Mending a Heart and the Tie that Binds

A/N: *Quote from Marcus Aurelius.


Chapter 18: Away into Darkness


More than two weeks had passed since the archery contest. Of course, Legolas had completely annihilated his opponents and had received perfect marks for every event.

Mirkwood’s competitive spirit seemed to be revived with the prince’s victory, and the warriors from the Emerald Realm became a serious threat in every competition. It seemed, though, that Legolas’ deteriorating condition spurred the combatants from Mirkwood to sheer greatness. They made a great effort to win every contest for the youngest prince of Mirkwood. However, they were sure not to let Legolas know about the nature of their relentless motivation.

In the past couple of weeks, numerous competitions had been held. Aside from archery, there had been a horse race, a grappling match, a battle of wits, a needlepoint bee, a foot race, and an obstacle course. Perhaps one of the most amazing and entertaining performances was when Glorfindel and Haldir did a Mock-Na demonstration. Few had knowledge of the ancient elvish fighting style and both Glorfindel and Haldir were masters.

Legolas especially seemed to enjoy the performance but not for obvious reasons. He noticed how happy the chief marchwarden seemed in Glorfindel’s presence, and was glad that the elder and Haldir had finally become friends. He secretly hoped their relationship would one day develop into something deeper.

Legolas was also thrilled about the reunification of Elrohir and Ellaria. The couple’s wedding was scheduled to take place soon after the competition. The prince was remorseful that he would not be there to witness it.

Thranduil had not yet gotten the nerve to speak with Elrond, but Legolas’ words were ever-present in his mind. He would do what he promised; he would speak with Elrond, but not until he could truly forgive him – just as Legolas had asked.

Something else weighed heavily on the king’s mind and the minds of everyone in all three realms – Prince Legolas’ condition. Although the medicine had proven to be very helpful – it had successfully prevented any more of the horrific visions and the symptoms that accompanied them. In fact, Legolas had not had any visions since he grasped his father’s hand in the healing chamber. It was obvious, however, that the prince was slowly fading. Although Legolas’ spirits were high, the gradual paling of his skin, the dimming of his eyes, his lingering fatigue and his slower pace indicated that he was truly dying. Legolas pretended that all was well and politely refused any assistance that was offered. No one was fooled, however, as they helplessly watched the prince.

Legolas had accepted his fate and wanted the elves of all three realms to remember him as he was – a Prince of Mirkwood. He was the son of King Thranduil until the end and wanted, above all else, to preserve the respect and fortitude that his father had always tried so diligently to maintain. Legolas wanted to die with honor – in a way that was befitting of a prince.

Trying to perish in peace was difficult, however, and Legolas often had to keep his wits about him. On more than one occasion, he found himself consoling a sorrowful family member or friend, and had to cheer them up, rather than mourn for himself. In an odd way, talking to others about his approaching death was helpful; it aided him in facing his greatest challenge head-on.

This tactic did not work with Elladan, however. In fact, Elladan had completely changed. He had become very withdrawn and was forever planning something. The big-hearted, fun-loving and gentle-spirited warrior was now quiet and introspective. His face had lost much of its color and his eyes were tired and sad. His tunic no longer fit him properly and his belt had been tied in knots just to keep his leggings up around his waist. He and Elrohir no longer looked like twins. In fact, Elladan’s thinner and sunken appearance, made him look like Elrohir’s older and much less handsome brother. No matter what Legolas said or tried to do to comfort his lover, nothing worked. While the prince had put much effort into trying not to mourn about his death, he had desperately tried not to think about the fact that his passing would mean losing Elladan forever. As time wore on and Legolas felt that the end was drawing near, Elladan’s well being became more and more important to the prince. He had to believe that Elladan would live – even if he couldn’t.

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Legolas observed the dusky sky in admiration. Hues of peach and violet stretched across the heavens, like long arms beckoning him home. He knew his time to forever leave Middle-earth was near.

Pushing any remorse out of his mind, he focused on finding Elladan. Legolas hiked up the large hill that sat just behind Lord Elrond’s manor, relying on a gut feeling that Elladan would be there.

