Gondor's King

Chapter 11

I awake for my pleasant dream of Legolas to a commotion outside my chamber door. Someone is persistently knocking furiously upon the wood and calling to me frantically. Glancing to my window I note that the sun is only just rising and that it is only early dawn. I furrow my brow in anger at the persistent loud knocking and I rise from my bed swiftly. I sigh heavily as I note my current state below my waist, my erection proudly standing to attention against my stomach. I growl low in my throat as my name is called again and the knocking continues fiercely. For my modesty or what will remain of it after I have answered the door in my current state of undress I grab my robe and haphazardly pull it around myself as I go to answer the door. Without any of intention of being calm about my interruption I haul open the door and glare menacingly at the pale faces which take serval steps away from the door at my tone.

“WHAT?” I growl heavily before I glance to the left as someone clears their throat. I flush slightly and wrap my robe tighter around me as I see Elrond, Glorfindel and my head guard and chancellor standing next to the fire. Elrond raises a smooth knowing eyebrow at me and I catch Glorfindel smirking slightly despite himself, while my centurion and chancellor are looking at me a little bewildered. Hardly anyone sees me in my private chambers accept for my close stewards for the very reason to avoid situations like this when I am less than at my best.

“Please forgive us your majesty but there is an emergency just outside the city. An elvan messenger arrived in the early morning bringing grave news about his party.” My heart falters and I glance up hastily to Elrond for confirmation of my chancellor’s statement.

“The party from Mirkwood have been attacked along the road. I took the liberty of sending my own guards to escort their injured party into the confines of the city walls. There are some casualties but I will not know for certain how many and what has happened until they arrive at the palace. They should be here anytime.” Elrond calmly stares at me as I feel the dread begin to engulf my body and filter into my face as fear.

“Legolas.” My voice falters into a desperate whisper as the fear rises in my throat. Those around me look on stunned as I turn and run out of my chambers and down the hall towards the stable yards. I can hear Elrond and Glorfindel calling after me along with half of my court who are all stunned as I swiftly run pass them uncaring for my state of undress as my swift pace blows my robe open a little. When I reach the stable yard the party from Mirkwood are just arriving. Some of them are injured and are helped by Rivendell’s guards and my own councillors and staff. The courtyard is full of elves and my own guards and I receive some horrified and terribly odd looks from them all as I desperately scan the elves looking for his fair face. My worst fears seem to engulf my body in the worst shakes I have ever had as I see Haldir helping the last remaining elves into the compound. Without thought I race forward and all but pounce on the stunned guardian as he dismounts from his horses. “Where is he?” Haldir looks at me as if I’m a wild man as I grab hold of his shoulders and shake him fiercely. “Where is he? WHERE IS LEGOLAS!” I scream at him my fear echoing around the now deathly silent courtyard, all eyes firmly fixed upon me as I continue to shake a totally shocked Haldir.

“Estel! I am here, your hurting Haldir let him go.” I loosen my grip upon the silent marchwarden as the gently caressing voice of my secret love drifts softly over me from behind. Haldir continues to stare at me in utter confusion as I close my eyes and slump against him. I’m sure he can feel my rapid heart beat as he braces his palms against my chest in concern as I feel my legs go numb and I am unable to hold myself up. My fear dissipates from my body as I feel Legolas’ warm hand come to rest upon my shoulder and I am left feeling utterly shattered and exhausted. “Aragorn? Are you well? Why do you shake so?” Legolas voice holds so much concern and I feel myself feeling ill to the stomach as the frightful images of loosing him engulf me again. I feel suddenly light headed and my body fails me as I fall helplessly into Haldir’s arms. There is a shocked gasp from all those around me and I close my eyes in utter humiliation as I hear Glorfindel, Elrond and Legolas all move forward to aid Haldir in holding my limp body.

“Take him upstairs to his chambers he is not well.” I hear Elrond’s stern command as I’m lifted into a pair of strong arms and am slowly carried indoors.

