Winter's Heart
Winter's Heart
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Winter’s Heart
by Elven Demagogue
Legolas and a girl of his house
come to Rivendehen hen the winter is too harsh after their passage from the
Grey Havens. Must angst ensues for the
young lovers. Legolas/OC, Elrond/OC, Elladan/Elrohir/OC
Note: An old story I had on ff.net, revised a tiny bit to make the Halfelvens a bit more ruthless.
Mmm. ;)
~
The air was bitterly cold, utterly devoid of
comfort. Little stars of ice rained
from the muted heavens and covered the South Road, little gifts from winter’s
heart that were a curse in the g of of beauty. The continuous exhale that the world groaned spoke no promises
that they would ever reach their home in Mirkwood. At Bree they had been warned of this; that the road to the South
would be impossible by now and on through the duration of the season.
it, too.n stn style="mso-spacerun: yes"> There they stood in the dim of
the falling dusk, he and the girl his father had taken in to raise for a fallen
friend, looking upon the treacherous path that lay before them.
ability to traverse snow with ease, but the vision ahead bred little hope to
him. If the cold did not slow them, it
woulrelyrely freeze them—for no Elf can withstand the tide of weather
indefinitely. Silanna faltered in her
stride, her fingers stiffly pulling her cloak to her as she regained balance.
than he, who had traveled abroad far longer.
“We have no choice,” he said, continuing a conversation from earlier.
Silanna stopped, inhaled the garish air and
breathed, “What then shall we do? The
only path home lies within the Gap of Rohan.”
Legolas surveyed that path and just as moments
before, drew no sign of hope. They
would be lucky to make it to the realm of the Horselords without falling
beneath the weight of winter. “We must
return to Bree and hope they allow us sanctuary.”
He sniffed the air, reflecting on those words and
knowing the truth of them. He knew not
how they thought upon their Elven neighbors within the Valley of Imladris, but
they did not trust the two of them. The
Prince of Mirkwood did not know what to make of that. Knitting his brow, he looked at her through grave, dark
eyes. “We could try the High Pass.”
The effect was immediate. Her own eyes widened slightly at the suggestion and she shook her
head. “That way your father would
surely not have us take. Not so close
to our enemy, Legolas.”
Legolas inhaled and nodded, looking North.
close to Imladris. Between Mirkwood and
Rivendell no love was lost and the mercy exchanged as far and wide as a
chasm. “Very well.
lodging there.” Legolas took her arm
with his, aiding her steps as they turned away from the South Road and began
for the human city.
Long were the nights they traveled, using the
warmth of daylight for rest to keep the forever chill out, but Bree saw their
plight and had no care for them. They
were turned away with the statement that there was no room left and perhaps it
was true at that. Rangers were known to
come from time to time and take lodging, and in fact at least one was found
within the tavern of the Prancing Pony.
But it filled the heart of Legolas with sorrow that they would be so
excused, left to their doom in the cold once their packs had been meagerly
filled and a rough dinner offered in recompense for their troubles.
dark-haired Ranger, who spoke ill of the road to towards the Hobbits.
you shall find no better to the West.
From that direction I came and winter has gripped the land with
unyielding ferocity.”
Dipping his bread down into the cooling soup that
had been placed before him, Legolas knit his brow and exhaled, trying to
think. “Ai, my heart troubles me.
but my charge’s life is more precious to me than mere chance can comfort.
us or is it truly asy say say? There is
no place in this village that could offer us even the barest of shelter?”
Pipe in hand and eyes upon the table, the Ranger
shrugged. “That is not for me to
say. of of the High Pass?
chance the East is passable, if only you leave soon. Though the High Pass carries its own dangers, I have heard.
Legolas shook his head. “’Tis not the Goblins I worry for. We can slip past them easily enough, for they I have dealt with
many times before. But there are keener
eyes I fear to track me should our path take us that way.”
easily dodged should it come to that.
The Ranger seemed to watch him with interest.
succeed over him.”
The Elf let that slide, sharing a look with Silanna
beside him. She had long since finished
her soup and looked content now that she was warm and her belly full.
leaving this place. He sighed, taking a
last bite before wiping his hands on a napkin before him.
impassable?”
“You may try it if you like,” the Man said
sincerely. “I do not counsel it,
however, but it is your choice. "> You may
make it as far as the Shire.”
