Chapter 4 –Ships and Stones

Elladan slowly blinked his eyes open, awaking from a very deep healing sleep. He felt at ease as though he were lying on a cloud. The unbearable pain in his chest had subsided to mere a dull ache. His mind lay still clouded with a sleep filled haze.

Judging by the amount of sunlight that shone in through the window, Elladan determined that is must be nearing midday. He contently lay there taking in the long forgotten moments of peace. It was a nice change from waking up on the usual damp patch of grass next to the previous evening's smoldering fire.

Elladan startled, suddenly confused. Where am I? He glanced around frantically. Where is Elrohir?

After a few moments of shear panic the elf calmed remembering they had arrived at Thranduil's halls. Slowly the memories of the previous day filtered their way back into his mind. Elladan let out a loud sigh of relief. Elrohir was safe. That still didn't explain where Elrohir was though.

His sharp ears twitched at sound of a light footfall on stone, someone was nearing the room. Elrohir? Elladan thought, hopeful.

The chamber door opened as a kind faced elf dressed in cream-colored robes entered the room. Elladan stiffened upon seeing the stranger. As of late he wasn't much for conversation and would have preferred to be left alone.

"Lord Elladan, I am delighted to see that you have awakened," the stranger said, kindly smiling.

Elladan could only stare. Who is this elf? Where is Elrohir?

Sensing Elladan's confusion the elf continued, "My name is Rudiel. I am Mirkwood's Healer. I have been tending to your injuries since yesterday morning. The king was most concerned, he will be delighted to learn you have awakened."

Elladan groaned placing an arm over his eyes. How could he have forgotten his less than graceful greeting to the ElvenKing? His cheeks reddened in shame at the memory. He wondered what the King must think of him and his lack of composure. It was so unlike him.

Rudiel seeing the flush of color on his patient's cheeks was instantly at Elladan's side. "Are you feeling unwell? Are you in pain?" his voice was laced with deep concern.

"No, just thirsty," Elladan replied his voice barely audible.

"Forgive me," Rudiel said, as Elladan pushed himself up into a sitting position. The healer handed his patient a cup of strong healing potion.

"Drink it slowly my Lord, this will help rehydrate your body and restore nutrients you have lost."

"Thank you," Elladan said. He drank deeply; the foreign tasting fluid relieved his parched throat from its former dryness.

The potion did not taste of anything like ones his father had created. He wondered how many new and different medicines Mirkwood had that his father was unaware of. He made a mental note to remember to ask Rudiel about them later at a more suitable time.

"Could you tell me Master Healer, where is my brother? Is he not uninjured? I am surprised he is astray," Elladan admitted.

"Lord Elrohir is currently attending a council meeting with his Majesty King Thranduil. I suspect he will not be released until very late in the afternoon. The King's councils tend to run rather long. Though I would not say he is uninjured, he as been exhausted as of late."

Elladan now conscious of his lack of injury and pain felt his chest. It was tender to the touch but nearly healed. Elladan silently cursed to himself. Elrohir had used his powers to heal him. Elladan knew his brother meant well but hated to see Elrohir weakened in the process. Elrohir's ability wasn't powerful enough to safely heal large injuries.

"Is he alright?" Elladan asked, concerned for his brother.

"He will be, I gave him a potion to restore his energy and he will be sitting most of the afternoon."

Elladan nodded, satisfied. "My thanks," he said.

"Will you allow me to change your bandages?" Rudiel asked.

Elladan nodded. Rudiel worked expertly and carefully. His hands were precise and gentle, like his father's, causing Elladan no pain.

"Amazing," Rudiel muttered to himself. "It is nearly completely healed."

Elladan frowned at the comment. He was even more concerned for Elrohir now. Everything Elladan did was for his brother, to protect his brother. It would be unbearable if he were to lose Elrohir. Elrohir was the only anchor holding him into reality, his lifeline. Elrohir was his light, without him Elladan would succumb to the darkness that was constantly tugging at him, becoming forever lost within its bitter grasp.

Elladan's love for and desire to protect his brother was the very reason why he blocked the connection the twins shared through their bond. Elladan could tell Elrohir was starting to heal, very slowly starting to come to terms with their mother. Elladan did not have the power to control what emotions, thoughts or feelings Elrohir would receive. He would not place his emotional turmoil on his brother's healing shoulders. He could not hurt his brother like that. Elladan knew that if he were to open the link, he would only cause Elrohir to suffer the pain of losing their mother all over again, for it still lay fresh in his heart. No, it was simply better if their bond remained closed. Elladan would bare the burden of his pain alone.

While Rudiel worked, Elladan's sight caught a brief flash of blonde hair before it disappeared behind the doorframe. He looked again to see a pair of bright blue eyes peak out at him, before they too disappeared.

