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Title: The Road to a Friend's House is Never Long (#2831)
Author: TariElensar
Chapters: 4
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Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: Legolas arrives in Imladris two weeks early baring some strange bruises. The Prince is not himself and his friends are worried. Can Elrond and Estel sort out the Prince's trouble before it is too late?
Published: 15 Jul 2006
Updated: 16 Jul 2006
Warnings: Violence
Type: Drama
Characters: Legolas;Elrond;Estel;Elladan;Elrohir;Thranduil


Chapter 1 - Unexpected Arrival

****This is my first attempt at a story so please be nice :) It contains no slash so for that I apologise! It is not very long either, I am trying to keep the chapters short and sweet so do not expect an epic!! Enjoy my friends!****

DISCLAIMER: Has to be there does it not?! As much as it pains me to say it, these are all Tolkien's characters and I am merely borrowing them for my own entertainment to put them through pain and suffering. :)

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A lone rider on an elegant white steed made haste through the forests of Rivendell. The rider and horse had not taken rest since waking early that morning and both were beginning to tire.

“We are not far from the Last Homely House, make haste mellon-nin. It is growing dark.” The rider's soothing voice gave the horse one last burst of adrenaline and he galloped onwards leading them closer to their destination.

 A tall, dark haired elf seated himself down on a heavily padded chair on the balcony outside his chambers and gazed deep into Rivendell. It had been a long time since the Elf-lord had felt this relaxed.

Thank the Valar for giving me this time to myself.

The Elf-Lord enjoyed spending time with others, but often found he spent most of his time bringing people back from the brink of death. Especially his son since he had met the Prince of Mirkwood. Lord Elrond could not help but feel a little relieved that the Prince was not due for another two weeks as trouble would always rear its ugly head. Granted, Legolas was considered mature for his Elven years, some would say too mature due to the things he had been through. But still, the human's wreckless personality always brought out the Prince's mischievous side. Elrond could recall many a time that Legolas had brought his human son home injured after rescuing him from a number of different enemies.

I wonder, would Estel be dead by now if it was not for his friendship with Legolas? Or would he be blissfully ignorant of all of the dangers the Arda holds?

The Elf-Lord's mind wandering was abruptly interrupted by the sound of hooves galloping through the archway into the gardens of the Last Homely House. Lord Elrond gazed over the balcony to find a dishevelled looking Elf-Prince dismounting his horse.

“Hannon le, mellon-nin. You are most deserving of rest” said the Elf-Prince gently to his steed whilst soothingly stroking its neck. Removing his pack from the horse's back, Legolas retrieved his much needed water supply and drank the remaining liquid. He replaced the water sack back into his bag and rested his tired head against his horse as if to gain strength before he entered the Last Homely House.

The Elf-Lord noted this gesture and stood to get a better look at the Prince. Elrond had not expected the Prince for another two weeks and it was unlike Legolas not to follow his original plans. To the Elf-Lord, he looked tired and troubled, yet uninjured.

What has brought him here so early and in this state?

Feeling the Lord of Imladris burning a hole in the back of his head, the Elf-Prince turned to find Elrond stood gazing questioningly at him from the balcony.

“Forgive me, my Lord for I am earlier than you likely expected.” said Legolas whilst straightening up and regaining his usual statue of royalty. As a gesture of greetings the Elf-Prince brought his right hand up to his chest and graciously swept it away from his body. Lord Elrond returned this gesture not taking his eyes off the pained look in the Prince's face.

“You are always welcome in Imladris, Prince of Mirkwood. Though, you do not seem yourself. Are you injured?” replied the dark haired Elf having spotted a large cut across the Prince's face. At this Legolas drew his gaze away from the Elf-Lord and looked to the floor. “I am fine. I am not injured. I know what you are thinking, but this cut is nothing, just an accident.”

Sensing the upset in Legolas' voice, Elrond felt it would be better to approach the subject once he was settled in. Something was wrong, but he did not know what. It was obvious he had not been attacked. Although he was a great warrior, the likely hood of him coming back with only a scratch would be small. And normally an attack would not phase him thus.

