Repudiate || legolas

𝟏𝟖

They were on the road again. Their jounry to the shire was not over yet. They had a week left to travel, and the rain seemed to leave room for beautiful skys. They had spent nine days amongst the humans. A sweet Kalimba sung through the air as nature seemed to dance along with it, Legolas's voice carried the tune further. The sounds were ethereal, how Awarthons hands dances along the tines, and how Legolas perfectly predicted each note. Nature unionized them as they followed nature as it followed them. "Your mind weighs heavy as your song grows somber," Legolas pointed out, worried for the companion.

Awarthon kept plucking the tines with his fingertips, but it was a quieter play, "I worry for m- the people," he spoke softly. His notes followed his emotions of sollum and of confusion his mind was conficxted.

Legolas stopped his horse, and Awarthon stopped as well, confused, "Awarthon. I know of the look you give those in need," he paused, and Awarthon face seemed to flash in waves of subtle emotion that Legolas from decades of love had learned to gauge, "you see them how my father loo-" Awarthon went to defend himself, for he was nothing like Thranduil, "Awarthon," legolas shot him down, "it's akin to how I see kings look at their people... how Thorin looked at his people when they came to him. More worried for them than himself. How my father treats his people. The only reason you never saw that care was because you never let him,"

Awarthon stood quietly, looking at his horse the music had long since stopped, "Legolas, I know of what you allude to," he spoke softly, petting the horse, "but I'm not fit to be a king nor of an advisor. I can not share the knowing of social rules and struggle to say the right words. I am flippant in my emotions, I can not say words of comforting. In fact, I'm to blunt, and it had gotten me my fair share of blunders," he sighed softly. "You sound like a fool for even alluding to me taking these people as my own," Awarthon added as he motioned his horse along. Legolas followed.

Legolas sighed, "But those make you a great king, my love," he said softly, "Awarthon, many leave for the kings they have do not carry such a strong heart. They leave for their king is a coward of words. Maybe it's good to have a king who doesn't understand the point of power and grace. Who is confused at the sight of tradition," he tried to push but knew, pushing any further could lead to a fight, "just think about it," he added to calm any fire he could start with his words.

It was the right choice to calm the situation before an argument slipped out, "I shall humor it, but don't expect for me to ever embrace that title," Awarthon spoke as they continued on. His anger and frustration led him to a gallop to walk in quiet. Legolas knew this was him needing a brake. They had no clue why Awarthon seemed to need to just shut away from the world sometimes. Or why did he seem distressed about the oddest things. Legolas could recount times where Awarthon seemed to need things in a very peculiar order. Especially while planning for this trip. He still had his routines. If they were to brake, Legolas knew he would be more in a disarray than normal. And he knew his love was struggling, and the added conflict, he let him run off ahead. Hair was adding on to one of those things, mainly when the hair tickled at his face. He seemed to get overwhelmed by it. It is why Legolas took such special care to slick it back.

...

Awarthon came to a slow when the sun had finally set. Legolas is far behind yet still on view. This was comfortable. The sounds of birds seemed to die down, and the sounds of the night waking up. Peaceful. The sounds of their horses and the sounds of nothing else, then nature seemed to be of great comfort. Awarthon seemed to have slipped into a state of his mind, for he felt a weight behind him and his hood removed. Legolas sat behind him. The horse didn't seem to struggle for elves where light despite their appearance. He held a brush in hand and a damp wash cloth. Gently, he undid the braid and used the cloth to calm any frizz long enough to redo. Leaving a small kiss on the back of his neck, "Has your spirit calmed?"