Denied Rights

AN: I am sooooo sorry that I took so long getting this up. With finals and all the papers I had to write for class, I neglected my story. And then finally when I got a chapter finished, my laptop stopped working, and I wasn't able to access it until now. Once again, I am so sorry. Don’t forget to review and tell me what you thought!

FF.net people: The reason that there are fewer chapters then before is because FF.net wanted me to get rid of only authors note chapters…. So I did. Sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.


**Lothlorien**

“He is not like the others,” said Legolas as he sat with Veryaserko on the balcony of his quarters.

The captain frowned, but did not speak, as he remembered the elves in question, and how they had pursued Legolas.

“I know you have warned me against him, my friend, but I tested him. He would have my friendship rather than nothing.” Legolas smiled as he thought of that moment in the woods. A moment of peace in his troubled life.

“I do not say these things to make you unhappy, my lord,” said Veryaserko shaking his head. “But I have heard that the marchwarden has never given his heart to another. Do you not think that he could just be using you?”

“This is Haldir, Marchwarden of Lothlorien, and the Lady of light’s fierce warrior, champion and confidant. He gave me his word that he would speak the truth. Do you believe that he has so little honor that he would lie?” asked Legolas incredulously.

“Perhaps,” came the response, causing his lord to frown.

The sound of a throat being cleared made them both look behind them to see Orophin standing there, and he didn’t look happy. “The Lady requests your presence, Legolas,” he said before he glared at the captain next to him. He turned to leave, but then turned back and pointed his finger at Veryaserko. “How dare you doubt my brother’s word,” said the guardian quietly, simmering with anger.

The Mirkwood captain stood and faced Orophin, trying to calm him. “I do not wish to doubt your brother’s words, but I have heard---,” he began, before being cut off by the silver haired elf.

“You have heard?” he asked incredulously. “Whatever it was that ‘you heard’, if it included tales of my brother’s lack of honor, was a lie!” Orophin was barely suppressing his rage, and would have continued to tear into the Mirkwood elf, if it wasn’t for Lady Galadriel’s voice speaking soothingly in his mind. The guardian rubbed his forehead and nodded wordlessly.

“Are you alright, Orophin?” softly asked Legolas, as he studied Orophin.

“I am fine,” he responded. “Forgive my outburst,” he said calmly. “It is just… it is hard to listen to those who try to trash my brother’s reputation.” He took a step towards Legolas. “You must not believe the horrible things they say about him. They only do so to prevent his happiness, because they are jealous of him, and the trust that so many have in him.”

Orophin paused, and looked uncertain, as if wondering whether he should say more. Finally, his uncertainty lost to the overwhelming desire to protect his brother. “I caution you to beware of Luimhenn,” he said firmly. “I witnessed his advances towards you, and then the look he gave you when you left with Haldir. Luimhenn does not get along with my brother, and I fear that now your attentions are directed towards Haldir, Luimhenn will do all that he can to force you apart; if only for the sake of hurting Haldir.”

Legolas nodded, taking in the information that he had been told, although truthfully he had also noticed the coldness between Luimhenn and Haldir. “I will be wary, and I thank you for your concerns,” he said to Orophin.

The Lothlorien elf nodded and smiled slightly. “You have made my brother happy, Legolas. I would like to keep him that way.” He paused and his smile faltered. “He does not often have such joy in his life.” Orophin shook his head and straightened. “And now, that we have delayed enough, I must escort you to Lady Galadriel.”

Veryaserko touched Orophin’s arm as the guardian prepared follow Legolas. “Forgive me, Orophin.” He turned away slightly, gazing at Legolas. “I only seek to protect him. It is a duty that I swore to his mother the day that he was born.”

Orophin nodded, calming slightly when he saw the earnest look in the captain’s eyes. He then spun on his heel, and followed Legolas.

*************


“Are you quite sure?” asked Celeborn, as he stared at his wife.

She laughed. “Oh yes, I am quite sure. Our grandsons are almost here.” Galadriel smiled as she thought of the twins.

Celeborn shared the smile, and then a frown crossed his face. “Not alone, like last time, I hope?”

“Glorfindel accompanies them, and I have no doubt that he will keep them safe on the road here,” she said grinning, and then added, “however, he may lose his sanity in the process.” She could not help laughing again when she saw the astonished look on her husband’s face. “You cannot be surprised, they wrecked havoc upon us the last time the came to visit.”

“But, they are no longer foolish, little elf lings! Surely they have matured some?” When the only response he got was more laughing, he shook his head smiling. “I don’t know how Elrond can put up with them all the time.” He looked thoughtful. “After their last two week visit, I was pulling out my hair.”

“Of course, I am sure that Erestor takes care of Elrond when he gets too frazzled,” said Galadriel, and Celeborn could have sworn he saw a smirk cross his wife’s face.

He sighed loudly. “I do not want to know what you saw in that mirror of yours about those two, if it involves what happens behind closed doors.” He shook his head. “Personally, I don’t know what Elrond sees in that advisor of his.” Although to tell the truth, he could. Erestor was a beautiful elf, both inside and out. He had been a warrior before he became Elrond’s advisor, and it was rumored that he still could best any who took him on. Yet that didn’t mean Celeborn wanted him involved with the lord of Imladris.

“Oh don’t blame Elrond for wanting someone in his life right now. You know he still loves Celebrian, and he always will.” She turned and began to walk away, and then called over her shoulder, “And who said anything about closed doors….. they were out on the balcony and…”

“I don’t want to know!” he shouted as he plugged his ears and went to occupy himself. Perhaps he’d have a talk with his captain. Anything to get his mind off the vision of Elrond and Erestor entangled on the balcony!


