Ball masque

Chapter seven A new start

Elrond resembled a caged animal, pacing in his study and occasionally growling. Glorfindel had told him everything once he had calmed down. Though Arwen had been waiting for him he had gone to his study, needing to be alone and think. So much more made sense. Expect for one thing, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer. He sighed. /No use putting it of. To think it was Legolas. But things aren’t as easy as I thought they’d be. Poor Legolas./ Nodding to himself he reached a decision and marched away.

He smiled when he had finally found them. Elladan and Elrohir were acting out some childhood antics, making Legolas roll around in laughter. Aragorn had a thundering expression on his face and Elrond smiled, seeing his own anger reflected in that face. Haldir would not be able to step foot inside Imladris or Gondor ever again.
Elrond smiled at the laughter and silently walked closer.

Arwen smiled and vacated her seat, claiming Aragorn’s lap, who yelped at the sudden abuse. “Arwen, I need those to ride home.”
Arwen smiled innocently. “Are you calling me fat?”
Aragorn shook his head. “No, just pregnant, and therefore very heavy.”

Legolas laughed at their antics. “Do you really have to leave?”
Aragorn nodded. “I fear that’s how she wants it and let me give you a lesson in case you ever get married: Always do as she says.”
Legolas smiled. “Arwen. Are you sure you can’t stay? For me.”
Arwen smiled at him but shook her head. “I know you’re asking because ata asked you to, Legolas, so safe your breath. I don’t want him fussing over me.”

Elrond growled. “Can you please stop talking about me as if you were unaware I just entered? And what makes you think I will fuss over you?”
Arwen rolled her eyes and the twins laughed in unison. “Only because you always do!”

Legolas smiled. “But are you sure it isn’t better to give birth here?”
Arwen nodded. “ I don’t want adar delivering my baby. I won’t have it in my hands for three days that way.”
Legolas laughed at Elrond’s mock shock. “Then have a healer come here. Any healer that will not give your father an inch when it comes to your pregnancy. But stay.”
Aragorn leaned in and whispered something in Arwen’s ear to which she smiled and nodded. “All right, Legolas. I shall stay. If you do to. Until I’ve given birth.”
Legolas nodded. “Agreed.”

Elrond placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. “Thank you.” His voice was warm and genuine. “I shall write your father to inform him of your prolonged stay. I suspect he’d worry otherwise.” /He’s better./
Legolas nodded. “He does. Ever since nana died he’s become a mother hen.”

Before Elrond left Legolas spoke again. “Lord Elrond?” He smiled meekly when Elrond turned. “You knew my grandfather, did you not?” Elrond’s eyes hardened but he nodded. Legolas swallowed. “Could we perhaps, if it is not too much trouble, talk about him? I know nothing about him.”
Elrond cocked his head. “I’m sure your father knows him better.”
Legolas shrugged. “He doesn’t talk about him.”
Elrond’s eyes narrowed and he wondered why. /Only one way to find out./ He nodded. “We can talk later in the day. After dinner, perhaps.”
Legolas inclined his head in thanks, his eyes revealing his surprise and gratitude.

Elladan and Elrohir looked pleased as well as smug. “Told you it would work.”
Elrohir nodded. “Aye, adar is more friendly towards him. But we have to get them together now, don’t we?”
Elladan nodded. “Just let us watch things for now. We can always intervene.”

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Legolas passed the rest of the day teaching Eldarion how to shoot, fully enjoying himself.
Before dinner he took a nice, long, scented bath and took a long time dressing himself.

He grinned when he looked at himself in the mirror. He wore the tunic and leggings that matched yesterday’s outfit, only the other way around. His light green tunic looked smart above his light blue leggings. Again he wore black boots and a black belt.

He braided his hair as he was used to do, but frowned when he gave himself one final look. It seemed wrong. He turned several times before he took out the braids and emptied his travel gear, searching for his coronet. He smiled when he found it and put it on.

Normally his braids signalled his high status but braids seemed wrong with this outfit so he decided on wearing a coronet, though he really resented the idea. To prevent his hair from falling in his face all the time he braided his front plaits in two small braids, pulled them backwards and tied them together at the back, wedging the coronet in place at the same time.

He beamed at his own reflection. He looked perfect. Before leaving he retrieved his father’s note and tugged it in his tunic, above his heart.

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Elrond smiled at his family. “Elladan, Elrohir. Thank you for last night. You were right. I needed to completely let go for one evening.”
Elrohir smiled at his father. “No thanks. We were happy to do the ordering for a change.” Erestor grinned at the words but remained silent. He frowned at Glorfindel, who smirked back.
Elrond sighed. “Yes, Glorfindel, Erestor? What is it?”
Erestor shrugged. “I was just wondering why we aren’t starting yet. Everybody is present so…”
Eldarion shook his head. “No, ata’da, Legolas isn’t here yet.”
Elrond smiled. “I know, Eldarion. We are waiting for him. But if you are hungry, Erestor, please start.” Erestor sank back in his chair, feeling little and mumbled something unintelligible.

