The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 11

Legolas laughed and joked with his friends in the stables as they helped him saddle and pack both his and Filgree’s horses. He had been so excited all day that he had hardly concentrated on his reading with Jastel in the library. Filgree had been called to Thranduil’s study earlier and the young prince had not seen his tutor since. With some help from his friends in the stables Legolas had packed everything he could possible need. A young stable hand from the village helped Legolas strap his quiver to his back and helped sheath the pair of elvan long knives Thranduil had gifted upon him for his 301st birthday. It had been unusual that his father had given him such a present, he had never done so before but Legolas had been grateful, as earlier in that same year a raiding party of men from dale had attacked the village and Legolas had nearly been caught in the battle unarmed and scared. The long knives went with him everywhere now though and had become his favourite weapon of choice second to his most prized bow and arrows.

“Ah Prince Legolas what a surprise, are you so eager to start your journey.” Legolas jumped slightly as the two Imadlris elves entered the stables, both dressed in travelling gand and leading their very fine horses. Glorfindel had been surprised to see the young prince alone in the stables without the watchful gaze of Filgree but set about taking advantage of it. All day he had pondered over their earlier meeting but had come to little more conclusions than he had last night. It was obvious that both Filgree and Thranduil were religiously protective of the young elf but it was a mystery as to why? An elf a season off his majority would surely be able to look after himself and would be very capable of defending himself if need be. Legolas blushed and straightened his tunic self-consciously. Glorfindel looked magnificent in the deep burgundy tunid led leggings quite beautiful compared to Legolas’ own green outfit. Green was his favourite colour and he had hardly been allowed to wear anything but Green when he was outside. It had been a rule set down by his father along with the others when he was young, to help him conceal himself among the trees should he need to.

“I confess I am looking forward to it. It is not often I am allowed beyond the safety of the palace gardens. Although if you do not tell my father I have often snuck out at night to visit the village.” Glorfindel chuckled as he leaned back against the stable doors having past the reigns of his horse to Erestor, who had opted to continue on into the courtyard.

“Yes I too snuck out of my house during the night to visit young maidens when I was young.” Glorfindel was surprised when Legolas shook his heademenemently at the warrior.

“No, I am not visiting maidens Lord Glorfindel. I am not permitted to have lovers, father has forbidden it of me, he says that my love has to be earned and that I am not to give it away to just anyone.” Legolas blushed profusely and twisted his hands awkwardly in front of himself not sure he should be confessing so openly about his life to an elf he hardly knew. Glorfindel smiled adersderstandingly as possible despite the fact he didn’t understand at all but he was not going to alienate the young prince from him.

“I see well it will be a lucky elf who wins your heart Legolas, your beauty far exceeds anything I have ever seen.” Glorfindel watched as Legolas’ eyes went wide with wonder before the prince quickly lowered his head in shame and blushed bright red to the very tips of his delicately pointed ears.

“Do not say such things, you speak as Filgree does. He jests with me that I am the most handsome elf in all of Mirkwood but I know he teases me, it can not be true.” Glorfindel sighed heavily as he watched Legolas lead both his and Filgree’s horses out of the stable and into the courtyard. “You did not tell me where you are going this evening Lord Glorfindel?” Legolas changed the subject quickly, having trouble trying to contain the strange heat that swelled within him whenever the blonde elf was around. He would have to discuss this new feelingh Fih Filgree, his tutor would know what it meant he was sure of it.

”Erestor and I are heading into the village, to check out Mirkwood’s famous alehouses and sample some of its fine brew.” Erestor chuckled as he mounted his horses having watched both blonde elves exit the stables almost in step with one another.

“You should be careful then Lord Glorfindel, the women in the village are said to be worse then hungry orcs and enjoy the company of foreign elves.” Before las las could reply to the seneschal Filgree’s voice joined them as the elder tutor moved down the front stairs of the palace and over to where Lord Glorfindel and Legolas stood in front of one another.
“That will not bother me tutor Filgree, our tastes run to more masculine elves.” Glorfindel smiled wickedly over his shoulder to Erestor who tutted loudly and rolled his eyes. His friend had become cheeky and basion with matters concerning his sexuality and was more than willing to profess it to anyone, no matter friend or foe. Erestor also suspected that Glorfindel took delight in offending the stiff nosed Tutor Filgree by his words. Legolas looked utterly confused as he watched his tutor glance back at the palace, to where his father was now standing observing the scene. Glorfindel hadn’t noticed Thranduil’s presence until now but merely inclined his head towards the elf king before smiling back at Legolas.

“Allow me to help you mount your steed Legolas, then accompany you and Filgree as far as the village.” Legolas glanced questioningly back at Filgree looking for permission. He had sensed Filgree’s dislike of the two Imaldris elves and did not want to upset his tutor by doing something he didn’t approve of. Filgree nodded stiffly before he toontednted his horse with the help of one of the stable hands. Filgree growled low in his throat as he watched Glorfindel’s hands slide quite unnecessarily over Legolas’ legging clad arse as he helped the young elf to his position on top of the horses.

“Thank-you Glorfindel” Legolas didn’t seem to notice Glrofindel’s touch and Filgree thanked the valar of that. Glorfindel was making his intentions very clear and judging from Thranduil’s stern orders for Filgree to keep the Imaldris lord away from Legolas, it was obvious that Thranduil saw Glorfindel as a threat. A threat like this had not ever come so close to Legolas and Thranduil was edgy. Admittedly Filgree was also edgy but after tonight would be able to relax a little knowing Legolas knew the truth.

“Come let us ride or it will be dark before we reach the boarder.” Filgree steered his horse between Legolas’ and Glrofindel’s insuring he put distance between the two riders as they left the courtyard. Behind him he could sense Thranduil’s angry gaze. Filgree had spent all afternoon convincing the king that having Legolas spend a night away from the palace would be good for him, in that it would separate him from the Imaldris elves. Eventually Thranduil had seen reason and allowed it to be so but reluctantly. This night was precious and Filgree was determined to use it to his advantage.

TBC.........

A/N) Sorry it's only a short update. I've got lots of uni stuff to do and I've broken my little finger, making it hard for me to get to the apostroies, enter and backspace. *giggles* Oh well we're off to see the boarder patrol in the next chapter and Glrofindel and Erestor get some drinking games going.