"You do not require bandages," Rudiel said. "I will send for a servant to bring you a light meal. You must try to eat something."

"Thank you," Elladan managed to say, still distracted by the brief flash of those bright blue eyes. They were filled with such light. Did he imagine them?

Elladan sighed once Rudiel had left closing the door behind him. He had no desire to leave this room, not until Elrohir came back for him. Slowly he managed to pull himself out of bed. He sat at the table located against the large window of his room, staring hopelessly into the forest below him. He closed his eyes listening to the sounds around him. The sound light footsteps pattering back and forth just outside his closed door caught his attention.

Legolas nervously paced the hallway in front of Elladan's room, clutching his sketchbook tightly to his chest. He had been on his way to seek out a new location where he could finish his drawing, having no desire to return to the spider room. He had been walking down the hallway when he had heard whispered sounds coming from Elrohir's brother's room, thus exciting him. Elrohir had told Legolas all about his brother and Legolas desperately wanted to meet the elf for himself.

Legolas had noticed the door hadn't been completely closed and curiously peaked in. He found himself unexpectantly met with Elladan's intense gaze. So much sorrow lay trapped beneath his grey eyes. It sent chills down Legolas' spine and a wave of familiar sorrow to his heart. Legolas had seen that look before, it brought forth memories of long past sadness. Legolas had never wanted to see that look within another's eyes again.

Now the elfling pondered his next options. He really wanted to meet Elladan but now found himself uncharacteristically shy. Would Elladan be angry with him for peeking into his room? Legolas was told by his father and had promised his father he would not bother their guests. Legolas feared he did just that. What if Elladan did not like him? What if Elrohir had lied to him? What if Elladan was actually really mean, not kind and caring as he was described? Loosing confidence Legolas continued pacing the hallway, unsure of what to do.

He was startled and jumped when the door to the room suddenly opened, finding himself face to face with Elladan. Legolas nervously took a step back hugging his sketchbook with an iron grip to his chest. He sought to look at the white marble floor as if it were the most interesting thing he had ever seen.

"Why don't you come in Thranduilion before you ware a hole in the floor?" Elladan asked. There was a small trace of humor in his voice. The deep sadness of his gaze had lessened slightly by the smile in his expression. Though the smile did not completely reach his eyes.

Legolas stood there staring at Elladan in a state of shock. It was uncanny; he looked exactly liked Elrohir, except for the look in his eyes. Though Elladan didn't seem very angry Legolas still found himself too shy to move.

"H-how d-do you know I am Th-Thranduilion?" Legolas managed stammer. Legolas saw Elrohir this morning before council and learned that Elladan had not yet awakened. How could Elladan know his identity?

"Your eyes and hair resemble that of your father," Elladan simply replied.

When Legolas said nothing Elladan added, "Mirkwood is not known to have many elflings, especially elflings residing in the military fortress that the palace is. I was an advisor to my father. We had received notice upon your birth. I suspect you would be around the size you are now."

Legolas accepted that answer, looking up at Elladan in a state awe at his reasoning. Elladan must be very smart, he thought. Satisfied with the explanation Legolas said, "It took Ada's butler to call me prince before Elrohir had realized who I was."

Elladan smiled, "Elrohir does not always pay close attention to detail. Though his heart means well."

Legolas eased his grip on his sketchbook. He decided he liked Elladan.

"Now would you care to come in?" Elladan asked. Elladan had decided he did not wish to be alone. Left alone, his thoughts would drift towards an unbearable state of melancholy. If his brother could not be with him then the comforting innocence of an elfling would be the next best thing. Like his brother Elladan always enjoyed elflings, though he did not spend as much time with them as Elrohir had. Judging by Legolas' expression he could tell the elfling did not wish to be alone either.

"I will not be disturbing you?" Legolas responded unsure.

Elladan opened the door wider allowing the elfling entry into the room, "You are a welcome disruption elfling."

Legolas hesitantly stepped into the room and nervously looked around, taking in the surroundings. The room looked as though it had been unused, but that couldn't be possible, he knew Elladan had been sleeping here for the last day and a half. The bed was neatly made and not an object was out of place. Legolas thought it strange, he knew for a fact no maids had past him in the corridor.

A loud knocking came from the door causing Legolas to jump and drop his sketchbook in shock. His tiny hands sought the comfort of the pendant that lay around his neck.

"Enter," Elladan commanded in a cool voice, displeased that the knock had frightened the elfling. Why was Legolas so skittish?

An elleth entered the chamber carrying a tray of food.

"My Lord, I am sorry to bother you, I was told by Master Rudiel to bring you something to eat."

"Thank you, just set it on the table," Elladan said.

When the elleth left room, Elladan knelt before Legolas. His expression was of kindness as he picked up Legolas' sketchbook, placing within the elfling's trembling hands.

