The secret life

Part 16


Authors note: This chapter is dedicated to DarkDreamer :)

Imladris 1496

With incredible precision he closed the door of the study without any sound and then sneaked over to the big bookshelf, where he could hide. Oh, he hoped, the elf on the desk had not heard or seen him, but the dark one seemed to be so engrossed in these scrolls, maybe he would have luck. He dared to look carefully around the shelf and have a closer look at the advisor. Erestor’s black mane was shimmering in the morning light like liquid silk. He had the end of his quill brought to his lips, tracing the lines of the deep red temptation of his mouth. Did the advisor even know, how seductive he just looked like???
He tiptoed from behind the bookshelf, nearing the desk and Erestor from behind without to even breath. Now he was so close behind the elf that he could touch him, but Erestor was still too deep in his thoughts to notice. He leaned forward to bring his mouth near the advisors left ear and:
“I’ve missed you in our bed meleth!”
Though Glorfindel had spoken quietly, only whispered, Erestor almost jumped from his seat with shock!
“Findel – argh... why do you have to sneak up on me like this??? Oh, look what you’ve done: I spilled ink over the scroll.”
“You are working to hard my soon-to-be-husband! Why did you flee our bed and why do you work here without even a proper morning meal? What scrolls are these? Let me see!”
Glorfindel grabbed the scroll from the advisors hands.
“Gondolin wedding traditions???”
“I thought, you would like to have the ceremony in a Gondolin style, ind-nîn.“
“Oh, meleth... that’s so incredible sweet of you. But I want us to have a ceremony, that is to both our liking.”
“Oh, it would be... I found some intersting traditions here, concerning both, the ceremony and... the binding night!”
“Mmh, I think I’m just getting curious about what you have in mind.”
The seneschal leaned forward and gave his beloved’s neck a sensuous lick.

In this moment, the study door was rudely opened and a warrior entered.
Erestor grunted in annoyance “Oh I really hope, this is an emergency or something like that – or tell me why else would you enter my study without knocking, soldier?”
Glorfindel lifted his eyes: “Sarik? What is this all about? Shouldn’t you be in the stables, checking your horse and readying your pack? The patrol leaves in two hours and you have been assigned to guard a border post I think!”
Sarik approached the desk and took a seat. His face showed a malicious smile.
“Oh, actually this is an emergency my dear advisor. It’s a question of the safety of an inhabitant of this house, also a diplomatic matter I would think, so I came to you. And I think our seneschal here, will have to alter the border post assignments...”
“Why should I do that, soldier?”
“Because I won’t leave with the patrol today, captain, and I’m sure, after you have heard what I have to say to Erestor, you will agree with me!”
Erestor gave the young soldier a stern look.
“Speak!”
“Well...” Sarik began, „it just came to my ears that one inhabitant of this house is not the elf he seems to be. Oh, I do not think him a danger, in spite of all lies about him... no, I’m truly concerned about his wellbeing, as it is, as I said, a matter of politics too. Or how do you think Thranduil would react, if his only ion and heir would be hurt while training with the other warriors?”
Glorfindel and Erestor gasped.
“You know? How?“
„That shouldn’t be your concern. Until now, no one else knows – at least not from me. But, you know, guarding this boarder is quite boring when no one is talking to you... but if I had some interesting news for my fellows...”
“What do you want? We do not let you blackmail us!!!” Glorfindel said in a sharp tone.
“Blackmail, no, that’s such a nasty word... see, I’m only concerned about Legolas well-being! But if I would be one of those soldiers, that are chosen to go to Bree, I would be so occupied with all those new impressions – I do not think I could find the time to have another thought at the prince of Mirkwood!”
“The escort to Bree is already chosen! Edain are not easy to deal with. Only our seasoned and most trusted warriors will go with the ambassadors. ”
“Oh, captain, I think you could convince Elrond about that little change! Think about it – I give you one hour to make a decision! Or else I will tell everyone the interesting story of a little prince, that was raised as a girl!”
With that he stood and went to the door. Before he left, he turned one last time and mock-bowed to Erestor and Glorfindel and then he left!

Erestor stared at his lover with wide eyes.
“What do we do now, Findel?”
“I think, there`s only one thing we can do. Legolas true identity has to stay secret at all costs.”
“You cannot mean to let this son of an orc have his way?”
“I don’t see, how we could not!”
“But we cannot be sure, Sarik will keep the secret, even if we send him to Bree. He has hurt Legolas once and he will do so again, if he benefits from that.”
“We must send someone with him, who will keep an eye upon him. Someone, who already knows the truth!”
“Now that leaves us little choice. You aren’t fit to travel and I’m not a warrior. You think about the twins... But I want them to be present at our wedding.”
“They should be back before the ceremony... This is the only option we have. Sarik needs to be observed constantely from now on. I will talk with Elrond about this, but I think, he will agree. And while they are in Bree, we have time to think about what to do with Sarik, when they come back!”


