Lorinand Memoirs: The Bough Breaks

Chapter - 02

Instinctively Thranduil flinched and moved away from the gentle hand that touched his shoulder. Blinking back the tears that still filled his eyes, he stared at his fathers' personal servant Galion. Even as his tears blurred his vision he could see the concern shining from his soft moss green eyes.

"Go away. Leave me be." He choked out the words, he would take pity from no one. Turning away from him, he closed his eyes against the pain in his neck from where his head had twisted violently from the blow. He could feel the blood still trickling freely from his nose.  His lower lip swollen, shoulder and wrist throbbed painfully.

"I am not going anywhere." Galion spoke softly as he sat down beside him, pulling him into his arms. "We can just sit right here on the floor if that's what you wish." He told him, hugging him tightly, paying no heed to the blood as he gently pressed Thranduil's head onto his shoulder.

Wrapped in his comforting arms, Thranduil could not hold back and let the tears flow, sobbing without restraint he clung to him. Curling closer to him there on the floor, he sought the comfort he could always find in the arms of the gentle servant that had always been there for him. His heart ached for the mother he could not remember. Even the image of her face had faded beyond his ability to recall, it had been so long ago and he was so young when they traveled here.

"Sorry." Thranduil apologized, finally pulling back from him, his eyes were hot and swollen, his voice thick from his tears. "I am making a mess of your robes."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Galion said softly, placing a fatherly kiss on his forehead as he smoothed his hair, tucking the loose tendrils behind his ears. "Now let me look at you." He said softly as he gently lifted the young princes' chin so he could examine the swollen eyes, the bloodied lip, and nose. "Well, you are going to be somewhat of a mess for a bit but I do not think it is permanent."

"I must look a fright." Thranduil managed quietly, trying to smile but it hurt more than he would admit even to himself.

"You are still beautiful to me." Galion chuckled, very much aware of the young princes' vanity. "Come, let's get you cleaned up a bit so I can take a better look at you."

Nodding as they helped each other to their feet, Thranduil stopped him, pausing to study his face for long moments. There was a time when he loved his father dearly and deep inside he wanted desperately to understand what he had done to make his father hate him so much. Looking into the concerned face of the servant, he was hit with a flood of memories of the many times as an elfling it had been into Galions' arms he had run when he needed comfort, not his father. It was Galion who always came to him when he was sick or injured, and now after an argument with his father to check on him and make sure he was alright.

"Thank you, for everything." Thranduil told him quietly, smiling in spite of the pain.

Galion only smiled at him as he slipped his arm around the young princes' waist, guiding him into the bed chamber. It was with great difficulty that he managed to compose himself after finding him on the floor in such a state. Anger burned hotly in his gut toward the king for what he had done, it was inexcusable.

"Put this on." He told him as he picked up Thranduils' robe from the settee at the foot of the bed and laid it on the bed near him. "Come in when you're ready." He added as he turned toward the bathing chamber.

Waiting until after Galion had disappeared, Thranduil stripped off the sleeping tunic. Quickly using it to clean himself as best he could, he tossed it into the flames of the hearth and grabbed the robe he had laid over the bed for him. Pulling it on, he watched as the tunic caught in the flames, tying the robe closed, he turned toward the bathing chamber.