Broken (sequel to Caught)

Letting Go

Thranduil dashed down the hall. Though his son's chambers had always been close by, now they were all too far away.

"Legolas!" he cried, and he tried the door, but it was locked. He pounded his fists on the wood. "Legolas, please let me in!"

There was no response, and Herethin came up beside him with the keys. He deftly unlocked the door and Thranduil thundered into the room.

It was empty.

Legolas was not there.

Thranduil looked around frantically, and his eyes came to rest upon the box that held the papers Legolas used for writing. It was tipped over, and it was obvious Legolas had had some trouble finding it. A quill and an open pot of ink were on the desk beside a piece of paper.

Thranduil, hoping that the paper did not say what he hoped it did, went over to the desk and held the paper with shaking hands. Legolas's script, usually flowing and elegant, was shaky and slanted on the page, showing obviously his blindness.

To Herethin.

I'm sorry. You told me to stay here, but I could not. You need not worry for me. I will be fine.

To Ada.

I am sorry. I hope someday you can forgive me for wronging you time after time. I have been nothing but a burden, and you already have so much weight on your shoulders. I want to ease it a little, so I have left. Don't worry, you will see me again. I hope that by then you will have forgiven me. And do not bother trying to open our bond; my mind is closed, and it will remain so until you next see me, in Valinor.

Namariie, Ada, Herethin.

Legolas

"No! Legolas!" Thranduil screamed, falling to his knees and clutching at the sphere, which dangled from its string around his neck. It was still glowing brightly and it was swirling, the blues and greens like a storm raging, as he knew Legolas's emotions to be. But even with the help of the sphere, his son's mind was in such a tight lockdown that he could not feel any part of their bond, and that entire section was getting colder and more distant by the minute.

"LEGOLAS!" he yelled, and guards rushed into the room, not knowing what was going on. He did not acknowledge them and as he searched for their bond but found nothing hot tears began to run down his face.

'I'm so sorry, Legolas, Valar I'm so sorry...' he murmured into the empty void where his son was supposed to be.

'I love you, Ada,' came a faint voice, and his son's apparition appeared before him. He wore the saddest smile that Thranduil had ever seen, and it made him want to cry even more. Legolas's hand stroked his father's cheek softly. 'I will see you soon.'

'No, Legolas! Please don't leave me!' Thranduil sobbed, reaching for his son and grabbing his hand within his own.

'Legolas! Please come back to me! I'm so sorry Legolas, Valar, I'm so sorry! I love you, please don't leave me!'

'As good as it makes me feel to hear you say that,' Legolas said, 'I must leave. I cannot bear it another day, Ada. Please do not make me.'

Thranduil knew that Legolas was referring to the sea-longing, and his fingers released Legolas's hand, allowing him to fade.

'I should have seen it, I should have known. I could've helped you,' he said, and Legolas smiled his last whispered words echoed in Thranduil's mind.

'Yes. You could have.'

And then he was gone.

O:o:O

Legolas saw his father fade and he blinked, feeling the rough bark of the tree underneath his fingertips. The tree, realizing he had come back to awareness, sent him an image of the forest again.

He had been doing this for a while now. The trees knew he could not see, so they sent an image of what the forest looked like from their perspective, so he could practically see again, though it was through their eyes. He could walk through the branches because he could see them there. He could see the sky. He could see the animals running and scurrying beneath him. He let out a laugh, hugging the tree.

"He said I could go. He's not going to try and stop me! I can go to Valinor!"

The tree chuckled lightly in response, and then it saddened.

'I guess this is goodbye, then.'

"Aye, mellon-nin," Legolas said, putting his forehead against the tree and closing his eyes. "Namariie."

And then he leapt gracefully to the next tree, and it gave him its image and a whispered goodbye. Swinging lightly through the branches from one to the next, he felt he could really see once again.

He felt free.

O:o:O

Thranduil was standing in front of his people, and for the first time in his life, he did not know what to say. He gulped, looking at their expectant faces. Everyone who lived within fifty miles of the palace was there, and they knew it must be important for their king to summon all of them to the courtyard.

"My friends," he said, looking up and swallowing the growing lump in his throat. "I have brought you here to share sad news."

Everyone's expressions turned grave, and they all nodded. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again, his gaze sad.

"My son, Prince Legolas, has left us. He is on his way to the Grey Havens as we speak."

The crowd burst into life, some people crying out in protest, others beginning to cry, and still others looking shocked.

Thranduil raised one hand, and they fell silent.

"When he was on the Quest, the sea-longing was awaken in him. He could not bear it any longer, and he has left."

Everyone had stopped protesting and were simply standing, quiet mourning etched on their faces.

"Thank you," he said. He bowed his head, eyes clouded. "You are all dismissed."