The prospect before them on either front did not
sound promising, but he knew Silanna would not make it through much more of the
freezing elements. He looked into her
face softly, weighing and wondering.
“What shall we do, Silanna?” he asked, trying to give her a reassuring
smile. It came out much paler than he
had intended. “Which danger shall we
face and defeat?”
She looked up at the doorway that would take them
back into the cold.n stn style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Her voice was
hushed and soft as she answered him gravely, “The High Pass.”
~
Together they left Bree with a few provisiand and a
word to the wise from their acquired Ranger friend. They would stick as close to the open road as they dare for fear
of dangerous weather closer to the Misty Mountains, but not so close as to pass
too near the Valley of Imladris. Past
Rivendell the danger would lay, yes, in extreme weather for winter was closing
the world of the West in a grasp that tightened as the days went by, but also
in whom they would be passing. The eyes
of the Noldor were just as keen as those of the Sindar even if it was believed
those in Rivendell were pampered and unaccustomed to the dangers that befell the
Elves of Mirkwood. Legolas was
respectful enough to realize eyes could find them if they looked hard
enough. So they traveled by night for
that reason as well as guarding against the dangers of being still in such
cold. As they moved Legolas was ever
watchful of the trees around him, fearful they would whisper word back to their
Noldor neighbors and alert them.
But if Rivendell would not find them and take them
it would be the cold that brought their defeat. Silanna lay tucked against a tree, her silvery hair just visible
beneath a moonless night settling in.
True illness could never befall an Elf, but that would not stop any
warm-blooded creature from succumbing to constant cold.
sadness of the starless nights weighing upon her heart.
trying to find the strength and will to stand.
Shivering, she turned to wit with worry in her dark
eyes. He knew she would suffer much
before a complaint, which was why his heart sank when she admitted, “I am so
cold, Legolas.” "> She did not speak
another word; did not ask for reassurance or another solution.
troubled him to see her befall this.
He crawled to where she lay to offer her his
strength. “Come.
try. There we can find a cave and build
a fire.”
She nodded, taking his hand and standing with
renewed hope in her expression. But
they did not have the strength to fight.
The attack came from seemingly nowhere.
When they had eaten Legolas had scouted the area and satisfied, they
took up the journey once more. Morning
passed into a dim midday. Legolas had
neither heard a sound nor saw a glimpse until it was too late.
raven-colored hair and gray eyes. These
two—twins as it were—held daggers ready and watched their quarry with guarded
eyes. “Mirkwood Elves,” one said in low
tones. “I told you, Elrohir.”
The one called Elrohir shrugged with a crooked
smile. “So I was wrong.
unwise as to come here?”
Legolas put himself between Silanna and the sons of
his enemy, for he knew Elrond had fathered twins. His hand twitched in the direction of his own twin swords, but
thought better of it just yet. “You
have no right to bar our way. We did
not come near to your valley.”
“But what would a pair of Sindar be doing in these
parts if not to spy? If you believe my
father unaware that the court of Mirkwood keeps an eye on Noldor matters, you
may tell your king to reconsider,” the other one told him quite flatly.
recalled the names right. This one was
the wilder of the two if rumor were correct.
“So there are spies in your court,” Legolas
countered, trying to keep a grip on the situation. “Are there not spies of your own within reach of my king’s
words? These matters we are already
familiar with, Elladan of Imladris. If
I were a spy, would you not be familiar with my face?”
The elder of these two was looking for a fight, the
Prince of Mirkwood realized, when Elladan narrowed his brow.
father. He will decide what is to be
done with you.” His eyes skimmed over
the figure behind him, the girl he had all but forgotten in the heat of the
moment. Legolas felt his blood run cold
at that look.
He lifted his hands near to his chest, preparing to
dart them over his shoulders at a moment’s notice should the need arise and he
foresaw that the time would soome.
meant. “We have committed no crime in
these lands,” Legolas said in dangerous tones.
“Kindly let us pass that we may return home and you shall never have
dealings with us again.”
But Elladan was firm in his intent.
judged by my father.” He exchanged a
look with his brother, then both began towards them. In the span of a single step taken by these two Legolas had his
swords drawn and ready. Behind he could
hear Silanna drawing her short sword.
