The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 10

Legolas yawned as he lowered his bow to survey the shot he’d just taken. Unlike the day before his accuracy had returned along with his concentration and Filgree delighted in seeing his most talented student excelling once again. His interrupted sleep last night had left him feeling a little drained this morning but he wasn’t going to complain. Filgree ref refused to tell him whom he was speaking with last night and Legolas felt concerned that anyone should be near his rooms during the night. If father found out that someone had entered that part of the house there would surely be a council called to discuss security. Legolas supposed that the over protection of his part of the palace was due to the jewels that were housed under his room. Thranduil was prestigiously proud of all of his jewels and would punish anyone found trying to loot them.

“Very good penneth, your skills in archery have returned. Now let me see your skill with a sword.” Legolas groaned as he unclipped his quiver and lay both his bow and the leather strapping on the log before taking up the awkward broad sword. Of all the weaponry he had been taught to use Legolas despised the sword the most. The cumbersome weapon, was heavy and left little room for error and no swift movements needed for escape or protection. Why the men of Middle Earth chose to carry such a heavy useless weapon on their journeys was beyond the prince to comprehend. Any race who chose awkwardness over usefulness was silly and stupid, much like the dwarves.

“Why can we not practice tracking instead Filgree, I long to run in the forest?” Legolas complained bitterly as he reluctantly picked up the sword and began to swing it recklessly about him uncaring of whom might be in the way of the weapon.

“Legolas be careful with that you may injure sne.”ne.” Guiltily Legolas lowered the sword back to a reasonable height and smiled mildly at his tutor. The young prince was becoming bored, as he often was now days during his lessons. It was only in the last few months that Filgree had begun to notice the prince’s craving for outside exploration and inwardly he sighed knowing that now Thranduil would never allow his son that freedom. “Let us come to a compromise Legolas. We will spur, if you beat me we will take a ride out to the boarders and stay the night at one of the outposts, if not we will continue to spur until your learn some skill with a sword.” Legolas smiled enthusiastically at the chance of being allowed out to the boarders. His brothers had long been apart of the board patrols and he had longed to go with them but his father had always forbidden in. Perhaps Filgree had come to some agreement with his father yesterday after all.

“I accept the challenge Filgree. Be prepared to su def defeat at the hands of your student, for I have an incentive now to beat you.” Filgree chuckled heartily before raising his own sword into a comfortable position. He would insure that Legolas won the competition but not without a fare fight. The situation presented would allow him time to talk to Legolas alone at the outpost and reveal the secret the king had forbidden him to speak of. The incident with Lord Glorfindel last night had only further concreted Filgree’s plans to speak to Legolas. If Legolas was to protect himself from predators in life he had to know the truth and understand just how special he was. Filgree was now determined Legolas would know his fate by the end of the day.

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“And are you sure you heard right Erestor?” Glorfindel stopped abruptly along the path and turned to face his dark haired friend now confused even more. Last night he had awoken Erestor from his slumber to tell him of the conversation he had engaged in with tutor Filgree. Erestor had been just as surprised as Glorfindel to learn of the positioning of Legolas’ chambers and also of the presence of Filgree in the room. Despite himself Erestor had become most interested in what was going on and this morning had taken the time to idly question the servant who brought him breakfast.

“Aye, she said that her brother was on Thranduil’s council and at present the King was in negotiations to secure a human wife for his youngest son, from the lake town.” Glorfindel furrowed his brow in concern. This twisted tale of Legolas’ life was becoming more and more strange by the minute.

”But that is unheard of. Why would Thranduil secure a human wife for his youngest son? It is a contradiction of everything Thranduil stands for, he would label Elrond and his people half casts yet subject his youngest son to the same fate. And children from the union might very well ascend to the thrat sat some point, and he would knowingly allow it. It can not be true it is simply ludicrous.” Erestor sighed and shrugged his shoulders unable to come up with an explanation for his friend who seemed to becoming more and more irritated by the situation the more involved he became. Admittedly the idea that Thranduil would force his youngest son to marry a human woman was very out of character but Erestor could not help putting it past the King to do something so stupid. His disregard for Legolas was obvious perhaps it was his way of truly disowning his son by forcing a union so unlikely to be favoured among his people. The other solution Erestor had come up with was that Thranduil had completely lost his mind and considering what he heard of in the past that too was not so wholly impossible. “I wonder if Legolas knows of this intended union? Surely he does not agree?” Erestor could see the cogs and wheels of his friends mind working over time to decipher this mystery as they continued to walk the gardens.

“I very much doubt it Glorfindel. If he has grown up in this family with their prejudices he would object strongly to any such union and I doubt Thranduil will inform him of it until it is too late.” Glorfindel sighed and folded his hands behind his back in thought as he padded along in the dewy grass of the gardens. Unwittingly he had fallen for the young elf the moment he had looked into the emerald green eyes. The young elf seemed so vulnerable, so helpless among his family, who treated him with less respect than a prisoner. It saddened Glorfindel that such beauty could be treated with such contempt and then kept hidden away from those who might be able to help. It was a tragic waste of talent and Glorfindel was determined to see the young prince free of restriction upon his coming of age.

Erestor pondered over the expression he saw cross his friends face. He had known it the moment Glorfindel had spoken after the banquet that his friend had fallen for the young elf’s beauty. He had been quite partial himself for the youthful good looks but at such a young age any alliance would only bring unneeded baggage for Elrond’s advisor. Glorfindel on the other hand, would have the patients to nurture such a lover, would be able to understand and help him grow into adulthood. Lord Glorfindel had never had a lover since his return from Mandos Halls, being only devoted to the protection of Elrond and his family he had little room for a lover. Now with Elrond’s son’s grown and Arwen spending most of her time in Lothlorien there was little to do for the seasoned warrior. Legolas presented a challenge, something new to protect and look after and Erestor had a feeling that the young prince was very likely destined to return to Imaldris with them at the end of the season. Erestor however did not voice his thoughts and it was the sound of metal upon metal that brought both he and his friend around from their silent internal thoughts.

