Mending a Heart

A/N: Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate it.

Chapter 23: There and Back Again

Legolas and his brothers rode into Mirkwood approximately fourteen days after their departure from Rivendell. Although the prince missed Rivendell, he suddenly felt excited about being back home and wished that Elladan would someday come to Mirkwood.

The brothers rode up to the large castle in the heart of the forest and dismounted.

At once, Legolas found himself in a strong embrace by his father.

“My Legolas,” Thranduil said warmly. “You have returned to me, and for that I am grateful. I wish to hear all about your stay in Rivendell and what you have been doing while you were away.”

“I… I… uh…” las las stammered, looking at his brothers nervously.

“You must be tired,” Thranduil said, mistaking the prince’s hesitance for fatigue. “Please, go and bathe, eat a proper meal and take some rest. We can talk this evening. I will have the cooks prepare a feast in your honor. How does that sound to you?”

“Very good, Father. Thank you,” Legolas said, smiling sincerely.

“Ravik?” the king called to his head servant as many attendants came out of the castle.

“Aye, Sire,” Ravik said, bowing.

“I want my youngest to be taken care of this day, for he has comck tck to the royal house. He shall be spared no luxury. I want you to see to it that all of Legolas’ desires are met,” Thranduil ordered.

“Aye, Sire. It shall be done,” Ravik said, bowing once again.

“Joren, Makail and Dace, you have been missed,” Thranduil said as he embraced each of his older sons. “Tonight the four of us will dine together. I am sure you will have many interesting things to say.”

“Aye, Father,” Makail remarked, smiling wryly. “We have **much** to tell you.”

“Indeed?” Thranduil said, raising his eyebrows. “I look forward to tonight then. Legolas, I know that you have only just arrived, but there are some pressing matters that I must take care of at once. I hope that my departure will not cause you any ill will towards me.”

“Nay, Father,” Legolas said earnestly, placing his hand on Thranduil’s shoulder. “A kings work is never done. No one knows that better than we, your sons. Do not fret; I understand the importance of your duties. I will see you tonight… we can talk then.”

“It is so good to see you, Little One,” Thranduil said, embracing Legolas once again before departing.

“It is good to see you, too, Father,” Legolas said. The prince watched the king enter the castle and then turned to face his brothers. “Well, what do you think? Do you think that Father will accept my love for Elladan?”

“Aye, of course,” Makail said encouragingly.

Dace nodded in agreement. “Father has no reason to deny you your happiness, Legolas.”

“And Joren, what say you?” Legolas asked, looking at his eldest brother with anticipation.

“We shall approach this subject very carefully tonight. If handled properly, Father may agree that Elladan would be well suited to you.”

“You are right,” Legolas said happily.

Joren walked slowly behind his three younger brothers as they walked towards the castle and sighed heavily. He could think of one reason that Thranduil would not want Legolas with Elladan – Elrond.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Later, when Legolas had some time alone, he made his way to his bedchamber. Looking around at the enormous room, he suddenly missed his smaller, and perhaps cozier bedchamber in Mirkwood. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, he busied himself by unpacking his belongings and then taking a long bath.

He found that the day seemed to linger on and on. But as nightfall drew near, so did his fear of hatheather’s reaction to the news of his affection for Elrond’s son. He had always believed that his father would be happy for him, but now he wasn’t so sure. Now that he was back in Mirkwood, Rivendell seemed so far away.

Legolas wandered around the castle, getting reacquainted with his home. Walking down a long corridor, he looked to the right of a staircase and into a small chamber. Legolas entered the room and felt instantly overwhelmed with sadness. *Mother’s sewing room.*

Legolas sat in his mother’s favorite chair and began to think about the past. He remembered the time that she had brought him into that very room to give him a sweet cake for sitting in a council meeting all day, more than two thousand years ago. He remembered when he fell off of his horse and badly cut his knee; she had brought him to the sewing room to clean his wound and wipe away his tears. He remembered the time that he had a bad dream and she brought him into the sewing room and read him a tale about the noble elves of old. The prince remembered… and fell into a deep slumber, unknowingly grasping the jewel that he wore underneath his clothes and around his neck.

Hours later Legolas awakened with a start when he heard Dace calling for him. Dinner was served.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Legolas entered the royal dining hall, his brothers and father were already seated at the table.

