Gondor's King

Chapter 3

I sit quietly beside the lords bed gently spooning small amounts of broth between his lips in a hope of renewing just a little of his strength. It is quite unnerving to see a healer of his experience helpless and in otalotal care. He is quite ill, his pain still evident in the brief moments he has awoken long enough to speak. We have been in Imaldris only several days yet we have accomplished a great many things. To my relief some of the sick have recovered to move about the palace on their own, although the rash that scars their fair skin does not fade and has become itchy to touch. During the night while the Lord has slept I have spent many hours in the two great Library’s and Elrond study avidly reading the teaching scripts of healers and history scribes, in the hope of finding a cure or at least an explanation for the outbreak. So far I have found little accept a recipe for a lotion that goes some way in soothing the itchiness of the rash. My councillors have aided the re organization of Rivendell’s politics to those who have recovered enough to go back to their daily tasks. My guards patrol the boarders both day and night seeing that no one leaves or enters the wood unauthorised by myself. There has been a great loss of life but the few elves that remain are stronger for their loss and more determined to continue their daily toil.

Lost in thought I automatiy ray raise another spoonful of broth to Elrond’s lips only to realise he is asleep as it dribbles unswallowed down his chin. I mutter in elvish of my stupidity and lack of attention to my patient as I clean away the sticky warm substance from the lords chin before covering him with a finely woven blanket, much the same as one I used to sleep with during my childhood. Outside I can hear the quiet chatter of the birds in the trees as the sun begins to lower behind the surrounding hills. It has taken quiet a few days before the birds have begun singing again, and it gladdens my heart to hear the beautiful song they twitter to one another. Slowly Imaldris is waking up from it’s mourning. Placing the bowl back onto the tray I move quietly over to the open balcony doors and pull them too, the breeze that has picked up in the afternoon providing a chill to the air within the room. With a quick look around the room I make sure everything is tidy before picking up the tray and moving to exit the room. I will look in on Elrond later after I have done some reading in the Library.

“Glorfindel!” Startled somewhat I run into tlderlder elf just outside Elrond’s room. He bows respectively to me before gesturing to the entrance to Elrond’s room. I am still not quite so comfortable with everyone bowing to me. Sometimes I quite forget my place in the world now and it seems no right that those friends I grew up with as equals now are forced to lower themselves to me.

“Your majesty, I have a message from the boarder guards.” The blonde haired elf passes me the note and he takes the tray from me in replacement. Glorfindel has recovered sufficiently from the illness but like all those infected still has the irritating rash all over his body. I sigh as he addresses me with my title and I long to hear him whisper my elven name of Estel, or chastise me like the youth I was when I left with the fellowship.

“Thank-you, will you sit with Elrond for a little while in case he should wake.” He nods in acceptance before moving down stairs to take the tray to the kitchens before attending Elrond. tie tie the note as I walk steadily towards the study. The guards have reported to me ritually over the few days they have been protecting the boarders informing me of their activities and what they have come across. I prepare myself for an easy read of a detailed report but pause mid step as I begin to read the message and it’s contents. A rider has approached the ford and requests entry into Rivendell to speak with the Lord, his steed bears markings and adornments from the realm of Mirkwood but the rider refuses to reveal his identity. Turning on my heal I move swiftly downstairs to the courtyard where I meet with one of the few elven house servants that have survived the illness. After instructing him to fetch my horse I make my way down to the courtyard. I shall address this visitor directly. As IAs I mount my horse and make towards the ford my mind begins to question the identity of the rider. It has been many years since I have met with anyone from the realm of Mirkwood. In my heart I pray that it is Legolas, although I know better than to think that the now king of Mirkwood would be stupid enough to travel alone. Through the forest I ride faster until I reach the edge of the river where three of my guards are blocking the narrow passage from the river to its bank. On the opposite side I can just make out a darkened figure upon a heavy steed. The light is fading and I address my guards to clear a path so I may enter the ford alone. As if an unspoken invitation has been agreed to the rider on the opposite banks moves to meet me half way in the river. I keep my distance aware still of the threat of spreading the infection should I come into contact with the rider.

