His fingers were stained with coal as he worked intently on trying to get the shading just right. He frowned clearly frustrated. No matter how many attempts he made the picture just ended up looking wrong. Legolas wished he were better at drawing faces. If he wanted to gift this to his father it had to be perfect.
His father, cousin and other important elves were in council. Legolas was not permitted to disturb them unless there was an emergency. The elfling did not mind being alone though. Soon the stars would rise marking the start of the evening meal where he would be reunited with his father. The meal always followed with dance, song and stories. Legolas loved that time. He would sit upon his father's knee, listening and occasionally participating in the merrymaking of the elves around him.
Legolas was so intently focused on his self appointed task of shading in his father's face for the umpteenth time that he failed to notice the tiny spider crawling across the table until it ended up on his hand.
Legolas felt a soft tickling sensation move across the back of his hand. Irritated he looked down, finally taking notice to the tiny spider. Legolas paled as he screamed, shaking his hand to get the feigned beast off him and inadvertently flinging it across the room. Legolas frantically wiped his hands on the front of his tunic, smearing coal all over himself before jumping out of his seat running towards the closed door. There was a spider in the palace his father had to be notified.
Legolas had been taught that spiders were dangerous and he should always tell his father if he were to ever come across one. What he didn't realize was that, that rule only applied to the large dangerous spiders living outside in the forest. Not the small harmless ones found occasionally indoors. Regardless of how many times it was explained to him, Legolas did not understand the distinction between the two. He had never seen one of the big spiders outside before. A spider was a spider, whenever he saw one his brain screamed danger.
Legolas reached for the handle of the door desperately trying to push it open. He panicked when the door would not budge. He pushed harder forcing all his weight onto it, but still it would not open. In all of Legolas' attempts to open the door he forgot that to open this particular door you had to pull not push.
Legolas panicked, tears filled his eyes as he started to cry uncontrollably in fear. He was trapped in a chamber with a dangerous spider lost somewhere in the room. During sunset nobody was anywhere near this wing of the palace. Anybody who would normally make use of this room was in council. The servants including Lealle, his nursemaid was off at the dinning halls preparing for the evening meal.
Legolas sat down against the wall next to the door. He wrapped his arms around himself and reached for the leaf pendent around his neck seeking out its comfort. Legolas' small body shook as he cried. His breath came in large gasps making it difficult to take in air, as large hot tears streamed down his face.
Elrohir's mood was solemn as sat next to Elladan's bed holding onto his sleeping brother's hand. He sat there in silence listening to his brother's even breathing. It was during this moment when he was lost in his thoughts, that his elven hearing heard a small scream followed by banging. That was odd. King Thranduil was kind enough to offer him and his brother rooms in royal family's private wing. He had not heard anyone pass by the room in hours. He thought himself and his brother to be alone at this end of the palace.
He then heard what sounded like crying. Someone was crying? Was someone injured? Realizing he was the only one at this side of the palace able to help, his inner healer sprung into action. Taking one last glance at his brother, promising to return, Elrohir stood up and sprung out the door towards the noise.
His ears brought him to large dark oak door. Carefully he slowly pushed open the door. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the room. It appeared to be empty. Was this a trick? He then heard a gasping sob and looked down.
Elrohir was deeply disturbed at he sight before him. His heart tore into pieces, there was a blond elfling curled up into a tiny ball, shaking, gasping for air as tears flowed down his cheeks. He could tell these were not tears of pain but tears of fear, Elrohir and both seen and shed enough tears to be able to distinguish between the two. What could possibly have happened to frighten an elfling so? Elrohir wondered as he knelt down before the elfling, gently scooping him into his arms.
"Shhh little one, I've got you," Elrohir soothed.
Legolas felt a gentle pair of arms lift him and embrace him. Legolas wrapped his arms around the elf's neck burying his head into the elf's shoulder, seeking the comfort that the stranger's embrace offered him. A sense of relief flooded through him. He was no longer trapped and alone with a spider. This elf had saved him.
Though Legolas had calmed greatly, his breathing still came in loud gasps hurting his chest. The elf stood with Legolas in his arms, slowly pacing the room as he spoke softly, "Penneth you are on the verge of hyperventilating, you must try to calm your breathing."
Legolas nodded in understanding, hot tears still rolling down his cheeks. He did not recognize the voice but listened to comforting tone. The elf pulled him close so Legolas' head was leaning against his chest. The elf soothingly rubbed his back.
