The Healing of Elves and Trees

Title: The Healing of Elves and Trees
Author: Eliza 422 (eliza_422@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Elrohir/Haldir, Elladan/Legolas, Others
Rating: NC-17
Summary: AU Story. Elrohir and Celebrian are captured by orcs. They survive the attack but Elrohir is changed. Will he ever recover from what he has experienced?
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JRR Tolkien.

Author's note: I apologize for the long delay in updating! Hopefully I can get back on a regular schedule again.

Chapter 8

Elladan steeled his nerves when he saw his father-in-law approach with fire in his eyes.
When Thranduil reached Elladan, he stopped in front of him. He couldn't speak. Elladan betrayed no feelings at all in his face, which angered the king even further. He wanted to grind this arrogant Noldo into the dust for touching his beloved golden leaf.
"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"
Elladan raised his chin high and stared defiantly at Thranduil. "About what?"
Thranduil couldn't believe the attitude this youngling showed. "You have five seconds to explain yourself before I pound it out of you, you arrogant orc-spawn."
Elladan was about to sling back another hot retort when he spied Legolas watching them, his hands clutched to his chest, his face distraught. He had to make this right for his dear husband. He turned his attention back to the king.
"It was an accident, my Lord. I was trapped in the bond with my brother and apparently I was thrashing around a bit. Legolas tried to awaken me and my fist struck him."
Thranduil harumphed. "That's quite a story."
"It's not a story, it's the truth!"
"It seems a bit too pat if you ask me..."
"Well I didn't ask you." Elladan's temper flared. "Do you think if I really struck Legolas he would have stayed with me? My own father would have beaten the tar out of me if I had!"
"I doubt that! Elrond has spoiled you and your brother rotten! You're both incorrigible. I should never have agreed to this marriage."
It took all of Elladan's resolve not to slam his fist into the king's face for those remarks. "You would dare say something like that about my father? He is descended from the most noble blood of all the elves, men, and Maia! If he said it was OK for Legolas and I to marry before we were 1000 then it was obviously all right. And my brother and I are perfectly well behaved - my parents did a fine job raising us."
"Well behaved? You think you two are well behaved? I did a better job tempering your brother in his 10 year sojourn in my kingdom then your father did in the 400 years prior to that."
"I think not!"
"Your father even admitted to me he was too indulgent with you two!" Thranduil threw his hands in the air in frustration. "The very fact that we are having this conversation proves that you have no respect at all for your elders. I doubt Elrond spoke like this to his father-in-law!"
"Our grandfather respected my father's heritage! He knew my mother was marrying the best of elves."
Thranduil went quiet at that. He stared intently at Elladan, causing the younger elf to shift uneasily at the relentless gaze.
"You throw your heritage around a lot, Elladan."
"I'm very proud of where I come from."
"I see. And from where exactly is that?"
Elladan looked uncertain. "What do you mean?"
"What exactly is this heritage that you are so proud of?"
"I already told you - we descend from the best elf families, the Maia, and the most honorable of Men."
"Best elf families, huh? Honorable Men?" Thranduil said.
"Yes."
"You claim this bold heritage?"
"Yes."
"I think we need to talk about what else that heritage includes. Your heritage includes the making of the Silmarils, which led to that terrible oath Feanor and his sons took. That oath led to massive kin slaying and the breaking of the world. It includes the making of the rings of power that gave Sauron so much power, which led to the terrible wars we fought against him. It led to the battle of the Last Alliance, at which I lost not only my own father but many of my people. Many of those people were related to you through Celeborn. We can also discuss Numenor and their attempt to storm Valinor."
Elladan went still at his father-in-law's words. He had never thought of it that way. His family and the rest of the Noldor in Imladris always told tales and sung songs that made all those things not seem so bad to one who had not experienced them. He felt a flush of shame burn through his body.
"I....I never thought of it like that," he whispered. He suddenly couldn't look Thranduil in the eyes anymore.
Thranduil felt much of his anger drain away at Elladan's expression. He knew many young elves got caught up in the romance of heroic tales, forgetting that elves still live that actually suffered through those times. The elders knew that the reality of much of elven history was bloody, brutal, and brought upon by themselves. He had always tried to teach his own children the truth of their history, although he didn't know how well he had succeeded.
"I am not blaming you for the actions of your ancestors, Elladan."
"I know."
Thranduil put his hands on Elladan's shoulders. "You do have much to be proud of, son, but you need to realize that your family are just elves like the rest of us - they have made mistakes."
Elladan nodded. He looked at Legolas again, anchoring himself in the gaze of his husband.
"I'm sorry about Legolas, father. It really was an accident - I would never hit him intentionally. He is my heart and soul!"
Thranduil sighed. "I believe you, Elladan, but I can't deny that I'm very concerned about your future with my son. The recommended age minimum for marriage isn't just an arbitrary number to torture elves in love - elves younger than 1000 still lack maturity. You and Legolas are only in your mid-600s - I think I shouldn't have agreed to this. I should have made you wait until the proper age."
"No! We're not too young!"
"Maybe I should take Legolas back with me, just until you both reach your majority. Then you can start again."
"NO! You can't take him away!" Elladan cried, grabbing Thranduil's arms.

