A Healing Touch

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I LOVE YOU, PEOPLE!!! 101 REVIEWS, WOOOH!!!!!! Never in a million years would I have thought I'd get so many. Imagine my surprise when I checked my reviews so I could write responses. There was silence in the house, then suddenly there was a loud cry of; "HOLY SHIT!" Oh, I just love you all sooooo much! Thank you!

Morelwen: Thank you, I know the feeling. I can't stand reading a fic when people don't have the facts straight, I've never flamed anyone, mind you, I find that mean. But I will give constructive criticism, in a very polite manner, which I expect from my own readers as well to help me better my writing.

giggle: Yes, i concur, for I too am of the race of men, lol. Of course it is sometimes fun when it is men. As for Leggy going into a spin again, well... you'll see what I have planned. You're very welcome and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Steph: It's no bother at all, really. I'll send it to you as soon as possible, and if you haven't gotten it by the next update, tell me and I'll send it again, and again and again until you get it. And I'm glad you think it was a good time to have Glorfindel and the twins rescue Legolas and Elrond at that point. At first I wasn't sure if they came in too quickly.

Mawgy: lol, I'll send you my web address through e-mail. And yes, you will know what Legolas' brand mark looks like in this chapter, as for him being sore, I'm sure he was, thats one reason why he was so stiff when he dismounted, but I'm sure as long as he got as far away from those orcs as possible, he was beyond the point of caring. Don't worry, we will eventually get to Erestor in about... say four or five chapters. They'll be staying a while in Mirkwood. Lol, you work on that... teleconneticness. You have my support.

me: lol, thank you, and don't worry, as long as I have you people to support me, I will continue writing. Happy you like the story.

Autore: lol, don't worry, Legolas will certainly be 'consoled'. Why is it, I wonder, why we enjoy seeing our favorite elf prince tortured? That's a question I often think about. I guess we all have a sadistic side to us, lol, or maybe , just maybe it's attraction based? I dunno, we just love to see our little elf vulnerable.

lilith: There will eventually be a happy ending, but that's far away yet.

Isis: Yes, I am evil, aren't I? Well, I'm glad I have your support. Erestor will eventually get some fun. I was considering pairing him up with Lindir, it was actually Mawgy's suggestion, but I think I'll go with it.

Cally: Thank you very much, it took me quite a while to decide how I was going to do that chapter. I wanted to keep the parts equal, and apparently I did. Again, thank you. And don't worry, there will be plenty more elf lust in this fic, and I'll be sure to come up with a bit more kink.

Silent Archer: Well, Legolas might be emotionally damaged, but he has Elrond and Glorfindel to help him out... in more ways than one. And it's alright if you take your time to review. I know how crappy some internet connections can be, lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

************************************
Disclaimer: Yup, i own 'em. As a matter of fact, they're giving me a strip tease right now.... I wish.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas awoke with a start from where he was soundly snuggled against Elrond's breast to a pair of boots walking across unsteady rocks. He immediately went to stand, forgetting his battered and bruised body, and hissed through his teeth as his legs faltered underneath him and a sharp pain shot up his backside. Elrond gently guided him back down, and put a finger to his lips gesturing silence.

Both elves let out a sigh of relief when Glorfindel appeared through the crevice of the rfalrfall. In his hands he held a small bag which contained medical herbs and some clothing. He nodded at both of them in greeting. "Glorfindel," Elrond breathed. "we were beginning to worry that you weren't coming. How do you fare?"

"I'm none the worse for wear. What ou?"u?" the seneschal replied as he knelt down beside the two, opening the satchel. As soon as Glorfindel asked the question, Legolas cast his eyes down, suddenly seeming very interested in the damp rocky floor, which did not go unnoticed by both elf lords. "Legolas?" Glorfindel pulled the cloak to the side that was draped over Legolas’ body and caught a quick glance of the young elf, immediately noticing the irritated skin on his back-side and the burn mark on his hip that was oddly enough, shaped like a beach leaf, before the younger elf flinched away and pressed himself more into Elrond's person with a shudder of fear. "Oh Legolas--"

"Please," the elfling’s voice was barley audible and his eyes remained downcast. "I do not wish you to see me this way."