"Follow my breathing, breath with me. In and out, in and out," the elf calmly said.
Legolas followed; soon his gasps subsided to his normal quiet breathing pattern. Legolas brushed the tears from his eyes, not realizing his hands were still dirty with coal, now smearing it across his face.
Once the elf was satisfied with Legolas' breathing, he carried Legolas across the room, gently placing him on the table. Legolas looked at the elf before him and gasped, realizing just who it was. This was one of his father's visitors, one of the mysterious identical magic elves.
"My name is Elrohir. What are you called little one?" the older elf softly inquired.
"L-Legolas," he replied sniffling.
The name sounded familiar but Elrohir could not place where he heard it before. Elrohir wondered whose elfling this was. Elflings were quite rare these days. Of all places elflings could reside he did not expect to come across one in the military fortress of Mirkwood's palace. Given that Legolas was found in a private reading room, he assumed that Legolas belonged some high official elf in King Thranduil's court.
"Can you tell me why you are so upset Legolas?" Elrohir asked, brushing hair away from Legolas' face.
"I was drawing a picture for Ada when th-there w-was a s-sp-spider," Legolas said as a new wave of tears escaped his terror filled eyes. The ordeal of being trapped in the room had left him quite shaken and prone to easy tears.
"A spider?" Elrohir asked in disbelief. Surely one of the spiders he had battled on the way to the palace could not have breached the King's defenses, entering the palace. The security measures set in place were quite overwhelming.
Elrohir brushed Legolas' tears away with his sleeve.
"Do not worry Legolas, I will not let it harm you," Elrohir said, unsure of what else to say to comfort the frightened elfling.
Those words seemed to do the trick as a genuine smile spread across Legolas' face, "Thank you," he said relieved.
Legolas wasn't sure what the identical elves would be like. At first he was almost scared to meet them. He changed his mind deciding he liked Elrohir, he regretted his former feelings of fear. Elrohir was really nice.
His vision caught sight of something at the back of the room. Legolas froze in terror. The spider that attacked him was crawling up the wall. Legolas grabbed Elrohir's arm and pointing in the direction of the tiny black beast.
"That is the spider?" Elrohir asked.
Legolas nodded as more tears threatened to spill from his eyes.
"Okay, stay here while I go remove it."
Elrohir couldn't bring himself to kill a harmless creature. Instead he trapped it in his hands and placed it in the plant sitting in the hallway. Once the spider was gone and Elrohir had returned to the room, Legolas jumped off the table and ran over to him. He threw himself at Elrohir, wrapping his small arms around Elrohir's legs.
"Thank you for saving me," the elfling said smiling brightly.
Elrohir just smiled back in response. The elfling's smile was contagious. As soon as the spider was removed it seemed as though a switch at flipped in the elfling's mind, he went from scared to extremely happy in seconds. Leaving Elrohir slightly puzzled.
Elrohir looked down to see the elfling, who was staring up at him expectantly. His bright blue eyes focused and unblinking. Elrohir confused by this, returned the youngling's gaze. They stood there in silence bright blue eyes meeting soft grey in an unspoken battle. Elrohir blinked.
"I won!" Legolas cried.
"I beg your pardon?" Elrohir asked more confused then before.
"I won the staring contest!" Legolas said his voice filled with excitement. "I never win, but this time I did not blink first and I won!"
"If I had known I participating in such a challenge, the outcome would have been different," Elrohir teased grinning. The elfling's excitement was infectious.
Smiling Legolas stood with his hands twisted behind his back, looking as if he wanted to ask a question, but was afraid to know the answer.
"What is it?" Elrohir asked curious.
"Will you play with me?" Legolas asked looking up at Elrohir, his eyes pleading Elrohir to say yes. "…Please?" he added, remembering his manners.
Elrohir thought about the offer. His brother was healing well, well enough that he did not require someone to sit at his bedside. A brief memory flashed through Elrohir's eyes. Back before things changed in Imladris he had spent most of his free afternoons with elflings, playing with them and teaching them the basics of the art of swordplay. He smiled at the memory realizing that he missed the innocence and energy that came hand in hand with the very young. Elfling's had a radiant spark of life, untainted by the troubles of the world.
Elrohir looked at the tiny elfling. He must be lonely, Elrohir thought. Were there not other elflings around to play with him?
Legolas looked down defeated. Elrohir was taking a long time to respond. Legolas had learned that when adults took a long time to respond it usually meant they were thinking up a reason not to play with him.