“Alright Legolas, get settled in. I will have someone see to your horse. Estel and the twins are out in the woods for the day, they will be back soon as it is growing dark.”

“Hannon le, hir-nin. I am most grateful.” The Prince bowed to the Elf-Lord, then turned to enter the house.

Even when he is disturbed, he still remembers his manners. More than I can say for my own sons. Thranduil has either raised him very well, or far too harshly. Elrond mused. He then sat back down in his chair, and pondered on what could be bothering the Elf-Prince to make him look so dishevelled and broken.

So much for time to relax.



Hannon le - Thank you Hir-nin - My Lord


Chapter 2 - Confusion

**** In this story I consider Estel to be very much a part of Elladan and Elrohir's lives, effectively making him their adopted brother and Elrond's adopted son. Some may disagree with this interpretation, but what the heck??!****

DISCLAIMER: Once again these characters are not mine, they are Tolkien's fantastic creations. However, the character Celrobil was invented in my little head but I will imagine he will go rather unnoticed :)

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“Estel! Legolas is here!” shouted Elrohir to his human brother. “Look, it's his horse!” The three brothers were putting their horses to rest for the night in the stables after a long day of hunting. Legolas' white stallion was rather hard to miss next to the other brown and black horses in the stables.

Estel approached the horse and nodded to Elrohir.

“Right you are. He is beautiful, is he not? Definitely a horse fit for a Prince.” Estel was now stroking the horse's neck like Legolas had done less than an hour before. “I wonder what brings him to Imladris two weeks early. I hope all is well in Mirkwood.”

The third brother put his hand on his human brother's shoulder.

“If anything was ill we would have received news from King Thranduil. You know this Estel. Legolas probably could not wait to see us again!” jested Elladan. Estel gave the older twin a devlish grin, whilst the younger twin burst out laughing.

“If Legolas has taught you anything at all, it would be that smile.” Elrohir said through his laughter.

“No! No one can quite do that smile like our favourite Prince. He somehow captures such innocence whilst evil thoughts skitter across his face. He is famous for it now.” replied Elladan with a thoughtful smile on his face.

“You are correct El, as much as it pains me to say it of course.” Estel ducked down to avoid a hard swat aimed at his head from the older twin. “I remember a time in Mirkwood not so long ago, when elves from Lorien came to visit the King. They were greeted by Legolas and his beaming smile and so mesmerised by it they were, one of them rode into a tree and another fell off their horse!”

The three brothers burst into a fit of laughter at the thought.

“I bet that was a sight to behold!” said Elladan whilst wiping his eyes clearing them of tears of laughter.

“Indeed it was! After that, whenever Legolas smiled, no one would look at him!”

The three brothers burst into laughter again until Celrobil interrupted them. The three brothers jumped at the voice of the newcomer.

“Good evening my Lords, I see you are all well. Your father will be pleased. I have been sent to inform you that your presence at dinner is requested.”

“Ai, Celrobil, well met. You can tell our father we will be gracing him with our presence after we have stored our horses.” replied Elladan with a smile.

“Worry not, I will see to it that your horses are looked after. Go! Your food awaits.”

“Hannon le Celrobil” said Elrohir gratefully. “Come, Estel, Elladan, I have no doubt you are both as hungry as I am.”

At this, the twins and their human brother left the stables and headed towards the Last Homely House.

Laughing to himself, Celrobil started to remove the saddles from the horses.

Young ones!

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 “Good evening Legolas.” The Elf-Lord welcomed the Prince to the table. “You look a little more like yourself now.”

“Hannon le, hir-nin.” he replied with a sad smile.

Lord Elrond looked at the Prince of Mirkwood and spotted the cut on his cheek that had worried him before. But now on closer inspection he could see the Prince was also sporting a black eye and bruises around his neck that closely resembled finger marks. Although Legolas had tried to cover them well using a strategically placed cloak, it had slipped down revealing his hurts.

At this sight the Elf-Lord went slightly wide-eyed and Legolas knew what had caused this. He quickly grabbed his cloak and thrust it around his neck again.