If Glorfindel was hurt by the remark he showed no sign of it, though he ignored the prince's plea. Instead he pulled a salve from his satchel and dipped his fingers in the small jar before he gently placed a hand on Legolas’ waist and smeared the ointment over the torn flesh of his backside, causing him to flinch again and hiss in pain. "Please--" Legolas whimpered through clenched teeth and tightly shut eyes.

"Legolas, allow Glorfindel to help." Elrond whispered as he wrapped his arms protectively around the younger elf, trying to sooth him.

Legolas wordlessly obeyed but remained tense as Glorfindel applied more salve to the burn on his hip. Next, the seneschal crushed up several different herbs and mixed them with some water before he applied the paste to the cuts and scrapes over the young elf's injured body, noticing how taut he remained.

"Legolas," Glorfindel finally pleaded, lifting the elfling's chin with his finger so his eyes would meet his, "look at me, penneth, please, look at me." When Legolas finally turned his sorrow filled eyes to the Eldar in a very shy manner, Glorfindel's heart nearly shattered at the sight of the mixed emotions of grief, fear, and shame in his eyes. It brought him back to the memory of his first glimpse at the frightened, confused elfling all those years ago and he had to fight the urge to bellow for what those foul beasts had done to the innocent young elf, yet again. "Oh Legolas," Glorfindel breathed. "come here."

Before Legolas could react, the seneschal pulled the younger elf into a tight but gentle embrace, minding his injured body. Recovering briefly from the unpredicted contact, Legolas returned the hug eagerly, letting tears spill as he whimpered into the elf lord's golden locks. "I-- I didn't think that you would want me after-- after what they did to me." Legolas sobbed.

"Ai, Legolas!" Glorfindel nearly sobbed himself, finally letting his own tears of worry and relief fall. "of course I still want you. I love you."

"I love you too." Legolas cried into his ear.

Glorfindel cupped Legolas' cheek tenderly, and with a look filled with love and reassurance, gently brought his lips to meet his own. The younger elf desperately returned the kiss, pouring his entire being into that one action. Their lips stayed locked until after a few moments and Glorfindel broke the kiss. He gazed at him lovingly, stroking his thumb over the pale cheek. "Ai, penneth. Above all else never doubt my love for you. What have I told you before? I will always be here for you as will Elrond," Glorfindel turned his gaze to meet that of the other elf lord who was watching the tender moment with the ghost of a smile lighting his features "wont you."

"Of course I will." Elrond replied as he shifted his weight so that he was closer to the other elves and embraced Glorfindel, kissing him lightly, before he turned his attention to the youngest of the three and did likewise with him, the contact their lips made incredibly gentle as if Elrond feared harming the elfling further. When they broke apart, Legolas kept his eyes locked on his own, desperate to see the love and want in those grey eyes and not the disgust and scrutiny he assumed would be there. After a while of serene silence, the seneschal finally broke the comfortable tranquility.

"Now, Elrond," Glorfindel said. "I believe we have been neglecting your injuries long enough. Sit back so I may attend to your wounds."

"I have no serious wounds." The elf lord attempted.

"He lies," Legolas cut in, earning a glare from Elrond and a smirk from Glorfindel. "his leg was broken. I set it back in place but it still needs medical attention. He may also have several cracked ribs and he has a deep laceration across his leg."

"I see. They say healers make the worst patients." Glorfindel replied with a wink to the elfling. "well, Elrond, if you would be so kind..." Glorfindel gestured with his hand for Elrond to sit against the wall and Elrond reluctantly complied. After securing a splint to the elf lord's leg, Glorfindel applied the salve and medicinal herbs to Elrond's other hurts. Occasionally Elrond would flinch or hiss through his teeth but nothing more.

While Glorfindel tended to Elrond, he explained how they had found out that they were in trouble and how Elrohir apparently inherited Elrond's gift of foresight. Needless to say, Elrond was quite proud to hear that his youngest son shared that particular quality with himself.

As Glorfindel attended to the elf lord’s wounds, Legolas tenderly took Elrond's hand in his, letting him squeeze whenever he felt the need, occasionally brushing his thumb over the his hand in silent support.
"Where are Elladan and Elrohir and the guards now?"

"In a secluded part of the forest. Worry not, Elrond, everyone is well. We had very little casualties. I am finished. Come, we will join the others."

