The Jewel of Mirkwood

(A/N) This chapter is really really big so I had to upload it in two parts, so don't go thinking it's a new chapter cause it ain't.

Chapter 41

Glorfindel felt as if his body was floating upon a great sea. His muscles felt like jelly and his mind was a mess with a myriad of colours, fragmented images and small sound bites he couldn’t make out. He couldn’t feel or hear anything around him and while he tried to concentrate on his body the flashing images in his mind made it impossible. With the strength of will and effort Glorfindel slowly forced himself to open his eyes only to be confronted with a blinding white light. Squinting Glorfindel tried to focus but it was useless the light was just too strong and mak making tears roll down Glorfindel’s face with its power. As quickly as he had seen it Glorfindel closed his eyes again unable to stand the harsh light.

When next he opened his eyes however he found himself in a stone cottage, sitting in a rocking chair beside a blazing fire place, a thick woven blanket draped over him. He did not know how he’d come to be here. The images and sounds in his mind had slowed considerably since he’d opened his eyes, now allowing him some space to form coherent thoughts without interruption. The last he reeredered was falling from the tree and Haldir’s eyes, as he’d hit thoundound. Then there was nothing, a void as if he’d been sucked up under a dragon’s wing mid flight. Gaining more awareness Glorfindel began glancing around the cottage, noting the distinctly traditional elvish décor and the musty smell of dust and aged things. As Glorfindel continued to inspect the individual items around the room he began to see a familiarity of them that he remembered. He did not have time to ponder on it however as a warm deep voice drew his attention back to the fire.

“Well Balrog Slayer you certainly took your sweet time getting here didn’t you.” Glorfindel was a little taken back as another rocking chair appeared opposite his in front of the fire with a very familiar bearded figure reclining in it comfortably.

“Mithrandir?” Glorfindel’s voice was barely a whisper above the klinkling of the fire. “Gandalf?” The old Istari laughed his deep chuckle, smoke from his pipe gently rising from his lips as he did so.

“Aye, one and the same I imagine.” Glorfindel couldn’t suppress the small smile that graced his lips as the old wizard puffed again on his pipe creating a small smoke ring that disappeared up into the rafters of the cottage. It had been literally centuries since Glorfindel had last seen the ancient wizard and it was the last person he’d expected to see. “I did thinthink an old elf like you would create this place again?” Gandalf gestured around at the stone cottage causing Glorfindel to frown a little in confusion. Glorfindel went to question the wizard but Gandalf pre-empted the question. “Do not ask me questions you know the answer to Glorfindel. You know very well whose cottage it is, you spent enough time here.” EchtEchthelion.” The name of his first and only lover issued gently from Glorfindel’s lips as he glanced around the cottage. Everything looked like it did when he’d last left it, as if it’s owner was just in the bedroom getting ready to face the day. However Glorfindel knew it was not true. Echthelion had died the same summer Glorfindel had left to join Gondolin’s army upon his coming of age, Echthelion was gone along with Glorfindel’s love. Glorfindel sighed heavily and closed his eyes unable to look at his surroundings as the painful memories washed into his mind.

“Come Seneschal do not torture yourself with painful memories.” Mithrandir voice soothed Glorfindel back from his dark memories and the warrior reluctantly opened his eyes, which still glistened with unshed tears. “The past is gone and we can not change it. Besides we are not here to discuss Echthelion but rather his predecessor in your heart.” Glorfindel sighed. He had loved his weapons tutor from the very moment they’d been introduced. During their years of learning together their bond as friends had grown stronger and Glorfindel had looked up to Echthelion like a father rather than a tutor. It had only been in the last few years before Glorfindel’s coming age did that bond flourish into something much more. They had been passionate years with every hour of the day spent in each other’s company. While it had been a deep love it had been fleeting, never destined to last. Fate had cruelly torn them apart and left Glorfindel feeling empty and sad for many years after. However as the Istari had pointed out the past was gone and could not be changed and as he’d forced himself to do back then it was time to now move on.

“What is this?” Glorfindel composed himself a little and went to gesture around at the cabin but found that his arms would not move. Panicking a little at his inability to move Glorfindel went to stand from the rocking chair but also found out quickly that neither sets of his limbs were able to be moved. Questioningly he looked up at Gandalf who merely began rocking slowly in the chair his pipe still sitting between his lips.

“This is your haven Glorfindel.” Gandalf inhaled on the sweet pipe weed again his calm demure serving to also calm Glorfindel. “It is a place you create to shield your mind from the great pain your body currently suffers. It is an inbuilt protection method in all elves to help the healing process.” Confused slightly Glorfindel watched Gandalf pour himself a glass of wine from the decanter on the table beside him. Glorfindel had heard about such places and states of being among elves but he did not understand it fully. He was about to question Gandalf further but once again the Istari beat him to it, immediately answering all the questions Glorfindel was about to ask. “You did not pass throuour our haven after fighting the Balrog because your body died instantly. Life did not linger in your body and so you passed almost immediately into Mandos Halls.” Again Gandalf paused inhaling on his pipe after having sipped from his glass of wine. “Now however you are still alive. Your body still breaths despite its injuries.” Glorfindel nodded Gandalf’s words beginning to make sense. “You can not move because you have broken your back in the fall from the tree and it has paralysed you. While you still suffer from the injury in your haven you do not feel the pain associated with it.” Inwardly Glorfindel shivered at the Istari’s diagnosis feeling a chill spread through his body like never before, settlfirmfirmly at the base of his spine.

