The Jewel of Mirkwood

Epilogue

Legolas sat stoically on the edge of the velvet seat his hands neatly folded into the masses of purple and burgundy fabric that surrounded him. While outwardly he portrayed all the finesse of a controlled elf, inside he trembled with fear of what he had done. The day had passed as if he had been in a dream, an onlooker in a life not his own. The oaths he had sworn had flowed like water from his mouth his mind unconsciously drifting to the security of his mates inner thoughts even as he recited what was expected of him. For three weeks he had religiously learnt the Quenya of the scripts of old, but nothing had really prepared him for reciting them in such circumstances. All eyes had been on him for the first time in his life he was the center of everyone’s attention and it unnerved him so much.

Now however having listened for what seemed like hours to the ceremonial swearing in of the new council and having signed a lifetimes worth of papers he had been allowed a moment to himself. It had been nearly two years since he’d seen the great hall of his father’s palace in Mirkwood and it frightened him to think of how much had happened in such a short space of time. Life had twisted on it’s axis turning him upside down and spitting him out on the other side, battered and bruised but triumphant all the same. The great hall looked different. Having spent all his young life looking at the hall from the outside in, it was a whole new perspective seeing the hall from the diesis from which hatheather once reigned. No longer did dusty tapestries adorn the walls, aside implements of battles past, instead garlands of green, gold and purple hung in strands from every spare inch of the walls. Banners stretched across the roof while hand crafted leaves of mitheral and gold were scattered at his feet like rose petals. The great hall also looked a lot larger than he remembered and now with it completely empty of guests the hall seemed to swallow him whole as it had when he was a child.

Upset by the scene he closed his eyes tightly together remembering the less fearful times he had as an elfling, when he’d run between the chairs after a council meeting, Filgree chasing after him for a bath. It made him smile to himself as the memories continued to run through his mind and despite all he had thought, his life as a prince of Mirkwood had not been as depressing as it had originally seemed at the time. Despite the more painful memories there was rays of light and happiness which rooted themselves within the forefront of his mind like the first spring flowers pushing their way through the last snows of winter. For what seemed like the hundredth time in as many months tears again began to roll down his cheeks and he had to steady himself against the arms of the chair. Turning a little to his left he caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the windows of the great hall and he had to stare quite hard to see himself beneath the robes of formality and the glittering head piece that sat atop his head, woven intricately within the braids of his golden hair. For all the titles and power he now had at his fingertips beneath it all he was still Little Legolas Greenleaf, the unknown prince of Mirkwood and that made him smile even wider at his reflection.

A sound from the far end of the hall drew his attention and he sighed heavily as Glorfindel stepped in through the double doors, signalling the end of his moment alone.

“They are becoming restless my love.” Glorfindel paused as he watched his mate slowly rise from the throne at the end of the hall his tears crudely wiped away with the sleaves of the regal robes. “It is time……..” Nodding his understanding Legolas took a deep breath before stepping confidently down off the diesis his head held high even while he still continued to shake like a leaf inside. Confident strides soon brought him along side his mate, who was dressed similarly although missing the elaborately sculptured crown that Legolas bore as a symbol of his new authority. “I am proud of you my little green leaf.” In a moment only meant for lovers Glorfindel pressed a chaste kiss to Legolas forehead before the King took a firm hold of his hand and they walked confidently out through the doors.

The roar was deafening and Legolas stumbled a little as he surveyed the magnitude of the crowd that had gathered in the gardens of the palace below the balcony. Elves, men, dwarves and Istari had gathered for Legolas’ coronation and all now waited patiently to see their new king for the first time. The long silver carpet of leaves that stretched from the doors of the great hall to the balcony’s edge was lined with everyone that Legolas held dear. To the right stood Elrond, Erestor, Elladan, Elrohir and Filgree. To the left was his Father, Thranduil, Haldir and his brothers as well as Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel. Steeling his nerves and taking a firmer hold on Glorfindel’s hand Legolas began the short walk down the carpet all those he’d once looked up to now lowering themselves respectfully as he passed them by, their smiles mirroring those of the crowd who stared up at him when he finally reached the edge of the balcony.

It was overwhelming and Legolas could only stare down at the sea of expectant faces their elvish cries of congratulations mingling with the harmony of the harps that filled the air with their joyous song. All the while Legolas held Glorfindel’s hand firm in his own as they both reflected on the moment none had predicted would come. Finally it was Glorfindel who leaned across to his mate his voice barely audible above the still cheering crowd as he whispered into the delicate ear of his beloved.

“How did you like your adventure Legolas Greenleaf?” Legolas smiled widely having remembered like it was yesterday the first secret he had ever told Glorfindel about the adventures he wished to have in middle earth, but was never allowed to have.

“I liked it exceedingly well Glorfindel of Gondolin, exceedingly well indeed…….” With a smirk Legolas turned to face his mate, to look deep into the eyes he had fallen in love with so long ago in Mirkwood. Blocking out the cries from below them, the two gently embraced each other in a passionate kiss the world a mere forethought as the first great king of the new age, the honourable King Legolas Greenleaf was taken in scribe within the pages of elvan history…………….


THE END............................

(A/N) That's it, it's all over.............