Mending a Heart and the Tie that Binds

A/N: *Quote from Marcus Aurelius.

Special Note: Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews and feedback. I really appreciate it.


Chapter 3: Rivendell


Nearly two weeks had passed since Legolas had arrived in Lothlórien and now it was time to set out again.

The prince had bid Goel and the guards farewell a few days before, as they had already left for Mirkwood. Legolas, on the other hand, and a score of elves from Lórien, had readied their steeds and were preparing to depwhenwhen the Lady of Lórien called to him.

“Legolas, may I speak to you for a moment?”

“Aye, Milady,” Legolas said, turning to face Galadriel.

“It was very nice to make your acquaintance. I hope that you and the other warriors have a safe journey to Rivendell.”

“Thank you, Lady Galadriel. I enjoyed my stay here and am very glad that the council meeting went so well. Mirkwood has endured in solitude for so long. It will be nice to have closer ties with our brethren here.”

“I agree,” Galadriel said. “We look forward to a renewed kinship with the elves from the distant Wood and hope that our newfound acquaintance will not dish ish again.”

“That is my wish as well,” Legolas said.

“Prince Legolas, may I speak freely with you about something personal?”

“Of course.”

“I have never seen Elladan so happy in all of his years and I know that his recent joy is because of you.”

Legolas’ face flushed lightly, but he tried to maintain his dignity by continuing to look into the Lady’s eyes. “Then his happiness must mi min mine, as I grow to love Elladan more and more each day.”

“I know,” Galadriel said, smiling. “Your heart is pure and your words ring true which is why I must ask something of you.”

“Very well,” Legolas said, intrigued by whatever it was tGalaGaladriel was going to say to him.

“I understand that you have a unique gift, the ability to commate ate with animals.”

“Aye, Milady.”

“Then you must understand that great responsibility is associated with rare powers such as these.”

“I do.”

“Good. As you know, I have the gift of foresight, and yet my vision is dimmed in the midst of free will; I cannot see everything. I am only graced with what I assume I am supposed to see and thus, have a message for you.”

Legolas waited patiently for Galadriel’s counsel, and had to stop himself from shifting impatiently when she paused for a moment.

“When the time comes, I want you to tell Elladan that the consequences of anger are far more grievous than the causes of it.”*

Legolas stared at Galadriel, pondering her words briefly before speaking. “I do not understand. Why will I need to say this to Elladan?”

“I do not have all of the answers; I do not understand my vision. I can only tell you that he will need these words of wisdom. Do not forget them for his life may depend on it.”

“But… how will I know when I am to say this to Elladan?” Legolas asked, dismayed.

“You will know when the time is right,” Galadriel reassured.

“Legolas?” Elladan called. “Are you prepared to depart?”

“Aye,” Legolas said, turning to look at Elladan. He set his eyes upon the Lady of Lórien once more and looked deep into the depths of her azure orbs. Making a fist with his right hand and placing his knuckles against his chest the prince remarked, “Your monition has not fallen upon deaf ears. I will heed your words of wisdom; I swear it.”

Galadriel smiled. “Farewell, Prince of the Emerald Wood. Be safe.”

“Farewell, Milady.” Legolas bowed and turned to leave. He mounted his steed and looked back to where the Lady had been standing, but she was there no longer.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thranduil felt a smile touch his lips as he, two of his sons and a small band of warriors entered the borders of Rivendell; he was looking forward to seeing Elrond again. The king inhaled the crisp air and looked carefully at his surroundings. Large trees seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance and the smell of the forest permeated his senses. A gentle wind caressed his face as his hair swirled about him in a golden cloud of silky strands.

His mind was swept away on the breeze – his thoughts were led to Elrond. How he longed to hold the Lord in his arms, to caress his skin, to taste his lips. But Elrond wanted to be friends and Thranduil had to respect that, even if he didn’t want to. He couldn’t risk losing Elrond, not again.

