The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 45

Legolas lay quietly staring up at the giant malorn trees, the purple evening sky just visible through the branches high above him. Gently he swung his hand back and forth in the cool flowing stream by his side allowing the sounds of the birds to lull him into serenity. He had not thought again about what had happened in the council chamber, to tired to be bothered with such complexities. All around him nature sang of peace and contentment and right now that was all Legolas wanted to know about. Closing his eyes Legolas smiled as the familiar image of one particular blonde haired seneschal flashed into his mind. Glorfindel. The nameled led off his tongue easily and Legolas giggled childishly as he said it again this time aloud so that the birds could hear it. “Glorfindel!” Caught by the wind Legolas listened to the name being echoing around the forest. To his ears it sounded perfect no other name worthy of being spoken. Legolas opened his eyes and rolled over onto his belly so that he could stare at his reflection in the ripples of the stream. His own free flowing locks fell into the water and began floating like golden waterweed around his faint reflection. Legolas stared at himself in the water his fac face curtained by the long hair. Silently Legolas wondered if he would look any different in two days time, after his coming of age. He wondered what it would feel like and if anyone would treat him different, he’d had so many questions to ask but he’d not had the time with Filgree to inquire after them. He had seen his brothers coming of age, had seen the difference in their manner and place within the household but outwardly they appeared just the same.

Silently Legolas mused over his reflection inspecting the fading bruises and scratches inflicted by Keeldon. The bandage on his necs sts still a present reminder of his imprisonment but Legolas refused to let himself remember the horrible memories. All that mattered was that Glorfindel had come and rescued him from a terrible fate. There was his name again. Glorfindel. The blonde haired Lord had not left Legolas’ dreams since they’d first met in Mirkwood. Legolas sighed heavily as he put his hand through the middle of his reflection disturbing the water enough to wash away his face from view amongst the ripples. Legolas knew nothing of love and even less about the acts associated with love and he doubted very much that what he was beginning to feel for Glorfindel was love although he had no way to tell. There was little doubting that Filgree would not tell him about it, as much as hutorutor liked to help Legolas in any way he could, his answers regarding personal topics were never very enlightening. Books were limited in their knowledge telling only the workings behind such ingsings rather than how to cope with them and express them freely. After today Legolas would not to his father about such topics and so that left very little option but sit and stew in misery. Exasperated Legolas rolled back onto his side and stared angrily at the grass. “It is just not fair why can I not know these things!” Legolas called out to the birds chirpingve hve him not expected to hear a reply.

“And what would the Prince of Mirkwood wish to know?” Legolas all but jumped out of his skin as he jumped up from the ground startled by the voice. The tension in Legolas’ body was evident as he turned to face his unexpected company. He was a little taken back when he saw Haldir leaning against the base of one of the malorn trees close by and not Filgree or worse still his father. Since the revelations of his talk with Mithrandir earlier Legolas suddenly felt awkward in front of the Lorien elf. After 500 years to find out your father isn’t your father it was big step to make. Haldir sensed Legolas unease and stood up straight from his lean on the tree. “Would you like me to leave, if you’re not comfortable?” Haldir made to leave but Legolas stepped forward and caught Haldir’s arm preventing the march warden from leaving.

“No I don’t want you to go, I just don’t know what to say to you.” Haldir nodded understandingly, watching as Legolas lowered his head to stare at the grass having hastily removed his hand from Haldir’s arm, realizing he had been holding it too long. Legolas sighed guiltily the serenity of his time in the forest coming to an abrupt end with the arrival of his real Ada.

“That is okay I have too much to say to you and not enough words to say it in.” Legolas let out an awkward chuckle at Haldir’s whispered reply. It was obvious the Lorien elf was just as nervous as he was about this meeting.

“Would you like to sit, it’s nice by the stream here.” Legolas blu lig lightly and gestured for Haldir to sit down beside him on the edge of the stream. Accepting the offer both elves sat awkward down beside one another staring at the rippling water and listening to the birds evening song. “Can you tell me something?” Taking a deep breath Legolas broke the silence first the question that had been weighing on his mind finally begin to to be answered. Haldir nodded and quietly waited, as Legolas seemed to compose himself. “Did you want me?” The words came out in a rush and although the question was vague Haldir knew what Legolas was talking about.

“Aye I very much wanted you. At first I did not think I would want the burden of a babe but when I saw you for the first time after your birth I desperately wanted to keep you and take you home to Lorien with me.” Legolas swallowed hard as he watched Haldir lower his head the tears dripping from the marchwaden’s face onto his tunic. “You were beautiful when you were born, soft golden hair, round blue eyes and the cheekiest smile I ever saw.” Haldir laughed softly through his tears and Legolas blushed self consciously as the elder elf reached up and brushed one of Legolas damp stray locks back behind his pointed ear. “I have lived with the guilt of leaving you with Thranduil for 500 years and seeing you now after so long I can not help feeling regret for not having been apart of your life.” Haldir shuddered into tears again and Legolas felt distinctively uncomfortable. He had never seen such a proud warrior cry before and it upset him to know that he was the cause. Sighing Legolas shifted closer to Haldir and gently wrapped his arms around his father’s waist.

“I don’t blame you, Gandalf told me you didn’t have much choice in the matter.” Haldir sniffled and crudely wiped his tears away with the sleave of his tunic before slipping his arms around Legolas and enveloping the young elf in their first hug.

“Aye I was young and naive but I should have at least insisted that you were told about me earlier.” Haldir smiled as he gently inhaled the smell of Legolas’ clean hair relishing in the warmth of his son for the first time in years.

