The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 56

Glorfindel was already in the stables making the last minute checks of the horses when the rest of the party descended from their talons. Filgree was the first to enter the courtyard carrying both his and Legolas’ things from the night before. Stewards from Celeborn’s private court helped load the last of the parcels onto the horses while elves from Lorien scuttled to and fro in the sunshine saying goodbyes and making last minute preparations. Glorfindel had hardly got a wink of sleep last night to busy thinking about what chaos he had caused after yesterday’s picnic. Guilt of putting Filgree unknowingly in the firing line of Legolas questions also weighed heavily on his shoulders. The elder seneschal knew from Erestors’ experience with Elrond’s twin sons that discussing such private and sensitive topics could be difficult and tiring. Glorfindel was tightening the saddle on his horse when he saw Filgree descending the stairs and moving over to his and Legolas horses. From between his horses legs Glorfindel gauged the tutor’s mood from the way he interacted with the stewards and was quite surprised at seeing a smile beaming across his face. Standing from his position Glorfindel watched from over the bof hof his horse as Filgree checked the water and food packs on his and Legolas horse. Too intrigued by this happy mood from the tutor Glorfindel went to call a good morning to the dark haired elf only to find himself suddenly engulfed in a bear hug before he could speak.

“Good morning Lord Glorfindisn’isn’t it a wonderful day.” Glorfindel turned around to stare slightly shocked at the young prince Legolas. The elder seneschal could hardly believe how radiant Legolas looked in the morning light and it confused him at why the prince looked so refreshed and relaxed.

“Good morning to you too Legolas, you are in quite a cheery mood.” Legolas’ smile further widened at Glorfindel’s praise and Legolas could hardly contain himself as he leant up and pressed a firm kiss to the elder elf’s lips. Glorfindel could only hold on to Legolas waist as the young elf’s bubbly enthusiasm and light mood began to rub off onto him making him smile warmly in reply.

“Aye for it is a good day. I am travelling with my favourite elf in all of middle earth and we are destined for the beauty of Imladris of which I have never seen. Erestor has also told me at breakfast that he will teach me some of the names of the places we pass by.” Glorfindel could only chuckle in reply so amazed at the transformation in Legolas enthusiasm and demure over the course of last night. It was as if a totally new elf was standing in front of him. Never, since their first meeting had Glorfindel seen Legolas eyes so alive with colour and happiness, it made for quite a stunning addition to Legolas already physical beauty.

“Glorfindel! Come and take this for me.” Lord Elrond’s voice drew Glorfindel away from the prince and quickly over to the two elf Lord’s who were standing on the steps over looking the proceedings in the courtyard. Lord Celeborn and Lord Elrond were the last out of the talon having exchanged some private words when the rest of the elves had left after breakfast. “Will you ride ahead of our party Glorfindel with Haldir to ensure we have a clear passage to the Northern Borders?” Glorfindel obediently took Lord Elrond’s pack and nodded understandingly. Despite the respite he had been allowed while recovering Glorfindel was back to resuming his normal duties. He was Elrond’s seneschal and protector of the dark haired Lord of Imladris a duty he had long been accustomed to, with or without Legolas by his side.

“Aye my Lord. I bid you a fond farewell Lord Celeborn and thank-you for Lorien’s hospitality as I take my leave.” Respectfully Glorfindel bowed to the Lord of Lorien before grasping the Lord’s hand and forearm in a warriors grip. Lord Celeborn nodded understandingly before dismissing the elder elf to his awaiting horse. Quickly Glorfindel secured Elrond’s satchel to his horses side before moving over to his own steed, already set for the journey ahead. Haldir and his two brothers were already sitting astride their own horses awaiting Glorfindel.

“Where are you going?” Glorfindel mounted his steed with ease and settled himself cotabltably in his heavily padded saddle. It would be a long ride and Elrond had insisted that he layer several blankets on top of his saddle to cushion the impact of the ride on Glorfindel’s still healing back. Legolas was standing quite concerned by Glorfindel’s horse. The blonde seneschal smiled and reached down a gentle hand to brush over Legolas cheek. With so many eyes watching them Glorfindel did not want to do anything too personal as he reassured the young elf.

“I am riding ahead to the borders with Haldir and the patrol. It is to make sure we have a safe path ahead of us and that no evil is lurking in wait.” Legolas smile turned to a frown and Glorfindel sighed heavily. It would take the prince a while to realise that Glorfindel’s duties would take up a lot of their time spent together. He was Elrond’s protector before he was ever Legolas lover and that was the way it had to remain. The young prince was dressed in the beautiful green travelling garb of Mirkwood, his twin blades strapped to his back and his quiver and bow slung comfortably over his shoulder. Glorfindel smiled at the sight before tucking a stray braid back behind one of Legolas pointed ears. “Do not fret Legolas, I will see you when you reach the borders this afternoon. Just stay close to Filgree and Elrond and you will be fine.” Legolas nodded and obediently stepped away from Glorfindel’s horse. Glorfindel saw Legolas disappointment at notng ang allowed to ride with him to the boarders but chose to ignore it. There would be a great many things that Legolas would have to get used to and one of the main ones would be the time they would have to spend apart from one another. “I will see you this afternoon.” With a final smile goodbye Glorfindel turned his horse towards the forest and joined Haldir and his two brothers on a canter into the forest.

