A Healing Touch

Hi, everyone. I've decided to make part 2 part of this same fic. I hope you don't mind.

Steph: Awe... Thank you. Well, here's part 2. I tried to write it as quick as I could. I hope you like.

Silent Archer: Awe... ::hugs SA:: I'm sorry. Wow, 245? I haven't been counting. And here's part 2, I decided to just write the second half in this fic.

giggle: Wow, you took the words right out of my mouth. I am so happy you've enjoyed this, and as it says above, Ive decided to do the 2 half on here. I hope you like.

Starwind: Here's part 2! Hope you like it.

Isis: lol, it's okay. Wow, there must be some sort of foot curse going around. lol, actually, I've hurt my right foot more than any other part of my body. Hope your brother gets better soon.
Enjoy part 2!

lilith: No, no reason to kill me ::grins nervously:: Anyway, hope you enjoy part 2. And Haldir was interested in Leggy... till Glorfindel threatened him.

Ryou'sMistress265: Lol, hey, what's wrong with Elrond? Personally, I love him! Anyway, don't worry, Glorfy will come back soon enough.

Okay folks, here we go on to part 2

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not Legolas, not Mirkwooot tot the elvish language, not nothing.

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Several years had passed since lord Elrond and his subjects had left the city of Mirkwood to venture back to their own home in Rivendell after they had fought the battle with the joined forces of the spiders and their orc puppets, and though years in number went by quickly for elven kind, to Legolas it seemed an eternity since he last laid eyes upon his lovers. Though he wrote them every chance he had, his newly appointed duties had kept him from actually venturing to Imladris to see them again.

Delegation had taken a lot out of the young prince, to say the least. Often he would ride to other realms to negotiate or barter with other races, some more stubborn than others. In times of frustration he would be forced to hold his tongue, lest he offend the opposite party, which of course could be difficult at many times. Like his brothers, Legolas had inherited his father's short temper, the only thing controlling an outburst being the firm discipline he was raised under by Glorfindel's stern hand. Now that he was older, he mentally thanked Rivendell's seneschal for teaching him to master his anger, something in his youth he never believed he would come to appreciate.

It was a difficult job, serving as Mirkwood's emissary, nevertheless Legolas was good at what he did, and was indeed a valued member of the king's court. Though there were often times that the young prince regretted his decision, and wished more than ever to be back in Imladris sitting under the old willow with Glorfindel, or spending time with Elrond in his study, his father's words assured him that it had been the proper choice to make on his part and was doing a great service to his people. But that did not mean his work was any easier.

The door to his chambers was all but thrown open and the young prince tiredly trudged up to the large ornate bed and let his back fall against the soft, cushy mattress with an exasperated sigh. A plague on the stiff necks of dwarves! After nearly a week of negotiating with the stunted beings they had just finally agreed to give Thranduil his anticipated sceptre.

A while back, the Mirkwood king had paid the dwarves to craft him a richly adorned staff plaited with jewels, of course the dwarves wished to be paid in advance and so after much debating, Thranduil reluctantly agreed. But after the sceptre was finally made and a messenger had been sent to retrieve it, the dwarves demanded more than what was originally paid and refused to hand the bloody thing over and would not be persuaded otherwise. So Legolas went along with Thranduil as an envoy to the dwarven realm and after much debating, the party had come to an agreeable price, less than what the dwarves were hoping for but enough to satisfy them. All this for a confounded tool! It was positively ridiculous.

The prince moaned quietly and he massaged his temples with his thumb and forefinger, his eyelids tightly clinched in attempt to rid his pounding headache. Valar, how he needed some time away! For the first six years he had done naught but train himself in these matters while living here. And another six years he had spent in his father's court, delivering messages, reading through complaints, and serving as Mirk's 's Delegate, yet in all that time he had not once been granted leave. He would sometimes ride with his brothers or practice his archery with his friends, this was true, but no more than two or three hours of peace would he have.