***

Meanwhile in Lorien

He was dancing in a big hall. The music sounded strangely familiar in is ears, while he whirled around and around all over the dancefloor. Though everything was turning faster and faster, he didn’t feel dizzy or something. Instead he felt a warmth spreading through his body and this warmth was emanating from another body, that was pressed against his chest. He looked down and saw into the most beautiful blue eyes, he had seen in all his live. And he heard the laughter, that sounded sweeter, than anything else in the world. He tightened his hold on the little body, that belonged to the Greenwood princess Amariel, and then held the laughing girl high above his head while he was still spinning around in time with the music. The girl giggled ad spread her arms wide open in the air. “I’m flying!” she cheered. “Don’t fly away from me, little princess!” he cried out and wondered about the despair in his voice. But only seconds later all music stopped and the girl’s laughter died, her eyes fell shut, her skin suddenly felt icecold. He pressed the girl against him, as if to prevent the life from fleeing her body, but he clearly felt it was to late. Carefully he laid the corpse on the ground and was about to bent over and kiss her forhead as a last goodbye, when suddenly the eyes flew open and he stared into those blue orbs again. He knew these eyes, this was Legolas questioning look, that he saw!

Haldir woke with a scream on his lips. His pillow was wet from sweat and tears. Again this strange dream. Why would his memories and the mourning of Amariels death hunt him now, after so many years? And what had Legolas to do with this? Haldir sighed and looked into the night sky. He was on duty the upcoming weeks, but when he would return, he tought, he would ask the Lady Galadriel about this dream. For sure, she would know an answer!


***

About three weeks later in Bree

The treaty with the people of Bree was finally signed – trading between elves and men should be less difficult in the future. This had not been an easy task, because the men did not trust the elves’ intentions. But the ambassadors had done a really good job, while the warriors had stayed in the background, trying to avoid any form of trouble. Now a sigh of relief was running through the Imladris-party. With the signed documents, they were able to return home in the next days and so they would be attending their captains wedding with the chief advisor!

This evening, they were all gathered in the town’s most famous inn, “The prancing pony”, where the warriors quarters were located too. They were sitting at a large table and though they were enjoying themselves, joking, laughing and drinking ale, to the men that were brawling through the room in their drunken state, they must have appeared really disciplined.
Sarik leaned against the bar, downing one ale after another and sometimes also a clear liquid, that was served in small glasses. Even though an elf does not react to alcohol at once, the young warrior was already drunk.
Sarik lifted his class in the air.
“Now, my dear fellows – who will drink with me?”
None of the others reacted to the soldier’s invitation. For the whole journey they had done their best to ignore him.
Sarik’s eyes were glittering with anger and his drunken state only added to this.
“I know, why you are ignoring me. It’s because of this bastard, this liar Legolas, isn’t it?” he yelled.
The twins, who were sitting with the other warriors, reacted at once. They stood immediately and stepped over to the young warrior.
“That’s enough for tonight now Sarik. You should retire. NOW!” Elrohir said with a stern voice.
“I’m not tired.”
“I think you do not understand, Sarik.” Elladan hissed, “This was not a suggestion, this was an order from an elf in a higher position than yours!”
“How could I ever disobey your orders my lords!” Sarik mumbled when he was ruggdly guided towards the stairs to their quarters.
“And all because I bedded this cursed prince of Greenwood!” he spat loudly.
“Hold your tongue!” Elladan said sharply while Elrohir looked around at once to see, if anybody would have heard this comment. He sighed in relief when he saw, that this was not the case and then, both continued to shove Sarik up the stairs towards his quarter, before they returned to the others.
None of them had noticed the hooded figure, that was sitting in the corner of the room and whose eyes and ears had followed this incident with great interest.

