Mending a Heart

Mending A Heart


Disclaimer: Tolkien, Tolkien, yes I'm blue,
these characters belong to you.
And even though I've changed the plot,
and possibly impaired your lot,
I really mean no disrespect,
although I write both slash and het.
To everyone heed what I mean,
The plot is mine, the rest, Tolkien's.

Warning: Elladan/Legolas slash. M/M content within. If sexually explicit stories with a homosexual slant offend you please don't read. Thanks!

Summary: Legolas witnessed his mother's death. Tired of dealing with his distraught son, Thranduil sends Legolas to Rivendell. There, it is Thranduil's hope that Lord Elrond can mend his son emotionally, as Elrond's wife has suffered a similar fate. AU.

Story Setup: Legolas is younger than Elladan and Elrohir but is older than Arwen. In this story Legolas is approximately 2007, while Elladan and Elrohir are 2071. Arwen is 1943. Celebrían’s kidnapping and rescue occurred prior to this story. She left for the Undying Lands only six seasons ago (1 ½ years ago).

Special Notes: * indicate character thoughts. ~*~* indicates a division in the story or a time change.

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Chapte Fam Family Meeting

Elrond watched as the messenger from Mirkwood departed. The comings and goings of royal couriers had become the way of things since the incident. Observing the cold, pale blue sky, and the newly budding flowers, Elrond could feel, smell and see the birth of the new season. And now, it seemed, that the awakening spring would hail another arrival as well.

Elrond made his way to stu study while carefully reading the message from the king of Mirkwood. When the Lord of Rivendell entered the room, Arwen was already waiting.

"Arwen, where are your bothers?" Elrond asked in exasperation.

"I know not, father," Arwen replied honestly.

"I asked them to meet me here, in the study, at midday. But as usual, they are late. If only I had reigns to gird them with maybe then, I could keep a closer watch on them." Elrond paced the room as he spoke.

"Father," Arwen said gently, rising from her seat, "do not fret. I am sure Elladan and Elrohir have a good reason for their tardiness."

Arwen stood in front of her father, looking at him in the eyes.

"They are much more mature, now, and I'm sure that. . . "

"We're here!" Elladan said cheerfully as the identicains ins burst into the study.

Elladan smiled brightly while Elrohir cast his brother a menacing look. Arwen and Elrond faced and observed the two elves carefully. Each male, while both possessing the same shade of dark brown hair, heather grey eyes and pale flawless skin, were quite disheveled indeed. Elladan, the eldest twin, had leaves and twigs in his hair. His earthen colored tunic was covered with dust and there was a hole in the knee of his black leggings. Similarly, Elrohir's hair was mussed and full of dirt and twigs. His tunic was filthy. Two buttons were missing from the garment and so were one of his sleeves.

Elrond shook his head and sighed while Arwen fought the urge to laugh. It was obvious that the twins had once again engaged in one of their brotherly grappling matches.

"What sort of evil has befallen you, Elrohir?" Elrond asked, pretending not to know the source of his youngest son's disrepair.

"The evil of Elladan," Elrohir hissed angrily.

"Elladan?" Elrond asked, looking at his other son.

"He attacked me when I was not looking," Elrohir said, moving to stand directly in front of his brother.

"And why would you do such a thing, Elladan?" Elrond asked, focusing his attention on the male elf.

"He called me an orc," Elladan replied simply. "He deserved it."

"I didn't call you an orc!" Elrohir protested. "I said you are **like** an orc, not that you **are** an orc."

"What's the difference?' Elladan asked, glaring at his brother.

"I only meant to say that you look, smell and behave like an orc," Elrohir sneered. "Clearly, you are an elf. Although, at times, it is difficult to tell."

"If I look, smell and behave like an orc, then what does that say about you?" Elladan asked tauntingly. "We **are** twins are we not?"

"Aye," Elrohir replied, "but we are much akin to the twins in the old fables father used to read to us. I am the fair and just twin, and you are just. . . like an orc!"

"And thus, Father," Elladan stated as though Elrohir had justified the elder twin's actions, "I took matters into my own hands. Besides, if I look, smell and behave like an orc, then how were my actions uncharacteristic?" Elladan smiled at Elrohir brazenly.

Elrohir glowered at Elladan and then met his father's eyes.

"He tore my tunic. . . ripped the arm right off!" Elrohir shouted and pointed accusingly at Elladan.

"What?" Elladan asked confused.

"Look at me!" Elrohir demanded.