“Legolas,” Thranduil said, smiling brightly at his youngest son, “I see that you took my advice and took some time to rest.”

“Aye, Father,” Legolas said as he sat down beside Joren.

“You look different,” Thranduil remarked, looking at Legolas thoughtfully. “Perhaps you took my letter to heart and finally bedded one of those comely Rivendell elves.”

Makail spit all of his cider out and Dace nearly fell out of his chair.

“Makail? Dace? What is wrong with you two? Have you gone mad?” Thranduil asked, concerned.

“Nay, Fat” Ma” Makail said quickly, “I simply thought that we would be drinking Mulberry cider tonight and was not prepared for the bitter sweetness of the Wildberry cider that we have before us this night. I apologize for my reaction.”

“As do I, Father,” Dace said, politely. “Makail’s ill manners nearly scared me witless, and thus I nearly fell out of my chair. Please, excuse the interruption.”

“How can I scare you witless when you have no wits to scare?” Makail whispered to Dace, who elbowed him in the ribs when their father wasn’t looking.

Servants came into the large room and began to serve all kinds of delicious foods.

When the attendants left, Thranduil took a bite of a piece of bread and asked, “So Legolas, what did you do in Rivendell? Were you able to make any friends?”

“Aye, Father,” Legolas said, slowly, looking at Joren for support.

“Yes, it seems that Legolas was quite popular in Rivendell. Everyone there seemed so sad to see him go,” Joren said.

“Is that a fact?” Thranduil asked, looking at Joren, surprised. “Well, Legolas, if you ever decide to go back there, I am sure that the elves there will be happy to see you.”

“There is one in particular who will be happy to see him, Father,” Joren said carefully.

“And who would that be?” Thranduil asked, focusing his attention on Legolas.

“The one I fell in love with while in the fair realm,” Legolas said, trying not to sound nervous.

“You have fallen in love?” Thranduil asked, standing up. “Legolas, that is wonderful!” He walked over to his son and embraced him affectionately. “Please, I wish to hear more about this elf. What shall I call the one who has claimed my youngest son’s heart?”

“His name is Elladan,” Legolas said slowly.

“Elladan?” Thranduil said, rubbing his chin pensively. “Elladan. Does not the name Elladan mean ‘elf-man?’ Is your love a descendant of men?”

“Aye, Father. But he is of nobility and is the eldest son of three,” Legolas explained quickly.

“The only elf that I have ever known to descend from mortals is Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell. He… he is of nobility, too. The king paused for a moment and then looked at his youngest son in disbelief. You… you have fallen in love with one of Elrond’s sons?” Thranduil asked, looking down at the floor and then in Legolas’ eyes.

“Aye, Father,” Legolas said, holding his father’s gaze.

“I forbid it,” Thranduil said simply. “I will not have my youngest son, or any of my sons for that matter, associated with the likes of Elrond or any of his kin.”

“But Father,” Legolas protested, “you have never even met Elladan. To meet him is to know him. Please, give Elladan a chance.”

“As far as I am concerned, I have met Elladan. His association to Elrond soils him. I will not waste my time meeting him when I already have experience with his maker. Nay Legolas, my word is final on this.”

“Your word?” Legolas asked, giving his father a disbelieving look. “I did not ask for your permission. I was simply tng yng you that I am in love and that I will be with Elladan.”

Thranduil looked at Legolas in amazement. “You would dare to speak to me in such a tone? Never have you challenged my authority… never. What could have happened to you in so short a time, to make you behave like a disrespectful little fool? Hah! I know what ails you, Legolas… it is Elrond! He has bewitched you somehow, hasn’t he? I knew it! I just knew it! I should never have sent you to Rivendell. I sent you there so that you could be made well and he probajustjust glossed over your illness with some of his **noble** words of wisdom and then threw his son at you to keep you too occupied to grieve. The cur!”

“Father, you must calm down,” Joren said gently, placing his hand on the king’s arm.

“Calm down?” Thranduil asked, becoming enraged. “I will kill Elrond for this. Do you hear me? I will kill him for pretending to heal my son. That is why Legolas does not look like himself. That is why he looks different. He has been bewitched!”

