A Healing Touch

Heeeeeeeres Ash!!! Sorry for the long wait, folks! I would have gotten this up sooner but alot's been going on lately. My computer broke down and I had to wait for my cousin to fix it, I needed a new part for my car, I had to move my horse, and just a whole lot of other things. But I'm back now ::grins:: Yup. Um, I went to see Hidalgo yesterday with my roommate, it was awesome, the ending made me cry. If you like horses and like Viggo Mortensen, which I'm pretty sure most of you do, I really suggest you go see it. Bring tissues. Next movie to see: Troy. Orlando Bloom plays in it and the previews look awesome. And now without further ado, here are the reviews.


Mawgy: Yeah! You tell him, Mawgy! Tell that hot, gorgeous elf to get his ass in gear! Hehee... whoops, sorry, I hope I didn't offend you with that Thranduil being dropped on head crack. Well, I'm glad you found it funny. BTW, I left you a message in your livejournal. Anyway, enjoy this next, crappy chapter.

Lomawien: ::Waves wildly:: yay! You're alive! And I know what you mean about the computer viruses. Mine's been a real prick lately, I've come so close to just throwing it out the window. I've tried yelling at it, I've tried punching it, but it doesn't work. So I finally just called the experts in, aka my cousin, he's a technition. Shh, don't let the horses know that! OMG, If they find out we're their slaves, imagine what would happen next. Planet of the Horses. Yup. Special night... ::shudders:: I don't know about you, but I'd rather not think about my parents in that situation, I'd wanna die. Lol, thanks, and no. Legolas' middle name is trouble... alot like me actually.

Morelwen: Don't worry, they'll see each other again... eventually. Don't worry, I won't let that happen, well, maybe not ::grins evilly:: You'll have to wait and see. But other than that, these lips are locked, you'll have to pry them open with a crowbar to get any answers. I'm the best? Really?? Awe.... thanks! ::hugs Morelwen:: you're the best too!

Courtney: Thank you. I know it hasn't exactly been recent since my last update, but here it is.

lilith: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I got a grip now, forgive me! Here's your next chapter.

sheelfmagic: Awe... thank you, I'm feeling quite better now. I hope this next chapter makes up for my absence.

Steph: Thanks, I'm so glad you understand. You're so kind and patient. I tried to get this chapter done as fast as I could, and though it's short, at least it's a chapter, right? Enjoy.

RyousMistress265: I'm happy you enjoyed it. The reason I didn't put it here is because it would have been confusing to the readers. They would have wondered what was going on, and I was already on the ball with this. But anyway, I hope you like this chapter.

Fucted Up Kid: Wow, thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying this. That was quite the compliment. Three days, eh? Wow, you're as obsessed as I am when it comes to fics. I hope you had a good sleep, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Ella: ::Grins wildly:: Wow, I'm speechless. You've really gotten on my good side. Thank you so much for the compliment and I'm so happy this is fic is so believable. And yes, I do love the characters, as a matter of fact, I think I'd rather live in this fantasy world apposed to reality... that's pretty sad, actually, lol. But again, thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter.


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The youngest son of Mirkwood groaned as he was awakened in the early dawn by giggling, far too early even for his preference, and his eyes slowly cleared at the prodding of tiny fingers and… a wet tongue? His head jerked back from the small hound’s muzzle, this action causing more giggles to follow.

With a frown, Legolas wiped the saliva from his face and shook his head as if to clear it, momentarily wondering why his brother’s son was sitting on his bed, grinning wildly at him, and the memories of the night before slowly came back to him. He glanced out his window, the sun had yet to rise, and he sighed as he dropped his head lazily back into his pillow. “Ai, Aradel, ‘tis not yet even dawn… Go back to sleep.”

“I’m thirsty,” the elfling cocked his head to the side. “And Tithen-Mahtar has to go outside, I think.”

Tithen-Mahtar, or ‘Little Warrior’ in the common speech, was what Aradel had named the dog when Thranduil first gave it to him, and he was well named, for though small in size, the beagle had gumption and believed its self to have fierceness that could take down even a bear.

The prince groaned into his pillow, and the child grasped one of his arms and began to bounce lightly upon the mattress. “C’mon, Leg’las, come.”

“Alright, Aradel, alright, I am coming,” the prince mumbled, and he dragged himself from his cozy bed, slipping on a pair of slippers and a robe before guiding boy and dog out of his chambers.

So early was it that even Galion and the servants had yet to rise, and so Legolas was forced to journey to the kitchens himself to retrieve a glass of water for his nephew, before he took them both to the gardens to allow the dog to relieve its self.

