Gondor's King

Chapter 6

Entering the banquet hall I gasp audibly at the sight that greets me. The laughter of the elves as they dance and sing is far beyond any I have ever heard. My councillors are also stunned by the sight of the elven banquet for I believe it is their first real sight of a party elvish style. We cannot help but be swept up with the light hearted mood of the whole room and we all break out into smiles as two young elf maidens dance past us, their sweet voices like honey upon the melodic music that fills the hall. I hear my name being called and I turn a little to my left to see Gimli standing on a chair and gesturing for us to join him at the long wooden table that stretches the length of the hall. Straightening myself in my robes I walk steadily over to Gimli and take the offered seat next to him, after he has kicked out one of his own advisors to provide me with a seat.

“Ahh is this not exciting Aragorn? Good food, fine company and delightful music. I challenge you to find better hospitality than this in other realms.” I laugh heartily at Gimli’s jest as he pours me a glass of fey wine and gestures for one of his servants to serve me a selection of food from the great feast, which is elaborately laid out on the table in front of me. Glancing down the table I note that my councillors and men seem to be having an exceedingly good time and I allow them the freedom from duties to enjoy what Mirkwood has to offer during our stay.

“So tell me Gimli, Arophili, is he your first son?” Gimli turns his attentions away from the dwarf woman sitting next to him to address my question.

”Yes he is and his arrival has been very much anticipated.” Gimli smiles gnatunaturedly as he takes a huge bite from a loaf of bread and washes it down with wine before continuing. “He is my only son now among my seven daughters.” My shock at hearing about Gimli’s family is clearly readable on my face and Gimli laughs heartily at my reaction. “Do not looked so shocked Aragorn each of them are from my six wives, the last two of them twins. I am sure you understand that now with an heir to my kingdom I can maybe find a little peace and quiet from the duties of a married life.” Gimli raises a knowing eyebrow at me and I nod in silent understanding. It is true that in this world that to have noble lineage is to have a common duty in marriage, no matter what race you come from.

Finding myself feeling thoroughly full with food I relax back into my seat and sip slowly from my wine as I take in the sights and sounds around me. For the first time since arriving I notice Legolas’s absence from the festivities. Glancing around the hall for any sight of him I finally come to the conclusion that he is not at his own banquet, which I find exceedingly strange.

“Gimli? Where is Greenleaf is he not at this feast?” Gimli huffs a contemptible laugh at my comment before rolling his eyes.

”Master Elf never attends his own feasts, he eats alone in the gardens before making an informal entrances later on. He will be here but in his own time.” Gimli turns back to the woman next to him to continue talking and I’m left considerably confused at why Legolas seems to be shying away from mass company. It is in his nature to be a shy creature but during our time together in the past he has portrayed nothing but enthusiastic inquisitiveness for all company so this new information about my friend is quite astonishing.

After a while of watching the dances I find myself wishing for some silence to be allowed to think. Politely I excuse myself from the table and move towards an open doorway, which looks to lead onto a balcony of some sort. I avoid a few young maidens who attempt to get me to dance before stepping out into the warm summeght.ght. The air is fresh out here not polluted by the smells of food and incense. After a few deep breaths I wander quietly along the balcony my hand idly dragging along the sandstone railing that separates me from the high drop from the balcony to the darkened forest floor below. My mind runs over everything that has happened since meeting Legolas this morning. Every word he has uttered I have dissected for any alternative meaning. The thoughts of Legolas that I had not allowed myself to think of when Arwen was by my side, now begin to engulf my mind. Memories of the fellowship and the time spent together have taken over my dreams so that I can no longer sleep without his image burned into my sight. I am resigned to the fact that I have fallen in love with him all over again if indeed I ever fell out of love with him in the first place. The soft touch of his lips against mine when we parted back in Rohan have tortured my every thought and now in his presence again I pyne his his companionship and so much more. As I draw further away down the balcony the music from the banquet hall fades and I only realise how far I have walked when I come to an unfamiliar open doorway and can no longer hear any thing but the night sounds around me.

Silently I curse my inattention to my wanderings and I turn, ready to return the way I came along the balcony. I may wander freely in my own palace but it is rude to do so in another’s. Voices from the doorway however cause me to pause in my retreat and I become frozen to the spot at the sound of Legolas’s melodic voice. I should know better than to wander freely in a palace not my own and eaves drop onto the King of Mirkwood’s conversation but I cannot help myself. There are several distinct voices in the room as I shift quietly to stand flat against the wall away from the line of sight from the open doorway. Some of the voices I recognise as Legolas and Haldir but the others I am unsure of. They speak in high elvish and although not understanding every word I am able to understand most of what is being discussed.

”Are you sure of what you speak? They may have merely been men from Arnor again as in previous raids.” Legolas’ tone is decidedly ominous and serious as he address whoever is in there with him and I wonder suddenly what has caused the distress.