Elladan looked his twin up and down and smiled. Then, he began to laugh.

Elrohir folded his arms across his chest angrily, which made Elladan laugh even harder. Elrohir observed his brother's disheveled hair and torn leggings and found himself laughing as well.

Elrohir's laughter only caused Elladan to laugh even harder as the older twin dropped to his knees. He clutched his side as though in pain, still howling with amusement.

Arwen's laughter joined her brother's as Elrohir threw himself on the floor. He lay face down and began kicking his feet wildly as he roared with glee.

"If you are quite done, I would like to speak to the three of you." Elrond hovered over his s

Elrohir and Arwen stopped laughing immediately, while Elladan began to hit his leg repeatedly with his hand as he shook with laughter.

"Elladan," Elrond said sternly.

"Y. . . yes, uh, yes Father," Elladan said short of breath, "I am coming."

Still chuckling, Elladan got to his feet.

Although Elrond had pressing matters to discuss with his children, he was glad that laughter and jests about orcs had once again beccommcommon among the twins. After all of the misfortune that had befallen Celebrian and the sadness that ensued when she chose to leave, Elrond had often wondered if happiness would ever grace the twins again.

Elrond led his children into the reading room which was adjacent to his study. The reading chamber was a large room filled with books. In fact, the very walls seemed to be made of tomes as almost every inch of the perimeter of the room housed enormous bookcases that stood from floor to ceiling. Only the entrance from Elrond's study and a large window in the easternmost wall allowed for a break amongst the sea of manuscripts.

In the center of the room, a large wooden table surrounded by benches seemed to await their arrival. Multiple chairs that were scattered around the room housed plush, green cushions that begged for occupancy and a good story.

Elrond often used this room when he wanted to have confidential family meetings or sometimes when he wanted to chastise one or more of his offspring in private. Elladan now realized that his father had wanted to speak to the three of them in confidence and silently cursed himself for jesting with Elrohir so childishly.

Elrond stopped in front of the massive wooden structure and sat at the bench at the head of the table. Elladan sat on the bench to the right of his father while Elrohir and Arwen sat to Elrond's left.

"I've asked you to meet with me today as I have some news for you. I have a request as well," Elrond began earnestly.

"What is it, Father?" Arwen asked, unnerved by the seriousness of her father's voice.

"There has been another orc attack," Elrond replied heavily.

"An attack?" Elrohir asked concerned. "Were there any casualties?"

"There were two," Elrond continued sadly. "King Thranduil's eldest son, Joren, was injured and his wife, Areen, was killed."

"Oh, Father," Arwen said, covering her mouth in horror.

"When did this occur?" Elrohir asked.

"Recently," Elrond continued gravely, "about twenty-five days ago."

The twin's eyes met from across the table. They nodded in silent agreement.

"When do we depart, Father?" Elladan asked seriously.

"Depart?" Elrond asked confused.

"Do you not wish for us to find and slay the enemy?" Elladan asked with conviction. "They shall pay for their misdeeds."

"Nay, Elladan," Elrond said smiling at his son's bravery. "Actually, I have another request of you, Elrohir and Arwen."

"Whatever you ask, it shall be done," Elladan said firmly.

Elrond smiled at Elladan. The Lord could always count on his firstborn, as he was the most passionate, the most eager and the most responsible of his children. On the other hand, he was also the haughtiest and often the most stubborn child as well. Elrond often worried about Elladan's fervent desire to take on the majority of a burden. When Celebrian passed west, Elladan took it upon himself to comfort Elrohir and Arwen without any regard to his own suffering. He never seemed to grieve. *But it is Elladan's way, as he always looks after the ones he loves.*

"Thranduil's youngest son, Legolas, is coming to Rivendell in a fortnight. I would ask that the three of you assist me in watching over the young prince. Elladan and Elrohir, I would, of course, relieve you both from your duties as border patrol guards during the prince's stay. Arwen your tasks as my assistant will be reduced as well." Elrond looked at his children for a response.

"I don't understand," Arwen said after a lengthy silence between the four elves. "Why is the prince coming here?"

"Thranduil knows of my medicinal techniques and wishes me to heal the prince," Elrond replied.

"But I thought that Thranduil's eldest son had been injured?" Elrohir asked confused. "So is this, Legolas, the eldest or youngest prince?"

"Legolas is Thranduil's youngest child," Elrond explained. "The eldest son, Joren, was hurt in battle with the orcs, but the healers of Mirkwood have successfully tended his wounds."

