A Healing Touch

Title: A Healing Touch
Author: Ash
Author's Email: legolas_sweetheart@hotmail.com
Pairings: Legolas/Elrond/Glorfindel
Rating: NC17
Summary: As a small child Legolas was brutally taken against his will, as well as watched the slaughter of his mother . Traumatized by the event, Legolas is ordered by his father to stay in Rivendell to heal. Now as Legolas reaches his majority he feels curious feelings for the elven lords. How will Elrond and Glorfindel teach him not to fear love? And now that Mirkwood is being threatened and Legolas adamant to help his father, will the three be able to live happily ever after? Will be slash in later chapters.
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don’t own LOTR or any of their characters or anything else. I do own Legolas's older brothers Nava and Tallen, and their mother Asilion.
Warnings: Rape, Graphic Violence, young Leggy torture, Child abuse. Can't handle it? don’t read it. Flames will be used to feed the fire.
Author's note: Im going by the book here mostly. I know Peter Jackson said Legolas is 2000 and something years old but JRR Tolkein never mentioned his age and I’ve always thought of Legolas as younger than Arwen so I'm going by canon and agreeing that Legolas is 500 when he joins the fellowship.
This story starts off when he’s the equivalent of an eight year old human.... I don’t know how old that would make him in elf years so please just bare with me here but according to what I have researched elflings take up to 144 years to reach their majority. So I’m going to say the year is 2566 of the third age so that would make Legolas about 35 in human years.

This story was posted on FF.net some time ago but got deleted because I put, (everyone get ready to gasp) ‘rape’ in the summary. I have at least 20 chapters of this story written, but this is the first time I was actually able to register on AFF.net.


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Prologue:
A Healing Touch


The Mirkwood warriors were fighting admirably against their enemies. The spiders had somehow found a way to breach the magic gates that surrounded the cave of King Thranduil. He, now with his sons, the heir to the thrown of Mirkwood, Nava, and captain of the guard, Tallen, was mounted upon his great white stallion, sword in hand as they charged towards the swarm of beasts who dared attack his kingdom . In a great howl of rage , Thranduil swung his sword at the first creature that was within his reach, burying it in the creatures back.

Blood was shed, lives were lost, and the fight did not seem like it would end. The giant spiders seemed to be multiplying. For every one that was killed, ten more seemed to take its place but nothing would have prepared the Mirkwood elves for what would happen next.

Through the breached gate, from out of the forest, appeared a massive army of orcs charging towards them. It wasn’t the spiders that they should be worried about, the pathetic creatures were only being used as bait! It must have been the orcs who somehow destroyed the gate and then herded the spiders through!

"Adar," Tallen cried, "yrch! The spiders were only bait! There are too many .We cannot stay here!" Tallen ducked as he dodged a sword swinging at his head. Tallen was a great warrior and rarely backed down from a fight but even he knew when enough was enough. They were greatly outnumbered and didn’t stand a chance. Tallen drove his sword into his enemy's throat and whipped his flaxen coloured hair out of his face as he turned and severed the head from a spider just as it was about to jump on one of his soldiers.

"Nay !" Thranduil shouted in turn as he swung his sword at another of the retched beasts. "This forest is our home, we shall defend it to the bitter end!"

"Even if every life in Mirkwood is the price for it!?!"

Thranduil did not have a chance to reply because just then there was a blood curdling scream from inside the cave then a bellowing cry that sounded like it was voiced from a small child.

"Asilion! Legolas!" Thranduil raced towards the cave swiping everything in his path with his sword. Tallen and Nava followed closely behind their father.

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Legolas hovered over his mother's lifeless body, his tiny frame racked with sobs while tears were falling down his reddened cheeks. "Naneth," he whimpered, "naneth , saes, wake up. saes."

The evil glint in the predator's eyes standing over the pair only seemed to intensify. With a cruel grunt he raised his bloody dagger over the little one curled up to his loving mother's dead body.

"Oh don’t worry, little one. You'll be joining her very shortly." Just as his dagger was about to come down an arrow shot right through the foul creature's neck. He sank to the floor as his black heart beat for the last time.

Nava slowly lowered his bow. Thranduil ran over to his fallen wife's side and collapsed to his knees. With shaking hands he checked for a pulse. There was nothing. "Oh no," Thranduil whispered and pulled his wife's lifeless form to him. He bowed his golden head to his wife's and kissed her chilled pale lips as his body began to shake with sobs."Asilion, saes, you cannot leave me."

There was a light shuffling on the ground and then a tug on the Mirkwood king's dark green robe. His grief filled eyes met with the identicle sky blue ones of his youngest son."Ada," the little voice sounded so meek and so vulnerable that Thranduil wanted to sob more then ever. "Nana won’t wake up. Why wont she wake up?"

Thranduil was too full of grief himself to respond. Instead he just cupped his son's cheek, rubbing his thumb over the cheek bone. Nava and Tallen, still standing in the doorway overcome by grief were snapped out of their reverie by the barely audible words of their little brother.

The crown prince kneeled down to Legolas and gathered him in his arms. "Oh, Legolas. Naneth is not - she’s not going to wake up. ever again." Nava hated himself for saying it but there was no other way to explain it. Legolas had never seen death before.