“You wish to speak with the Lord of Imaldris?” I address the rider in a calm loud voice and I watch as the rider nods curtly in my direction but does not remove the cloak hood that conceals his identity. From his weaponry I already know he is of elvish decent and his fine steed is a tell tale sign of his high status among his people. This is no ordinary messenger. “I can not allow that to be so. The Lord of Imaldris is gravely ill and unable to take visitors. This country is infected by an unknown illness that is highly infectious I cannot allow you passage. You may speak with me and me alone.” For a moment I watch as the rider shifts uneasily upon his steed as he stares at me from below the cover of his cloak.

“And who may you be? I was told to speak to Lord Elrond only, you must prove your equal to him less I convey my message.” Suspicion is an emotion not often showed from elves, they are naturally accepting of all beings without judgement or censure. There is only one elf however that showed suspicion openly and more often than not to me personally. I cannot suppress a smile that graces my features at the memory although I dare not hold out hope that this is Legolas himself.

“I am King Elessar Telcontar, King of Gondor and the realms of men.” I pause meaningfully watching as the rider looks sharply up at me. I am somewhat put out that the rider does not know who I am or does not recognise me but I let it pass for the moment. “And now out of courtesy you may tell me who you are?” I watch as the rider continues to stare at me before he raises a steady hand and pulls the hood from his head. My mouth involuntarily falls open at the extremely familiar face it reveals. The golden hair shines in the moonlight and creates a heavenly glow around the rider. Over our questioning the remaining light has gone and now the stars have come out signalling another beautiful night.

“I am Haldir, Once guardian of Lothlorien and now consort to the king of Mirkwood.” It is as if I have received a blow to the stomach at hearing that Legolas has taken Haldir as a partner and I force myself to sit straight despite the feeling. I have known for a long time that my fair prince would not be able to remain unmarried upon the throne, I just never would have imagined that he would take a male partner and even more so the last remaining Lorien elf in Middle Earth. “I bring a message from my king to Elrond concerning the marriage of his son Elladan to my kings daughter.” My mouth goes suddenly dry at the words Haldir speaks as he produces a neatly rolled message from beneath his coat. Before I can say anything there is a screeching of birds from the woodland behind Haldir and I see movement amongst the shadows. Instantly my guards are at my side weapons drawn as the messengooksooks cautiously behind him without drawing his own weapons. Haldir’s actions are not ones of a warrior in worry of his life and it strikes me as as as he turns back quickly seemingly unmoved by the shadows behind him.

“You do not come alone.” My voice does not waver as Haldir shifts upon his horse to throw a glance over his shoulder towards the trees.

”I come as you find me, bearing a message of importance. I travel with no one accept the birds and my shadow.” I am not convinced by his act and move my steed forward from the surroundings of my guards so that I am barely a meter from the messenger.

“Do not lie Haldir of Lothlorien, you may travel with a shadow but one that takes physical form all the same. Let you reveal your true coming to Rivendell and your companion in the trees, less I have your head for treason.” Haldir swallows heavily but his emotionless facade does not falter. For a moment there is a thick silence of anticipation but before Haldir can make his reply a figure upon horseback shifts out from the boarder of trees behind him.

“It seems Estel that your atiesties have not dimmed at all with your escalation to king. I am surprised, I have heard that you do very little for yourself now days and have become quite a sloth.” The melodic voice that emanates from the rider is instantly recognisable. My heart leaps ten fold into my throat and I have to swallow convulsively around the lump it creates. My guards move to attack the rider for his insolence but I stay them with a shaky hand and chuckle quietly to myself.

”And I hear the king of Mirkwood has not lost his youthful sharp tongue. Less you were younger than me I’d have ripped it out for your cheekiness.” I watch as the rider moves down to stand next to Haldir before he stops and pulls his hood from his head. Like all those years ago when I first saw him at the council my breath is once again stolen from me at his appearance. In his older age he has not lost any of his beauty and glows more so from his increased wisdom. The guards around me gasp at the sight but I do not react, an elf as beautiful as Legolas does not grace their presence often, let them relish in his light like I have done so many times before. He smiles at me widely and nods his head in acknowledgement of the truce our banter has come to.