When Elrond looked reluctantly at Glorfindel, and Legolas blushed and lowered his gaze, the seneschal began to chuckle. "Of course! I completely forgot. It seems I enjoy seeing you both un-clad so much that I really don’t care to see you in garments at all." Glorfindel's chuckles only seemed to intensify as Legolas blushed even harder and Elrond shot him a deadly glare."

"Enough nonsense, Glorfindel. Do you have a change of clothing or not?"

"Ah yes, actually I fetched them from your saddle bags." Glorfindel reached into his bag and pulled out two pairs of clothes, handing one to each.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Glorfindel had assisted Elrond and Legolas in dressing, the three had limped into a small clearing in the forest where the twins, guards, and horses were.

As soon as Skylenar saw her master walk into the clearing she happily pranced rds rds him, nuzzling him playfully. In turn Legolas smiled briefly and scratched the side of her neck, pleased that his companion was safe. Once the riders mounted, they resumed their way to Mirkwood, much to Glorfindel's objections. Luckily the rest of their trip brought no more un-welcomed visitors.

The first night brought the party to a small glade near a cluster of large, towering pine trees. If it had not been for the lord’s and the prince’s injuries, they would not have set camp, however as it was, Legolas was growing increasingly agitated in his saddle, becoming very sore from the long ride. And though he did not complain, Glorfindel noticed the agony mask his features and finally called for a halt.

Legolas sighed with relief, his face scrunching up in pain as he dismounted his horse and stretched his aching limbs, though he soon found out that served just as painful as riding. While Elrohir assisted his father from dismounting his own steed, and Glorfindel coordinated the guards to either pitch tents or set loose the horses and allow them to graze, Elladan noticed Legolas tensely wander their surroundings and quietly approached him. Amongst his reverie, the young prince did not notice the elder twin approach him, and when a firm hand was placed on his shoulder, he whirled around in alarm and a flash of fear crossed his handsome face before registration was quickly replaced, a cry of fear dying on his lips, which was unfortunately enough to attract the entire group.

Elladan himself appeared to be in shock, and his entire body was frozen in place as he stared guiltily at the younger elf before him. “Legolas…”

“I’m sorry.” The prince blurted, squirming under the scrutiny of the entire camp. Unable to bear the surprised stares any longer, the elfling quickly lowered his gaze before, with the heat of embarrassment, dashed into the bushes, despite the pain it caused to lance up his backside. Elladan went to follow but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him.

Glorfindel shook his head. “I will go after him. You stay here and organize the camp.”

“Do you really think it wise to chase after him? Perhaps he merely needs some time alone.”

“Nay, the very last thing he needs right now is to be alone.” With a nod to the twin, the seneschal turned and ran after the golden haired prince.

Elladan’s brow furrowed in guilt, but his father was quick to reassure him as he and Elrohir limped up to him. Elrond shook his head sadly and gently squeezed his son’s shoulder. “Do not blyouryourself, ion-nin. It is not you Legolas fears.”

“What did they do to him, adar? What have they done to make him so fearful.”

Elrond sighed, unsure if he should tell his sons what had happened but before he could utter a single word, Elrohir caught his gaze and searched his eyes, and his own eyes widened in disbelief, unwilling to accept what he had just read in his father’s mind. His voice was quiet so only his brother could here him. “They raped him.”

When Glorfindel finally tracked the wayward elfling down, he nearly gasped in surprise when he found him waist-deep in a river, scrubbing his body harshly with his fingernails, leaving red welts over his pale skin. His clothing had been carelessly tossed on the bank in his rush to undress and his brow was furrowed in pained frustration as he continued to scratch his flesh.

The seneschal had immediately become worried as he witnessed the prince’s behaviour, and when Legolas began scratching at the brand mark on his hip, Glorfindel immediately trudged into the river, ignoring his own clothed form, desperate to reach the elfling before he caused serious harm. “Legolas?” he called as he waded in towards him. When the prince ignored him and continued to scrub, drawing blood from the brand in desperate attempt to rid his body of the mocking mark, Glorfindel swiftly caught his wrists to stop him, causing a cry of alarm to issue from the younger elf’s mouth and he roughly yanked his arms away before he continued his obsessive scrubbing. “Legolas, stop this! You are hurting yourself.” the seneschal firmly rebuked.

