Mending a Heart

Chapter 21: Arrival of the Brothers

Legolas had fully recovered. He could eat, sleep and talk about his mother, even though at times, the pain that he felt was still evident in the depths of his eyes. Slowly, the prince’s elvish senses began to resurface, which confirmed the prince’s mental and emotional improvement.

Legolas couldn’t remember ever feeling happier than he did now, and thanked the Valar everyday for coming to Rivendell and for his luck in love.

Elladan embraced his own happiness, too. Although, he knew in his heart that Legolas would be leaving soon. He wasn’t sure why or how he had come to this realization, but as the air became a bit cooler and the delicate green leaves began to fall, he knew that things were about to change.

He tried to discuss his concerns with Legolas, asking him if the king would accept their relationship. But Legolas denied that the king would have any problem with his newfound happiness. In fact, the prince believed that Thranduil would be elated that he had finally found love. Elladan wasn’t so sure.

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“Hey!” Elladan protested loudly. “That is **my** stitching needle, Elrohir.”

“Nay,” Elrohir said, eyeing the object carefully. “This is the needle that I used to mend Father’s tunic.”

“It is not!” Elladan spat irritably. “I purposely chose a red needle and then scratched it so that I would know that it belongs to me. Do you not see the markings upon the tip?”

“But red is my favorite color,” Elrohir said, annoyed. “I wish to use **this** needle.”

“You shall give it to me this very instant!” Elladan demanded. “Lest you curtail my creative flow.” He jerked the needle out of Elrohir’s hand roughly. “Here… here is a nice orange needle. I am sure that it will do your stitches justice.”

“But I do not like the color orange,” Elrohir pouted.

“Well, that is just too bad, Elrohir,” Elladan sneered. “Perhaps if you are kind, I shall allow you to use mine when I am done.”

“Oh, alright then,” Elrohir said dejectedly. “Will you hand me the green needle then? Perhaps I can still sew as well without using the needle of my choice.”

Elladan and Elrohir looked around suddenly when they heard someone giggle.

Arwen, Zera, Ellaria, Tialise, and Legolas were staring at the twins in amazement.

“What?” Elladan asked defensively. “I hate to sew… you know that, right?”

“I hate needlecraft, too,” Elrohir added quickly. “Elladan and I were just jesting.”

“Aye,” Elladan said, forcing a smile. “We were just jesting.”

Elladan and Elrohir looked at one another and pretended to laugh.

Legolas smiled, shaking his head in dismay while the females giggled freely.

Suddenly, in unison, all seven elves looked toward the window. Their keen elvish senses told them that someone was coming.

Legolas ran to the window and peered down the road. In the distance, he could see four riders approaching on horseback.

“Joren!” Legolas exclaimed excitedly. “Joren, Makail and Dace!” Legolas exited the room abruptly, running toward the entrance hall without looking back.

Elladan felt a knot form in his stomach. While Elrohir and the females looked at one another with confusion, Elladan knew the reason the prince was so excited… his brothers had come.

“Who are Joren, Makail and Dace?” Elrohir asked curiously.

“They are Legolas’ brothers,” Elladan said quietly, looking at the floor.

Elrohir placed his hand on Elladan’s shoulder sympathetically when he saw the saddened look on his brother’s face.

The females exchanged looks and surrounded Elladan as a demonstration of support for his suffering and their own. Legolas was leaving.

“We should go meet them,” Elladan said after a long pause. “It is the polite thing to do.”

The other elves nodded silently.

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Legolas was standing outside when his friends joined him. The riders approached languidly, seemingly engaged in an animated conversation with Glorfindel, who was leading the small group.
Legolas fidgeted with excitement, acting as though he could barely wait to see his brothers.

Elladan watched the prince carefully, feeling the knot in his stomach expand. *Legolas has already forgotten about me. When he leaves Rivendell, he will do so without looking back… just as he did only moments ago.*

The horses stopped directly in front of the manor as various ranch hands and attendants rushed out of the large home to assist the newcomers.

Glorfindel dismounted, followed by the three Mirkwood warriors. All three males wore their hair in the traditional Mirkwood fashion and bore a similar likeness to Legolas.

The servants unburdened the horses and rushed into the manor while the ranch hands led the steeds to the stable.

“Hello all,” Glorfindel said cheerfully. “May I present Joren, the crown prince of Mirkwood, royal chancellor to King Thranduil.” He motioned to the tallest and most virile of the three elves.

Joren had blonde hair, green eyes and a more solid build than Legolas. He was clearly the eldest and had the bearing, not only of nobility, but that of a king.

“’Tis a pleasure,” Joren said gallantly, bowing respectfully.

“This is Makail, Thranduil’s second-born son and royal aid to the crown prince,” Glorfindel said, smiling.

