This, And My Heart Beside *added ch. 20/part 1*

Author's Note: I used to be very upset with myself, if I let more than two weeks go by without updating. I just realized it's been more than two MONTHS since I posted my last chapter. I can't apologize enough. I was in rather bad shape for a while. I lost my dad to cancer last year, and it finally hit me several weeks ago. I hadn't cried at all, since he was first diagnosed as terminal. Not good. But I've finally grieved and am moving forward now. Thanks so much for your patience and for still having an interest in this story. I promise to get back to a sane schedule. ;)

CHAPTER 17

Thranduil and Naniel sat at a small intimate table in the family dining room, talking together quietly, and that was how Legolas and Isalith found them, when they wandered in to join them for the morning meal.

Both Princes wore floor-length night robes, belted loosely at the waist. Naniel could not help but marvel at the beauty of the contrast between them. Black-haired Isalith wore a pure white robe of shimmering fabric, and against it, his golden skin looked radiant. He truly was a beautiful Elf, and Naniel silently commended her son for his excellent taste.

On the other hand, she thought, Isalith had done quite well for himself, also. Legolas swept into the room in a midnight blue robe that trailed majestically behind him. Its color only served to intensify the luminosity of his wheaten hair and fair skin.

“Ada, naneth, good morning,” he said sweetly as he bent to kiss his mother’s cheek, then moved behind his father’s chair and slung one arm around his neck, hugging him gently. Isalith followed suitssinssing the Queen’s cheek and fondly squeezing the King’s shoulder, as he passed behind him. Legolas clung to his father hesitantly, still apprehensive that his announcement the previous evening had upset him. But Thranduil reached up to lovingly clasp his son’s upper arm, before saying good-naturedly, “Good morning, young Princes.”

Legolas was at last reassured, and he moved over to the table on which was laid fresh fruit, pastries, and cheese. He stood beside his lover as they made their selections, and carried their plates back to the table.

“Where is Hania?” the golden-haired Prince asked curiously.

Thranduil laughed. “The whirlwind has come and gone already. She never sleeps late anymore. Her days are always full and she greets each one with open arms.”

Legolas raised an eyebrow, saying wryly, “Are you certain she and I are related?”

“Quite certain, my son,” Naniel replied laughing. “Her hunger for learning is astonishing, though, and she spends much of her time observing and asking questions, around the palace.”

“Indeed?” Legolas shook his head in wonder. “I can hardly believe the changes in her, since I left for Ilandros. I had hoped and prayed that she would find her own way, and cease to be as dependent on others, but ……” his voice trailed off on a note of sadness.

Thranduil reached across the table to clasp the Prince’s hand in his own comfortingly. “Hania adores you, Legolas. That will never change, do not fear. No matter how strong and self-sufficient she becomes, she will *always* need her family.”

The King leaned back and glanced at his wife, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

“I am glad that you brought up the subject of your sister, ion,” he said. “Your mother and I talked long about her, last night, and we have made a most important decision.”

Legolas waited patiently, his eyes bright with interest.

“In light of what you told us last night, of the love between you and Isalith, your mother and I were pondering the future of the throne of Mirkwood. It is yours, as your birthright, if you still wish it; but should you decide that ruling a kingdom is not your destiny, we do not want you to feel as if you are obligated to do so. As your naneth pointed out to me, there is a second heir to the throne.” Thranduil hesitated and looked at his Legolas pointedly.

The Prince gazed at him uncomprehendingly for a moment, before realization passed over his handsome face, and a delighted smile graced his lips. “Hania would make a truly fine Queen,” he said. “She has many fine attributes, and she shall acquire many more as she matures. ‘Tis a marvelous idea, ada. But, to tell the truth, I had not thought that far ahead. May I think on it for a while?”

“You may think on it as long as you like, my son,” Thranduil smiled.

Isalith spoke up then. “May a non-Mirkwoodian give a heartfelt opinion?” he asked.

Naniel laughed and reached across the table to squeeze his hand. “Of course you may, Isalith,” she said.

“I must echo Legolas’ words,” he replied. “Hania has compassion, a strong sense of duty, and … laughter. A ruler without humor is a poor leader. She would be a truly great Queen.”

Thranduil and Naniel beamed with pride and appreciation. All were in agreement.

Legolas smiled gently as he leaned forward to clasp his father’s hand in. “. “And now, dearest ada, if you think your heart can take it, I must speak with you of another serious matter.”


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“How is it that this always happens, each and every time we are alone together?” Uriong murmured as he gazed down at Belorfilad. The two Guards had ravenously made love just moments before, their urgency made more powerful by the restraint they were forced to exercise during the journey back to Mirkwood.

The raven-haired Ilandrian warrior straddled the waist of his blonde lover, and he smiled down on him in wry amusement. Their strong, supple hands were linked together tenderly, as their ragged breathing gradually returned to normal.

“Perhaps,” Belorfilad replied, breaking the hand-hold to languidly stroke the tops of Uriong’s strong thighs, “’tis because we are alone together so rarely, or perhaps … it is because I cannot get enough of you.” He smiled beguilingly and reached up to push a lock of disheveled golden hair from his beautiful face. He looked utterly edible to Uriong, who leaned forward to whisper in his ear, “I prefer to think it is the latter.”

A knock sounded at the door then, and Uriong looked questioningly at his lover. Belorfilad shrugged slightly to indicate that he had no idea who it could be, and his dark-haired lover rose quickly to leave the main chamber.

After pulling the coverlet up to his waist, the blonde Captain called out, “Come.”

