The Jewel of Mirkwood

(A/N) Am loosing interest in naming the chapters and so they're getting a little more stupid. Please ignore really dumb ones like this one cause I'm just lacking inspiration to name them and no way reflects the content of the chapters.

Chapter 37

Glorfindel stood with his back to the council chamber, his hands folded behind his back as he stared out of the window down at the inhabitants of Lothlorien below. It had been almost four days since they’d arrived at Lothlorien safe and well. Legolas had been safely housed in a talon among the Galadhrim guard’s, the prince’s talon surrounded on all sides by the Galadhrim’s own sleeping talons to insure his constantly safety. the the sake of his injured body Lothlorien’s healers had induced a healing sleep for the young prince, so he could recover without pain. This morning when he’d checked Legolas had still been lost in the sleep as he had been for the past four days. To Glorfindel’s relief the smaller bruises and cuts were now beginning to fade on the prince’s skin but the crack in the pelvis and the severe infection around the prince’s neck were still taking their time healing themselves despite the healers herbs and potions. Never the less Glorfindel was content at the progress the prince was making under his careful and constant watch.

Unfortunately after several days rest now was the time for discussions. Celeborn upon arriving back in Lothlorien had been given word that King Thranduil had heard about Glorfindel’s success in finding his son and was already on his way to Lothlorien. To Glorfindel and Erestor’s surprise Lord Elrond too was destined for Lothlorien and for some strange reason was eager to see the young prince. Glorfindel had found it strange that everyone seemed eager to meet the prince when truly none of them had even botheredut hut him up until Glorfindel had discovered him in Mirkwood. Yet again that fact was just another confusion in the twisted web of secrets and questions, which now surrounded the young prince and Glorfindel was too worried about seeing Thranduil again to be bothered with complexities. The complexities Glorfindel had left up to Erestor, who for the most part, had spent all four days locked in Celeborn’s personal library secretly researching the parchment Glorfindel had received in Mirkwood. Under the pretence of gathering information concerning slavery laws for Imaldris’ library, Erestor had scrupulously searched every old book Celeborn had looking for clues concerning the parchment. Glorfindel and Erestor had both kept silent about the parchment the pair already wary of Celeborn’s true motives in having tried to rescue Legolas. Now however with Thranduil having already arrived in Lothlorien last night and Lord Elrond due to be arriving shortly Glorfindel was pretty sure this scheduled meeting would surely make the fires of Mordor look weak in comparison. With two enemies brought together into one room along with other added worries their was sure to be fights and screaming matches over decisions viewviews, just as there had been during the Last alliance. The faces of the rulers may have changed but the tensions were still the same.

Glorfindel had been the first to arrive at the chambers and had promptly placed hhinghings upon a seat on the far side of the circle of chairs insuring some distance between him and Thranduil who would surely be sitting close to Celeborn at the front of the chamber. He had only been waiting a few moments when the sounds of voices ascen the the stairs and entering the hall drew Glorfindel’s attention. Bracing himself for Thranduil’s entrance Glorfindel turned around and stood tall his head held high with his eyes trained on the tapestry covering the entrance to the doorway.

Celeborn was the first to enter and looked directly at Glorfindel. Obediently Glorfindel bowed to the Lord before rising and watching the next person move into the hall. Glorfindel sighed heavily as Lord Elrond rather than Thranduil stepped into the hall closely followed by Erestor.

“Ahh Glorfindel it is good to see you well my dear friend.” Taking the opportunity while Thranduil was no where in sight Glorfindel approached Lord Elrond and willingly accepted the embrace from his younger friend. “I was quite beside myself when Celeborn wrote to me of your journey, but now I see you well it is a great relief. I did not send you and Erestor to Mirkwood to chase rogue prince’s around the country side I meonlyonly for you to witness the marriage of one.” Glorfindel frowned and pulled away from Lord Elrond’s embrace confused all of a sudden by what Elrond had just spoken of. Surely Celeborn did not have time to write to Elrond in the four days they had been at Lothlorien. Celeborn must have written to Elrond when they had first passed Lothlorien on the way to Edoras, but even then it made no sense why? Glorfindel instinctively glanced at Erestor who raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement, obviously having caught on to the confusion as well. Turning back to Lord Elrond, Glorfindel caught the tail end of a curious glance that passed between Lord Celeborn and Elrond over his shoulder. Glorfindel had hardly time to think about it hor asr as more voices were heard in the hall outside. Stepping back to the far side of the chamber Glorfindel watched as King Thranduil stepped through the tapestry his hands on his hips and his face like thunder. Behind him came his two sons’ and most miraculously and to Glorfindel’s inner delight Filgree. The tutor looked quite remarkably well although the absence of two fingers on his right hand was testament to how close the tutor had come to loosing his life in the battle.