When finished, Aradel skipped back down the hall with his hound, while the prince trudged behind, unconsciously forsaking all elven gracefulness at this non-existent hour. As they made their way back to Legolas’ chambers, they had met up with Tallen who had been searching for his younger brother, and he seemed to be in a rush.

“Tallen!” the elfling cried with joy. After greeting him in an affectionate manner, the middle son of Thranduil picked his nephew up in one arm, while he guided his brother with the other.

“Legolas, we are to bathe and dress with haste. Adar wishes us to monitor the mining this morning.”

“Mining?” the younger prince repeated with distaste. “Why would father have us do this? Surely he could find someone more appropriate for this task?”

“So I have said, but this is important to him, and so he wishes us to overlook this project.”

Legolas nodded in understanding. Thranduil was often very particular about whom he assigned a certain task, some reasons more obvious than others, and if this was something he felt needed his sons observance, Legolas would not argue against the idea.

They rounded the corner to the royal wing, and Tallen handed Aradel to his younger brother before he knocked on the door of the eldest prince of Mirkwood. For a moment there was no sound except grumbling, and so Tallen opened the door, only to hear a sudden shriek from Gwaloth and strong chastisement from Nava.

A cry of “Tallen!” was bellowed from inside the room before a cushion was thrown at the said prince, and he was quick to close the door, shielding a grin with his hand.

Legolas merely shook his head at him with a smile. The middle prince’s demeanor was completely different from the court when they were alone. Though he had a battle hardened exterior and could often be painfully strict, when in the presence of only family, Tallen was quite playful, and had little modesty, whether it be his family’s nudity or his own.

“Awake and dress, brother,” Tallen called to the door. “Your son is awake and needs tending. Legolas and I must set to work.”

There was a moment of shuffling as the two occupants of the room quickly dressed, before Nava opened the door and, despite being woken up before sun,sun, had a happy twinkle in his eyes, leaving it considerably obvious what had transpired the night before, though he shot Tallen an accusing glower as he greeted them and relieved them of their charge.

They quickly bade them goodbye, and after the younger prince bent down to give the hound an affectionate pat on the head, the two elves headed off to retrieve clothing before going to the baths, and Legolas was suddenly thankful they had risen this early, for the public bathing area was generally empty.

They were quick to wash and braid their hair, though it was done with care, and after they finished dressing, they immediately made their way to the lower part of the cave.

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Legolas wiped the sweat from his damp brow with the back of his hand as he took a moment to regain his breathing. He had laboured in these tunnels amongst his kin for several hours now, and the pressure was finally taking its toil.
Several times Tallen had told him to take rest, but the elder prince’s suggestions were repeatedly dismi. Bo. Both brothers had agreed to help with the mining, since neither of them were willing to put a servant to toil in a task that they would not be willing to do themselves, such were the deeds of a good leader, both knew.

Occasionally, Tallen would pause in his labour, skimming over the maps of his father to be certain of the direction they were taking, or to give orders or his guidance to one elf or another, but the younger prince had barely taken a break for a sip of water.

Legolas’ face was flushed, not surprising considering the task they had laboured in, Tallen thought, but if his eyes were not deceiving him, the young elf’s legs were trembling slightly as if he had difficulty standing, and he also appeared to be fighting against his own ragged pants. Sweat was dampening his shirt, he also noticed, far more than it should.

With a shake of his head, Tallen put down his stonecutter, and approached his little brother. “Legolas,” the prince said as his brother continued to work, chipping at the hard rock with his chisel. “You must rest. You are pushing yourself too hard.”

“I am fine,” the younger elf replied, not pausing in his work.

“No, you are not. You can spare a moment for yourself. We can carry on without your aide for several moments. ‘Tis not as if the cave will collapse without you.”

“The sooner we get this done,” the younger prince panted. “The sooner we can return to our own quarters… with a relaxing glass of wine and a good book by the fire.”

“And if you push yourself, you will collapse from exhaustion and I will have to carry you to the healer’s.” Tallen countered.

“I will take a break in several minutes,” Legolas retorted. He said no more, and Tallen sighed in defeat, mentally cursing his brother’s stubborn nature.

Through the sound of rock being chipped and chiselled, and of voices conversing and directing orders, a distinct voice caught Tallen’s attention and he turned his head to the entrance where his father stood talking to one of the head labourer’s. Good, he thought, father would set Legolas straight.

He strode over to the elder elf and bowed his head in greeting. “Father.”

“Tallen,” the elven king greeted in return, his brow quickly furrowing at his son’s dishevelled appearance. “You are filthy.”