He missed Rivendell, missed his lovers, and in all honesty he did not feel as if he could be apart from them much longer. His heart was breaking, and he dearly longed for their touch. Is this what it was to be in love? He unconsciously fingered the golden hairclip at the back of his head, momentarily reminded of its proper owner. Glorfindel, oh how he missed the cheerful warrior. And his beloved Elrond, the firm but gentle elf lord who was all nobility. These two elves were what kept him alive, were it not for them he would most likely be dead. Legolas wasn't quite sure how he had avoided the heart ache all these years without seeing them. Often he would fall asleep thinking of them, several times he had awoken to his own sobs of grief, or to the stirring heat in his very lo He He would sometimes bring himself to release with his own hand, merely thinking about them riding each other like mad beasts, imagining himself curled up in their protective embraces.

The young prince suddenly gasped aloud and his face contorted in agony as his heart contracted and felt as if he had just been stabbed. He clutched at his chest in attempt to will the odd pain away to a dull throb and was leantianting on his back. He mentally chastised himself then, shaking his head at his own stupidity. Several times now this had happened whenever he allowed himself to think of his lovers for too long. He was not certain what this was exactly, but from what he had been told, it was one of the first stages of elven grief. He dare not tell his father, lest he worry him. He had a duty to fulfill and he would not distract his family over personal matters, he could deal with this himself. He went to massage his temples again as his headache increased tenfold at his sudden lapse, and he flinched when there was a knock on his door, the sound thrumming inside his head. He sat up straight as quickly as possible without becoming nauseous, and granted entrance to the visitor. "Enter."

His eldest brother pushed past the door at his bidding, the small form of his son resting on his hip. The elfling was no more than the age of twenty-five, the equivalent of a four year old in man's years. Legolas forced a smile at his brother and nephew as they approached him, the little bundle of energy reaching out for him with a delighted squeal of, "Leg'las!"

Like the rest of Mirkwood's heirs, Aradel had the golden hair that Oropher's line carried and was an incredible likeliness to his father, and Legolas had no doubt that he was the spitting image of Nava when he was an elfling.

Legolas eagerly reached out for his nephew with a grin, who all but lunged into the inviting arms. For the moment he pushed his troubled thoughts aside, staring expectantly at his brother. Nava's concerned gaze though, momentarily worried him. "Are you alright, Greenleaf? You look unwell."

"Ai, nay, I am well." the younger elf insisted, not willing to involve his brother in his private affairs. Nava was always one to be overprotective, and he would not burden his brother when he had his own family to take care of, not to mention the entire realm of Mirkwood. Ignoring as little Aradel squirmed around on his bed and fiddled with his hair, Legolas returned his attention to the older elf's. "May I do something for you?"

"For me, no. But father wishes to speak with you... immediately."

The young prince groaned into his hands, and shook his head. "What for? What have I done this time?"

The heir's response was a sympathetic chuckle. "I know not, muindor-tithen, but he requests our presence as soon as possible, so it is something important, I'd wager... perhaps another quarrel with Lake Town."

"They probably raised the price on their wine again." Legolas grumbled sarcastically. Nava laughed as he bent over and retrieved his son and together the two elves stood and made their way to their father's throne room.

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The three Mirkwood princes stood before their father in the large throne room as Thranduil agitatedly paced before them in front of the dais that lead up to his throne, his every movement being followed by his sons eyes. After a round of quiet mumbling to himself, he suddenly turned on his heel and halted before the three brothers. "I suppose you are all wondering why I have asked you here?"

"Actually, adar..." Tallen started, but Thranduil held up a silencing hand and the middle son immediately silenced himself.

"We've had some... difficulties as of late, several in fact."

"Difficulties?" Nava repeated. "How do you mean? Is our realm in danger?"

"Nay, these are more of... a personal manner." The king sighed irritably, focussing squarely on his eldest son. "Nava."

"Yes, father?"

Thranduil took a deep breath to calm himself from the obvious volcano that was about to erupt. "Do have as to any clue where your son had gotten off to, last night?"

Nava's brow furrowed in confusion. "He was with Gwaloth most oe eve evening, adar." he replied, referring to his wife.

"Oh, really?" the king retorted sarcastically. "And at some point did he happen to escape her care?"

"Well, I'd imagine so, but you know Aradel, father. Like a shadow he can come and go unnoticed. Gwaloth and I have chased after him countless times, but why should this time be any different from any other?"

Thranduil nodded and calmly walked over to his throne, picking up a painting that rested against its side. He presented it to his three sons then, and the brothers had to use all resolve they possessed from bursting out into hysterics.