Shocked by the Prince's obvious and futile attempts to hide his hurts, the Elf-Lord's brows furrowed.

What has happened to you that you would hide such minor injuries?

Lord Elrond was just about to speak when Estel and the twins burst into the room.

“Legolas!!” Estel was overjoyed to see his friend. He had not seen him in many months and had missed him dearly. “It is so good to see you mellon-nin!”

The Prince stood to greet Estel with a broad smile on his face. It seemed that the human's presence had lightened his heart if just for a while.

Estel brought Legolas into a tight embrace and the Prince seemed rather taken aback by his friend's greeting. Feeling slightly offended, Estel pulled away.

“What is wrong mellon-nin?” he asked. Legolas would not look at his best friend. Estel tipped the Prince's head up by the chin and what he saw broke his heart.

Tears had welled up in the usually bright blue eyes of the Prince, and underneath his right eye was an ugly black circle and a long cut across his cheek.

Similar to the expression Lord Elrond gained when he saw the sight, Estel gave the Prince a wide eyed stare.

“How? - What? - What has happened? Why are you upset?”

This is not like my friend to openly cry in front of people. Whatever is wrong, it must be tearing him up inside.

By this point, Elrohir and Elladan were also staring wide-eyed at the Prince shocked to see tears rolling openly down his pain filled face. This was the first time they had ever seen him cry.

Realising the amount of attention he was garnering with his uncontrolled actions, he quickly withdrew into himself and released himself from Estel's grip.

“Sorry. I have missed you, that is all.” came the shaky reply from the Elven Prince. At this he sat himself down opposite the Elf-Lord and gestured for his friends to join him.

At the sudden change in Legolas' demeanour Estel raised an eyebrow to his two brothers and his father as if to question what was going on. All three shrugged their shoulders and the Elf-Lord gestured for his sons to join the table.

The twins eventually brought the conversation back to a light and informal chat between friends and family. Laughing and joking about the day's events and filling Legolas in on all he had missed during his absence. Although to all at the table it seemed Legolas was still rather absent. His mind tended to wander and he would not join in with the usual light hearted banter between the three brothers. This worried his friends and the Elf-Lord. The table then fell silent.

Sensing the unease that his presence, or lack of it caused, Legolas decided to excuse himself from the table and retreated to the safety of his room.

Estel brought his questioning gaze to his father. “Adar, what is the matter with him? How did he get a black eye and that cut?” The twins also gazed at their father, expecting an answer to Estel's question.

The Elf-Lord sighed in frustration at the answer he would have to give his sons, but he knew it was the only answer he could give. “I know not ion-nin. I know not. All I know is that his mind is troubled, with what I do not know.”

“Did you not ask him how he got the black eye?” enquired Elladan.

“He told me that is was an accident, nothing more. He knew I did not believe him, but he does not seem ready to uncover the source of his pain yet. He will reveal himself again, in time. Give him that and hopefully he will approach one of us.” Elrond looked at his sons, hoping that they would be satisfied with his answer.

Elladan and Elrohir gazed at their father nodding their heads, understanding that he could give them no more information. However, Estel was still confused. He did not have the patience of the elves and would not stand and wait until Legolas felt the time was right to talk to them. After all, what if that time never came? What if his best friend carried these troubles on his shoulders for much longer than needed? Estel would not leave his friend to withdraw from the world as he had heard he did, so many centuries before.

With those thoughts running through his head, Estel made his excuses and left the dining hall.

“Do you think he has gone to speak to Legolas?” Elrohir questioned.

“I hope not, but then on the other hand, if anyone can find out what is troubling him, it is Estel.”

The three remaining elves decided to finish their food and allow the ranger time to speak with his best friend.


Chapter 3 - Surrender

DISCLAIMER: None of these wonderful creations belong to me! boohoo. Oh well, if they did I could never have written the Lord of the Rings anyway so that is probably a good thing. :)

****I have rated this for violence, it is hardly anything as you will find out when you read but just thought I'd be careful! There are also spoilers for another story I am planning, so if you read something you do not understand that is why!****



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Tears ran freely down the pale cheeks of the fair elven Prince. Hushed sobs broke from his lips and his body shook at the amount of emotions running through his body at that one time. The door to his room slowly opened behind him, but the Prince was so consumed by his emotions he did not notice.