The fight was brutal and quick.
feet and with the strength evenings with warm food and nights in a warm bed
could provide. At first they concentrated
their effort on Legolas, but soon enough realized that the Princess of Mirkwood
had also been trained in defense. She
took on who Legolas thought was Elrohir—t twi twins looked so alike it was
indeed difficult to tell—and held her own well enough for a time.
coming from the Elf fighting him and looked into eyes that relished the
competition between them.
With a great shove Legolas pushed the twin off
balance and blocked a stroke from hitting his companion that had been delivered
too quickly for her to counter. She
smirked softly at that and blocked another while Legolas turned his attention
back to the angry Elladan. The elder
twin pressed forward with thrust after thrust, but Legolas just could not
concentrate enough with her in harm’s way.
The blade borne by his own attacker met his hand, drawing a red line
down the top. He groaned out, but did
not allow that to stop him from sending his sword into the path of another
oncoming blow.
A single cry stopped the fight for him.
hitting the snow as she fell to her knees, and Legolas whipped around in sudden
fear. She cradled her arm to her chest
and looked up from beneath her dark hood.
Elrohir was bending down and wrapping his hands arm her arms to pull her
up when Eln sln slammed the hilt of his sword into the back of the
golden-haired prince’s head. The pain
of it blotted out the cold for a moment and for that span Legolas cursed winter
for stealing his skill. He was just too
tired and too chilled, and knew she was much the same.
watching him fall with wide eyes.
~
It was very warm here and for that alone was
Legolas grateful. With all else he
found reason for scorn. They had been
brought into Imladris as if they were common criminals by the twin sons of
Elrond and led to this ornate study to await the master of this home.
upon the golden-haired Elf that stood watching over them.
cut that he had acquired in falling after he had been so crassly struck
d
waved and dodged, saying, “Do not worry at it, Sil. I am well enough. Worry
instead for your own exhaustion.” He
eyed her wounded arm meaningfully.
She frowned at him slightly, but made no argument
as she sat down on the soft sofa with him.
He saw her glance at a window and cross her arms as if the memory of it
could not be stripped from the flesh.
In truth he had trouble forgetting it as well, for he knew to go home
they would again have to forsake the warmth they found here.
she asked him in a hushed tone.
Legolas looked away from her then, thinking back on
conversations he had listened to, words spoken against Elrond of Rivendell by
their father. He knew his father was
prone somewhat to exaggeration in his anger, but honestly Legolas did not know
what to expect. He knew what the Elves
of Mirkwood thought and he knew what others thought of the Lord of Rivendell.
squeeze. “Let me worry over that.”
grin. “Do not frown at me so.
me for the bow.”
Silanna pursed her lips, hiding a smile.
“Do you doubt?” he asked her with a sparkle in his
eye.
Any reply to that was cut off as the door
opened. Both of the Mirkwood Elves
moved their vision to the twins that entered and their father that followed
after then. Elrond wore stately robes
that marked him for who he was, and a sternly surprised expression as he
approached them. Legolas stood so as to
be at equal height with this seemingly unimposing figure, who smiled at the
gesture. His sons, however, did not
take kindly. “Take care, Sindar, not to
overstep your bounds,” warned the one to Elrond’s left.
any sudden moves to harm my father.”
“Elladan,” Elrond spoke with a slight turn of his
head. Yet he did not take his eyes off
Legolas. “I do not believe such was his
intent. Am I right?”
Legolas looked towards the twins and to the other,
silent overseer tremaremained near the door.
“I am no fool as to try such as that.”
The elder Elf nodded at this, moving to a cabinet
at the other side of the room. He
opened it and inside Legolas saw vials and other odds and ends used in the
mending of wounds. Elrond removed a
small purple flask and a roll of bandaging.
“What were you doing, skulking around the forests so near to Rivendell?”
he asked, turning.
“We were headed for the High Pass,” Legolas replied
truthfully.
Lord Elrond remained quiet a moment as he walked,
his eyes now on the form behind Legolas.
For a moment the younger Elf took a protective stance before her and the
elder looked up with intent eyes. “I
was told she was injured. I only seek
to remedy that.” Uneasily, Legolas
moved and watched as Elrond sat down beside Silanna, speaking as he took the
arm she reluctantly let him tend. “Why
were you headed for the High Pass?
Seldom do we see those of our Mirkwood kin so near.”
Legolas chose his words carefully.
stopped at a human settlement called Bree.
When we left there we found the South Road impassible, but the humans
turned us away when we sought shelter for the winter.”
