Ball masque

Chapter eleven Thranduil arrives

Thranduil smiled when he saw the welcoming committee and urged his horse on. The animal, though weary from the journey, accelerated.

Legolas’ face lit up seeing his father and when they were close enough he jumped off, glad to see his father copy his movements so he could fling himself in his father’s arms.
Thranduil twirled his son around, pressing him close to his own body and pressed a parental kiss on his hair. “Legolas. Ion-nîn.” Both father and son relished holding each other close.

The Mirkwood soldiers smiled warmly at the sight and nodded, patting their horses’ flanks. The animals were tired from the pace they had kept.

Elrond, the twins and Glorfindel blinked a couple of times, finding Thranduil different from anything they’d believed.

Elrond clearis tis throat and Thranduil ended the embrace with his son, smiling when Legolas stayed by his side, resting his head on his shoulder. He inclined his head in greeting. “Mae Govannen, Elrond.” He repeated the greeting for the twins and Glorfindel.
“I am sorry to surprise you like this, but it was urgent I came.” He waved his hand to his soldiers. “They can camp here if you do not have enough rooms. I still don’t think they should have accompanied me, but they are like their Prince. Stubborn.”
Legolas rolled his eyes. “I only take after you, adar.”
Thranduil grinned. “So they say. So they say.”

Elrond nodded and smiled. “Welcome to Imladris. You and your men are welcome to stay as long as you’d like. Glorfindel, will you arrange for rooms?” The blond nodded and went back to the manor.

Elladan and Elrohir smiled at each other. “Would you like something to drink, sire?”
Elrond shook his head. “Elladan, Elrohir. I do not have to warn you again, do I?”
Legolas smiled. “It’s all right, Elrond. Adar can take care of himself and his punishments are worse than mine.”

Elladan gasped in mock. “You pain me, Legolas. At the very least I thought we were friends. I would never embarrass the father of a friend.”
Elrond laughed. “No, you safe that for your own. Go back and keep Eldarion company. It’s about time he learns how to fight.”
Elladan sighed. “He hates us adar. And we haven’t even done anything.”
Elrond smiled. “All the more reason for you to reach out. And tell your siblings to behave as well.”
Elladan smiled his most innocent smile. “Are you still mad about last night? Or breakfast?”
Elrond’s eyes twinkled. “I will refrain from answering that. Get yourselves scarce.”

Thranduil grinned. “You have my sympathies, Elrond. I cannot even grasp the concept of having twins, but I think if I had two Legolas’ I would have lost my realm by now. One Legolas lose in Mirkwood was bad enough but two…. You have my admiration, Elrond.”
Elrond nodded, accepting the compliment and silently led his guests to his house. He felt awkward and didn’t know how to behave.

Legolas was unaware of his trouble but looked up when Thranduil nudged him. “Adar?” Thranduil’s eyes flashed to Elrond, silently telling him to join the dark-haired ruler.

Legolas squinted his eyes and steered his horse to ride next to Elrond’s. He placed his hand over Elrond’s and his eyes were filled with worry, concern and understanding. “My father is not my grandfather, Elrond.”
Elrond nodded and smiled meekly. “It is hard to change old habits, Legolas. Why is he here? What does he want?” Not knowing was killing his nerves.
Legolas shrugged. “I don’t know but I feel his mind is troubled, worried. I don’t know why he’s here.”

When they dismounted Elrond forced his voice to remain even and his eyes friendly as he signalled Thranduil to follow him. “Come, I shall show you your rooms.”
Thranduil shook his head. Though he was in dire need of a refreshing bath he decided to do away with his mission now. His own needs could wait. “No, that can wait. I came to talk to you.”
Elrond nodded. “I will still be here after you’ve refreshed yourself, Thranduil. And you must be yearning to catch up with your son. I will send for you when it’s time for dinner. Enjoy yourself until then.”
Thranduil sighed. “Very well.”

When they’d arrived at the room assigned to him he sighed again and retrieved the journal. Legolas cocked his head in question but Thranduil ignored him for now. “This is why I am here. I really would like for us to talk. Perhaps tonight after dinner?”
Elrond nodded. “Of course. Excuse me.”
Thranduil bowed and entered his room.

Legolas signalled to his father he’d come later.

Elrond gasped when two arms encircled him from behind. Turning he smiled, seeing Legolas. He rested his head on Legolas’ shoulder. Legolas kissed his neck. “You don’t have to talk to him alone.”
Elrond smiled. “We’ll talk over dinner.” He pulled away, his eyes haunted. “I’m sorry, I need to be alone right now.”