Thranduil awakened slowly from his dream-like state when he heard the sound of riders approaching. Slowing his mount and holding his head high, the king of Mirkwood waited for the head of the border patrol to speak.

“King Thranduil, ‘tis a pleasure to see you again,” Glorfindel said, bowing his head.

“It is nice to make your acquaintance again as well,” Thranduil replied.

“Welcome one and all to Rivendell. I am Glorfindel, head of the border patrol in this realm. If it pleases you, I shall lead you to the House of Elrond. What say you, Sire?”

“Please, lead the way.”

Glorfindel bowed his head again and nudged his steed gently. The horse moved forward and the group of elves from Mirkwood followed behind obediently.

Thranduil’s mind slipped away again but this time a feeling of dread washed over him, sweeping away the longing that he had felt only moments before. The king closed his eyes and tried not to think about his desire to pursue Elrond; he silently reminded himself that the Lord didn’t want him… didn’t need him… he only wanted to be friends. He opened his eyes slowly and was surprised to see that the dense forest had parted and that the territory of Rivendell was sprawled before him. He looked at the various structures that were spread throughout the beauteous realm and smiled faintly; Rivendell was stunning.

Each dwelling boasted of the delicate and ethereal architecture for which Rivendell was famous, having gossamer strands of wood fitted painstakingly to the trim of each residence. It was like lace that had been draped over every domicile by the Valar, making each home look warm and inviting and yet unearthly in their resplendence. Sitting against the many hills and rocky crags, the smaller homes seemed to pay homage to their leader who was perched above them.

Thranduil shifted his gaze and focused his attention on the most commanding residence of them all. There, looking down graciously at its charges was the house of Elrond. The manor was quite large, but despite its copious appearance, a genuinednesdness seemed to radiate from the structure. It did not stand before the masses and magnanimously boast its leadership. Instead, the house of Elrond seemed to stand before its charges with open arms, accepting instead of rejecting, serving instead of ruling.

Glorfindel slowed his steed and nodded to a servant standing in the entranceway of the manor. The female disappeared for a moment and returned with a great host of laborers behind her. They stood, like soldiers, seemingly awaiting a command.

On cue, Lord Elrond appeared. He emerged from the manor and smiled brilliantly. He was wearing leggings that were sable in color and a deep, plum colored tunic. His hair was worn in the traditional Rivendell style – pulled back on both sides, with his hair gathered, in the back, with a small, ornamental clasp.

Thranduil frowned and wondered why the male elves from Rivendell did not fashion their hair in the way of Mirkwood warriors. He thought that strands of braided hair was quite becoming and wondered if he should suggest it to the lord. But then, unexpectedly, their eyes met. And in that brief moment in time, volumes were spoken. Thranduil could feel his breath catch in his chest and hoped that Elrond had not gleaned the power of mind reading in all of his years as a healer of heart and body. For if the Lord possessed such a power, the king’s thoughts would certainly reveal a desire that was as far and as wide as the whole of Middle-earth.

“Welcome to Rivendell. I am Lord Elrond and will be your host for the duration of your stay here in Imladirs. We are very pleased that you have come this day and would like to make your stay as comfortable as possible. I know that your journey has been very long and that you must desire a bath, a warm meal and the comfort of a soft bed. Thus, I will refrain from long introductions and other formalities. Instead, take some rest. There will be plenty of time for all of us to become acquainted over the next few months.” Elrond stopped speaking and looked into the distance. A rider was cantering toward them.

Glorfindel nudged his steed and rode toward the approaching border patrolmen and stopped so that he and the guard could speak. Nodding slowly, Glorfindel rode back toward the group of elves in front of the manor and the guardsman went back in the direction from whence he came.

“Lord, a band of elves have been seen heading in this direction,” Glorfindel said. “It is the company from Lórien; they are nearly two leagues off.”