Legolas' bottom lip began to tremble. The look in his big blue eyes was heart breaking. "Why? Doesn't she love us anymore ?" Legolas's voice was even more heart wrenching this time.

"Of course she loves us, penneth, but-- its just-- she was in too much pain," the crown prince choked on his own sobs with great difficulty. "where she is now, in the Halls of Mandos, there is no pain. No fear. Only happiness. She will always love us." now it was Nava's turn to sound meek for the words were so painful but yet so true.

Legolas' next words made his heart skip a beat. "I wanna go to the Halls of Mandos and be with Nana."

Thranduil caught that last sentence and swung his head around to his youngest. "Nay, Legolas!" Thranduil cried. Legolas would have jumped about three feet in the air had his brother not been holding him in his lap ."do not speak of such things! You cannot leave me as well! Do you understand me?" guilt crept over Thranduil at the sight his tone caused his son. Thranduil may be thought as greedy and temperamental, but even though he was an extremely strict person, nothing mattered more to him than his three children. His next words were spoken more softly. "One day, maybe, you may see your mother again but before you do that you must earn your place in Mandos Halls. You must defend the innocent and all that is good on arda and destroy all that is evil . Your mother would want you to live and enjoy your time here on arda. Do you understand, my son ?"

Legolas hesitantly nodded his head. "Yes, ada." he whispered, sniffling while dragging the sleeve of his tunic across his face to wipe away the dry tear streaks marring his pitiful-looking features.

"Very good. Come, my children, we must not linger here." looking one last time at his wife's lifeless body, Thranduil raihimshimself on trembling legs and dodged out of the room quickly followed by his sons, Legolas still in the arms of Nava.

Just as the group rounded the corner of the hall to go into the weapons room, about a dozen orcs had arrows pointed at their heads and the elves instantly froze. Legolas whimpered as one of the creatures non too gently grabbed him out of his brother's arms. "Take your filthy hands off my son!" Thranduil growled.

The tone in his father's voice made Tallen's haiand and on end. He knew that voice. It was the one he usually froze at when he was a child when he did something bad and knew he was about to be reprimanded. Though this didn't seem to phase the filthy beasts standing in front of them, on the contrary, they seemed to completely ignore him.

The one holding Legolas shuddered as he licked the tip of the small leaf shaped ear. Legolas whimpered at the alien touch, fresh tears brimming in his eyes, all the while struggling to get free from the creature's grasp. At this Thranduil growled, more dangerous than before. "This child will be most entertaining to play with. Ah, ah, ah, o great king. Unless you want another one of your family members dead, I suggest you hold that oh so famous temperament of yours." Thranduil merely grunted but said nothing more.

The orcs lead the elves into a dark, empty room with only three candle sconces lit inside. The room was completely bare. No furniture, no rugs, not even a chair to sit on. While the other orcs lined the three elder elves against the cold stone walls, arrows never leaving their targets, the lead orc who was still holding Legolas, unceremoniously dropped him on the other side of the room, keeping his rough grasp around his tiny wrist, while Legolas struggled to pull his arm free.

"Be still !" the orc sneered down at him. Legolas automatically froze and immediately turned tearful eyes to his father.

"Ada." came the frightened voice.

Thranduil had to shut his eyes at the look of fear in his child's eyes. He wakingking for his daddy's help and he could do nothing.

The orc wrenched Las fas forward to the centre of the room. "Now see, Thranduil, see what your defiance costs your family. I shall enjoy my vengeance . You can thank your father Oropher, for this. He is after all the one who wiped out half our race! Oh I shall most definitely enjoy this." With those words spoken, the orc leapt on Legolas like a wild animal and began tearing the clothing off the struggling, hysteric form, pinning him to the cold stone floor.

"Ada! ADA!"

Thranduil started forward, "LEGOLAS !" but immediately fell back and slammed against the stone wall when he felt the impact of a fist connect with his jaw. He was helpless to do nothing but watch as this violation was forced on his little Greenleaf. "Please!" he begged the orcs, "Please don’t do this to him! He is a child! He does not understand, he wasn't even born during the great battle!" but his pleas did nothing.

Legolas, now fully nude, was sobbing hysterically, easily held down by the form above him, trying to twist and turn, anything that would free him from the creature's grasp. The orc's legs were pinning the young child's limbs down and parted and a hand was holding his wrists above his head.

The orc smiled down at his vulnerable and helpless captive and snarled. "Fresh meat. How very ....delectable." the orc laughed.

Tears falling down his face, Legolas' violent trembling intensified, fear gripping at him as he wondered what this creature planned to do to him. Then with one large clawed finger, the orc roughly plunged into the tiny tight opening of the boy, causing screams of pain to come out of the recipient’s mouth. At that moment Legolas knew nothing but pain. His tiny body trembled in pain he he felt his sensitive flesh being ripped apart and the blood stain his legs . As the tight muscles contracted and tore, the boy was certain as he wailed in pain that at any moment he would fall into unconsciousness as his little body was brutally assaulted but Legolas was not granted that relief as his body jolted when the finger inside him roughly shifted. Legolas' struggling only seemed to make the movement more painful as the digit inside him tore the sensitive flesh even more. "Ada! ADA!!"

