#tlor drabble

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Childhood Love

Prompt: What would you say if I told you I’ve been in love with you since we were kids?

Requested by: @audreythetealovingcat

AN: Yes  . . . it is supposed to end like that . . . that evil laughter you hear is me.

Fandom: the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

    You can see it in his eyes, the way he looks at Tauriel. He loves her, and you’re happy that Legolas has found someone to be happy with. At the same time it hurts. You had been friends as children, but as you’d grown older Legolas had drifted towards the guard, towards weapons training, and soon the games of your childhood had drifted away. His had been replaced by training, and yours had been replaced by etiquette lessons and then healing lessons.

    The healing lessons had come from a desire to stay close to him, to help him, and a natural affinity for the art. Your mother was scandalized by the idea. Still, he always had a smile and kind words for you when you met in the healing center. And you made sure to reassure him that you were fine.

    When Tauriel falls in love with the dwarf, you can see it kill him. You can see it affect him. But you don’t say anything. You keep quiet, but you don’t stay inactive. You go with the army as a healer. Your mother screams about it, until her voice goes hoarse. It doesn’t stop you.

    When the war starts, you find yourself in the midst of it all; with a medical bag at your side, you tend to the wounded on the field. You’ve never been good with weapons, and you hated violence with a passion, but that didn’t mean your duty to the men of your race would fade.

    Perhaps that’s why he bring you the injured dwarves. One is already dead, but the king, and the one Tauriel loves are barely alive. You tend to the king first out of practicality and a bit of spite. The other dwarf hurts your friend. You bring the King Under the Mountain back from the brink of death, and turn to his nephew. Surprisingly he’s still alive. It takes hours of work, but you’re able to secure his life. Tauriel weeps with gratitude, and you simply nod before walking away.

    You stumble from exhaustion, and it is your king who catches you. “Aran Nin,” you mutter quietly.

    “Can you walk?”

    You nod, and summon the strength to make your way back to the medical tent. You rest for several hours, before you’re summoned by the king. You pass Legolas on the way in, but he doesn’t say a word.

    Your king is pouring over papers when he says, “I want you to go with my son.”

    Your voice is hesitant, “Go where hir nin?”

    He gives a small smile, “That is for Legolas to decide. Will you go? I’m afraid he’ll get himself in a bind and need your aid. He’s done so more than once.”

    You don’t meet his eyes, “I am not trained in the way of combat Hir Nin. I’m afraid I would be more a hindrance than a help.”

    “He can train you in those things, and you’ll accept because you love him, long to be near him.” You go stiff, and he smiles, “I am not blind, Y/N. You have fought for him in your own silent way. When he drifted towards the guard you went into healing, despite your mother’s loud protests. You sat by his side for days when he was injured, reassured me on top of that. You followed him here, and did your best to protect him. You fought for him where Tauriel would not. I am not as a cruel a man as I may seem, I have no distaste for Silvan elves as one might believe. My people are Silvan. I simply wanted someone who would fight for him as he would them. You are the only elleth to have done so. So my question is this, will you continue to fight for him? Will you stand by him.”

    Your answer is simple, “Of course Aran Nin.”

    With that you’re dismissed. You find Legolas near a set of horses. He gives you a small smile, “I’m sorry he’s asked you to do this. You should not be denied the comforts of home simply because I wish to wander.”

You stroke the side of the horse’s face, “It’s not a problem.”

“I imagine we’ll hear your mother’s disagreement from here.”

“My mother’s wishes have never been mine Ernil nin.”

He straightens at the title, “Since when have you called me that? I have always been Legolas to you, and I don’t remember taking that right away.”

You mount your horse, “My apologies.”   

He catches your hand before mounting his horse, “You are my oldest friend. Please Y/N.”

You nod once, and without another word you head north. You don’t speak for the first several days, Legolas is busy navigating, and the openness of the range is enough to keep you on edge. It is on the fourth day, while sitting around the fire that he says, “You’ve been unusually quiet.”

Your eyes flicker to him, “Have I?”

“You used to talk non-stop as a child, and even in the healing rooms, you would keep a stream of conversation going.”

“I did that to keep you awake, when a concussion was suspected.”

He smiles, “Or you enjoy my company?”

“That too . . . perhaps.”

He scoots closer to you, “This freedom is unique. I haven’t felt this light or carefree since I was a child.”

Your eyes don’t leave the fire, “I’m glad.”

There’s a pause, “No you’re not.”

Your head swivels to him, “What?”

“You chewed your bottom lip, you only do that when you lie. It got us in quite a bit of trouble when we were children. My father pointed it out to me.”

You consider your words carefully, “I am happy that you’re happy Ernil Nin.”

He scowls at the title, before leaning in closely to gently, grasp your chin with his forefinger and his thumb, “You are choosing your words carefully, are you not happy?”

“I am happy to be with you.” You admit, careful to not bite your lip.

“A half truth.”

You scowl, “What told you that?”

He smiles, “You just did. Tell me what is on your heart mellon.”

“You do not wish to hear what is on my heart when yours is so raw. I do not wish to hurt it more than it already is.”

“Even at the expense of your own.”

“I have lived with my secrets long enough, I know how to deal with it.”

“What about an order?”

“You would never do such a thing.”

He lets go of your chin, “You are correct. But as your friend, I would like to share your burden.”

You draw your legs to your chest, and after several moments of silence you say, “That’s the problem Legolas, you are my friend.”

His brow knits together in confusion, “I don’t understand.”

You smile, “What would you say, if I told you I’ve been in love with you since we were kids?”