“Splendid,” Elrond said, smiling, turning to face his guests. “There will be a grand feast tonight in honor of all of our guests. I hope that you will come. Rooms have been readied for all of you in one of the guest estates that is located nearby. Please allow my aides to assist you.”

Without any further instruction, the servants were upon them. Some politely urged the guests to dismount so that they could station the horses in one of the stables, while others led the fatigued warriors to their bedchambers.

The king longed to speak to Elrond but didn’t want to be too aggressive, and was too proud to act desperate. After all, he was royalty.

“Thranduil,” Elrond said, approaching the king. “It is very good to see you again.”

“’Tis good to see you too,” Thranduil said warmly. “How are you and yours?”

“They are well,” Elrond said. “Arwen has been busily preparing for the upcoming competition and Elladan and Elrohir left more than a month ago to journey to the land of Lórien.”

“Indeed? Did you know that Legolas journeyed to Lórien? He was there at my request as an ambassador for Mirkwood,” Thranduil said.

“Aye,” Elrond replied. “Legolas sent word. And thus Elladan decided to travel to Lórien to surprise the prince.”

“So the lovers have finally been reunited,” the king said thoughtfully. “It is just as well. Although Legolas wore the face of a warrior who was not forsaken, I knew that he yearned for your son. I am glad that they are together once again.”

“As am I,” Elrond said. “Especially because, unlike Legolas, Elladan did not hide his displeasure at being separated from the prince. He has sulked ever since Legolas left this realm.”

Thranduil smiled faintly and shook his head. “You have raised your children in a way that is unknown to me. It is my hope that I will have the opportunity to become more acquainted with them while I am here.”

“I would like that as well.”

Thranduil smiled.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Legolas,” Elladan said quietly, moving his steed close to the prince’s. “I… that is to say… I…”

“Yes?” Legolas asked, noticing the nervousness in Eln’s n’s voice.

“I… I have been trying to ask you for days, but… well, we keep getting interrupted,” Elladan continued.

“Ask me what?” Legolas asked, leaning close to Elladan, unable to hide his curiosity.

“I… I… I was wondering…”

“Welcome one and all to Rivendell. For those of you who do not know me, I am Glorfindel, head of the border patrol in this realm. If it pleases you…”

“Oh, stop your blather,” Elladan said in annoyance. “Glorfindel we all know who you are. Please do not bore us to tears with this speech. It is only Elrohir and I and the uninteresting elves from Lórien. They are going to lose the competition anyway, so just save you speech for someone important… like the elves from Mirkwood. They are going to lose, too, but I wouldn’t want you to offend my future father-in-law.”

A few elves in the group chuckled. Haldir looked particularly annoyed and cast Elladan a look of disdain.

Glorfindel glared at Elladan and continued speaking. “If it pleases you, I shall lead you to the House of Elrond. What say you, Lord Celeborn?”

“Aye, please lead us into the realm.” Celeborn gave Elladan a reproachful look and rode beside Glorfindel. Exchanging niceties, the Lord of Lórien and the chief of the Rivendell border patrol set off.

“Elladan, mind your attitude in front of Grandfather,” Elrohir scolded. “Lest the sharpness of your tongue do us harm and have us bathing steeds for a week!”

“I will not hold my tongue when I am correct,” Elladan said stubbornly. “I did not wish to listen to Glorfindel’s long-winded speech. Even though we have reached the border of Rivendell, we must still travel into the heart of the realm. If Glorfindel had continued to flap his lips, we could have been here all the livelong day! I am tired and wish to take some rest… not listen to needless prattle from an ancient elf.”

“You are in a fell mood this day,” Elrohir said, casting his older brother a caustic look.

“He just needs some **rest**,” Legolas said, catching Elladan’s eye and grinning.

Elladan smiled sheepishly.