In what was supposed to be a portrait of a nude she-elf laying across a sofa, several crude scribbles were amateurishly painted across her more private areas to substitute as clothing, topped off with a feather and several pieces of gold in substitution of a crown from Thranduil's horde that the elfling had somehow managed to get his little hands on, plastered across the maiden's hair with what appeared to be honey. Several silent seconds passed until Nava finally spoke. "I had no idea my son possessed such artistic talent."

That bold comment broke the last of their resolve and the Mirkwood brothers finally broke out in high pitched laughter until tears stung their eyes.

"Enough!" The king shouted, and the princes struggled to retain their calm. "You find this funny?"

"Well, ada," Tallen tried to hold back a snort. "At least the boy has some level of modesty."

"Watch your tongue, Tallen. That painting happens to hold a lot of worth, it is irreplaceable! I expected better from you. I would expect that the three of you would have reached some level of maturity by now. Especially you, Nava, such behaviour is unbecomin an an elf lord."

"Of course, adar, I apologize." the eldest brother sobered. "I will deal with my son's actions immediately."

"Not yet, I did not call you three in here simply for that." He turned his glare to his second son then. "Tallen, as of late several of your junior soldiers have been slacking off in their duties. I expect you to reprimand them on this as soon as possible. Though it has been several years since we've destroyed the spiders main lair, there are many still out there in our woods. We are not as vulnerable as before but we are still susceptible to an attack. See that they smarten up."

"Yes, father." Tallen bowed his head.

Thranduil nodded in satisfaction and placed the painting back against his throne before finally turning to his youngest. "Legolas."

The young prince bowed his head. "Yes, adar?"

"That mare of yours is out of control."

Legolas' brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't understand."

The elf lord sighed in frustration. "That... that stubborn mule of yours refuses to bear any riders. She takes tantrums when locked in her stall for a certain amount of time and she will not tolerate being tied. She also terrorizes the stable hands and pins her ears if they even near her."

"Skylenar does not like to be confined, ada, and she does not like strangers. Other than myself, Glorfindel was the only one she would carry."

Thranduil growled deep in his throat. "I could kill that elf for making you fall in love with a dangerous animal like that. Given his experience with those creatures one would think he would know better."

Legolas' temper momentarily flared, but he kept his temper in check. "Skylenar is not dangerous, ada, she is young and high spirited, she always has been, which is why I adore her so."

"Legolas," Thranduil pleaded. "there are better horses--"

"No horse is better than Skylenar." The prince insisted. "and if the grooms are having trouble with her than I will gladly do the work for them."

The elven king sighed in exasperation. There was no point in arguing over this, he would never win this fight. "Fine. Let us move on to more pressing matters." he guided his sons over to a table bearing scrolls and maps. "I need your help with something."

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That 'something' would be no easy task to accomplish. What was his father thinking? For Eru's sake, they were not dwarves! It was difficult enough living in a cave, elves were seldom comfortable underground where they were cut off from Anor's rays and the voices of the trees, but now this new project Thranduil had them working on made the young prince begin to think that perhaps his father had been dropped on his head when he was first born.

The elven king expected them to delve deeper underground to create a larger, more efficient dungeon so that he could clear the old dungeon and expand his treasure room by several feet. If this wasn't madness than Legolas didn't know what was. And it was not that Thranduil was greedy, just obsessive. He had this... great fantasy of becoming one of the greater kings known to all, and no king's palace was complete without a large treasure room piled to their roofs with silver and jewels. And as ridiculous as the idea was, Legolas loved his father and would not stand in the way of this dream of his.

The prince sighed absently to himself as he stroked the currycomb through his mare's thick grey mane, muttering quietly to her of the day's events as he continued to groom her. If there was someone he could relay all his secrets to, it was her. Often he would come here to the stables amidst his loneliness to cose ose or merely take comfort from his truest of friend's. Here he could be relaxed and serene amongst his four legged friends, and for a short while escape the bitter realities of life. Skylenar was one of the few reminders of his beloved home in Imladris, the first gift he had ever received there. Nay, he corrected himself, not the first. He received his first gift when he was immediately welcomed into Elrond's home and received the love from the two elves that meant most to him.

