Ball masque

Chapter six Unmasking

Legolas sighed as he was unable to locate Arwen or Aragorn. How could he do Elrond’s bidding when Arwen proved illusive? He turned to investigate yet another garden, his hopes dimming as he went along.

He did enjoy walking through them and closed his eyes as he remembered last night. His hand touched his heart and he felt his father’s note and quickly opened his eyes. “Aye, adar, this is getting harder. I fear I am losing my heart, adar. What am I to do?”
He whirled when he heard a smirk behind him.

Haldir leaned against a tree, one leg propped up against it. “Heartache? That is not a good thing for an elf.”
Legolook ook a step back and glared at Haldir. “Aren’t you supposed to be preparing your departure?”
Haldir smiled. “Already done. Now, is there anything I can help you with?”

Legolas took another step back. He didn’t like that look in Haldir’s eyes. It told him to be careful. He berated himself for not taking his knives with him.
Haldir smiled. “You know. Everybody seems to think I raped you, when I did nothing of the kind.”
Legolas’ eyes hardened in anger. “You did. You took advantage of me.”
Haldir laughed. “You were hard to resist, Princeling. You begged me to take you and so I did. I had to obey trincrince of Mirkwood, hadn’t I?”
Legolas narrowed his eyes. “Do you really think I will believe such a lie? You’re despicable and I never want to see you again. You raped me.”

He turned and walked away, but before he had taken three steps he was tackled to the ground. Haldir pinned his hands above him to the floor and straddled him. No matter how hard he tried, Haldir was too strong. Haldir lowered his head and licked Legolas’ ear. “I think it’s time I show you what rape really is.”

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Glorfindel yawned and blinked as he walked into the gardens. He rubbed his neck. /This is the last time I play host. Next time I dress up./ But he knew he wouldn’t for he always said that the day after a party.

He sighed and started walking, the burgundy robe hanging over his shoulder. Elrond had asked him to give it to the rightful owner. The ruler hadn’t even waited for an answer bud mad marched away to his rooms.

Glorfindel sighed again as Legolas proved to be highly interested in the gardens. This was the third the tracks had led him to and yet no sign he was even getting close. Turning into the fifth he gasped at the sight.

Without thinking he dropped the robe and drew his sword. Without warning or sound he launched himself at Haldir, throwing him of Legolas before the March Warden knew what was happening.

“Are you all right?” One eye was still fixed on Haldir while the other quickly roamed Les fos for injuries.
Legolas quickly stood and nodded. “Naught but bruises. You came just in time.”
Glorfindel nodded and glared at Haldir. “Leave if you love your life.”

He waited until Haldir was well gone and pulled Legolas closer. “Come, we’ll go inside.”
Legolas shook his head. “I have to talk to Arwen and I have to hurry before Celeborn and Galadriel leave. I have to say goodbye to them”
Glorfindel nodded. “Arwen will still be here after the departure, so we go there first.”

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Arwen shook her head at her husband’s pacing. “Really, Aragorn, this is Imladris. You have nothing to worry about here.”
Aragorn turned and growled. “No? What about Legolas. Something’s wrong. The fear practically seeped from him when Haldir was there. I don’t like it, Arwen. It’s not like him to be afraid.”
Arwen nodded. “I know, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Eldarion ran in the room and jumped on his father’s back. “Adar, can we stay longer? PLEASE???????????? Maybe Glorfindel can teach me how to fight?”
Aragorn grinned. “I’m sure he’d like to, Eldarion. And maybe we can entice Legolas to teach you how to shoot. But your mother wants to go home.”
Arwen nodded. “I can do without father’s fussing and worrying. I already have the two of you and that’s more than enough thank you.”

Aragorn shook his head and Eldarion started pleading with his mother. Aragorn grinned and walked to the door. “Celeborn and Galadriel are leaving. Do you want to say goodbye?”
Arwen nodded and stood. “Come, my son. My grandparents are leaving.”

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Elrond grinned as he saw his reflection. Yes, Haldir would have the scare of his life when he saw Elrond now. He decided the cocky March Warden needed a lesson and so he had dressed himself in the clothes he had worn yesterday, but he had omitted the white belt. Instead a simple black one completed the attire and nd hnd had to agree: it looked better.

He smiled when he saw Erestor talking to Celeborn. “You work too much, Erestor.”
Erestor turned and smiled. “Someone has to rule this realm.”
Elrond rolled his eyes in mock. “Celeborn. Are you sure I can’t entice you to stay a little longer? My children would love that.”

