melme Colle (or: hidden love)

Chapter nineteen What now?

Legolas frowned at the noises emanating from the study? Were those silly elves harassing his beloved already? He shook his head. The other way around was more likely to be happening. He breathed in deeply and opened the door.

He deepened his frown when he saw the chaos around the place. “What in Mandos’ name is happening here?”
All others were silent instantly and looked at Legolas fearfully. The elves of Mirkwood origin smiled and nodded before one of them approached him. He opened his mouth to speak but upon Legolas’ signal remained silent.

The Prince turned to Erestor’s secretary instead. “Melpomean, isn’t it?”
The elf nodded. “Aye, my lord?”
Legolas smiled. “What is going on here and where’s Erestor?”
Melpomean smiled. “Master Gimli took Lord Erestor to the front yard. And I am merely trying to carry out his orders, but they make it impossible for me to do so.”

Legolas sat down and asked to look at whatever it was he was working on. After taking a look at it he nodded. Realising what this meant his eyes narrowed dangerously.

He stood up and pulled himself to his full height. He looked at the counsellors that came from his father’s realm. “Is this true? You refuse to adapt yourself to Imladris? Are you making ruling more difficult instead of easier?”
He signalled for them to remain silent and turned to the ones from ‘Lóriën. “And you? Are you guilty of the same?”

He shook his head. “I thought we could trust you? But instead of seeing logic you try to take over a position that isn’t even rightfully yours. That most senior counsellors of both Mirkwood and Lothlóriën either sailed or settled in Ithilien, doesn’t mean you can usurp their titles and make them your own. And even above that is the fact -THIS- -IS- -IMLADRIS-!!!!! You cannot even begin to think you can usurp a title that rightfully belongs to one of her inhabitants.”

His eyes spat fire and they were now directed at an elf that opened his mouth to speak. “SILENCE!”
He was getting angrier by the second. “How would you feel if we had gone to Mirkwood, or Lothlóriën for that matter, and the Imladrian elves would be trying to take over your positions? Well???”
He growled and advanced on them. “You would have been angry too! I say these advisors have every right to fight you.”

He growled again and turned, now facing the shocked native Imladrians. “But this has been three years now. Do you really need to hold a grudge for three years? You are as much to blame as them! You should have guided them, let them see they are not as knowledgeable as they think!”
Hearing snickers behind him, he twirled. “But that doesn’t excuse your behaviour, you lowly excuses for advisors and secretaries. All you, and I mean all of you, each and every one of you, all you have done is make ruling difficult instead of easy. And though I see reason in Erestor’s plan I will advice at demoting you all and making a complete new staff of advisors. Now kindly see to it that his orders are carried out or I’ll use you all for target practise. How could you?”

He threw the door open and stepped out, but turned again. “Melpomean! Write down every name of every elf that lives within this realm and what his or her present and former occupation is and whatever he or she would like to do in the future. And can you have it ready by the end of the week? They!” He now pointed to the counsellors and advisors, who backed away as if stabbed, “They will help you.”
He looked at them. “And be aware I will be watching!”

He turned and slammed the door closed. He cursed the fact his father was in the healing wing, for now he could not aid him. Glorfindel was indisposed as well, and Celeborn wasn’t likely to leave the wing either. And Legolas knew he and Erestor were too weak to take on the full load yet. And if he heard things correctly Elrond wasn’t feeling to well himself.

He sighed and schooled his features, seeing his beloved sitting on the bench in the front yard, watching some elflings play.

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Erestor smiled when he felt Legolas sit down beside him. He leaned in closer. “I missed you. Nice as company Gimli is, he doesn’t compare.”
Gimli grinned. “What did you expect? I’m a Dwarf! Not a fussy elf.”
Legolas grinned. “Aye, I am too fussy to fetch us all some drinks. I might ruin my clothes or the wind could mess with my hair.”
Erestor nodded. “And we can’t have that. Gimli, would you please?”
Gimli snuffed but grinned as he walked away. He would not have let them walk away anyway.

Legolas cocked his head. “Erestor, what is that for statue? I don’t remember ever seeing it.”
Erestor smiled. “When Elrond got married he honoured it and his wife by having a statue in her image erected. When she sailed the twins unleashed their anger at it.” Feeling, rather than seeing, Legolas’ puzzlement he smiled. “We’d rather have them smash a statue than endanger themselves in orc-fights when they weren’t ready yet.”
He sighed when Legolas pulled him closer and locked eyes with the blond. “For years it stood empty until Elrond decided to have Arwen’s beauty made into stone. He knew of her fate before she was even born.”
Legolas nodded and looked at the statue again. “Not as regal as I know her though.”
Erestor nodded. “Estel wasn’t born yet. It was made in her carefree days.”

