Elrohir�s words rang true. Elrond had given Legolas a very strong sleeping potion, not only to calm him, but so that he would not feel the pain. He hadn�t thought Legolas would wake up again for days- but he was wrong. Elrond was caught off guard as hands caught his own, pushing him away. This caused Legolas great pain, and he cried out. �Legolas, it is Lord Elrond. Please be still.� Tears burned hotly in the prince�s vision. �Too much pain�.� He gasped in a choked whisper. �You have to trust me. I am only helping you.� �Eleni�� Elrond cursed. He lost Legolas to incomprehension� a world the prince put himself in to cope with his own body. �If he keeps reacting like this, his body will fail him.� Elrond thought to himself. He finally managed, nearly an hour later, to put the prince back into sleep. A battle took place in Elrond�s mind� should he let Elrohir back in? Or perhaps Arwen? He did not what to hinder Arwen�s healing by adding concern for Legolas, but he did not want Elrohir to cause another scene. However, the prince did seem to relax, even just a little, when Elrohir was in the room. Elrond ignored the argument he heard in his son�s room as he knocked on the door. The talking ceased. �Come in.� Elrond pushed the door open. �He is awake. Again. Even with potions I cannot keep him asleep. However, his body is mended as far as I can take it. I suggest you go and talk to him. Take Elladan with you. He needs to get used to people again.� �So soon?� �Do not argue with me, Elrohir. I have not the patience tonight.� The younger elf nodded at Elladan, and the two left for the prince�s temporary chambers. �Legolas?� Elrohir said as they entered the room. The prince was awake, but gave him no response. �Do you feel alright?� �Yes.� It was so typical of Legolas to answer yes whenever that question was asked. �Do you feel better?� He ignored the question. �Tell me, Enimodel� how is it you came by that name?� Legolas knew now that Elrohir had been the one who saved him; he was the one he had unquestioningly trusted. Elrohir knew that Legolas was ready for the information he was about to give. �Your father sent us word that neither you or Arwen arrived. Gandalf was here when the message came, and he told us of Tarduain�s terror in the woods not too far from here. He thought it wise to send one of us in disguise to see if you were there. You remember that night at dinner?� He paused and Legolas nodded. �You recognized me there, I think.� �I did, though I could not place where I had seen you before. I should have known.� �It was a clever disguise that Gandalf thought up. Even Arwen did not recognize me, so you can understand why I was surprised with you at first.� �They talked of plans�?� �It was only meaningless plans of how to trick other men� it did not involve elves.� �Arwen said they were using her for their plans.� �She was part of negotiations. She was going to leave that place if we had left her there just a few more days.� Legolas said nothing more, leaving Elrohir to the talking. �Legolas, this is my brother, Elladan. You know him. Do you remember him?� The prince�s eyes moved to the other elf in the room, who, until now, had been unnoticed. Legolas gave no outward reaction. Elladan was left in an awkward position. He did not know if he should say something, but Legolas spoke first. �I�m sorry.� �Pardon?� Elladan gave Elrohir a confused glance, but his brother only shrugged. �I am sorry for the way I acted before.� Eye contact was broken between the two. �It�s alright, really. I understood.� Legolas made no other remark. �Elladan, go get Arwen,� Elrohir noticed how Legolas� head turned quickly at the mention of his Arwen�s name. Arwen came in only a minute later. She flew into Legolas� open arms. �Oh by the Valar, I�m so glad to see you,� Elrohir watched the prince grimace as Arwen touched one of his wounds unknowingly. �Be careful, Evenstar. He is still yet injured.� �Oh, I�m so sorry,� she whispered, pulling away from Legolas. �I don�t mind.� He kissed her cheek. �How are you?� �I am well. Yourself?� �I am fine. I was just so worried about you. I�m so glad your home.� Arwen was crying tears of joy. Elrohir caught Elladan�s gaze, and the two left the room. �He downplays his injuries.� �Just a little,� Elladan replied with sarcasm. �It makes me wonder if he did not mention some ailment to Father.� Both elves became quiet as a messenger walked towards them. �My lords,� he said, bowing. �Rise. What news have you brought?� �King Thranduil was not in Mirkwood. He left his own father in rule, yet no one knows where the king actually is.� �Did you tell the temporary ruler of Legolas? He is family after all.� Elladan questioned. �Only by blood,� Elrohir mumbled. He had met the elf once� it was not a friendly meeting. The messenger did not notice Elrohir�s comment. �I did. He told me to send Prince Legolas back immediately.� �No, it�s too soon.� �Sir, I said that. He says he wants Legolas back now.� �Elrohir, just send him in a couple of days. The man�ll never know.� �Yes. Thank you,� Elrohir said, releasing the messenger. �It seems weird though. Where do you suppose Thranduil is?� �Who knows? Knowing the Sindar, probably on a hunting trip, prancing around, a bit tipsy with all that wine in his system.� Elrohir laughed lightly. It did seem as though the Sindar had a way of seeming exceedingly arrogant on the exterior. He laughed again as he remembered his first meeting with prince Legolas. �Ah, you remembered it too,� Elladan said, knowing full well the look on Elrohir�s face. �I did feel kind of bad after that.� �I did too, for about five minutes.� Both brothers broke into laughter. It was the first time Elrond�s sons had met Thranduil�s, and it was not an instant friendship. The three had been on an excursion in the woods, but not by their own choices. It was their fathers who decided it would be good for them. The twins had decided that they had seen enough of Legolas� haughty pose. They purposefully spooked the prince�s horse, throwing its rider into the conveniently located river. They entered Thranduil�s great hall laughing mercilessly, the prince stalking in front of them, sopping wet. �Thank goodness he forgave us for that.� �Thank goodness our father forgave us for that!� �Thank goodness HIS father forgave us for that!� The younger twin smiled. �He used to threaten revenge all the time.� Elladan nodded. �And has yet to get it!� They again laughed. Three weeks later, Legolas could be seen wandering the castle; sometimes with Arwen, but mostly alone with his thoughts. Elrohir knew it was time to send him home, but something kept telling him not to. The days passed uneventfully, thankfully. �He heals quickly,� a voice pulled Elrohir out of his thoughts as he watched the prince in the courtyard far below. He looked over his shoulder. �Physically.� The other elf now joined Elrohir at the balcony. �Emotionally, too. When he first came here, he would not even have Elladan in the same room as he. Now, he seems not to mind so much.� �My lord,� Legolas appeared then, bowing slightly in front of Elrond. Elrohir marveled at the prince�s speed. �Yes, Legolas?� �Pardon my interruption, but have seen Arwen of late?� Elrohir spoke before his father could. �I think she is in her room.� The prince nodded a short thanks. A couple minuets later, Legolas found himself outside Arwen�s chambers. He sighed, and knocked. �Come in.� The prince pushed the door open. He smiled at the sight before his eyes. �You�re all dressed up.� Arwen smiled. �My father is having a banquet tonight. He wanted me there.� �And you want to go?� Arwen shook her head. �Legolas, I trust all the elves here. They�re not like the men, only because I know them. That�s why Father didn�t invite you; he knew you wouldn�t come.� �It�s not that I wouldn�t want to.� �And we understand that, Legolas. I wouldn�t want to go either if I hadn�t known every one of them since birth. They�re family. I trust family.� �You look beautiful.� �You�re welcome to come. I could use a dancing partner.� Legolas shook his head slightly, and Arwen nodded. �I understand. I�ll see you later tonight then.� She paused, looking deep into her betrothed�s eyes, then pushed past him. She quickly headed towards the great hall. |
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