“Aye, forgive my appearance, ada, Legolas and I have been assisting in the mining process.”

“This is not what I asked you to do,” he commented. “You were merely supposed to guide the labourers and give them orders.”

“I realize that, but we both figured the process would finish sooner if we were to assist them as well.”

Thranduil nodded and scanned his eyes over the workers. “Where is your brother?”

“Over there,” Tallen pointed. “Working himself until he faints, most likely. You must speak to him, adar, he must rest. He has been working since early this morning, non stop. He is exhausted yet he will not stop and I am worried about him.”

His face remained emotionless, yet the king often took on that expression when worried. He nodded at his son and squeezed his shoulder in reassurance. “I will speak with him. For now, I want you to avert your efforts on that wall,” he explained, pointing in the right direction. “I do not like the looks of those rocks you are working on, they are too loose for my liking. It could very well prove a safety hazard.”

“Understood, father,” as Tallen directed the workers to the opposite wall, Thranduil walked to his younger son’s side where he momentarily planted his chisel on the ground to catch his breath before he joined his companions.

“Legolas,” Thranduil said as his eyes raked over his son’s soiled appearance. “You should take some rest, you do not look well.” “I a“I am well enough, adar,” he replied, giving his father a reassuring smile as his chest heaved for oxygen.

“You are exhausted, ion-nin. Do not try to deny it. Your brother tells me you have not paused in your labour at all, this morning. You need rest.”

“That is not necessary,” the prince trio obo object.

“It is,” the king argued. “You look as if you are ready to collapse. You will be of no use to us if you are lying in a bed as a result of your own disregard for your health.”

“I will rest in a moment, adar, I promise you—”

“You will rest now,” the king ordered with a stern expression. His words were not loud, but demanded compliance as he stared hard at his son, who equally matched his gaze.

“Very well,” Legolas sighed with irritation, breaking the angered glare. He was about to walk away, but a gentle hand held his arm.

“Legolas,” Thranduil whispered. “Please, do not be angry with me. I am merely worried about you.”

“Your concern is unwarranted, father.” The prince countered.

“I think not. Legolas, I am not the only one concerned about you. Your brother has expressed his concern as well. Is there anything you wish to tell me?”

“No, adar,” the prince responded, a little too quickly for Thranduil’s liking and he held son son’s arm in his attempt to move away.

“Are you certain? Nothing has been bothering you as of late?”

“Why must everyone treat me as a child?” Legolas suddenly snapped as he glared daggers at his king and father. “I am not some naïve elfling that is having difficulty mastering his feelings, adar! I grow tired of being treated as such.”

A look of hurt crossed the elven lord’s features, the accusing glare from his son more hurtful than his words but he was quick to recover his composure. “No, I suppose you are right, my son. You are no longer an elfling, but you will always be my little Greenleaf.” Legolas released a sigh of frustration and picked up his stonecutter and continued to chip at the abandoned wall in the hopes to ignore his father, but the king continued. “You are a grown elf, this is true, but if this is so, you will not be so reckless as this. Tell me what is the matter, Legolas. Why are you acting like this? Is it that you are trying to prove yourself in some way?”

“No,” Legolas snapped, ramming his tool angrily into the wall of rocks. He paused for a moment then, the seething anger suddenly replaced with tormented sadness. “You would not understand… you could not understand.”

For a long moment, Thranduil merely stared into the shining blue eyes of his son, his ageless eyes showing through with all their wisdom in the world. “Is it the bond, Legolas?” he finally asked in a voice so quiet that only they could both hear. “Do you long for your lovers? Elrond… and Glorfindel?”

For the longest moment, Legolas was completely silent, his shimmering blue eyes staring intensely into his father’s, the past days torment showing in their very depths.

Then, with more force than the weeks past, the searing, agonizing feeling returned to las’las’ chest with a vengeance, and his hand quickly flew up to grasp at his chest, while his other hand reached up to grab the handle of the abandoned chisel.

The shifting of the tool embedded in the rocks combined with the young elf’s light weight was just enough force to dislodge one of the many rocks in the wall, accompanied with a loud rumbling groan, and Thranduil barely had time to grab his son and shield him with his own body as he pressed themselves against the wall before rocks began to collide with the ground around them while a cloud of dust blinded their vision.

Tallen, along with the other elves, could do naught but watch in horror as their king and youngest prince were swallowed by the collapsing tunnel, praying to Iluvatar that they lived through the deadly onslaught.

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adar: father
ion-nin: my son

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Okay, short chapter, I know. But I hope you guys enjoyed it anyway.