“Indeed,” Elrond replied, setting aside the purple
flask he had used to apply some unknown liquid to Silanna’s arm.
uncertain position they were in, but he could only trust this man’s kindly
demeanor for the time being. Silanna
watched her arm as Elrond wrapped it.
Ean san shifted on his feet, looking distrustfully
at them. “What were you doing west of
the Misty Mountains?”
Elrond gave him a firm look.
then returned his look to Silanna.
Those gray eyes seemed to linger on her until she looked away in discomfort.
Legolas. “What am I to do?
set in.”
The elder ignored his tone and fixed him with a
dubious expression. “Oh?
you on the vergefreefreezing? Why your
packs are light of the burden of food?”
To that Legolas could say nothing, for it was true.
when they fell upon the slight form of Silanna. “What am I to do with you?” he repeated, as if trying to find
some sort of answer within.
Elladan watched them coldly.
out. Let him wander home in this state
if that is what he wishes. The
girl…” He trailed off, sharing an
amused look with his brother.
Ignoring the innuendo, Elrond smiled gently at the
girl. “I will not be so insensitive as
to force them into the cold, my son.
You would do well to learn compassion, even for an enemy.”
Legolas did not like the turn this conversation had
taken. He was angry at being held here,
having his fate decided for him. So his
tone suggested as much as he asked, “What would a Mirkwood Elf want of the
compassion of Elrond of Imladris?”
The Lord of Rivendell gazed at him only
mildly. “It is my compassion that sees
you alive and unharmed.” Elrond took a
lingering breath before addressing the golden-haired, seasoned Elf at the
door. “Glorfindel, there can be no help
for it. I will not force anyone into
the cold. See that they are given
proper rooms for the winter.” He turned
back to Legolas. “You may, of course,
leave whenever you wish, but I would counsel against it.
parts this time of year.”
“My Lord,” Glorfindel said a bit reluctantly,
“there are certain things our enemy should not learn…”
Elrond nodded.
“Indeed. So they will not.
will be far too busy for mischief. You
will both be required to earn your keep, of course.” He gave them a pointed look.
At that Legolas knit his brow.
The elder nodded once. “You may leave.”
Moving to Silanna and taking her hand, pulling her
up, the Prince of Mirkwood was poised to do just that, but a small hand on his
shoulder forestalled him. “Legolas,”
she said softly, her dark eyes bothered.
“It’s so very cold.”
His heart grieved him, seeing the battle in her
eyes. She may not survive such a long
journey in the cold. Sighing, he
smoothed a silvery strand of hair away from her face with a most grave
expression. “Do you really wish to
remain here, Silanna? In the house of
our foe?”
The younger Elf looked then to Lord Elrond without fear
and without haughty pride. His
expression seemed to grow troubled when she spoke. “What would you have us do?”
“Your protector may work in the stables and
elsewhere, you in the home,” he answered plainly. “Lord Erestor can set up appropriate tasks for both of you and if
you fail them, you will only be asked to leave.”
Still not liking this idea, sparing Elrond’s sons
distrustful glances, Legolas said then, “What of my sister’s safety?
liberties with her person. That I will
not endure.”
Elrond did not look at either of the twins.
vaguely.
Neither Elladan nor Elrohir made comment to that,
nor shifted a foot, but it did not comfort Legolas at all.
their trust and this whole unpleasant business, he turned to Silanna once
more. “I cannot demand that you enter
the freezing weather again and neither would I leave you here alone.
choice to you.”
Her dark eyes measured Elrond’s gray ones intensely
and he remained locked into that gaze, whether to prove his truth or for some
other reason, Legolas did not know. “I
choose here,” she said after a long moment of decision, giving him a small
smile. “I cannot bear the cold as
easily as I can bear being made to clean.”
Elrond stood finally from the sofa and looked to
his sons. “See for their lodging,
please.”
Both nodded and Elrohir said, “Yes, Adar.
Taking Silanna by the arm with a growing sense of
unease, Legolas took stride behind the haughty twins. Lord Elrond seemed kindly enough, but this situation still
troubled him greatly. It would be
foolish for the Lord of Rivendell to kill them or repress them from leaving,
for their father would never let it go without a war, but neither did Legolas
feel they were safe here. He would have
to take care and not let down his guard in the face of such well-seeming
compassion. All that mattered now was
getting through the season until they could leave. He would waste no effort on trust.
