Post by Meluivan Indil on Dec 9, 2006 14:35:18 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I own nothing in Tolkien’s universe and am receiving no monetary gain from this fic.
Summary: As a long time feud wages between the elves of Mirkwood and Imladris a new evil seeks the wood elves. Can a chance meeting between Prince Legolas and the young human Estel save the woodland realm and heal the wounds of the past between both Elven nations?
A/N: Rated T for instances of violence and torture. You were warned. This is an Aragorn and Legolas friendship fic.
Chapter One: Obstinance
“I beg of you, my liege. We must seek assistance in this our time of sorrow. Our people are dying of some unknown cause and I am at a loss as to what else we might do.” The council meeting was not going quite as King Thranduil had hoped for. Instead of favorable news, the only thing to be heard from the house of healing was news of more death and disease.
A strange sickness had invaded his realm shortly over three moons before and the first ones to have taken ill were the very healers who were needed to discover a cure for the illness. It had not been long before all of the senior healers had perished from the illness leaving only less experienced healers and other elves that had very little training in the healing arts to care for those who became ill. And many others had become ill since that time. The death toll in his realm was beyond alarming to say the least.
“What do you suggest, Elemond? Where might we seek aid for this disaster that has befallen our land?” Thranduil had asked himself that question time and time again. There was truly only one answer, but it was an answer he would not now or ever accept freely. That connection had been severed many years before and he would never reopen it again.
The elf that had spoken ducked his head in worried apprehension. The words that were on the tip of his tongue had not been spoken in Mirkwood for many years now and he was too afraid to say them himself. But another elf, named Nisil, who was growing tired of losing those he cared the most for did not suffer from such compunctions and gladly opened his mouth to express his own idea. “We must send word to Imladris. We must beg of help from Lord Elrond.”
Thranduil sat stock still staring at the elf that had made the suggestion. He ground down hard on his teeth hoping to stave off the damaging words he would have otherwise heaped on the elf. He did not utter a word for several long moments as he cooled his uneven breathing. In the years since his father’s death he had had to learn to control his temper to become a ruler that his people could respect and even in this time of peril it was necessary to hold the presence of a calm ruler. “I will not now or ever ask for aid from Rivendell and especially not from Lord Elrond. I of all people know how beneficent his aid can be.” He said calmly staring at each of the faces surrounding him daring any of them to challenge his edict, his voice laced with anger and tinged with sarcasm. All present knew of the instance that their king was referring too and most of them had over the years since had no cause to argue with their king over the choice of severing all ties with the other Elven realm. Most in fact had encouraged the action. But now when they were at what seemed to be their darkest time, some wondered if possibly their pride and anger was not worth the cost to their kingdom. But none had the nerve to deny his words. They had trusted his rule for many hundreds of years and that trust had never wavered before.
Prince Legolas had sat quietly listening to the words of the council members and of his father’s. Though he understood his father’s hatred of the Lord of Rivendell, he could not understand how his father could stand back and watch his people perish when there was a possibility of survival. This thought was what convinced him to question his father when the others would not. “Adar, perhaps you should reconsider your reluctance in this matter. I fear that we may lose the entire realm before this illness is through.”
Thranduil turned his face staring at his son. When he had asked Legolas to attend these meetings he had assumed that his son would sit quietly and learn from him what would be needed to rule when and if the necessity arrived. What he had not expected was that his son would openly question his rulings and he meant to let Legolas know just that. “It is not your place to question my judgment, Legolas.” His words were spoken with a slight tinge of anger to them and this fact did not escape the errant elf. “You most of all should understand my feelings on this.”
Legolas did understand his father’s feelings. They were very similar to what his own were on the subject. Even though he could not hold the amount of hatred that his father did for the other clan of elves, he still could feel the same deep disappointment that his young Elven heart had many hundreds of years before when the Lord of Rivendell had failed to come to their aid when it was needed most. Nonetheless he could see that his father’s mind would not be changed on the subject but he could not hide the disappointment in his eyes when he bowed his head accepting his father’s rule.
Thranduil then dismissed the council feeling as if nothing had been accomplished, much as he had felt several times in the past few weeks. “Legolas, stay,” he called out just before his son was to leave.
Legolas nodded turning to face his father. He knew he had overstepped his bounds that day, but he also knew in his heart that his father was wrong on this point and no matter how hard he tried to stop his rebellious tongue it would not heed the warnings of his heart.
Thranduil had seen the look in his son’s eyes and he could not afford to let the other members of the council see such dissention among the royal family. He would have to put a stop to conversations such as the one they had just had. “You are still young, Legolas, and do not understand what bowing to them would do to our realm. I can not allow my heart to lead me in matters that my mind would best be suited to attend to. That is something you must learn if you are ever to be strong enough to take my place.” Thranduil wanted to be assured that no one would dare to disagree with his judgment causing his words to come out harsher than he had ever planned for them to. “At this time I do not see how you will ever be ready to take on the reigns of this kingdom.” The words left the king’s mouth before he could even think about what they would mean to his son.
