Chapter 11 – The Long Awaited Meeting

Elrohir, he was just as Legolas had remembered.

Frozen in shock and awe, Legolas could only stand there and stare, unbelieving that this was truly Elrohir in front of him. After years of dreaming of this moment, replaying scenarios in his head, Legolas had found himself utterly and completely speechless, with a huge grin plastered onto his face.

Then everything happened quickly, too quickly.

Elrohir turned, perceiving he was not alone. Legolas gasped, feeling as though his heart would jump out of his chest, certain Elrohir could hear his heartbeat.

At last is was Elrohir who broke the silence.

"Are you lost?" he asked, as his confused gaze searched over Legolas, unrecognizing.

The smile faded. Legolas felt is if he had been slapped in the face.

"No," he whispered, casting his eyes to the ground. There was an unmistakable hitch to his voice.

Everything closed in on him; it was not supposed to be like this. His heart's deepest fear had come true. Elrohir did not remember him. The sons of Elrond did not care for the Prince of the Woodland Realm, for his friendship and memory to be so carelessly discarded.

He took a step back from the door, moving into the shadows of the corridor. He turned and saw Lord Elrond walking quickly towards him. The Elven-Lord's face was marred with deep lines of worry.

"Legolas," Elrond called out, but Legolas only shook his head in response. He felt as though he were to be sick. How could he have been so foolish? A single tear rolled down his cheek and he turned away from Lord Elrond. For the second time that day, he ran.

"Legolas?" Elrohir repeated. With a look of anguish he turned towards his father.

"Father? Tell me-"

"Welcome home, my son," Elrond said embracing his him. "Your arrival is unexpected but gladdens my heart."

"Father?" Elrohir repeated, his face riddled with shock and regret.

Elrond took pity, unable to withstand the look of despair on Elrohir's face.

"Your eyes and ears have not betrayed you, for you looked upon Legolas, son of Thranduil," Elrond said gently, releasing his son.

"He has changed," Elrohir said, looking to the direction Legolas had ran. "I did not recognize him. I did not expect him to be so grown. Still a small elfling he is in my heart. It has only been a short time."

"What may be a short passing of time to you, may appear long for another. You have forgotten, the thralls of childhood are quickly released."

Elrohir shook his head in disbelief. He had made a grave mistake.

"We shall talk more later, my son," Elrond said. "But now, you must go to him, less all my work will be undone."

"Father?"

"Follow him," Elrond said. "Or I fear he may be lost to you forever."

Legolas ran. This time he did not wish to be found and did not make for the trees. It would be too obvious. No, he would not be easily found this time. His head swam as he replayed the meeting with Elrohir is his head, over and over again.

Are you lost?

Another tear escaped, making its way down his cheek. Was he lost? Legolas did not know. He did not know what he was doing. What he was supposed to do. Maybe this was a dream, and he had made it back to his chamber. Yes, this was all just a nightmare and soon he would awaken and all would be well again.

Dream or not though, he could not handle this, going from one moment of being completely happy and content, to the exact opposite. More tears escaped his eyes. He hastily brushed them away.

Legolas ran towards the waterfalls. Lord Elrond would not think to look for him there, Legolas had already told him he could not swim. He made his way through large pillars of rock to the small secluded alcove Lord Elrond had showed him on their first horse ride through Imladris.

Water flowed all around him, falling into the deep glimmering pool below. Legolas sank to his knees and released a sob, unable to hold back his tears. His darkest fears had come true. His heart was breaking. Legolas brought his hand up to his chest as if to hold it all together.

"Legolas?" a soft voice called out.

He looked up, his body going rigid. Elladan.

Legolas felt as though this were some grand design he could not escape. Why had Elladan come? Legolas was certain he was not followed.

Legolas shook his head, letting the tears fall.

"Why do you weep so?" Elladan asked, his face full of concern.

"You- you remember me?" Legolas sobbed, looking up into the dark eyes of Elladan.

"I have never forgotten you," Elladan replied with a smile, walking towards Legolas, kneeling to place a hand upon his shoulder.

Legolas flinched at the contact. But his heart jumped, this was not a dream. Elladan was real. This was not some illusion created by his subconscious.

Elladan quickly withdrew his hand, his expression dropped.

"Elrohir forgot," Legolas whispered.

"Elrohir often speaks before he thinks and has been careless with his words. But I assure you, you are a constant thought in his heart." Elladan's voice was soft and steady.

Legolas didn't know whether or not he could believe him. How could Elladan claim Elrohir thinks of him, yet does not recognize him when he stands before his very eyes.

Legolas brushed away his tears as he pulled himself to his feet. He looked up just as he saw Elrohir come running in.

"Legolas? Gwador?" Elrohir called out

Gwador.

The word repeated itself over and over in Legolas' head. The word that had once meant the world to him. The word that had also brought him countless heartaches and now left him with only anger.