“Nay,” the prince shook his head defiantly. “I have to get it off, I’m soiled, Glorfindel. I have to get the dirt off!” with even more force, Legolas all but clawed the burn on his hip, drawing blood.

“Legolas!” with more force than he intended, the seneschal again grasped the slighter elf’s arms to stop their harsh treatment of his body. Legolas struggled against the restraint and all but screeched, but Glorfindel did not relent and turned the resisting prince around in his grip, so that the smaller elf’s back was pressed against his toned chest and he held his arms across Legolas’ own chest to restrain him. The prince flailed frantically and screamed in fear as the seneschal strenuously guided him to shore.

Once on land, Legolas immediately attempted to dive back into the water but the seneschal kept his muscled arms wrapped around his chest. “Legolas! Legolas!” the young elf shook his head desperately, still struggling against Glorfindel’s hold, and the elder elf had no choice but to flip the hysteric elf onto his back and straddle him, holding his wrists above his head.

“No! Let me go!” the prince cried, wriggling under the elf lord’s weight in a desperate resort.

“Legolas!” Glorfindel firmly took the boy’s head in his free hand, forcing him to look at him. “Stop this, now! There is no filth covering your body, it is all in your head! Look at me!” Legolas whimpered, still fighting against the elder elf, but his booming voice seemed to have struck a chord and he momentarily gazed into the eyes of the elf above him, and suddenly became very aware of what he had just been doing to himself. “It’s me, Legolas… it’s me.”

After a brief moment of simply staring at the elf lord, a sudden sob escaped the prince’s lips, and his body began to rack as it was followed by more, while tears began tracking down his cheeks. Glorfindel removed himself from the younger elf and pulled the sobbing form into his embrace. “I’m sorry, Glorfindel.” He whimpered. “I’m sorry.”

“Shh, hush now,” Glorfindel cooed, regaining his senses as the frightful occurrence replayed in his mind. “It’s alright. It’s over now.”

Legolas continued to sob against his shoulder, his trembling frame wrapped tightly about his while Glorfindel reached over and grd thd the prince’s discarded clothes and redressed him, catching a glimpse at the irritated and bloodied flesh on his hip. Legolas met his gaze before glancing away, unable to believe that he was to blame for the self-harm. “We will have Elrond take care of it when we get back to the camp.” Glorfindel said quietly. Legolas wordlessly nodded and allowed the seneschal to finish dressing him before he was gently guided back to the camp.

By the time the two elves had reached the camp, the tents had already been pitched. Legolas purposely avoided Elladan’s gaze, too ashamed of his earlier behaviour to confront him. Thankfully, the twin had not approached him either, and he was silently relieved.

Glorfindel guided the prince to the tent Elrohir had said his father to be in, and once in the privacy of their own shelter, the seneschal carefully eased to prince down on to a bedroll and explained to Elrond what had happened. The elf lord was not at all surprised by Legolas’ reaction, and truthfully had expected it to happen sooner or later, but that still did not stop the pain in his heart at the thought of the sweet innocent prince trying to tear his body apart. Legolas looked ashamedly down at the floor, unable to meet the elf lord’s gaze. Elrond let loose a sigh, and tenderly wrapped the boy in a comforting embrace, though Legolas responded little except for leaning his head on the elder elf’s shoulder before he had him remove his shirt so that he could look after his wound.

Legolas laid on his side, flinching slightly with a wince as a healing salve was applied to the burn, regretting now more than ever his reckless action. He sighed, glancing down at the leaf shaped burn and scowled. “It is a complete mockery to me.” He suddenly blurted, unaware at first he had actually spoke.

“Legolas?” Elrond arched an eyebrow in question.

“The brand. Have you not noticed? It is in the shape of a beach leaf, the symbol of my father’s house. They shaped it as such to simply mock me.”

For a moment, the elf lord was speechless, and he looked down at the prince with slightly parted lips until he found his voice, smoothing his hand lightly over Legolas’ silky mane. “They did much to mock us.”

The young elf was silent as he registered the truth of those very words. The brand, the beatings, the rape, it was all one basic scorn. Legolas doubted even if they had given them Vilya, that they wouldn’t have tortured them as they did. He mentally cursed himself as the sting of tears began to prick his eyes at the painful memories. As if the torture they had inflicted wasn’t bad enough, they had to go and destroy what dignity he had left by using him for their own personal pleasure, abusing him in an act that should be a heartfelt and passionate experience and not filled with pain and fear.

