The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 34

Glorfindel glared at Erestor and Celeborn, the two elf lords were in absolute hysterics. Erestor had tears running down his face while Celeborn grasped his sides in agony from laughing so hard. Glorfindel however was not amused and thought it highly inappropriate considering the situation they were all still in.

“It is not funny! Erestor could you not find something more appropriate for my disguise!?” The dark haired elf could do nothing but shake his head unable to answer his friend through his never ceasing laughter. Celeborn seemed to compose himself however as he witnessed the seneschal’s expression darkening along with his temper.

“It is only a disguise Glorfindel, and it was the only thing Erestor could find to fit you.” Celeborn placed a comforting hand upon Glorfindel’s shoulder still unable to hide the smirk on his face as the warrior secured the pink bow under his chin.

“But a dress and bonnet? I look like a maiden freshly out of my minority!” Erestor laughed even harder at Glorfindel’s exasperated reply his face turning a delightful shade of pink at the effort. His friend had never been a very amusing person and seeing Glorfindel dressed as a human woman made for the best laugh Erestor had ever had.

“Believe me Glorfindel, you are to ugly to look like a maiden!” Glorfindel glared at his friend before swiftly slapping Erestor across his arm. Painfully Erestor yelped and calmed his laughing enough to glare at Glorfindel.

“That is not funny Erestor, this disguise is terrible. You did this on purpose!” Glorfindel made to slap Erestor again and Erestor was about to deny the claim when Celeborn stepped between them, averting a possible argument. They had very little time to be arguing like this, and even though the joke had eased the tension after the battle it was time to get back to the task at hand.

“Enough the both of you. You fight like elflings!” Glorfindel lowered his gaze guilty to the grass, as did Erestor both of them feeling suddenly very foolish for having to be chastised by the Lord of Lorien. “Glorfindel the disguise while not very tasteful serves its purpose well. It covers your ears and disguises your clothes.” Celeborn raised a knowing eyebrow at Glorfindel who nodded understandingly, the frill of the bonnet bouncing sweetly around the elf’s face causing Erestor to smirk. “And you Erestor will cease your laughter less and concentrate on the task at hand. Your joke was amusing but hardly appropriate.” Erestor scowled at Celeborn but did not say anything as the regal lord pointed accusingly at the horses. Knowing what was being asked of him Erestor quickly went back to work preparing the horses for their departure. “See to Legolas insure he is comfortable and when we are ready I will give him the sleeping elixir.” Celeborn firmly addressed Glorfindel and the elder elf rolled his eyes and turned back to Legolas who was still sitting half dressed on the stone bench.

“Are you feeling better?” Glorfindel could not help but smile at Legolas as the young prince flicked the bow of the bonnet on Glorfindel’s head before grinning widely.

“Yes but it hurts still.” Legolas touched his waist the pain evident in the prince’s eyes. Glorfindel nodded understandingly and tightened the belt around the pants Erestor had found in the wardrobes upstairs. It had taken them only a small amount time to arrange their escape. Erestor had brought down what disguises he could find, all of them now dressed as human’s, their ears and hair hidden in hoods, hats and bonnets. Legolas winced at the tightening of the belt and Glorfindel softly apologised as he buckled it up.

“I am sorry for the discomfort but the belt will support your hip a little until we can get you to Lothlorien.” Glorfindel smiled as the pale battered young elf nodded weakly in reply. After leaving the hall for the gardens outside, Glorfindel had taken only a short while to calm the frightened prince in his arms and reassure him. The concern now wasn’t Legolas’ mental state of health but rather his physical one. The young elf had lost a fair amount of weight during the weeks he’d been with Keeldon, and he was now painfully thin.

“Will Filgree be there?” Glorfindel sighed at Legolas’ innocent enquiry. Though Glorfindel did no even know himself if Filgree was still alive, he smiled despite himself and nodded at Legolas.

“Maybe, if you are lucky.” Legolas’ smile brightened at Glorfindel’s reply and the seneschal felt his heart leap at the sight of Legolas’ happy smile. It seemed a lifetime ago when Glorfindel had first seen the elf at Mirkwood and during the long ts ots of travelling to find him Glorfindel had thought only of Legolas’ beautiful smile as he remembered it in Mirkwood.

“We are ready to depart now.” Celeborn came over to stand next to the bench Legolas was sitting on as Glorfindel rose to his feet happy that Legolas was warmly attired and well disgused. “Now swallow this Legolas, it will ease the pain.” Glorfindel watched closely as Celeborn handed the blonde elf the small flask of liquid he’d hastily brewed. Celeborn smirked as he watched Legolas sniff at the liquid before the prince obediently emptied the flask as instructed.

“OH, that is disgusting.” Legolas screwed his face up in disgust at the foul tasting liquid. Celeborn chuckled as Legolas handed him back the now empty flask.

”I apologise Legolas, I did not have time to disguise the taste for you.” Smiling apologetically at the prince Celeborn gestured for Glorfindel to follow him over to his horse, where he quickly packed the empty flask in his saddlebag. When they were out of hearing range for the young prince Celeborn addressed Glorfindel. “The effects of the elixir will not take long, he is weak and has an empty stomach that alone will see a heightening of the effects.” Glorfindel nodded understandingly as he glanced over his shoulder at where the prince sat. The blonde haired elf was swaying drowsily in his place his eyelids dropping as he fought to stay awake.

“I will put him on the horse now, while he is drowsy.” Striding back over to the bench where Legolas sat Glorfindel hastily scooped up the prince into his arms and made his way over to his own horse. With Erestor and Celeborn’s help the young prince was soon sitting safely in front of Glorfindel on the mare’s back. Circling his arms around Legolas’ waist Glorfindel took hold of the reigns of the horse and allowed Legolas to lay quietly back against his chest. Glorfindel smiled as he glanced down at the prince in his arms. Legolas had already fallen asleep, his eyelashes spread sumptuously over his cheeks with his lips slightly parted.

“Are you comfortable? This escape may take longer than we expect it to if we have to avoid trouble?” Celeborn stood beside Glorfindel’s horse gently patting the mare’s neck as he addressed the seneschal atop of it.

“Yes quite comfortable he weighs hardly anything.” Once he was sure Glorfindel and Erestor were okay for the ride ahead of them Celeborn mounted his own steed. Pulling on his own brown suede hat to hide his ears Celeborn glanced back at the house for signs of anyone watching. When he was satisfied that none were going to follow them Celeborn kicked his horse into motion and lead the way out of the courtyard and into the streets of Edoras. The escape had begun.


(A/N) My appologise after all that death I thought we needed a little humor and I think it no way compormises the characters I've set up........but you might think otherwise. Apart from that I appologise for these two chapters. I got really bogged down during the Edoras chapters and well I know it's tedious but I had to get them to saftey somehow and it took these two chapters to do it in. Not much happens but some interesting things are said which in truth mean a lot to the actual plot.

So enjoy and don't be dishartened more excitment and secrets are revealed from here on in.