Shattered Light

A/N: Forgot to thank Ilye previously for the beta job she's doing on this story. Chapter 2 is a bit shorter than chapter 1, but I hope you like it nonetheless. Chapter 3 is being worked on now and will introduce Elrond; Haldir is to make his appearance just before the halfway point if anyone is wondering. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: A Flutter of Hearts

Elladan wasn’t sure how much more of everything he could take. The eldest son of Elrond had spent a good portion of the morning trying to coax his father into eating a substantial amount of breakfast; in the end, he had only succeeded in getting Elrond to swallow some nibbles of cheese. He missed his Nana--they all did--but Elladan didn’t want to lose his Ada as well. Elven grief was taking its toll on the lord of Imladris.

“Gwanur?”

He stopped and turned, staring into the face identical to his own. Elrohir looked worried at seeing the still full tray of food in Elladan’s hands. The elder twin sighed and shook his head. “He wouldn’t touch anything.”

“It’s getting worse by the day,” Elrohir murmured. “We’re losing him. I don’t want to see Ada go.”

“Nor do I, gwanur.” Balancing the silver trn onn one hand, Elladan folded an arm around his brother, bestowing him with an affectionate hug in an attempt to ease both of their hearts. For a while they were unaware of the movement at the other end of the corridor in which they stood, until Erestor’s voice rose and echoed down the hallway.

“Elves of Mirkwood,” Elrohir remarked upon seeing the green and brown garb of the elves. He pulled away gently from his twin as they gazed upon the party. “I did not realize they would isitisiting.”

“I remember Erestor and Glorfindel discussing something about them. They must have just arrived.” The eldest twin peered down the corridor, making out the faces of his sister and his father’s councilor and seneschal. With them were a dozen Sindar and Silvan elves, their light colored hair glimmering in the light that streamed through the arching windows. Elladan was able to pick out King Thranduil by the crown of leaves upon his brow. “’Tis strange,” he said quietly to his brother. “King Thranduil does not seem to me as haughty as the stories tell of him.”

“Aye, I have noticed it too. He seems rather kind when one looks at him. I do sense a touch of arrogance, but it seems out of place.”

Elladan nodded, moving on from the King to observe another elf. His gray eyes fell upon Arondil, who stood never to his father absorbing everything that was said and all that he saw.

“The Prince Arondil, Mirkwood’s eldest prince. And that must be Legolas.”

“How do you know, gwanur? You have never met them before.”

Elrohir shrugged casually. “I remember Ada once saying that the Crown Prince and the youngest prince resembled Thranduil the most; Prince Celeron and Princess Nimriel are supposed to look more like their mother.”

“Indeed.” Elladan allowed his storm-colored eyes to roam over the princes. Arondil was much like his father in stature and poise; he would make a fine king one day. And Legolas…Elladan fancied his heart skipped at beat when he gazed upon the youngest prince. Legolas was fair, so fair in some aspects; he had his father’s features, but a natural grace that differed from Thranduil’s. The eldest twin found himself staring until Elrohir nudged him.

“Stop staring,” the younger twin practically hissed. “They’re coming this way.”

Shaking himself back to the present, Elladan noticed Erestor strolling over to where the twins were standing, followed closely by their sister, Glorfindel and the guests. He inclined his head politely along with Elrohir when the group came to a standstill before the pair.

“King Thranduil,” Erestor said, turning to Thranduil whilst gesturing to the twins, one after another. “May I present Lord Elrond’s sons, Elladan and Elrohir.”

“’Tis a pleasure to finally meet you, Sire,” Elrohir greeted before giving a more elaborate bow. He could feel the King’s eyes roaming over both his person and that of his twin, trying to decipher one from the other.

“I hope you will find Imladris as pleasing as your home in Mirkwood, my Lord,” Elladan said, drawing Thranduil’s attention to him.

“It is quite different,” Arondil replied, choosing to speak for his father. “The open air is not as stifling as the caves can sometimes be. And it is rather refreshing to hear the sounds of the Bruinen so close. Do you not think so, Legolas?”

“Aye, ‘tis a pleasure indeed.”

Elladan swallowed convulsively when the youngest prince turned to him. He had the distinct feeling that the sapphire blue eyes were staring through him rather than at him, and it was rather unsettling. However, he kept his gaze steady and returned Legolas’ stare, fancying that the young prince even gave him a faint smile in return.