It is not long before I’m being lowered onto a soft surface and a warm blanket is being placed over me. In my mind I can see the horrible images from my nightmares begin to re surface. It has been so long since I had the dreams and in the instant that Elrond had told me of the attack my mind brought them all back again as if it had only been yesterday that I had woken up screaming Legolas name in fear. I shake continually, unable to control myself as I’m slowly lifted into a sitting position and a cool glass of wine is placed at my lips to sip from. My eyes remain closed as I sip awkwardly from the glass, the alcohol going some way in calming me.

“He shakes as if he’s afraid of something. I have never seen him so pale.” The soft voice of Legolas drifts slowly into my mind and I can feel the gentle vibrations in his chest as he speaks. I can smell the earthy scent of his clothes and the forest dew of his skin as he holds me closer to him. His hair falls gently across my face and I savour it’s silky touch upon my cold skin. He is alive. I repeat the mantra to myself again and again allowing his very presence to sooth my fearful shaking, until I am left clutching weakly to his body pressed against mine.

“He is afraid.” Elrond’s voice is calm and I can hear the sadness in his tone.

”Of what?” My chancellor is near by and I silently curse them all for being here when all I want to do is be alone with Legolas and feel every inch of his body so that I can reassure myself his is still alive. There is a heavy silence within the room as Legolas lowers me back onto the bed and covers me again with the blanket. His smooth hand lies gently on my forehead. I can feel the ties of his archery leather digging in slightly but I savour the feeling and the comforting reassurance it provides of his being here.

“He has a lot on his mind at the moment. We should not have awoken him so abruptly with the news. It was a shock that could have been more diplomatically put forward. He is fearful of our very presents here, of what he cannot control and of the betrayal among his people.” There is a long pause and I feel the tension of the room notch up to become uncomfortable. “Yes he is very much afraid of being unable to control the possibilities which might eventuate with us being here. He does not want to see us hurt.” Elrond is precise in his dealings, his cool voice not allowing any miss interpretation of his words.

“Betrayal?” I hear Haldir’s confused voice from the other side of the room and I shiver at the very mention of my courts treachery. I hear Elrond sigh heavily before I feel Legolas hand upon my forehead being replaced by a rougher one, one with many years of life and wisdom sealed beneath the palm.

“Let us not speak of that here I shall inform you of everything as soon as we leave Aragorn to rest. We must let him sleep. I am sure chancellor you can keep the court in order while his majesty recovers a little.” I hear a huffed agreement from my chancellor before several sets of footsteps disappear from the room. “And I believe we have some discussions to partake in concerning this attack, Legolas Greenleaf. I think it is time all our knowledge be pooled together in order to combat this threat. Aragorn is a strong king but he is too stubborn and proud to ask for assistants. Let us not see if we can arrange something while he recovers so that we may enjoy our time in Minas Tirith in safety.” There is a muttering of agreement before finally everyone leaves the room and I am left alone in the dim light of my bedchamber.

I listen for a long time to the sounds barely audible outside my chamber before opening my eyes to stare at the blue drapery canopy above me. I listen for a while longer and when I am sure that no one of consequence is outside my room, I shakily sit up and swing my legs from the bed. I still feel weak but not enough to warrant staying in bed and I steady myself as I move slowly towards my bathing room. With luck the bath will still be full from where the stewards had filled it this morning for my ritual bathe. I move with soft elvan feet towards the now cooling bath and allow the robe to slip forgotten to the floor as I easily step into the now cool depths of the water. The shiver that springs through my body as the water envelopes me is soothing to my heated skin. I close my eyes and sink further into the depths of the water allowing myself the freedom to float weightlessly just below the surface.

The dark world around me gives way to the terrifying images I fear so greatly. It seems but a life time ago when I stood in front of him, his chest barely touching mine and his hand gently cupping my cheek. I had not known loss so great in my heart than the day that I’d rode away from him to war. I feared for him everyday that I woke alone on the battlefield, with only the lingering memory of him upon my lips and his name a chocked scream in my throat. I had done so well to stop the nightmares when I’d married Arwen, but they never really left me. The images of his frail body lying helpless somewhere and me unable to help him, terrified me beyond belief and it was only sheer will that kept me from going insane at night, with Arwen pressed against me and not him. I feel the familiar slide of tears falling down my cheek as I recall with vivid emotion just how scared I was that my fears had been realised only half an hour ago in the courtyard.