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Glorfindel sighed and yawned as he continued to search the surrounding area as they passed through the forest. Haldir, Rumli and Orophin were riding a few meters apart from him also scanning the forest for signs of orcs or worse. For the past week the board patrols had reported little activity along the edges of the forest, which made for a small reassurance that perhaps their journe Iml Imladris would be unhindered. Glorfindel still had taken every precaution. Elrond’s guards had been given two bows and a double set of arrows, while all were now armed with a sharpened sword also. There was to be no chances on the return trip, Glorfindel remembered all too clearly the attack on Elrond’s wife and while it had been unexpected Glorfindel was determined never to see it happen again.

The sun was already high in the sky by the time the four elves arrived at the further most outpost of the Northern border. It was the last point at which the Lorien elves patrolled and marked the end of their realm. Only a few sets of soldiers were ever camped out this far and were the first warning against any potential attacks. The patrol currently on duty welcomed the four elves and offered them seats in the watch hut in the trees above. Fortunately they had made good time what with encountering no specific threats to the party, which would by now, be following them. Glorfindel accepted the offered glass of wine as Haldir sat down beside him. The pair had spoken very little to one another since Legolas coming of age feast. Legolas had come firmly between their previously long friendship and while Glorfindel regretted the coldness now between them it had been inevitable. They had too many different opinions concerning the young prince and Glorfindel had found it extremely difficult to hold a conversation with the march warden without them having ended up in arguments over a point regarding Legolas. In time Glorfindel hoped they could rcilecile their differences as Legolas grew up but Glorfindel that Legolas would always be between them.

In silence the pair drank their wine as they waited for the party behind them to catch up. It was Haldir who broke the silence first as his two brothers left the hut to scout the area again leaving them essentially alone.

“I would ask something of you Glorfindel as you take your leave from Lorien.” Glorfindel drained his glass of wine and nodded silently. He had vivid recollections of Thranduil having asked something of a similar nature of him when Legolas had first gone missing. The elder elf hoped he didn’t find himself bartering with Legolas’ life again he still carried the guilt from having done it the first time with Thranduil. “I know I have not been the ideal father for Legolas and in some ways I am glad he chose to leave with you. I believe I would have demanded too much of him and left him feeling even more inadequate than when he was in Thranduil’s care.” Glorfindel nodded again in understanding having seen first hand Haldir’s intolerance to his son’s lack of abilities and knowledge. As much as Haldir had tried Legolas would not have measured up to anything Haldir had set for him, as the prince was just not that type of elf. “I admit I am sorry and sad that Legolas is leaving me when I still hardly know him but I do not regret having made the decision to send you that scroll.” Glorfindel was a little shocked as Haldir reached forward and patted the hidden pocket inside Glorfindel’s cloak where the scroll was still hidden. The elder elf had to admit he’d quite forgotten that the scroll was still there let alone that Haldir knew were it was also. “I believe in my heart that you are the one Glorfindel and every day I have spent teaching Legolas I have witnessed his growing attachement to you and it further increases my belief.” Haldir paused and stood from the little cloth chairs in the watch hut to stand at the entrance to the hut looking out towards the mountains that rose in the distance. “You keep that scroll close to your heart because that is the place you want Legolas to occupy also.” Again Haldir gestured to the pocket in which Glorfindel kept the scroll, only now noticing that the pocket indeed lay above Glorfindel’s heart. “I will tell you know you already own his heart and while you hide it he has yours.” Glorfindel swallowed hard and stood also to join Haldir at the entrance to the hut as the sounds of horses hooves drawing closer marked the coming arrival of the following party.

“And what would you ask of me Haldir of Lothlorien?” Glorfindel turned to face Haldir who sighed and stared up at the elder elf intently.

“I ask that you keep him safe and that you teach him all that is beautiful in the world. Encourage him to visit othealmsalms and to visit Thranduil and I occasionally. He is perfect in your eyes Glorfindel and I wish only that he stays that way. He deserves an elf like you Glorfindel no matter who or what he is. He deserves to be happy and I ask only that you give him that happiness.” Obediently Glorfindel nodded at Haldir’s request as the sounds oicesices entering the small watch compound signal the arrival of the Imladris party. “I shall bid my farewell of you now my friend, I do not have the heart to watch Legolas leave without me so I will take the back entrance and leave without being seen with my brothers.” Haldir confidently reached out his hand in farewell and Glorfindel instantly grasped it in the familiar warriors embrace. The connection was strong and Glorfindel squeezed Haldir’s hand in reassurance as the pair fell into an easy hug of one another. “Goodbye Glorfindel of Gondolin, take care of my son. I expect to hear frequently of your activities and will pray for your safety and health every eve.” Haldir spoke softly in Quenya to his friend before bowing respectfully at the waist. As required of him Glorfindel acknowledge the lower ranked elf with a tilt of his head before smiling at him warmly.

“Aye Farewell Haldir, I will in sure Legolas write to you every season of what he is doing.” Glorfindel watched as Haldir nodded quietly before turning and quickly descending the rope ladder of the watch hut. From the balcony edge of the hut Glorfindel watched as Haldir mounted his steed and along with his brothers slipped out the far entrance of the compound from where the arriving Imladris elves had just entered. When the last flash of golden hair disappeared into the forest Glorfindel turned his attention back to where Elrond, Legolas and Erestor were searching for him in the compound. To his relief all the elves were looking still relatively healthy for the ride ahead and all of them had arrived unscathed. It would be a long two weeks journey back to Rivendell across the mountains and Glorfindel was sure he would not be happy until he and everyone else was back safely in the Last Homely house.

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

(A/N) Sorry it's been a while stuff has just been pouring in through my door of late and it all had to be fixed before I could write anymore. Okay hope you like these two small upda Whe When we get to Rivendell there's someone unexpected waiting for them all. This someone takes a distinct like to our dear Legolas Greenleaf.