“Is it permanent?” Glorfindel could hardly get the words out around the lump in his throat as he quietly sought the answer to his fear. Gandalf smiled comfortingly and shook his head in reply.

“Nay but an injury this severe will take a long time to heal.” Glorfindel nodded in relief at least there was some hope. Gandalf again sipped from his wine draining the glass before standing up and moving over to stand in front of the fire his hands crossed behind his back. Glorfindel stared at the Istari’s back for ng tng time allowing the information Gandalf had just told him to fully sink in. It was then that Glorfindel came up with another pressing question but before he had chance to ask it Gandalf began chuckling to himself. Confused Glorfindel fell silent and watched as the Istari turned back to face him a fond grin hidden beneath his greying beard. “And to answer that one Glorfindel, we wizards have a way of getting ourselves into every situation no matter how personal the haven may be as in this case.” Glorfindel frowned but could not help but chuckle along with Gandalf who had found Glorfindel’s question very amusing. “Now that we’ve established why and how you got here why don’t you tell me about Legolas Greenleaf.” Glorfindel groaned at the very mention of the prince’s name and closed his eyes in despair. Yet again the young prince seemed to have caused him more pain and suffering.

“The elfling is a menace to my health. If it is not my body I sacrifice for his well being it is my sanity at having witnessed the madness surrounding him.” Mithrandir murmured quietly to himself as he listened to Glorfindel speak, although he didn’t interrupt as the seneschal continued. “I admit, he is a beautiful and stunning elf. His eyes were what caught my attention at first, so full of hope, innocents and talent. As I got to know him I realized that everything about him was perfect and that one so beautiful shouldn’t be treated as Thranduil treats him.” Glorfindel shuddered as he remembered the hateful way Thranduil had addressed his son at the banquet. Continuing Glorfindel closed his eyes in regret. “I don’t know what possessed me to blackmail Thranduil when Legolas went missing. Like he said Legolas was none of my business but at that point I wasn’t even sure I cared for Legolas in that way and so I guess I set out to find that out. Now I regret having ever spoken the words to Thranduil having seen all the trouble it seems to have caused. My intentions were never to take Legolas away for myself I just felt like I wanted to save him from being walked all over by his family and I thought a little distance between them might do the trick.” Glorfindel slowly opened his eyes and looked regrettably up at the Istari who was leaning against the fireplace his head cocked to the side as he listened.

“Do you regret having ever met the prince?” Gandalf quietly puffed on his pipe as he cautiously watched Glorfindel’s reaction to his question. It took a while for Glorfindel to answer but at length the blonde seneschal shook his head.

“No I confess I do not. His presence does things to me when he is near. I feel comfortable and warm when he is close, something I have not found with anyone else since Echthelion.” Glorfindel paused and lowered his gaze from the wizards. Gandalf knew what was coming but let it come anyway. “I just wish I knew why people treat him like they do. I want to know who he really is and what purpose he has. I know now that he is not Thranduil’s true son and that he is Haldir’s but it still posses more questions than it answers.” In frustration Glorfindel hung his head against his chest his eyes closed as he tried to control his temper. It had been anger that had gotten him into this situation in the first place without further continuing. Gandalf nodded and chewed thoughtfully on the end of his pipe for a moment before slowly sitting back down in the rocking chair opposite Glorfindel’s.

“To being with I will say that Legolas is still as much Thranduil’s son as he is Haldir’s. Legolas was born of the two of them joining and while Haldir carried him for four seasons and gave birth to him, Thranduil has still raised Legolas since he was born.” Glorfindel could only gape in wonder at Gandalf’s declaration before slowly shaking his head in disbelieve.

“But that is not………”

“Possible?” The wizard cut Glorfindel off with a sharp tone and shook his head disapprovingly at the seneschal. “You are to well educated to be ignorant Glorfindel and that look is not a good one for you.” Glorfindel had the guilt to blush under the Istari’s chastise but remained silent as Gandalf continued. “You know as well as I that there are some rare few among you who still posses the abilities of the first born. That is that males can conceive. It is rare now days, the wars having seen most of the first born with the ability killed, yet there are some like Haldir who remain.” Gandalf took a puff of his pipe and waited patiently as Glorfindel took in the information.

“How did it come to be then? I was always led to believe Thranduil wappilppily married and that his wife died in childbirth with the youngest son?” Gandalf nodded at Glorfindel’s question calculating his response carefully before continuing in reply.

