The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 3

Filgree straightened himself and took a moment to collect his thoughts as he stood outside the King’s Library. From inside the cavernous room he could hear the King in heated debate with his advisors over recent developments on the trade front from the Lake Town. It seemed the greed of men was not easily satisfied even after Mirkwood’s helping hand in it’s rebuilding after Smaug the dragon lay it into ruin. However this was not his concern this evening for something much more important lay before him to be discussed. Tucking a nervously fidgeting hand into a fold of his robe Filgree took a deep breath and pushed aside the heavy tapestry that marked the entrance to the library. Of all his duties as senior tutor to the King’s sons, conversing with the King on matters of importance concerning the princes was Filgree’s most hated. As much as Filgree respected the King, his temper and stubbornness did not make conversations with him at all easy, as many of his courtiers would testify.

Glancing around the book lined room Filgree focused on the small group of people gathered around the large oak desk of the Kings. King Thranduil was bent over a large spread of trade maps, his brow furrowed in frustration and his fingers tense as they indicated to particular places of interest in the conversation. Around him his advisors were also gathered each with rolls of parchment haphazardly draped across their arms. The scribe sat obediently silent in the corner ready to be called upon if he was so needed. Neither the King nor his advisors acknowledged Filgree’s entrance and the tutor suddenly felt as if he’d picked a bad time to talk to the King. Not that any time was a good time to talk to the proud, strong willed warrior before him.
“Ahem.” Filgree nervously cleared his throat while trying to gain the attention of the King. It worked in part, Thranduil lifted his head to momentarily glance over at the elder tutor before dismissively going right back to his maps.

“What do you want Filgree, if it is to do with my son’s lessons I will talk to you tomorrow about it.” The king’s tone was flat and unmistakably irritated and Filgree swallowed inwardly as he stepped further into the library.

“No my lord, it is not lessons I wish to discuss. It is Legolas’ coming of age.” Filgree’s voice trailed off to nothing as King Thranduil stood up straight, his maps forgotten as his deep-sea blue eyes met the tutors with a steely gaze. Filgree shivered under the great king’s stare. Thranduil was a formidable foe, his height and stature alone making him seem larger than any ordinary elf. The gold symbol of his distinction above everyone in the room glittered almost painfully against the firelight on top of his heads rus ruby red robes were of the finest in elven spun silk, and the jewels adorning his slender fingers nothing but the best from the dwarves mines.

“Council you may leave me. We will resume this after dinner.” Thranduil’s gaze never wavered from Filgree’s as he instructed his advisors to leave the room. All of them obeyed him without protest leaving Filgree standing alone in front of the King. “Would you like a drink tutor?” Filgree watched as Thranduil finally dropped his gaze from his and wandered over to the decanter of wine that was stored near the window.

“No thank-you my lord. I shall wait till the evening meal.” Thranduil grunted his acceptance of Filgree’s refusal as he poured himself a large glass of the red honey wine he so favoured.

“Pray tell me what it is that you wish to discuss about Legolas coming of age tutor?” Thranduil settled himself in the large voluptuously padded chair by the fire before gesturing for Filgree to sit in the one opposite. The tutor sat without question but did not recline into relaxation, as did the King.

“Legolas is distressed that you have not given him his official place in the house yet and that he has not received his appointed journey.” Thranduil snorted indignantly as he sipped from his wine glass, taking his time to swill the red liquid around in his mouth before swallowing it and addressing Filgree.

“Legolas is a prince Filgree, you may remind him that that is his place in this household and if it is duties my youngest son is in need of, I have a list of things I need doing, he may choose from that which activity he undertakes.” Filgree couldn’t suppress the feeling of hopelessness he felt in his heart as the King sipped again from his wine goblet this time looking up from the rim of it to stare pointedly and sternly at the tutor. “And there will be no ritual journey for my youngest son Filgree. You know as well as I that is not possible considering his…situation.” King Thranduil hesitated mindful not to name the situation in case of anyone who should be listening. Filgree sadly lowered his head in understanding. King Thranduil despite all his faults only wanted to protect his son and he was doing it in the only way he knew how, by confining the young elf to the realm under his watchful gaze. “If he wishes to take a journey, then you may take some of the centurions and ride to the edges of the forest with him but that is all. I will expect him back by nightfall.” Thranduil stood from his seat by the fire and Filgree knew the conversation had come to an end as had his audience with the King. As predicted he had achieved almost nothing for Legolas, if King Thranduil had his way Legolas wouldn’t leave the realm for a very long time. Filgree rose silently from his seat and moved slowly towards the doorway, his back still straight and his head still held high showing no signs of what he felt inside. As he turned back to the King to bow he caught the eye of his lord and paused in waiting.

