Gondor's King

Chapter 5

Since the fall of the ring, the darkness that once surrounded Mirkwood has lifted. My guards and I travel quietly unhindered beneath the branches of the large malorn trees enjoying the pleasantness of a land well tended. My party does not sense the watchful eyes that have followed us since we came to the edge of the woods but I myself am acutely aware of it. It is a rare occasion that elves receive unexpected visitors, for they see and hear of everything that passes their boarders even before the subjects are aware of it. We come to a softly flowing spring, it’s icy cool depths inviting us to rest a while. From Rivendell I sent a messenger back to Minas Tirith to pre fre for the great celebration upon my arrival home. I only intend to stay a few short days in Mirkwood to deliver my invitation and then I shall travel back to my land to make right the disorder of my household I am sure has occurred in my absence.

Manythe the tracks I followed through Mirkwood on the way to the hobbit shire have long since overgrown and I am finding it a little difficult with my out of practised skills to find a defined route to the elven city. My councillors take rest with my guards upon the soft mossy edges of the glistening spring and I take the opportunity to stretch my own legs as I walk the circumference of our resting place. The birds and crickets create a choir of symphonies on top of the gentle harmony of the streams endless song. I inhale the fresh air and fill my lungs to the brim with the sweet smell of the wilderness. Long have I desired to be free again, walking the wilds with only my muse to accompany me. Sitting apart from my party I rest against the base of a large tree and close my eyes, listening for any signs of our watchers who I know are close by. There is an eerie silence that surrounds me for a moment and I spring open my eyes and instinctively reach for the hilt of my sword. Glancing down to where my party were a moment ago I find them vanished along with our horses. A shiver runs the length of my spine and I spin around hastily my sword in my hand poised for attack. There has not been evil in these lands for many years but some still remain in its very depths.

My fear seeps away from my body as I hear a short childish chuckle from above me amongst the tree branches. I re-sheath my sword and turn around to glare up into the sng bng branches of the trees.

“Legolas Greenleaf get down here this instant. That was not in the slightest amusing.” I hear the melodic chuckle again before a very familiar figure descends from the branches about me, to sit upon the lowest branch in front of me, a delectable smile upon his face.

“Why Estel was that an order? For I do not take orders from mere mortal men.” I furrow my brow slightly at his cheekiness although I am not in the slightest angry with him for his playful jest. It lightens my heart to see him almost as he was when we first met, the regal robes I expected him to greet me in, discarded for forest attire much the same as when he was prince. Maybe I over judged how much he had changed in character, from our last meeting at the ford. I also take delight in that he has conveniently left off my title from his address and for a moment I imagine us back as friends before the fellowship was formed.

“It was not my old friend for I know you are stubborn and would not obey any such order even if I was to give it.” I too laugh at my joke as he smiles widely and leaps gently from the branch to come to a standing position in front of me. He does not bow to me like most people would, instead he reaches calmly for my hand and we embrace in a warrior’s handshake. As equals we departed from one another and as equals we have come together again.

“You know me too well Estel, It is good to see you.” I nod in acknowledgement and drop our extended handshake as I realize I have been staring at him like a fool. For a moment I believe I see a flicker of sadness in his eyes but it is gone within an instant as he turns and gestures for us to walk together. “I took the liberty of ensuring your party are tended to, for I was sure you could not come all this way to Mirkwood and not stay for a drink?” I smile at him warmly in silent gratitude as I follow his lead through gently winding paths. We stroll leisurely in silence through the wood until the path opens out into the tended gardens around the beautiful cavern carved city of Mirkwood. I stop in my stride and stare around at the city itself, having never fully glimpsed the splendour of the entire city. I can feel Legolas staring at me his face holding a bemused smile at the aw of my own expression. “I have made many changes since my fathers passing, my gardeners were students from those in Rivendell, and of of the gardens reflect Rivendell’s beauty.”

“It is beautiful and so happily situated amongst the eldar trees of Mirkwood.” Legolas beams like a proud father at my praise of his home before he gestures across a small lawn to where an ivy covered pagoda sits. Following his lead over to the wooden structure I watch with intrigue as he parts the hanging curtain of ivy covering the entrance to reveal two comfortable chairs either side of a small table which is adorned witesh esh fruits and sweet meats. At his gesture I move inside and find myself attended instantly to by a young elf maiden who removes my cloak and weaponry. Once settled in the chairs the two young elves disappear at Legolas’s indication and we are left in palatable silence.