I sigh heavily and open my eyes before dunking myself completely under the water to wash away the evidence of the salty tears that mockingly cling to my skin. I resurface with a spluttering and move over to the side of the bath. I have lost all chances with Legolas now, he has taken Haldir as his partner and it will do neither me nor my city any good to spend a life time crying over it. If I cannot have him close to me in the protection of my arms than I shall at least see that he is protected within Middle Earth until he leaves to the undying lands. I reach across the grey slate floor with a wet arm and shift the loose piece of slate only I know of. It scrapes obnoxiously a little against the other tiles but I grit my teeth and ignore it as I stretch my fingers into the small hole it leaves in the floor and search among the things I know are in there. I keep all the most precious things in the world to me in this little hole, and not another soul in the world knows of it. I feel the crisp sound of paper as my fingers brush what I’m looking for and I quickly pull my hand out, the parchment firmly in my grasp. Carefully I replace the slate back into its unidentifiable place covering the hole before standing hastily from the bath and padding naked and dripping wet into my bedroom. I head straight for my wardrobe, already having decided that the first tunic and leggings my hands land upon is what I will wear.

I’m alarmed from my determined musings in the wardrobe by a high-pitched screech and a loud clattering of silver over near the sofa. I turn hastily around to see one of the young female kitchen maids, with her eyes wide and her hands clutching at her mouth in horror and utter shock. I raise a smooth eyebrow in her direction as I glance down at my naked body, the beads of water just pooling in the various hollows of my skin. Before I can say anything there is the sound of several pairs of running footsteps before the door to my bedchamber is pushed open and several of my guards, swords drawn, as well as Elrond, Glorfindel, Legolas, Haldiar and four of my councillors come rushing into the room as well as several other servants. They all pause in utter shock as they glance from the young maid still clutching her mouth to me in all my naked glory. It only takes a minute for me to get over the situation and I roll my eyes dramatically as all my councillors turn around respectfully as do the servants and guards. Elrond merely shakes his head at me as Glorfindel smirks to himself and Legolas and Haldir just blush a beautiful shade of red, to the very tips of their ears.

“I beg you Elrond, not to jump to conclusions. I did not even know the damn girl was in here. Besides she’s hardly older than Aratula.” My voice remains unnervingly calm as I pull on a pair of blue leggings I had just decided upon before the incident. “Out with you, girl! What in gods name possessed you to bring me tea in my bedroom?” The young maid fearfully shakes her head at my gruff command and bows low to me before attempting to move past all the men now standing at the entrance to the room.

“Aragorn mind your tongue, I sent the poor girl. If you had not noticed you were not well when we left you and I thought a little tea might calm you some what, but I can see that it wasn’t necessary.” Elrond places a calming hand upon the young maids shoulder before moving aside to let her scurry from the room. I continue to get dressed in front of the mirror in my bedroom ignoring all the eyes, which now stare at me in silence.

“Are you feeling better your majesty? I would have had the stewards sent to refill the bath and aid you in dressing had I known you were out of bed.” I ce cce contemptibly up at my chancellor from where I finish the last lacings of my tunic. Turning to the small set of draws I pull out a set of leather gloves and hastily shove them along with the letter and it’s jewelled content into my tunic pocket.

“I am very capable of dressing myself chancellor. And I would hope in future that you and any member on my court remember your place, and do not presume to enter my bedchambers. My private affairs are none of the councils concern.” I am stern in my chastising and while I notice the confused looks from the elves present I pay them no heed as the chancellor and my guards quickly bow and move to exit the room. Stepping forward I come to a stop in front of the four still slightly shocked elves. I cannot help myself but stare a little longer than necessary into the blue depths of Legolas’s confused eyes as I address them.

