Hîr o Meril Thaifn [Lord of Rose Pillars]

Hîr o Meril Thaifn

"The Lord of Rose
Pillars"

by erobey

Italics=thoughts

Disclaimer: see Contents


NOTE: I am terribly sorry to have left this story hanging this way! I have several chapters ready and will try to get caught up again.


Part Six: Gandalf Expounds.


Cebir Fain [White Cliffs] was larger than the entirety of the vale
between the Bruinen and the Hithaeglir. The region was named for the
huge escarpment of white limestone that rose more than a hundred metres
above the strand-line. The impressive landmark spanned a goodly portion
of the southern coast of Eldamar for seven leagues at least, giving way
in the north to a softer landscape of rolling dunes capped with waving
sea oats. The white cliffs gleaming under the sun, or sometimes the
moon depending on the general timing of the individual sailor, were
often the first sight of Valinor an elf beheld upon completing the
Crossing. Of course, all had done so many thousands of years ago and no
ships had crested the horizon of Cebir Fain in all that time.

Naturally, Elrond had claimed the choicest spot on the heights to build
his estate, seizing far more acres than was entirely fair, in Erestor's
opinion. The survivor of Gondolin was as much an Elven Lord as the
Master of the Peredhel clan and who would dare imply Glorfindel was
less worthy than Elrond? Yet, due to his esteemed father and mother's
high place of favour among the Valar, no one defied the Ages-old elf
his selection. Lord Elrond and his lovely Lady Celebrian dwelt in a
most elegantly graceful home perched right upon the precipice, it
seemed, and enjoyed both the spectacular view and the constant
murmuring clamour of the ocean's breathing.

Erestor's palazzo did not overlook the sea and while it was certainly
less grand than the Peredhel mansion just down the ridge a ways, it was
more house than the solitary bachelor had ever occupied in all his long
long years of life in Middle-earth. Finer, even, than his Adar and
Naneth's spectacular villa in Gondolin was Meril Thaifn. The building
was constructed of masonry and faced entirely in pink fossiliferous
limestone quarried from a an ancient reef deposit located several tens
of kilometres inland from the coast. That always impressed anyone who
came to visit, for getting the beautiful rock out of the quarry and
back to the site of the structure had been a chore of monumental
proportions. It was the first thing people remarked, privately of
course, when they thought Erestor was beyond hearing: 'Must have cost
him a fortune!'

This was not far from the truth, for while the elder children of
Iluvatar were not shy of dedication, concentrated effort, or hard work,
quarrying stone was not a task any elf would anticipate with pleasure.
It was for back-breaking travail such as this that the First-born truly
missed the Younger offspring of Eru and Aulë. To get the
labour done, Erestor had engaged in a complicated and lengthy bartering
procedure, for gold coin was not legal tender in the Undying Lands.

The first thing that happened to an elf upon reaching the Furthest West
was a thorough customs inspection of every item carried from the
Severed Realms. Everyone tried to smuggle in something: plants, seeds
of plants, fruits of plants, medicinal concoctions of unrevealed herbal
components, animals and pets of all species along with their associated
parasites, birds, silk-worms, even butterflies still in the cocoon.
Aiwendil was said to have been the very worst, for being a wizard his
means of disguising his cargo was great. Apparently he had taken a
mating pair of birds from every species native to his beloved
Rhosgobel,
shrunk them, froze them, coated them in plaster and tried to pass them
off as a collection of keepsakes.

Nonetheless, the inspectors were Istari as well, and one whispered
unlocking spell was all it had taken to reveal the ruse. The avian
contraband had been passed to one of Yavanna's followers, who had sent
them back to their home at once. But that was not all Radagast was
guilty of and the birds proved to have been but a diversion. It was
soon discovered, after a most impressive show of spell-breaking and
counter-incantating that went on for nearly an entire day and night,
that the Brown Wizard was attempting to sneak a viable dragon's egg,
disguised as a large black pearl, into the Blessed Realm.

