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

CHAPTER 20


In the years that followed, no more ordeals plagued the realms of either Mirkwood or Ilandros. Legolas continued to ponder on the decision he would soon need to make……whether to stay in his beloved Mirkwood to succeed his father as King, or to leave behind the only home he had ever known to be at the side of Isalith, his heart’s treasure. For Isalith, no decision was required. He was the only heir to the Ilandrian throne and therefore *had* to remain. But he sympathized deeply with his lover’s dilemma, and he and Legolas wrote many long and detailed letters to each other, discussing it. Their correspondence became so frequent after Legolas’ attack, that the messengers carrying the letters would joke that they met each other coming and going, as they made their deliveries.

Now, as Legolas still agonized over the best course of action, his frustration grew daily. He roamed the halls of the palace one morning, deep in thought, until he realized he stood at the door of Thranduil’s library. Sighing to himself (he always seemed to wind up in close proximity to his father at times likes these), he entered and found the King sitting at his desk, as Legolas had hoped he would.

Clearly, though, this was not the best moment to monopolize his father’s time, Legolas realized. Thranduil sat, hunched over a pile of papers, frowning in displeased concentration as he perused them. His elbows rested atop the desk, long fingers splayed through his unbound flaxen hair, as he held his head in his hands.

Legolas felt a pang of sympathy for him. “Ada, is anything wrong?”

The frown and the look of irritation on his face disappeared instantly, when his father saw him standing there. “Legolas,” Thranduil smiled gently. “Trade agreements,” he said wryly as he indicated the paperwork before him, “need I say more?”

“Ah,” the Prince replied, laughing, “understood.” He remained where he was, unsure whether he should leave or stay.

But his father, as always, knew his state of mind just by looking at him. “Legolas, what is bothering *you*, ion?” he asked gently.

The Prince replied with a lopsided grin, “The usual, ada, the usual.”

Thranduil stood and walked to the divan that rested against the wall of his library, and beckoned Legolas to join him there. The younger Elf hesitated a moment, but seeing his father sitting there with his arm extended across the back of the divan, patting the seat beside him, decided for him. He needed to be near his father right now, and was not ashamed to admit it. He sat beside Thranduil and was immediately enveloped in the reassuring circle of the King’s strong arm.

Legolas didn’t know where to begin…..they had been over and over this topic in the past, but nothing had been resolved, as far as he was concerned. And he hated his indecisiveness; it made him feel weak.

Thranduil took the lead in the conversation. “Now. I would like to know what it is that causes my son to agonize and torture himself needlessly. Legolas, lim nin, this is not necessary! You must let your heart lead you, in this matter.”

“But, my heart is torn, ada.”

Thranduil smiled lovingly and cupped the Prince’s chin in his hand. “You make the mistake of thinking that whatever choice you make, you are being disloyal to *someone*. Not true. My darling boy, why are you the only one who does not see the obvious? You *must* go to Isalith. He would fade without you. You did not see his face when he entered your bedchamber and saw you lying there, after those thieves attacked you. He was as white as the pillows you laid upon.”

The King searched his son’s eyes. “You must not fret about us, or Mirkwood. We feel no slight in knowing that you long to be near Isalith. Your heart will never deceive you; you must listen to it, always. And as long as you do not forget about us, Naneth, Hania and I will be at peace with your absence.”

Legolas’ eyes widened in horror and disbelief. “Ada! I would *never* forget about any of you! If you think……..” he trailed off when he saw the gleam of humor in his father’s eyes.

Grinning at his own naivete, Legolas laughed. “You are horrid. *Horrid*!

Thranduil hung his head in mock shame and replied theatrically, “I am. I truly am.”

He raised his fair head and looked at Legolas gravely. “But I made my son laugh and smile, and hopefully lightened the burden he has been carrying for so long.”

Legolas’ eyes softened at that. He flung his arms around the King and hugged him tightly. “I love you so much, father,” he whispered. “And I will write to you constantly, and we will visit often, I swear it.”

Thranduil’s powerful arms wound around his son in response. “I love you also, ion. And no matter how great the distance between us, that will never change. Now, go and put a smile on *Isalith’s* face. Send word that you are going to be with him permanently, and soon.”

They stood and Legolas strode toward the door, his step much lighter than when he had entered.

“Hannad, ada,” he said sincerely. Thranduil smiled and nodded, as his son departed. Then he turned and walked back to his desk, sighing at the sight of the trade agreements that, tragically, still awaited him.

The King had barely sat down, when the distressed voice of Legolas called to him from far down the hallway.

“Ada, come quickly!”


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Thranduil raced into the corridor in time to see his son disappear around the corner, and he ran in pursuit of him until he had passed through the great arched entrance of the palace. What he saw as he stood at the top of the steps informed him beyond a doubt that the blessed calm that Mirkwood and Ilandros had enjoyed these past years had come to an abrupt halt.


