The secret life

Part 2

Greenwood the Great, 1378 T.A.


“Amariel – pen-neth, where do you hide. Come out! ... If you don’t come here now, you may not attend tonights celebration!”
“No, Kela! That’s not fair!” cried a voice and out of the wardrobe came a small elfling.
“Ah, there you are. Well, come here now and let’s have a look at the beautiful dress, which you are going to wear tonight.”
A smile graced the elflings lips now, the great blue eyes brightened.
//He’ s so sweet and tender. No one would ever think him a little boy, that the little princess of Greenwood is a little prince... but how long, how long can this masquerade go on// Kela’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted when someone entered the nursery and her little charge let out a triumphant cry and throw itself at its Adar’s throat.
“Now, where’s my little pen-neth, my sweet little Ama?”
“Daro, Adar, saes... you’ re tickling me!”
“Oh, but I can’t help it. Everytime I see you, my fingers become mad and do this all by themselves, I swear!”
Kela smiled at the beautiful picture in front of her – a king, forgetting about his royal state and rolling on the floor with his daughter. //No! Son!//
“Oh, Adar, I’m going to be a really good girl tonight, you’ll see. You will be proud... I’m not that little anymore, after all I will be 52 (*) this summer and...”
“Yes, yes, you are my big girl” – Thranduil sighed – “but I fear you cannot attend the celebration – I’m sorry!”
“But Adar – why? I’m old enough now... last year you said...”
“I know, what I’ve said, but I’ve changed my mind. We’ ll talk about this matter another time!”
“But Adar...!” The small voice sounded desperate and tears started showing in the childs eyes.
“No, Amariel – you’ve heard me. Now be a good girl and stop questioning my decision. Kela will stay with you tonight in your room, perhaps you two will have your own little party. And now come here, sweetie – kiss your Adar goodnight.”
And the elfling slowly walked to the king, tears now streaming down the face, and gave im a salty wet kiss at the cheek. Thranduil saw the hurt in his childs eyes and couldn’t bear it any longer. So he turned and left the nursery quickly.

He wandered the corridor for some time, but stopped as he heard footsteps behind him.
“Kela! Why are you following me?”
“Your Highness, I’m waiting for you to go back to your pen-neth and tell him that you love him and that you would be very proud to present him tonight to the other Lords and Ladies.”
“Kela, I cannot do this. I fear for his life- what if someone discovers the truth? I will not risk it!”
“How should anybody possibly find out? Do you really believe that one of your guests will be so bold to lift the princess’ dress?”
“Kela...”
“You cannot hide him forever! One day he will find out that he’s a boy.”
“Not if I can prevent it. No one told him about the differences between male and female yet. So why not give it a little more time. At least some decades... ‘till then, I know he’s safe.”
“You know, what you do is not right!”
“Yes, I know. But tell me what to do instead!” King Thranduil smiled sadly and left Nanny Kela alone in the corridor.

***
Some hours later the celebration already was in full swing. The great hall was richly decorated in brown and green, the traditional colours of Greenwood. Elves from all arda had been invited. There was plenty of food and wine, music played and some couples were dancing.
Lord Elrond of Imladris and his family were standing near the fireplace. His two sons, the Imladris twins Elladan and Elrohir, 107 years old (*), were dressed in burgundy red robes, which they apparently disliked, as they constantly fiddled about the collar. Elrond gave his wife a concerned look.
“Do you think it was right to bring them here?”
“They will behave. They promised you not to play any of their evil pranks tonight and you can hold them to that.”
“Anyway, I’m happy Erestor is here to keep an eye on them!”
The elf in question was Elronds chief advisor and the twins tutor, who stood a little bit aside the brethren, never letting them out of sight. Erestor was not one to call handsome, but he possessed a beauty of his own. He wore a long black velvet robe, which formed a contrast to his pale skin. He always wore black. , as Glorfindel always teased him. The seneschal himself had not come with them to Greenwood, but stayed behind to protect Elronds realm.
Elrond now stepped behind his sons and took their hands in his. He nodded towards Greenwood King, who made his way in their direction.
“Now – there comes King Thranduil, remember to greet him properly!”
“Elrond – what a pleasure to see you.” Thranduil laid a hand on the Lords shoulder, and Elrond did the same.
“I’m really happy to be here, Thranduil. You remember my wife Celebrian?”
“How could one ever forget such a beautiful sight!” Lady Celebrian slightly blushed at these words and bowed her head.
“And these two are my ions, Elladan and Elrohir.” The twins bowed before the Greenwood King. “We.. we are honored to.. to meet you” Elladan said in a small voice. The imposing king didn’t fail to impress him.
“Identical twins – now, that’s interesting. Which one are you?”
“Elladan, the elder brother.”
“Ah, so you are your fathers heir. It’s a pleasure to meet you – both of you.”
“Will we meet your little iell, the princess Amariel, tonight?” Erond asked.
“Unfortunately not... see, I think she’s still too young... Well, I hope you have a nice evening. I will go now and greet the Lorien guests – enjoy yourself!”