Sarik stumbled against the door of his quarter. //Shit, I must have drunk more than was good for me!// he thought when he finally managed to push the handle down and open the door.
“To combine ale and dwarven spirit is never a good idea my friend!” Sarik startled and pulled his sword against the hooded man, that was standing in his room.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“Put this weapon away my friend, it would be to no use at all now.”
“I’m a soldier of Imladris and one of the best sword fighters in my regiment!”
“But what use is the best fighter, when he has not even the strenght to lift his sword?”
In this moment, Sarik’s sword became so heavy in his hand, he could no longer hold it and the weapon fell down with a loud bang.
“You are istari? What do you want?”
“I overheard your dispute with your fellows, my friend, and I’m interested why they would ignore you. You mentioned a certain Legolas- a friend of yours?”
“He is not my friend, nor are you!”
“Oh, but I would like to become your friend... think about it. Not many elves can call an istari their friend.”
“What do you want for your friendship in return?”
“Tell me all about this Legolas. These two warriors down there were quite concerned you would talk about him too much. As if there is a secret hidden in this beautiful Imladris!”
“Oh, yes – there is!”
And Sarik sat on the edge of his bed and told the wizard eveything he knew about Legolas and the secret of his identity. Once he finished, Sarik looked at the istari, who mumbled in his beard
“...So you think you had me tricked, Thranduil... but I will make my thread come true, this I swear!”
“Eh... what are you saying?”
“Nothing young soldier. Now, it seems as if we both share a similar fate. A prince of Greenwood fooled me once too. But I say, we shouldn’t stay quiet about this anymore. We should let these Greenwood royals face our revenge. What do you think? Will you help me to pay back the wrongs and hurts we endured, my friend?”
“Yes, I will help you, mellon!”


***

Same time in Lorien

Haldir had returned from his duties in the woods and was now on his way to see his lady. These last nights, his dream had returned more than once and he wanted answers, wanted them now!
When he neared the talan of his lordship, he saw that the lady was already waiting for him and he smiled, when he heard her voice in his head.
“I knew you would come my trusted marchwarden.”
“So you also know, why I’m here my lady?”
“Yes, I know. But the answers you are seeking are already inside your heart!”
“Why can I not see them now?”
“Because you do not believe your eyes... but maybe you will believe my mirror!”
The lady guided the warrior to a clearing, hidden between mighty mallorn trees. Everyone knew that no one was allowed to come near the mirror and so stayed away from this place.
Galadriel filled a silverbowl with water from the nearby stream and gestured for Haldir to approach.
“I must warn you, Haldir, because after you have a look inside, your live maybe never be the same again! But here are the answers you are searching for – you must decide now, wheter to look or not!”
Haldir hesitaded, but then leaned forward and looked inside the water. At first, everything was dark, but then within a few seconds, hundreds of images were flowing through his mind. He saw an istari threatening a noble elf, desperately crying parents holding their newborn son. He saw a young boy, wearing a blue dress, he saw his dance with the princess, her 100th birtday, how she cried his name in sleep. Then he saw the princess, shedding her dress and change into warriors garments, saw Legolas as an elfling on his journey to Imladris, his living and learning there, his friend Sarik and how this one had used him, and his journey to Lorien. And then he saw it: the love in Legolas eyes when they had met at the border and also the silent plea for being recognized by the one, the prince loved so much...
Haldir couldn’t bear it any longer and shut his eyes. When they opened them next, the water was mirroring only his face.
The Galadhrim took a deep breath. “So Legolas and Amariel are the same person? He is the crownprince of Greenwood, Thranduil’s heir?”
“Yes, that he is. And deep inside your heart, you knew it all the time, ever since you first looked in the prince’s eyes.”
“I... I have wronged him so... I..”
“There’s nothing, that could not be set right again, if you are ready to let go of your fears and open your heart once again.”
“I- I’m afraid, my lady.”
“I know, my dear one, I know. But you cannot run from this... not again! He is already in your heart, in your soul, in your blood and in every breath you take.”
Galadriel turned to leave her marchwarden alone.
“There’s a wedding in Imladris, Glorfindel and Erestor will bind their souls together. We will send a delegation with our greetings. You can lead it, if you want to...”


Translation:

meleth – love
ind-nîn- my heart
ion – son
edain – men
mellon - friend


___________________________________________________________


I'm soooooo sorry! Normally I'm not that cruel. Forgive me the long time you had to wait.


DarkDreamer: Ah, shit... I somehow missed DarkDreamer-Day and had no time to write you a drabble... sorry. So I dedicated you this chapter... hope you like it! Hugs!!!

Carinito: *beam* ahhh, so happy you like it! Love ya too, sweetie!!! But don't cry, or else I will send you 1000 tissues with the next package. *kiss*

Ertia: Ah... thank you... Elladan did a good job, I think. What a shame he wasn't intersted in doing a little more than healing, *grin* - Oh, and I think you can let go of Haldir now *hands you a knife to cut of the rope* :)

HHS: Ah, finally a yessss, hehe...

Thanks to all my readers for your patience!

Greetings,

Githoniel