~
Elrond returned the small flask to its proper place
within the cabinet quietly, conscious of the scrutiny he was under just
now. He knit his brow when Glorfindel
spoke plainly. “Something troubling you
about this, My Lord?”
Turning, the Lord of Rivendell replied a little
less certainly that he should have.
“Nay.”
Glorfindel cocked his head and crossed his arms,
pressing, “My Lord?”
There would be no escaping the need of his friend
to understand his mind. Elrond sighed
and spoke truthfully. “I have seen
these two in my visions, Glorfindel. I
know their faces, their ways.”
The golden advisor regarded his lord.
Elrond rubbed at his temples as if it would rub
away the uncertainty he had just willingly brought down upon himself.
understanding is limited. an>Tan>There came a
great turmoil upon Rivendell from a source I could not see and the girl died
here and the boy not long after. I do
not know what took their lives, but I do know that if this happens it will
cause Thranduil to come against us.
the girl accepted into his house when a close friend passed into Mandos.”
Glorfindel’s eyes widened at that a little.
what had been said. “His children?
they been not of his line. But visions
can be altered. They need not
die.” He stopped and looked up with a
thought. “We could simply ask them to
leave. There is no bond over you that
forces you to care for them.”
The Lord of Rivendell shook his head once.
other choice.” Elrond looked out at the
snowy landscape of his home, trying to divine wisdom from some unseen
force. “I cannot force them into the
cold.”
~
Silanna bit her lip and frowned at the smudge upon
the windowpane. What could someone
bring into a library that could place such a mark? It would not come clean.
There were dark spots where something had soaked into tiny cracks in the
glass and as she peered closer, she hissed, “Ink.”
On the floor, upon his knees as if prostrate before
the room, begging it to clean itself, was Legolas, aiding her chores.
shiny. He sighed and looked up,
lamenting, “Such work! What ails
you?” Golden locks of sunshine were
smoothed back by dirty, wet hands and the effect was quite becoming.
She smirked.
“Ink. On the window.
thump and she crossed her arms.
“Ink on a window,” he mused, scrubbing at the floor
again. Silanna left the window and sat
down on the floor beside him, reclaiming her forgotten rag and dipping it into
the bucket beside him. “Makes one
wonder what goes on in this home, does it not?
One of those twins likely got it in his fool head one day to try penning
to glass instead of parchment because ‘shiny surface pretty’.”
grunted. “See what madness comes of
being born in Rivendell.”
Laughing and polishing the wooden floor, she shook
her head. “You have such a prideful
tongue, Legolas. Does not Elrond clothe
us at least?”
He fixed her an irritated look.
she opened her mouth to speak. “And do
not think I did not see you speak with him at dinner last night.
than necessary. No good can come of
it.”
“Forbid,” she repeated with a frown.
though you were my father.”
He stopped working. “Silanna…”
Silanna looked up from her work.
His frown remained, then softened.
That was a certain truth, for it had been long
since they had been home. Yet she found
hope. “Do you think he may assume we
have stayed at Bree or with the Hobbits?” she asked, blowing a strand of hair
from her face.
Legolas shrugged, though his expression remained
grave. It gave her little comfort.
younger. Silanna glared at him for
saying it, but he was too busy at his task to notice. It was perfect.
Grinning, she shoved her rag into the bucket of
filthy water, then abruptly tossed it at him.
It landed with a smack against his face, sliding down and bringing
half-dry and half-wet hair down with it.
His dark eyes were wide and the slick sound of her weapon hitting the
floor only made her mirth less easy to contain. Silanna laughed. “What
was that for?” he asked, wiping at the droplets of water collecting on the
floor.
“You called me ‘little one’ and I thought I should
give you a reason to, after all,” she replied, knowing full well he was only
pretending to clean.
Legolas nodded without a smirk and without warning,
slammed his hand down into the bucket, bringing a virtual miniature tidal wave
of water out as he threw both her cloth and his into her, saturating the front
of her dress. “You swine,” she laughed,
going for the bucket.
But Legolas already had it in his hands, ready to
pour all over her should she make a sudden movement. At that very moment a presense became known.
stuck to the inside of a book, Lord Elrond came into the room from standing at
the door, padded past them and to a bookcase.