Dammand had
been there and reported to his son that the old Ainu actually wept,
insisting he could domesticate the creature, when Yavanna herself
showed up to see, then refused to allow the beast to hatch and
destroyed it on the spot.

At any rate, coin was counted, weighed, assayed for purity and replaced
with vouchers of equal value. Gold, mithril, and silver were used for
ornamentation only, whether as personal adornment in rings and
necklaces and such, works of art, or as inlay and leaf over
architectural endeavours and upon various furniture constructions.
Trumpets of silver were common and harp-strings were often spun from
gold in Aman.

The resulting vouchers, made of delicate squares of dyed silk fabric
more sheer than the gossamer of dragonfly wings, could be traded for
absolutely anything one desired, and hence the very second thing that
happened to the new immigrants was a veritable assault by an eager
horde of agents offering everything from a simple meal after a long
journey to shares in Vanyarin Commodity Brokerage Houses. What with
many of these sales-elves being friends and blood-kin of the new
arrivals, it was often quite difficult to refuse such offers and many
an elf found themselves considerably less well-off than before they had
left the docks in Mithlond. Erestor had no trouble whatsoever saying
no, and indeed his reputation, accompanied by his forbiddingly cold and
haughty stare, prevented him from even having to utter the word in most
cases.

The wily former seneschal had moved in with his parents, temporarily he
informed quite loudly and frequently whenever anyone had the nerve to
ask, and traded his vouchers with care and discretion. He amassed a
stockpile of various works of art, jewellery, shares in a multitude of
vineyards, and land. In less than two-hundred years, the former
ambassador/statesman became one of the best vintners in all of Valinor.
He had won numerous awards for his creations and his vintages were
highly prized among the elite of the Vanyar. It was said that
Inwë would have no other wine upon his tables or in his
cellars than that of Meril Thaifn.

That put Thranduil and his House's New Dorwinion wineries in second
place. This was quite a point of contention between the Sinda and the
Noldo, for the former King was not accustomed to being lesser than
someone of Erestor's class, whom had only been one of Elrond's higher
ranked servants, after all. In fact, the chilly relationship had begun
long before the passage to Aman, even long before Legolas' birth. It
came about during the Watchful Peace at a Festival of the Summer
Solstice in Greenwood, to which all the worthy among elvendom's
remaining realms had been invited.

During the revelry, the seneschal to
Elrond's House had attended a wine-tasting event, having a rather
discriminating and cultivated palate, and had actually wrinkled up his
nose in displeasure upon sampling the famed Dorwinion, declaring the
after-taste too bitter and the bouquet, if such a stench could be so
called, reminiscent of worm medicine with which hound pups were dosed.

Of course the comment was not truly so vitriolic but through repeated
iteration had gained in both acrimony and length by the time it reached
the King's ears. Only his gentle wife's serenely soothing words
prevented Thranduil from calling Erestor out for a duel of honour, for
to hear his beloved Ithilloth [Moonflower] state that it was 'only a
sip of wine from one whom could not know better' calmed him. The
seneschal found out about the unfortunate misunderstanding and worked
hard to eradicate the harm, under Elrond's commanding irritation at
being so shamed by one of his most trusted advisors, and told anyone
who would hear him how unwise it was to participate in wine tasting
after indulging a passion for fish and fried onions.

Well, Thranduil and Elrond were appeased if seething in silence, but
Erestor resented having to fabricate regarding his true opinion of the
wine. His actual assessment had been that it was overbearing and heavy,
acidic and lacking in bouquet, and to that he privately held. Oh, elves
could get drunk from it very quickly, to be sure, but that seemed to be
its only redeeming quality. Except, perhaps, that if watered down a bit
it might make a suitable anthelmintic for equine intestinal annelid
infestation.

That was when Erestor first began studying the growing of vines and the
fermenting of grapes, quite certain he could do a better job of it than
the Sinda Lord of the Forest east of the Hithaeglir. Arriving in
Valinor a full three hundred years ahead of Thranduil and his remaining
Wood Elves had given the Noldo ample time to put these theories into
practice and establish his place among the First-born.