He was broken from his silent reverie when Skylenar nudged him with her snout and a light smile touched Legolas' lips and he gently stroked her dappled face. "Le ann am mar, mellon-nin?" a soft nicker was his reply and the prince nodded in agreement. "Carin-na."

not moments later he grasped his chest with a sharp gasp as pain assaulted him once again. His knees buckled under him, and he grasped a handful of the horse's mane to keep from falling. Skylenar immediately became agitated seeing her master's dilemma and began shifting from foot to foot, and she gave a concerned whinny as Legolas' face scrunched up in agony. He forced himself to take deep steadying breaths, and the spell soon passed. He moaned lowly, momentarily burring his head into the mare's soft fur. Several moments of quiet panting went by, and a shuddering breath escaped the prince's lips before he lifted his head as another nudge from his faithful companion caught his attention. He could not help the quirk of a smile hint at his lips as he met the concerned gaze of his friend, and he ran his hand across her withers in silent apology. "I'm alright, Sky'. It wasn't as bad, this time."

The pretentious horse gave a snort of disbelief, before she left the prince's side and pranced down the stable hall to the closed twin doors that lead into the pasture, looking back at Legolas expectantly before she gave a quick rear onto her hind legs. The elf chuckled as he walked up beside her knowingly and pushed open the two barriers, moving aside as the spirited mare burst out into the open field.

Legolas smiled as he watched the horse gallop across the open plain, her dark mane and tale whipping majestically behind her as her elegant legs spread out swiftly before her. No other sight could be as beautiful as watching a horse as they tore freely across open field, it represented everything, swiftness, agility, power, and beauty all at once. The sight was truly breathtaking.

He was slightly surprised when the mare slowed down to a simple trot, and then finally stopped as she returned to his side just outside the stable doors. Legolas' brow furrowed in confusion as she began to paw at the ground, his puzzled look slowly turning to one of understanding as she kneeled down. The prince grinned in acceptance, and he eagerly mounted her, barely having time to adjust and get a proper grip of her mane before she quickly got back up to her feet and started off in a well-strode lope.

Legolas laughed heartily as they thundered across the land, his hair whipping wildly behind him as the breeze bellowed against him, howling in his ears. He breathed in the cool air, watching as the ancient trees of his home flew by in a blur of different shades of green and brown. This is what he needed, at least for a while, to be free.

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Legolas did not return till evening meal that day, instead simply enjoying the small freedom he could only receive when with his beloved horse. Once he had returned to the palace he had immediately went to bathe, removing the sweat and dirt that managed to assault him on his ride, already knowing that if he presented himself at dinner as such, his father would be most displeased.

He had caught up with Tallen as he walked through the halls, and his brother had dragged him off to the public baths with him and together they bathed while holding conversations with several other elves while they were there, mentioning the rather comical plight with the crown prince's son, in turn causing all to laugh, though they were warned not to mention the incident at dinner, for Thranduil was still rather upset over his grandson's actions.

The youngest son of Thranduil was still relatively uncomfortable with his nudity, and normally he wouldn't be caught in the public bathing area, however, Tallen was fiercely overprotective of his little brother and Legolas had no doubt that if one of his soldiers so much as looked at him the wrong way, Tallen would immediately gouge out their eyes. They didn't even dare ask him of the leaf that adorned his hip, otherwise risk a glare from the elder brother, one that promised horrible pain and a slow death. They had enjoyed their short time in the baths with laughter and stories until Galion had come in and had ushered them to dress for evening meal and get out.

Dinner had gone by without mishap as usual, Legolas refusing the roasted meats that were continuously offered to him with, barely hiding the scorn and disgust on his face, and of course, little Aradel making a fuss over his vegetables. Conversation had issued across the table with the usual merrymaking, and afterwards the minstrels had taken up there instruments while several elves had danced together across the great hall.

The night had worn on as such until the youngest prince of Mirkwood silently dismissed himself and returned to the sanctity of his chambers, removing his formal robes in exchange for a simple pair of light leggings and a loose shirt, before selecting one of the many books neatly aligned on his shelf before seating himself in the cushy chair beside the hearth. It was not long after he had opened the novel to a selected page that there was a light tapping on his door and he furrowed his brow. "Come."