Thranduil didn't care anymore. He didn't care that an arrow was pointed at his neck. His son was crying for him in great pain. Thranduil leapt forward and struggled against the orc that had an arrow at him. Three more came at him and behind the wails of his son as he expected a piercing pain to come, a loud screech of pain, not his own, left the mouth of an orc.

Before anyone knew what was happening about eighteen elven warriors burst through the doors killing every orc on sight including the one that was hovering over Legolas who was just in the process of unfastening his by-flap.

Legolas hysterically cried out in fear as he felt the weight of the creature slump over him. He was still sobbing and trembling violently. With a great amount of effort he pushed the carcass off of him and painfully scrambled to a corner of the room pulling his legs to his chin, wrapping his shaking arms around them and he cried into his knees.

Thranduil's seneschal walked up to him, bow in hand, "My lord, are you-"

Thranduil ignored him and headed straight for the tiny form curled up in the corner. "Avert your questions to Nava, I must see to something." Thranduil growled. With a bow to his king the seneschal then turned to the crown prince to give him the details.

Legolas was fearful beyond all recognition, not that Thranduil could blame him, for the moment he knelt down and placed his hand gently on his son's quivering shoulder, Legolas' trembling dramatically increased again as he urinated on the stone floor, and the young elfling seemed to shrink into himself. "Nay, daro! Saes! ADA!" he cried, choking on his own sobs, drawing more attention to himself.

Thranduil turned a cold glare to the soldiers in the room. "Out! Now ! All of you!" as Nava and Tallen lead the small party of elves out of the room Thranduil turned back to his so Shh Shh, shh, Legolas. It's alright. Its me, I’m here!" He spoke the last two words firmly so he was sure his son would hear him. Legolas turned petrified eyes to his father. "I am here." he repeated more softly as he cupped his son's cheek.
Legolas lunged into his father's arms burying his golden head into his shoulder, body racking with sobs anew.

Thranduil wrapped his arms around his elfling's frame. "It’s alright, my son. It’s all over now. Shh." Thranduil soothed as he rocked the small child's body.

Legolas looked up at Thranduil, eyes brimming with unshed tears as already shed tears left their damp trails down his cheeks. "It burns, ada, it burns." he whimpered.

Thranduil lightly cupped his son's bottom, grief in his eyes, not surprised to find fresh blood on his hand. "I know, my little Greenleaf. Come, I will take you to the healers." Thranduil said as he took off his cloak and wrapped it around his son's still naked form.

It was just as Thranduil lifted Legolas up into his arms that the child noticed the puddle on the floor and turned bright red and was unable to meet his father's gaze. "I’m sorry, ada." he whispered ashamedly.

"Shh, there is naught to be sorry for, Legolas." With a kiss on the temple of his son's head, he exited the room with the child wrapped up in his cloak, head buried in his neck. He met his sons and the soldiers in the halls. "What’s our status?" he demanded ignoring the stares he got at being seen carrying his child about.

"We are in a difficult position, my lord. We are not certain how much longer we can hold the enemy off. There are three -hundred guard wounded, fifty-eight dead." The seneschal explained. Thranduil sighed. lor lord, please, for the sake of Elbereth, you must leave! Tis the royal family they're after. They want vengeance on the descendants of Oropher. You have already seen your wife pay for thith ith her life and your youngest child was brutally forced upon. Are you truly willing for the sake of your pride to put your families life in da-"

"That is enough!" Thranduil snapped. Legolas tensed at his father's outburst and tightened his hold around his neck. "Do you not think I know what is happening here? I know what is at stake. Even if we were to leave, what then? Where would we go?"

The seneschal sighed. "I have already dispatched a messenger bird. It was the surest way the enemy would not notice. I have sent a letter to Imladris, to tell lord Elrond that you would be-"

"WHAT!?! You expect me to bring my family to that intolerable, witless, half-elf !?! And without my authorization!?! Where did you get the -"

"I told him to do it, adar." The voice belonged to Nava.

Thranduil's voice was dangerously low. "You did what? How many times must I tell you, Nava, I-"

"You, ada, have been blaming lord Elrond for a conflict for centuries that was no fault of his what so ever. Oropher was the one who charged into battle without authorization. He chose his own end. You may not wish to admit it but the war was not his fault. You may not care for him much ada but he is our only chance. Saes, ada. Do this for us, your family."

Thranduil sighed. He looked into the eyes of each of his sons. He let them linger on Legolas' for a short time, carefully scrutinizing the pain-filled eyes. "When do we leave?" he finally asked.

The seneschal's lips twitched as he tried to suppress a smile. "Your horses have been readied , sire. They're at the back gate. As soon as you set off we will draw them away from you and keep them distracted. We have prepared you food, medicalbs abs and water and a change of clothing each. We made the baggage as light as possible. I have prepared five guard to escort you. The less of you there are, the least attention you will draw."

"Very good. Let us be off then. Make sure to report to us every few days. I wish to be aware of what’s going on."

"Yes, my lord."

*Hopefully once were away from the palace I'll be able to tend to Legolas's wounds* the king thought as they marched down the stairs.

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As the battle went on at the front gate, in the back of the palace of Mirkwood forest three riders mounted great white elven horses. Legolas was still cuddled up in Thranduil's arms in front of him.

"Are we ready to leave?" Thranduil asked Tallen .