So many months ago, the prince remembered spending much time there with his lover. It was a special place, for both of them.

The price crested the top of the hill and passed through a tangle of trees. In the clearing ahead, standing near the edge of the cliff stood Elladan.

He did not acknowledge Legolas’ presence. Instead, he played absent-mindedly with the necklace that he wore around his neck. It was the engagement gift Legolas had given him, that bore a small blue stone, the same color as the prince’s eyes.

Legolas approached Elladan slowly and hesitated before speaking. The dark-haired warrior had been so quiet lately that the prince was unsure of what to say. As he stood there only a few feet behind his lover, looking out over the realm, he found himself shaking his head. He had made his way to his relations, his friends and his acquaintances, speaking to them about whatever was on his mind. He had even summoned the courage to converse with his father about Elrond. But talking to Elladan was a different matter altogether. He did not know what to say or how to comfort him. So, he decided not to try – to just spend time with Elladan before the end.

“’Tis a beautiful evening,” Legolas said.

“Aye… it is…” Elladan’s voice trailed off.

“Uh… have you seen the Senora plants? They are in full bloom.”

Elladan nodded despondently.

“Elladan I…”

Elladan turned and placed his fingers on the prince’s lips before Legolas could finish his statement. “I know why you have come here.” Elladan withdrew his hand and let it fall to his side. He turned away from the prince and began to look out over the realm once more. “You believe the time is near… don’t you?”

“Aye.”

“When?”

“I… I am not certain. Soon.”

“I will not let you go without a fight. You know that, don’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“This is all my fault, Legolas,” Elladan said, turning to face the prince once more. If you only knew…”

“Knew what?” Legolas asked.

“There is so much to say,” Elladan replied slowly. “And I’m afraid… I’m afraid that if I tell you the truth… that you will be angry.”

Legolas smiled warmly and took a step towards Elladan, closing the gap between them. “I haven’t the time for anger anymore. Tell me about the darkness that weighs upon your heart. I shan’t be cross. I promise.”

Elladan pulled Legolas into his arms in a tender embrace. “This is going to take some time…” he said in a muffled voice, as his face was buried on the prince’s shoulder.

Legolas stroked Elladan’s dark mane. “Come, let us sit under the canopy of that magnificent tree. I do not know how much time I have left… but what I do have belongs to you.”

Elladan pulled away from Legolas and grasped his hand.

As the lovers walked toward the tree, Legolas smiled and looked up at the sky. Just as dusk faded into night, so did much of the tension between the couple.

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In another part of Rivendell, King Thranduil was slowly making his way toward Elrond’s manor. He had promised Legolas that he would forgive the Lord of Rivendell and he planned to uphold his pledge – even though it pained him to do so.

As he walked, he looked up at the darkening sky and muttered to himself softly. Stomping his foot childishly when he stumbled over his words, he made a quick detour to a nearby garden in an attempt to practice his forgiveness speech before facing Elrond. In frustration, he reached into a pocket that lined the inside of his emerald colored cloak and pulled out a few wrinkled pieces of paper. He scanned the first two pages of the papers and placed them back into the cloak pocket. Clearing his throat he said aloud, “My good friend Elrond. How nice it is to see you once again. I have come to profess my deepest regrets at our newfound… at our newfound….” The king cursed and yanked the papers out, once again. He glanced at the words and then looked up at the sky, speaking theatrically, “I have come to profess my deepest regrets at our newfound parting. Our rift is like a bottomless cavern – a hole in the midst of the mighty sky. It is like a raging river that crashes so fiercely against an awaiting bank. We must not be like the cavern, or the hole or the river – oh no. We must come together like the threads of a web, whose delicate strings are very… are very… Blast!” The king exclaimed in anger, kicking a nearby tree. He stuffed the papers back into his cloak pocket and pouted for a few moments.

