The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 7

Legolas felt the strangers gaze long before he’d sat down at the banquet table. It was understandable that his father’s subjects would be surprised at seeing him attending a formal dinner but for a stranger to gaze at him for an extended period of time just seemed weird. Filgree it seemed had noticed it also and had alerted him to the attention immediately as soon as he’d sourced its owner. Legolas couldn’t help but look up from the table after Filigree’s comment. He’d been more than a little surprised to see the blonde stranger he’d spied on in the hall earlier staring at him uninhibited from across the table. His breath seemed to catch in his throat as he met the elder elf’s forest green eyes. For a long moment the elder elf seemed to measure him up and Legolas couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran down his spine. His father’s speech interrupted the moment he and the blonde elf shared and obediently Legolas lowered his gaze back to the table. It would not do to be caught gazing at a stranger from Imaldris, especially if he wanted any chance of being allowed to stay for the entire dinner.

When his fathers speech finally came to an end and he sat down to begin eating the conversation around the table began again with enthusiasm. Legolas tried to listen to at least some of the conversations around him but did not participate in any for fear of reprimand from his father. He had learned from a young age this bis brother’s conversations were far more important to his father and the advisors than any such topic he could initiate. So instead he picked idly at the plate of food in front of him and occasionally smiled at Filgree who was engaged in a deep conversation with the centurion of the guard.

Through the entire dinner Legolas never felt the blonde elf’s gaze leave him. It was unsettling for Legolas to be gazed at so openly and every so often he glanced up the table to his father and brothers to see if they’d noticed the attention he was receiving. As predicted none of them even remotely looked at him although his father had been giving the two Imaldris elves suspicious glances all evening. Sighing heavily Legolas sat back from the table and pushed his barely touched meal away from him. He’d lost his appetite the moment he’d seen the amount of guests at the banquet. If he was lucky Filgree would bring him some fruits from the kitchens to his room later on, for Legolas was sure his tutor had noted his lack of appetite.

“Legolas I have just discovered who these two Imaldris elves are.” Legolas turned his attention away from his small glass of spring water and smiled enthusiastically at his tutor. Filgree remembered having seen the blonde Imaldris elf before but he couldn’t for the life of him remember where. The centurion of the guard had put him right though and his astonishment at the elders identity was hardly concealed.

“Tell me, who are they?” Legolas leaned impossibly close to Filgree as his tutor sipped from his wine before whispering softly to his charge as not to be heard above the other conversation in the room.

“The dark haired one is Erestor, he is one of the last remaining elves from the grey havens and is Elrond’s closest advisor.” Legolas nodded intently taking a short peek across at the dark haired elf that sat idly next to the blonde. Luckily both elves were engaged in a conversation with some councillors and neither of them noticed Legolas’ glance.

“And what of the blonde” Legolas whispered softly back to his tutor. Filgree chuckled quietly amused by Legolas’ interest in the two elves. He had known for a long time that Legolas took many risks by visiting the village when strangers were passing through. His young charge had an insatiable interest in everything foreign and the two Imaldris elves sitting opposite them was too much of a temptation.

“The blonde elf is Glorfindel of Gondolin…” Filgree had barely a chance to complete his sentence as Legolas’ stared wide-eyed and shocked at his tutor. For a moment he forgot his place at the table as he boldly finished his tutor’s sentence for him, the discretion of whispering forgotten.

“The balrog slayer.” Legolas had read all about the legendary balrog slayer of Gondolin. It was one of his most treasured stories among the very few his father kept in the library. The elf had given up his life to save another and for his sacrifice had been reborn by the wishes of the valar. In his excitement Legolas had forgotten about the feast and it was only as he saw Filgree close his eyes and lower his head that he realised that he’d spoken out aloud.

****************************************

“The balrog slayer….” The entire hall had fallen deathly silent at the young elf’s stunned declaration. Glorfindel had seen it coming though, he’d watched the elf and his tutor conversing across the table and had predicted their topic of conversation. The young elf across from him took a few moments to realize what he had done and the fear that swept into his expression was enough to make Glorfindel cringe. Glorfindel watched as the young elf’s gaze met his in utter horror before the elfling looked fearfully up the table to where King Thranduil sat his expression cold and unfeeling. For the first time during the entire meal Thranduil had focused his entire attention on the young elf. There was an unspoken tension between the King and the young elf and Glorfindel felt it acutely as the younger of the two lowered his head in defeat. Glorfindel sighed heavily, the young elf really hadn’t done anything wrong yet King Thranduil was staring at him in fury. Considering it had been the first time Glorfindel had heard the young elf’s voice he jumped quickly in to dispel the now heavy tension and defend the elfling.