"I understand you do not wish to, I am sorry, " Legolas said.
Elrohir knelt down to Legolas' level.
"What makes you think I do not wish to play with you?" Elrohir questioned.
"You'll play with me?!" Legolas asked, not believing it himself, "Really?"
"Yes," Elrohir confirmed.
"Right now?"
Elrohir nodded.
A huge grin broke out on Legolas' face.
"Nobody ever has time to play with me. Well Ada does, but he is often very busy. Noron will play with me when he is not on patrol, but he goes away for a long time and I hardly ever get to see him," Legolas chirped away excitedly. "Rudiel will take me for walks and some times Laelle will. She used to play with me a lot, but now that I am older I do not need her to watch me all the time. She usually gives me baths at night and helps me get ready in the mornings, and she…"
Legolas was about to say more when Elrohir brought a finger up to the elfling's lips, silencing him.
"I will play with you under one condition," Elrohir said, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
"What is it?" Legolas asked, skeptical.
"First we must clean your hands and wipe all that coal from you face."
This elicited a giggle from Legolas as Elrohir ruffled his blond hair.
Now that Legolas finally found someone who was willing to play with him, he was undecided on what game they should play. Elrohir wisely suggested that Legolas give him a tour of the palace, a suggestion to which Legolas happily agreed. Though Elrohir had been to the palace several times before and knew layout quite well, he wished to keep their activities away from his sleeping brother. The longer Elladan slept, the faster he would heal. Elrohir knew from experience that while playing with rambunctious excited elflings things could get rather loud.
Legolas tightly gripped Elrohir's hand as he skipped and bounced down the hallway, practically pulling Elrohir along after him. The pair passed by several groups of working servants, directing curious glances their way. The servants had not been made aware their King was hosting a guest. The maids gossiped between themselves wondering whom this handsome dark haired ellon was accompanying their young prince. By elvish standards Elrohir was very fair, emitting the radiance of his ancestress Lúthien. The maids blushed feverously as Elrohir looked their way.
Elrohir understood that Legolas' father was obviously someone of important status in Mirkwood, judging by the servant's behavior towards the elfling, but he couldn't help to wonder where Legolas' mother was. He silently questioned why the elfling had not mentioned her. Most young elflings rarely strayed far from their mothers. He quickly pushed those thoughts away. It was not his place to ask. Thinking of mothers, his mother still pained him, like dull never subsiding ache in his chest.
On the tour they ran into Galion, the King's butler, carrying a giant flask of wine in preparation for the evening festivities. Galion smiled upon seeing the young prince. He had not seen Legolas looks so happy in a very long time.
"Good evening young one, how do you fare?" Galion said, bowing respectfully.
"Hi Galion, I am well" Legolas chimed.
"Who is your friend?" Galion asked, eyeing Elrohir.
Legolas smiled at the question. Friend? Elrohir was his friend? The thought had not yet crossed his mind. What constitutes someone as a friend? What point in knowing someone marks the jump from the status of an acquaintance to that of a friend? Elrohir had rescued him from a spider, calmed his crying, was kind and gentle, and then agreed to play with him. Most importantly Legolas felt he could trust him. I guess that does make Elrohir my friend, Legolas thought happily.
"My friend…" Legolas tested, the words sounding foreign to him on his own lips. "My friend is Elrohir."
Galion bowed, "My Lord Elrohir, please forgive me, I did not recognize you from earlier."
Elrohir waved the apology away. He did not like such formalities.
"Galion, do you know when Ada will be finished in council? I wish to show him my new… friend."
"Aye my Prince, judging by the stars in the sky and the smell of the feast in the air, the King should be finishing up very soon."
Elrohir blanked. Prince? King? Thranduil had a son? This was definitely shocking news to him.
Legolas thanked Galion, watching him walk away before turning towards his new friend. Legolas frowned seeing the confused expression on Elrohir's face.
"Elrohir, does something ail you?" Legolas shyly asked.
"You are Thranduil's son, Prince of Mirkwood."
Legolas looked down towards the ground.
"Yes, I am," he confirmed.
"Why did you not tell me?" Elrohir softly inquired, more surprised then anything.
Legolas nervously shifted on his feet.
"I do not wish to be treated as a prince," he simply stated. "I just thought that maybe if you didn't know I was a prince you would treat me like I was normal. When other elflings find out I am their Prince, they do not playing with me anymore. Are you angry with me? Will you still be my friend?"
