The Bone Witch- A Legolas x Reader LOTR Fanfiction

Chapter 6: Like Father, Like Son

Aragorn joins you further into your walk.
"Legolas told me what happened."
"He also likely twisted it to his favour."
"You know he meant all that you said he didn't. He did care about your family, and about your people."
"Well, perhaps so, but he made no mention of it."
"He didn't need to. You're comparing him to his father again. He didn't want you to die, Y/N. What is unclear about that?"
"He didn't need to. You're comparing him to his father again. He didn't want you to die, Y/N. What is unclear about that?"
"I know what his father did to you, Y/N, but Legolas could never put anyone through that, least of all you." You glance up at those words. "He cares about you, Y/N."
"Well he certainly has a funny way of showing it." You refuse to say more to him. After a while, Aragorn gives up and leaves you alone.
After his lunch, Legolas finds you.
"Y/N?"
"Legolas." You say, not turning around.
"I... ah..."
"You can't even apologize, can you? You act as though it'd kill you just to utter the simple word. And why? You're still convinced you did nothing wrong. But that's not the point of saying sorry. The point is to recognize that the person to whom you are apologizing was offended by your actions, and to show that you understand that. The point is to show them you care, and that you'll try not to hurt them again. It's not about being wrong. It's about understanding."
"I'm sorry," he says quietly, "I- I just..."
"You were raised by your father. You can see him in everything you do. It can't be helped, but once you recognize any part as being wrong, you can change. If you're prepared to try, that is." Your words injure him, and you know it. You do believe what you're saying, and sometimes the truth hurts.
"I never realised I was so like him. I try not to be. I- I try."
"Look, I know it's hard. It was never easy for me, either, though it was different." You can't say just how different. "But it can happen. It really can."
He looks doubtful.
"It's also hard for me to look at you, talk to you, and not see your father in your stead."
"What did my father do to you?"
"He insulted everything I stand for."
"But what did he-"
"Our kingdoms used to have a pact. Once a year your father would visit, and vice versa, to keep the peace between the lands. Your father would come bearing gifts, and mine would do the same. My father typically brought money, and armour, and yours, the most beautiful weapons the people of Gondor had ever seen. He would bring special weapons separately for my brothers and I, and teach us to use them (this was after I'd insisted on learning to use a weapon, as typically women aren't meant to do so). Beautiful swords, arrows and bows, daggers, and everything. He became like a second father to us, and he visited all the more for it.
"But then, one day, I overheard one of Thranduil's conversations with my father. My father was asking if it was really necessary for me to marry one of the Elven guard. Marry! I'd never agreed to such a thing! Your father was insisting that it would seal the bond between our lands, and so on. But I was to marry against my will, and he knew it!
"A while later he came out of the hall and gave my brothers and I our gifts. He first gave my brothers swords. He then turned to me.
" "I think it is high time you began to act like a proper lady," he said, "you must marry one of my personal guard to seal the deal between our lands. Do not argue- it is unbecoming of a lady. So, this time, I brought you this." He pulled out a tiara.
"I lost it at that. Not only had he insulted my own rights to free will, he also expected me to stand there and bear it! He knew I believed it was a woman's right to be treated as equal to man, and he stood there and spat on my beliefs without care! I ask you, how could he? How could he bear to stand there and dash all my hopes for the world!
"So I pulled a sword he himself had given me, and attacked. He never stood a chance. It was a matter of minutes before he was lying, bleeding, on the ground. I hacked off his arm with the old and well-used, slightly blunt, blade. He had it coming."
"But... you didn't kill him?"
"No. I knew he had a family, a kingdom to run, and while I knew he wouldn't be the best ruler by the way he'd treated me, I knew that it was more than likely that someone worse would take his place. I didn't want his family and his kingdom to suffer on my account."
"I had no idea. I'm so sorry, Y/N."
"So when you spoke about saving me, and your reasons for doing so, it all came back, the thought process in cutting off his arm, and the cold, but by no means uncaring, rationale in doing so. And when you never mentioned my family, or my people, I thought it didn't matter to you. That you were as cold and heartless as your father. And I hated you for it."
"I'm so, so sorry. Truly I am."
"I know. I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I couldn't see past your father for you."
"Friends?" He asks, holding out his hand.
"Friends." You answer, shaking it.