Silent tears slowly began to slide down his face, repulsed with both the orcs that had done this to him and with himself for showing such weakness. So distraught was he that he barely felt strong arms engulf him until a dark head nuzzled against his neck. “I know, Legolas.” Elrond murmured. “We had a rough time, didn’t we?” The prince sniffled, choking in a ragged breath.

While the lore master continued to comfort the young elf, Glorfindel glared at the tent flaps, mentally swearing the next orc he met would die a most painful death for causing his lovers such harm. That vow sworn, he quietly made his way over to the pair and engulfed both of them to his chest, minding Elrond’s broken leg and the prince’s burn. “I can’t do this anymore,” Legolas whimpered. “I’m so afraid. I can’t even be in the presence of my friends without being nervous. I did not mean to act as I did when Elladan—”

“Elladan understands why you acted the way you did.” Elrond replied. “His mother’s behaviour was similar after she was taken captive by orcs.”

“So he knows what happened.” The prince implied, looking down.

“He does.” Elrond’s brow furrowed when he noticed the shame in the lowered orbs. “You could do nothing, Legolas, do not even think of blaming yourself for what happened.” The elfling sighed but said nothing.

After a moment of silence, Glorfindel reached over to his satchel, pulling out three wafers of lembas bread, handing one to each of them. “Here, eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” Legolas turned his head, pushing the bread back into the seneschal’s hand, but Glorfindel was having none of it and forced it back.

“You are hungry, you just don’t realize it. When was the last time you ate?”

“They did not feed us when we were in their capture.” Elrond quickly explained, shooting an expectant gaze to the younger elf.

“I fear I may become ill if I try to stomach anything.” The prince contended.

“Only a few bites, Legolas, that’s all I ask.”

“Elrond--”

“Legolas,” the seneschal cut in, seriousness piercing his very eyes. “you will either eat of your own free will or I will force the food down your throat.”

Legolas glared at the elder elf, noticing the look in his eyes that all but dared him to argue and the elfling sulked in defeat knowing full well that Glorfindel was not bluffing in the least. With an irritated sigh, the prince broke off a piece of the bread and slowly chewed, all the while glaring at the elder elf and continued to eat until Elrond was satisfied.

The lore master then quickly brewed a herb juice to sooth the pale elf’s stomach before he had a chance to vomit his meal before he gently laid him on his side and took his own spot in front of him, staring into his bright orbs and brushing his hand soothingly through his hair, while Glorfindel spooned up behind the young prince, instinctively knowing he would need the feel of protection this night. His warm body pressed against his had a calming effect on Legolas, and soon the exhausted elfling dozed off in the comforting embrace is tis two lovers. “It will be far less easy for him to heal, this time.” The seneschal lightly murmured to his dark haired lover. “Especially now that he is older and understands the full implications of what happened.”

“Aye,” Elrond sighed, stroking a thumb tenderly over the young elf’s pale cheek. “fate has been very cruel to him.”

“Tell me, love, why is it that we do not return to Imladris so that we may treat you both. He is more at home there, you know that.”

“Even if we were to return home, I doubt Legolas would follow, even in his… injured state. He loves his father, and I believe now, more than ever he needs that reassurance. He must see his father, Glorfindel. He needs him. I am worried for him, meleth-nin, I fear that he may fade, despite his promises to me.”

“He will not fade,” Glorfindel replied determinedly. “I will not let him. We have come too far to lose him now.” The seneschal noticed as Elrond fought to keep himself from nodding off and he reached over to gently brush away the ebony locks from his face before cupping his chin. “Sleep, love. I will make certain nothing happens to him.” The elf lord did not object, and immediately the Balrog slayer knew that he was utterly exhausted and it was not long after that he fell into a deep healing sleep. Glorfindel did not sleep that night, instead keeping a watchful eye on his two lovers, making sure no signs of pain crossed their features, and that Legolas still drew breath into his lungs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the weary travellers had finally reached Mirkwood palace, Nava and Tallen were both at the steps to meet them. Legolas was the first to dismount and approached his brothers, embracing each of them tightly. The elfling then looked around for a moment, then questioningly stared at his oldest brother. "Where is father?"