"Are you alright My Prince? Elladan asked, concerned. Why was the elfling so nervous?

Legolas nodded in reply as Elladan noticed the emerald leaf-shaped stone hanging delicately from Legolas' neck.

Legolas saw the direction of Elladan's eyes and replied, "It was my Nana's. Ada chose me to be its keeper after she left. It was Nana's favorite jewel. Ada said I had to keep it safe."

Sorrow weighed down heavy on Elladan's heart. One so young should not have to suffer the loss of their mother.

"My mother had a pendant too," Elladan confided. "A white gem like star that lay upon her, hanging from a silver chain."

"What happened to it?"

"It was taken from her when she was hurt by orcs," Elladan said bitterly. He did not know what had possessed him to tell the elfling this.

"Your Nana was hurt? Is she okay?" Legolas asked concerned.

"She is healing and went off to a far away land," Elladan softly replied.

Legolas leaned in to hug Elladan. Now he understood why Elladan looked so sad. His mother was gone too. Elladan's eyes were just like his father's after his mother left, filled with pain and despair. Tear's welled in Legolas' eyes.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you," Elladan said sadly.

Legolas shook his head, "It is not your fault. Is that why you were hurt? You were trying to get your Nana's jewel back?"

Elladan nodded, he was impressed with Legolas' perceptiveness, "Yes, that is why my brother and I are so far away from home. We are searching for the ones that hurt her." Along with destroying any others we come across along the way, he added silently to himself. Elladan had never hated anything more then he hated orcs. He would never stop until he found the orcs responsible. He knew they were still out there.

"How are your injuries?" the elfling asked.

"The are much better, see," Elladan, said as he showed Legolas his healing chest. Legolas' eyes widened. Only yesterday there had been large scary looking gashes, now they appeared to be barely scratches. Was Elladan magical?

"Will you join me?" Elladan asked, tilting his head towards to table, changing the subject.

Legolas nodded.

The pair sat across from each other at the table. Elladan uncovered his meal to find a warm broth and two slices of bread. He offered Legolas a piece. The elfling gratefully accepted, eating feverously as crumbs fell unnoticed by him onto the front of his tunic. Elladan relinquished a small smile at the sight as his took small nibbles of his own piece.

He watched curiously as Legolas opened the book he had been carrying. He smiled when he saw it was a sketchbook. Legolas flipped through the pages until he came to his most current project, and stared adding to the piece. He watched, as Legolas would draw a couple of lines or shade something in, only to erase what he had done, seemingly frustrated.

Legolas looked up to see Elladan watching him. The elfling noticed that only half of Elladan's bread was eaten, while his broth remained untouched.

"Are you not hungry?" Legolas questioned.

"In my current state eating makes me feel a bit nauseous," Elladan replied.

Legolas, not understanding the meaning behind those words suggested, "If you were to dip your bread into the broth it may taste better."

Elladan simply just smiled over at the elfling, he knew if that if he were to eat another bite he would not be able to keep it down. Forsaking food, he just sat there, settling for sipping on his glass of water.

"Legolas, what are you trying to sketch?" Elladan asked, after watching the elfling draw and erase a couple more lines.

"My Ada, but I cannot get his face right."

"May I see?"

Legolas nodded as he nervously handed the sketchbook to Elladan. He did not show his sketches to very many elves, for only his father took any interest in them. Elladan gently took the sketchbook within in grasp, as though it were a fragile piece of glass. He struggled to find a resemblance between the elfling's sketch and the great King Thranduil. The figure resembled that of a heavily distorted elf. Though it was obvious it was a child's drawing, he could tell Legolas had some raw unrefined talent. Elladan glanced over at Legolas and saw the elfling's eyes were wide and sparkling, waiting for him to say something, anything about the drawing.

"I can see you've worked quite hard on this," Elladan diplomatically responded. That seemed to be the right answer, as Legolas' smile grew. "I used to sketch a bit back home, I could give you some pointers if you'd like," Elladan suggested.

Legolas brightened at the offer, "Really? I would very much like that!"

"Come over here then," he requested.

Legolas got up out of his chair and stood before Elladan. Elladan reached down to lift the elfling onto his lap. Legolas, not expecting to be lifted, squealed in delight.

Elladan was curious about the elflings other drawings. Legolas proudly showed them to him. Together the pair flipped through Legolas' sketchbook. They turned through pages of oddly drawn trees, birds, deer, and other forest creatures, some of the sketches were in color, others were shadings. Elladan mused at the elfling's drawings, the creations of a child's mind.

He stiffened, when they stopped at a drawing of what appeared to be a large ship, in a blue background. Elladan felt his blood run cold. What new form of torment was this, why would the elfling have a picture of a ship? It was out of place amongst the birds and the forest. Of all the things to be seen in the dark forest of Mirkwood, a ship was not amongst one of them, even as a child's illustration.