"Aye, adar. The guard are ready and the scout says no orc has seen us over hear. The foliage is plentiful enough to cover us."

Thranduil nodded. "very good. Let us be off."

The company rode hard for some few hours right into the night until they finally decided they should stop and give the horses a rest. Though very resilient, even elven horses need rest. So when the company stopped to make camp the king sent two of his guard to search the perimeter for orc spies or anything else that may be a threat.

During the ride, Legolas had fallen asleep in his father's arms but Legolas hadn't eaten in hours so Thranduil decided to wake him. After Thranduil dismounted he set a bed role out on the ground and stretched the elven child out on it while Tallen made a fire and Nava helped set up camp with the soldiers.
Thranduil gently shook Legolas by the shoulder. "Legolas, my son. You must awake and eat something. that’s it."

Legolas moaned lightly and rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes. He was absolutely adorable with those big blue sleepy looking eyes, the long golden hair flowing about his head in the light breeze of the night, the pointed little ears and the two missing top front teeth. He sat up slowly, wincing as he sat up straight.

*When my son has finished eating I will tend to his wounds* Thranduil thought. He reached in his bag and pulled out a lemba. "Now, Legolas I want you to eat all of this. Is that understood?"
Legolas merely nodded and began to nibble on it. Thranduil got up and went to go boil some water over the fire so he would be able to tend Legolas' wounds.

"How is he, adar?" Tallen whispered so only his father would here.

Thranduil sighed. "He is still in a considerable amount of pain, ion-nin. Physically and emotionally. I worry over him."

Tallen nodded but there was still something he was curious about. "Ada, I don't understand, I was taught to believe that when an elf is taken against their will-"

"They will die, yes you are not mistaken."

"Then why is Legolas still here?"

"There is still much you have yet to learn, my son. When an elf is taken against their will their spirit is broken. They feel extremely vulnerable and embarrassed that they could not stop such a fate from occurring and shamed that they are forced to be bound to one so cruel. It is some form of grief, I guess. Legolas however is still very young. Children usually do feel vulnerable because they are small and feel somewhat helpless. So those feelings are familiar with him. As long as he has us to comfort him, hopefully he should be fine."

*Ai, Elbereth, I hope I am right.* Thranduil thought to himself.

When the water had finished boiling and Legolas had finished eating, Thranduil had taken a blanket and tied it in between two trees to make a curtain to attain at least some level of privacy to clean Legolas' wounds. Legolas was now seated on a blanket on the ground, watching his father brew some kind of healing medicine. "Will it hurt?" he asked meekly.

Oh how Thranduil hated it when Legolas gave him the sad puppy dog eyes. It almost always seemed to get him out of trouble when he was brought before his father to be reprimanded, Thr Thranduil would not lie to his child either. "It may be a bit painful, ion-nin but it must be done." at Legolas' increasingly distressed look he added, "but the pain will only last for a moment and besides it will make you feel better, I promise."
Legolas nodded. He knew his father was right, it had to be done for his own sake, though that did not ease his tension. "There’s a good lad. Now can you lay down for me and spread your legs? good boy . Now this may sting a little."

Thranduil had to swallow a gasp as he realized there was blood still seeping from Legolas' wounded flesh. Although he wasn't exactly haemorrhaging, it still worried him. He would have to have lord Elrond look at him. There was only so much he could do. Thranduil took the bowl of green coloured liquid and carefully, with a clean rag dabbed around the swollen and blooded area as Legolas tried to fight back a cry of pain. Then after that was done Thranduil sighed as he came to what he knew would be the most painful part.

He took his son's little hand in his. "Legolas, you must listen to me. This next part is going to be the worst. You may scream or cry or whatever will help relieve your pain but you must not move or it will make it even worse. Do you understand, my son?" Thranduil asked in a very gentle voice. Legolas nodded though one could see the fear in his eyes at this revelation. "Good boy, Legolas. Now you have my hand. I won't let go. If you feel the need to squeeze it, go right a head, squeeze as hard as you can. I will do this on three. Ready? one... two... three."

Legolas felt a searing hot pain enter him as he grabbed his father's hand as hard as he could and fought back sobs of pain. He whimpered several times more after the rag was removed and just laid there panting. Then he felt his father rub some type of cream that he had made that seemed to sooth the pain. He suddenly realized he had never let go of his father's hand. He looked at his father who smiled gently at him, a rare thing to see the king of Mirkwood do. "You did very well, my little Greenleaf. I am very proud of you." Like all children, Legolas felt a certain amount of pride enter him at his father's praise, and being the Mirkwood king above that made it even more special and he could not resist the urge to smile weekly in turn. "Come now. Bed. " Thranduil helped Legolas get dressed and laid him out on his bed roll with Thranduil laying right beside him. They both could use the comfort tonight.

As the others went around readying themselves for bed there was a strange noise in the trees.
Legolas gasped "What was that?" he exclaimed.

His oldest brother smiled at him from where he was laying on his own bed roll. "'Twas merely an owl, Legolas. She is hunting for food. Nothing to be frightened of."

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During the same time in Rivendell.....

"Check mate." Glorfindel announced. This was the third game in a row that he had beaten Lord Elrond in.

Elrond wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off Glorfindel's face. He was most certainly not a sore loser but whenever Glorfindel won a game, he would be relentless about it and gloat the rest of the night.