Two piercing grey eyes opened wide at the scene before him. His once strong warrior friend was huddled up on his bed, arms wrapped tightly around his knees as if he was hiding from something. Estel saw the way in which his friend's body shook and he could hear the sobs escaping from the Prince's lips. Never before had Estel seen his friend look so weak and so vulnerable. Estel went to speak to his disturbed friend but his voice would not come. The adopted son of Elrond felt his throat tighten with emotion and a tear silently slipped from his eye. He could not see his friend like this, it broke his heart.

What has happened to you Legolas?

“I am so sorry. Why did I argue with you? It is all my fault. I am so sorry.....”

This was all the human could make out through the broken sobs.

“Why did you hurt me? Why?... Why?...” The Elf-Prince began to rock back and forth. “Have I been such a terrible son?.... Why?....”

Estel's eyes suddenly shot up. Was it Thranduil who had given Legolas a black eye and that cut? Whatever had happened, he was going to find out.

Estel took another step into the room.

“Legolas?” He said quietly.

The Elf-Prince jumped at the voice from behind him, though he would not turn to face his friend.

“Estel.... leave me.”

“But I want to know what is troubling you mellon-nin.” he said with a sad smile.

Estel moved to sit next to his best friend on the bed. Legolas moved away from his friend until the human put his hand on his arm. Legolas stopped dead at the touch.

“Do not hide yourself from me Legolas. I am your best friend. I see no shame in crying. You have seen me cry have you not?”

Legolas glanced up at the human, almost shocked that Estel had so accurately read his mind. Estel pulled the elf closer to him and laid his arm around the Prince's shoulders. The ranger was surprised to see his friend wince at the gesture.

“Are you hurt, mellon-nin?”

Legolas looked at Estel with pleading eyes as if to say please do not take this any further. Estel on the other hand completely ignored the Prince's look and told him to remove his shirt.

“No Estel. It is nothing. I strained my shoulders riding here.”

“Liar.”

“Please Estel. Leave it.”

“No I will not Legolas Greenleaf. Not until you remove that shirt!”

“Estel! Please, I beg you.”

“Legolas... no”

He was now on his knees.

“I am begging you, do not take this any further, please?” The elf's voice was laced with panic.

The ranger had never heard his friend beg before, but he was not willing to allow this to cloud his judgement. The elf's injuries had to be seen. Using a rather unorthodox technique, Estel lunged at his friend and tore his shirt down the front.

“Estel! Stop it!!... you are..... hurting me!!” the annoyed Prince shouted through gritted teeth.

Having heard the commotion, Lord Elrond and his two sons ran to the Prince's room. When they entered, they saw a sight they thought they would never see. Legolas was on top of Estel with one of his white handled blades to his throat. The Elf Prince was shirtless and his back was marred with ugly bruises.

“I told you to leave me!!” he shouted at the ranger trapped beneath him, ignoring the three new elves who had graced the entrance.

Estel was looking into the Prince's eyes in shock. Not only because of the terrible bruising the elf wore on his back, but the expression on the elf Prince's face. It was pure desperation. Estel could not move, his body would physically not let him.

Snapping out of his trance the Elf Lord in the doorway decided he had seen all he could.

“Legolas Greenleaf! Enough! Get off my son!” he ordered angrily.

Legolas jumped up in shock. He tore his knife away from his best friend's throat and backed into the corner of the room. There he stood, eyes wide with horror and his body and still as stone.

Estel sat up off the bed.

“Ada, it is alright. I should not have done that. He begged me not to. I should have listened to him.”

“Estel, I told you to leave him alone.” The Elf Lord replied, shaking his head with a perplexed look on his face. He had no idea what had happened.

At this, Elladan stepped forward, determined to find out what had been going on.

“What happened?”

Estel explained the situation to his family and what he had overheard the Prince saying about his father. When he turned back to Legolas, the elf's legs had given in and he was slumped in the corner of the room. Silent tears rolling down his motionless face.