"What is this a drawing of Legolas? It is quite different from your others," Elladan settled for asking, after regaining some form of composure.

"That is a ship. Mithrandir makes them with his pipe weed," Legolas proudly stated. "I drew it for Mithrandir. I am going to give to him when he visits again."

Elladan sighed in relief.

"Ahh and the blue background is the sky?" Elladan inquired, hopeful.

"No it's the sea, I have never seen the sea before, but Mithrandir says on a cloudless day it is blue like the sky." Elladan's heart sank.

"Mithrandir is right," Elladan said sorrowfully.

"You've been there before?" Legolas asked in awe.

Elladan chose not to respond, instead flipping to a fresh page.

"Why don't we draw the forest together?" Elladan suggested, changing to subject. " I can teach you my technique for shading that may aid you with your drawing of your father."

The two sat there together in a peaceful silence as they began to outline the forest. Every once in a while Elladan would give Legolas pointers, "Do not grip the coal so hard tithen pen, you are not holding a sword. Lightly now," he would say.

Legolas decided that Elladan did more than just "sketch a bit" back home. Elladan had more than just a little skill. He was a genius. The coal was not only an extension of his hand, but his mind. Legolas absorbed every bit of advice Elladan had given him. Hoping to be able to sketch like him one day.

The two sat there like that for the rest of the afternoon. Legolas atop of Elladan's lap, both with a piece of coal in their hands. With Legolas softly humming, as they sketched together, slowly weaving the threads of their friendship. Elladan found it oddly soothing.

Legolas was ecstatic, humming to himself. For two days in a row now he had someone to play with. An elf had allotted to spend time with him, time that did not consist of history, geography or language lessons. Time spent on things Legolas wanted to do, not what was expected of him.

Elladan was content with just spending time with the elfling. His bright presence temporarily pulled him away from his dark thoughts, as he smiled his first genuine smile in a long time. It will be a shame to leave Mirkwood, Elladan thought, but once I am fully healed and Elrohir is rested, we must depart and continue our orc hunt.

It was later in the afternoon when Elladan's door opened to reveal both Elrohir and Thranduil. Elrohir instantly rushed to his brother's side, placing a comforting hand on Elladan's shoulder, while Thranduil remained at the door.

"Ada!" Legolas exclaimed in excitement. "Look me and Elladan are drawing together! He is teaching me!"

"Its 'Elladan and I', tithen Las," Thranduil corrected. "How are you feeling Elladan?" he proceeded to ask.

"I am well your majesty, thank you."

"It pleases me greatly to hear that. Rudiel had informed us that you awakened. I wished to confirm for myself," Thranduil said before turning towards Legolas. "Though I was not expecting to find Legolas here. Tithen Las, council has finished early today, I thought we could spend the time together before the evening meal."

Legolas beamed, "Really Ada?!" It wasn't very often that one of the King's councils would end early. Legolas looked up towards Elladan, "Elladan could we draw together again sometime?"

"Of course," Elladan replied as the elfling gathered his things and slid off his lap.

Thranduil took the oversized sketchbook out of his son's small arms, clasping Legolas' small hand with his. They were about to leave he room when Legolas turned back towards the brothers.

"Are you going to join us for the evening meal tonight?" he asked.

It was Elrohir who responded this time, "Of course we are!"

Elrohir waited for the father and son to leave the room, closing the door behind them, before engulfing his brother into a tight hug. Elrohir found it difficult to concentrate on proceedings discussed during the council, thinking only of Elladan. Thranduil sensing something amiss allotted to end the council early. He knew Elrohir was exhausted and worried deeply about for his brother.

"Brother are you sure you are well?" Elrohir asked.

"Aye, now that you are here, I am. Elrohir, you as so pale," Elladan commented, stroking his brother's cheek.

"I am fine," Elrohir replied. "Come dear brother, I will show you to Thranduil's bathing chambers. I know your chest still ails you. I shall wash and braid your hair for you. We must look our best for tonight's dinner with the Mirkwood Royalty."

"Aye, it had been far to many moons since we last dinned with elves. I fear we may be slowly turning human."

TBC

A/N: Just to clear any confusion, the stone Elladan was referring to is not the Elfstone/Elesser. I am also aware the Peredhil cannot ' slowly turn' human, it's a choice they have to make.

Thank you everyone for your Reviews, Favourites, and Follows! You guys are awesome! I'm glad you're enjoying reading this story, as much as I enjoy writing it. :)

Hey everyone! The semester is starting up again. I will try to post a new chapter at least once a week. School is my first priority, but studying can get awfully boring and my mind does tend to wander.

The next chapter: Chapter 5 - Finding Smiles