“I am happy to make you acquaintance,” Makail said, politely.

Makail had green eyes, like Joren. However, he was a bit shorter than his older brother and had dark blonde hair. He still had a solid build, though, and possessed an unmistakable royal air.

“This,” Glorfindel said, positively beaming, “is Dace. He is Thranduil’s third-born son and royal emissary to the king.

“It is very nice to meet you,” Dace said warmly as he bowed. “I am glad to finally get the opportunity to witness the beauty of Rivendell with my own eyes.”

Dace looked the most like Legolas. He had golden blonde hair, blue eyes, and a smaller, more lithe frame than his older brothers. While Dace had the bearing of a prince and was handsome, like all of his brothers, none of them were as comely and elegant as Legolas.

“Allow me to introduce Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen,” Glorfindel said proudly, “Lord Elrond’s children.”

“’Tis a pleasure to meet you,” the three elves chorused, bowing and curtseying graciously.

“This is Ellaria, Zera and her sister Tialise,” Glorfindel said. “They are friends of Lady Arwen.

“Very nice to meet you,” Ellaria said as she, Zera and Tialise curtseyed.

The brothers bowed politely.

“Where is Legolas?” Glorfindel asked, concerned.

Everyone began to look around. No one had noticed that the prince had left.

“I thought that you had eyes in the back of your head, dear brother,” Legolas said, dropping out of a nearby tree. “Or is that not what you told me so many years ago when I was just a babe? You a liar then, for you should have seen me from behind.” Legolas asked in mock indignation, approaching Joren.

“I only have eyes to see what I wish to see,” Joren quipped playfully.

“And what do you see?” Legolas asked, smiling.

“My youngest brother, who has been made whole again,” Joren replied, embracing Legolas lovingly. “I am happy to see you, Little One.”

“And I of you, Elder,” Legolas said, releasing Joren.

“Has he gotten shorter?” Makail asked Dace, looking at Legolas and smirking.

“So it would seem,” Dace said in agreement. “Perhaps becoming whole consists of losing an inch or two.”

“Aye,” Makail said, nodding his head. “I would like to speak to Lord Elrond about this. Perhaps, I could stay here and become shorter as well. I have always wanted to see eye to eye with my younger brother and have never been able to manage it.”

Everyone laughed loudly.

“For your information,” Legolas sneered, “I have grown taller. It is the two of you who have diminished since our last meeting. Perhaps you **should** speak with the lord of Rivendell. Maybe he can brew a tonic for your loss of height **and** your soon to be loss of tongue!”

Everyone laughed again as Dace and Makail embraced their brother tightly.

“If you will please excuse me,” Glorfindel said. “I will away so that I may tell Lord Elrond that you are here.”

Joren nodded and watched as Glorfindel entered the manor.

“I did not know that you would be journeying here so soon,” Legolas said, looking at his brothers curiously. “I thought that Father would send word to Rivendell prior to your arrival.”

“He planned to, but when we got Lord Elrond’s last letter, he told us that you had recovered and that we were welcome to come and collect you at any time. Father instructed us to come and get you right away. He is looking forward to seeing you, Little One.”

“I see,” Legolas said quietly, becoming distant.

“What is wrong?” Dace asked, placing his had on his younger brother’s shoulder. “You are not allowed to be sad, Legolas. Simply put, I forbid it. Father has always told you to respect your elders… so smile. That is a command from your older brother!” he ordered teasingly.

Legolas smiled faintly and met Dace’s gaze. “When do we leave?”

“If it would not be an imposition, I would like to remain in Rivendell for a week, maybe two,” Joren said. “Our journey here was very long and tiresome. It would be nice to take some rest and explore this wondrous realm.”

Legolas sighed and looked down at the ground sadly.

“Perhaps we should speak to our brother alone, Joren,” Makail suggested, looking at the saddened expression on Legolas’ face with concern.

“Aye,” Joren said, looking at Legolas, dismayed. “Unless you wish to tell us what is ailing you.”

“I have found love here and it pains me to leave,” Legolas said slowly. “I came here with a broken heart and I shall leave here with one.”

“You are in love?” Dace asked, looking at Joren and Makail in incredulity. “That is wonderful! Tell us, whom do you love?”

Dace, Joren and Makail immediately turned their attention to the elves that were standing behind them.

Dace tapped Makail on the shoulder and began to smile wickedly.

Makail nodded and moved over to where Dace was standing.

“I…” Legolas began.

“Shhh!” Makail hissed. “Can you not see that we are trying to guess?”

Legolas smiled and nodded.

Dace and Makail eyed each elf carefully and then began to whisper to one another. After a few moments Makail exclaimed, “We have come to an impasse, and therefore cannot agree! But I know who your love is.”