He pushed the tome into an empty slot, drew another and looked up with a
smile. “Legolas, Lord Erestor is
looking for you.”
The Prince of Mirkwood hastily straightened his
hair and clothing, more than likely trying to recapture the regal air he was so
fond of using before the denizens of Rivendell. His stance became very stiff and formal.
Where may I find him?” Legolas
never ended sentences with ‘My Lord’ when addressing Elrond.
Flipping through his book, Elrond motioned towards
the general exit of the room and murmured, “His office, I believe.”
Silanna looked up, chiding him for his coldness
through a look, but he only returned it just as stern.
had he been able to. No good can
come of it! she would have mimicked right back at him.
once at Elrond for not leaving the room, then went abois bis business to find
Erestor.
Squeezing out her skirts, Silanna stood up and
scouted for the missing rags. When she
risked a look at Lord Elrond, she found him watching her, book closed and
wrapped in his arms. “How are you
fairing?” he asked her wit inc inclination of his chin.
She crossed her arms to hide the ugly wetness
marring her dress. “Well, Lord
Elrond. And you?”
He smiled, heading to another bookcase.
book. “I trust your chores are not too
trying?”
“No, My Lord,” she replied, then smiled
lightly. “My churlish guardian might
say differently, however.”
Elrond laughed, turning around.
At this Silanna blushed, having not intended to
throw insult to their benefactor.
“I…he…”
But he only shook his head, approaching.
are certain realities one must face.”
“Truly, My Lord,” she murmured, looking down at his
hand. He noticed the trail of her eyes,
but did not immediately remove his hand.
His eyes were shielding something, some thought
that he did not wish to share with her but that must pertain to she and
Leg.
She found her breath coming a little heavier as he
traced her shoulder. “I cannot hate
that which I do not know. You have
given your enemy a place to sleep and food.
That says you cannot be wholly terrible.”
“As your father says?” he questioned, finally
removing his touch from her flesh.
She nodded truthfully, repeating, “As my father
says.” Silanna exhaled, peering down at
her filthy dress, trying to smooth a wrinkle forming. “Legolas knows our father is prone to… over-complicating
matters. The rift between Sindar and
Noldor is wide, but he believes it can be gapped. I think he is merely wary of you and yours.
him.” She looked up, fearing he would
be angry with her for being so bold of tongue.
Elrond only smiled, a quiet, contemplative
smile. “They are wild, Elladan worse
than his brother.” Silanna did not know
what to say to that and the conversation came to its conclusion.
leaving her with two words. “Carry on.”
She watched him go with a wry look on her
face. If her father knew she and
Legolas were serving Lord Elrond thus, he would likely fall off his
throne. It would already be an uneasy
thing to return home, once his spies left Rivendell in the spring to report
they had seen his children there, doing as they did. He would understand, but it would take some talking and even then
he may take their labor as the Noldor Lord insulting them.
not say.
~
“Stable duty.”
Those two words grated upon the Prince of Mirkwood.
the animals waited to be tended. And it
was cold. Very cold.
parchment that currently held his attention and fixed them upon Legolas.
Legolas stood straight, tall and proud as any royal
of Mirkwood should, even in the face of servitude. “It is not one of my favorite tasks,” he admitted freely.
Erestor swept a chestnut braid behind his ear and
looked the parchment over again, then exhaled.
“I am not purposefully assigning yois tis task to be a nuisance,
Legolas. Calenand likes it no more than
you, yet he does his part to see the stables are cared for.”
“With all due respect, Lord Erestor, I made no
protest. I fail to see why you tell me
this,” Legolas responded a little flatly.
The other Elf folded his parchment and tucked it
away with some other papers. “Because
of that look on your face. Because of
your ever-present mood. I do not strive
to be a hard taskmaster, young wood-Elf.”
Legolas smiled.
“It merely turns out that way?”
It was a questionable thing to say, but in truth
the wood-Elf meant no disrespect. Lord
Erestor weighed him and knew this to be true.
pan>pan>He returned the smile. “Do I
treat you unfairly? Please tell me if I
do.”
His answer was immediate. “No, you do not. Have I
failed to perform my duties?”
Erestor shook his head. “No, you have not.”
Legolas shifted on his feet when the elder fell
into silence. “Lord Erestor?”
Prince genuinely wished not to offend him.
He could think of nothing he had done that might stir such a
conversation.