Meanwhile at the other side of the great hall, Haldir, one of the Galadhrim guards from Lothlorien, was talking to is brothers, when he felt something pulling him by the sleeve. He turned and saw a beautiful little girl, wearing a blue nightrobe, looking up to him with big eyes. The elf dropped down on one knee.
“Now, who do we have here? What’s your name, pen-neth?”
“Ama.”
“Well, Ama, shouldn’t you lie in your bed and sleep?”
“I had a bad dream! Do you know where Kela is?”
“Is that your mother?”
“My nanny. She looks funny, she has got RED hair!”
“No, I don’t know where she is. But I tell you something... I’ll bring you back to your room and one of my brothers here will go and find her.”
“NO – not back to bed. I want to stay, saes!”
“Ok, Rumil, Orophin, would you be so nice and find the little one’s nanny? And you Ama, you will stay with me until your nanny comes to fetch you.”
“But I’m not allowed to stay with strangers!”
Haldir sighed. “Well- I see. OK. My name is Haldir o’ Lorien, I’m one of the captain of the Galadhrim, that are the soldiers of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn over there. Theses two are my brothers, Rumil and Orophin, also warriors. I’m 1256 years old, I like chocolate, summerrain and playing the harp. So. Now that you know me – would you stay with me a little time?”
“Yes Haldir,” the little one giggled.
Rumil and Orophin left and Haldir lifted the elfling in his arms.
“Now, sweet Ama – what would you like to do?”
“DANCING!!!” the little one’s eyes became bright, “Saes, Haldir, dancing!”
Haldir smiled. “My Lady – I would be honored to dance with you.”
And with the child still in his arms, he went to the dancefloor and begann to move to the music. Bright laughter sounded in his ears and the sparkling blue eye seemed to burry themselves in the warriors heart.
“My, oh my – you’re truly a sweet little girl, Ama. A few years and you are going to break some hearts in these woods. And maybe someday, there will come a nice young prince and you’re going to be the most beautiful bride, Greenwood ever seen.”
The elfling blushed and asked with a little voice: “D.. Do you...maybe, eh, want, want to marry me – someday?”
Haldirs heart missed a beat at hearing this sweet question, but before he could answer, Kela stormed in the hall and took the pen-neth from the Galahrim’s arms.
“NOOOO, Kela, no... I wanna dance, dance with Haldir, saes!!!”
Alarmed by his childs screaming, Thranduil turned around and paled, when he saw his “daughter” in Kelas arms, clutching at Haldirs tunic as if for dear life. Quickly he ran towards them.
“Amariel, what have I told you about tonights celebration? Why are you not in your bed? Kela, what is this all about?”
“I’m so sorry your Highness, I was fetching a book from the library and when I came back, Amariel was gone.”
“I’m sorry- Adar, but I had a bad dream and...”
“We’ ll speak about that tomorrow, Amariel. Now go to bed – NOW!”
The little one looked in its Adar face with tears in the eyes and ran from the hall, Kela behind.
“Please, forgive me, your Highness, “ Haldir said to Thranduil, “but I didn’t know that she was your daughter. Belive me, else I would not have dared to dance with the princess.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Haldir. You’re an elf of honor and I know you meant well. Now, if you would excuse me...”