Legolas nodded and suddenly he jumped up happily, but immediately kneeled down when he realised he had made Erestor land on his still painful wrists. He pulled him close. “Aiya, Erestor, forgive me. I was so excited I got careless. I’ll never forget anymore. Promise.” He kissed him all over to make up for his stupidity.
Erestor grinned. “Stop kissing me already and tell me what prompted this sudden boost of energy?”
Legolas sighed, unwilling to place the burden on Erestor at this moment. “As you know things are a mess around here. I got rather angry and I lost it.”
Erestor widened his eyes. “You yelled at them?”
Legolas blushed and nodded. “As soon as we can do so, we must talk.”
Erestor nodded. “Aye, you and your father, Celeborn and Elrond have to talk. Together you have to decide the new hierarchy around here.”
Legolas cocked his head. “And what about you?”
Erestor sighed. “Whether I like it or not, I am a counsellor. And maybe someone else qualifies better now for my position.”
Legolas shook his head. “Nay, both father and Celeborn always thought highly of you and envied Elrond for having you.” He smiled. “But I would appreciate it if you could share your responsibilities a little or I would never see you after you’ve healed.”

Erestor smiled and shrugged, not answering him. “Talk with the others first. But you didn’t jump up for that, did you?”
Legolas shook his head. “Nay, I thought maybe Arwen can come and knock some sense into everyone.”
Erestor nodded. “She would instantly come if she knew she was needed, which, I agree, she is.” He sighed. “But a letter takes too long to reach her and we cannot far speak to her.”
Legolas nodded. “We can’t. But Elrond can. Come on. And he should be alerted what a mess we all have made of it.”

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Elrond blinked his eyes and woke to the sensation of feeling a body holding him. He smiled when he realised it was Orophin. He forced his memory to work and remembered the healing sessions. /I shall have to check Haldir. But not now. I am too drained./

He groaned when a knock sounded through the room. He could care less about the person standing on the other side and called out. Instantly the door opened and revealed Legolas and Erestor. They walked in and their worried expressions made Elrond tighten his own hold on Orophin, only now realising he was holding the warrior in turn. /I hope I haven’t pulled him down./
Erestor smiled warmly and leaned on Legolas, though Elrond could see it wasn’t out of necessity. “Are we disturbing?”
Elrond shrugged and yawned. “Make it swift. I’ve just mended Haldir’s shoulder.”
Erestor’s eyes shone with regret, hating the fact they had woken him up when the Peredhel needed to regain his energy.
Elrond smiled warmly at him. “What is it, meldir?”
Erestor shook his head. “It can wait, Elrond. Besides, Gimli is looking for us. Sleep well.” He ruthlessly pulled Legolas back out.

The blond protested. “We have to tell him now, Erestor.”
Erestor shook his head. “Nay, he’ll only worry and it’ll stop him from relaxing in his sleep and thus regain his energy.”
Legolas growled. “Big deal!” He frowned when Erestor pulled lose and hit him right on the nose. “Say that again and you’ll be permanently staying the healing wing.” Anger flared from the orbs. “No one insults my family, let alone threatens them.”
Legolas stood up and held his palms upwards to calm Erestor. “Seas, I didn’t mean it as an insult and it certainly wasn’t a threat, Erestor. I assure you.”
The counsellor read the truth in the blue orbs and calmed down, realising Legolas had no idea. “If Elrond doesn’t rest sufficiently and restore his energy another healing session might kill him. And you know he will place another’s need first.”
Legolas gasped and placed his hand before his mouth. “I…I…I had no idea. Aiya, Erestor.” He stood and looked at the floor. “Did I leave my eyes and ears with Mandos? I feel so stupid.” He looked up and smiled gratefully at Erestor. “I am glad you stopped me.”
Erestor smiled. “Come, we go to Celeborn. He can contact her as well.”
Legolas nodded and followed, still feeling bad about this.

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Orophin’s eyes regained their awareness and he wondered what had reached him in his sleep. But that was soon replaced by anger. He shouldn’t have fallen asleep when he needed to guard Elrond’s. /How can I see to his slumber when I join him?/ He growled, but stilled his voice instantly, not willing to wake his charge up.

Hearing a chuckle he widened his eyes and realised Elrond was awake already. One look told him he hadn’t even slept enough. “Go back to sleep, Elrond.”
Elrond smiled. “I intend to. You do not have to stay.”
Orophin smiled but shook his head. “I think I do. Someone has to make sure you get the amount of rest you require. Celeborn is watching Haldir. Don’t you think they should spend some time alone?”
Elrond grinned and nodded.