“My guardians tracked your party from the boarders, you must forgive them for not announcing themselves sooner. We have had raiding parties of men from Arnor around the edges of the wood, they seek elven slaves to trade for gold in the cities and we can not be to careful.” Inwardly I shiver at the very thought of elven slaves and I clench my fists together against the arms of the chair I sit in. Since the war, elves have become rarities within the cities of men and high prices are put upon their capture and trade. I despise it and have set heavy penalties of death and imprisonment for any of my citizens found to be trading in elves.

“Yes I fear slavery is becoming all to common in Arnor, I shall be in consultation with the steward on my return to Minas Tirith and I shall be sure to voice my objects to the practice and shall insure further action if my warnings are not heeded by their governing council.” Legolas nods in understanding and we fall silent as both of us begin picking from the selections of fruit on the table. For a moment the regal standing of Legolas’s position among his people flitters into his mannerisms with the seriousness of the topic but it quickly dissipates again as he pours us both a glass of wine.

“Pray tell me Estel what do I owe the honour of being host to the King of Gondor, so unannounced? For I am sure you did not come here to play childish games with Mirkwood’s King?” I laugh softly at his joke and shake my head in refusal before swallowing a mouthful of wine.

“Nay I fear I have not come to play games although the thought does amuse me.” Quite unlike Legolas I see him blush at my comment, and he lowers his gaze from mine slightly. As not to cause discomfort to either one of us I continue without comment. “I have come to personally thank-you for your help in the healing of Rivendell’s people, and to cordially invite you and your court to a feast in Minas Tirith, in celebration of the healing of the elves.” I raise an eyebrow in question of Legolas and watch for a moment as he processes what I have asked. It is not like Legolas to make hasty decisions and ein hin his new position it does not seem he has changed.

“I thank-you for the invitation, although it has been a long time coming. I would be delighted to attend such a gathering in the white city.” I relax into my chair relived that he has accepted although I do not know why I was nervous at his rejection of it in the first place. There is silence again as both of us sip from our wine before Legolas changes the topic. “I hear your eldest is to take his right of passage in the spring, it must bring great happiness to your heart?” I smile at the image of my two sons, which will eagerly await my return home. It seems an age since I was in their company and I miss their youthful banter around me.

“Yes we are all quite prestigiously proud of him. I am to congratulate you on your own daughters betrothal to Elrond’s youngest son.” Legolas smiles awkwardly and drains his glass dry of wine before sighing heavily.

“Yes despite my urgings she has chosen Elladan. They are in the house readying to ride to Rivendell to see Elrond. I would not allow them sooner in case of infection but I believe now it should be safe enough for them both.” I detect a small amount of dissatisfaction from Legolas to his daughters chosen husband but I do not voice my concern. Perhaps like myself Legolas has grown over protective of his offspring and does not see love as easily as once he might have. “And what of yourself Estel? I have heard very little but idol rumour of your days in Minas Tirith. Tell me what has come to pass since your coronation, for I long to hear your tales and share jokes of courting matters?” I watch as Legolas leans close to me over the table his eyes yearning for information just as he did during the nights we spent travelling together with the fellowship. I chuckle to myself and drain the rest of my own wine from the goblet.

“I too desire to share conversations it has been too long since we have talked as friends.” I cannot keep the sadness from my own voice, I regret it being so dramatic and I lower my gaze from the beauty of the elven creature opposite me. Many a restless night I have sat awake in my bed turning over images of Legolas in my mind. There is a longing in my heart still present today and I cannot deny that I wish things had been different. I hear Legolas sigh heavily the harsh sound not one I have ever heard pass his lips before. However before anymore can be said Haldir appears in the swaying opening of the ivy pagoda. Legolas stands immediately as Haldir bows and moves forward into the room. He glances at me suspiciously before addressing Legolas.

“If you please sir, a party of Dwarves has arrived seeking court with you. Among them is Gimli and he bears good news.” Legolas seems elated at the news of his eldest friend’s arrival and I watch as he smiles and turns back to me in questioning.