“Aragorn, it is good to see you. You have weathered the years kindly.” I thank him in elfish before allowing him to continue. “Tell me of this illness my messengers have talked off, that has fallen upon Rivendell. Is there a cure to be found and is the Lord in any danger.” Legolas stares at me his piercing blue eyes making me shiver. Deep within them I see the same youthful elf I once knew but on the exterior I see only a king concerned about his companions and lasting kin. I sigh heavily and shake my head sadly.

“Lord Elrond is still gravely ill and I fear he gets worse as the days move on. I struggle to find medicines among Rivendell’s depleted supplies and I have not enough men to spare leaving the sick to gather more in my quest for a cure. This illness has been brought by a man from Arnor and I am unable to receive word from that city on what it could possibly be. I will not risk having my men leave Rivendell encase of spreading the infection but I must know what this illness is before I can find a cure.” Legolas takes in all the information silently his face emotionless as he considers what is to be done. For a moment he speaks to Haldir in Quenya and I do not understand all of it. The pair exchange hasty conversation before Legolas finally looks back at me and smiles softly.

“I will have supplies from Mirkwood’s plentiful store brought and left here at the ford for you, so that your men will not come into contact with mine. I will not risk the infection entering my home less it destroy us like it has Rivendell. I shall have healers ride to Arnor and will send word if they find anything of usefulness in your quest for a cure. I am saddened that I can not be by the Lord’s side in his time of need but I have Mirkwood to consider now.” I nod understandingly although deep down I know that Legolas is beside himself that he cannot be with Elrond. He is no longer the innocent youth he was when the fellowship departed. Before me now stands a king of elves his duty to his people and none other. Both he and I have given up our lives for those of our people.

“Thank-you Legolas.” He smiles a faint distant smile towards me his eyes betraying his saddened heart as they see through me to the woodlands of Imaldris behind me “Would you wish me to convey your original message of joyous union between your realms to Elrohen hen he has woken in the morn?” I watch as Legolas moves awkwardly upon his mount and without thinking Haldir reaches across and places a gentle hand upon that of his king. It is met with cold acceptance as Legolas shakes it immediately off and moves to stare back at me a sudden guilt washing his face.

“No…..” Legolas is hesitant as he pauses momentarily to compose himself. “The message was not conveyed correctly and its real contents is of little matter in this time of darkness for the Lord of Imaldris. Yoll oll of course convey my sympathies and remind the lord that the people of Mirkwood share his pain and will help him where we can.” Once again I nod understandingly watching as Haldir whispers something quietly into Legolas’s side, inaudible to my own ears. “Now I fear we must leave the night draws on and we have many leagues to ride to return to our home boarders.”

“I understand Greenleaf, it has been most rewarding to see you again, it is shame it could not haeen een in happier circumstances.” The blonde haired elf smiles distantly at me and tilts his head slightly in acknowledgement. “Before you go may I ask but a small favour of you.” Before the elves can turn around to exit the ford I raise my hand to pause them, remembering my original musings this morning.

“Speak your favour and I shall see to it.” Legolas glance back at me waiting patiently for my reply.

”Elrond’s son’s Elladan and Elrohir have not been seen in these woods for more than four cycles, I think it would aid their father’s recovery if they were to be found and escorted to his bedside.” My unspoken favour is met with an unusually curt nod from Legolas who gives no other reply apart from the small acknowledgement before he turns and rides swiftly into the thick forest on the other side of the ford, Haldir quick on his heels. I watch them leave and note the several shadows that move with the king apart from Haldir. I smile to myself. Legolas is no fool he would not have come alone and unprotected despite his warriors breeding. I sigh heavily and turn back to head towards the house. My heart still flutters with little mercy inside my chest as the image of Legolas floods my mind. After all these years my heart still pynes for only one elf and he no longer cares.

TBC……………………………