Mending a Heart

Chapter 25: A Look Back

“Hurry up, Legolas,” Dace hissed as he motioned to his younger brother, “Elladan will be waiting for you by now.”

“Dace,” Legolas said hesitantly, “if father catches us…”

“He won’t,” Dace said, trying to sound confident. “Now make haste, Little One.”

Legolas and Dace crept out of the manor after the morning meal. Looking around carefully, Dace led Legolas to a clearing in the forest.

“Elladan,” Legolas said, upon seeing his lover, “it is very good to see you.”

Elladan met Legolas’ eyes and smiled faintly. “’I have missed you, Greenleaf.”

Legolas tried to hide his surprise when he saw the color of Elladan’s skin and the dark circles under his eyes. Pretending not to notice how terrible he looked, Legolas said, “You seem well.”

“Liar,” Elladan said, grinning weakly.

“I must away, now,” Dace said hurriedly. “Please return to the manor no later than midday. I do not want to try to answer Father’s questions if you are not at the afternoon meal.”

“I understand,” Legolas said, nodding.

Dace smiled and headed back towathe the manor.

Before Legolas could speak Elladan had pulled him into a tender embrace. “I just want to feel you next to me, Greenleaf. I do not want to let you go.”

Legolas wrapped his arms around Elladan and placed a gentle kiss on his neck. “I have missed you.”

“No more than I have missed you,” Elladan said sincerely as he released the prince and stared into his eyes.

“Elladan,” Legolas said, “you… well… you…”

“I am falling ill,” Elladan said, simply. “I know. You shall be the death of me, Legolas.”

“I do not know what to do, Elladan,” Legolas said miserably. “You were right. I did not believe that my father would deny me this, but I was wrong. I should have listened to you.”

“I am glad that you didn’t,” Elladan said sincerely. “If you had listened to me, then we would never haven ten together. You have made me so happy, Legolas.”

“You are speaking as though you shall die this very moment,” Legolas stated in dismay.

“I might,” Elladan said, “and… I am afraid. But I would rather be with you in the afterlife than not at all.”

“Elladan,” Legolas said sorrowfully, touching the handsome warrior’s face.

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

Thranduil entered the south garden and inhaled deeply. As much as he hated Elrond, he couldn’t deny that Rivendell was beautiful. Wondering where his sons were, the king stretched languidly and began to scan the area. He hoped to find a quiet little spot where he could collect his thoughts in solitude. Casting his sight into the distance, Thranduil saw two figures in an impassioned embrace. It did not take long for the king to realize what he was witnessing. *Legolas?*

Sitting on a nearby bench, Thranduil placed his head in his hands. *How can I save my youngest son from this peril?*

“Thranduil?” Elrond said as he walked toward the gloomy king. “Are you alright?”

Thranduil looked up at Elrond and frowned. “Leave me be. I do not wish to speak to you.”

Elrond held his ground. “Long ago, you always spoke to me. We were friends. I know that thousands of years have passed and that much dissension has come between us. Is there no way that we could become friends aga again?”

“Too much has happened, Elrond,” Thranduil said. “Too much…”

“But our sons are in love, Thranduil,” Elrond explained. “If they decide to wed, the ties between Mirkwood and Rivendell would be strengthened.”

“You already know my feeling about this,” Thranduil said flatly. “I do not wish to discuss this further.”

“I know that through the years we had disagreed about many things, but you cannot stop this, Thranduil,” Elrond said seriously. “You cannot prevent Legolas and Elladan from being together.”

“My son is loyal to me,” Thranduil stated. “He knows how I feel about his relationship with your son; he will not defy me.”

“Nay,” Elrond said. “He will not defy you because he will be dead.”

Thranduil looked at Elrond in shock. “Of what madness do you speak?”

“Whether you accept it or not, Legolas loves my son. I have no doubt that he will obey anything that you ask of him; he loves you dearly and would remain loyal to you unto his death. His heart belongs to Elladan, however, and if you tear them apart, I fear that he and my son will fade.”

“You lie!” Thranduil exclaimed, glaring at Elrond.

“Nay,” the lord said quietly, “for Elladan has already fallen ill from the elf sickness.”

Thranduil looked at Elrond in dismay and then his face softened. “How much of the illness has conquered him?”

“He is in the early stages,” Elrond said sadly. “Thranduil, please do not kill my son. You may hate me, you may harm me, and you may have anything that I own, but please, please do not make me watch my eldest son die.”