Legolas took a step back like a corned animal as the sons of Elrond rounded on him.

"You never came back, so do not call me that," Legolas whispered in spite. He no longer had it in himself to feel sad, he was angry. He was unable to control his emotions any further, not recognizing what they were or meant.

"But you are our Gwador, that has not changed," Elrohir said.

Legolas shook his head, taking a step back. The waterfall roared behind him.

"We have missed you dearly," Elladan said.

"I don't believe you. For years I waited for you."

"Of course we have! But Legolas only a short time had gone by. A blink in the years of elves," Elrohir reasoned.

"How could you say that when already half my life has passed me by as I waited for you?" Legolas shot back. "I am nearly half as old as I was then. It has been long for me, too long."

They took a step forward, Legolas matched their pace, taking a step back. He did not want them to come close, not yet. He was still too confused and angry.

"Legolas-"

He cut them off.

"I waited, I waited so long. But you never came back. I -I would spend most of my free time in the tree, waiting, hoping to see you riding along the Caladrad," Legolas shouted, taking another step backwards.

"Legolas-"

"NO," Legolas shouted. "Do not make excuses!" Anger surged through him. "You betrayed me." It felt good to yell at them. His anger and unhappiness finally directed towards its source.

"Legolas, wait-"

"You do not understand," Legolas cut them off. "You do not understand what it is like to miss someone so dearly, to wait." He continued to yell, moving away from them. "Stay away from me. You betrayed me." All the anger plaguing him was released.

"Legolas, do not-"

Then his eyes lightened and his voice softened.

"You lied to me, you forgot about me, and I wish to know why, but I f-"

Legolas felt himself step back, but his foot touched nothing. The next thing he realized he was falling. His words lost to a scream, a look of terror filled his face just as ice cold water washed over him. He felt water rushing past him. His lungs gasped for air as dark memories of almost drowning as a child resurfaced. Fear clenched him as he felt himself sinking further and further down into the bitter dark coldness.

They waited for him to resurface. Elrohir and Elladan eyed each other sadly.

"I truly had not realized," Elrohir whispered in despair.

"Nor I brother. We have wronged him. To think of the hurt we inflicted upon such a happy free spirit. His smile is of my greatest memory of him, and I have not seen that yet."

Elrohir eyed Elladan. "We shall make it up to him."

"Aye, we hurt him deeply. It breaks my heart."

Elrohir looked down into the water with a frown. "Where is he? Did he make it out so soon?"

"No," Elladan said. They gave each other a look of horror, before Elladan ran, diving down into the pool.

Elrohir quickly made his way down to the water's edge. He arrived just as Elladan emerged carrying an unconscious Legolas in his arms.

Wading knee deep into the pool, Elrohir took Legolas from Elladan, rushing him to shore. With great haste he laid Legolas upon the banks, realizing with horror that he was not breathing. Putting his mouth to Legolas' he blew air into the deprived lungs. Elladan, who had followed quickly, placed his hands upon Legolas' chest, urging his energy forth, sending his fëa into Legolas, willing his lungs to heal.

Suddenly Legolas drew a breath before coughing up water. The brothers turnd Legolas to his side. As Legolas coughed and gasped for air, Elladan rubbed his back.

"Just keep coughing. You must get all the water out," Elrohir encouraged.

Legolas felt as though his lungs where burning. Each breath painfully stung, sending tears to his eyes. He closed them tightly. This was a dream this was all just a horrible dream. Soon he would wake up and be back in Lord Elrond's office.

He waited, and never woke up. He didn't dare open his eyes. A deep fear clenched his heart. His body trembled, but soon his coughing subsided as he felt himself being drawn up into the warmth of someone's arms. He clutched onto the person and wept.

"Legolas, we never meant to hurt you so. We shall make it up to you, by this we promise."

Legolas only wept harder, not having the energy to do much else. He was exhausted and afraid; his mind was filled with a cloud of conflicting emotions. They sat there for a long time. Legolas wished with all his heart for the comfort of his father.

He was cold. His body shook. Warm hands rubbed his arms, providing little warmth. Legolas' didn't remember ever being so cold.

"Come, we shall take you back," a soft voice commanded. Legolas felt himself being pulled to his feet. Hands reached to lift him, but Legolas protested.

"I can walk," he said cringing from the hoarseness of his weak voice, his throat stung from the strain of speaking.

"If that is your wish."

Elrohir and Elladan each grabbed an arm. Taking painfully slow steps, the brothers supported him in their seemingly long albeit short walk back to the main house. Shivering with eyes half-lidded and heavily labored breathing, Legolas' body betrayed his pains as his knees nearly gave in with every step he took. He stumbled much, leaning his full weight onto the brother's strong warm arms.