"As we told you, brother," Nava replied. "father has become extremely solitary."

*Ada must be very grief stricken,* Legolas thought. * Even though he's secluded himself before, at least he always came out to greet me.*

The prince was snapped out of his thoughts when Elrond, Glorfindel, the the twins dismounted and paid respects to the crown prince and his younger brother as well. "Mae govannen Elrond o Imladris."

"Well met Nava Thranduilion." The elf lord replied.

"Come. We shall show you to your rooms."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


On their way down the halls to the guest quarters, the two princes briefly explained that they would hold a council the next morning regarding the matter of increasing orc attacks on their land. As the two houses exchanged pleasantries with one another, Elrond deliberately left out the part of their journey when they were taken prisoner and merely told them their party was attacked, hence his broken leg. The elf lord figured it would be best for Legolas to tell his family on his own time and when he was good and ready.

Fortunately the guest rooms were only a few doors down from Legolas' room. When the young prince had returned to Mirkwood for a visit for four months, after the three years that he had stayed in Rivendell, Thranduil was forced to re-locate his youngest son's room.

Tallen remembered it well. Legolas had refused to step foot in his old room those manars ars ago. Evidently the memory of his mother dying in his old room was still fresh in his memory.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FLASHBACK
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Come, Legolas, this way."

Two pairs of barely audible footsteps came from up the hall, one slightly lighter and moving at a quicker pace, trying to keep up with the other.

"I'm coming, Tallen, wait for me!" The two elves rounded the corner and headed to one particular room, stopping at the closed door. Not thinking, the elfling threw open the door and was about to step inside but froze in his tracks with an audible gasp.

The forest-green knitted rug in his room was stained with blood and there was broken glass covering the floor. One of the bed posts of his canopy bed was cracked down the middle and slightly bent over. The sheets of his bed were shredded by what appeared to be large claws.

Tallen cursed under his breath at the disarray the chamber was in, as well as the sight of his little brother. Why hadn't anyone cleaned this room!?!

Legolas' whole body was trembling, and his eyes glistened with tears as old memories came back to haunt him. Unconsciously, the princeling let out a small whimper and his bottom lip began to tremble.

Swift as an arrow, Tallen knelt down next to his distraught brother and pulled him to his chest as the young elfling tightly wrapped his arms around his neck and began to sob. Gently the elder elf gathered the boy into his arms and stood, quickly exiting the room.

"Ai, Legolas. I am so sorry. Shh." Tallen rocked the elfling gently as he cried, whispering words of comfort into his gently pointed ear until he began to calm down.

"Ca- can we go see ada?"

"Legolas, ada is awfully busy-"

"Please! I want to see ada."

Tallen looked down into the sorrowful blue eyes and slowly nodded. "Alright. We will go see ada."

The two elves headed back down the hall, Legolas still in his brother’s arms, to Thranduil's study. When they reached the door, the elder elf placed Legolas on the floor before knocking. After several seconds, the door abruptly swung open, revealing a very weary and very angered looking king Thranduil. The elfling whimpered and cowered behind his brother at the look of stony anger in his father's eyes, clutching the prince's leggings tightly. "What is it, Tallen? Did I not make myself clear earlier that I did not wish to be disturbed this evening?"

The king’s cold voice did not phase Tallen in the least. He had grown accustomed to his father's coldness in the last several years. Legolas, however, who was not used to the king's icy tone, clutched Tallen's leg even tighter, with a look of fear in his eyes. "You did father. However Legolas was rather persistent to see you."

Thranduil's eyes seemed to soften as he looked down at his youngest child, who was still cowering behind his big brother. He sighed and nodded at the small elfling.

"Come, Legolas." he said in a gentle voice. In a more stern tone he turned to his middle child. "Leave us then." With a nod and a last glance at Legolas, Tallen headed back the way he came.

As Thranduil headed back in his study, Legolas froze in the doorway, looking nervously in at his father. When the king seated himself on his cushiony love seat at the far end of the wall, he noticed that his son had not followed him in and motioned with his hand for him to sit next to him. "Come, child, do not be so nervous!"

"I’m sorry." Legolas said quickly and scrambled inside of the room and pulled himself up on the two-seater, sitting at the far edge.