”I am certain my lord. The riders bear the mark of the Rohan guard. Their swift at is is unlike any of Arnor we have seen before. Compared to the slave trader’s random attacks these riders seemed to pick their victims.” My breath falters at the subject of concern and I feel myself stiffen visibly as I wait for Legolas’sly. ly. However there is silence and I hear from inside as someone moves closer to the open doorway. I remain frozen and still as I spot out of the corner of my eye Legolas, standing stone faced in the doorway, staring out into the night. His normally bright eyes are clouded a little and have darkened to an abnormal sea blue.

“They have taken two warriors from their posts on the gates. Both of them young, pretty of face and not yet in their majority. These Rohan riders are bold Greenleaf, they have alternative motives to slavery and trade I am sure of it.” I feel a shiver run up my spine at the coldness of Haldir’s tone. I am useless to know what is going on from my own kingdom as I have been away for so long but this does not seem right. My guard have never been permitted to travel this far north without my consent and I fear that in my absence from court, decisions have been made at liberty. I remain unmoving but I clench my fists at my side aware now that I must return home to Minas Tirith or fear a frayed alliance between the elves and my people. I watch from the corner of my eyes as Legolas sighs heavily and Haldir comes to stand next to him. “I do not trust Elessar. His coming to Mirkwood is quite unexpected and unnecessarily called for. You said yourself that he has long been absent from these lands, why now should he come to stay when it is clear he has no formal business here.” I grate my teeth together at Haldir’s sharp and suspicious tongue. I see that he has never lost the suspicion of everything, which he had as a march warden in Lorien. Although I cannot blame him for voicing his concerns a little faith in our friendship wouldn’t have gone a miss. I myself do not know of this event they speak of and am not sure myself what to think of it. Legolas remains quiet for another few moments before shaking his head vehemently.

“I can not believe Aragorn would know of this. He has far to higher regard for elves to condone and encourage this sort of behaviour towards us. He was brought up by us and is all but kin in blood. His coming here was a long overdue promise that he did not wish to break, I can not think ill of his intentions…” Legolas turns away from the doorway and disappears back into the room. I can still see their shadows on the floor of the balcony and I remain still but relax a little knowing Legolas has not lost faith in our friendship. “….. However what I think it is irrelevant considering the evidence.” I can’t help but choke as Legolas continues quite unannounced. “Have a guard posted outside the quarters of his and his men. None of them are to be unaccompanied, at anytime during their stay here. When they do leave I will accompany them to the boarder personally. I want trackers to follow the Rohan riders and report back to me alone, of their intended destination and of their activities. The boarder patrols are to be increased and anyone who passes in and out of our land must have a pardon personally authorised by the king, any one found in breech shall be brought to my feet to explain themselves.” Inside the room I hear movement and watch as most of the people inside the room leave via another exit to perform their instructed duties leaving just Haldir and Legolas alone. There is a deathly silence from the pair and I watch the shadows as Haldir moves over to Legolas and gently embraces his lord.

“Be still my love, I am sure your prediction is correct. Aragorn could not know of this betrayal of him. Let us hope his character has not been tainted by his years on the throne and let us pray he returns home soon so that this unexpected behaviour from his subjects towards our people does not happen again.” I feel saddened as I watch Haldir gently kiss Legolas on the lips before he pulls away and smiles warmly. “Is there anything else you would like of me before I return to my own duties?” Legolas nods easily and turns back to stare out at the night sky.

“Yes, I want a message sent to Lord Elrond. Will you collect it from my chamber after the festivities in the banquet hall?” I watch as Haldir bows in acceptance and moves to exit the room as Legolas continues to gaze sadly out of the doorway to my right unaware of my presence. “Haldir.” The elder elf pauses at Legolas’s softly spoken command. “You may sleep in your own chambers tonight, I do not wish for your company. I have a headache.” The words are cold from Legolas’ and I inwardly shiver having never heard him speak so.

“Yes my lord as you wish. I shall give your apologises to Gimli and the others for your absence at the festivities.” Legolas nods silently and I’m quite taken back by how disappointed Haldir sounds at being rejected by his lover. “If you should require anything else my lord I shall be in the Library.” With that Haldir finally leaves and I fall into desolate helplessness as Legolas slumps his posture and closes his eyes in despair.

”My beloved Estel, are we to always be kept apart by duty?” The sadness and regret that Legolas’s whispered words bring to my heart makes me shake and I have to physically brace myself against the wall as Legolas moves away from the window and finally disappears. When all is silent I sigh audibly and close my eyes in regret of a lost opportunity so many years ago. Eventually I recover myself and anger takes over with determination as I replay the conversation over in my mind. I must return home and see what has befallen my court as it is obvious that something is not right. I will not have my kingdom sever ties with the elves through selfish behaviour and those that are responsible will be charged with treason and made to pay with their lives. Standing from the wall I stride quickly back down the balcony intent on speaking with my guards and councillors before retiring to my room. We will leave tomorrow at first light with no exceptions. I shall not be betrayed by my own people.

TBC…………………..