“It was long before the war if I remember correctly you had just lost your own life. Gil-galad had just signed a trade treaty with Mirkwood and in celebration the Lord’s were invited by the King to Mirkwood for the winter feast.” Gandalf smiled at the happy memories of a time when all of middle earth was quiet and safe. Glorfindel sat quietly intrigued by watching the Istari’s facial features as he continued to tell his story. “Haldir and his two brothers had just entered the Lorien guard after their coming of age and so naturally being Lord Celeborn’s favourites were permitted to escort the Lord to the feast in Mirkwood.” Gandalf frowned at some new memories all the while puffing continually on his pipe. “Celeborn had always had a soft spot for those three as cheeky as they were. I think the fact he knew of Haldir’s ability was partly why he liked to take care of them so much.”

“Celeborn knew Haldir could bear children?” Glorfindel questioned quietly in between one of Gandalf’s pauses. The old Istari smiled knowing full well that this type of conversation was what Glorfindel had longed for in the past few months.

“Aye he knew, the lady’s mirror apparently told him. Now I think about it he probably blames himself for the fate that befell Haldir.” Glorfindel frowned as Gandalf poured himself another glass of wine his eyes focusing again on the schalchal’s before he continued the story. “Haldir was young, naïve and innocently unaware of his own ability that winter in Mirkwood. If I remember right he was just as enchanting as Legolas is now, long Golden hair beautiful expressive eyes. It was hardly surprising that he caught Thranduil’s eye.” Gandalf sighed wearily and shook his head in repute. “I know you can guess what happened without me telling you. Thranduil was bored with his wife, the union between them had been for political reasons to please his father rather than anything emotional. Haldir just happened to be there at the time Thranduil needed some release and it was just unfortunate he’d picked the one elf in Lorien with a rare gift.” Glorfindel sighed heavily not having guessed how involved and complex the story surrounding Legolas would turn out to be.

“What happened?” Eager to hear more Glorfindel urged on the Istari but Gandalf was not to be rushed and simply sipped casually from his wine before taking a few puffs from his pipe.

“Haldir returned to Lorien with Celeborn after the feast and for two seasons no one was any the wiser. It was only when Haldir started to show signs of his pregnancy did things start to occur.” Gandalf paused again this time to fiddle with the button on his robe pocket. “Celeborn was the first to know, he of course told Haldir of his position and it wasn’t long after, that I was summoned and told the situation. Haldir of course was beside himself the poor thing. He couldn’t believe anything he was being told, and I still truly think that he didn’t believe he was pregnant until the night Legolas was born.” Glorfindel was finding it extremely difficult to picture Haldir, as a father the cold regard of his friend’s persona just didn’t lend itself to parenthood easily. “In the process of it all though Thranduil had been informed of Haldir’s predicament. Of course being the controlling elf he is, he demanded Haldir give birth in Mirkwood under his supervision and that for the sake of providing the child with the best possible future that he retain full control of the child’s upbringing and that Haldir’s part in the parenthood be kept a secret.”

“That is not right Haldir should have been able to raise his own son?” Glorfindel was appalled at King Thranduil’s demands over his child and it only served to make the seneschal mad, now knowing how badly Thranduil treated Legolas.

“Aye at the time Haldir believed what he did was in the best interests of his son. Haldir was destined to be captain of the guard in Lorien and being a full time father would have put more strain on him than he could have bore. Now, I think he regrets it knowing how Legolas lives but as I have said before we cannot change the past.” Glorfindel nodded in understanding suddenly seeing Haldir in a whole new light.

“But what about Thranduil’s wife? Surely she would not have accepted Legolas as her own son kng otg otherwise.” Gandalf smiled at Glorfindel the warrior certainly knew a lot when he put his mind to it and Gandalf was glad of his friend’s intelligence during this particular discussion.

“No she did not take the news of Thranduil’s intentions lightly. Naturally she was devastated that Thranduil had broken their bond with another. When Celeborn and I arrived in Mirkwood witldirldir for the birth of the child she point blankly refused to acknowledge us. The night Legolas was born she left with her handmaidens and a few faithful guards to cross the sea.” Glorfindel lowered his head silently in regret for Thranduil’s wife a small feeling of guilt concerning the situation settling in his stomach. Gandalf sensed the elf’s guilt and instantly reached across to place a gentle hand upon Glorfindel’s shoulder. “Do not think such dreary thoughts Glorfindel. While it was a devastating loss, in some ways it was for the best. Legolas was born to Haldir and with his wife’s secret departure; Thranduil fabricated the story that she had died in childbirth.” Gandalf paused an cleared his throat as he slowly sat back into his chair content that he had finished that bit of the story without many drama’s. Quite remarkably Glorfindel was taking it all very well considering the topic but Gandalf felt assured by the seneschals understanding nature. The pair sat in quiet reflection for a time until finally Glorfinwishwished to hear more.

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