Elrond took a sip of his wine. "Well played my friend but it's late and I believe I would retire for the night." Elrond stood up and stretched his back from sitting so long.

Glorfindel leaned back in his chair and smiled up at him. "What seems to be the problem, Elrond? Does it bother you that much that I am a better chess player than you?" He teased.

Elrond raised his eyebrow, a small smirk on his face. "On the contrary, Glorfindel, I -"

"My lord !" Erestor came through Elrond's study without so much as a knock.

"You , Er, Erestor, there’s a new invention out. It’s called Knocking." Glorfindel stressed the last word as soon as Erestor stepped in front of them but Erestor just ignored him. He had a hawk resting on his outstretched arm and a small rolled up parchment ated ted to its foot.

"It’s a messenger bird from Mirkwood." the advisor explained.

Elrond took the letter from the hawk's talon. He read it twice before making any comment. He sighed. "I see," Glorfindel and Erestor gave him a puzzling stare. "Mirkwood has been attacked by orcs and spiders. This time they have breached Thranduil's gates. They were greatly outnumbered and their queen, Asilion has been killed.... right in front of the eyes of their youngest son. It appears the boy was tortured as well . Thranduil and his sons are coming here to seek our protection," Elrond took another sip of his wine. He looked at his adviser and seneschal. "Ready rooms for them in the morrow, Glorfindel. They should be here in the next few days." Glorfindel nodded without a word.

Erestor however was not so dismissive."You mean you're actually going to allow that tyrant and his children into Imladris?" He exclaimed.

Lord Elrond raised his eyebrow at him, a frown sketching his wise, ageless face. "My quarrel is with Thranduil himself. Not his children. I will not risk their innocent lives over a ridiculous feud that happened over a thousand years ago. Besides the boy may need medical aid. I will do everything in my power to help him."

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The next few days passed by very smoothly. The Mirkwood party rode hard and fast, occasionally stopping for the horses sakes. Although Thranduil was growing profusely worried as Legolas' wound would not seem to stop bleeding. It was even painful for Legolas to even defecate.

In the early morning that Thranduil had used the herbs on Legolas the night before, he woke up to the sound of Legolas crying in the bushes because of the unbearable pain. There was nothing he could do to stop the pain, and as mother nature demands, he needed to relieve himself. And when he did, he let out a cry that could tear ones heart in half. Thranduil remembered drawing circles in soothing motions around his back and let him squeeze his hand at the time. When Legolas had finished the elven king took him in hims ams and rocked him gently trying to sooth him.

Well if anyone could heal Legolas, Thranduil mused, Lord Elrond could. He would also have to speak with him regarding the attack, he knew. But there was something about these orcs that seemed ... different somehow. They seemed smarter, more organized and their behaviour in the palace was a true mystery. Thranduil was quite surprised,to say the least, that he and his elder sons were not treated in a similar fashion as Legolas. He was snapped back out of his thoughts when he heard his son ride up next to him.

"There it is. Imladris. Look, I can see Elladan and Elrohir on guard duty from here." Tallen exclaimed.

They rode up faster until they reached the gate. The group of weary travellers dismounted. "Mae govannen, Thranduil of Mirkwood." Elladan replied. The twins bowed in unison.

"Well met, sons of Elrond." Thranduil replied.

"Come," said Elrohir," We shall take you to our father and have your horses looked after."

As the stable master guided the company’s horses to the stables, the twins lead the company to the house of Elrond. Standing at the foot of the stairs to greet them were Lord Elrond, lord Glorfindel, Erestor, and Arwen.

"Mae govannen, Thranduil of Mirkwood," Elrond greeted as he held his hand over his heart than extended it outward in the way of elven respect.

Thranduil replied in kind."Greetings, Elrond Peredhil. May I present to you my sons, Nava, my eldest, Tallen, whom I believe you already know, for he has been on many hunting trips with your sons," he paused as Elrond nodded to Tallen. "and this," he continued, stepping out of the way from where Legolas was hiding behind him, "is my youngest son, Legolas."

Elrond smiled warmly at the child. He seemed so meek, so shy, so vulnerable and yet there was something else about this adorable elfling he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He crouched down so he was eye level with the boy. "Hello there, little one." he spoke in almost a whisper.

Legolas backed up a step and cocked his head to the side, an unreadable look masking his features. He liked this elf, Legolas decided after several moments. He seemed nice enough and he couldn't understand why his father would have such prejudice against him.

Elrond stood andk hik his place at his seneschal's side, returning his attention to Thranduil . "I believe you already know lord Glorfindel, my advisor, Erestor, and this is my daughter, Arwen. Come. You must be weary. We will show you to your rooms."

As Elrond turned he heard Thranduil's voice. The usual threatening tone was not present. It seemed more like a plea. "If you will, lord Elrond, I would sooner my children be looked at by a healer as I would like a moment to speak with you alone."

Elrond raised an eyebrow. "Of course. Elrohir , Elladan, take the three princes to the healers if you would be so kind, and Arwen, would you please take the soldiers to their rooms."

"Of course, father." Arwen replied, "If you will follow me."