Thranduil pondered Elrond’s words for a moment. “I fear for Legolas,” he said as Elrond sat down on the bench beside him. “The days of old and the days of new have become one. History is repeating itself. What will happen when Elladan rejects Legolas? What will become of my Little One then?”

“Reject him?” Elrond asked in confusion. “But Elladan loves Legolas; he would never reject him.”

“Is that what you said as you drove the dagger of you abandonment into my heart?” Thranduil asked seriously.

“What?” Elrond asked in shock. “Of what are you speaking? I never rejected you. You rejected me and then sent me from the lands of Mirkwood.”

“I sent you away when you declared your love for Areen,” Thranduil said softly.

“I never dred red my love to Areen,” Elrond protested.

“Do not lie to me Elrond,” Thranduil said, meeting the lord’s eyes. “I found the letter in the folds of her cloak. You never cared for me… you loved her.”

“That is not true,” Elrond explained gently. “I gave Areen the note and asked her to give it to you.”

“What?” Thranduil asked. “You mean to say that the letter I found was for me?”

“It was,” Elrond said, smiling faintly. “I wanted to tell you… that I loved you.”

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3,237 years ago…

Elrond felt his heart begin to beat wildly as the most beautiful elf that he had ever seen entered his bedchamber.

“Welcome to Mirkwood. I am Thranduil, the crown prince of this land. I shall be your host while you are here. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call upon me,” the prince said, bowing politely.

“I am Elrond,” he said smiling. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Thranduil. Under Gil-galad’s tutelage I have learned much about the healing arts. But I look forward to studying with Cerin, the greatest healer from this realm.”

“You will learn much with her aid,” Thranduil said, smiling brightly, “and you will have a companion in your studies. A dear friend of mine, Areen, will join you. She has trained extensively in Lothlórien and wants to further her knowledge in the art of healing. She is very kind. I suspect that the two of you will become great friends.”

“And what of you, Prince?” Elrond asked, trying not to sound too curious. “Will you also be partaking of Cerin’s lessons?”

“I would love to,” Thranduil said a bit sadly, “but the work of a future king is never done. I must, regrettably, tend to my various duties. I am envious of you, Elrond. While you and Areen get to go into the forest and discover different herbal remedies, I must attend royal meetings and oversee countless events.”

“Are you ever able to have some time alone?” Elrond asked, unable to stop staring at the crown prince.

“I am alone more than I would like to admit,” Thranduil said sadly. “But this is my fate, nonetheless. I am to be the king of Mirkwood someday and I must learn to honor and accept that responsibility.”

“That sounds very well rehearsed,” Elrond remarked teasingly.

“It is,” Thranduil said, grinning. “It is the speech that my father always gives me. Did it sound believable?”

“Very believable,” Elrond said with enthusiasm. “In fact, it only sounded slightly rehearsed. You almost had me completely fooled.”

Thranduil laughed and placed his hand on Elrond’s shoulder. “Methinks that you and I will be very good friends, Elrond… very good friends indeed.”

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

The next day, after the morning meal, Thranduil led Elrond to a large tree just beyond the castle gates. “Cerin will meet you here.”

Elrond nodded and then looked over Thranduil’s shoulder as a beautiful, flaxen haired maiden approached.

“Hello,” she said politely.

“Hello,” Elrond said, bowing.

“Elrond, this is Areen,” Thranduil said. “Areen this is Elrond. He will be joining you in your studies of the healing arts.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Areen said, grinning.

“And you,” Elrond said warmly.

“Well, I must away,” Thranduil said, shrugging. “Father wants me to attend a council meeting this day. Please think of me often while the two of you are making merry.”

“I will,” Elrond said quietly as Thranduil bowed and walked away.

Elrond watched as the crown prince made his way back to the castle.

“He is very handsome,” Areen said, looking at Elrond curiously.

“Huh?” Elrond asked, distracted. “Ah yes… I…. I mean no… I… I…”

Areen laughed. “Do not worry. I agree with you. I have never seen his equal in fairness of face and he is as kind as the years are long.”

“So… he is your…” Elrond began.

“Yes?” Areen asked.

“Are you to be wed to Thranduil?” Elrond asked hesitantly.

“King Oropher would like to see us wed,” Areen said, “as I descend from two noble houses. But Thranduil has quite a mind of his own and will probably wed whomever he chooses.”

“I see,” Elrond said slowly. “And how do you feel? Do you love Thranduil?”

“Nay,” Areen lied. “I only want Thranduil to be happy,” she said sincerely.

Elrond nodded.

“Cerin will be waiting for us,” Areen said. “Come let us away to our meeting place in the forest.”

“Alright,” Elrond said as he followed Areen into the woods.