***

Later that night, only a few of the guest were left in the great hall. Elrond and his family had already retired, Haldir and his brothers were sitting near the fireplace, talking with some of the Greenwood soldiers about warfare and such. A few couples, among them King Thranduil and his queen, were dancing slowly.
But the peace and quiet of the night was disturbed when Kela stormed in.
“My King, you must come at once!”
The queen paled. “What is it? Is Leg... is Ama well?”
“No, please, you must come with me. I don’t know what to do. She’s crying all the time, even in sleep. And she feels so hot. I already sent for Séregon, but right now he’s tending to a hurt border guard in the barracks and this will take some time. I do not know why she could be sick...”
“Elves don’t get sick!” the King bellowed but none the less hurried with the nanny and his wife to the nursery.
When he entered the room, the sight that greeted him ripped his heart in two. The elfling laid in his bed, sweating terribly, the head tossing and turning in the pillows, the eyes tightly shut and tears streaming down the cheeks. The queen dropped down beside him, holding her sons hands. “He feels so hot, what is happening to him?”
“I’ve seen such symptomes only once – a widow, who was mourning her husbands death.”
“Grief, Kela, at such a tender age? He’s only a little elfling... Why should he grieve?”
“Haldir, saes... Haldir, dancing..” the soft plea left the childs lips.
Thranduil turned to Kela: “Go and fetch the Galadhrim”
Kela bowed and left.
“Do you think this is wise, hervenn nîn?”
“I don’t want to see him suffer any longer, I can’t bear it, can you? I know about the risk, but...“ he stopped his words abruptly, because Haldir entered the room – worry clearly showing on his face.
“Your Highness, Kela told me the little princess is sick? What can I do to help?”
“She asked for you, so come here Haldir, sit beside her – take her hand, talk to her – let her know that you are here now.”
Haldir did as he was told, he took the elflings hands in his and whispered sweet little words. After some time, the child seemed to calm down and Haldir began to sing a lullaby. It was then, that healer Séregon came in. He felt his little patients temperature and smiled.
“From what Kela told me, the fever already lessend I think. Whatever it is you are doing, Galadhrim, go on.” The healer tucked a strand of the childs goldes locks behind the delicatly pointed ear and the pen-neth opened the eyes.
“Haldir!”
“Yes, little princess, I’m here.... ssh, sleep now!”
“I wanna dance – dance with you!”
“Another time Ama, at the latest when you reach your majority, sweet one, then I will come again and dance with you – if you still want to.”
“Promise?”
“A promise, pen-neth!” And with that he bent down and kissed the little one’s brow.

“My king, a word in private please” Séregon said.
He guided Thranduil out of the room.
“My wife was right, it is grief. It’s seldom with children, but not unheard of. A childs heart can sometimes desire a thing so badly, symptomes of grief start to show. It happens in a minute, but also passes very quick. No reason to worry, it’s not that serious... You’ll see, tomorrow he’s well again as if nothing had happened.”
“But what was the reason for his illness?”
“Do you really know not? Haldir!”
“He’s just a child!!! Séregon, what are you telling me.”
“Nothing, my king. I’m not talking about love – but about the fact that your son is lonely.”
“He’s got us!”
“Yes, his parents, a healer and a nanny, but that’s not enough. I’m talking about friends. Tonight with Haldir, Legolas for the first time in his life felt something like frienship, a hope, that someone perhaps cares for him, someone other than his kin. Now he fears, he will lose that again...”
“I know, what you’re trying to tell me. But I cannot risk his life by allowing him friends. WE will be there for him, that simply MUST be enough!”

***

The next morning found the royal couple sitting together on the floor in the nursery, watching their son, who was sound asleep.
“It was close, Thranduil, to close... Haldir could have possibly found out!”
“Yes, you’re right. But to keep this secret inside these walls is an impossible task, if the palace is full of strangers.”
“Then, there’s only one solution... no more! No more guests, no more visitors, no more strangers in this place.”
“Are you willing to live thus, without the feasts, the celebrations and such - meleth. Only our little family and no one else to turn to?”
“For his safety? – YES!” and the queen turned her head, looked at her sons soft features and sighed: “Legolas, ion-nîn.”

Translation:

pen-neth - little one
adar - father
daro - stop
saes - please
ion - son
iell - daughter
meleth - Love



(*) I think that elves do reach their majority with 200, what means about 20 in human years. So Legolas is in this chapter about 5 human years old, the twins are about 10.


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Thanks for your kind reviews, you made me quite happy...

and Celeren: NO! The OMC is not Thranduils EX, but I won't tell you more than this: Haldir will not be the only one, Legolas will get intimate with!!!

Greetings,

Githoniel