“Where is he? Where is Legolas!?” Before Celeborn could even welcome the party from Mirkwood Thranduil was already advancing on Glorfindel his demanding voice echoing around the talon. Glorfindel instinctively reached to the hidden knife blade concealed below his robes willing to defend himself if necessary. He had witnessed the chaos of the Last Alliance and knew all to well that violence during negotiations of the enemies was not uncommon. “It is the Imaldris scum’s fault that we are here. Legolas would be safe if it was not for you!” Thranduil pointed accursedly across at Glorfindel his eyes wild with rage.

“Perhaps if you had treated him better he would not have desired so much to be free of you and your controlling ways.” The insult to Elrond’s people did nothing for Glorfindel’s rage and he instantly struck out verbally at the King. Thranduil roared in anger all but pushing his two eldest sons’ out of the way and he once again advanced on Glorfindel.

“Control is the only way to keep him safe from the likes of your kind Glorfindel of Gondolin..” Thranduil paused a few steps in front of Glorfindel a spiteful smug smirk crossing his face. “but you do not understand that, as you do not have children of your own. Perhaps if you spent less time looking at your own gender with desire you might have had the fortune to attain such wisdom. In any case you have no right to tell me how to look after my sons it is my business!” The malicious personal insult Thranduil threw at Glorfindel sent the warrior’s calm resolve into a fitful anger. Glorfindel went to launch himself at the king but both Erestor and Lord Elrond restrained the warrior, much to the chuckled delight of Thranduil and his sons.

“Thranduil that is enough! The prince is safe under the careful watch of the Galadhrim, he is healing at the moment and will not be disturbed.” Celeborn stepped sharply in to the conflict as he pointed at first King Thranduil and then Glorfindel. “Glorfindel sit down and calm yourself. There are things to discuss reasonably and insults and fights will get us ere.ere.”

“You think yourself so knowledgeable in such negotiations Lord Celeborn but you forget I witnessed the Last Alliance and believe you had many of your own insults to add to the conversation during the meetings of war we had. I did not think you capable of anything like reasonable discussion.” Thranduil raised a smooth questioning eyebrow in Celeborn’s direction before continuing quickly. “Besides there is nothing to discuss in this matter, I demand to see my son!” The chatter in the room resumed loudly around what Thranduil had just said to Celeborn but it only lasted a moment as Celeborn stood from his seat.

“SILENCE!” Immediately all conversation ceased between the two waring sides and all attention focused on Celeborn who was now glaring at King Thranduil, a gleam in his eyes that sent chills down the spines of all those witnessing it. “You will not speak another word unless called upon King Thranduil or I will rip your tongue from your very mouth.” Instantly King Thranduil sat down on the chair next to his son’s in silence obediently keeping his mouth shut. “The past is gone, as are the Kings who paid dearly with their lives for the mistakes they made. We will not follow their path by stupidity, stubbornness and old grudges. It is time we grew up and took responsibility for our faults.” Celeborn paused and Glorfindel watched as the elf Lord sighed aovedoved back to his seat, slowly sinking down in to it as if physically calming himself. “Now that we are calm we will discuss Legolas future, which unknowing to some directly affects us all.”

“I do not think this is a good idea Lord Celeborn, there is much still not understood.” A timid voice broke the silence first and everyone turned their attention to Filgree who was sitting quietly in the chair on his own having stayed out of the carnage of arguments that had previously taken over the hall. Celeborn turned his head slightly to focus on Filgree before raising a smooth calm eyebrow in the tutor’s direction.