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

Elrond spent five years in Mirkwood and grew to be the best of friends with both Areen and Thranduil. They spent all of their time having serious discussions or laughing until they couldn’t breathe.

With the passing of every day, Elrond felt his love grow for Thranduil. However, he was unaware that Thranduil’s love was even deeper than his own.

So smitten was the future king that he thought about the handsome Rivendell elf all day, and longed to be with him. He kept his feelings a secret, though, fearing Elrond’s rejection. He often wondered how he could tell Elrond that he was in love with him.

Even though Areen loved the crown prince, she could see the look on Elrond’s face and the happiness that Thranduil exuded when he was in the presence of Elrond. Deciding that Thranduil’s happiness was more important that her own, Areen loved him in silence.

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

“Do you have it?” Areen whispered to Elrond.

“Aye,” Elrond said, looking at Thranduil, who was talking animatedly with the leader of the border patrol. “I feel unsure, Areen,” he said slowly. “Perhaps I should not do this. What… what if Thranduil rejects me.”

“You are in love with him,” Areen said firmly. “The two of you have become the best of friends. Perhaps now, you can become more.”

“But what if he does not feel this way about me,” Elrond asked nervously. “What if I give him this note and he scoffs at me. Our friendship would be lost forever.”

“Elrond, you must do this,” Areen encouraged, touching him on the shoulder gently.
“You mustn’t be afraid. Tell him how you feel. You and I both know that Thranduil would never confess his feelings to you; he is too proud. So, you must be the one to come forward first. It is the only way.”

“I am having doubts now,” Elrond said, holding the letter tightly. “I… I should not do this. Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day.”

“That is what you said yesterday,” Areen said, shaking her head in disagreement, “and the day before that. Nay, Elrond, you must do this… today.”

Elrond sighed. “I cannot.”

“Then I will do it for you,” Areen said.

“What?” Elrond asked in disbelief.

“Give me the letter and I shall see that Thranduil gets it,” Areen explained. “This way, you will not have to be present when he reads it. It will be easier this way.”

“Yes… yes,” Elrond said pensively. “That is a very good idea.”

Thranduil was barely listening to the border patrol guard when he found his eyes wandering to where Areen and the beautiful Elrond were standing. He watched them out of the corner of his eye, unable to defeat the jealousy that he felt. The two of them had seemed particularly close lately as they were always whispering and giving one another knowing looks. Thranduil wondered what the source of their conversation was. *Could Elrond love Areen?* He felt his face flush with anger as he clenched his fists. The crown prince’s fears were confirmed when he saw Elrond glance around the room and slip Areen a piece of paper. Feeling his heart begin to beat wildly in his chest, his worse fears were confirmed as Areen hid the note in her cloak. *He has been using me. All of this time, I suspected that Elrond loved me, but now I see that he was using me to get closer to Areen. He does not think that I have noticed the way that he has been spending more time with her lately. They are in love! How can this be? How could Elrond do this to me? Does he not know how I feel? I have tried to tell him on many occasions. He has rejected me. He does not love me!* Thranduil began to breathe heavily.

“Are you well, Prince?” the guardsman asked.

“Nay,” Thranduil said between breaths, “I… I must away at once.” Before the patrolman could utter another word, he walked away and toward his friends. “Hello,” he said loudly, startling his comrades.

“Oh, hello Thranduil,” Areen said nervously. “Are you ready to have dinner now?”

“Aye,” Thranduil said coolly. “Uh, Areen, it is warm out this night. Would you like me to hold your cloak for you?”

“That would be nice,” Areen said gratefully. “Thank you.” She handed her cloak to the crown prince as the three of them made their way to the royal dining hall.

When they weren’t looking, Thranduil took the letter and hid it in his tunic. He would read it later.

After the evening meal, Thranduil excused himself and went to his bedchamber. He kneat Aat Areen would be looking for the letter, but he no longer cared. He opened the note and read it.

My love,

I am in awe of you. Your beauty, your strength and your courage make my heart sing. I have never met another like you and would like to spend all eternity discovering why you make me feel this way. I shall leave this realm one day , bu, but if it pleases you, I will always return to you. I love you.

-Elrond

Thranduil dropped the letter on the floor and grasped his heart. *I will kill him! I will kill him!*

Without thinking, Thranduil took up his sword and rushed downstairs. He went into the sitting room, where Elrond and Areen were having what seemed to be another one of their secretive conversations.

“How dare you!” Thranduil screamed, pointing his sword at Elrond.

“What?” Elrond said standing up abruptly. “What is wrong, Thranduil?”