It was painful for the son's of Elrond to witness, until Elladan could bear it no more and lifted Legolas into his arms. Legolas, too weak to give protest relented and rested his head rested upon Elladan's broad shoulder, relaxing into his warmth. He was too exhausted to be embarrassed by such treatment. He took comfort remembering his father once told him there was no shame in receiving aid, especially when it is needed.

Before Legolas could recall, he was blearily looking up towards halls and familiar tapestries of Imladris.

They had made it to the corridor leading to the family's private chambers when Legolas' felt Elladan's pace suddenly slow to a complete halt. Turning his head, he saw they were face to face with a wide-eyed Lindir. Legolas tightened his trembling grip on Elladan. The brother spared moment to look down on him. Legolas smiled weakly. He had his twins back, and they were caring for him. Legolas closed his eyes in contentment as exhaustion tugged on him, slowly pulling him away from consciousness. The brothers spoke to Lindir, but Legolas could hardly comprehend what was being said.

"Is he injured? What happened? You have returned? When?" Lindir asked astonished, and unable to control his multitude of bewildered questions.

He was unsure whether he was more surprised by the fact that Elrohir and Elladan were suddenly home, or by the fact that Legolas nearly unconscious within Elladan's arms.

Elrohir choosing to ignore all his questions merely stated, "We shall take him to my room. I have a fire started." Elladan stoically remained silent, instead focusing on Legolas.

Lindir frowned.

"No," he said, eyeing Legolas. "He would prefer to wake in his own chamber. This I know."

Elrohir looked doubtful. "Why would that matter?"

"I have been attending to him. I have also observed him from afar. He is quite different from the elfling you had once described."

Elrohir looked gravely troubled. "You are no servant, Lindir," he said. " I cannot believe father would allow this."

"My lord Elrond had only allowed what I had wished. Legolas is different, unlike any elf here in Imladris. Trust me when I say this, he would prefer to awaken in his own room, alone."

"His own room, fine. But no one should awaken alone, especially not after what he had just been through," Elladan said at last.

Lindir's eyes narrowed. "What did happen? For I recall, not to long ago Legolas had left the Hall of Fire quite content," Lindir said, turning and motioning for them to follow.

"I fear only what needed to happen," Elrohir said solemnly, as the brothers fell in step beside him.

"Fine, keep your secrets. But I am sure Lord Elrond will wish to know. Whether you tell him or Legolas does, he will be informed," Lindir said.

Lindir opened the door to Legolas' chamber, allowing the brothers to enter first before entering himself. Making his way to the hearth, he quickly lit a small fire while watching the brothers fuss over Legolas, helping him to removing his sodden clothes, placing a thick blanket around his shivering frame. Lindir smiled at the tenderness they showed Legolas before silently slipping out the room.

Legolas blinked rapidly, desperately trying to keep himself from falling asleep. He was no child needing to be tucked into bed. In a haze of motion, he realized the warmth of a blanket placed upon his shoulders. He pulled the thick material tightly around himself, paying little attention to the activity of the room.

So much had happened, his heart couldn't truly believe that Elrohir and Elladan were standing before him. They were just as he had remembered. Their songs played brilliantly in his heart, and Legolas looked towards them. After so many years of waiting, Elrohir and Elladan were standing before him. Caring for him as he imagined concerned older brothers would. They were finally back, back in his life.

He felt a little more alert by this realization, and turned his head up just as the door opened to reveal Lord Elrond.

Elrond smiled upon his sons, resting his eyes upon Elladan, before turning his attention over to the blanket wrapped, damp-haired elf sitting on the side of the bed. Elrond sat beside Legolas, and turned to his son's again. He took note of Elladan's damp clothing and wet hair.

"Legolas, it must have been terrifying for you, child," Elrond said, drawing Legolas into a hug.

Elrond's fatherly comforts were exactly what Legolas needed, as tears once again prickled his eyes at the memory.

"Y-you, know?" Legolas said weakly, his throat still paining him.

"Lindir has his suspicions, and I quite agree with them," Elrond said. "Lindir is preparing something for your throat, and when you awaken again you shall feel as normal."

Elrond lightly smoothed away Legolas' hair.

"I-is this a dream?" Legolas whispered, needing final confirmation.

"No, child. This is very real," Elrond replied.

Eying Elrohir and Elladan who were standing off to the side of the room, Legolas whispered, "Then I am already feeling better."

"That is good indeed."

Elrohir and Elladan helplessly watched as their father gave Legolas the comfort they so desperately wanted to give. They both noted the giant war bow and a quiver filled with deadly arrows leaning against the wall in the corner of the room. Their little Legolas was no longer the elfling they once knew. He had grown up. With a pang of deep regret they both realized; they had missed it.

End of Part 1

Author's Note: This is not the end of the story. Just this arch. I promise you, there is way more to come.

The next chapter will be up soon and I say that very loosely, because you all know how frequent my updates are…