“Legolas, Haldir, I am glad to welcome you to Minas Tirith. I am a sorry to hear about the incident during your journey here and I apologise for not being a better host. I hope none of your party are injured severely and please allow me to offer my home to you and your party freely, you may wander where you wish and any of my staff would be more than happy to accommodate your every desire during your stay.” Haldir and Legolas incline their heads in acceptance as I glance over their shoulders and stare knowingly at my chancellor and centurion who are waiting patiently in the corridor outside my room.

“Centurion, have my horse saddled and ready in the courtyard in five minutes.” I do not give Legolas time to verbally accept my generous offer before I walk past all four elves and address the regally dressed guard who nods and runs off hastily down the hall. “You must accept my appologise for leaving you all so abruptly but I have a pressing matter to attend to and I need to find my son urgently.” I turn back briefly to the four elder elves who watch still in shock as I shrug on my cloak and button it together around my neck, with the green leaf pin so familiar to all of them.

“Sir, on behalfyouryour advisors I must object to your leaving the palace so unprotected. The attack on the elves this morning should be enough for you to reconsider, or at least allow the palace guards to accompany you.” I do not hesitate on my retort to my councillor and I turn sharply bringing the blade of my concealed knife from my boot to rest it upon my councillor’s throat as I push him up against the doorframe.

“Aragorn calm yourself there is no need for weapons inside the palace walls. We are all of the same alliance.” Elrond’s slightly concerned tone makes me glance briefly over my shoulder but I ignore the blatantly shocked expressions of the other elves as I shake my head and press the knife closer to my chancellor’s throat.

“Is there not, Elrond? Are we all of the same alliance?” I keep my stare upon the pale chancellor I now hold upon a knifes edge of his life against the wall.

“Yes my son, we are all together in this fighting against the unseen enemy.” I huff a small laugh at the eldar’s reply and shake my head in refute.

“Then you are blind Elrond, to what I see.”

“What do you see?” I’m slightly shocked at hearing Legolas’s warm voice instead of Elrond’s next but while the momentary distraction dissipates my anger a little it does nothing to lesson my feelings.

“What I see Legolas Greenleaf is a court of traitors who seek to destroy everything that our forefathers died for in the last alliance. I see a man in front of me who would have my sons wrapped around his little finger, who would have me give the throne to them and in turn to him for ruin and disgrace. Yes Elrond there is a need for weapons here for they speak much louder of anything I could ever say.” I sigh heavily and push my chancellor harder against the wall before letting him go and letting him slide to his knees in front of me whimpering slightly.

“Chancellor, let it be known that if you ever question me like that again I will not hesitate to take your life from you. I am sure you will inform the council that they have until dusk two nights following to bring me what I asked upon my return home to Minas Tirith last week. Be sure to remind them that I do not make weak promises and that by dawn in two days time the streets of Minas Tirith will run red with the blood of men once again less my request is met.” I watch as the chancellor nods frantically and crawls away from me still lowering his head so that his nose is just a mere fraction from the floor. “Now you will all excuse me I must find my sons, I shall return for the feast tonight.” I do not spare the elves a second glance as I swiftly exit my room and move towards the stables. My resolve of this matter is now firmly set in my mind. If I cannot have Legolas close then they will all feel my protection for him.

Arriving at the court yard I smile in satisfaction to see my horse saddled and ready to be mounted, with one of my stewards holding my sword, bow and quiver by it’s side. Hastily I strap the implements of my past as a ranger onto my body before easily mounting my steed. Glancing back at the palace I smile warmly at where Aratula is standing with Jastel on the balcony of the throne room. I incline my head towards them before turning and heading out into the streets of Minas Tirith. I have no idea where Breachtian will be nor have I any idea where to start looking but I shall endeavour to find him before I return home in the evening. The wind against my face is soothing as I ride swiftly through the streets and it calms my temper no end. I will not survive the week in Legolas’s company if I do not seek solace with myself first.

TBC………………………