Elrohir's expression softened, "Of course we are still friends. Nothing will ever change that."
Legolas beamed at Elrohir's words, his heart fluttering.
Elrohir knelt before Legolas. With the back of his hand he gently stoked the elflings cheek, "I am not angry with you," he said gently.
"Do not feel you should hide yourself from others. Be proud of who you are," Elrohir said. He spoke those words from his heart, having them been told to him many times before by his mother. Life as a Peredhil was not always an easy one.
Legolas was ecstatic. At his young age making friends had proven to be a challenge for him.
"Hmm, an elfling prince. I guess that makes you a princeling," Elrohir said thoughtfully.
The two of them continued down the hallway, when Legolas suddenly stopped before a pair of large oak doors, a thought had just occurred to him.
"Elrohir?"
"Yes princeling?"
"Will your brother be my friend too?"
Elrohir looked down at the elfling, "Of course he will! You can meet him tomorrow. He should be feeling better by then."
"Thank you! I would very much like that!"
Legolas could not contain his excitement; he was about to say more when the large oak doors opened. A group of high-ranking elves of the kings court, advisors, and patrol captains filed out of the room, followed by their King. Without a word Legolas ran towards his father.
The King seeing his elfling running towards him knelt down and held his arms open. When the elfling reached his grasp the King stood up and spun his child around. Causing Legolas to squeal in delight. Thranduil just stood there for a moment, holding his child closely.
The council had been a stressful one, greatly testing the King's patience. He was relieved it had finally concluded for the day. Upon the sight of Legolas running towards him, all the negativity and ill feelings of the council vanquished from the King's heart filled it instead with the unconditional love he had for his son. It was now time for Thranduil to be a father first and a king second. Legolas loved being in his father's arms and did not care that he was not a tiny elfling anymore.
Elrohir simply smiled at the sight. He remembered when his father very much did the same thing with him and his brother when they were elflings. He felt awkward standing there watching the tender moment between father and son. He was unsure if he should leave or stay, he decided on leaving.
Elrohir was about turn to make his way back to his brother's room when Thranduil noticed him.
"Elrondion, it is a pleasure to see you," Thranduil exclaimed. "I was just about to seek you out."
"Your Majesty how can I be of service?"
"Tell me, how fares your brother?"
"He is better your highness. Your healer says tomorrow he shall be well enough to leave his bed."
"That is great news indeed."
Legolas fidgeted in his father's arms. He was bursting to tell his father all about his afternoon with Elrohir, but knew it was rude to interrupt when adults were speaking.
The Elvenking continued, "I was hoping you would be willing to attend a council tomorrow. I need more information on the orcs you and your brother were tracking."
"Of course your Majesty, I will share all that I know."
Thranduil nodded in approval before finally directing his attention towards his restless son, "What is it ion nin?"
"Ada, can Elrohir join us for the evening meal?"
Thranduil smiled, "Of course he can, I was just about to invite him myself."
Thranduil turned towards Elrohir, "You are always welcome at my table. Will you join us tonight?"
Elrohir took a moment to think about the offer. He and Elladan had isolated themselves from other elves for years, spending their time hunting orcs. It would be nice to dine in the presence of their forest kin. He knew that in Mirkwood a very small minority, if any at all besides the king had knowledge of his mother's flight. Dinning at the Elvenking's table he would not receive the looks of sorrow filled pity he would other wise have gotten back home. The night would be one filled with peace, not despair, warming him with song and dance. The offer was tempting, his heart greatly desired to go, but he knew he could not. Not without Elladan.
"I am sorry, I must decline your gracious offer. My body is starting to feel exhaustion. I fear I require more rest. Mayhap tomorrow evening?" When my brother is able to join us, he added to himself.
Elrohir's mention of exhaustion was not a lie. After travelling for many days with little rest, coupled with the stress of Elladan's injury, and then the over exertion of his healing powers, Elrohir was suddenly feeling very worn. A soft bed within the safety of Thranduil's halls was looking very appealing.
Thranduil was not disappointed, only concerned. Elrohir did look quite pale.
"Of course, take all the rest you need. I will send a servant to tend to you."
Elrohir bowed, before turning away. He decided he would go check on his brother before returning to his own chamber.
Legolas tightened his arms around his father's neck, resting his head on his shoulder. Why did the idea of dinning with him and his father make Elrohir look so sad?