*************

Haldir was fletching arrows when Celeborn came to see him. “My lord Celeborn,” he said as he immediately stood, confused as to what could have brought his lord to his home.

“Sit Haldir, and please continue. I don’t mean to interrupt; I merely seek a companion who will not fill my mind with things I would rather not envision.”

Haldir laughed, “Ah, so she has spoken of Elrond and Erestor again?” Celeborn frowned.

“Haldir, what did I just say?” he asked seriously, although the corner of his mouth twitched, as he fought to suppress a chuckle.

“You are right, my lord, please forgive me. What would you like to speak of?” asked the Marchwarden as he returned to his place on the floor, although, he was sure he already knew the answer to that question.

“I would speak of Legolas.”

The Lothlorien elf nodded and returned his eyes downward to the fletching of his arrows. “What you really wish to know, is whether I know of his true parentage.”

The Lord of Lothlorien narrowed his eyes. “Then it is as I thought. When did you discover this?” he asked as he sat across from his Marchwarden.

“It was shortly before I brought him before you. I am surprised that none of us saw this before. It seems quite obvious now.”

Neither of them spoke for awhile. The only noise being that of the forest out of Haldir’s window, and the arrows Haldir continued to work on.

The silence was broken when Celeborn finally spoke. “I do not understand how Thranduil could do that to his son.” The lord of Lothlorien stood and began to pace back and forth. “How could he?!” he asked furiously.

“I cannot answer that,” said Haldir sadly. “My lord, there is nothing we can do about the past. What we must focus on now is how to help Legolas, and how to prevent this from ever happening ever again.”

Celeborn shut his eyes and rubbed his brow tiredly. “You are right, as always, Haldir.” He looked down at the elf still fletching arrows. “What would I do without you?”

“I expect you’d be going crazy envisioning Erestor and Elrond together, my Lord,” came the cheeky response.

“Haldir!”

“I’m sorry, my lord,” said Haldir, although truthfully he wasn’t sorry in the least.

Celeborn smiled. “Haldir, I’ve told you a thousand times. We’re in private. You no longer must address me as your lord.”

Haldir smiled in return. “Whatever you say….. Ada.”

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Reviewer Responses:

Haldir’s Heart and Soul: You hope Thranduil will stay out of their love life? Well, we will see about that… Thanks for the review! Oh and the reason you are now only seeing 15 chapters…. Well 16 after I put this one up, is because that FF.net wanted authors to take down their chapters which consisted of only authors notes…. I know it’s rather confusing, and I apologize. I also put this reason at the top of this chapter, so that my other readers won’t be confused.

Angelbird12241: I’m glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review, and I hope you liked this chapter too!

ReallyDumbBlonde: I’m so sorry I took so long to update!! And as for what’s going to happen next, well there may be a few twists in there that you aren’t expecting! And don’t count Luimhenn out quite yet! Thanks for the review!

Lady-Diane: I did have an astronomy teacher, but trust me, you’re better off not having her! Because she sucked, and I felt really cheated after the semester finished! I’m glad you like my romance scenes, I’ve never really done one, so I was a little worried. And, lol, I felt that I needed to include a little more Celeborn and Galadriel, so I threw in the scene with them and the farmer. Estel’s just a kid, so I thought hey, he doesn’t know what would really be going on between them…. although he will grow up awfully fast, so I’m pretty sure he’ll find out soon enough. Thanks for the review; I hope you liked this chapter!

Willow Myst: Thanks! And yes, although I do enjoy a ‘naïve and innocent’ Legolas every once in awhile, I thought I’d make my Legolas craftier…. He’d have to be, since he’s Thranduil’s advisor. The twins will show up soon! Hope you liked this chapter.

Bryan’s Girl: Well we wouldn’t want little Legolas to be heartbroken! So I suppose I’ll just have to continue writing….  I’m glad you liked the story so far, thanks for your review, and I hope you liked this chapter!

PokethePenguin: I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks for the review, and I hope you liked this chapter.

ViciOusRebl: Thank you! I’m glad you like it!

Dyrim123: I’m glad! Thanks for the review, and enjoy the rest of the story!

Levina-Phoenix: I’m glad you’re enjoying it. And yes, you’ll have to watch out for Luimhenn. He still has a part to play in all this. And I suppose I do have to thank my younger brother and sister for the inspiration. Thanks for the reviews, and I hope you like the rest of the story!

Nessa-melwasul: I’m updating! I’m so sorry it took so long!! Please, please, please forgive me!

TheSilentSenshi: I’m glad you’re enjoying your story, and here’s the next chapter. I am sorry that Thranduil had to be portrayed this way, its just the way that the story worked out. I have an idea for my next story where Thranduil will have a great father/son relationship… but until then… this is what you get. And I agree, there really isn’t enough H/L out there…. Although I have found some great ones. I do love the twins, and although they aren’t the main characters in this story, I’m hoping to give them a little more time in the future chapters. I’m glad you liked the bantering, as I said earlier, I have to thank my brother and sister for the inspiration. Also, I’m glad you liked the ending! Well enough chit chat, I gotta start writing more! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Fan: I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Sorry it took so long!

Anyone else who reviewed or sent me an email, thank you so much for your continued support, and once again I apologize for my tardiness in updating!!