He sighed contented when Orophin pulled him closer and tightened his hold. “Erestor and Legolas just left. I think something is wrong.”
Orophin shrugged. “Unless the place is on fire or attacked by great masses, you are not leaving this bed.”
Elrond couldn’t help but grin at that. “Be careful, meldir, or Elladan will appoint you as my personal guard.”
Orophin beamed at the thought. He wouldn’t mind a bit. “Stop talking and sleep. Whatever it is, it can wait. And if it can’t they will have to go to Celeborn.”

Suddenly he narrowed his eyes. “Though maybe I should go to the healers myself.”
Elrond raised his head and looked at him in concern.
Orophin nodded, a serious look on his face. “I placed a do-not-disturb sign on the door and neither Erestor nor Legolas managed to see it. Their eyesight needs to be checked. Which means I will end up with one of Legolas’ arrows in my behind.”
Elrond laughed freely at those words. Orophin smiled, seeing and feeling the Peredhel loosen up again. “I’m sure it fell down.” He sighed contented and snuggled closer, already dozing off.
Orophin responded by tightening his hold.

He grinned when Elrond mumbled into his clothes. “M sorry for keeping you from… everything.”
Orophin smiled. “Don’t be. Sleep.”
“Mmmmm.”
Orophin grinned but stifled it when a displeased groan came from the dozing elf. “Esta, melamin, esta.” Neither Elrond nor Orophin noticed the slip-up, but Elrond had heard, he just hadn’t registered it yet.

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Celeborn frowned when the door opened. It wasn’t time for a check-up yet and he was sure Orophin would rather tie Elrond to the bed than to allow him to leave it premature. For a moment he feared there was something wrong with the elves next door.

His worry faded instantly when he saw Erestor and Legolas walk inside, immediately followed by Gimli.

He stood and embraced them warmly. “I am sorry I haven’t seen you as much as I would like.”
Erestor waved it away. “We’re fine, Celeborn, and you have an ailing elf to worry about.” He smiled mysteriously and Celeborn could see knowledge in the orbs. He sighed. He had forgotten Erestor knew almost everything, and what he didn’t know he could figure out real swift.

He smiled at Legolas. “Haldir won’t wake for some time, Legolas. Wouldn’t you rather sit with your father?”
Legolas shrugged. “He and Glorfindel are doing fine and actually keeping each other in bed.”
Erestor laughed. “Aye, he is behaving, which is nothing short of a surprise.”
Celeborn nodded. “Aye, Glorfindel is the worst patient in the world.” He smiled at Legolas. “Though Thranduil isn’t easy either.” His eyes twinkled. “So they are looking after each other? That’s a nice development to watch.”

He cocked his head when he saw the troubled speckles in Erestor’s eyes. “Man raica?”
Erestor sighed. “Things are a mess. Instead of everybody working together and becoming one big family, they all work against each other, and we remain with three realms.”
Celeborn sighed. “I know. But there was little we could do about it. Be grateful the warriors aren’t having those troubles.”
Erestor nodded. “I am, I am. But this has to end. And Arwen is the only one to make sure this ends.”
Celeborn frowned.

Legolas smiled. “Aye, she is loved and admired by all. And she is the only one who really can command them all.” Seeing Celeborn’s eyes widen further he grinned. “She’s Elrond’s daughter and therefore Imladrian, but she’s also your granddaughter, making her ‘Lóriën, and she now is Queen of Gondor and Ithilien, making her a ruler of Mirkwood as well.”
Celeborn nodded, seeing what he meant. “Not to mention the fact she will throw tantrums at all of us even Elrond isn’t capable of matching.” He grinned. “Have you written her?”
Erestor shook his head. “Nay, that will take too long. And Elrond needs to rest, so I was hoping you would contact her.”
Celeborn nodded. “Of course, Erestor.” He withdrew and reached out, searching his granddaughter’s mind.

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“My lady?”

Aragorn stopped when he heard the concerned voice and waited for his wife to come closer to him.
Arwen’s eyes regained their normal glance and she looked at him in concern. “Grandfather contacted me. Father needs us, Estel. Things are getting out of hand.”
Aragorn nodded and looked at the sky. “We can journey through the night and cut short. It should enable us to arrive in two days instead of four.”
Arwen smiled and nodded, glad he understood her desire to go swift.

They both frowned when someone cleared his throat.
Aragorn grinned when he saw his second in command blush. He decided it became him.
“Forgive me, sire, but if speed is required, maybe you should travel ahead. I shall see to it the books arrive safely, my queen.”
Arwen smiled warmly and his eyes shone in happiness.

Aragorn nodded his acceptance and they divided the escort in two. “As soon as we’ve arrived I’ll send some elves your way.”
They sped up.

TBC