Despite great effort and insidious espionage expended to learn the
noble Lord's secrets, Thranduil never won a single wine-tasting
competition against Erestor in the several thousand years since the
inception of New Dorwinion vineyards. By the time the Sinda Lord had
reached Eldamar, the Noldo had already procured the better land,
acquired the most experienced viticulturists, prepared the best
locations and methods for aging, and employed the most intelligent of
Yavanna's horticulturalists in breeding completely new varieties of
grapes, crossing them with the most unlikely of species to produce
flavours never before even imagined among the First-born. Thranduil was
forced to accept the secondary position and the concept rankled in his
soul.

It became an unofficial slogan of the House of Meril Thaifn that it was
best not to imbibe the results of Thranduil's distilleries, for it was
purported that a portion of the former King's raw personality was
imparted to every bottle corked. Thus, Erestor's capital grew and he
had been able to afford the huge drain upon his resources building the
manor house had required.

The home was gracefully designed with a columned portico all the way
around it on every level to capture the sea breeze and allow enjoyment
of the warm, ever-summer climate maintained by Manwë's lesser
apprentices. The supports were constructed of the uniquely coloured
stone and decreased in width just slightly with each succeeding story.
They were shallowly fluted, polished to a glossy finish and unadorned
from base to capitol. Thereupon was carved every species and variety of
flower and herb that Erestor could recall from his Naneth's garden in
the Hidden City.

She had thought this a fine idea, upon coming to visit
his new home for the first time, but pointed out that he had forgot at
least two dozen varieties. The lovely relief work was not the real
marvel of the columns, however, for Erestor had diverted some of the
estate's water supply and turned every other support along the first
floor front veranda into a flowing fountain.

Cool liquid trickled down the sides of the stones from the capitols,
running in softly muted tones like rainfall, gentler than a laughing
brook, less overt than the singing cascade of a high-shooting jet. The
floor of the main porch, which was level with the lush green sward, was
paved in mosaic-sized tiles, some composed of pale green limestone
bearing stunning black stylolites threaded with strings of golden
pyrite and the rest of soft, contrasting, pure white marble. These
minute flags were arranged in a pattern that formed an intricate
fractal design reminiscent of the dance of shadow and light created by
sunshine riding the crests of curling breakers to the shore. By setting
the floor at a subtle angle, the trailing fluid from the columns
drained into a small culvert and was in turn recycled, pumped back up
to the ceiling level to bathe the glistening pink columns continuously.

This calm, shaded space had several scattered groups of graceful
benches composed of the white limestone and assorted tables wrought
from the green. Various vines and potted flowering plants were
aesthetically placed up and down the porch's length, hanging from the
ceiling in baskets or spilling out of huge tubs of the white rock. An
entire row of miniature Lemon and Orange trees formed a second set of
pillars just outside the lithic ones and their diminutive stature made
the three-storied house look immence. The trees had been a gift from
Celebrian, for she had perfected the art of growing dwarfed varieties
of various trees during her long separation from her mate and children.
Some of her creations were so small they fit in table-top sized pots,
yet had lived hundreds of years and looked it, limbs and trunks gnarled
and twisted.

Thus was the inviting scene of the formal veranda to which guests were
welcomed upon invitation to one of the Noldo noble's lavish
soirées.
The porch along the east-facing side of the house had no flowing
fountains and was more private, being reserved for the use of those
assigned to the two guest suites on the ground level. The furniture was
not as impressive, being constructed of cedar wood and wrought iron
rather than carved from the lovely rock, but was just as comfortable.
True, visitors assigned to the lower apartments were not considered as
important in rank as those given the more elegant quarters above
stairs, but that did not mean the rooms were less gracious. It was just
that, when the Vanyar came to call, it was best to keep some distance
between the Moriquendi and the Calaquendi.