As Thranduil turned to go with Elrond, he heard swift, little barely audible footsteps behind him and turned. "Legolas, you go with your brothers. I shall join you shortly," his voice was commanding but gentle and Legolas knew a command when he heard it but still looked reluctant. Thranduil sighed. "There is naught to fear, ion-nin. No one here will harm you. We are safe." Legolas nodded, although a small pout was visible on his lips as he headed towards his brothers. Thranduil had a look of dismay that had not slipped Elrond's notice.

"You worry over your youngest," he implied "I can see it in your eyes, Thranduil. Was he harmed so badly?"

Thranduil turned to him slowly. "His mother was killed in front of him. He was forced upon by an orc, of all creatures, and the wound that he received does not seem to want to heal!" Thranduil was growing angrier by the second. He seemed to remember his place then because he quickly calmed his voice."He needs help, Elrond . He was... taken quite roughly." As the two reached Elrond's study, Thranduil relayed all that had happened over the last few days. When he had finished there was silence in the room until Elrond sighed.

"I must say I am just as puzzled over the orcs behaviour as you are. But this I can tell you; the healing process may take a very long time. I'm not even certain if I can heal Legolas' mental state." Elrond explained.

Thranduil didn’t seem like he would accept that. "Why ever not?" he demanded.

"Because," Elrond lowered his eyes, "of all the healing potions and magic that I know, I could not even save my own wife. Celebrian was captured by orcs, received a poisoned wound and she was tortured. When we found her -" Elrond had to swallow the lump forming in his throat. "I was able to heal her body, Thranduil, but I could not heal her soul. She was so corrupted by what those confounded creatures did to her that she could not stand even my touch. So in the end she went to the Undying Lands."

Thranduil took a breath and would have said something if it weren’t for a frightened cry that echoed from down the hall. Suddenly Glorfindel and Elladan burst through the door of the study. "Ada , lord Thranduil, there’s been some trouble." Elladan panted trying to regain his breath from running down the hall and up the stairs.

Elrond and Thranduil looked at each other. "Trouble?" the question was blunt but said so many things at the same time.

"Aye," Glorfindel replied, "the young prince won’t let anyone near him. One step towards him and he goes into hysterics. The healers cannot get near him." Glorfindel looked at Thranduil. "Nava is trying to calm him down but ..."

Elrond and Thranduil stood in unison and started down the hall followed by Glorfindel and Elladan on their heels. When they reached the healing room they found Elrohir, Tallen and four healers standing at the door. Thranduil swept by them all into the fairly sized room. Elrond and Glorfindel followed. The sight that met the three pair was heart wrenching.

Legolas was curled up at the head of one of the examination table’s silently sobbing in Nava's lap burying his head in his neck, his brother's long blond hair obscuring his face from vision. Nava was rubbing his back in slow circular patterns, whispering into his ear. "Everything will be alright, penneth. No one here will hurt you, they're only trying to help you." Legolas' only response was a low meek whimper.

Thranduil walked towards his two sons, while Glorfindel ushered the rest of tlveslves out of the room. Thranduil looked at his oldest son with kind eyes. "Nava, will you leave us please. Lord Elrond is going to examine Legolas and it would be best if there were as few of us in here as possible." Nava was a little reluctant to leave his little brother's side but knew his father was right. With great difficulty he pried his little brother's arms from around his chest and gracefully left the room closing the door behind him leaving Legolas, Thranduil, Elrond and Glorfindel in the room themselves.

Thranduil picked his son up and rested him on his hip. Glorfindel went to the cabinets to retrieve some medicinal plants while Elrond spoke to the timid Legolas in a calm soothing voice. "Legolas, I know you are frightened right now and with good reason, but you must allow me to examine you so I can make you feel better. I promise you I will be as gentle as I can and your ada will not leave your side, is that alright with you?" Legolas looked thoughtfully at the elf lord, fear clearly masking his features, and then to his father whom nodded reassuringly and in the end Legolas reluctantly nodded his head.

"Good lad. Now I need you to remove your garments and lay down on the table for me. Can you do that, penneth?" Legolas bit his lip. He was rather shy and a little scared at that. The last time a stranger removed his clothes, pain soon followed. But that was different, those were orcs lusting after their own personal goals. This Noldo elf was clearly trying to help him, the logical part of him thought, he was not forcing him into doing this, he was trying to help. His eyes again rose to meet those of his father for reassurance and in them he found the comfort he sought and finally nodded. Thranduil set his son down and helped him disrobe then he lay on the table as Elrond draped a thin sheet over him and Thranduil held his little hand in his. At first Legolas shied away from Elrond's touch, flinching as soon as he laid a hand upon him. But eventually he relaxed into the gentle touch, reality taking hold of him that this elf lord meant him no harm in the least.

When Elrond finished his examination and cleansed the outer part of the wound, saving the most painful part until last, he sighed. He knew this next part would be difficult on the young one.
"Legolas, what I am about to do next may feel a little uncomfortable. I have to feel the inside of you to make certain there are no obtrusions and to be sure you aren’t haemorrhaging." he explained.

