The secret life

Part 6

Between Greenwood and the Misty Mountains, 1432 T.A.

They were on their way home for hours now. Elrond gazed over the landscape, the sun setting over the Misty Mountains afar. He couldn’t wait to get to Imladris again for he missed his wife and daughter. If it were up to him, they would ride allthrough the night, but he knew that soon he had to call for a rest, feeling his little charge was already exhausted. Once again the elvenlord let his mind wander off, thinking about the new task he agreed upon:

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“You want me to take him to Imladris?” Elrond watched the Greenwood King in disbelieve.
“Yes – I want to place him in your care. Take him with you, raise him, not as my heir but as a warrior. Keep him safe for me. Let him become a happy young elf... His safety and happiness always were the only things I desired, yet I cannot provide him with that, not here.”
“But won’t he miss you terribly?”
“Yes – as I would miss him. Except for my wife, Legolas was the only light in my life these last years. I love him dearly – that’s why I have to let him go.”
Elrond walked to the window, he furrowed his brow and thought about everything, he had just learned. He wasn’t sure if it was right to take the child from his parents, from his home. But on the other hand this was the only way for Legolas to live as a boy...
“I agree – but you must let him decide wether he’s going with us or not. I know he’s still young, but if you explain him the consequences of this decision... I do not want to tear a child from his parents!”
“I will ask him tonight... and Elrond, one more thing: you will tell no one that he’s my ion, won’t you?”
“I cannot promise you this... I don’t keep secrets from my family... and I think Glorfindel should know about this, because he’s to protect the pen-neth. But trust me, I will do everything I can to ensure his safety!”
“Hannon le, mellon”
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His back hurt and he was tired. They were now on their way for hours. He was placed on Elronds black mare, in front of the elvenlord. Only very slowly Legolas got used to the feeling of sitting on horseback – he was still a little afraid of the big animals. Of course he had seen horses in Greenwood before, but he had never ridden one.
Elrond now placed a hand on his shoulders and gestured the party to stop. He was lifted from the mare and sat down on the grass. His thoughts went back to his departure this morning...