“Ah, so you wish to taste of the Rivendell fruits,” Ulan said when he overheard and correctly guessed the nature of Elladan and Legolas’ conversation. “I do not blame you. The twins are quite handsome… and virile. And I suspect that they would be great lovers. Prince Legolas, you should use your rank to coerce Elrohir to join you as well,” he looked at Elrohir and smiled, “And… I believe that I am free this evening, too.”

Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas exchanged looks.

“Are you speaking to us?” Elladan asked, glaring at Ulan. “Because if you are, you must not place very much value on your life.”

“I am afraid of you no longer, warrior e Ula Ulan said. “I have learned the art of swordsmanship and am not afraid to lift it in self defense.”

“Ulan, the only sword that you can lift is the one between your legs,” Elladan spat.

Elrohir and Legolas laughed.

“Did you not hear what Elrohir said only moments ago?” Elladan asked. “I am in a fell mood and do not want to associate with the likes of you. Flee from me, at once. U-l-a-n! U-l-a-n!”

“What do you mean, Ulan, Ulan?” Ulan asked nervously.

“It means **U** should **leave** before I **annihilate** you in the **near** future!” Elladan hollered.

Legolas roared with laughter and Elrohir nearly fell off his horse as his whole body shook with glee.

Ulan nudged his steed and rode ahead quickly, not daring to look back in Elladan’s direction.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Elladan entered his bedchamber and smiled; it was good to be home. Placing his knapsack on the bed, he began to unpack his belongings. Suddenly, he sensed someone’s presence and looked toward the door expectantly – it was Legolas.

“May I enter?” the prince asked.

“Aye,” Elladan said, returning his attention to the task at hand.

“My father asked about you,” Legolas said, smiling.

“That’s nice. Perhaps your father and I can speak **before** I kill Glorfindel,” Elladan said coolly. “That way, he will not see the elder’s blood upon my clothes.”

Legolas gave Elladan a look of disbelief. “Why do you wish to inflict harm upon Glorfindel? He is very kind and doesn’t seem to deserve such enmity.”

“Oh, he deserves it,” Elladan spat. “I cannot believe that he did not tell me that the elves from Mirkwood had already arrived… not to mention the fact that he interrupted our conversation. Luckily, I was on my best behavior upon entering the realm. But what if I had been jesting? What if I had tried to shoot and kill Ulan? His blood would have gotten all over the lovely flowers that Arwen planted; they would have been ruined. And what would the king have thought if he saw the damaged petals? He would have thought that the inhabitants of this realm couldn’t grow flowers. Do you not recall our first meeting? I believe that Arwen, Elrohir and I were covered in mud. I do not want to make a bad impression on the king again, lest he changes his mind about our arrangement.”

“He will not change his mind,” Legolas said, moving closer to dan.dan. “Now that he and Elrond have become reacquainted, he believes that ours is an excellent match. I must say that I agree with him wholeheartedly.”

Elladan smiled faintly and looked at the prince nervously. “Now that we are alone, perhaps I can finally ask you…”

“Yes?” Legolas asked eagerly.

“I… I…” Elladan paused for a moment and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, he continued. “I know that you have a room in the Westward Manor along with the other elves from Mirkwood. But I was wondering…”

“Wondering?” Legolas asked, moving closer to Elladan when he paused.

“I wanted to know if you would like to stay here… with me?” Elladan asked. “You can still have your room in the other manor,” he added quickly, “but… I… I want you to be with me; I need you to be with me.”

Legolas smiled. “Why would you hesitate to ask me that? Of course I will stay with you. Now that we are in Rivendell, I plan to spend much of my time in this room anyway,” he added, grinning.

Elladan stared into Legolas’ eyes for a moment and then looked away.

“I meant no offense,” Legolas remarked. “I was only jesting.”

“I know,” Elladan said softly.

“What ails you?” Legolas asked, sensing his lovers’ uneasiness.

“Nothing,” Elladan said, avoiding the prince’s eyes. “It is just as Elrohir said. I am in a fell mood this day, that is all.”