“Alright,” Legolas said, “who do you think I love?”

“One of the twins,” Makail said, grinning.

“I suggested that Lady Tialise may be your love… she is… she is breathtaking,” Dace said, staring at Tialise blatantly.

Tialise blushed and looked down at the ground shyly.

“So?” Makail asked, impatiently. “Who is it? Who is your love?”

“You are right Makail,” Legolas said, smiling brightly. “I am in love with one of the twins that you see before you. Now, since you are so clever, tell me which one I fancy?”

“How should I know?” Makail asked, shrugging. “I only know that one of them would have been my choice.”

“Ha!” Dace exclaimed, chuckling to himself. “I will make sure to tell Darwhatwhat you said when we return to Mirkwood. I wonder how he will feel about your new interest in the comely twins of Rivendell?”

“If you speak to Darval about any of this, then I am afraid that Elrond **will** have to ba toa tonic for your tongue, Brother,” Makail said menacingly.

Everyone laughed.

“Although I cannot tell the twins apart,” Makail said, looking from Elladan to Elrohir, “I wonder how you managed to steal the heart of such a beautiful warrior? How did he end up with the likes of you?”

“That is exactly what I was wondering,” Dace said in agreement.

Elladan looked at Elrohir who stared at him with an identical expression on his face. They liked Makail and Dace as they were much like the two of them.

“Because Legolas is special,” Joren said, finally speaking. He walked toward the twins slowly.

Elladan could feel his heart pounding in his chest as Joren approached. He felt as though he had won favor with Makail and Dace, but was unsure of the way the crown prince would react to the news of Legolas’ love.

“So, you have won my little brother’s heart, have you?” Joren asked seriously, standing in front of Elladan.

“Aye,” Elladan said, making sure to look Joren in the eyes.

Everyone looked at Joren in awe, amazed that he had correctly guessed who Legolas was in love with.

“Hmmm…” Joren said, looking Elladan up and down carefully. “May I see your hand?”

“Alright,” Elladan said, offering his hand to Joren.

Joren studied Elladan’s palm and fingertips carefully and then looked into Elladan’s eyes once again, never letting go of his hand.

“You have the hand of a warrior,” Joren said finally, “the hand of a warrior and the eyes of a male that is deeply in love. I would never accept anything less for my Little One,” Joren said firmly. “Do you understand?”

“I do,” Elladan said, his gaze never wavering from Joren’s.

“I am the crown prince of Mirkwood, but I am an older brother first and foremost. My family will always come before my duty,” Joren said earnestly. “I do not know you, but somehow I feel that you know of what I speak,” Joren said, searching Elladan’s eyes for an answer.

“Like you,” Elladan said seriously, “I am also the eldest child of a ruler. With that birth position comes certain responsibilities… certain sacrifices.”

“And a willingness to forgo your own feelings for those of your siblings… to comfort and protect them when no one else can or will,” Joren added pensively.

“Aye,” Elladan agreed.

“I like you,” Joren said simply. “You are sincere. I can see it in your eyes. The question is… will my father see it?”

“But he allowed you and Makail to choose your companions,” Legolas said hopefully. “Do you think that father will deny me?”

“I don’t know,” Joren said gravely. “Elladan is of nobility, but he is also Lord Elrond’s eldest son. Father and the lord of Rivendell are not friends, Legolas… you know that. Will Elladan live in Mirkwood, then? Will you live here? Father would be irate at the very suggestion.”

“I know,” Legolas said quietly.

“But they are in ,” M,” Makail said, smiling. “Elladan seems to be worthy. Surely, Father would not deny them.”

“Makail,” Joren said sternly, “you know as well as I do that father’s opinion can be like the wind… it sometimes changes depending on his mood. Whatever decision he makes will be final.”

“To be sure,” Makail said nodding in agreement. “But Father has seen Legolas suffer. Surely, he would not refuse him happiness now that his heart has healed.”

Joren nodded thoughtfully. “Legolas, we will tread carefully. Do not tell Father about your love until I am present.”

“Aye, Brother,” Legolas agreed, nodding.

“Oh, Little One,” Joren said kindly. “I am so happy for you. It is so good to see you smile again. However, if you wish to speak to Father about your choice of lovers then we should not tarry here in Rivendell. When we leave here, we shall make haste.”

“Alright,” Legolas said.

Lord Elrond appeared and began to welcome the visitors and invite them in for food and rest.

Legolas grabbed Elladan’s hand and pulled him aside. “See,” the prince whispered, “I told you that everything would be alright. With my brothers by my side, Father cannot refuse me.”

“Agreed,” Elladan said, smiling and giving Legolas a quick kiss on the lips. In the back of his mind, though, he couldn’t help but wonder how this would end.

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TBC…