Erestor was not wont to
entertain Wood Elves, but he had numerous friends among the Galadhrim
and even these were counted lesser folk when compared to the people of
Inwë. Other than Galion and Tulus' kin, Legolas was the first Wood
Elf
Erestor had ever actually hosted at Meril Thaifn. Not that he was
prejudiced, exactly, but the situation between their King and the Noldo
rather inhibited socialising with the elusive forest folk.

The woodland
elves had changed little since relocating to Valinor and were just as
secretive as ever, sequestered amid a tremendous tropical rainforest in
an otherwise uninhabited region of Aman, wherein it was rumoured they
had become completely wild, even their speech devolving into a dialect
of Sindarin that was such in name only and could not be understood
among the people of other realms. Few knew the real story, for the
silvans had little desire to mingle with the Calaquendi or rub
shoulders with the Powers, and they had never had much use for the
Noldor even before the emigration. Visits from Yavanna and
Oromë were tolerated with stoic patience.

Legolas, however, was not pure-blooded Wood Elf, and his wildness
consisted of the more common sort associated with spoiled youths
regardless of lineage. Erestor had thought so, at any rate, until
recent events. Now he had the disreputable elf under his roof and was
quite determined to learn the truth. The untimely arrival of Elrond's
twins was making the task quite difficult, and the noble Lord of Meril
Thaifn struggled to rebuild his dignity in the aftermath of his
uncharacteristic groping of the forest prince in his care.

"I have no intention of letting Elrohir 'see to him'! What do you think
I was trying to prevent before your attack upon my person?" he demanded
through clenched jaws, straining against the elder twin's grip.

"What? You had your grubby hands all over him! You are the one under
suspicion here; Elrohir has never harmed Legolas!" countered
Elladan, enclosing his other hand over the former seneschal's wrist to
strengthen his hold.

"Neither have I! And I did not mean to do that; Elrohir had already got
him aroused and I was distracted by his…by certain admirable
attributes. I cannot help it that Legolas is well-formed and so highly
responsive. Valar! I must go to him and apologise at once; he must
think me an odious ogre!" Erestor sought to break loose from Elladan's
iron-fisted grasp upon his
arm and failed.

The two ellyn's [male elves'] eyes joined in silent combat as each
strived, one to liberate himself the other to prevent it, glaring their
most intimidating stares. They were evenly matched in fortitude both of
muscle and malignant glowers, however, and a stand-off ensued. Finally,
as tempers and temperatures rose, Erestor resorted to extortion,
threatening the eldest of Elrond's sons with the only thing known to
transform the fearless former Orc-slayer into an elven Lord of genteel
deportment.

"Unhand me, you disrespectful hooligan! How dare you lay hands on me in
my own home! I shall make sure Celebrian learns of it immediately! What
do you imagine her reaction to this, your callous handling of her
beloved's kinsman, is likely to be?"

Elladan's minuscule flinch of the shoulders as his cheek paled,
accompanied by a definite if fleeting sweep of dire panic behind his
dilating pupils, was not missed by the former seneschal. But, the
fierce veteran of the Ring War rallied the next instant.

"She will be far more devastated to learn of your mishandling of our
woodland friend! I dare say she will report the story to your mother!"
The eldest twin knew he had scored a hit as Erestor's eyes went wide in
surprise and his furious tugging and twisting wavered. Elladan smirked.

A moment too soon.

"I have known Celebrian for Ages," retorted Hîr o Meril Thaifn
[Lord of Rose Pillars]. "She would never believe such a foul
besmirching of my character! She will be humiliated if Naneth finds out
it is you and Elrohir spreading this malicious rumour, for the two work
closely with Estë in Mandos. How can you place your naneth in such
a mortifying predicament, unable to defend her sons' actions to her
best friend and colleague?" Erestor heard Elladan's gasp of dismay and
felt the loosening of the fingers digging in to his forearm. He pressed
on toward victory.