The room was silent for what seemed like an eternity as the Elf-Lord and his three sons watched Legolas go over different thoughts in his mind. Finally Elrond broke the silence.

“I need to speak with Thranduil”. The Elf-Lord turned to leave the room and faster than he could ever have imagined, Legolas was in front of him.

“No! No you don't! Everything is fine! Just fine! My Adar will not wish to be bothered! Please Elrond! Please” The Prince ignored the Lord of Imladris' title for the first time in his life. Elrond knew he was desperate.

“Legolas, your father needs to know about this! You are not right up here,” he said tapping his head. “You have just held a knife to my son's throat! And not to mention those strange bruises on your body! I need to know what is going on, and if you will not tell me, perhaps your father may.”

Legolas was down on his knees again now clinging onto the Elf-Lord's robe for dear life.

“Please, leave my father. Please!” The Elf-Lord started to walk away from the begging Prince. All the while his three sons were watching this scene through disturbed eyes. “Please?!” He said one last time in a broken voice.

Elrond stopped dead in his tracks. The broken voice of the Prince was enough to tear his heart in two. He had not seen or heard the Prince this vulnerable since his rescue in Harad centuries before. The Elf-Lord turned to face the pale being collapsed on the floor. He knelt down and gained eye contact with the elf, speaking softly.

“Legolas, please, understand. I must speak with your father to find out what is going on. I cannot help you if I do not know. And you, are not willing to tell me.....”

“I will.” Came the gentle reply from the Prince. “If only to stop you from speaking to my father.”

“Hannon le, Legolas. Whatever it is, we will sort it.... and in the meantime, no more thrusting knives at my son, he can find danger easily enough without you handing it to him” The Elf-Lord said with a smile.

Sadly, Legolas' face broke into a small smile but he remained on his knees. The Elf-Lord walked up the corridor then turned. The Elf-Prince was staring at the floor looking defeated.

“Come, we must talk.”

Legolas rose to his feet and took in a deep breath and caught eye contact with Estel. His eyes were asking his best friend for forgiveness. Estel replied with a nod and the Prince smiled slightly knowing all was well. Well, not quite all, but he had not lost his friend.

“Legolas, come” the Elf-Lord pressed.

The young elf took in another deep breath then followed the Lord of Imladris down the corridor.

Estel, Elrohir and Elladan exchanged glances with each other but said nothing. There was nothing that could be said. What they had all seen had shocked them beyond belief and none of them wished to discuss it further.

“Let us go outside, I need some fresh air.” Elrohir suggested.

“Yes, let us” replied his twin brother.

The three made their way down the stairs and out of the Last Homely House.


Chapter 4 - Darkness

DISCLAIMER: None of these wonderful characters belong to me and I am making no money from this story.

***A/N: I have to warn you this chapter contains suicidal thoughts and some self-harm, if this troubles you please don't read. PLEASE REVIEW!!***

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Legolas sat opposite Lord Elrond in a comfortable chair on the Elf-Lord's balcony. Elrond was going to waste no time asking questions, as he knew the longer he left it the faster Legolas was going to dry up.

“Legolas, how did you get these injuries?”

Legolas started to shift uncomfortably in his seat, he brought his up gaze to meet Elrond's. The prince opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again turning away from the Elf-Lord.

“Legolas, please do not hide from me. Whatever has happened, I can help you to sort it out. But only if you talk to me.”

No reply came from the Prince.

“Legolas?”

“I have done something terrible.” Came the emotionless reply.

Elrond sat back in his chair and raised his brows in surprise. This was not what he was expecting. However, he kept silent allowing the Prince to carry on.

“Something.... unforgivable.” Legolas' eye brows furrowed as he tried to recall the events. “I stabbed him.”

Elrond took a sharp intake of breath at the words. The Elf-Lord went to speak but was cut off by the confused Prince.

“I stabbed him..... my own father. I'm despicable. I stabbed him and ran.... came here, when I should be with him. My own father...” The Prince's expressionless eyes were sparkling with unshed tears and he was shaking his head in shock and disbelief.