“I have not been…” Legolas began angrily, but a look from Joren silenced the youngest prince.

“Father, I do not think that anything bad has happened to Legolas. He looks different because he is in love. It has changed him and for the better, I think. I have met Elladan… spent some time with him. He is a very kind, strong and noble elf. He is a choice worthy of Little One. You have always encouraged Legolas to meemeonmeone special. You would be proud of his selection.”

“Since when has Legolas ever listened to me about his personal life?” Thranduil asked, glaring at Joren. “Never! So, I get my jollies by teasing him about bedding comely elves…” the king broke off suddenly. “Legolas, you didn’t… did you?”

“What?” Legolas asked, shifting uncomfortably under the weight of his father’s stare.

“Did you bed that… that Elladan?” Thranduil asked.

“Father!” Legolas exclaimed, blushing furio. “T. “That is none of your concern.”

“You bedded the spawn of Elrond? Oh, Legolas how could you?” Thranduil asked miserably.

“I love him, Father,” Legolas said, trying to control the anger in his voice. “And I am not bewitched; I am in love.”

“Joren, Makail, Dace you are in charge of Mirkwood,” Thranduil said. “It would seem that I have business in Rivendell.”

“Father, you can’t be serious,” Joren said in protest. “Legolas just arrived.”

“Aye,” Thranduil said, nodding, “and for that I am sorry. But this cannot wait. It must be taken care of now. Ravik!”

Ravik came rushing into the dining hall and bowed politely. “You called, Sire?”

“You and four other servants of your choosing are coming with me to Rivendell. We shall leave at first light. I will expect you and the others to be packed and ready to go by then,” Thranduil ordered.

“Aye, Sire,” Ravik said, bowing and exiting the room quickly.

“But Father,” Makail said, gently, “Lord Elrond will not be expecting you. He may not be prepared to host six elves.”

“Six?” Thranduil said, looking at Makail in disbelief. “I shall also take a band of warriors with me as well. So, the **great** Lord Elrond had better be prepared to host, feed and house at least twelve elves, or more if I see fit.”

“Father?” Dace asked, meeting the king’s eyes. “May I journey with you to Rivendell… as one of the warriors?”

“Why, Dace?” Thranduil snapped. “Do you wish to witness a massacre?”

“I only thought that I could be there for you,” Dace said simply. “I thought that you could use one of your kin on your side.”

Thranduil pondered Dace’s words for a few moments and then nodded. “Alright, you may come to Rivendell. It is nice to know that someone sees the way of things.”

Dace smiled at his father, but gave Legolas a reassuring pat on the back when the king was not looking.

“But Father,” Legolas said, trying to protest once again.

“Be silent!” Thranduil spat. “You are not in your right mind Legolas. Elrond’s trickery and charms have lou aou astray. But do not fret. I do not blame you for any of this. You were a victim. I sent you to Rivendell when all hope was gone and you were taken advantage of. You could not have known that this was going to happen. We shall go back to Rivendell and I will force Elrond to put you back the way you were. We will find some other way to deal with your grief.”

“But Father,” Legolas said in annoyance, “I have overcome my grief. I really do love Elladan.”

“I must assume that the curse that has been placed upon you is forcing you to say such foolish things,” Thranduil said simply. “Because the Legolas I know puts his family first. Duty, honor and obedience to his father are always foremost in his mind. He is a prince and he knows that being a prince means that certain sacrifices must be made.”

“And what if I refused to obey you?” Legolas asked. “What if I put my love for Elladan above all else?”

“Then you would be released from your duties as a prince and as my son,” Thranduil said seriously. “I am not concerned though, you are not quite right… it’s the curse talking. Once we journey to Rivendell, and I can throttle Elrond, all will be well. And you can go back to your life, just as it was before. But if I am mistaken, which rarely happens, and you are not under a spell… If you have truly chosen to love this… this… this Elladan, then, you already know what my thinking is on the matter. It will not be discussed further. You will have a choice to make. Would you turn your back on Elladan or your whole family? The choice is yours.” Thranduil turned and left the room.

Joren, Makail and Dace walked over to where Legolas was sitting and tried to encourage him.

Legolas couldn’t hear them, though; for all he could think about was one person. *Elladan.*

---

TBC…