“Was it not you Filgree who wanted to be free of this secret for so many years?” Celeborn calmly addressed the tutor who obediently nodded in reply. “Why then do you now wish to keep it hidden?”

“Because he is not ready to hear it.” Filgree’s voice trailed off as Celeborn stood from his chair and began slowly pacing the floor his hands buried in his robes, his brow creased in thought.

”But there are others here who are ready to hear it Filgree, who deserve to know the truth? Would you deny them that truth they so desperately seek?” Filgree shook his head in reply to Lord Celeborn who cautiously glanced over at Glorfindel. Glorfindel had slowly become confused again even though both Erestor and Elrond seemed to suddenly understand completely what was being said. Glorfindel looked pointedly across at Erestor who sympathetically smiled back. Something had been found in the libraries Glorfindel was sure and was determined to seek Erestor out for the information if nothing eventuated from this discussion. “Besides you have already told him haven’t you?” Filgree stiffened guiltily as Celeborn paused in his pacing and looked directly at him. The entire room fell into a shocked gasp, accept for Glorfindel and Thranduil’s two son’s who all looked to be totally lost.

“What?!” Thranduil could hold his tongue no longer and stood from his chair staring blatantly shocked and outraged at Filgree who lowered his head in defeat.

“As I said, he did not understand.” Filgree sounded terribly defeated as he deliberately avoided eye contact with Thranduil who was trying desperately to keep his temper in front of Celeborn who was glaring at him to sit down.

“I do not even understand so if we are talking about Legolas it is hardly surprising the young one knows nothing. You all talk in riddles! And it is disgusting that you keep such secrets from him if they are so very important.” Outraged by the lack of coherency with anything any of the Lords in front of him were speaking of Glorfindel hastily stood and walked over to the window desperate for some fresh air to calm himself and clear his head.

“Do not worry Glorfindel there are a few who do understand.” Glorfindel was shocked to hear Lord Elrond’s voice addressing him and spun around to watch as Elrond stood from his chair and joined Celeborn at the head of the council chamber.

“Oh well why did t set see this one?” Glorfindel was becoming frustrated and angry at the secrecy around the room and instantly bit back in sarcasm to Lord Elrond. As much as Glorfindel had sworn to protect Elrond and his family and respected the healer for his role in Imaldris the warrior could not longer prevent his frustration from showing. “Not two months ago hardly anyone knew of this illusive Prince Legolas, I for one had heard no one speak of him save for rumours among drunken travellers. Why when I meet him for the first time does the world turn upside down for him. None of you had anything to do with him up until now! Why has he become suddenly important to you all when you seemingly couldn’t have cared less two months ago? I was sent to witness a marriage not the disappearance of my own sanity, but even now I don’t believe that was ever your true reason for sending me to Mirkwood Lord Elrond. And as for parchments, captures, threats and riddles I object to being the donkey for which you gain your own amusements!” Glorfindel hastily grabbed the small few things he’d put on his chair earlier and turned hastily to glare at everyone in the room. “I wash my hands completely of Prince Legolas Greenleaf and all that directly and indirectly involves him. Erestor was right in saying this was all too much trouble for a mere pretty face! I want nothing to do with this madness! May you wallow in your own secrecy and deceptions because I for one have had enough!” In his rage Glorfindel had hardly noticed the two extra elves who had silently entered the room during his rant. One now cowered in Filgree’s arms quietly crying while the other stood calmly beside Lord Celeborn his face a mask of no expression.

With a heavy growl Glorfindel stormed out of the chamber leaving the tapestry flapping wildly in the open doorway as he left. Without so much as backward glance Glorfindel ran down the stairs of the malorn affixing his weaponry to his back even as he went. Reaching the floor of the forest Glorfindel hastily sought out the stables of the Galadhrim and found his faithful horse. A stable hand tried to question him as he mounted the steed but Glorfindel merely ignored him and spurred his horse in the side. At speed Glorfindel burst from the stables almost knocking Erestor over in the process who’d come down to seek him out. It was too late however for Erestor to do anything, Glorfindel was already galloping into the thick of the forest and out of sight.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


(A/N) I can't believe I just wrote that chapter what a bummer............*Everyone wave goodbye to Glorfindel*.........not forever ofcourse.