The look of growing distress in the child's eyes did not miss Glorfindel's sight, whom until now was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, carefully observing the timid elfling's behaviour. "Legolas," he said, "If you be good and allow us to do this without a fight, I will take you to the kitchens afterwards. There you can have all the dessert you desire. How does that sound, hmm?" Legolas shot Glorfindel a strange look and seemed to take considerable thought in this for several moments. He hardly knew this elf and here he was offering him dessert, which he figured was rather odd but there was something about this golden haired elf that was somewhat appealing. His eyes were full of kindness and concern, and eventually he finally nodded. Glorfindel had to chuckle at the young elf's quiet scrutiny. "Good lad, now just relax and this will be over soon."

Legolas tensed and audibly gasped as he felt the intruding fingers enter his body. He grasped his father's hand even tighter as he began to whimper from the painful and alien feeling. Glorfindel had to firmly hold the child’s hips in place to stop him from squirming. "shh, penneth, try to relax. We are almost finished." he soothed.

Legolas felt the fingers retreat only to return a few seconds later with a strange slimy, burning feeling and he howled out in pain and with teary eyes looked up to his father whom squeezed his little hand lightly in reassurance.

"This liquid will help close the wound," Elrond explained, "and this will help stop the pain." he said as he rubbed a pea green coloured cream into him. When Elrond finished, Legolas lay still for several moments, panting, small whimpers escaping his mouth in the process. After a while, Thranduil helped his son redress.

Glorfindel knew that at this point the young prince would be incapable of walking and so opened his arms up to him, motioning to him that he would carry him. "Are you still willing to venture to the kitchens for some sweets with me, little one?" timidly raising his eyes to Elrond's seneschal, Legolas observed the kindness in those eyes and, after looking to his father for his consent, he carefully climbed into Glorfindel's arms and he then carried Legolas off to the kitchens .

Elrond spoke to Thranduil softly as he cleansed the king’s battle wounds. In Thranduil's haste to get to Rivendell he never took the time to tend to his own wounds. "There was indeed an obtrusion inside of him. When the creature forced into Legolas, he must have clawed his insides. You need not worry, it is treatable. Be sure to rub this cream inside of him before he relieves himself for the next few days. It will lessen the pain." Thranduil nodded. "when do you plan on returning to Mirkwood ?" Elrond asked as he bandaged the kings left arm.

"Getting sick of me already, Peredhil ?" Thranduil could not resist the jest, "my advisor is to send word when the battle has died down. Although... I am worried for my son. It may be difficult for him to return for quite some time. He has been traumatised by everything that has happened. He cries at night for his mother, Elrond." he sighed, "and there is nothing I can do to bring her back."

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Down in the kitchens Legolas and Glorfindel were seated both enjoying a piece of strawberry cake. It had taken quite a while for the lad to open up to Glorfindel. He was very timid and shy and did not trust others easily. Indeed, he barely looked the Eldar in the eye. He seemed very cautious of what he would say and how he phrased things. It took quite a fair amount of convincing to have the elfling feel comfore bue but eventually with his gentle coaxing and kind words, the seneschal slowly but gradually began to gain the elfling's trust.

Glorfindel chuckled at the sight the small boy was in now. He was ploughing fork fulls of the dessert in his mouth, his upper lip covered in cream, though the seneschal could not complain for he was in a similar state. The golden haired Eldar leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. He did indeed like this child.

"Is it good?" he asked, a big grin lighting his features. Legolas nodded as he stuffed the last piece in his mouth. Glorfindel stood and stretched then reached down and picked up the little one in his arms. "Now," he said in a friendly tone, "let us go see how your brothers are doing, shall we?"

The hint of a smile quirked the corners of Legolas’ lips. "You may want to clean your face first, lord Glorfindel."

Realizing the area around his mouth was covered in whipped cream, Glorfindel grabbed a napkin and with as much dignity as possible wiped his face clean before exiting the room.

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Tallen and Nava were relaxing in their shared guest quarters conversing about nothing in particular when there was a knock at the door. "Enter." called Tallen. The door opened to reveal Glorfindel holding a happier looking Legolas, who reached out to his brother as Nava stood in greeting.

"Well I can see you're feeling better, muindor-tithen." Nava chuckled, taking the small charge from Glorfindel’s care.

His little brother wriggled on his hip. "Guess what? Lord Glorfindel took me to the kitchen and we had cake and he got cream all over his face." Legolas smiled.

Glorfindel merely grinned sheepishly as Nava and Tallen turned amused eyes on him. "Not very becoming of an elf lord, I admit, but it seemed like it cheered him up some." Glorfindel amusedly explained. "now, if you will excuse me there are duties I must tend to." With a polite bow he left the room closing the door behind him.

Nava set Legolas on the bed who sat in between his two older brothers.
"How are you feeling, little Greenleaf?" Tallen asked.

Legolas considered the question for a short moment. He was still in some pain but it wasn't as bad as it was, thanks to lord Elrond’s gentle care, and of course the rapid healing process of the elves. At least now he could walk without jolts of pain running inside of him but ... he dearly missed his mother. "A lot better," he announced though there was a hint of sadness in his voice that didn't miss the attention of the two elder elves.

"What’s wrong, penneth?" Tallen asked softly. Truly he was worried at the tone in his brother's voice.

Legolas did not meet his gentle gaze. With a shuddering breath he replied, "I miss naneth. Do you think she misses us too?" his eyes were brimming with unshed tears as he finally looked up into his oldest brother's eyes.