"Can you explain this? Exactly what are you two doing here in the first
place, your brother invading unannounced across the gardens while you
go trespassing through my house? I do not recall inviting you and
Legolas' presence is hardly coincidental. Wait till Celebrian hears
that Elrohir was pawing the poor elf's privates even as Legolas lay,
barely conscious, unable to fend off such undesired molestation. I dare
say it was not the first offence, was it?"

"You would not dare repeat any such thing to her!" gasped Elladan, but
he let go of Erestor's arm and stepped back nonetheless, a fiery blush
creeping over his countenance that was not the result of their
strenuous contention. "We would never force anyone, much less Legolas!"

"You should both be ashamed of yourselves!" The stately elder elf
claimed his victory, resuming his former status as the Peredhel's
strict disciplinarian, and inflicted a stinging slap on the twin's
cheek, followed by snatching up Elladan's braids and giving his head a
sharp jerk for emphasis.

 

"Ah! Daro! I was not trespassing; Dammand let me in. Nor am I the one
at fault; we came out of love for Legolas and demand to know what you
are doing with him!" Elladan countered by stomping on his one-time
mentor's still unshod toes.

"Ai! Orcling! What is the matter with you? Have you been smoking
Olórin's pipeweed lately?" Erestor let go of Elladan's hair to
tenderly massage the bruised arch, hopping to retain his balance.

"Nay. I do not indulge in that vile habit," Elladan sighed and sat down
on one of the chairs. "Erestor, I am serious. What is going on between
you and Legolas? I must have your solemn word you did not cause him
those dreadful injuries."

"I will not defend myself again, Elladan, here in my own lands. I
should think your long acquaintance with me should be sufficient and if
not, then I fear you must leave and consider our friendship severed."
Erestor hobbled to the chaise and sat, glancing over his shoulder to
Legolas' rooms. It is awfully quiet in there.

"Valar! I did not like to think it could be true, but the evidence is
certainly damning! All of Adar's staff is fairly boiling like a pot of
jam over this."

"How can this be? We have only just returned!" groaned Erestor,
dropping his head in his hands.

"Do not blame me for that," Elladan shrugged. "It must be your folk
that let it slip. Exactly why, if you have nothing to hide, do you wish
Legolas' arrival to be secret?"

"It is for his sake, mostly, though I am not well pleased by the sort
of light this will cast upon my name."

"Then you admit it!" Elladan jumped up, pointing in accusing wrath at
his father's friend. "You are trying to keep your despicable behaviour
from becoming known! No doubt your plan was to intimidate Legolas into
remaining quiet, or worse, defending you as he has already done!"

"Baw! You are misrepresenting what I say! I have done nothing to
Legolas other than try to help him out of a terrible situation. He was
already like this when I found him. It was his desire to remain in a
hidden location until healed of his hurts, I am certain, based on
things he said and the remote region where I came upon him. Although it
is quite clear to me now that he could not have survived those injuries
without help." Upon saying this Erestor exhaled a shocked breath and
stood up abruptly, turning to gaze at the open windows to the Wood
Elf's rooms. "Oh Elbereth!" he whispered and sank back upon the
cushions in confusion and denial. Legolas could not wish for death.

"What?" demanded Elladan. "What are you thinking, Erestor? Tell me what
Legolas is involved in; Elrohir and I have known for long years that he
is engaged in some clandestine activity. He will never reveal anything
to us and confides only in Olórin, until now."

"Aye, and that is where we shall find the answers!" exclaimed the Noldo
Lord. He stood again and turned to re-enter the study but stalled as he
looked once more at the silent suite of his unhealthy guest. "Swear to
me that Elrohir will not molest him, using the Wood Elf's involuntary
response to stimulation as excuse to do so!"

"We never do that!"

"Do not tell me I saw otherwise, Elladan! Communicate with your brother
and inform him to keep his hands off, right now, or I will have you
both thrown off the grounds bodily!"

"There is no need," Elladan's flush of embarrassment returned. "I have
been sharing everything we 'discussed' with my brother. He in turn
reports that Legolas is highly upset and tried to leave, but due to
failing strength could not manage getting clothed and has been tucked
back under the covers. Alone. Elrohir will do nothing more than sing
him to sleep."