Legolas watched anxiously as his father gave Elladan a dressing down. He was afraid he would strike his husband, but that fear subsided when he saw Elladan look very ashamed. He couldn't quite hear what they were saying. He moved a little closer. He heard Elladan's protest. What! His father couldn't do that! He ran over to the other two elves.

"Father! You can't take me away!" Legolas cried, grabbing Elladan around the waist. "It was an accident, father, it was my fault! I shouldn't have tried to grab him." Legolas pressed close to Elladan.
"Legolas, I'm your father, I think I know what's best for you. It's only until you both are 1000 - that's only a few hundred years away. By then you'll both have grown up and can properly handle a marriage."
"No! I'm not leaving him - I don't care what you say. His brother and mother just went through the most terrible things and they'll need Elladan and me to get through them. I'm not leaving Imladris!"
"I'm sorry you feel that way about our marriage, father, but I can't allow you to take Legolas. I'm not perfect by any means, but we love each other and we're going to make it through this."
Thranduil stared at his son and son-in-law. They were holding on tight to each other. Would Legolas be safe in Imladris? He had never fully trusted Elladan, not like he did Elrohir, but he had given his consent to their marriage and he couldn't really rescind that now.
"I'll agree to Legolas remaining on a few conditions. I would like to talk to Elrond and express some of my feelings on this whole matter. I think you two need to see a mind-healer-"
"Elladan's already agreed hat hat father!" Legolas said, relief flooding him when he realized he could stay.
"OK, that's fine. And I want you to come and stay in Greenwood every 50 years for 5 years. I want to make sure that you are making progress."
"I don't know about that. My father and Glorfindel rely on me to help with the defense of the valley," Elladan said.
"I will only let Legolas stay if these demands are met, Elladan. All of them. I'm sure your father has plenty of elves to defend Imladris."
"And what about my brother? I can't leave him, not in the condition he's in."
"I didn't say you had to come to Greenwood right now. We can start the 50 year count now. In 50 years, you will come to Greenwood for 5 years."
"We'll see," Elladan said.
"Elladan..." Thranduil's anger was returning quickly.
"We agree, father, we do. We'll do all of that," Legolas said, cutting in before they started arguing again.
"One more thing. If I get word that any thing like this at all ever happens again, I will personally come to Imladris and visit it back upon you a thousand fold. Do you understand me, Elladan?"
Elladan quailed. "Yes, sir," he said. He hugged Legolas tighter.

The three elves were still talking when Elrond came down the path. He nodded respectfully to Thranduil before turning to the younger elves. His face was grave.
Elladan didn't like the expression on his father's face. He hadn't tried to contact Elrohir all day, so he didn't know his status.
"My lord, how fares Elrohir?" Legolas said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Elrond didn't respond right away. Elladan paled at the implication.
"Father?" He asked, his voice shaking.
"I think you should go see him, Elladan," Elrond said. "I....I don't think he's going to make it to tomorrow."
Elladan turned white. "No." He let go of Legolas and ran back down the path to the camp. Legolas ran after him.
Thranduil turned to Elrond. "I'm so sorry. I love Elrohir as my own."
"I know you do. Thank you."
"Is there no hope?"
Elrond couldn't respond. He bowed his head. Thranduil pulled the grieving elf into a tight hug. They stayed thus until the sun went down.