"But then, why is he coming here?" Arwen asked dismayed.

"Because," Elrond said solemnly, "the young elf suffers a far greater wound than his brother, and it is not so easily healed. Thranduil has said that his fourth son witnessed his mother's death."

"No," Arwen said quietly, placing her hand over her heart in sympathy; Elrohir mirrored his sister's actions. Elladan did not move or speak. Instead, Elrond's eldest son looked at his father in silence.

"I am told that his mental state is in ruins, and that his heart needs mending," Elrond said while sighing deeply.

"But why would Thranduil ask this of you, Father?" Elrohir asked distrustfully. "'Tis no secret that neither you nor he are friends."

"'Tis true, Elrohir," Elrond responded thoughtfully. "Thranduil and I are not friends. I shall not, however, let my dislike for the king taint my view of his son. When the youth comes here, it will be as an honored guest. I have no quarrel with the prince, and realize that a child isn't always a reflection of his parent." Elrond looked from Elladan to Elrohir smiling faintly.

Elrohir smiled brightly at his father; Elladan was silent.

"But, Father," Arwen asked distressed, "can you do this thing that Thranduil asks? Your gift is to heal the body, not to mend the soul."

"Aye," Elrond said in agreement. "Perhaps Thranduil felt that I could help the youth based on my own personal loss," Elrond's voice broke off abruptly.

Elladan stood and grasped his father's shoulder, squeezing affectionately, but maintaining his silence.

Arwen and Elrohookeooked at their father emphatically.

"We know what ails the prince, for we have suffered similarly. I will aid him the best I can, but perhaps the most potent cure would be the company of elves closer to his age." Elrond added quickly, "This is not required of you. I only ask that you assist me in this, if you so choose."

"Allow me to offer my assistance, Father," Arwen said gently. The female elf stood and walked over to her father.

"You've gained my hand as well, Father," Elrohir said standing.

"Good," Elrond said smiling brightly, sighing with relief. "We have much to do before he comes. I believe the prince will be with us for a season or two, so a chamber must be made ready for his arrival and. . . "

"How young is young?" Elladan asked, finally breaking his silence.

"What's that?" Elrond asked, turning his head to look at his son.

"You said that the prince is Thranduil's fourth son, and you call him a youth freely," Elladan said, eyeing his father curiously. "I shan't give my hand in this until you tell me the prince's age. I do not wish to spend my time chasing after a child."

"Elladan!" Arwen exclaimed angrily.

"'Tis too late for you dear sister, and you, my brother. But I won't pledge until my ears have heard whether or not the prince's loins are girded with infant cloths or leggings."

Arwen and Elrohir shook their heads in exasperation.

"I know not his age, Elladan," Elrond said honestly. "In the messages I have received from Thranduil, he spoke of the prince as though he were very young. I can only assure you that he is possibly younger than all of you, maybe only a millennia."

"A millennia!" Elladan exclaimed in disbelief. "Father, I mean no offense, but I have important things to do. You understand, of course?" Elladan asked frankly.

"I do, Elladan," Elrond said smiling. "You are free to make your own choice. You are still relieved of duty. . . just in case you change your mind."

Thank you, Father," Elladan said.

Elrohir and Arwen stood to Elrond's left, staring openmouthed at Elladan.

"You are free to leave then," Elrond said standing.

Elrond watched as his children left the room.

"Of all the selfish. . . " Elrohir hissed.

"Selfish and uncaring. . . " Arwen said, shaking her head in disapproval.

"You're jealous because I am not so quick to agree to everything that Father requests," Elladan said, smiling braggingly. "While you change the infant's loin cloths, I shall entertain fair maidens, swim and hunt.

"See?" Elrohir said, looking at Arwen. "He is like an orc."

"What?" Elladan asked threateningly. "You did not learn your lesson before, so I shall teach it to you again. Perhaps, when you are playing the role of nursemaid in a fortnight, you can instruct the prince on proper behavior. Maybe then, you can instill in him respect for his elders as well as a tame tongue!" Elladan dove on top of Elrohir. Once again, the twins grappled on the floor of Elrond's study.

Elrond, hearing the arguing and the fighting, thought about Elladan's choice. He smiled to himself, as he knew that Elladan always protested loudly, but could never resist the urge to help someone in need. Elladan would yield, eventually; his heart would not allow him to do otherwise.

CRASH! Something in the study shattered as the twins still wrestled each other on the floor.

Elrond shook his head and made his way to the study.

---

TBC. . .