He had memorized so many speeches in his time that he did not know why this was suddenly so difficult. He had mastered the whole discourse days ago and had recited it from memory more than a dozen times. Setting his jaw, Thranduil made up his mind to try again. After all, he was a king. He had spoken to legions of spectators in the past and would do so in the future. And while the content of this speech was different than others, the king decided that he would treat this address like any other.

Sighing loudly, he started from the beginning, “My good friend, Elrond. How nice it is to see you once again.”

“It is nice to see you, too,” Elrond said, entering the garden.

Thranduil nearly choked on his words upon seeing the lord and clutched his throat as he gagged foolishly.

“Thranduil, are you alright?” Elrond asked, racing to the king’s side.

“Fine,” Thranduil squeaked, trying desperately to regain his composure.

“Did I startle you?” Elrond asked, dismayed.

“Nay,” Thranduil lied quickly in a raspy voice. “I… I… simply… swallowed a bug. That… that is why I choked.” Thranduil could feel his face reddening as this was the stupidest response he could have ever given.

“You swallowed a bug?” Elrond asked, desperately trying to hide the amusement in his voice.

“Please sit down, Elrond. There is something I need to say to you.”

Elrond obliged Thranduil’s request by taking a seat on a nearby bench. He watched the king with interest.

Thranduil cleared his throat several times and began his speech once again. “My good friend, Elrond. How nice it is to see you once again. I have come to profess my deepest regrets at our newfound parting. Our rift is like a bottomless cavern,” the king stopped speaking abruptly when his still weakened voice gave way and squeaked unexpectedly.

Elrond’s eyes widened. He coughed to mask his smile.

Thranduil’s face turned from light red to crimson, but he tried to pretend that all was well. He sighed and scratched his head. “Uh… where was I,” he asked himself out loud.

“The cavern…” Elrond reminded him, biting his lower lip to stifle a laugh.

“Ah, yes… the cavern…” Thranduil began again, waving one of his arms theatrically. Our rift is like a bottomless cavern – a hole in the midst of the mighty sky. It is like a raging river that crashes… that crashes… OH BLAST IT ALL TO THE FIERY PITS!” the king hollered, yanking the papers from his cloak pocket and tearing them up hysterically.

Elrond watched Thranduil, openmouthed, wondering why he was behaving so strangely and what he was going to do next.

Thranduil turned away from the lord and shook his head in dismay. Never in all of his years had he made such a complete fool of himself. He did not know how to recover from such humiliation. He smirked to himself and wondered where Elladan was, as he was sure the silly man-elf could give him some pointers in a situation such as this. Unsure of how to act or what to say, Thranduil decided to do something completely unexpected – to speak from his heart.

He turned to face Elrond at last; his whole demeanor changed. No longer did he put on airs and prance about like some sort of performer. Instead, he bore an expression of complete humility and self-consciousness.

“I… I… do not know what to say…” Thranduil began, momentarily surprised that his voice had returned to normal. “I had this whole speech planned.” The king chuckled. “I think the speech and I were like a cavern. Like a hole in the midst of the mighty sky…”

Elrond laughed, as did Thranduil.

“May I sit beside you?”

“Aye.”

“The truth is… I did not realize you had entered the garden. I was so preoccupied rehearsing that stupid speech… and when you responded… I was so startled that I nearly died.

Elrond laughed. “Literally!”

Thranduil laughed. “It was that… that… speech. It… it…”

“Choked you up?” Elrond asked, laughing.

“Aye,” Thranduil agreed, chuckling. “It really did!”

Once their laughter subsided the king met Elrond’s eyes. “As you know… that speech… it was for you. I wanted to speak with you tonight. May I do so now?”

“Aye.”

“There’s so much to say… and I don’t know if I can convey my feelings without the aid of an elaborate speech to direct my words.”

“I don’t understand. You have spoken to me freely before.”

“But it is different now. Even you cannot deny the tension between us.”

Elrond didn’t respond. Instead, he broke their intense gaze and looked around the garden, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

Thranduil sensed the lord’s discomfort but ignored it. He had nothing to lose by telling Elrond the truth. “Legolas sent me here, you know,” he began slowly.

Elrond met the king’s eyes, surprised by his words.