“What is this?” Thranduil asked, throwing the letter on the floor.

“I… I…” Elrond said, looking at Areen in horror, which confirmed everything to the prince.

“You disgust me!” Thranduil spat. “I… I thought that you knew, but it would seem that you do not care about what I think or how I feel.”

“Thranduil,” Elrond said in dismay, “what are you talking about?”

“Do not play the role of a fool!” Thranduil sneered. “You cannot trick me.”

“Thranduil,” Elrond said, trying to understand the crown prince’s reaction.

“Keep quiet!” Thranduil hissed. “Areen? Do you love him?”

“What?” Areen asked in dismay.

“Answer the question!” Thranduil demanded.

“Nay,” Areen said gently. “Elrond and I are friends.”

“That is a good thing,” Thranduil said icily. “Now get out.”

“What?” Elrond said, nearing tears. “But Thranduil, I…”

“Get out of Mirkwood and never return! If I ever see your face in this realm again, it will mean your death,” Thranduil shouted.

Elrond ran out of the room at once, unable to hold back his tears any longer.

“Thranduil,” Areen said as tears streamed down her face. “Elrond…”

“Never utter his name to me again! He will not be spoken of here unless necessary. Do you understand?” Thranduil said.

“Yes,” Areen said slowly. “But Thranduil… I…”

Thranduil dropped his sword and clutched his chest. Staggering forward, the crown prince collapsed.

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

Elrond left Mirkwood at daybreak the next morn. He did not understand Thranduil’s reaction, but now knew that he was wrong to believe that the crown prince could have ever returned his love. Looking back at what had been his home for the past five years, Elrond made his way back to Rivendell knowing that he had lost a part of his heart forever.

Thranduil faced a much harder road than Elrond as the eicknickness took hold. No one thought that he would survive. The pain was great and the suffering unthinkable as Thranduil endured the torment of a broken heart. It was said that the departure of his best friend caused the illness. And only he knew the truth behind the tales.

Areen stayed by Thranduil’s side morning, noon and night, trying to make him comfortable before he passed to the halls of Mandos.

Thranduil found strength in Areen’s presence and discovered that she was ive wve with him. Allowing his hatred for Elrond and his pride to mend his heart, Thranduil recovered his strength and asked Areen to marry him. Although he did not love her, she bore him four sons. She was a good wife, a passionate lover and a devoted mother. Thranduil could not have asked for more. For some reason, he kept the note that he had found so many thousands of years before. And even though it pained him, he woreadread it often, pretending that the letter had been written to him… still longing to feel Elrond’s touch, his lips upon his skin. Often realizing that his face was wet with tears, Thranduil held fast to his hatred, hoping that it would give him the strength to go on.

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

Present day…

“You misunderstood,” Elrond said, looking at Thranduil in amazement. “You banished me because you thought that I loved Areen?”

“Aye,” Thranduil said emotionally, looking straight ahead.

“You almost died, because of me?” Elrond asked, looking at Thranduil.

“Twice,” Thranduil said slowly. “My heart nearly broke after I sent you away. And my life was nearly claimed again once I heard that you were to marry. Before Dace or Legolas were born, I fell ill once again. But the reason for my suffering was easily hidden as a good friend of mine perished in battle. That was the excuse I used to shield my pain,” he explained.

“Why did you never tell me how you felt?” Elrond asked.

“Because I knew that you did not feel the same way about me,” Thranduil said sadly, making sure to avoid Elrond’s eyes as he spoke. “I knew that you would never love me.”

“But I did love you,” Elrond said, touching Thranduil on the shoulder.

“Did?” Thranduil said quietly. “So, your love for me has waned.”

“Hasn’t yours?” Elrond asked.

“Nay,” Thranduil said. “My love for you has never ebbed. And seeing you again has made it worse.”

“Do not say such things,” Elrond said, brushing a stray lock of golden hair from the king’s face.

Thranduil looked at Elrond as a single tear rolled down his handsome face. “Do you believe that we could find a way to put all that has happened behind us?”

“I do not know,” Elrond said, gazing into Thranduil’s eyes.

“Well,” Thranduil said as he roo hio his feet, “please think on it, as my departure to Mirkwood may be very soon.”

Without another word, the king walked away.

Elrond watched Thranduil for a moment and looked into the distance. Legolas was sitting in the center of the clearing, watching Elladan as he walked away. *The days of old and the days of new have become one. History is repeating itself.* He looked towards the manor, but Thranduil was already gone. Sitting in silence, he wondered if things would ever be the same again.

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TBC…