Legolas gasped when he saw everybody already seated and he hurried to his place. “Forgive me my tardiness. I lost track of time. I hope I have not kept you waiting too long.”
Aragorn stood and pulled him in an embrace. “Not at all. The only one eager to eat is dear Erestor, so no harm done. And I’d rather thought we were all early. You look smashing, Legolas. I wish you wouldn’t dress so smart. Makes me look like an orc.”
Arwen laughed. “Not to me. Sit down.” She smiled when she saw Legolas’ indecisive look. He had no idea where he was supposed to sit.

Elrond smiled and pointed to his left. “I believe my sons have saved you a seat, though they probably have ulterior motives.”
Legolas smiled and graciously sank down between the twins and grinned when Erestor dug in. Elrond closed his eyes and started eating himself.

Aragorn groaned when Eldarion retold what he had learned today. “Eldarion please. Enough is enough.”
Eldarion pouted. “But don’t you want to hear what I learned? I’ve really learned a lot from Legolas.”
Aragorn nodded. “I’ll bet and I’ve only heard about twelve times.”
Eldarion smiled. “Well then.” And there he went again.

Aragorn lowered his head on his hands. Elrond smirked at the sight. “Ah, the joys of parenthood.” Aragorn threw him a look of utter horror and Elrond laughed. “Eldarion, why don’t you take your father and uncles outside and show them what you’ve learned?”
Eldarion beamed and jumped up. “Yes. Are you coming?” His eyes begged Elrond but he shook his head. “Alas, Eldarion, I would love to, but your uncles took my job as host only for yesterday eve.”
Eldarion pouted but soon turned away. “Ammë, are you coming? I really can shoot far now, can’t I Legolas?”
Legolas smiled. “Yes, Eldarion. You have the makings of a great archer, but you do need to practise.”

The little Prince jumped up and started tugging his father’s sleeve. “Ata, come on.”
Aragorn groaned. “Thanks, Elrond. Now I won’t have peace the entire evening.”
Elrond smiled innocently. “You’re more than welcome. And Eldarion?” The little boy turned and looked questioningly. “Maybe you can entice your parents to shoot as well? Or what about a contest between the four of you. Arwen and Aragorn against Elladan and Elrohir. And Eldarion will be the referee.”
Eldarion grinned and jumped. “Yes, ata’da, that’ll be fun. Come on, come on. Are you sure you’re not coming, ata’da? Come on, ata. Ammë, come on. Uncle Elladan, uncle Elrohir, please….”

The twins shook their heads and stood up, knowing full well their evening was ruined too. “Glorfindel, are you coming? As a second opinion in case we forget the rules.”
Glorfindel smiled. “In case Eldarion forgets you mean. All right. I’ll come and make sure you don’t kill each other.”

Erestor looked up and shook his head. “Want me to go somewhere, my lord?” His tone was ironic but Elrond ignored it. “I thought the nights were free, Erestor, but I am sure I can think of something should you insist.”
Erestor grinned and shook his head. “Nay, I merely asked because everybody has left and I seem to be the only distraction.”
Elrond frowned and laughed warmly. “A nuisance, always. A distraction, never. But if you’d rather be left alone I shall take my leave.” He stood and smiled at the reddening Erestor. “Legolas, if you are finished, I am on the patio.”

Legolas stood and bowed before sitting back down and finishing his meal. “Erestor, may I ask a question?” Erestor nodded and closed the distance by claiming the chair next to Legolas. “Why is Lord Elrond acting so different towards me?”
Erestor shrugged. “It stuns me too. And I haven’t even figured out why he seemed to dislike you. He never gave you a real chance.”
Legolas smiled and nodded. “I’ve always felt tense. Like I had to walk on egg shelves. And nothing was good.”
Erestor nodded. “I know, but your father had to go through the same.”
Legolas smiled. “I know. He sometimes screams in frustration when reading Elrond’s letters. He seems to think we are… I don’t know… spoiled I guess.”

Erestor dropped his fork, jumped and stared at Legolas. “But that is it. Legolas, that’s the reason.” Legolas blinked and looked at Erestor with a look of disbelief. Erestor nodded. “Yes, That’s it. Look, Elrond is older than your father is.”
Legolas nodded. “I know.”
Erestor smiled and sat back down. “He knew Oropher.”
Again Legolas nodded. “I know. I asked him if he could talk about him. Ata never talks about his father.”
Erestor nodded. “I don’t know about that, Legolas, but I do know Elrond hated Oropher. Mainly because the elf was spoiled and thought himself above all others.”
Legolas’ eyes widened. “Do you think Lord Elrond thinks we are like that?”
Erestor nodded. “I do believe he does. I don’t know what happened between them but Oropher managed to hurt Elrond and he does not allow anyone to hurt him like that again.”
Legolas smiled. “And expecting us to be the same he delivers the first blow.” His eyes widened. “Expectation….. Erestor, you are correct. That is what is happening. Expectation….”

He stood and left.

End chapter 07
TBC

OK, I am lost. According to my dictionary father can be translated both by ada (pl. edai) and adar (pl edair). I forgot that these are Sindarin and they don’t have the plural as Quenya in which father is adar (pl adari) or ata (meaning dad or daddy). So, my adar was correct after all!!!!!! And I will continue to use it. Lucky me.