"Nay, Legolas," Thranduil sighed. "I am sorry. I should not have shouted. I am merely stressed and-- never mind. It was wrong to take my anger out on you and your brother despite my personal problems. Now what do you wish to discuss?"

"I-- I just wished to be with you for a while." Legolas replied sincerely as he turned his big blue eyes to look at his father, though he did not have the heart to tell him that he had been in his old room, for in doing so he knew he would bring up past memories that would be best un-mentioned.

"That’s not all though, is it, my son."

Legolas knew a statement when he heard it and it would do him no good by angering the king of Mirkwood by lying to him. "No, sir."

"Than tell me what the matter is."

Legolas was silent for several seconds before remorsefully looking back up at his father and let out a deep breath. "I went in my chambers, ada, and I-- the floor was covered with blood and there was broken glass on the floor. My bed was torn and broken and--" Legolas let a barely contained sob, "and I remembered nana ... and what the orc did to her... and what they did to me!"

Unable to hold back his sobs any longer, Legolas buried his face in his hands, whimpering and sniffling soundly. Thranduil, now feeling guilty for pushing the issue, pulled the elfling into his lap, resting his chin on his head while Legolas cried into his broad chest. "It's alright my son. I am here for you. I will always be here for you."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
END FLASHBACK
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Here we are." Tallen said, snapping out of his reverie as they reached the guest rooms. "If you need anything at all do not hesitate to ask."

"Tell me, my friend," Elladan asked his old companion, "Do either of you have a few moments to spare? Mayhap Elrohir and I can catch up a bit on times of old with you both." The two elder sons of Thranduil looked at each other.

"I believe we can spare a few moments. Come."

As the four elves headed down the hall, Legolas guided his lovers into his chambers. For quite a while the three elves did nothing but lay together on the bed. Glorfindel sat against the headboard with Elrond on his left with his head on his shoulder and Legolas was laying on his right, his head in the seneschal’s lap. It was Glorfindel who finally broke the moment of silence. "How are you feeling, little one?"

Legolas sighed, not eager to talk about his personal feelings at the moment. "I am still in some pain but it is bearable."

"And what of your emotional state?" the seneschal replied as he stroked the prince’s golden mane.

Legolas did not know how to reply. So many emotions he felt at the same time - grief, fear, shame, anger. All he could do was shake his head as his eyes glazed with tears. Despite all the tears he had shed the past weeks, he was unable to stop them from flowing. "Why do these things always happen to me?" he weakly whimpered. "Sometimes I feel as if the Valar are punishing me but I know not what for."

"Legolas," Elrond gently said, taking the prince’s hand in his. "You are not being punished. You are too good a person, but sometimes fate can be very cruel. Just always remember that you have people who love you and will always be here to take care of you."

Legolas sniffed and wiped at his face, knowing very well it was true. He turned his glassy eyes to the elf lord. "What about you, Elrond? How is your leg?"

"It feels much better now, Legolas. Thank you. At least now I can walk unaided."

"That is well."

The three sat silent for another few seconds before Glorfindel, once again, broke the silence. "There is something else bothering you. What is it, penneth?"

Legolas knew it was futile to try and deceive the old elf lord and he was too weary to argue in the first place so he simply told him the truth. "It's my father."

"What of him?"

"It’s just .... he always used to come out and greet me and-- something must be terribly wrong for him not to come and see me. We always used to spend at least several moments together as soon as I arrived, no matter how busy he was," Legolas sighed and raised his head from Glorfindel’s lap. "perhaps I should go see him. He will most likely be in his chambers." The prince unsteadily stood to leave but was stopped by a hand on his wrist.

"Are you certain that is a wise idea?"

"Whether it is or not I must speak with him. I need to speak with him."

"Alright," Glorfindel sighed. "but for now, Legolas, please, I urge you not to tell your father of our relationship for now. He will be simply livid to find out that the lord of Imladris and his seneschal are lovers with his youngest son."

Legolas nodded, knowing the full truth of those words and headed out the door. When the door was shut, Elrond turned his head to his seneschal. "Are you certain letting him be around his father alone in such a state is a good idea? He could get hurt."

"You cannot always protect him, Elrond, especially from his own father. There are some things he must simply learn on his own."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Legolas silently approached the door to Thranduil's chambers and stopped before the large oak doors. With a hesitant breath he lifted his hand and knocked. Several moments passed and no one answered so he tried again.