“I have also decided that Legolas will not be told of his…..” King Thranduil hesitated again and stumbled over his words. For the first time in a long time Filgree saw the usually proud warrior reflect an uneasy guilt from within the depths of his unfeeling eyes. “…told of his special gift. I am currently in negotiations with a respected family from the hills, to secure a wife for Legolas. You may tell him of this if you wish. He will marry and be comfortably accommodated, there will be no need of him to know his true self.” Agape Filgree could hardly contain his anger at what he was hearing from the King. A man who would pride himself on the truth of knowledge in battle would conceal such a secret from his youngest son. Filgree couldn’t contain himself and vehemently shook his head at the King.

“I will do no such thing. I have concealed this secret for over 500 years and I will not subject myself to carrying the burden for 500 more. It was decided as he took his first breath that we would reveal this to him upon his coming of age and I will not go back on my word. It is for him to know and aid him to grow that he needs to understand his place in the world and even you will not stop him from doing that.” Filgree watched the rage grow in the King’s expression and he braced himself for the eminent shouting at he knew he was going to get. However as the King went to reproach the tutor Legolas appeared in the doorway to the library his face full of smiles and a bounce in his step.

“Father! Hale has returned with Gwendolyn and her father, they are escorted by two elves from Imaldris and they wish your council before dinner…” Legolas trailed off from telling of his news as he sensed an undisclosed tension between his tutor and his father. It was obvious they had been in discussion when he had rudely interrupted them and from the rage he saw in his fathers eyes he knew he was going to be chastised. It hadn’t occurred to him when he’d barged in just what might have been going on, he had just been too elated at the prospect of Filgree talking to his father about his coming of age, to consider the possible downsides.

“Legolas! What do you think you are doing! You shall announce yourself before entering any of my chambers!” Filgree winced as he watched the King’s fury turn from him to his unsuspecting son. Legolas lowered his head in disgrace and apology as his father shouted at him hastily. “And this news you bring, should it not be my stewards job to inform me of these things, you have no place informing me of such events do you hear me!” Legolas looked up from where he’d nervously twisted his hands into the folds of his robe and reluctantly met his father’s angry gaze. He should have known br thr than to even consider things would be different after Filgree had talked to his father. “Filgree take him upstairs and prepare him for dinner, if we have guests I will expect him to be immaculate in presentation. I will not have my son’s lack of manners disgrace our realm in front of these Imaldris Elves.” Legolas lowered his head to his chest and closed his eyes as Thranduil snapped sharply at the elder tutor before pushing past them both and storming from the library. Filgree allowed himself to sigh heavily and slump his shoulders as the King’s footsteps disappeared from hearing range. Legolas looked like a lost little elfling standing guiltily before him, his head hung low and his shoulders slumped forward in defeat. The youngest prince of Mirkwood would never have his fathers favour no matter how hard he tried.

“Come Legolas, it is best you do as your father says. He is upset and we do not need to further irritate the situation.” Legolas swallowed hard but barely lifted his chin from his chest as he felt Filgree guide him from the library, a comforting hand at the small of his back. When he had heard of the unexpected guests Legolas had been ecstatic about the new company he would share at dinner. He had not been allowed to meet many elves from other realms and was always banished to his room whenever a large company passed through Mirkwood. He craved the outsider’s stories from the world beyond the boarders. Often he’d run into rangers in the alehouses around the village and while never disclosing his true self beneath his necessary disguise he’d listen intently to their tales and dream of having adventures of his own. Now however it seemed likely his father would only allow him to stay for dinner before again banishing him to his room before the truly interestinles les began. There was not going to be much to look forward to tonight.

TBC............