Legolas paled slightly at the statement but did not allow any other emotion to show on his face. He bowed his head knowing his father would not allow any further discussion. “I apologize, Adar. I should have held my tongue on the matter.” He bowed deep never letting his eyes rise to meet his father’s. “May I be dismissed?” he asked still bowing in respect.
Thranduil heaved a large sigh. That had not gone as he had wished but still he had gotten his point across. “Yes, you may go.”
Legolas left without another word or even a backwards glance. Once outside the council chamber he let the sadness that he had refused to show color his features. Yet again his father had shown his unwillingness to trust him. How would he ever live down the one mistake in his past that had forever severed their relationship?
“Adar, will you ever forgive me?” he whispered moving away from the palace and towards the house of healing.
He walked silently by the elves he had once considered to be his friends. They no longer tried to draw him into their company. Legolas was of that age when elves normally would spend their days in archery competitions or hand to hand training with their friends, just old enough to start joining the patrols, but Legolas had chosen long ago that to prove his worth to his father he would have to go beyond the normal training and instead had convinced the older more skilled Elven warriors to train him. This fact had propelled his skills way beyond the elves of his age. But it also meant that he no longer had time to spend with those same elves. He considered it a small price to pay to try to please his father. But at times it seemed like a daunting task that he imagined he would never accomplish.
Once in the house of healing he began to question the healers there on whether or not they had discovered any clue to unlocking the puzzle that was killing his people. There had been no discoveries and they had lost three more elves in the night. Legolas bowed his head in sorrow at that as he made his way to the beds of each of the ones that were ill. Some were not even conscious, locked in a fevered haze and others were awake but seemed to be in so much pain. He whispered kind words for each of the ones that could hear him and prayers to the Valar for each that could not.
Tears blurred his eyes as he left the healers causing him to nearly run into an elf entering the house. “Pardon me, Lord Mandil. I was preoccupied,” he apologized hastily wiping the tears from his eyes.
“That is fine, My Prince. There is much to grieve in these times,” the older elf said sadly gesturing into the house of healing that Legolas had just left. “I am bringing Miruvor in hopes that it might help those that are ill.” He motioned to a large flagon of the cordial of the elves that was used to revive both strength and vigor to those that were exhausted. “I also left a small flask in your rooms, Legolas. You seem to be looking well worn during these trying times.”
Legolas just nodded. He knew the elf well. He was one of his father’s most trusted advisors and Legolas had listened to he and his father discussing matters of the realm on many occasions and Mandil had often done small things to help Legolas when he was in need and was less than eager to speak to his father.
“About the council meeting today…” Mandil began to speak and Legolas could see that he felt uncomfortable about the subject. “Please do not think your father meant to be cruel. He is trying so hard to keep our kingdom alive and at times he has to choose a path that is more difficult for reasons that we just do not fathom.”
Legolas listened to the words and he knew that Mandil was being loyal to his father just as he should be, but still his father’s decision just did not sit well with him. “Mandil, I understand my father’s hatred of the Peredhil clan, but in this instance I just can not agree with him. Our pride can not come before the lives of our people.”
A dark look crossed Mandil’s features for just a moment but then it slipped away. “Legolas, why are you so sure that Lord Elrond would be able to help us, or that he would even wish to? He failed us once, should we give him the chance to shame us again?”
“Any shame is worth the lives of those elves.” Legolas had not meant to sound so stern, but the obvious disregard of life that Mandil was showing was even beyond what Legolas had seen in his father earlier.
“Legolas, you just do not understand such matters of state and I wonder if you understand how hard it is for your father to forgive someone who could have saved the life of your brother but refused. You of all people should understand that.” Mandil’s voice held an accusatory quality that did not slip passed Legolas’ hearing. He knew there was something that the elf had wanted to add and he silently spoke the words to himself knowing Mandil would not dare. Or someone who could have prevented the death of his brother. That phrase had lingered in the minds of many of the elves of the realm since the death of Aglaran. But most of all it had plagued the mind of the only remaining Prince of Mirkwood. How can I ever expect them to forgive me, when I can never forgive myself?
Legolas’ anger was depleted then as the past pain was brought back fresh and new to his heart. He sighed deeply. “I understand, Mandil.” Then he could no longer stand there speaking to the elf, as he only wanted to escape into the woods where he could attempt to forget the pain that was so present in his heart.
A/N: I hope you all enjoy this new little fic I am writing. I hope it will be the first in a long line of Aragorn, Legolas friendship fics. I will get the second chapter up as soon as possible. Please R&R.