He heard Elladan and Elrohir come up behind him and wondered why they were whispering and grinning. He closed his eyes and sighed. “That I don’t have grey hair surprises me daily.”
Celeborn laughed warmly. “If you want us to handle them for a while, they are more than welcome.”
Elrond laughed. “Be careful of your words. I just might send them there one day with the kind request to keep them.”
Elladan and Elrohir hugged him from behind. “Nay, you’d only miss us adar.”
Elrond sighed as he smiled. “ I think I would.”

Galadriel came to them and smiled. “I shall miss you. You must come visit us soon. All of you.”
Elrond smiled. “Ah, but someone has to rule this realm.”

Erestor shook his head and went to see if the soldiers had enough food for the journey. Arwen and Aragorn smiled as they saw the happy picture their family presented and allowed Eldarion to run to them. Elrond extended his arms to catch his grandson and pulled him close. He smiled at Celeborn. “Now I know how you felt when my children were little.”
Celeborn smiled. “Too bad we don’t see so much of our great grandchild.”

Eldarion smiled as his grandfather held him effortlessly. “Ata’da? C sta stay here? I want to learn how to fight.”
Elrond laughed at him and nodded. “I have no objections, pen-neth. But what do your parents say?”
Aragorn smiled. “We think it is a great idea. But we’ll be going home soon ata.”
Elrond nodded and his look became sad. “I see. Legolas has been unable to change your mind then?”
Arwen frowned. “You’ve send Legolas to change my mind?” Elrond smiled and nodded.
Before Arwen could scream at her father Aragorn stopped her. “We haven’t seen him since breakfast.”
Elrond’s eyes narrowed and Arwen’s widened when she read worry in them. Wouldn’t it be more normal for him to become angry at Legolas?

Celeborn and Galadriel mounted and bowed for the last embraces. Suddenly Galadriel’s eyes lit up and she smiled warmly at the door behind her family. “Glorfindel. Legolas. I was afraid I would not see you two anymore.”
Legolas walked closer and took her hand. “I would not allow you to leave without at least saying farewell. Namárië an sí.”
Galadriel smiled and leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead. “Namárië an sí, Legolas Thranduilion.”

Celeborn repeated the farewell and would have loved to jump of and hug him but he sensed Legolas was too strained right now. He frowned and leaned forward again. “Manná?”
Legolas shook his head and clasped his hand. “Worry not and travel safe.”
Elrond smiled at the exchange and exchanged a look of understanding with Galadriel before he bowed his head in promise.

Glorfindel’s eyes were glued on Haldir and the expression promised death should the Warden make a wrong move. Haldir was oblivious to it and steered his horse closer to those of Celeborn and Galadriel. “Forgive me my lord but we should leave.” His eyes briefly rested on Legolas with a promising predatorily look.
Glorfindel saw and lashed out. He jumped forward and in between Legolas and Haldir. “I warned you, Haldir. Return and I’ll do something I haven’t done since the kinslayings.” His voice was cold and promising.
Celeborn sighed and nodded his head in promise to Glorfindel. Haldir would hear of this. They turned and left.

Elrond narrowed his eyes and turned Glorfindel around. “Did you just threaten Haldir?”
Glorfindel nodded. “And with reason. Excuse me.”
Elrond stopped him. “You still have the robe, Glorfindel. I did not give it to you to keep it.”
Glorfindel led. ed. “It wouldn’t fit me anyway.” He tossed it through the air. “Here.” Legolas effortlessly caught it as he trembled on his legs.

Aragorn approached and embraced him. “Come, my friend. Tell me.”
Legolas smiled but shook his head, clutching at the robe.

Elrond’s eyes widened as realisation dawned on him. /That was Legolas??????/ With one fast stride he blocked Glorfindel’s path. “What happened? Did he hurt Legolas?”
Glorfindel narrowed his eyes. “Why would you care?” He shrugged at Elrond’s outraged look. “Everybody knows how you think of Thranduil and Legolas. So why do you care?”
Elrond exploded and poor Glorfindel was called things even an orc would be ashamed of. The golden haired elda stood and stoically heard the ramblings signalling for the os tos to go inside.

Elladan and Elrohir went to Aragorn and Legolas while Arwen hovered about. She knew her father needed her after he had calmed down.

End chapter 06
TBC

Translations:
Namárië an sí means farewell for now
-ion : ion means son and when it’s placed behind a name it means son of.
Manna? Means what is (it)?