No sooner were the words spoken than the younger twin's fair voice rose
through the air and filled the space with a sweet and gentle crooning.
The words were ancient, a lullaby for babes, and one that Legolas
particularly favoured for it was this tune his Naneth would use,
coaxing him to reverie with its soothing tones when he was an elfling.

"Aye, he has good reason to be more than upset," mourned Erestor. "I
know not if he will ever forgive me, for I have abused him sorely, and
after an ordeal no one should ever have to endure. How could I let
myself get so beyond control like that? It has never happened before!"
The noble berated himself, pacing inside as he mentally cursed himself.
Spying the neglected tray, he once more found reason to chastise his
laxity as a host. "Eru's Arse! He has not eaten a thing in
Manwë only knows how many days! Tell Elrohir to fetch this and
try to make him consume something wholesome."

"Be calm, Erestor, Legolas will not hold any grudge; it is not his way.
Besides, he has a sort of soft spot for you, Eru alone knows why, and
it is not what you were doing that bothered him but rather that you
ceased doing it so suddenly," quoth Elladan as he followed at Erestor's
heels and ran right into him when the Lord froze in step and spun
around.

"Really? How do you know that? Did Elrohir transmit this knowledge to
you? Did Legolas actually say so?" he had taken hold of the younger
Noldo's tunic and was shaking him quite vigourously.

"Ai! Daro! What ails you? Yes, Elrohir states so, but we have known
this for Ages upon Ages. We know everything about Legolas' preferences;
in fact we are for the most part responsible for them."

"What?" Erestor let go and stared in undisguised distaste. The idea of
the twins causing Legolas to like or dislike him was appalling.

"Nay, not specifically in your case; we had nothing to do with that!"
Elladan chuckled to observe the relief that passed over his old tutor's
features. "But we took Legolas' virginity and taught him everything
about himself, what pleases him and what does not, all there is to
know. Perhaps I might be inclined to share this information with you,
should you convince me your intentions regarding my dearest friend are
honourable."

Erestor could only stare, mouth clammy as a desert arroyo, bewitched by
the visual imagining of this momentous event in the silvan elf's life.
That such initiation was conducted by the twin Lords of Imladris was a
commonly accepted rumour, but hearing the notion confirmed rendered the
interior display much more vivid and colourful. The Lord of Meril
Thaifn swallowed and heard his visitor laugh softly; Erestor frowned
through his disconcerted blush and resumed his original course through
the room.

"I am the veritable epitome of all that is considered honourable among
elf-kind, Elladan. We shall continue this discussion later. I have
difficulty accepting your words, however, for Olórin has
indicated otherwise. Come, I have questions for the wizard."

"And I have answers, Erestor!" spoke the Istar, his words winding down
from the stairs above the two elves' heads. "Follow me!"

Erestor was glad to see the Maia had resumed the more traditional form
utilised upon Middle-earth and preferred by Legolas. The Noldo did not
feel exactly comfortable talking to his doppelganger. He saw that the
wizard was heading back towards his study and this to pleased him, too,
for their speech would thus be unheard by the patient on the first
floor. Upon ushering Elladan in ahead of him, Erestor was about to shut
the door when Dammand came hurrying down the hall and shoved inside
also. The three elves sat and awaited the Istar's words.

"I say, Mithrandir, are you going to be switching back and forth like
this often during your stay here?" asked Dammand, amused to see the
elderly version of the mightiest among Manwë's disciples (and
<i>possibly</i> the Vala's son) warming his hands before
the fire in the grate.

"Never mind about that, Ada," scolded Erestor. "If that is what is
required to ensure Legolas' peace of mind, so be it."

Dammand's brows went up and he shared a quick glance with Elladan, who
nodded just slightly and returned a smug smile.