Engrossed in such a manner, Elladan nearly missed Erestor and Glorfindel’s identical frowns when both glimpsed the seemingly brimming tray of food in his hands. Neither said anything, which Elladan was grateful for; he did not yet know if it was entirely appropriate to discuss his father’s physical state before the newly arrived King of Mirkwood and his sons.

“Come, Sire,” Glorfindel said. “Let us show you to your chambers so that you may rest.”

“If it pleases you, Ada,” Legolas said. “I would like to walk the grounds for a time. I wish to visit as much of the valley as I am able before we are due to return to Mirkwood.”

“As you wish,” Thranduil replied with a nod of his head. Inwardly he smiled, ple tha that his son was taking an interest in the elves of the valley.

“Elladan will show you the way around the grounds,” Elrohir said, volunteering his brother. Before his twinld uld utter a word in protest, Elrohir had taken the tray from his hands and had given Elladan a slight shove forwards. He saw as did Arwen, judging from the twinkle in his sister‘s eyes, that the eldest child of Elrond had taken a particular interest in Legolas. And this was the best opportunity to have the pair get to know one another.

Elladan was speechless due to his brother’s actions and the azure eyes that were now fixed upon him. He swallowed thickly before inclining his head to Legolas. “Let us start with the gardens then,” he said, indicating the direction before motioning for the prince to follow him. Legolas did so, following the eldest twin out of the house and into of tof the surrounding gardens.

“Come, King Thranduil,” Erestor said, leading the way dow the the opposite direction once the pair had departed. “I shall take you to see Lord Elrond after you have rested sufficiently.”

“Thank you, Erestor,” Thranduil replied, following the advisor whilst the others went about their own duties for the day.

~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas felt rather nervous whilst he and Elladan left the house and began to walk around the grounds. He felt drawn to the eldest son of Elrond without really knowing why; Elladan and Elrohir were nearly perfect copies of one another, both with darkr anr and brilliant storm gray eyes. So why was it that Legolas felt at ease around Elrohir, whilst Elladan made him feel nervous and unsure of himself? So lost in thought was he that Legolas nearly bumped into Elladan, not realizing the Peredhel had stopped walking and was now staring at a patch of small yellow flowers.

“Elanor…” Elladan murmured, both his voice and eyes filling with sadness.

“Flowers of Lothlórien,” Legolas replied.

“Nana brought them back once. She used to sing when she watered them. Some days she and Arwen would pick a few to place around the house.”

Legolas felt his heart breaking at the immense sadness filling the twin’s voice. Spying a stone bench, he took Elladan by the arm, steering the twin towards the seat. The young prince sat next to his companion, a hand upon a slender shoulder for support.

“Forgive me,” Elladan murmured, staring down at his lap. “I did not mean to…”

“There is no need to apologize,” Legolas interrupted. “I know how you are feeling. I remember well what it is like to feel the pain that comes from losing someone you love.” He sighed, tilting his head to gaze up at the clear blue sky above them. “I remember the day my own Nana passed. I miss her terribly at times, but the pain has lessened with time. I worry more for my father, however; there has always seemed to be an emptiness inside him since the day she left.”

“I know my father is suffering; I see it in his eyes. I don’t want to lose him as well.” Elladan squeezed his eyes shut, willing the tears away. He had cried enough already and didn’t want to cry anymore, but his emotions were raging. In the end, unable to help himself, Elladan allowed the tears to flow freely down his face. He welcomed the comfort Legolas offered as the Woodland Prince gathered the mourning Peredhel into his arms.

“Hush now, meldir,” Legolas whispered, rocking the twin lightly. He remembered the nights one of his brothers would offer him the same comfort after his mother’s passing; other nights when he had to comfort Nimriel. And then there were the nights all four siblings would retire to their father’s chambers to watch him sleep and chase away the dreams when they came. Legolas understood well the hurt Elladan was suffering and freely offered his comfort through gentle touches and kind words. “Let it flow, meldir. Let it out; only then can you heal.”

“Hannon le,” Elladan murmured into the fabric of Legolas’ tunic as he hid his face in the prince’s shoulder. Neither spoke again for some time as they allowed the sun to caress them, whilst seeking solace and comfort in one another’s presence.

Elladan briefly marveled at the fact that he had allowed a prince of Mirkwood, someone known to be proud anderedered among his people, to see him weep like an elfling. But he brushed the thought aside as he wrapped his arms around the lithe form next to him and wept. fel felt Legolas pull him closer, softly humming a child’s lullaby to help calm him. Elladan forgot the world around him as, for only Valar know how many times, he mourned for the loss of his mother.