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Thranduil smiled, seeing his son when he walked into his room again after a quick bath. “You are happy, ion-nîn.”
Legolas smiled and nodded. He retrieved the little note and held it. “I don’t think I need this anymore, adar.”
Thranduil shook his head. “Hopefully, though you walk a hard road.”

Legolas nodded. “Why did you came, adar? The horses were exhausted. You wore them out.”
Thranduil cringed at his son’s berating tone and sighed. “Aiya, pen-neth. I received your call. You were sleeping in Elrond’s arms.”

He smiled. “He’s mellowed. Tell me, what happed at the ball?”
Legolas smiled. “We talked though he did not know it was me. I’ve kissed him adar.”
Thranduil blinked, surprised at the words and even more surprised to see Legolas alive and well and still in Imladris. “And?”
Legolas grinned. “He kissed me back, adar. He loves me but he’s afraid to act on it.”
Thranduil nodded. “Considering his past I’m surprised he did not throw you out. He really kissed you back? Are you sure you kissed him and not one of the twins?”

Legolas rolled his eyes but became serious. “What do you mean ‘considering his past’?”
Thranduil closed his eyes and sighed. “We found an old diary of Oropher. Reading it made me nauseous. I knew he wasn’t nice, but that he was that evil surprised even me.”
Legolas cocked his head. “Is that why you never talked about him?”

Thranduil widened his eyes. “You’re not surprised?”
Legolas shook his head. “Nay, Elrond talked about Oropher. Though I have the feeling he didn’t tell me everything. There was pain in his voice adar. Those memories aren’t happy and they haunt him.”
Thranduil nodded. “I know. I will not tell you what is in this diary, but I came here to give Elrond closure. The past still haunts him, I think, and he will get it by burning this.” His hand pointed to the offending book and he gulped down his water to prevent the lines from coming back before his eyes.

Legolas closed his eyes. Deeming a change of subject was in order he decided to tell his father about the trade plans. “Adar, I hope you approve but I’ve arranged a trade between our realms. Their herbal wine for ours.”
Thranduil frowned. “But they get that from Dale already.”
Legolas nodded. “But they were unaware. Now they will trade Hobbit beer for their wood.”
Thranduil nodded. “It just might work. I’ll help them set it up. But we don’t need so many barrels of their wine, pen-neth.” Thranduil cocked his head at Legolas’ beaming smile.
“Tea. Their tea is exquisite adar. And they have so many flavours. I intend on trying them all. I’ve already tried melon and rose.”
Thranduil laughed and hugged Legolas. “Aiya, pen-neth, I missed you, but I fear I now must get used to it. Elrond rules this realm and if you are to win his heart you cannot leave him now.”
Legolas nodded, glad his father had never talked him out of this.

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Arwen sighed as she leaned against Aragorn, while they had their meal. They had agreed with the twins that they should not attend dinner tonight and had ordered their meal served in their rooms.

Aragorn smiled. “I am sure everything will go well. Legolas will look after him.”
Arwen nodded. “I know, and Thranduil won’t hurt him either, but still…”
Aragorn nodded. “I know, I know. We can only wait and be there for him. Besides, before long he’ll be holding a new grandchild in his arms. He won’t stay grumpy long.”
Arwen growled. “It’s my child and I will hold him first and longest. Not adar. If not I will leave this instant.”
Aragorn kissed her. “You can’t. You promised Legolas you’d stay. Besides I’m sure adar will not steal our child awaym usm us.”

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Elrohir nodded as he attacked his food. “This is the first time we actually willingly eat in our room, gwanunig.”
Elladan laughed. “I know, but adar needs to be alone with Thranduil and Legolas now. Knowing him he would not talk to Thranduil later so we have to be away instead.”
Elrohir nodded. “I know. I just hope he won’t hate us for it.”
Elladan shrugged. “We can always flee to ‘Lóriën or Gondor.”
Elrohir grinned. “Aye, we’ve not been there in ages.”
“And besides, I fear Erestor’s wrath more. He won’t like eating in his rooms. He prefers to do so with company.”
Elladan shrugged. “He can always eat in the kitchen. As long as he doesn’t eat in the dining room. And Glorfindel is away on patrol.”
Elrohir nodded. “Fortunately. He would never have done this.”
Elladan smiled. “No. Maybe something will happen between adar and Legolas tonight.”
Elrohir frowned. “Do you think adar can love Legolas that way? I don’t want him to break his heart.”
Elladan nodded. “Me neither. I never knew he loved adar that much. I you hadn’t found that talkative tree, we still wouldn’t know.”
Elrohoddeodded. “I was rather surprised to hear a tree ask me if the blond archer finally was happy in his heart and if our father finally opened his eyes to see his beauty. Real shocking. Maybe it can tell us more?”
Elladan smiled. “Aye. We can always ask.”
They hurriedly finished their meal and left to talk to trees.

