Because you have all been so patient I thought I would post this update a little earlier than usual.
Thanks go to Leah221 for following and to anyone else who is still reading, especially DaHybridQueen who took the risk to do it where she shouldn't!
ILV (feeling too lazy to type it out in full!)- AKA mad no.1 reviewer - I was only away for 2 weeks, honest! and yes it was fun thanks. I can't help being horrid to Legolas, it just feels so good :P *tries to catch wagging finger* You wouldn't be reading otherwise now would you? * Tries to raise one eyebrow like Elrond but fails miserably* Hehehe. You'll have to wait and see if you are right about the guilt thing! Keep those reviews coming, they really make my day. Oh, and btw. I'm not a boy if that helps!
Ok, here we go with the next chapter. Hope you enjoy and please R + R!
Chapter 21
In the two days following their fraught encounter in the gardens of Imladris the young man has neither seen nor heard the archers presence and the weight of his guilt and sorrow weighs heavily upon his heart. That the elf appears to be avoiding him is painfully obvious but he cannot fathom why this should be, nor the reason for the coldness he was met with. Estel is certain that if his friend would only talk to him it would help ease the guilt he must be feeling and is afraid that being alone will only increase Legolas' pain and sorrow.
Seated in the family dining room, picking at his breakfast, he fails to notice the concerned glances shared between his adoptive father and siblings nor the approach of a young border guard who hands a message to Elrond then stands aside, awaiting further orders. On opening the small piece of parchment and perusing its short content the lord of Imladris wearily pushes his chair back from the table to stand.
"They have crossed the border and will be with us within the hour." His low tone sounds resigned and the twins share a troubled glance before looking to their father, then at the unresponsive young man still pushing a piece of fruit around his plate.
" Shall we greet them with you Ada?" There is no need to ask who is meant by the message as the twins speak in unison, finishing the sentence with a small, shared smile at their familiar trait.
" I think that would be wise ionnath nin, my sons," Elrond replies gravely. " The situation calls for a formal approach I feel and I will be glad of your support."
"Do we know who has come yet?" The youngest twin speaks hesitantly as if unsure he wants to know the answer and Elrond shakes his head in reply.
" Nay, the message is not specific, just that a party of twelve has been noted, showing no formal banners or colours, headed in this direction, it must be assumed that they are the Mirkwood contingent we await, for no others are anticipated."
The words gradually filter down through the young mans thoughts and there is suddenly a loud clatter when the silver fork he has been idly prodding his breakfast with falls to the porcelain plate as his fingers release their tenuous hold upon its handle.
" Mirkwood! Here?"A flash of panic flows across his features and the peace is further shattered by the harsh scrape of a chair over the floor as he pushes away from the table to stand. "I must find him."
A feeling of dread has filled Estels heart but he is unsure why. Surely an envoy from Legolas' home will comfort the young prince, encourage him to open up and talk thus helping him gain perspective upon the matter and aiding to wash away the fears and guilt he knows the young archer to be feeling. As he dashes out of the room paying them no heed, the three peredhil share a worried look, they are all aware of the way Estel has idolised the young prince since he was a young child brought to their fair realm for shelter by a mother newly grieving the loss of her beloved spouse and they feel that he has not fully grasped the seriousness of the situation now faced.
"Shall I go after him?" Elladan asks his father with a concerned frown upon his fair face, aware of the pain within his brothers heart.
"Nay," the lord replies with a shake of his head. " He needs to face up to reality."
The twins mirror each others surprised expression at this stern statement.
"As does the Greenleaf." He draws himself up to his full height and squares his shoulders. "Be prepared to meet our guests at the entrance within the hour," and with that statement exits the room.
Left together with the remains of breakfast the twins seat themselves once more at the long table.
"What do you think they will do to him?" Elrohirs voice sounds small as he looks to his brother.
" I don't know 'Roh." The elder twin brushes his fingertips over the back of his brothers hand in a subconscious attempt to soothe him as he responds. " I have never known such a thing before, it is difficult to say."
The youngest twin moves his hand to grasp the moving fingers and still them.
"But surely, they will understand," he pauses to gaze into his brothers eyes for reassurance. " It was in self defence, there was nothing Legolas could have done otherwise." His eyes underline the unspoken question within the words then widen as he sees his brothers harden.
"And do we know that for certain 'Roh?" Elladan pulls his hand from his brothers grip. " As father said, we were not there for the beginning of the fight, we only witnessed the end, how can we be sure of his intent?" Steely eyes darken further. "How did it begin? We know not the who or the why of it all."
Shock flashes across Elrohirs face at his brothers words.
" How can you doubt him?" The normally soft voice increases in volume as the younger bridles at the elder. " How long have we known him? Fought beside him? Loved him as a brother?" His face flushed with anger, Elrohir is almost shouting now. " Would you say this if it was I in the same situation?"
Aware that he is standing, nose to nose with his brother, but having no recollection of getting to his feet, the youngest twin feels the silence descend between them as a tangible presence.
For what seems like hours but is in actual fact only seconds identical, turbulent brown eyes bore into each other, battling for control, before he breaks contact and drops his gaze.
" I thought I knew you, brother," the whispered words cut through Elladans chest like a knife. " But I find I do not," the younger twins shoulders slump. "Not any longer."Turning away he leaves his brother staring after him.
An unspoken apology burns upon the elders lips but he refuses to back down, refuses to admit he is wrong when he does not feels he is, the fact is that they have a kinslayer in their midst, the very term makes Elladan shudder, and he finds it difficult to understand how anyone could fail to be horrified at that thought.
An immortal life lost by another immortals hand, the victims fea unnaturally severed from hroa, fleeing to the halls of Mandos to await rebirth and once again become whole and complete whilst the perpetrator becomes doomed to everlasting separation, condemning his fea to become one of the dispossessed, constantly seeking its other half yet divided till the end of the earth.
A cold chill runs down his spine and as his mind reflects upon his feelings, he recognises that the factor which hits him hardest of all though, is that what his brother has just said is true. He would feel exactly the same if it were his twin standing accused of the crime and as that realisation dawns his legs buckle from under him and he lands in a heap on the floor still staring after the retreating figure, wishing desperately to call him back but not knowing what he would say if he did.
Blissfully unaware of the conflict between his siblings, Estel wanders through the gardens of the only place he has ever called home and ponders upon the focus of all their thoughts. He is certain that once Legolas has been given the chance to talk, to explain all that has happened, everything will return to normal and his friend and he can pick up their lives again.
The coldness he witnessed at their last meeting must be a passing phase due only to the young archers grief and feelings of misplaced guilt. He is only too aware of how hard the prince drives himself, how easily he takes on burdens unperceived by others and refuses to accept anything but perfection in all he undertakes. No one could be harder on him than Legolas is himself.
There is no doubt in the young mans mind of the purity of his friends thoughts and deeds and that anybody else could doubt this would be beyond his comprehension, if, in fact it were ever to enter his mind.
"Where are you my friend?" the whispered words fall away into the serene air, unheeded by speaker and unheard by all except the trees and they silently refuse to give up an answer.