“He… he knew that something had happened between us… that I was angry with you. He asked me to forgive you… as his dying wish.”

Elrond’s eyes saddened when the king spoke of Legolas in such a way. “How did Legolas know that…”

“He had a vision,” Thranduil replied, interrupting Elrond.

Elrond nodded slowly, wondering in silence how much Legolas knew.

“He is going to die, isn’t he?” Thranduil asked, softly.

Elrond hesitated but then nodded. “His only hope is Galadriel. And if she does not arrive soon… I fear the worst.”

Thranduil rose to his feet. His grief could not be denied. He did not shed a tear but his despair was evident in his manner. His eyes lost their light and his shoulders slumped slightly. The king’s troubled eyes met Elrond’s. “Your words ring true, as I have witnessed Legolas’ slow demise. And yet… I cannot accept his death. The Valar could not be so cruel as to take Legolas from me again. I nearly lost him once… and to endure through his suffering a second time seems so unfair. Losing Areen was difficult enough… just the thought of more sorrow…” Thranduil shook his head slowly. “I do not know what will become of Joren, Makail and Dace if Legolas really died. Moreover, I do not know what would become of me.”

“Thranduil…” Elrond said gently.

“Nay, Elrond. Please do not speak. There is so much to say… and I must keep my promise.”

“Very well,” Elrond agreed.

Thranduil stood motionless for a few moments trying to collect his thoughts. He didn’t know where to start. He sighed loudly before speaking. “While I have much to say, I will not tarry. So, this shan’t take long,” the king muttered, not really knowing what was going to be said. “You hurt me… your rejection hurt me.”

Elrond could see the pain in Thranduil’s eyes but did not let his own feelings show.

“I was presumptuous. I am a king after all,” Thranduil said lightly. “I haven’t been rejected very often in my lifetime. I am used to getting what I want. And the truth is… the truth is that I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”

Elrond felt his heart skip a beat, but he remained outwardly calm.

“I have loved you for so long…” the king whispered, as though saying the words aggrieved him. “I am sorry. The chasm that has formed between us is my doing. I shouldn’t have told you how I feel. I was a fool. Can you ever forgive my lack of judgment?”

“Thranduil…” Elrond began, but was silenced by a firm look from the king.

“Please… please do not say more than what is asked of you, Elrond. This is so hard for me… to admit that I was wrong. Please only answer the question. Can you ever forgive my lack of judgment?”

Elrond sighed. “Aye….”

“Good,” Thranduil said, nodding. “Thank you for trying to heal my son. I appreciate all of your efforts. When I called upon you, you came quickly and without question. No matter what happens, I will always be grateful to you for that.”

Elrond nodded, smiling faintly.

“I… I wrote that speech so that I could talk to you without having to really think,” Thranduil admitted. “I wrote it so I could go through the motions of forgiving you… even if forgiving you was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to keep my promise to Legolas… but I knew I couldn’t. So, I convinced myself to at least say the words… to pretend to forgive you. Then I would have tried to uphold my word to my son. But it is more complicated than that isn’t it?”

Elrond nodded in agreement.

“I will not deny that a part of me is angry with you… but I suppose that another part of me respects you.”

Elrond’s eyes widened.

“You rejected me… again. When I first met you, thousands of years ago, I fell in love with you. I thought you were in love with Areen and banished you from Mirkwood. You never understood why until only a short while ago. And even with that knowledge, you denied me once again.”

“Thranduil, I…”

“Nay,” Thranduil said, shaking his head. “You do not have to explain anything to me. I can see now that I need to move on… that I am the source of all of the problems in our friendship. I am selfish – concerned with my own needs. It is I who needs forgiving, not you.” Thranduil took a deep breath before continuing. “After the competition is over, I will take my leave from Rivendell. I shan’t return.”

Elrond started to protest, but Thranduil silenced him by raising his hand.

“I am not leaving in anger. I shall leave as your friend… always your friend. You and yours may come to Mirkwood anytime you choose. You will be welcomed as honored guests and be treated like royalty. And if you ever need anything simply call upon the Emerald Realm; we shall answer.”