"Indeed," Olórin concurred as he filled his long clay pipe and
lit it with a sliver of kindling from the flames, "peace of mind is
what he dearly needs. He has been in a most vile situation of late and
has suffered horribly at the hands of one who would claim to be his
lover."

"Ah! Who is this despicable elf?" demanded Elladan. "We shall insist he
be tossed out into the Void for such crimes!"

"Alas, the situation is not so simple," the Istar sighed. "Legolas has
been a virtual prisoner of one of the Maiar for quite a long time. He
was willing enough when the relationship began, but over recent
centuries their interactions have become more and more abrasive.
Legolas is, above all else, very independent and a free spirit. Such a
one ought not be caged up, yet that is what Ring&#235 attempted to
do.

"Our silvan archer did not like it that all, and could not understand
such jealousy. To him, it became apparent that he meant nothing more to
his lover than a jewel would mean to Thranduil: something pretty to
show off and hoard solely for his own pleasure. Legolas was a
possession rather than a beloved companion."

"What does it matter if this Ringë is one of the Ainur? He has
broken the most basic rules of decency! Surely the Valar would not
protect him from just punishment," insisted Elladan.

"Aye, once Manwë hears of it the corrupt fiend will be out on
his arse, and good riddance!" averred Dammand with feeling. "I have
never even heard of Ringë, he cannot be very imminent."

Erestor kept quiet, sharing silent scrutiny with the Istar, for he knew
this was not the entire story.  He doubted if any of this was
true, for the physical personification of the watery Istar had been
more frightening than alluring. Legolas was unlikely to willingly be
the creature's companion in love. <i>Yet Legolas is not shallow;
if he found other qualities to admire he would grow to appreciate the
outer form regardless. And even I have heard he enjoys rough bed sport;
mayhap the Maia gave him that.</i> Erestor's heart sank over such
doubts, for with them came the realisation that he really knew nothing
of Legolas at all.

"The problem is that Ringë, anticipating Legolas' attempts to
sever the relationship, has already been talking to his betters,
inventing a plausible lie that unfortunately fits the Wood Elf's
personality. He has been putting it forward that Legolas defied the Law
of the Valar and returned to the Severed Realms to visit Arda again,"
Mithrandir delivered this summation and waited for the expected
exclamations of shocked disbelief to die off.

"It is true, for much the same did the Istar say to me, only
embellishing the tale to make Legolas seem to be an even worse
criminal," added Erestor, nodding as he held the Istar's sight. "He
told me Legolas was the cause of some deaths among the humans there."

"What?" shouted Elladan and jumped to his feet. "You have met the foul
defiler and did nothing to stop this?"

"I did stop it; Legolas is here in my house, Elladan." Erestor's quiet
voice chastened the Orc-slayer and he sat down again.

"Ai Valar! No one would believe such a thing!" Dammand proclaimed.
"Legolas would never knowingly put anyone in harm's way."

"I confess, before I understood the situation, I was inclined to accept
this was the case. The Maia is very convincing; do not underestimate
his ability to sway the thoughts of his peers and betters," cautioned
Erestor.

"Erestor is right," intoned Olórin over the denouncements of
the other two elves. "Ringë has powerful friends and is well
loved by Ulmo, who still watches over the fate of mortals beyond the
Sundering Sea. Ringë has always stayed more or less connected
to the Outer Realms and is one of the Vala's chief missionaries among
the human hordes. It is probably one of the ways Ringë was
able to seduce Legolas, offering him the chance to journey back to old
haunts and search for relatives of those long dead who were dear
friends of the silvan."

"Then you believe he did go across the sea?" Dammand was stunned.
"Whatever for? He could not possibly have hoped to trace the
descendants of Hobbits and Dwarves, let alone one family of humans amid
the millions swarming the Severed Realms now!"

"Oh yes, he would indeed hope such a thing," Elladan was nodding with
grim disappointment etched into his frowning brow. "It was for Gimli, I
would warrant, that he returned."

"Aye, that axe," Erestor grumbled. "Looking to return it to the
dwarves; a holy relic for Gimli's people to cherish."