The Elf-Lord sat opposite the stony Prince wore a similar expression and was momentarily speechless. This was not what he was expecting at all. Was Legolas telling him he had stabbed and possibly killed his own father for no good reason? Elrond quickly realised that he was drifting into his own thoughts and snapped himself back into the present. He spoke quietly.

“Why?” This was all the shocked Lord of Imladris could muster as he felt his anger rising in worry for his old best friend.

Legolas almost jumped at the voice coming from opposite him. He had almost forgotten another was present. Slowly raising his gaze to meet that of his best friend's father, Legolas found himself speechless, finding only enough strength to give a secretive and rather lax shrug to the question.

At this Elrond sprang out of his chair and rounded on Legolas. The Elf-Lord was furious to see such little care for his long time friend, especially coming from his own son.

“Valar Legolas!! Are you telling me you have attacked your father for no good reason?! What is wrong with you?!”

The Prince flinched at the anger in Elrond's voice, he had never heard him this infuriated. 

“Your father could be dead and you are here feeling sorry for yourself!! This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!”

The Elf-Lord grabbed the young Prince by the collar wrenching him to his feet, pulling his face close to his own.

“Is this all you have to say for yourself Legolas?! Do you not care for your father?!”

Legolas drew his gaze away from Elrond's.

“Legolas! Tell me for the sake of the Valar! Why?!!”

“I will make no excuses for my behaviour. I have hurt the one I love most. I will return to Greenwood and accept the consequences of my actions. I have troubled you too much already.”

The Prince turned to leave but was stopped in his tracks by a hand wrapped tightly around his wrist.

“Legolas, sit.” Elrond guided him back to his seat and pulled his own chair closer to the young elf not allowing him to escape his gaze.

Before Elrond could begin to speak, the Prince cut him off again.

“I cannot live with myself my Lord..... there is no reason that could possibly explain what I have done and why. I lost control, could not take anymore. I was losing him day by day.... now I have lost him completely. He will hate me even more so now, and rightly so. What I have done is unforgivable. I was a coward, I couldn't face him anymore, and now I can't face the consequences of my actions. I am pathetic.” Finally the unshed tears trickled silently down his face.

The anger that had earlier filled the Elf-Lord's face had soon changed to confusion whilst listening to Legolas' confession. What had been going on at the palace in Mirkwood?

Once again Elrond opened his mouth to speak and was interrupted by Legolas' mumbling

“I can't live with myself... I can't.”

This was followed by a loud knock at the door seconds after. The frustrated Lord rolled his eyes at the latest interruption and rose to his feet excusing himself to the younger elf.

“I beg your pardon Legolas. I will be back in a moment.”

The Elf-Lord exited the room to talk to his latest visitor leaving Legolas alone with his thoughts.

Murderer.... you've killed your own father. 'He may yet be alive.' And what if he is? He won't want you now... he never wanted you. 'He is my father, he loves me.'  Loves you? Is beating you what you call love? He hates you. He will want you dead for what you have done. 'I know. I hate myself.'  Then do it, do what is best for everyone. You are nothing but a burden. It is not your father's fault he gets so angry... look at how you angered Elrond. It's you. 'I know' Then do it.

Slipping his hand down to his light boot, the young Prince pulled out a small dagger and held it loosely in his shaking hands.

'I can't'  Yes you can, it is easier this way. This way you will not be hurting anyone. 'But I can't do it'  You are a coward, not fit to be called a Prince. You could do it to your father, now do it to yourself.  There is nothing here for you Greenleaf, do not cause anymore grief.

With that, Legolas raised the dagger and drove it deep into his midsection. The Prince stifled a scream of pain as the sharp blade cut through the soft flesh and found its way into one of his organs. The pain was excruciating and Legolas found himself trying to catch his breath as it  overwhelmed him and the blood flowed out of his body. Soon the young elf started to lose conciousness, first losing his hearing and gradually his vision. The last sight he saw was that of Lord Elrond running towards him with a look of panic on his face and then the darkness claimed him.
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