Legolas cast Elladan a skeptical look and placed his hand underneath the dark-haired warrior’s chin, turning it gently so their eyes would meet. “I cannot force you to share your heart with me, nor would I want to if you do not chose to do so. But please know that I cherish you more than anyone else in Middle-earth and am here for you, whether or not you would choose to disclose the contents of your heart.”

“I…” Elladan stammered. “I… can’t, Legolas.”

“Very well,” Legolas said. “If you will not confide in me then perhaps there is something I can do to lighten your mood.” The prince never removed his hand from Elladan’s face. Instead, he cupped it gently as he drew near. Gazing into the gray depths of Elladan’s eyes, their lips met in a tender kiss.

Elladan moaned softly as Legolas moved closer to him, gently caressing his face.

Legolas deepened the kiss by parting Elladan’s lips with his tongue.

Elladan trembled when he felt the prince’s warm tongue dart into his mouth and swirl around gently, drawing pleasure from the very core of his being. He could feel his body ache as desire swept over him.

Legolas ran his fingers through his lover’s dark mane, pulling him close, wanting, needing to feel Elladan’s lips pressed firmly against his. When he heard Elladan moan, the prince allowed his hands to slide down his lover’s back. He grabbed the dark-haired warrior’s waist firmly and moved his mouth to the tender flesh of Elladan’s neck.

“Legolas…” Elladan whispered, unable to stay still as his body trembled with desire.

The prince nuzzled Elladan’s neck affectionately with his nose and then placed his lips upon it again, sucking languidly.

“Oh, please,” Elladan pleaded softly, raising his head to allow the prince easier access to his skin.

Legolas inched his way up Elladan’s throat slowly, kissing his way to the warrior’s earlobe. Drawing it into his mouth, the prince smiled when he heard a strangled moan escape Elladan’s lips. He moved histh uth upward flitting his tongue over the sensitive tip of Elladan’s ear.

“Ai, Legolas. You are killing me,” Elladan said breathlessly.

“You promised me, in Lórien, that I could have you when I chose… and have you I shall. Your killing has only just begun,” Legolas said seductively, “as I plan to reclaim each month that we were apart.” With that he placed his lips upon Elladan’s once again, wanting to make the Rivendell elf surrender to him. He removed his hands from Elladan’s waist and let them move even lower, skimming the apex of his buttocks.

“Legolas,” Elladan hissed, moving away from the prince quickly.

Legolas sighed and sat down on Elladan’s bed, annoyed that someone was drawing near.

“Legolas!” Tialise shrieked as she Zera and Arwen entered the bedchamber. “How have you been? We missed you terribly.”

“I missed you as well,” Legolas said, rising from the bed and embracing the young she-elf. “And how are you, Arwen and Zera?”

“Very well,” Zera said, embracing Legolas firmly. “We have missed spending half of each day with you. Things were not the same once you left for Mirkwood.”

“Things changed for me as well,” Legolas admitted. “I made so many friends here that, although I was glad to be in Mirkwood, I longed to journey back to Rivendell.”

“Well, you are back now,” Arwen said as Zera stepped aside, “and for that I am truly grateful.” Arwen wrapped her arms around Legolas’ waist and kissed his cheek lightly. Releasing the prince, she stared at him. “You look very well.”

“I am very well,” Legolas said, smiling.

“Have you continued with your needlepoint?” Arwen asked. “I have learned a new technique and would like to show it to you… if you’d like to se.”
.”

“Of course,” Legolas beamed. He looked toward the door when Elrohir entered.

“Why don’t we break away for a few moments before the feast,” Arwen suggested. “It shan’t take very long, and I suspect…”

“I can’t believe you Arwen!” Elladan yelled, glaring at his sister. “The prince has just barely arrived and you are monopolizing his time!”

“I am not!” Arwen snapped. “I just want to spend some time with Legolas. Is that too much to ask?”