They all fell silent, ruminating over the likelihood of such an
endeavour and how clever the jealous Maia was to have used this aspect
of the archer's character against him. And if this was believable to
the elves, it was quite clear that Ringë would much more
easily convince the Powers, who really could not know each individual
elf among all the inhabitants of Aman. Legolas' roguish reputation was
also against him; for if his respect for morals was so low then what
was a rule of law to him save something to get around?

"Legolas is in a bad spot," Elladan stated the obvious. "How are we
going to get him out of it?"

"Aye, we know he did not bring about anyone's demise on purpose. If
such a thing happened, he must have been in the middle of a war and
could not prevent it," posited Dammand. "The humans are always warring;
it is difficult to comprehend how they continue as a species."

"I concur, Dammand, yet I must now insist that each of you, including
Elrohir of course, remain silent on these events until I can sort it
all out," Gandalf said.

"What will you do? Can you clear him of the accusations?" asked Elladan.

"That remains to be seen, but I am fairly confident of success,"
answered the wizard. "I am not without friends of high standing myself."

"Indeed, surely Manwë will take your word over some
insignificant disciple of Ulmo's of which I have never heard before
this day!" exclaimed the veteran of the First Age.

"Let us hope so!" smiled the wizard. "Now, Erestor, I need to speak
with Legolas and you must prepare for guests. Your lovely home is about
to be visited by the Powers, or some of them at least. Elrond will show
up, too, I expect, so perhaps you two should leave before then," the
Istar continued, directing his speech to each of the elves, and Elrohir
through his twin, in turn. "Your father will not be happy to discover
that you have become embroiled in Legolas' misadventures."

"He knows something about this?" Elladan was quite surprised.

"Aye, for I once had to seek his aid for Legolas' injuries. He has been
very outspoken in denouncing the silvan since then. And me as well, I
am afraid. He has threatened to have me expelled from Aman if either
you or Elrohir ever became involved in our 'unsavoury dealings' as he
refers to them." Mithrandir put out his pipe and dumped the ashes into
the grate as he spoke. "Now summon your brother, for what I have to say
to Legolas is of a private nature."

"As you wish; he is on the way," mumbled Elladan, more or less stunned
to learn his Adar had worried over the twins' disregarding the Will of
the Valar. He is right; we would have gone to help Legolas
even if it meant crossing illegally into the Severed Realms.
Elrohir's thoughts filled his mind and Elladan was forced to
acknowledge their truth. He sighed and rose to his feet. "Lord Erestor,
we shall have to have that talk another time, I suppose, but do not
wait overly long to seek us out. We shall be at Ada and Nana's until we
learn what is to become of Legolas. Make certain to speak with us
before."

"Aye, I will do so," Erestor said and stood to usher the intruders out.

"Before what?" teased Dammand, fully suspecting what was afoot between
his son and the woodland archer.

"Ada! Not now; this is a serious business," snapped his son in
aggravation and led the procession out of the study and down the
stairs. In the foyer Elrohir waited and at that point Mithrandir split
from the group and headed for Legolas' quarters while the three elves
continued out through the front door.

"My apologies for accosting you, Erestor. I realise now how wrong my
thoughts were. It is just that we know how vulnerable Legolas is where
you are concerned and we have witnessed how violent his desires have
grown of late."

"I think you have to be mistaken about his fondness for me, though I
admit I would like to
believe such words," Erestor shook his head. "Mithrandir told me
Legolas does not like to see him in his other corporeal manifestation,
and that
is so like me that I nearly fainted to behold it!"

"Aye, he dislikes to see the wizard thus," laughed Elrohir. "There is a
rather embarrassing story surrounding why…"

"…which we will gladly relate…" inserted Elladan.

"…but the point is that Legolas mistook the Istar for you once
and quite made a fool of himself!" the younger twin finished. The pair
strode off from Meril Thaifn toward their parents' abode on the cliff,
leaving Erestor staring in boggle-eyed curiosity upon his doorstep.

TBC.