”Will you not join me Aragorn, for I believe Gimli should very much like to see you as well, when he learns of your presence in Mirkwood.” I nod my assent and follow Legolas and Haldir from the pagoda. It becomes slowly apparent to me that Haldir has grown to be very much like Legolas. It is hardly surprising considering that they are lovers but it is indeed a little out of character for the once guardian of Lothlorien to make changes so dramatically to his manner. I take in the beauty of Mirkwood’s palace with eager anticipation. Each turn in our path through the halls and corridors of Legolas home, proves to be more delightful and stunning than the one before it. The architecture is quite stunningly different to other elven cities I have seen, but does not lack in the fluid, melodic lines, which I have found in all things elven.

Finally we enter into a large banquet hall. There is a large wooden throne built amongst the roots of a malorn tree at the far end of the chamber and Legolas heads towards it. The hall is awash with elves, which stop all conversation at Legolas entrance and lower themselves respectively as he passes them towards his destination. They are mostly dressed in lavish velvets and finely woven silk tunics, no doubt they are elves of Legolas court. To my own inner amusement Legolas looks quiet underdressed in his woodland garb, amongst the regal robes of his courtiers. I hesitate to follow them but Haldir pauses momentarily behind his king and beckons me with a curt nod. Approaching the front of the hall I watch as Legolas sits down upon the chair and instantly the stately characteristics return to his manner, the change dramatic in contrast to only moments ago when we were joking together in the woods like old friends. Beside the throne Haldir stands a hand upon his kings shoulder in a small show of affection as a large party of dwarves enters the hall from a side entrance. I stand quite still on the lower step that leads up to Legolas’ throne as the party of dwarves are led down the centre of the gatherers to stand before the elf king.

“Gimli my old friend your presence is most welcome in Mirkwood as on many occasions.” The party of nine dwarves bow respectively at Legolas’s greeting before Gimli steps forward from the party. “To what does my court owe the honour of your company for it has been only several moons since you left us last.” There is a twittering of laughter at Legolas joke that filters among the courtiers as Gimli blushes and lowers his head in defeat. After so many years I still see that the pair jest with each other continually.

”It has only been but one moon master elf if your memory has not failed you. And you know as well as I that to be apart from Mirkwood’s beauty is impossible for such a long period of time.” I smirk to myself as Gimli raises his eyebrows in questioning to which Legolas laughs and nods his head in tolerance of the friendly returned insult. “I bring good news to you from my own home.” Legolas sits up in his chair and leans closer to the dwarf in front of him intent on hearing the news.

“Pray tell me what has happened in the short month you have been away from Mirkwood.” Everyone waits with baited breath myself included as Gimli gestures back to party behind him. A young female dwarf steps forward to Gimli’s side and hands him a bundled blanket from her arms. Legolas’ eyes shine with intrigue and I find myself physically having to calm myself and catch my breath at the image of pure beauty he portrays. The bundle in Gimli’s arms moves as he unwraps the silver cloth to reveal a tiny baby from beneath the folds.

“I have a son.” There is a gasp from around the courtiers at Gimli’s softly spoke words, although I do not see why such an event should cause such a stir among the elves. I watch fascinated as Legolas reaches forward and lifts the small child from Gimli’s arms to rest in his own. There is silence as Legolas smiles down at the child in his arms and for a moment I see the flicker of sadness that engulfs his eyes before it is gone again within an instant.

“He is as radiant as the Mitheral coat you where Gimli, what is his name?” Gimli beams proudly as Haldir takes the young babe from Legolas arms to inspect the child closer.

“His name is Arophili.” Legolas nods in approval of the bef before smiling up at where Haldir is still cradling the baby in his arms, the sadness that was upon Legolas face also present in his features although less well hidden.

“This is a joyous occasion then, we must have a feast. For you, Gimli have come to Mirkwood bearing good news and so too has the King of Gondor. Let us celebrate this evening with festivities.” There is a chaste clap of approval to Legolas suggestion and I watch as Legolas rises from the chair and takes the young babe from Haldir’s arms to return it to it’s mother waiting patiently slightly back from Gimli. “My people will escort your party to their chambers Gimli, then you and Ellessar may wander freely through my palace. Sadly I have business to attend to before tonight but if you would wish for anything you have only to ask Haldir here and he will see it done.” Legolas smiles at me warmly as Gimli shakes my hand firmly as we reacquaint ourselves.

“Thank-you Greenleaf.” My whispered words of thanks are received warmly before Legolas moves out of the hall and disappears through an arched doorway, Haldir and two other courtiers not far behind him.

TBC………………….