�Fancy finding you here.� The elf�s voice held no surprise in it. Legolas held his gaze squarely. A small gasp of recognition was audible from behind Legolas as the second man appeared. �Miss me, elf?� Legolas said nothing, but his fingers tightened around the bar he held. �I�ll give you one chance to go back to your room and prepare for dinner.� The elder elf smiled, but a look of hatred was in his eyes. �Just go, Legolas.� The prince ignored his friend. �And if I don�t comply with your orders?� His grandfather said nothing, but instead looked pointedly over Legolas� shoulder at Elrohir. �I won�t let you hurt him.� �Do you think you can stop me?� He continued when Legolas did not reply. �Mithrandir has been a friend to our family for ages. He may have taught you telepathy, but he taught me many things.� �Things he shouldn�t have.� �Hindsight isn�t much good, is it? Besides, I�ve never found that my powers are a bad thing.� Legolas considered yelling for the guards. He definitely needed them now, with his grandfather and� him. �I killed you,� he said softly. �No, you only wish you had. Hindered me for a while,� there was a wicked grin, �but that too has passed. I am now at he service of your lord, here.� �He is-� �Legolas, mind your tongue,� Elrohir hissed very quietly. �Not my lord,� the prince finished to himself. Elrohir was right, now was not the time to protect his pride. But the guards� �No,� Legolas thought. What good could they do? Nothing, now, especially if they even heard him. If they didn�t, he would ruin any hope of them helping him in the future. �You would give me your word that you would not hurt him if I left now?� Legolas bit the inside of his lip. �You moron,� he chided himself. �You�ve kept your pride wonderfully well, but your dignity is about to fly out the window.� The elf nodded. �You have my word.� �You never did keep your word well. I can�t trust you.� �You don�t have much of a choice, do you?� He looked back at Elrohir. He didn�t have a choice. He hated this helplessness. �I will go back.� �Tarduain, my friend,� Orophir said. �Would you mind escorting my grandson back?� �It would be my pleasure.� Elrohir noticed the look of terror in Legolas� eyes. The prince�s voice remained calm. �I am capable of finding my own back.� Orophir raised his eyebrows. �You are also capable of disobeying orders. You seem to be just as stubborn as you were when you were little; I don�t trust you.� �Believe me, the feeling is mutual.� �Legolas,� Elrohir warned quietly. �Listen to your friend, Legolas. He is smart.� �I am sorry, Elrohir. Whatever he does to you, I am so sorry.� He turned wordlessly to go back to his own chambers, vaguely aware of the human�s footsteps behind him. Elrohir held his breath. He knew, at least, that this elf could not seriously harm him, or else Legolas would not heed any request. He was saved from the kind of torture that Legolas would no doubt have to endure. �You do not mean to keep your promise to Legolas, do you?� A sinister grin spread over the elder�s face. �You don�t remember me very well, do you? Manipulation is a wonderful thing.� �You don�t remember me as well as you think you do.� Elrohir mumbled under his breath. �I�ve been wondering� My friend Tarduain says that you look so oddly familiar. Have you met him before?� �We may have encountered each other once or twice.� �How�s your life been since I last saw you?� �You mean, since you kidnapped Legolas and I?� His voice held a bitter coldness in it that he could not hide. The elf shrugged. �If you wish to think of it that way.� Elrohir wanted to shout in anger. He wanted to lunge forward and throttle the nobility that stood before him. He had robbed Legolas of so much. He stole time from him, time and trust that Legolas would never get back. He noticed it, as they were growing up. Legolas would flinch away from friendly hands. Now he was stealing even more. He had memories of Tarduain fresh in his mind. It was amazing that the prince didn�t have a breakdown when he saw the human king again, in his own home. Elrohir respected him for his strength, but he knew, on the inside, Legolas was falling apart. They needed help, and the needed it fast. |
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