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Two saddlebags had been packed with his few belongings. Just an hour left before he would leave Greenwood with those strangers to live with them in a foreign land... Doubts blossomed in his heart... Was it the right thing to do? To leave his family? But then again his two greatest wishes in life would possibly come true: He would become a warrior, a warrior like Haldir, and he would have friends!
In order to draw no attention to the departure of the Imladris party and the young prince, it was settled, that Legolas and his family would tell their good-byes in a secluded part of the royal gardens.
First the young one turned to Kela and her husband and burried his nanny in a deep hug.
“I will miss you, Kela.”
“As will I! Be a good boy at Elronds court... show them what a Greenwood prince is made of!” Kela wiped a tear from her eyes.
“And don’t forget, Lord Elrond is a master healer himself... not to compare with me of course –“ Séregon winked “- but still talented in some ways... You should be able to continue your healing lessons after all.”
Legolas laughed. “Oh Séregon... Kela... you two were always so kind to me – like family. You ARE my family.”
He went on and stood in front of his mother.
“Nana!”
“Oh my sweet one... what should I say. I don’t want to let you go, but I have to.” The queen reached for her neck, unfastened a necklace with a beautiful little green gemstone and gave it to her son.
“I want you to have this, that you will never forget me and my love for you.”
“I could never possibly forget you... I love you too!”
Tears started flowing and the queen kissed her son’s face all over. Thranduil felt, that it would become only more difficult for both of them with every second, this scene went on, so he placed an arm around Legolas shoulders and led him away from his mother.
“Legolas, ion-nîn. How many years have I longed to call you that – but I never thought it would be at your parting. I hope that one day, you can forgive me all those lies of your past. I love you so much, you must believe me, I never wanted to hurt you. And although you cannot live as my heir, you musn’t forget, where you’re coming from. You are MY ION, and I am so proud of you.” He drew his son at his muscular chest.
“Namarie, ion-nîn.”
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A fire was lit, the Imladris elves gathered around to warm themselves at its flames. They ate lembas and drank from their waterskins, laughter was heard. Legolas sat a little bit aside the others, alone and lost in his thoughts. But he was roused from his musings, when suddenly a tall, blond elf let himself fall in the grass beside him.
“You don’t mind if I sit down here, do you? You’ve found the best place out here, you know... the grass is the softest here and the wind drifts the smoke away from us...”
“I don’t mind, suit youself...”
“Do you want some lembas? You should eat something...”
“No, thank you.”
“You’re right... I don’t like this dry stuff either... hey, I’ve got an apple left, here, you can have it. But please, I beg you, do not tell the twins... They would go for some kinslaying if they knew, I gave you the last apple.”
“Thank you. My name is Legolas!”
“I know. I am Glorfindel.”
“Glorfindel of Gondolin, Lord of the house of the golden flower, the mighty balrog slayer, THIS Glorfindel???”
“The very same... but forget about the balrog, it was the most stupid thing to do. Well, I told that creature, a fight would lead to nothing... I said, we could try to sort things out between us in a more civilized way, master balrog, we could sit down, have a tea.... but the creature wouldn’t listen. Balrogs can be so stubborn!”
Glorfindel sighed theatrically and Legolas couldn’t help but giggle.
“Ah, pen-neth, I knew you can smile! ... Elrond told me you want to become a warrior?”
“Yes, it’s my greatest wish!”
“So eager... very promisingly. I think I will train you myself, till you’re old enough to join the other guards... would you like that? But hey, be careful with your answer. Erestor always says that, as soon as I got my sword in hands, I turn into a possessed and empty-headed troll!”
“Erestor?”
“Yes, Elronds chief advisor and the twins tutor. You can recognize him easily... always clad in black, his skin pale and when he glares at you, you freeze... Sometimes I truly think he’s a ghost! Very creepy!” Glorfindel rolled his eyes and made some howling noise and Legolas laughed...
“Ah, there it was again. Two smiles in only five minutes. That’s what I call a success! - So, what say you now, do you want me to train you and become your captain in the not too distant future?”
“Yes, Lord Glorfindel, I think I would like that.”
“Good. In that case your captain has two orders for you... first, never again call me LORD Glorfindel, I feel ancient when I hear that. It’s Glorfindel in private and captain, when you are joining my warriors...”
“And the second one?”
“The second is: Let’s get some sleep. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired to my old bones. We will continue our journey early in the morning, so you better try to get as much sleep as you can, it will be a long day tomorrow.”
“Glorfindel... may I ask you something about tomorrow?”
“Ask!”
“Can I... I mean, would you... perhaps... ask Lord Elrond if I can ride with you, if you don’t mind? It’s not that I do not like him, but he’s always so... dignified! I simply do not know what to talk about with him.”
Glorfindel chuckled. “Dignified, huh... Oh, you will witness him loosing all his dignity, if we reach Imladris and he can embrace his beloved Celebrian again. But I understand you and I certainly do not mind, neither will Elrond. But have you seen my stallion Asfaloth? He is the biggest horse in Imladris and since you are a little afraid of horses...”
“I will manage... as long as you are riding with me...”
“Brave! Alright, you will ride with me tomorrow. But now sleep, it’s already late!”

***

Legolas rode with Glorfindel not only the next day, but the entire journey. On the sixth day they came to a halt on a mountaintop, from which they overlooked a beautiful valley, surrounded by trees and little waterfalls. Legolas held his breath at the sight of this beauty and heard Glorfindel’s voice near his ear: “Welcome to Imladris, pen-neth!”


Translation:

ion - son
pen-neth - little one
Hannon le - thank you
mellon - friend
ion-nîn - my son
namarie - farewell


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Sorry, it took me a little longer to update this story, but I haven't been at home often these days... Hope you enjoyed reading :-)

Every kind of feedback is very welcome...

Greetings,

Githoniel