Elrond rose to his feet. “Thranduil, Thranduil… I…”

“You do not owe me an explanation, Elrond,” the king said sadly. “You have told me over and over again how you feel… through your actions… and then your words. It is I who have not listened.” Thranduil looked at the ground and then met Elrond’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I have behaved so badly. I am surprised that you have not yet banished me,” the king chuckled softly. “My anger toward you has diminished, and I hope you feel the same way.”

“I do,” Elrond said, taking a step toward the king.

“Good. Then I hope we can be friends again. And I hope that you will find it within yourself to forgive me.”

“Thranduil, there is nothing to forgive. I… I have a confession of my own to make,” Elrond said slowly.

“You needn’t explain,” Thranduil said firmly. The king took a step toward Elrond and placed his hand on the lord’s shoulder. “I do not blame you anymore… I blame me.”

Elrond held the king’s gaze for a long time. He wanted to tell him how much he loved him. He wanted to pull Thranduil into his arms and kiss all of his self-doubt and pain away. He wanted to feel the king’s arms around him and Thranduil’s soft lips pressed against his. The idea of the king leaving Rivendell forever was almost too much to bear. But Elrond stood there speechless, even when Thranduil bowed and walked away. He simply stood there wondering how his life had come to this.

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Elladan waited patiently for Legolas’ response. He had told the prince everything. Legolas now knew about the events of the summer… about the orc – the reason for his current condition. Elladan wrung his hands nervously, awaiting the prince’s response.

“So that is why you have been so distant since I have returned,” Legolas said, seemingly talking to himself.

“Aye,” Elladan responded. “So you see… I am responsible for your illness. The orc decided to punish me through someone I love.”

Legolas rose to his feet and sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I… I was afraid that you would be angry. When Ellaria found out, she cancelled her engagement to Elrohir. I… I thought that you might react in the same way.”

Legolas turned and looked at Elladan who was still sitting on the ground. The enormous tree was a place of comfort for the prince. He now realized that it would have to be a place of comfort for Elladan as well.

Elladan mistook Legolas’ silence for anger and spoke quickly. “I… I have been formulating a plan… a plan to find and kill the orc who has done this to you.”

Legolas looked at Elladan in disbelief, but before he could say anything, Elladan continued.

“Do you remember when we went to Gaidon to return the little boy to his family? Well, some of the riders of the Northern Dúnedain knew of Elrohir and I… they knew about what happened in Somerset or Cal’ way, as the humans call it. When Elrohir and I were alone with Channah, a priestess in Gaidon, she asked Elrohir and I to consider joining the human men in their cause – ridding the world of orcs. Initially, I turned them down, but now I plan to return to Gaidon and seek their help, just as Channah said I would; she told me I would return to Gaidon. Even though they are human, and are inferior to elves, I cannot go in search of this orc alone. I do not believe that Elrohir will help me, as I am sure he would not want to jeopardize his relationship with Ellaria again. I shall set out very soon. Once I find the orc, I will kill him, and you will at last be released from his power over you. If I could only find a reason to go to Gaidon without arousing any suspicion. Father will want to know why I wish to return there and will demand that I am accompanied by a legion of elves if he even suspects a battle. Not to mention the fact that I cannot find my game knife,” Elladan rambled on. “I lost it quite some time ago and cannot imagine going into battle without it.”

Legolas inhaled sharply and looked up at the cobalt sky suddenly as a strange feeling overcame him. When the sensations dissipated he met Elladan’s eyes. “Taran has your knife.”

“Taran? The little, human boy? But how do you know that? Why would he take it?”

“Yon just told me,” Legolas said simply. “He saw Taran take it when we were in Gaidon. Methinks the little human wanted a keepsake from the infamous twinship, Odion and Yeno. ”

“I had forgotten about that,” Elladan remarked, dismayed. “Yon? How could you speak to your horse from way up here, Legolas? The stables are quite far away.”

The prince shrugged. “My power has grown so much that I am not sure what I am capable of anymore,” Legolas said. “Sometimes, I can speak to animals without even trying to.”