Belorfilad! Thranduil was too shocked to even give voice to his thoughts, but his old friend’s name rang loudly in his mind, when he saw the former Captain of the Mirkwood guard. As he stood unsteadily, supported on one side by Legolas and on the other by a young warrior, Belorfilad was a frightening sight. His uniform was torn and tattered, his hair disheveled, and he bled freely from a scalp wound. His strong body was marred by cuts and lacerations, and he appeared exhausted. Many members of the Mirkwood palace guard congregated around him, their voices raised in concern as they questioned him. The great stallion, Hithrawyn, stood nearby, as majestic as ever, and two of the guards soothed and watered him.

The King raced down the steps to his friend.

“Belorfilad! What has happened?” he asked urgently, holding the face of the other Elf between his hands.

Swallowing hard and trying to catch his breath, Belorfilad was finally able to answer. “Majesty,” he began. He still addressed Thranduil with that title, although he was now officially a citizen of Ilandros. “There is trouble….an uprising…..the palace is under siege.” He stopped again, and gasped for breath. “It began last night…..I dared not leave before this morning. We are holding the insurrectionists at bay for now, outside the palace…….but it will not last, my lord.” He looked pointedly at Thranduil.

The Kind squared his broad shoulders and called out to his Captain. “Hilith! Leave only as many guards as will be adequate in our absence. Gather the rest and tell them to prepare. We go into battle. Where are the Queen and the Princess?”

Hilith opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off.

“We are here, my love,” Naniel called out as she and the Princess Hania ran toward them. They had been on the training ground, practicing their fighting skills, when one of the guards had thoughtfully informed them of what has happening.

Going immediately to Belorfilad, the women gasped in shock at his condition and questioned him about the reason for it. As he quickly recounted the events that led him to seek Mirkwood’s help, their faces grew angry in disbelief and outrage. They turned to Thranduil.

“We leave now, do we not?” Naniel asked. The King looked at his wife and daughter; their lovely faces were set in purpose. In that moment, he couldn’t have loved them more or been prouder. He and Legolas would go to Ilandros, that much was understood. But this act of selflessness and love for their friends was above and beyond anything he would have asked of his queen and his daughter.

He nodded. “As soon as everyone is assembled.”

“My lord,” Belorfilad injected, “I must return immediately….they need me…..Uri,” he trailed off.

“Go,” Thranduil urged. He knew that the wondrous black stallion could carry him home before they could arrive with reinforcements.

“Can Hithrawyn carry two?” Legolas asked. He turned to his mother and father. “I must be there….*now*,” he added in a voice both urgent and apologetic.

“Of course you must,” Naniel and Thranduil assured him. He smiled thankfully and turned to Belorfilad.

The Captain in turn called out to Hithrawyn. “What do you say, my friend? Are you up to the task?” When the stallion snorted strongly and tossed his noble head, Belorfilad grinned at Legolas. “I believe he welcomes the challenge.”

The King dispatched another guard to inform the Council of what was happening. When the young Elf looked at him questioningly, Thranduil said quietly, “They know what to do if we do not return.”

When he didn’t elaborate or offer details, the guard nodded obediently and ran toward the palace to deliver the message.

While they were making hurried plans and arrangements, Hilith had sent several of his guards to call their companions to action. They brought dozens of other guards with them on their return, their horses, and from the armory, all the weapons they would need. As the assembly began to arm themselves, Belorfilad quickly mounted Hithrawyn and extended an arm downward to help Legolas swing up behind him.

The Mirkwood Prince turned to his family. “I will see you all there,” he called out as the horse broke into a strong gallop almost immediately, bearing the two along at breakneck speed for several yards before pushing off powerfully from the ground, massive wings unfurling. He and his passengers disappeared quickly into the blue expanse of the sky. No one on the ground questioned this, as they all strapped on their various weapons and armor, and prepared to mount the horses that had been fetched from the stables. They had become aware of the stallion’s extraordinary abilities long ago.

When all were mounted and prepared to depart, Thranduil turned his horse around to face them.

“I cannot tell you what awaits us in Ilandros…only that our friends are in danger. But I do know that you will all fight well and defend them bravely. You have always made this kingdom proud, with your unwavering courage and service. And I know this battle will be no exception. As always, it will be an honor to fight beside you.”

He turned his horse away from them then, and called over his shoulder as Naniel and Hania fell in beside him.

“To Ilandros!” he commanded and urged the powerful white stallion beneath him into a full gallop.

The company of warriors followed closely as they left behind the tranquility of their homeland, and rode amidst the sound of thundering hooves to a distant realm, and an unknown fate.

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hannad: thanks

lim nin: my light


A/N: My friend and beta, Laurelin, didn't see this chapter before I posted it. I've left it sitting untouched for so long.....I just wanted to put it up here as soon as was humanly possible. Laurelin is a very busy young woman now with a new full-time job; and she has recently become quite the world traveler! So, once again, any errors are all my bad. *g*

Thank you so much for still reading!