Lorinand Memoirs: The Bough Breaks

Chapter - 03

Struggling to shake himself of the heaviness of his sleep, Thranduil could hear the angry voices in the other room, they sounded muffled and distant. He wanted to move but the pain that now wracked his body was far worse than the previous night. Slowly as the fog of sleep lifted from him he was able to recognize the voices as those of his father and the servant Galion.

"I will not go against Garävegión and will leave Aldalómë to him." Oropher stated, the anger in his tone was unmistakable. "As for my son, my mind is made up. The arrangements have been made. Once he has healed he will travel to Lórinand where he will remain as a charge of King Amdír until such time as I decide he will be allowed to return."

"Cerithon i iest, gîn Heruamin." (As you wish, my Lord-Formal) Galion stated, no longer caring that his own anger had risen to match that of the king. "He will not go alone, do not stand in my way. Húriön will serve you as adequately as I."

"You would dare defy me?" Oropher hissed at him.

"I remind you gîn Heruamin." (My Lord-Formal) Galion spit out the last word as if it left a foul taste in his mouth. "We serve out of choice, we are not your servants. I will go where I please."

Thranduil stiffened, unable to believe what he had just heard. Not only was his father willing to send him away, but he would also send him to live alone amongst strangers. Until he decided he could return? How long would he leave him there? He needed permission to return home? What was to happen to Aldalómë? Why was Galion defying his father? So many questions circled through his mind as he struggled to sit up, he needed to go talk to his father. A loud whimper escaped his lips as a horrible pain shot through his head and neck causing him to fall back onto the pillows.

"Do not try to get up." Galion stated anxiously as he quickly reached the side of the bed.

Tears stung the back of his eyes as he held them tightly shut. Thranduil heard the sound of the door to his chambers slam shut, marking not only his fathers' exit but signaling that he was still angry enough with him that he wanted nothing to do with him.

"So." Thranduil said quietly, although he didn't open his eyes. "I am to be exiled for my sins."

"What are you talking about?" Galion asked more harshly than he had intended as he adjusted the blankets back over him. "Thranduil?" He insisted, sitting on the edge of the bed when the young prince turned his face away from him. "What sins have you committed?" He asked as he gently took his face in his hands, forcing him to look at him.

"Anÿë Gérion." (Oh Little One) He said softly, his heart aching as he watched the tears slip silently from the corners of the young prince's eyes. "You have committed no sin." He told him, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. "Rest, I will be right back."

Nodding, Thranduil rolled onto his side and hugged his pillow. Staring into the flames that flickered across the logs in the hearth at the foot of his bed, he tried to think of nothing. Yet there were so many questions that still chased themselves around in his thoughts. He knew nothing about this place Lórinand or this King Amdír his father spoke of, but it obviously didn't matter. Wanting nothing more at that moment than to be alone, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep when he heard Galion return.

"You need to sit up for bit and drink this." Galion said softly as he gently patted his shoulder.

"I do not want to." Thranduil whispered, refusing to open his eyes or even move.

"You sit up and you drink this." Galion said sternly. "It will help with the pain and the swelling."

Frowning slightly Thranduil offered no resistance as Galion pulled the pillows together to give him more support. The brew had obviously been sweetened liberally with honey, still it left an odd taste in his mouth that he wasn't sure whether he liked it or not. Thankfully the cup was only half filled as it was clear that Galion was not leaving until he had drunk all of it.