Broken (sequel to Caught)

Son of my Worst Enemy

Elladan and Elrohir sat beside their foster brother and their father in his study, the fire blazing and filling the room with warmth and golden light. Each of them had a mug of tea in their hands, and they all sat in contented silence. Legolas had left them to go and bathe.

"Something is wrong with Legolas," Elladan said out of the blue, and Elrond frowned at him in concern.

"Whatever makes you think so?" he asked, thinking of Legolas's greeting when he had come to Rivendell about an hour ago. Nothing had seemed wrong.

"He's not wearing his braids. He's injured. He's having these random panic attacks. He was blind yesterday, and now he can see again."

"What?" Elrond and Aragorn said at the same time, and the twins went into detail and explained each of their statements. When they were finished, Elrond had one specific request.

"Tell me more about these 'panic attacks'," he said, a frown marring his face. What they could possibly mean had come to mind, but he pushed the thought away violently, not wanting to think about it.

"Well, there was one when we asked him what he was doing in the town where we met up with him, and another when he met with Estel," Elrohir said. "The first he didn't say anything, but when I tried to touch his mind, it was on tight lockdown."

"And when he met with me," Aragorn said. "he kept saying he was sorry that he wouldn't 'be there', and that he 'couldn't do it anymore.'"

Elrond's eyes widened, and he stood abruptly, his fears having been confirmed. His sons' eyes followed him, questioning.

"I need to have a talk with—" he began, but he was interrupted by a knock at the door. He sighed.

"Come in," he called, and a young guard stepped in, bowing quickly to Elrond before speaking.

"There is an urgent matter at the gate which requires your attention, my lord," he said, and Elrond sighed again.

"Alright. I'll be down in a minute," he said, and the guard nodded, bowing again before leaving.

"We'll come with you," said the twins, and Aragorn also stood, nodding his agreement.

The four of them made their way to the gates, receiving little bows from everyone they passed. When they reached the entrance to Imaldris, there was a bustling crowd filled with hushed elven whispers, and a high-pitched voice shouting.

"You can't do this to us! This is supposed to be a safe haven! You can't take us prisoner—"

"What is going on here?" Elrond said loudly, and the elves surrounding them separated so he had a view of the person who had been yelling.

It was a young human boy of perhaps ten with dark hair and frighteningly bright green eyes. Aragorn gasped as he saw them, the face of Legolas's previous captor flashing before his eyes. Their eyes were the same.

Beside the boy stood an even younger girl of maybe six. She had plain brown eyes and lighter hair, and she held tightly to the boy's tunic, looking around in a fearful way.

Elrond approached them, kneeling before them and causing the girl to shy away even further.

"What brings you here, young ones?" Elrond asked, and the boy glared up at him.

"We have come here because it looked safe. We didn't think anyone would attempt to capture us when we came in."

"Who tried to capture you?" Elrond asked. The boy pointed to the head guard, who turned an interesting shade of red.

"You misunderstand, my lord!" he cried, and it was that moment that Legolas chose to walk in on the scene, standing beside the twins and Aragorn. "He claims to be the son of Cyras!"

Everyone's heads immediately jerked to Legolas, whose eyes had widened considerably. The sight of the boy's eyes made his breathing speed up until he was practically hyperventilating.

"No, no, not again..." he murmured. The sound of his tearful voice sent a jab of sadness through the hearts of everyone present. "Please don't let them take me again..."

"Shhh, Legolas, we won't let anyone take you," said Elrohir. "He's only a child, anyway. Calm your breathing, mellon-nin."

Legolas looked at him, eyes wide and fearful, and within a second he was gone, dashing through the crowd and into the halls of Elrond once more.

The twins looked worriedly in his direction, and Aragorn gave a sad sigh. Elrond turned back to the children, swallowing his worry.

"I apologize on behalf of my guard," he said. "This is a place where anyone and everyone is welcome. Rooms will be prepared for you, if you would follow me."

He led the children into the halls and, after leaving them with a servant instructed to give them food and clean clothes, went in the direction that Legolas had gone.

O:o:O

Elrond found the prince sitting on a bench in the gardens, his head in his hands. The elf-lord sat down quietly next to him, putting a hand on his back. The two sat in silence for a few minutes.

"You mean to sail," Elrond said softly, and Legolas could do nothing but nod into his palms. Elrond sighed.

"Do you mind me asking why?" he said, and Legolas's voice sounded small when he answered.

"I can't do it anymore, Elrond. It hurts..."

Elrond nodded, rubbing soothing circles in the younger elf's back.

"Your father knows?" he asked, and Legolas nodded. "And he let you go?"

"Sort of. I ran away, but we connected our minds and talked for a while, and I convinced him."

"You ran away?"

Legolas nodded.

"We had a fight, and I was blind and I was angry and upset...I couldn't think straight, so I just left."

"Is that what is upsetting you? Something he said?" Elrond asked, reading the other elf easily. Legolas sighed. He took that as a yes.

"Show me," Elrond said, and Legolas put his fingers on the older elf's forehead, bringing the memory to mind and sending it to Elrond's mind.

When the memory faded to nothing, Elrond had a deep sadness etched on his face. He wordlessly pulled Legolas into an embrace, holding him there for a few moments, at which point small, hiccupping sobs wracked Legolas's body.

"Shhh, penneth, it's alright," he said soothingly, his hold tightening as he thought of the horrible things Thranduil had said to his son. The next time they met, the Sinda had better have a good explanation for his words.

"I'm sorry," Legolas mumbled. Elrond shook his head.

"There is nothing to forgive."