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Elrond sighed as he waited for the others to arrive. He felt naked now that he was alone. He wondered where Erestor was. The counsellor was usually the first to arrive.
He stood and sm whe when Legolas and Thranduil entered. He seated Legolas to his right and Thranduil to his left and frowned at the absence of the others. “I am afraid my family has not yet joined me.”

A servant came closer and bowed. “Forgive me, my lord, but will you be dining here?”
Elrond frowned. “Of course we will. We are only waiting for my children and Erestor to arrive.”
The servant looked surprised. “O, but they all have send word they are not attending. King Elassar wanted a peaceful evening alone with his wife, since Prince Eldarion will be spending the evening with some friends in town. I believe Lord Erestor is having a quick dinner before returning to work. I do not know why your sons excused themselves, my lord, but they did excuse themselves from dinner.”
Elrond’s eyes flared with anger and rage. “Is that so?” Hearing the tone the servant hastily took a step back. He knew that tone and, like everybody who did, was wise enough not to come too close to the angered lord. “I shall deal with them myself. You can leave!”

He threw his chair back angrily and sat down with one hard move.
Thranduil locked eyes with Legolas and frowned. “Don’t anger yourself over this, Elrond. I am sure I will meet them later. I actually am glad to be alone with you and my son. I have something for you.” He handed the diary to Elrond and smiled sadly.
Elrond, after accepting it, looked at the handwriting and gasped. “What?” Legolas reached out and placed his hand on Elrond’s knee and smiled supportively. Elrond closed his eyes and took heart at that movement. “Why give me this?”
Thranduil’s gaze saddened. “I read it yesterday. I could only leave instantly and come here. I never knew.” His voice was filled with pain and sadness, though Elrond detected a hint of admiration behind it.

He opened his eyes and shook his head. “I have no need for a diary of your father.”
Thranduil nodded. “You need this one. You can do with it what you like but I strongly suggest burning it. Burn your past.” Elrond’s eyes flashed dangerously and silently Thranduil opened the book on the entrée.

Involuntarily Elrond’s eyes flashed over the words and his breathing increased as he read them. The images came back to him and the pain he had long forgotten came with them. He flung the book away and stood, distancing himself from the paining words.
Legolas rose instantly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Elrond shook it off.

He turned and his eyes were empty as he glared at Legolas. Just as empty as his voice. “Leave me! You did not mean a word you said to me. I want you both to leave my realm and never return. If you do it will be your death!”
Legolas gasped and stepped forward. “Elrond, what is it? What happened? I love you.”
Elrond laughed and shook his head. “You? Love me? Don’t make me laugh!” He turned but Legolas grabbed him and pulled him, forcing him to turn back.
Legolas’ eyes were wet with tears and his love shone through them. “Elrond, please, I am not my grandfather. Remember our talks. Remember last night. Remember me.” He could see Elrond wanted to reach out but was afraid to do so.

Thranduil came to stand next to his son. “You need to let go of your past, Elrond. You need to let go of what he’s done to you. If he were alive today I’d kill him to make amends, but I cannot do that. Elrond, don’t let him ruin your present happiness as well.”

Hearing his father’s words Legolas frowned. “What in Valar’s name is in that book?” He turned to grab it and heard Elrond fall to the floor. Thranduil gasped and grabbed the falling Peredhel. “Elrond?” His voice was filled with fear.
Elrond looked up, dejected and fearful. He lowered his head and shrugged. “He’ll leave if he knows. They all will.”
Thranduil shook his head. “I never knew until yesterday. I am not leaving you, but came here instead.” He turned to Legolas and nodded. “Read it, Legolas, though you will not like it.”

Legolas almost quavered but then picked up the annoying item and let his eyes roam the pages. He gasped when he read what his father had digested only yesterday. Tears filled his eyes and rage flared in his heart. How he would love to go to Mandos’ Halls to scream at his grandfather. His hands let go of the diary and it fell to the ground.