His response was answered by a push of the door before a small form raced past it, followed shortly by a beagle pup as it barked and playfully ran after the small child. Legolas smiled as he recognized his nephew and his wayward pet, and opened his arms up to the elfling as he stumbled over in his long nightgown. "Aradel," the prince chuckled as he sat the boy on his lap. "hush now, why are you not in bed?"

The elfling looked up at his uncle with large pleading hazel eyes that nearly broke the young prince's heart. "I had a bad dream," he whimpered. "May I sleep with you tonight?"

"Would you not prefer your adar and naneth's company?"

"Can't. It's their special night. Not allowed."

Legolas smirked to himself, having a very good idea of what that 'special ni' wo' would entail for his brother and his wife. Every once and a while Nava and Gwaloth would spend the evening together, relaxing and enjoying one another’s company... amongst other things. "Alright then, I suppose you may stay with me for tonight."

The elfling's face brightened, and he made himself more comfortable in Legolas' lap, snuggling against his firm chest while the little dog curled up on the rug against the side of the chair with a lazy yawn. Ever since Thranduil had gifted the small pup to his grandson, a fine little dog at that, bred from the elven king's hounds, two two had remained inseparable, dog following its master wherever he went.

"So, little one, I've heard that you recently took up an interest in art?" The prince smiled, remembering the ravaged painting Thranduil had presented he and his brothers with that day. For his part, a mixture of emotions crossed the small boy's face, the statement taking a moment for him to acknowledge. "You must not vandalize other peoples property, it isn't right."

"But that picture was naughty," the elfling protested. "Ada says we must present ourselves decently, that girl was not decent."

Yes, Legolas thought, that sounded like something Nava would say. "No, she wasn't," he agreed with a barely contained smirk. "Nevertheless, what you did was not right. Promise me that you will not do it again."

"Promise." The child mumbled with a pout, crossing his little arms across his chest angrily. "But its still the painting's fault. It should be punished, not me. Now I'm not allowed to play with my friends for a whole fortnight. Stupid picture."

The prince could not contain a chuckle as the child sulked, and he soothingly ran a hand down the small back. "Come now, there is no point in pouting about it. What's done is done. The time will pass faster than you think." the elfling yawned but otherwise did not respond. Laying his forgotten book on the small stand on the other side of the chair, Legolas stood up, his nephew fighting sleep in his arms. "Come, we should get some sleep."

Legolas sat the elfling on his bed before removing his shirt, boots and hosiery, and brushing his fingers through his hair to untie the braids before lying beside his nephew and pulling the blankets up over them. The prince had just lain his head on one of his pillows, slipping in to his reverie when a small voice murmured. "But I don't want to go back to sleep. The nightmare might come back."

The prince sighed and pulled the small elf against his chest. "Do you wish to talk about your dream? It may help."

The child was silent for several moments before he decided to speak, his sudden voice startling Legolas as he nearly fell back into elven sleep. "I was in a cave with other elves, we were all mining, I think. Then the cave rumbled like a monster before the whole place caved in. Rocks fell from the ceiling, big ones, and then I was trapped inside in the dark. That's when I woke up."

Legolas nodded and stroked the golden head comfortingly, hugging the child closer to him with his free arm. "Well, it is over now. 'Twas merely a dream, Aradel, they can't hurt you. Will you try and sleep now? I promise I will wake you if it looks like you are having another nightmare. I am right here and you have nothing to be afraid of."

"Alright." the boy mumbled as he lay his head down on the soft pillow. It only took a few moments for his breathing to slow and his eyes to glaze over in sleep and the prince was about to follow suit when a low growl issued from the floor. Legolas peered over the bed's edge at the small hound and sighed.

"Come on," he said to the beagle, moving his feet slightly to give the animal room as it jumped on the mattress and curled up at the bottom of thd.
d.

Lying his head down once again, he allowed his eyes to shift to the small elf curled up against him. His dream was strange, indeed, he thought as his mind began to drift off in slumber, for elves did not mine in caves.

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ada/adar: father
nana/naneth: mother
le ann am mar, mellon-nin: You long for home, my friend?
carin-na: I do too

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Okay, I know that wasn't a very good chapter, but it's only the beginning of part 2. The suspense will gradually rise. Anyway, I hope you guys are satisfied for now.