“I know this is hard on you,” Erestor finally
began, straightening his tunic and looking up.
Not by personalent,ent, at any rate.
You seem bright and understanding, one that can accept things as they
are and not as things they are not.”
Suddenly, he understood.yes"> The Prince nodded his head once.
“You do not wish me to speak ill of my time here when it comes to
reporting back to my father.”
Eyes as blue as the sea glinted in appreciation,
watching him. “You have a keen mind,
young Legolas. Our world has many
troubles. It is filled with many
perils, some of which are converging as we speak. To be united as a people would be in everyone’s better
interests. Of this I have not even
spoken to Elrond as of yet, but I have been thinking since your arrival.”
“Lothlórien,” Legolas repliepan
pan
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “They would see to our uniting should troubles
arise that required all of Elfkind.”
“Yes, indeed they would. I only ask that you consider my words, Legolas.
nod his agreement to at least ponder these words. They were true, he knew.
Elves united against evil, truly united by bonds of trust, could prove
indispensable against the darkness of the east. But what he questioned was the intent behind Erestor’s
suggestion. He seemed agreeable, but so
did Elrond. Yet that did not mean all
that was thought had been said. The
elder tilted his head back and smiled.
“Very well, then. See to your
tasks.”
The Prince of Mirkwood reflected that
expression. “Stable duty?”
“Stable duty.”
~
“There must have been thirty, yes?” Elladan was
saying to his brother, who appeared amused and would not reply.
and continued on with the tale. “We
were in this ravine, running for our very lives, turning to shoot these fell
beasts as we fled. It was astounding.
Elrohir coughed lightly, then covered his smile
with his cup. “And rob you of your
fun? I think not.
Elladan gave his brother an annoyed look, but was
all too quick to take up the story again.
“Unfortunately I tripped.” A
maiden gasped softly, another shifted in her seat. The Prince of Mirkwood crossed his arms and watched him orate
with a humored expression written upon his face. “For a brief moment I thought that was the end, honestly.
and though I shot it, it was relentless, driven from death by its madness.”
“How did you get out of there alive?” asked a
dark-headed maiden with deep blue eyes that were only for Elladan.
The son of Elrond looked at her softly, with
haunted eyes. “I cannot even begin to
tell you. The fight was brutal, leaving
one little time for committing such distressing acts to memory.”
Legolas smirked.
Elladan caught it and frowned.
“If you have something to say then out with it, stable boy.”
Though the hands of Silanna tugged at his shirt, the
Prince of Mirkwood kept his expression amused.
He fingered his goblet and said, “And why should I comment on such a
fantastic tale?”
Elladan pointed at him threateningly.
not so gentle as the company you are with.
But I will not endure your mocking.”
Legolas spread his hands. “Did I mock?”
“Be at peace,” warned the younger twin, laying a
hand on his brother’s arm to quell his wrath.
He pursed his lips and sighed.
“You are too easily goaded.” He
smiled cordially at the other youths.
“Our father blames my brother’s te on on our Uncle Elros.
This did not assuage his twin’s tension, merely
enhanced it. Elladan was not prepared
to let the subject drop. “Nay, I say if
he would comment he should do it freely.
Come, Greenleaf, tell me what you thought so funny.
“Nay,” Legolas said genuinely.
that caused me amusement. Forgive me,”
he grinned, “I thought you had made a jest.”
Elladan stood up from his place and balled his hand
into a fist, but Elrohir’s firm grip on his tunic stopped his advance.
night without incurring his anger.”
The Prince of Mirkwood glanced to where Elrond sat,
his eyes upon the minor fray. Elladan
sighed, following his eyes. He sat
down, but not without expressing his vexation one last time, hissing, “You will
learn your place in Rivendell, stable boy.
You just wait!”
The Noldor returned to their affairs as Elrohir
offered up a song in distraction.
Silanna elbowed Legolas, embarrassed by his actions.
He took a sip of wine. “I thought he was joking.
12.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Silanna leaned back in her chair and pillowed her
arms across her abdomen. He bumped her,
looking at her smirk. “Perhaps he meant
to say they must have been thirsty.”
Legolas laughed at that, but noticed her expression change to sorrow
quickly.
“You wish to go home?” he surmised gently.
The younger nodded, looking up into his dark
eyes. “There is no reason to draw their
anger, Legolas. Elladan is not a kind
Elf. Not at all.”