“Yes,” Elladan said coolly. “I refuse to share him this time. Before, I had no claim on the prince, but now he is mine.”

Legolas raised his eyebrows in shock.

“He is not a beast of burden and cannot be owned,” Arwen snapped. “Legolas is my friend, too and I shall spend time with him whenever he chooses.”

“Then methinks that you are going to be very disappointed, Arwen, as even my horse wouldn’t want to be alone with you!” Elladan sneered. “Perhaps, if you try to behave more becomingly, I could convince Goel to gallop here from Mirkwood. You remember Goel; he came here with King Thranduil many months ago. He may be willing to take you on a trip to a distant land… he may even be willing to listen to your endless chatter about sewing all day and night, I care not. But Legolas is to be wed to me, not you. So, you will just have to learn to limit your boring discussions. Unless, of course, you wish to discuss the eating of various grasses. I am certain that Goel would be very interested in a topic such as that and may even be able to give you a few tips on how to grow a nice meadow.”

“You are very selfish, Elladan!” Arwen shrieked. “You have already spent nearly a month with the prince and I haven’t gotten to see him at all.”

“I haven’t had the chance to see him either,” Elladan said flatly. “While in Lórien, Legolas spent most of his time doing his father’s bidding, and the rest was spent in the company of various elves who drooled all over all over him much in the way that you do.”

“You are the most ill-mannered, crude, hateful…” Arwen spat, taking a step toward Elladan.

“Ignore him, Arwen,” Elrohir said, stepping in between the arguing siblings quickly. “Elladan has been in a dreadful mood all day and cannot be held accountable for his words.”

“Humph,” Arwen said, folding her arms across her chest indignantly.

“I believe that Legolas was attempting to **lift** our brother’s spirits just as you came into the room. Isn’t that right, Elladan?” Elrohir asked, grinning. “Perhaps that is why our older brother’s mood has become even more crass as of late.”

Elladan felt his face turn crimson when he met his brother’s mocking stare but was relieved when none of the females seemed to notice the taunting tone in Elrohir’s voice.

“Oh, I am sorry,” Arwen said regretfully. “I did not realize that the two of you were having a private conversation. I guess in our anxiousness to see the prince, we did not consider that you might want to spend some time alone with him. We shall take our leave now.”

“Wait,” Legolas said, looking at his female friends. “I would very much like to see your needlepoint and would like to spend some time with you. Just allow Elladan and me to spend some time together first. Can I meet with all of you tomorrow around midday?”

“Aye,” the females chorused.

“Good, then it is settled,” Legolas said, smiling.

Arwen, Zera, Elrohir and Tialise headed for the door when Elladan decided to speak. “Arwen, I am sorry for shouting; it was uncalled for.”

“omeoomeone had barged into my bedchamber and tried to take my love from me, methinks that I would have shouted, too,” Arwen said gently. “There is no reason to apologize.”

“I disagree,” Elladan said, walking over to his sister and wrapping his arms around her. “I have been very irritable this day and wrongfully loosed my feelings on you.”

“Say no more,” Arwen said sincerely, “for you must spend time with the one you love. Go, he is waiting.”

Elladan kissed Arwen on the forehead ad watched her depart. Turning to face Legolas, he shrugged. “It would seem that my terrible mood is still present.”

Legolas grinned wickedly and walked to where Elladan was standing. “I have the power to rid you of it. Let us continue getting reacquainted.”

“But it is flaccid,” Elladan said pitifully, looking down at his crotch.

Legolas laughed. “It won’t be for much longer,” he took a step forward and then froze when he felt someone approaching.

“Legolas,” Dace said, looking into Elladan’s bedchamber, “Father wishes to speak with you.”

“I will be right there,” Legolas said, trying to hide the irritation in his voice. The prince knew that he could delay meeting with Arwen for a while, but his father would not tolerate such a thing.

“It would seem that becoming reacquainted will have to wait,” Elladan said.

