Broken (sequel to Caught)

Realize

A few minutes later, Legolas was seated comfortably on the grass under the large tree. Darean and Allenda laughed loudly as they tried to climb up it. They had planned to race to the top, but neither of them were very good at climbing and they were having trouble getting past the first branch.

"My Prince!" a voice called, and Thranduil looked up from where he was sitting next to Legolas. An elf dressed in the usual garb of the woodland elves, was running along the garden path, having spotted his prince, thought to already be in the Grey Havens, seated beneath a tree with his father. As the elf got closer, Legolas recognized him as Herethin, and he stood up quickly, stumble-running to the healer and hugging him tightly as they collided.

"Herethin! What are you doing here?" Legolas said, switching back to elvish unconsciously. Being around Darean and Allenda he had to use Westron, but he slipped back into his old habits when. The delight was obvious in his voice, which came from Herethin's shoulder.

"Prince Legolas," Herethin said, holding the younger elf close. "I heard from Elrond that you were here, but I had to see it with my own eyes. I thought you were leaving?"

"I was, but Elrond has found a way to get rid of the sea longing, so I will be staying," said Legolas. Herethin drew back and looked at his prince's face, which was slightly paler than normal, and his healer's instincts took over.

"Wonderful. Come. You look like you should be sitting," he said, guiding Legolas to sit near Thranduil again. It was silent for a few moments.

"You two can come down," Legolas called into the tree, and Herethin looked up. There, cradled in the lowest branch, were two children, peering down at him. He swallowed the immediate reaction to fight when he saw the all-too-familiar green eyes, seeing that Legolas's face was open and trusting, and Thranduil had gone over to help them down from the tree.

The smaller one, a girl, jumped into Thranduil's awaiting arms, and the boy climbed slowly down the trunk. The girl rushed immediately to Legolas when she was place on the ground by Thranduil, and she hugged him, giggling as he lifted her up above his head. Even in his weakened state he had enough strength to lift the little girl up high in the air. He brought her back down and kissed the top of her head, and she placed a wet kiss on the tip of his nose. Herethin watched in fascination. Who were these children?

"Hello, Allenda," Legolas said, and he opened an arm, offering an embrace to the boy, who leaned into it. Legolas kissed the top of his head as well, before letting go of them both.

"Herethin, this is Darean Cyrasion and Allenda Cyrassell."

Herethin blinked, and the children stared at him. He was barely taller than Legolas and, to two human children, looked fairly similar. Pale face, pointed ears, long limbs. The only noticeable difference was that where Legolas had very light hair and eyes, which made him look even more ethereal, Herethin had a more earthly look with light brown hair and green-grey eyes.

"Hello, children," said Herethin, and they looked at him intently. "I trust you have been taking care of little Prince Legolas here?"

"Hey!" said Legolas indignantly. Allenda giggled, and Darean put a hand over his mouth to smother his laughter.

"I am Herethin, a healer from the Greenwood," Herethin said, reminding himself to speak in Westron. It had been many centuries since he'd used the language.

"Hello!" said Allenda, her face absolutely innocent. Darean smiled a little at his sister's enthusiasm, but remained silent.

"Alright, you two can go play again. I just wanted you to meet him," said Legolas, and the two children went back to attempting to climb the tree. Thranduil sat down next to Legolas and Herethin.

"Come, what news from my kingdom?" he asked. Herethin nodded.

"The real Anomeda has been found, my king," he said, and Thranduil nodded. "She was trapped in the place where Legolas and...the Queen were held captive. She was frightened but unharmed."

"That is well," said Thranduil. "Anything else?"

"No. The council hasn't managed to do anything particularly outstandingly stupid...yet."

Legolas laughed and Thranduil smiled at this proclamation and the look of exasperation on Herethin's face that appeared whenever he spoke of the council members.

"And, my king, I thought you would like to have these," Herethin said, drawing a roll of parchments from the inner pocket of his tunic. Thranduil took them, unrolling them and reading them slowly.

They were the papers that he had used to change his heir.

Now he could change it back.

Thranduil smiled gratefully at Herethin and left the parchment unrolled when he saw Legolas's eyes scanning it. When he figured out what it was, Legolas's face saddened, knowing how much it would have hurt his father to have to sign it.

"And Cyras?" Legolas prompted, turning away from the paper as his father rolled it up.

"Still locked up," said Herethin. "He has refused to talk to anyone."

Legolas looked relieved, and he gave a small smile. Thranduil put an arm around his son's shoulders, bringing him closer to him. They sat for a moment before Thranduil stood, offering Legolas his arm.

"Come. You must be tired, and I need to get these papers squared away."

Legolas nodded, looking forlornly at the trees and nature that he would have to leave once again. He sighed and stood, leaning on Thranduil for support.

"Darean! Allenda! We are going inside," said Thranduil. The two children ran after them, and Allenda yelled something about wanting to read a story with Legolas. Herethin followed the small party quietly.

After leaving Legolas, Herethin, and the children in Legolas's healing room, Thranduil sat at the desk in his guest room with the parchment unrolled in front of him. He held a quill pen in his hand, and he let it hover above the page. Signing this would mean realizing that Legolas was back.

And that was something he was fully ready to accept.

He signed his name.