Still no answer.

"Ada?"

Silence.

The young elf hesitated on wheather he should open the door or not. It could be that he was just mistaken on his father's location. On the other hand, he may just not wish for visitors right now. If he entered without permission his father would be very displeased. But what if Thranduil was hurt and could not answer?

Legolas's heart leapt at the latter thought. Heart racing as he made his decision, he slowly opened the door only to stop as he realized the room was nearly pitch black and the only thing bringing light to the massive bed chamber were the two candle sconces on either side of the door frame.

Closing the door behind him, he walked in the dark room, only to freeze in place and let out a gasp as a bottle of half empty wine was hurled in his direction and smashed against the door to shatter into a hundred tiny pieces on the floor. Legolas, quickly regaining his composure, turned to the direction the now broken bottle was thrown from. It was in the darkest corner of the room where an old, large wooden chair sat that he noticed a lone solitary figure perched upon its edge.

"Who dares to disturb me!?" the ancient voice boomed. "Be off before I have you thrown in my dungeons!"

Legolas, not really phased by the familiar voice, but rather surprised by the anger it held, walked closer to the lone figure and stopped one foot in front of him and kneeled on one knee before him. "Ada? It is I, Legolas."

The anger in the Eldar's voice did not falter. "Legolas, you have only just left not three months ago. Why have you returned?"

"We had received word that Mirkwood had another attack. Lord Elrond has come to make negotiations to assist you in--"

"I need no help from that pompous half-elf! Now leave my loneliness unbroken and be off with you!"

the prince, a little hurt from his father's rejection, showed no sign of it other than the brief flick of sadness in his eyes. "Ada, please. Remember when I was an elfling and you said that you would always be here for me? I am here for you as well. Please speak to me like we used to."

Thranduil stood up abruptly, Legolas quickly following his movement and as Thranduil emerged from the shadows, the prince barely caught himself before he gasped at his father's ragged appearance.

If it were possible, the elfling could have sworn his father had aged some. His wise and ageless face was sketched with weariness. He had become much too pale and he had bags under his once beautiful eyes that were once so filled with life and wisdom. He was much too thin and his breathing was ragged and he had the unmistakable scent of alcohol on his breath and robes. "Did you not here me the first time, boy? I said leave! Now!"

The prince's sorrowful eyes looked deep into Thranduil's once proud and noble face and he shook his head slowly. "Oh father," Legolas breathed. "What has happened to you?"

Legolas was momentarily stunned as he felt a stinging flash of pain connect with his cheek and cupped his face where the strike had been delivered, and stared at his father in disbelief. Thranduil had never struck him before, not like that!

Time seemed to pause for a moment as the two Mirkwood elves stared into each others eyes before Thranduil broke the gaze and collapsed to his knees on the stone floor, face in his hands, sobbing soundly. "Ai, Legolas, forgive me!" the ancient king sobbed. "I do not know what has happened to me. I have changed so much. Please forgive me."

Slowly, Legolas knelt down next to his father and embraced him tightly, letting the lord of Mirkwood sob into his chest, begging forgiveness. "I forgive you," Legolas whispered into his father's delicately pointed ear. "It will be alright, adar. Please... just let us help you."

Thranduil lifted his head, gazing into his youngest son's light blue eyes and nodded. He sniffed as he gently cupped his son's reddened cheek where he had hit him and noticed the small cut where one of his rings must have sliced the sensitive skin.

"Here," Thranduil said as he stood, taking Legolas' hands pulling him up with him, "Let me get you something for that."

The elven king reached into his drawer beside his bed and pulled out a small vial of silver liquid.
Gently, he poured some onto the tip of his finger and dabbed it over his son’s cut. "Does that hurt?"

Legolas merely shook his head. "No, ada. I am fine."

Thranduil sighed. "Do you still wish to talk?"

The prince considered telling his father about the days past events but for the moment, decided against it. "Nay, I would just prefer to share your company for a while if you will permit it." Thranduil slowly nodded and pulled his son into another embrace before he slowly guided him down to the bed. That evening, the two sat together in silence, taking comfort from each others company.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ada: dad
meleth-nin: my love
penneth: young one
mae-govannen: well met