Summary: As a long time feud wages between the elves of Mirkwood and Imladris a new evil seeks the wood elves. Can a chance meeting between Prince Legolas and the young human Estel save the woodland realm and heal the wounds of the past between both Elven nations?
A/N: Rated T for instances of violence and torture. You were warned. This is an Aragorn and Legolas friendship fic.
Trust, Loyalty and the
Burden of Proof
Burden of Proof
Chapter One: Obstinance
“I beg of you, my liege. We must seek assistance in this our time of sorrow. Our people are dying of some unknown cause and I am at a loss as to what else we might do.” The council meeting was not going quite as King Thranduil had hoped for. Instead of favorable news, the only thing to be heard from the house of healing was news of more death and disease.
A strange sickness had invaded his realm shortly over three moons before and the first ones to have taken ill were the very healers who were needed to discover a cure for the illness. It had not been long before all of the senior healers had perished from the illness leaving only less experienced healers and other elves that had very little training in the healing arts to care for those who became ill. And many others had become ill since that time. The death toll in his realm was beyond alarming to say the least.
“What do you suggest, Elemond? Where might we seek aid for this disaster that has befallen our land?” Thranduil had asked himself that question time and time again. There was truly only one answer, but it was an answer he would not now or ever accept freely. That connection had been severed many years before and he would never reopen it again.
The elf that had spoken ducked his head in worried apprehension. The words that were on the tip of his tongue had not been spoken in Mirkwood for many years now and he was too afraid to say them himself. But another elf, named Nisil, who was growing tired of losing those he cared the most for did not suffer from such compunctions and gladly opened his mouth to express his own idea. “We must send word to Imladris. We must beg of help from Lord Elrond.”
Thranduil sat stock still staring at the elf that had made the suggestion. He ground down hard on his teeth hoping to stave off the damaging words he would have otherwise heaped on the elf. He did not utter a word for several long moments as he cooled his uneven breathing. In the years since his father’s death he had had to learn to control his temper to become a ruler that his people could respect and even in this time of peril it was necessary to hold the presence of a calm ruler. “I will not now or ever ask for aid from Rivendell and especially not from Lord Elrond. I of all people know how beneficent his aid can be.” He said calmly staring at each of the faces surrounding him daring any of them to challenge his edict, his voice laced with anger and tinged with sarcasm. All present knew of the instance that their king was referring too and most of them had over the years since had no cause to argue with their king over the choice of severing all ties with the other Elven realm. Most in fact had encouraged the action. But now when they were at what seemed to be their darkest time, some wondered if possibly their pride and anger was not worth the cost to their kingdom. But none had the nerve to deny his words. They had trusted his rule for many hundreds of years and that trust had never wavered before.
Prince Legolas had sat quietly listening to the words of the council members and of his father’s. Though he understood his father’s hatred of the Lord of Rivendell, he could not understand how his father could stand back and watch his people perish when there was a possibility of survival. This thought was what convinced him to question his father when the others would not. “Adar, perhaps you should reconsider your reluctance in this matter. I fear that we may lose the entire realm before this illness is through.”
Thranduil turned his face staring at his son. When he had asked Legolas to attend these meetings he had assumed that his son would sit quietly and learn from him what would be needed to rule when and if the necessity arrived. What he had not expected was that his son would openly question his rulings and he meant to let Legolas know just that. “It is not your place to question my judgment, Legolas.” His words were spoken with a slight tinge of anger to them and this fact did not escape the errant elf. “You most of all should understand my feelings on this.”
Legolas did understand his father’s feelings. They were very similar to what his own were on the subject. Even though he could not hold the amount of hatred that his father did for the other clan of elves, he still could feel the same deep disappointment that his young Elven heart had many hundreds of years before when the Lord of Rivendell had failed to come to their aid when it was needed most. Nonetheless he could see that his father’s mind would not be changed on the subject but he could not hide the disappointment in his eyes when he bowed his head accepting his father’s rule.
Thranduil then dismissed the council feeling as if nothing had been accomplished, much as he had felt several times in the past few weeks. “Legolas, stay,” he called out just before his son was to leave.
Legolas nodded turning to face his father. He knew he had overstepped his bounds that day, but he also knew in his heart that his father was wrong on this point and no matter how hard he tried to stop his rebellious tongue it would not heed the warnings of his heart.
Thranduil had seen the look in his son’s eyes and he could not afford to let the other members of the council see such dissention among the royal family. He would have to put a stop to conversations such as the one they had just had. “You are still young, Legolas, and do not understand what bowing to them would do to our realm. I can not allow my heart to lead me in matters that my mind would best be suited to attend to. That is something you must learn if you are ever to be strong enough to take my place.” Thranduil wanted to be assured that no one would dare to disagree with his judgment causing his words to come out harsher than he had ever planned for them to. “At this time I do not see how you will ever be ready to take on the reigns of this kingdom.” The words left the king’s mouth before he could even think about what they would mean to his son.