Elrond had forced himself to remain but seeing Legolas read and not turn after dropping the book confirmed his suspicions. /I truly lost you./ He smiled, noticing Thranduil’s attention was temporarily on Legolas, and he silently stood and left. Not even his clothes made any sound as he left their presence. Once he was out of sight he ran, stopping only when he’d reached his rooms. He locked thers ars and fixed himself a calming potion.

Hearing the running footsteps made the two Sindars turn and Legolas yelled. Thranduil held him back before he could set in pursuit. “No, pen-neth. He will not allow you close now. And you need to calm down as well. If you go to him now your anger will show. He can do without that.”
Legolas nodded. “I know he was your father but I hate him from the bottom of my heart for hurting Elrond in such a vile way. It’s a miracle Elrond is still alive.”
Thranduil nodded. “Aye, he’s stronger than I’d ever held for possible. Come, little one, we shall go to your rooms. Should Elrond need you, he’ll at least be able to find you.”

Legolas leaned against his father and nodded, knowing he needed some company or his rage would consume him.

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Aragorn drew in a big breath before he knocked on Legolas’ room. He smiled when Thranduil answered it. “Good eve, Thranduil.” He had come here to talk to Legolas, intending to get the elf to tell him what was troubling him, but now he changed his plans. “Could I perhaps have a word with you?”

Thranduil eyed him suspiciously before he nodded and opened the door further. “I am not leaving my son right now.”
Aragorn entered and smiled when he saw Legolas asleep on the bed. “Perhaps we should talk outside, on the balcony, or in the bathroom, if you’d prefer to stay inside, so we won’t wake him.”
Thranduil smiled at the human’s care and concern. “Outside is fine with me.” Aragorn followed the Mirkwood king outside.

The ancient elf turned and looked at him questioningly. “Now tell me what is on your mind.”
Aragorn smiled. “No matter how used to elves I am, I will never get used to your perceptiveness.” He sighed. “It’s Legolas.”
Thranduil smiled. “You are a good friend to him, Elassar, but I already know about him and Elrond.”
Aragorn grinned, remembering their public kiss. “They managed to shut up Arwen and the twins. A first timer. But that’s not why I am here.” He sighed again and leaned on the balustrade. “It happened at breakfast, after the ball.”

Thranduil hid his hands behind his back, wringing them. He wanted to shout at Aragorn to spit it out for the troubled tone had made him worry, but he sensed such an action would clamp him up and that’s the last thing he wanted.

Aragorn sighed again. “I’ve never seen Legolas afraid. Have you ever known him to be scared? Primal fear.”
Thranduil shook his head. “What would he be afraid of?”
Aragorn shrugged. “Haldir.” He stepped back when an enraged expression entered Thranduil’s eyes and he placed a calming hand on the king’s shoulder. “Saes, I am not the enemy. I don’t know what happened but I do know that Legolas was terrified of Haldir. Though why I cannot guess.”
Thranduil narrowed his eyes. “That is weird, very weird. Can you tell me what transpired?”
Aragorn nodded and gave a detailed report of that morning’s events.

Thranduil grinned. “You say everybody thought him to be Elrond?”
Aragorn nodded. “Aye, and when Haldir did so and clearly stated it to Glorfindel and demanded his price Legolas hit him. Right on the nose. Glorfindel saved the situation by stating the Warden was drunk though.”
Thranduil grinned and rubbed his nose in thought. “But that cannot be the reason he hit Haldir. And somehow I doubt that punch and his fear are connected. Not directly. Aiya, this is a riddle. Maybe Elrohir and Elladan know? The three of them meet a lot there.”

He nodded, having reached a decision. “Aragorn, will you stay with my son whilst I seek out your brothers?”
Aragornded ded but smiled rueful. “I don’t think that is a good idea. I’ve never been able to hide anything from him and I don’t see how tonight will be any different. No, you should stay here and I’ll go talk to my brothers. It would be a lot easier if Gimli were here. But alas, he is not.”
Thranduil grinned. “No use for him to go to a masked ball.” Aragorn laughed at the mental image of Gimli trying to hide his beard behind a mask.
Thranduil smiled kindly. “But I think it is best if you stay here and I talk to your brothers. If they know they will be more likely to talk to me than you. So please guard my son’s dreams.” Aragorn relented and sat down on the chair recently occupied by Thranduil.

End chapter 11
TBC

Gwanunig is Sindarin for twin. Gwanur is it’s plural, in case you’re interested.