The young Guard, Hilith, cautiously opened the door and peeked inside. Seeing his Captain alone in his bed, he smiled confidently and entered the room.

“Good morning, my Captain,” he said warmly, placing a hand over his heart. He then gave his commander the message that both nd tnd the Ilandrian Captain had been summoned to the Council’s meeting room, where the King and Queen wished to speak to them. Hilith left after giving the summons to his Captain, and Uriong emerged from the adjoining room.

“Are we in trouble?” he asked, grinning as he leaned against the doorway. He had donned a pair of his lover’s leggings, much to Belorfilad’s disappointment. Ah well, the blonde warrior sighed inwardly, there was no time for play now, anyway. Their presence was being requested by his Lord and Lady.

Belorfiland smiled warmly in response to Uriong’s teasing question, as he swung his long legs over the side of the bed.

“Let us find out.”

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“Please enter, Captains,” Thranduil greeted them amiably, after they had knocked and opened the door to the spacious Council meeting room. Belorfilad sensed immediately that neither he nor his Ilandrian counterpart had been summoned here for disciplinary action. His King, Queen, and Prince sat casually around a large, round oak table, along with the Prince of Ilandros, and all wore warm smiles.

Thranduil indicated two empty chairs at the table. “Please sit, my friends”, he said. Exchanging quick glances, Uriong and Belorfilad seated themselves and waited expectantly.

The King folded his hands atop the taand and began, “My son has asked a favor of me, and I intend to grant it, but first I wish you, Belorfilad, to know *why* I do so. It has not escaped my notice that you and Uriong have grown very close over the years, and that bond only seems to grow stronger with time. The long separations you have been forced to endure have repeatedly taken their toll, and I wish to remedy that. Legolas only reinforced my intentions, when he came to me this morning, with his request. Therefore, dear friend, I am releasing you from your duties as Captain of the Guard.” He smiled kindly, and waited.

Belorfilad sat in stunned silence, his ocean-blue eyes wide with distress. It was not the reaction King Thranduil had expected.

“Majesty,” he began frantically, “if I have failed to perform my duties to your liking, at any time, I beg you to give me the chance to make amends. Always, have I strived to serve you and the royal family, to the best of my ability. If I have fallen short in my attempts, please allow me to rectify that, in any way you see fit, but do not send me away, *please*, my King.”

Now it was Thranduil’s turn to be distressed. Holding up his hands in a placating gesture, he spoke quickly. “Good Belorfilad, you misunderstand me. Never have you disappointed me, never have you failed to fulfill your duties. Time and again, you have proven to me that my decision to place you in the position of Captain was the wisest choice I could have made. You have kept me and my family safe, at every turn, and your devotion to us and to Mirkwood is unsurpassed. This is not a punishment, old friend. ‘Tis a reward; one that is well-deserved. But if you decide that it is truly not what you wish, of course I will not force it. It is *your* choice, ultimately.”

Everyone at the table watched the blonde warrior, as a wide range of emotions flickered across his handsome face. Confusion, uncertainty, and even panic, shone clearly in his eyes, and they darted about the room as the enormity of what was happening began to dawn on him. He looked utterly lost. But when his eyes met those of his beloved Uriong, and saw the love and joy there, his heart calmed and the fluttering in the pit of his stomach stilled. There really was only one choice he *could* make. For many hundreds of years, Mirkwood had been his life. But Uriong was his future.

Isalith spoke up. “As you know, Captain Belorfilad, Ilandros is a smaller kingdom than Mirkwood, with a much smaller palace Guard. With your skill and knowledge, you would be a most welcome addition. Ilandros would be blessed to have you.” He smiled radiantly.

The blonde Elf inclined his head, with a grateful smile. “I would consider it an honor to serve your kingdom, Highness. But …” he trailed off as he looked helplessly at the royal family of Mirkwood. Naniel rose from her chair and came to stand before him. She bent to take his face gently in her elegant hands.

“I can still remember the day you took the position of Captain of the palace Guard. You were so serious, I was almost afraid for you. I thought you might not be able to relax enough to settle into the post. I need not have worried, as it turned out,” she smiled. “You have served us and Mirkwood with a faithfulness beyond any I have ever seen. You shall always have a home here, Belorfilad. The doors of the palace will forever be open to you.”

Taking her hands in his, the Captain of Mirkwood kissed each one reverently. His eyes shone with love and gratitude, as he gazed up at his Queen.

“Thank you, Lady,” he whispered. “That is comforting to know. And *you*, my Prince,” he said chidingly as he turned to face Legolas. “Never would I have suspected that this is what you were up to, from the beginning.”

Legolas grinned at him across the table, his blue eyes brimming with tears. It broke his heart to know that his friand and mentor would be leaving, but he wanted nothing more than to give him this.

“Ada is right, meldir nin. You have earned every happiness that Iluvatar can give. And only a blind fool would fail to see that Uriong is your happiness.”

Both Captain and Prince rose from their chairs to meet in a strong embrace. “Thank you,” Belorfilad murmured into Legolas’ ear. “Please know that if ever you need me, all you need do is call. I be be here.”

The Prince smiled in contentment, as he clung to his lifelong friend. “And the same goes for *you*; do not forget that.”

The Ilandrian group stayed in Mirkwood several weeks, before departing for home. Belorfilad and the royal family refused to say “goodbye” to one another. They parted with the words “until later”, referring to the future visits that they planned to pay each other. One of those visits included the celebration of the Prince of Mirkwood’s majority, and was an occasion of happy reunions. Both kingdoms experienced a period of six years of peace and uneventfulness.

And it was then, that the unthinkable happened.

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meldir nin: my friend