"Oh, Legolas," he replied, "naneth doesn't have to miss us because she is with us. In here." Nava placed a hand over Legolas' heart. "We will always miss her, Legolas, but she will always be with us as long as we remember her. She loved us all very much you know."

The tears finally began to pour down Legolas' cheeks. "I know ..." he whispered as his brothers embraced him. This was good. Legolas needed to grieve and get the emotional pain out of his system before it slowly broke his spirit. Nava and Tallen had done the same as soon as they reached the guest chambers, venting out their sorrow in each other's comfort for the loss of their mother.

Legolas had fell asleep crying in his brothers protective embrace. Hours passed before Thranduil and Elrond had come to them to find the three brothers laying on the bed together.
Tallen and Nava stood up in greeting. "Adar, lord Elrond." the brothers bowed.

Elrond was the first to speak. "How are you feeling?" he asked the both of them.

Tallen spoke for the two. "Better, my lord, but weary," he glanced at the still sleeping form of Legolas. "Legolas has done much grieving this night, ada. He cried for naneth for hours."

Thranduil nodded. he went over to the sleeping child and scooped him up in his arms, never taking his eyes off the identical glazed over ones that were in the land of elven dreams. "It’s a start. You both must be tired. Get some rest." he said gently as he walked through the door.

"If you need anything," Elrond said to the two, "do not hesitate to ask." with that he closed the door after him.

Side by side, Thranduil and Elrond walked down the hall in silence until they reached Thranduil's guest quarters. Thranduil placed the small child on the oversized bed and stripped him of his garments then replaced them with a nightgown. Elrond pulled back the covers as Thranduil settled Legolas on the bed then pulled the covers back over him. "Elrond," Thranduil finally spoke, "I know we've had our differences in the past but... I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality, for your kindness towards myself and my children."

Elrond had to hold back his initial shock. Thranduil's pride was so important to him. To have him thanking Elrond, of all people in Middle-Earth , was a revelation. Elrond simply brushed it off. "Think naught of it. You were in need. I would never turn down anyone who requested protection under my roof. I would hope that you would do the same for me if our positions were reversed." Elrond sighed. "Well, you must be weary. I will leave you to yourself. We will speak more on the morrow. Goodnight." and with that Elrond left the room.

Thranduil disrobed and put on a nightgown sliding into bed next to his child blowing out the candles. With a soft kiss on his boy's cheek he pulled him to his chest and went into the world of elven dreams.

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Two days later there was a cry in the sky. Elrond and Thranduil both looked up as they were walking through Elrond's private garden conversing on the days ahead. "It is one of my messenger birds. It must be news from Mirkwood." the king said more to himself then to Elrond.

Thranduil held out an arm as the great hawk came swooping down and landed upon it. Thranduil took the scroll from out of the bird's grasp. He read it over carefully. "The enemy appears to have retreated, however, there were many casualties. My advisor believes it safe for us to return." he announced. There was a look of discouragement in his eyes.

"That doesn't seem to reassure you." Elrond said.

"I believe it is still too soon for Legolas to return. The trauma that he was forced to suffer may take months to heal from, maybe even years. I do not wish to make it worse for him."

There was a long silence before Elrond spoke. "If you wish," he said, "You may keep Legolas here for a while. Just until you deem it safe for him to return home."

Thranduil had nearly gaped at Elrond's suggestion. He hated leaving his son behind but knew in his heart it would be for the child's best benefit. "You would be willing to keep him?" he exclaimed.

Elrond's lips twitched in a slight smile. "I must admit I miss the laughter of children here in Imladris. My children have long since grown up and I rather miss tending to them. It would be an honour if you would give me custody of the child for a short time."

Thranduil slowly nodded. He didn't seem to have any other choice. After all, aside from 'Lorien, Rivendell was one of the safest places to be.

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At dawn the next day the Mirkwood soldiers were mounted up and ready for leave. Thranduil was having a heart felt, teary farewell with his youngest son. "You must be good and listen to lord Elrond, my son. I know this is difficult for you but it is for the best. I will return for you, I promise."

Legolas was holding back unshed tears as his lip trembled. "When, ada? When will you be back?" Legolas nearly whimpered.

"I am not entirely certain, my son. It depends on how Mirkwood is fairing. You must make me and all of Mirkwood proud. Can you do that for me?" Thranduil asked. Legolas nodded.

"Yes, ada. I can do that." he sniffed. Thranduil embraced his son.

"Very good, my little Greenleaf." with that he reluctantly let his hold on his son go. He mounted his great white stallion and with a final nod at Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor, he lead his sons and guard out of the gates, out of Imladris.

Legolas watched his father leave as several silent tears slid down his face. Glorfindel bent down and picked the small child up in his arms, wiping the tears away with his free hand. "Come, penneth. Would you like to come into the stables with me and see some horses? Perhaps we can go riding this morn before luncheon." Legolas nodded slowly, if a little sadly. "Very good. I shall introduce you to my stallion, Asfaloth. I know he would like you." Glorfindel carried the small child to the stables as Erestor went back into the palace.

Elrond looked out onto the path where Thranduil's party had departed. The next few days would be interesting indeed.


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ada/adar - dad/father
nana/naneth - mommy/mother
saes - please
daro - stop
ion-nin - my son
penneth - young one
muindor-tithen - little brother