Chapter 26
Legolas, however, seemed to have a very different view then Haldir did. He did not know what possessed him to actually bother telling Legolas, but he did. Perhaps it was just the fact that he had seen the companionship between the dark haired teen and his own friend. Legolas was really too kind for his own good sometimes. The two did seem to get along fairly well, and Legolas needed to get along with others that are not Aragorn, and himself. The Prince was far too isolated. It was not his fault, it was the King of Mirkwood. Though do not tell Legolas that. The other would flip at the mere mention of disrespect towards his father. He was very loyal. He supposed it was part of the whole 'my father and my king' thing that Legolas had adopted for ages now.
Still, Legolas had seemed sufficiently concerned when Haldir had informed him that Loki would not be joining the dinner table. It was enough to make him reconsider his viewpoint that Loki would know himself well enough that he should not be too concerned for him skipping a meal. Then again, the boy did seem to have a lot more things under the surface that was harder for others to really see if they did not bother truly pay attention to him. Haldir wondered if that was on purpose or not.
"But, he has scarcely eaten a thing since..." Legolas paused dropping his eyes to the grassy floor and sighing deeply. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself. "I will go and retrieve him." Legolas said, his voice low and quiet. A mere mutter, even still, Haldir heard him and grasped his wrist swiftly.
"My Prince," Haldir spoke, his eyes boring into that of the youthful Prince, his voice chiding. "He has refused, and I am not too sure it is wise to force him into something he does not wish to do." Legolas gave a small smile and a light scoff at Haldir's words.
"Haldir, my friend, I appreciate the concern," Legolas said a sarcastic smile on his face as his own eyes turned in on Haldir, pulling his wrist from Haldir's hands, and the other letting him go reluctantly. H would not dare to pull Legolas back more then what he had. The other was still a Prince, even if he was friends with him. To do so could and most likely would have drastic consequences. "However, Loki has not eaten a decent full meal in months since I have met him, and likely far before that. I would prefer to go and grab him." Haldir swallowed, a bit nervous at the chastisement.
"Of course, I will go with you, to ensure the safety should something go wrong, for either of you." Legolas laughed gently but nodded.
"Thank you, Haldir." Legolas said sincerely. He turned and began walking towards Loki's residence, and Haldir rushed after the brash Prince.
Who knew what could happen. Loki had not been in the best mood when he had left him. He did not want Legolas going into something that he could not return from. Though he did not doubt Legolas, he knew that Loki was a rather wild card. He did not know much about him and that was dangerous enough, the other being in a relatively bad mood on top of that made it far more dangerous.
Legolas did not even hesitate to walk straight through the door. Haldir almost groaned at the boldness that the young prince was showing. Could he not be at the very minimum a little more careful? Sometimes he wondered how he had made it alive all this time. Despite knowing that Legolas was at the best of times, an incredibly dangerous individual, even for an elf, and most certainly for an elf as young as he was, there were times that the other was so horribly reckless he would have mistaken him for a mortal man.
"Loki," Haldir heard Legolas shout out. He almost lost his composure, after having seen how the other had handled Galadriel, seeing him almost maim Aragorn? He wondered how it was that anyone within the fellowship was still alive at this point. He walked in after Legolas, well aware that if he did not, he would not be able to truly assess the situation, which could lead to rather disastrously dangerous complications.
"Ah, Prince Legolas, wonderful to see you," Loki said gently.
It was...he would admit it rather surprising to hear the genuine quality that there was within Loki's voice. He knew that the two were...bordering at the very minimal, on friends but even still. The morose nature that Loki had given off upon his departure, it would seem as though he had managed to compose himself enough during his absence. Even still, Haldir saw the flash of something in his eyes, though it was gone too quickly for him to tell what it was.
"Why are you refusing to dine with us?" Legolas demanded, Loki gave a small nervous smile. Haldir narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I would not say that it is refusal necessarily...I..."
"Enough," Legolas cut in. The Elvish Prince knew it was rude, but he did not wish to hear what Loki had to say about it. How was he supposed to continue observing the man if he refused to even be with them at the best of moments.
He had learned quite a bit upon their venture to LothLorien already. It may have taken a while, but Legolas had managed to piece the picture together, at least somewhat.
The biggest thing was that he had magic. Powerful magic at that. His control was relatively good but Legolas knew emotion based magic when he saw it. The magic that Loki held, it was him and he was it. In such a manner, it was far different from the sort of magic that Gandalf wielded. His magic was more...sentient, Legolas supposed. At least in some form.
Not to mention the man was utterly traumatized. Legolas would admit he did an admirable job at hiding it, yet the continual lack of sleep, denial of food, distance which he forced between himself and the others, the story which he had given the Hobbits, and the personal nature which it gave way to. The way he flinched slightly whenever someone would touch him, when words were directed towards him a little too forcefully, or a little too loud. Despite all of that, he had not hesitated to take charge when it came down to it. The shock in his eyes as he was obeyed however, that worried Legolas more then anything else.
Not to mention the disdain he had towards Gandalf, and Boromir. That much was obvious. he did not know who they reminded him of, and he was not stupid enough to ask. Either way, some things became obvious if one only payed attention.
Furthermore, Legolas knew that there was something going on with the boy that he did not really want to speak of. His magic, his trauma, the shaking of his hands, the momentary gasp of his breath. Someone had hurt him, severely, and more then likely over time. For all that he may play the villain, and perhaps he was in some way, Legolas knew that there was something underneath that.
He just had to find it.
Still, Loki willingly was going with the Company, despite the dangers that it held. He knew that there was likely a more selfish reason for it, but at this moment he did not care. What he did care about was that he knew Loki well enough that should he need to, he could force him into agreeing. Not that he would do such a thing, as it would tarnish what little friendship he had garnered from him.
"Look, I realize perhaps you need some time alone," Legolas admitted. "However, I cannot simply allow you to continue this venture of skipping out on meals. It will be bad enough when we leave LothLorien in a weeks' time. I do not want you fainting on us again. Not like after the mines." Loki looked down, not baring to meet the other's eyes. Ashamed. Legolas made him feel like he was some sort of errant child. It both aggravated him and upset him at the same time.
"That was simply my being careless and had nothing to do with.."
"Loki," Legolas said sternly. "Please, I am worried for you. The others will not leave it alone either. You scared everyone with that. The hobbits thought you had died due to such drastic feats of magic."
It was a low blow, Legolas supposed, using the hobbits, but even a blind scoundrel could see that the mage cared for the hobbits deeply. Legolas was not above low blows if it meant he would get Loki to eat something before they left. He was horribly underweight as it were.
"Fine," Loki hissed, his eyes flaring green momentarily. "Fine," Annoyance in his tone first and then resignation. He knew that Legolas was right. He needed to eat, and continuously as well, before they left the forest. Food was going to be scarce once they did.