Pan ned annan (all in time)

Chapter 3 - Your scent is still here, in my place of recovery

Five months had passed since Elrohir had ventured out with Legolas and now the frost had settled in the air. Elrond had been more than relieved when Elrohir had not crawled back into his shell, but had again taken a active role in the everyday life of Imladris. He had asked him if he could resume his patrol duty. Elrond had also noticed the way Elrohir and The youngest prince of Mirkwood had been jesting, and playing around. The ruler of Imladris had secretly hoped that a lover would be what Elrohir needed to rid him of his despair.

That morning Legolas had received a message from his father, the King of Mirkwood. With swift moves he opened it and ted ted reading. Only halfway through it, he needed to read no more, Thranduil was calling him home. Legolas paled, what could be so urgent that he would have to ride now? He opened the scroll again to finish reading it. What if someone had been hurt, or worse died? But the letter spoke of no such horrible event. His father gave no reason, he just ordered Legolas back. He felt his heart sink. How could he tell Elrohir? He had given him his word, made an oath of love, which he would now break. Legolas held the papers tight and walked towards Elrond's study.
He stood on the threshold the elven lords door for a long time. What was he to say?
Finally he knocked on the door and took a deep breath, he was no child, he was the Prince of Mirkwood, and he could do this.

Elrond called him into the room, and he entered. The only thing that gave away his nervousness was his fingers cramping around the letter. "My lord Elrond, I must speak with you," he said and stepped up to Elrond's desk.

The older elf looked up at the fair prince, "What is amiss Legolas?" he said in a soft tone.

Legolas had to take a deep breath "I have received news from my father, he orders me home. Forgive me my lord, I must leave immediately, I cannot ignore my father's bidding". There he had said it. It was out.

Elrond frowned, but kept eye contact with the prince "I understand Legolas, rest assured that I will personally see to it that you shall receive the fastest horse and the best escort." Elrond said, unable to keep the sadness from his voice.

Legolas nodded politely, but noticed the Lords fell mood. "My lord?" Legolas said and looked worried.

Elrond just smiled "When will you depart from Rivendell?" He asked.

Legolas had to look away from the lord's eyes, now he understood why lord Elrond seemed sad. "At sunrise Lord Elrond." he said quietly

"Then I will see to it that all is ready for you at dawn" Elrond said.

Legolas sighed. "Thank you sir," the prince moved nervously and shuffled his feet.

This could have made Elrond laugh under most circumstances. But today it just made him sad, "You are excused Prince Legolas, I believe you can find Elrohir in the west gardens." He said softly. This made Legolas pale and he nodded to the elven lord, afraid his voice would fail him.

Legolas walked out in the garden, and frowned. Why not just run? Hide and never return. He felt his heart beat at an insane pace, and the talented archer watched his hands tremble. He would have to find Elrohir. Knowing that the Prince of Imladris would never forgive him running, that Legolas understood. The Sinda sighed and began slowly to walk towards the west gardens. His mind raced, what was he to say to his beloved? That he too was to disappear, after he had promised to stay forever by the young half elf's side. He could not ignore his Sires call.

Elrohir watched Legolas walk towards him, he smiled to himself, his little Sinda truly was beautiful. The memory of Elladan would never fade, but Legolas had managed to chase the shadows away. Elrohir had not been able to resist the amount of love that had radiated from the little elf, that had shone from those deep blue eyes. He again felt loved without boundaries.

The half-elf waved at Legolas as he saw him, and Legolas heart sank. He braced himself; Elrohir would just have to understand this. He was onling ing back to Mirkwood, not about to leave for Aman, he thought dryly.

Upon seeing Legolas' facial expression, Elrohir felt a shadow pass over his soul. "What is amiss my little treasure?" he asked the blond elf sweetly.

Legolas had to bite his lip to keep in the tears that threatened. "I bear ill news my love," he finally whispered.

Elrohir suddenly looked frightened "Arwen? Estel? Ada?" he asked stumbling over his own words.

Legolas quickly shook his head, and Elrohir seemed to relax. But then Legolas took Elrohir's hand and took a deep breath. "It is I, my love, I have received word from Mirkwood. My father orders me to return," he said trying to keep his voice steady.

Elrohir jerked his hand back, and turned his face away from his lover. He didn't want Legolas to see the tears that welled in his eyes. "So be it," Elladan whispered.

Legolas grabbed Elrohir's shoulders and tried to turn him around to face him, but Elrohir shrugged off his hand. "Liar." Elrohir hissed.

Legolas just stood there with his hands down his sides, like they were dead, paralysed. "Elrohir." Legolas whispered with a pained voice.

"No." Elrohir growled and turned to look directly at Legolas. Elrohir's grey eyes looked like they were lit with the fire of Mordor it self. "Your voice has nothing to say that my ears want to hear. Never again Legolas of Mirkwood, never again am I to listen to your words."

/you swore you would stay. You promised!/

Legolas took a step backwards, surprised at Elrohir's rage, but then Elrohir's face twisted in pain and grief. The sight almost broke Legolas heart; he would never forgive himself for submitting his long beloved prince of Imladris to this torment. He reached out for the dark haired elf again, to comfort him. He wanted to tell Elrohir that he would be back as soon as his father allowed him. And it had been something they both had known, it had always been a possibility that he could be called home. He himself had just prayed that it would not happen.

Elrohir later had no real recollection of this moment, but as Legolas' hand touched his cheek, he had lunged out, and had hit Legolas.

/Liar - Liar - Liar/

He did not know how or when, but he suddenly felt strong arms holding him back. Restraining his arms till they hurt. Then someone slapping him hard. "Elrohir!" a voice yelled.

Elrohir blinked, and focused on the golden Elda "Milord?" he said confused as he saw the stern face on the elf lord. And then it suddenly came back to him. Legolas was leaving; he was being left behind once more.

"Let me go." Elrohir said unable to hide his anger.

Glorfindel seemed to understand and let go of him. Then he turned towards Legolas who was standing holding a hand to his bleeding mouth. "Come, let us go to the healers." The Elda said softly and guided Legolas away gently

Elrohir looked after him, "cursed be middle earth" he whispered and turned around to walk away, he needed to be alone.

Legolas had tried to turn his head to look after Elrohir as they left the scene, but when he had done so, his vision blurred and a pounding headache emerged.

Once at the healers Legolas sat on the comfortable bed, and tried to smile at Glorfindel who sat in a chair next to him.

"Lucky nothing grave happened, I would not want to take Thranduil an injured son back home after so long" he said softly.

Legolas just nodded and slowly lay down on the bed. "Do not chide Elrohir too much - for I am just as responsible for this as he is." He said in a sad tone.

Glorfindel raised a brow. "How is that possible?" he asked and leaned over towards the young elf on the bed.

Legolas laid his arm over his face and took a deep breath. "My Sire calls for me, but I made a vow to prince Elrohir, that I would never leave his side - yet I do so." He whispered in a pained voice.

Glorfindel said nothing. He did not even move. As he suddenly stood up, the chair was knocked over. "We will meet again at sunrise," he muttered. And then the door slammed. Legolas could not hold back his tears. He lay on the bed in the healer's chambers, and sobbed like a child.


TBC

Thanks to my beta Joey *hugs* what is left of iffy stuff is my fault