Legolas paled slightly at the statement but did not allow any other emotion to show on his face. He bowed his head knowing his father would not allow any further discussion. “I apologize, Adar. I should have held my tongue on the matter.” He bowed deep never letting his eyes rise to meet his father’s. “May I be dismissed?” he asked still bowing in respect.
Thranduil heaved a large sigh. That had not gone as he had wished but still he had gotten his point across. “Yes, you may go.”
Legolas left without another word or even a backwards glance. Once outside the council chamber he let the sadness that he had refused to show color his features. Yet again his father had shown his unwillingness to trust him. How would he ever live down the one mistake in his past that had forever severed their relationship?
“Adar, will you ever forgive me?” he whispered moving away from the palace and towards the house of healing.
He walked silently by the elves he had once considered to be his friends. They no longer tried to draw him into their company. Legolas was of that age when elves normally would spend their days in archery competitions or hand to hand training with their friends, just old enough to start joining the patrols, but Legolas had chosen long ago that to prove his worth to his father he would have to go beyond the normal training and instead had convinced the older more skilled Elven warriors to train him. This fact had propelled his skills way beyond the elves of his age. But it also meant that he no longer had time to spend with those same elves. He considered it a small price to pay to try to please his father. But at times it seemed like a daunting task that he imagined he would never accomplish.
Once in the house of healing he began to question the healers there on whether or not they had discovered any clue to unlocking the puzzle that was killing his people. There had been no discoveries and they had lost three more elves in the night. Legolas bowed his head in sorrow at that as he made his way to the beds of each of the ones that were ill. Some were not even conscious, locked in a fevered haze and others were awake but seemed to be in so much pain. He whispered kind words for each of the ones that could hear him and prayers to the Valar for each that could not.
Tears blurred his eyes as he left the healers causing him to nearly run into an elf entering the house. “Pardon me, Lord Mandil. I was preoccupied,” he apologized hastily wiping the tears from his eyes.
“That is fine, My Prince. There is much to grieve in these times,” the older elf said sadly gesturing into the house of healing that Legolas had just left. “I am bringing Miruvor in hopes that it might help those that are ill.” He motioned to a large flagon of the cordial of the elves that was used to revive both strength and vigor to those that were exhausted. “I also left a small flask in your rooms, Legolas. You seem to be looking well worn during these trying times.”
Legolas just nodded. He knew the elf well. He was one of his father’s most trusted advisors and Legolas had listened to he and his father discussing matters of the realm on many occasions and Mandil had often done small things to help Legolas when he was in need and was less than eager to speak to his father.
“About the council meeting today…” Mandil began to speak and Legolas could see that he felt uncomfortable about the subject. “Please do not think your father meant to be cruel. He is trying so hard to keep our kingdom alive and at times he has to choose a path that is more difficult for reasons that we just do not fathom.”
Legolas listened to the words and he knew that Mandil was being loyal to his father just as he should be, but still his father’s decision just did not sit well with him. “Mandil, I understand my father’s hatred of the Peredhil clan, but in this instance I just can not agree with him. Our pride can not come before the lives of our people.”
A dark look crossed Mandil’s features for just a moment but then it slipped away. “Legolas, why are you so sure that Lord Elrond would be able to help us, or that he would even wish to? He failed us once, should we give him the chance to shame us again?”
“Any shame is worth the lives of those elves.” Legolas had not meant to sound so stern, but the obvious disregard of life that Mandil was showing was even beyond what Legolas had seen in his father earlier.
“Legolas, you just do not understand such matters of state and I wonder if you understand how hard it is for your father to forgive someone who could have saved the life of your brother but refused. You of all people should understand that.” Mandil’s voice held an accusatory quality that did not slip passed Legolas’ hearing. He knew there was something that the elf had wanted to add and he silently spoke the words to himself knowing Mandil would not dare. Or someone who could have prevented the death of his brother. That phrase had lingered in the minds of many of the elves of the realm since the death of Aglaran. But most of all it had plagued the mind of the only remaining Prince of Mirkwood. How can I ever expect them to forgive me, when I can never forgive myself?
Legolas’ anger was depleted then as the past pain was brought back fresh and new to his heart. He sighed deeply. “I understand, Mandil.” Then he could no longer stand there speaking to the elf, as he only wanted to escape into the woods where he could attempt to forget the pain that was so present in his heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I hope you all enjoy this new little fic I am writing. I hope it will be the first in a long line of Aragorn, Legolas friendship fics. I will get the second chapter up as soon as possible. Please R&R.