“You are not trying Legolas, I thought you wanted adventure.” Glorfindel and Erestor watched from the path as the young prince Legolas as his tutor, Filgree fought on the open grassy lawn just under the shade of the trees. It was obvious that Filgree was letting his student win despite his cheeky taunts. Glorfindel found it a strange sight; if a tutor were to teach his student a lesson then it would defeat the object to allow the youngster to win so easily.

“And neither are you trying Tutor Filgree.” Glorfindel’s voice rang across the lawn as the warrior approached the two fighting elves. Filgree turned instantly to look at the approaching elves and was taken quiet of guard as Legolas dived for him and pinned him to the ground the point of his sword directed at Filgree’s throat.

“I win! I beat you, we will be going to the guard posts this afternoon, you promised!” Filgree ignored Legolas’ shout for joy as the young elf jumped up off him and dropped his sword in the grass as he began dancing around in a most un-prince like manner. Legolas didn’t even seem to have noticed the two elves approaching until Glrofindel’s voice registered in his brain and he turned to see the warrior helping his reluctant tutor up from the ground.

“Lord Glorfindel how do you fare this morning? I am sorry I did not notice your approach.” Legolas bowed low towards the two Imaladris elves before moving to help his tutor dust the grass from his tunic. Filgree’s cold stare had never left Glorfindel’s even as the seneschal watched with amusement as Legolas picked up his sword again and re sheathed it into its scabbard.

“I am very well rested Prince Legolas thank-you for your inquiry.” Glorfindel watched with amusement as Legolas blushed a little before retreating back behind his tutor away from the gazes of the two Imaldris elves. “And what is this I hear about a trip to the scouting post?” Filgree had not said two words together since the arrival of the two Imadlris elves and Legolas thought it very strange that his tutor had not let go of his tight hold on the sword he’d previously been using to fight him with.

“Filgree said that he would take me to the scoutiostsosts on the boarder if I beat him at sword play.” Legolas’ voice was timid as he addressed Lord Glorfindel. He had hardly been introduced to the two Imaldris elves yet they seemed just as polite as any former acquaintance would be. “I just beat him, you saw it.” Glorfindel smiled warmly at the young prince who was still almost hiding behind his tutor. Legolas couldn’t help smiled back at the beautiful face of the lord. Like himself Lord Glorfindel had beautiful blonde hair that trailed down his back, neatly tied up in the braids of his family origin.

“You have not been to the scouting posts on the boarder yet?” Erestor butted in sensing the fact that Lord Glorfindel was smiling wistfully at the young elf, with no intention of replying to the youngsters comment. Tutor Filgree had even less intention of saying anything his glare never leaving that of Glorfindel’s.

“Oh no, father does not allow me to take part in scouting parties.” Legolas smiled sadly across at the dark haired elf. In the daylight Lord Erestor looked very much like Filgree in appearance. Both of them had beautiful black hair down their backs and both of them had dark green eyes set in pale faces. Erestor nodded understandingly choosing not to question why the young prince had never been allowed to join the scouting parties.

“Legolas I am afraid to say that I did not see you win the competition against Filgree. I am responsible for your tutor’s lack of attention, which allowed you the moment of victory. It was not a fair win.” Glorfindel kicked himself internally at having stared so long at Legolas and not replied to his question. Legolas scowled at Lord Glrofindel’s comment before glancing at his tutor in questioning. Filgree was still glaring at Glorfindel but when he realised that he was being questioned he smiled and turned to look at his student.

“Lord Glorfindel is right I might have lost my attention when he approached but considering your full attention today during archery I will take you to the boarder regardless.” Legolas smiled and nodded understandingly at his tutor before turning to smile at the two Imadlris elves.

“It seems you were right Lord Glorfindel my skills with the sword leave much to be desired but I confess I do not enjoy using it in combat.” Glorfindel raised a curious eyebrow at Legolas but smiled all the same. It was hard not to be entranced by Legolas’ presence. The young elf had something about him, which seemed to draw all the beauty to him. Glorfindel couldn’t understand how any father would not love such a son. Legolas was polite, respectful, and more than obedient to any request, yet still he did not seem to have his fathers love.

“If you will excuse us my lords, Legolas has a reading in the library after lunch and we must use this time now to pack for our journey this evening.” Legolas glanced sharply across at his tutor and frowned slightly confused. They had more than enough time to pack for their journey and his reading with the palace scribe was not until very much later after lunch. Glorfindel and Erestor looked at each other suspiciously for a moment before bowing in acknowledgment.

“Very well we shall not take up any more of your time.” Glorfindel addressed Filgree coldly his eyes expressing his anger at having the tutor cut his conversation with Legolas short. He had planned to take some time to converse with the young elf but it seemed Filgree had other plans. Perhaps Thranduil had spoken to the tutor toldtold him of their disagreement last night at the banquet and was making sure he didn’t have contact with the young elf. If that was so it only made Glorfindel more determined. There was little he could do now though until tomorrow when the prince and Filgree returned from the trip. “I bid you a safe trip Legolas, and you too Filgree.” With a smile Legolas waved innocently at the two Imadlris elves as he ran to catch up with his tutor after falling behind with collecting the weaponry they had been using all morning. It worried him that Filgree didn’t seem to like the Imaldris elves for some reason but Legolas found both elves quite charming and very obliging. He would be very interested in talking to them some more tomorrow, especially Lord Glorfindel.

TBC....... (More tomrrow if I get time)