“Legolas!” Elladan exclaimed in excitement, jumping to his feet. “Legolas do you know what this means?”

The prince shook his head.

“I now have the perfect reason to go to Gaidon. I will tell my father that Taran has my knife and that I must return to Gaidon to retrieve it. He will not say no.”

“Elladan,” Legolas began, “I do not want you to go to Gaidon.”

“What?” Elladan asked, crestfallen. “Why not? This venture will save your life, Legolas. Don’t you see that?”

“And what if your life is lost in your attempt to save mine?”

“It does not matter,” Elladan remarked stubbornly.

“It matters to me,” Legolas said, standing directly in front of Elladan and caressing his face gently.

“Legolas, I could not save my mother… I could not save Henna… but I can save you. I know I can.”

“Elladan,” Legolas said slowly. “I… I do not know if there is enough time.”

“Of course there is,” Elladan said, confidently. “Everything is falling into place now. I have told you the truth, I know where my knife is, I have the perfect excuse to go to Gaidon, and have a small, human army ready to help me. Everything is going to be alright… you will see.”

Legolas hadn’t the heart to tell Elladan what he felt inside, but the prince knew it was too late for him to be saved. He stared at Elladan’s sunken appearance and felt overwhelmed by his anguish. He cursed inwardly, wishing there was something he could do to ensure Elladan’s safety after he died. Then he remembered some old friends he had met on this very hill not too long ago. Without warning, he pulled away from Elladan and headed towards the woods.

“Where are you going?” Elladan asked, dismayed.

“I… I need to do something. It will only take a short while. Please, wait here. I will return soon.”

“Very well,” Elladan said, watching the prince disappear into the thicket. Elladan sat down on the soft grass and leaned against the large tree trunk. He reviewed his plan over and over again in his head and smiled to himself at his own brilliance. As the minutes passed, Elladan began to wonder where the prince had gone and suddenly felt concerned when he heard a pack of wolves howling deep in the woods.

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“Where have you been?” Elladan asked, dismayed when Legolas emerged from the woods nearly an hour after he had left.

“I had to do something,” Legolas remarked.

Elladan wanted to ask more questions but decided against it when Legolas set his jaw. The prince could be quite stubborn sometimes, and Elladan knew from experience that trying to pressure Legolas would be a waste of time.

The prince sat under the tree beside Elladan and met his eyes. “We need to talk.”

“Alright,” Elladan said, not liking the tone of Legolas’ voice.

“I do not think you should journey to Gaidon. I do not want you to go in search of the orc you feel is responsible for my condition.”

“What?” Elladan asked in shock. “You must be jesting.”

“I am quite serious. Elladan… you could be seriously hurt or even killed if your quest goes awry. Your family… they need you. My family… they may need you, too… before the end.”

“The end?” Elladan asked. He sighed angrily and rose to his feet. “You sound as though you have given up already.”

Legolas looked at the ground and then back up at Elladan.

“Legolas, I must do this. I must right my wrongs.”

“And what wrong would be righted by your death? Elladan, you look unwell…”

Elladan scoffed.

“You should focus on yourself…”

“Enough, Legolas,” Elladan said firmly. “My mind has been made up. I leave for Gaidon as soon as possible. My well-being is irrelevant… all that matters is you. I will find the one responsible for your illness and make him pay. And if any other fell creature tries to stop me, he will die where he stands.”

Legolas felt a wave of sadness overcome him but knew there was nothing he could do. Suddenly, his mind went blank and he could feel himself being transported to another place. He found himself in the Golden Wood and remembered what Galadriel had asked him to tell Elladan when he was in Lórien. He opened his mouth and the words spilled out, almost involuntarily. “Elladan, the consequences of anger are far more grievous than the causes of it.”*

Elladan looked at Legolas sadly and sunk to his knees. “I know,” he said, softly. “I… I do not know what else to do.”

“Love me… and… my memory…”

“Don’t say that,” Elladan demanded, pulling the prince into his arms. “I cannot… I will not let you go.”