“Aye.”

“Well then,” Elladan said pensively, “I will see you at the feast tonight.”

“Until tonight,” Legolas said. Sighing heavily, he turned and left the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas and Dace entered their father’s bedchamber, stopping abruptly when they heard him speaking.

“Do you wish to return to Mirkwood?” Thranduil asked his second-born son, giving him a threatening look.

“Nay, Father, I do not,” Makail replied, avoiding his father’s eyes.

“Then I suggest that you stop behaving like a love-sickened child and act like a prince from Mirkwood. You are a representative of the realm I rule and of me. If you cannot act as such, I will have no choice but to send you from whence you came.”

“I understand,” Makail said, meeting Thranduil’s eyes slowly. “I will portray Mirkwood in a way that will make you proud.”

“Good,” Thranduil said, turning his attention to Legolas and Dace. “Little One, although we spoke briefly earlier, I called upon you, once again, so that we may speak about your journey to Lothlórien. I wish to know the outcome of the council meeting that was held there before I speak to Lord Celeborn. It is my understanding that he is here.”

“Aye, Father,” Legolas said. “He is here.”

“I will introduce myself to him at the feast this night as the King of Mirkwood and as your father… since you are to wed his grandson,” Thranduil explained. “Thus, I will need some insight into the character of the Lord of Lórien, in the hope that stronger ties will ensue as a result of your marriage and of our newfound kinship.”

“Aye, Father,” Legolas said. “Do you wish to discuss this now?”

“Actually, I am going to meet Swain in the study downstairs for a moment to discuss tonight’s affair,” Thranduil said. “I also want to remind him, as well as the other warriors from Mirkwood, that I have high expectations of them while they are here and will not tolerate any foolishness that would make Mirkwood look less than outstanding. Please give me a few moments alone with Swain and then come to the sitting room. I will be waiting.”

“Aye, Father,” Legolas said.

Thranduil nodded his head and left the room.

Makail sat down on a nearby chair and frowned.

“Are you alright?” Dace asked his older brother, concerned.

“Aye,” Makail replied, gloomily. “I am just lonely. Danal and I were supposed to compete together at the competition, but now… now that we are no longer together...”

Legolas placed his hand on Makail’s shoulder. “I know that your parting with Danal has been very difficult, but perhaps something good will come of all of this.”

“Like what?” Makail asked. “I have already angered Father. If I cannot control my emotions, Father will send me back to Mirkwood. On the other hand, if I remain here, I must forfeit my unhappiness lest I bring shame upon the kingdom. What am I to do? It would seem that no matter what I do, Father would be displeased.”

“Relax and enjoy your time here,” Dace encouraged. “Do not think about your sorrow. Do not dwell on the past. Father may be a bit angry, but he loves you, Makail, and wants the best for you. So, eat, drink and be merry. Take pleasure in the glorious realm.”

Makail sighed.

“So, Legolas…” Dace began slowly, “have you seen Lady Tialise?”

“Aye,” Legolas replied. “I am surprised that you did not see her when you came to Elladan’s bedchamber… Tialise had just left.”

“Nay, I did not see her, but perhaps it is for the best,” Dace said handing Legolas a small pendant. “What do you think?”

“It is lovely,” Legolas replied.

“I wish to present this to Tialise tonight at the feast,” Dace said, “but I am very nervous. What if she rejects me?”

“She won’t,” Makail said, smiling faintly. “The last time that I saw her, Lady Tialise seemed to be quite enamored with you. I am certain that your gift will greatly please her.”

Dace beamed anacedaced the tiny trinket in a small box.

“I’d better go and meet with Father,” Legolas said, walking to the door. He looked back at Makail’s saddened face and smiled. “Cheer up, Makail, everything will be just fine, you’ll see. Rivendell is where my heart was mended and I am sure it will be the same for you.”

“I hope so,” Makail said glumly as Legolas left the room.


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TBC…