Sun-Kissed Blood 3

Sun-Kissed Blood

Part 3

Posted: April 4, 2008
Title: Sun-Kissed Blood
Author: Elohir Mornedhel

*****

Legolas knew he was different from every other elf in Greenwood. As he continued to grow into adulthood, he found the differences more obvious. The prince withdrew from others, especially when the gnawing sensation in his stomach could not be quenched by regular food. At those times he would lock himself in his rooms and not come out. Unfortunately, this answer did not solve his problem. He had to feed and it disgusted him.

When he was old enough to begin training, his father took it upon himself to do so. While other warriors could train in the noon sun, stripping clothes from their bodies, the prince could not. Yes, he slowly built a tolerance to it but when the sun was high overhead, at the hottest part of the day, he became lethargic. Yet, when Ithil was at its zenith, he was energized and had trouble sitting still. It was just another characteristic that separated him from his kin.

Despite the circumstances of his training Legolas proved his natural ability with both bow and short knives. His speed and agility proved superior to most elves. He relished the challenge of a new weapon and his father searched for ways to keep his son occupied. The prince absorbed knowledge like a sponge, which was both a blessing and a curse. The only constant companions he had were books.

Leaning against a tree in the twilight garden, he sent his mind back into his memory. There had been times when he’d attempted socializing. It was not one of his strong points. Oh he had wonderful manners and knew court etiquette by heart. He was just incredibly self-conscious. He had been since the beginning of his adolescent years when his incisors had begun to show more prominently when he opened his mouth. He’d had no control over them and when the others had caught sight of them, the teasing had been unmerciful. Some of it had been from fear; most of it had been from jealousy of his station. Neither fact mattered when one was the target of such abuse.

Those early years had been rough for him. High emotion caused his eyes to glow blue-white and made his fangs distend further. Another difference, another characteristic provided ammunition to his enemies. Fortunately, he’d managed to keep the physical reaction below his waist from being noticed. It was more embarrassing than anything else for he only seemed to have that reaction around ellyn. It was disconcerting to say the least.

Legolas sighed as one of the night birds sang over his head. He looked up, seeing the bird as clear as day.

“Why am I so different?” the prince whispered.

“It is simple and yet so very complex,” came his father’s voice. The king walked over and sat down beside his son, stretching his long legs out.

“Nothing about me is simple,” Legolas sighed. “I am all jumbled up inside and, though my majority is only a month away, I feel like a lost child. There are none in Greenwood going through the same things I am. I feel so very alone.”

“I wish I could say you were not but I have tried to always be honest with you, pen dithen,” Thranduil sighed. “I promised I would tell you why you have been made so different from your kin when you reached your majority, and I will hold to that promise. I just want you to know that I love you. You are my son and that is all that matters to me. I will always be here for you.”

“ Ada,” Legolas whispered as he rested his head on his father’s shoulder. “I know there are certain… physical changes going on inside my body that my peers are experiencing as well. However, I seem to get… aroused when ellyn are around.”

Thranduil smiled as he wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulders. If this was the most difficult question his son ever asked him then he was quite fortunate.

“I know the feeling,” he said and chuckled when Legolas’ head shot up.

“You do?” Legolas asked.

“Oh yes. I am attracted to both ellyn and ellith. Each gender has its own beauty and strength. There are many couples in Greenwood who are the same gender. There is nothing wrong with it as far as I am concerned,” the king said. “Do not concern yourself about such a thing Legolas. Feeling the attraction is less frightening than attempting to tell someone you find him or her attractive. Eventually you will learn how to broach the subject in your own manner. Some day you will find the one person to share your heart and soul. When that time comes, everything will be right with your world.”

“I do not think there is anyone in Middle Earth who could love a creature like me,” the prince whispered. “Who could possibly love an elf that must drink blood to truly survive?”

“Anyone who looks at your heart,” Thranduil said firmly. "You have a beautiful soul iónen. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. It shines through your eyes and charms those about you. If they cannot see it then they are fools.”

“So says a father who loves his son more than anything,” Legolas gave a small smile having gotten into the habit of hiding his teeth. “I can only hope you are right.”

“Of course I am right,” Thranduil harrumphed playfully. “I am King.”

Legolas laughed and hugged his father.

*****

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