Legolas wrapped his arms around Elladan for a moment and then released him. Their lips met in a gentle kiss that seemed to go on forever.

Soon, they were undressing one another and their naked bodies came together over an over again; their moans of pleasure echoed through the trees.

The first rays of the sun stretched their arms languidly from behind the distant mountains and Legolas awakened. He stroked Elladan’s hair; he knew what today meant for him.

Elladan stirred and looked at Legolas sleepily. “Are you hungry? We could have the morning meal together.”

“Nay,” Legolas replied. “I… I have to go today… but not here. Would you escort me to your father’s manor?”

“Of course,” Elladan said, casting the prince a bewildered look. He rose to his feet, stretched, yawned and hurriedly got dressed. He watched Legolas curiously.

The prince fumbled with his clothing but managed to dress himself. He touched his hair and could tell it was in disarray, but decided not to spend any time on it. It would not matter soon, anyway. He felt the presence within him taking hold and realized that his time was very near. “Elladan, I need to go to the manor, now.”

“Alright,” Elladan said. “Let us away.”

Legolas began to walk but his legs gave out and he fell to the ground in a very undignified manner.

“Legolas…” Elladan said, helping the prince to his feet.

The color was quickly fading from Legolas’ face.

“Hurry,” the prince muttered uneasily.

Terror gripped Elladan’s heart. Without another word, he threw Legolas’ body over his shoulder and began running toward the manor. The underbrush scratched his face and tore his tunic as he ran, but he did not care. As soon as he cleared the forest he began screaming at the top of his lungs. “Father! Father!”

Elladan ran into the manor and was met by his father, Glorfindel, Celeborn and his grandmother. “Father! Father, it’s Legolas… he’s… he’s…”

Elrond pulled the prince’s limp body away from Elladan and raced toward the healing room. He paused for a moment to say something to Glorfindel, but the chief marchwarden was already gone.

Elrond laid the prince on a bed in the healing chamber and looked at Galadriel expectantly.

She placed her hands on Legolas’ chest for a long while, acting as though she was gaining some sort of understanding about the prince’s condition. Removing her hands she shook her head and met Elrond’s eyes. “Not yet,” she said mysteriously.

Elrond shifted impatiently and watched Legolas. The prince was suffering.

Legolas’ eyes were squeezed shut and he writhed slowly as though something inside his being was tearing him apart. His eyes watered from the torture and his breathing became ragged.

Elrond remembered Celebrían’s pain and turned away, unable to see Legolas in such agony.

“Do something, Grandmother,” Elladan demanded, his voice cracking with emotion. “Please.”

Thranduil, his sons, Arwen, Elrohir, Haldir and Glorfindel burst through the entranceway of the healing room and came to stand by Legolas’ side.

“Legolas?” Thranduil said gently. “Legolas, we are here.”

The prince opened his eyes slowly and clutched his chest. “Joren?” he said breathlessly.

The crown prince embraced his brother. “I got here as soon as I could, Little One.”

Legolas nodded and winced, gasping with pain. “I… I’m sorry, Father. I… uh… I… I…”

“Shh…” Thranduil said. “Do not apologize…”

Legolas lurched forward and groaned, trembling violently.

“Legolas… I kept my promise,” Thranduil said, hoping to take the prince’s mind off of his pain.

Legolas mustered a faint smile. “Thank you, Father.” He looked at his brothers and nodded.

Dace and Makail came forward and embraced their brother.

“Please, Legolas,” Dace said, unable to hide the emotion in his voice. “Don’t leave…”

Legolas struggled for breath as he spoke. “Tialise will… take care of you. You… you will be fine.”

Tears rolled down Dace’s face. “Legolas, please…”

“Stay out… of… trouble, Makail,” Legolas teased.

Makail did not respond. He couldn’t.

Legolas lay back on the bed and met Elladan’s eyes. He touched the engagement necklace he had given Elladan only months ago and smiled. “I… I love you… my Elladan.” The prince closed his eyes and slipped away into darkness.

---

TBC…