”I want to spend sometime with you while I am in Lothlorien. I don’t know what Lord Glorfindel’s plans are as yet but I want to make the most of my time with you. I want you to teach me things that Thranduil never did, I want you to tell me about Lothlorien and how you live, I’d like you to teach me how to sword fight. I want to meet my uncles.” Haldir chuckled and squeezed Legolas tighter his heart suddenly lightened by Legolas’ acceptance of him.

“Aye we will do all of that and more Legolas, and I scarce believe you will be able to miss meeting my brothers both of them are eager to meet their nephew.” Legolas smiled through his tears and snuggled closer into Haldir’s chest, inhaling the smell of his real father and committing it to his memory forever. Haldir was warm and Legolas felt safe in the elder elf’s arms much as he did in Filgree’s embrace. For a long time they sat therther Legolas never letting go of his hug of Haldir, even as the elder elf began to gently sing to him and stroke his hair in comfort. At length the pair finally broke apart the night bringing with it the cold westerly wind. “Come on Legolas let us get back home or Filgree will be pacing the halls worrying for you.” Legolas smiled and nodded as he took his fathers hand to help him up from the grass. With a whistle from Haldir a brown mare appeared from the shadows of the trees and wandered over to them. Legolas beamed widely as he stroked the mare’s silky mane and whispered a hello into her ear. “Her name is Yastel and has already made friends with your own horse.” Legolas spun around from patting Yastel’s side to smile hopefully at Haldir.

“Iest?she she here!” Legolas had almost forgotten about his own faithful mare and when Haldir nodded Legolas bounced around happily before hugging Haldir tightly in excitement.

“She is in the stables waiting for you but I have been told you are not to ride alone until after your coming of age, your neck and back still need time to heal.” Legolas frowned grumpily and folded his arms childishly across his chest to glare at Haldir from across the back of Yastel. Haldir rolled his eyes before staring directly back at Legolas with just as much conviction. “Let us come to an understanding Legolas, I may be more lenient than Thranduil but I am still your father and as my guards will tell you I do not tolerate the breaking of rules now matter how cute your pout.” Legolas slowly unfolded his arms in defeat knowing full well Haldir’s reputation among his own men having seen him on the first day here walking among them.

“Fine I will not ride till after my coming of age in two days time.” Legolas reluctantly accepted Haldir’s leg up onto Yastel and sat comfortably upon the green rug as Haldir climbed up behind him and took hold of the reigns. With a click of Haldir’s tongue Yastel was off at a steady pace through the forest heading back towards the flickering lights of Lothlorien. They sat in silence for a while Legolas enjoying the scenery and the occasional pointing out, by Haldir, of landmarks they passed. “Haldir will you celebrate my coming age. Thranduil told Filgree before we left Mirkwood that I was not to celebrate it?”

“What?” Haldir could not believe his ears as Legolas guiltily glanced over his shoulderw wow wondering if it was such a good idea to bring the subject up. He had seen what trouble it had gotten him into when Filgree had attempted to talk with Thranduil; perhaps Haldir had the same reasoning.

“It is nothing forget I mentioned it. I will just spend the day with Filgree like I was planning to.” Legolas sighed and buried his head in his chest suddenly feeling as if he would be severely chastised for speaking out of turn concerning his coming of age. It had been a sore subject for months with Legolas, and really the prince should have known better than to press the issue after months of being repeatedly told no.

“Legolas you will do no such thing. Thranduil may have forbidden any celebration but I will not. This is a special occasion in your life and we will celebrate it in the same manner as all elves here in Lorien. I will have no son of mine passing his majority in a room with his tutor!” Legolas beamed in excitement at hearing his father’s words. Never in his life had he hoped for such a celebration, his birthing days were usually spent with a small special dinner in his quarters with Filgree.

”I do not want anything big just a little celebration perhaps.” Haldir laughed openly at Legolas sudden modesty and polite request. The young elf possessed such a polite manner that put even Haldir’s manners to shame. Despite all Thranduil faults his choice of Filgree as Legolas tutor was definitely among the better ones he’d made, now seeing how Legolas had grown up under the elder’s guidance.

“Nonsense we will make a day of it. I’m sure Lord Celeborn and Elrond will happily oblige by organizing a feast for you, then we will dance and sing long into the night.” Legolas was giggling in anticipation as Haldir began to list the activities he was planning for Legolas’ coming of age. “I will see to it that you taste your first draft of true Lorien liquor, then I will tell the Lady Galadriel to ensure you are made to dance with every beautiful young maiden through-out the wood.” Legolas blushed at the mere thought of dancing with ladies. He had spent years being taught to dance by Filgree, but his practising partners had only ever consisted of an old broomstick and some of the more willing male stable hands.

“And what if I do not wish to dance with young maidens?” Legolas bit his lip nervously, the name of the blonde seneschal on the tip of his tongue as he waited his fathers approval on the unspoken declaration. Haldir paused in silence for a moment letting Legolas’ subtle hint settle. While Haldir had always known his son was destined to bond with one of his own sex, hearing it from Legolas’ mouth was still a little confronting, especially with Legolas still so very young. Nervously Legolas glanced back at his father hoping he had not offended him, as they had been having such a good time together so far. Seeing Legolas look at him for approval brought Haldir back to his senses and the marchwarden smiled cheekily.

“Well we will just have to get you some old maidens then won’t we!” Haldir smiled knowing at his son and Legolas nodded in understanding before the pair of them broken down into hysterics at Haldir’s joke. Legolas felt content sitting in front of Haldir something he had never felt before in his life. Haldir treated him as a real father should and Legolas was looking forward to the things they would do together, things he’d missed out on due to Thranduil’s coldness. To Legolas it was looking to be a very long week.


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

(A/N) After some requests for more G/L interation and emotional icky stuff, the next few chapters are full of it so I hope that fuels your hunger.