“I am sorry,” Legolas breathed, brushing back her
silvery-gold hair. “I did not mean to
make you afraid. I will behave.”
Silanna grinned at that, finding it most
humorous. “Now it is you that boasts
beyond his abili
Legolas shrugged and finished his wine.
~
Dinner was exceptional and the Hall of Fire was
homely, as usual. The Elves of
Rivendell were nothing if not fond of merrymaking, tales and songs and
such. The Mirkwood pair had not joined
in during the first of their stay, but as the days turned into weeks, they took
part. As of now they paid attention to
a particularly suspenseful tale being spun by Elladan, of an adventure he and
his twin had been on recently. Legolas
seemed to scoff at much of it, Elrond noticed.
There was a great rivalry between those two in particular, largely
because they were the most outspoken between the four of them, he
suspected. Silanna and Elrohir were
likewise quiet and contemplative, which was why she would listen to him if spoken
to and why Elrohir remained passive towards her. Silanna avoided Elladan like he carried a plague.
how Elladan had cornered her alone once.
He had not harmed her, but it was only a matter of time.
The Lord of Rivendell sighed.
made it known. “You brood so, My Lord,”
he complained with a look towards the figure Elrond had his eyes upon.
Elrond swirled the contents of a silver goblet
around, looking into the scarlet depths.
“My visions do not change. They
die every night in my dreams. And it
becomes all the more clear that the event that triggers all of this is her
death.” His eyes traveled to Silanna of
their own accord. “Legolas allows
himself to be goaded far too easily. I
try to tame my sons, but I fear what could happen if they play a part in killing
the Sindar.”
“She is far gentler than her prince,” The seneschal
observed. “She hates no I w I would
venture to say, save perhaps Elladan.
You say she dies first yet it is not she that draws such wrath upon
herself.”
The Lord of Rivendell took a drink.
I fear. And if it is Legolas that draws
down someone’s anger, it could be they kill her in recompense.”
Glorfindel looked at the Mirkwood siblings through
troubled eyes. “We know that something
will occur, therefore we shall be all the more vigilant in keeping an eye on
things.”
Elrond shook his head. “It sounds well in theory, my friend, but things do not always
work out how we would have them. I find
little comfort in simply allowing things to continue on in their present
course. I would send them away if I
thought the weather would not defeat them.”
“You care for them,” Glorfindel commented softly.
The Lord of Imladris thought of it a moment, then
smiled as he caught on to the other’s meaning. “I have thought on it.
Thranduil would rave like a madman.”
His companion laughed, rubbinged his chin
thoughtfully. “It may not be entirely
unexpected, after all. You are allowing
them to stay here. There is no reason
she cannot serve you in your bed.”
“I told her Legolas…”
“That she would be protected.”
terrible as their deaths on our hands.
These things are not alien to our kind.
You may have been begotten of Celegorm of Nargothrond for his lust of
Luthien had history been different.”
Elrond considered it gravely.
both unfeeling and yet somehow attractive as well. He rested his chin on his hand, watching after her.
as death, no matter how good it is that they would be alive.”
“I think he would expect such of you.
Lothlórien if he warred against Rivendell for such a thing as that.
about war. You could protect her from
that, protect us all. Do you have lust
for her?” Glorfindel asked mildly.
Elrond gave him a modest glare.
with it, then I will not deny that I could.
It has been…long.” His eyes
drifted to the children of his rival as they waged a private contest where they
sat. The young Mirkwood Prince earned
himself a generous shove for something he said to Silanna.
his in chair and gazed at the table. “She
is young,” he whispered, thinking on compassion and yet driven by that thought
all the more.
The advisor smirked at this.
advanced age. Do you think I deny my
own feelings where maidens are concerned?
It would be good for you to lie with her. You are much too tense.”
“Glorfindel,” Elrond sighed, giving his friend a
fond pat on the shoulder, “you are much too familiar with my private life.
yourself.” They shared a laugh, but the
choice remained heavy on his heart.
~
tbc…?
Note: In the original, Silanna
was a genuine child of Thranduil, sister to Legolas, but in this version I
opted to make her adoptive for certain reasons. She is of no blood relation to Legolas now, even if sometimes
referenced so, because I figure in certain situations it might be more
pertinenr thr them to be referred to in such a way, consider that she is an adoptive
sister.