“Perhaps now you know my identity little one I may be able to know yours.” Glorfindel’s voice echoed around the silent hall and more than a few stunned faces turned towards him including that of the King. Erestor firmly turned to glare at his friend before pointedly kicking him from under the table. It was obvious to Elrond’s advisor that this young elf would only cause trouble and that Glorfindel had already upset the hierarchy at the banquet by speaking out of turn. Glorfindel ignored his friend however and smiled warmly across at the young elf, who had looked up sharply towards him his expression one of utter shock. Glorfindel watched as the young elf before him stuttered a few times but before he could speak Thranduil’s cold voice cut in sharply preventing the elf from speaking further.

“He is Prince Legolas Greenleaf, my youngest son.” Glorfindel raised a smooth eyebrow at King Thranduil who barely even acknowledged the young prince Legolas as his sipped from his chalice of wine. “I apologise for his outburst my lord, he is tired I believe and has forgotten his place.” Thranduil ground the last few words out from between his clenched teeth and Glorfindel watched as the young prince lowered his head even further to his chest and closed his eyes regrettably.

“Filgree take my brother upstairs, the conversation from this point is unsuitable for him to hear.” Glorfindel couldn’t suppress a shocked gasp as Talion insolently addressed the elder tutor who sat next to Legolas. Even more surprising Tutor Filgree nodded silently in understanding before helping the young Prince Legolas to his feet. Glorfindel glanced across at Erestor and was greeted by the same shocked expression. How any self respected elder would take orders from a mere elfling was beyond him. Obediently prince Legolas followed his tutor from the room his shoulders slumped and his gaze never leaving the floor. Glorfindel stared at the pair as they left and caught sight of the elder tutor hugging his student outside in the hall before the tapestries to the hall entrance were closed again hiding the scene.

Glorfindel was beginning to get mad as he turned back from the hall and stared directly up at where King Thranduil and his son’s were seated. The King had stuck up conversation with his two eldest son’s again not even seemingly concerned that one of his son’s had essentially dismissed his brother like a common servant. The way King Thranduil ran his court was barbaric and Glorfindel set about immediately saying so. Thranduil’s disregard for his youngest son was unimaginable to Glorfindel who had only ever been exposed to Elrond’s loving parenting. The elf lord he was familiar with shared his love equally between the twins and his daughter Arwen but it was obvious Thranduil had picked his favourites among his family and Legolas was not a part of that list.

“Thranduil may I enquire if your youngest son is of his majority yet?” Erestor swallowed hard as he watched his friend’s fury surge to the surface. Determination swam in the elder’s eyes and Erestor feared Glorfindel was going to create a scene that Elrond would sorely not approve of. Thranduil looked almost stunned as Glorfindel blatantly interrupted his speech concerning Hale’s engagement and up coming wedding although the stunned expression was soon replaced by the familiar cold regard.

“Legolas is still a season from his majority, Lord Glorfindel.” The king’s reply was short and cropped and left no room for question, however Glorfindel was determined and continued on regardless. Legolas had looked as if Sauron himself had sat before him at the table when he’d faced his father’s furious outburst and it baffled Glorfindel that such a young elf should fear his father so much.

“I am surprised to see him still in Mirkwood then, should he not be on his journey of passage yet?” Glorfindel raised a calculating eyebrow at King Thranduil his gaze never leaving the stern glare of the King’s. Erestor was fidgeting at his side, guests from around the table were already getting up and leaving, having sensed the King’s growing anger and not wanting to be in its path when unleashed. Glorfindel however was not intimidated and looked pointedly down his nose at the king, his face a wash with false politeness.

“There will be no rite of passage for my youngest son seneschal and I will ask you to refrain from sticking your nose into things that do not concern you, during your stay in Mirkwood.” Thranduil spat nastily at Glorfindel as he rose from the table urging his son’s and advisors to do the same. Glorfindel watched as the royal party moved towards the exit of the hall making no apologises to those guests still seated at the table.
“Thranduil.” Glorfindel smiled smugly as he boldly addressed the retreating figure of the King, dropping his title in favour of something more common to grab his attention and further infuriate the already irate king. Thr Thranduil spun around sharply at the entrance to the hall and glared menacingly at Glorfindel. The twitching of the king’s upper lip was the only sign of his internal rage and Glorfindel triumphant at being the cause of it. As much as he respected Mirkwood’s people he despised and loathed the stupid, greedy and foolish king that had led so many of his fellow warriors to their death during the great war. “I will take the young prince Legolas on a ride tomorrow morn. I wish to see more of Mirkwood’s beauty and his company would be appreciated.” Glorfindel made no attempt at politeness and his statement was not to be confused with any polite request. Thranduil sneered contemptibly at Glorfindel as he waved his son’s and advisors away from the hall with a curt hand before addressing the defiant balrog slayer.

“I will not allow any such event to take place. You are here to witness my eldest son’s union and nothing more. You will have no contact with my youngest son seneschal and will refrain from making contact with him during your stay or I will personally see to it you are returned to Lord Elrond in pieces after a lengthy stay in my dungeons.” Glorfindel couldn’t help but be a little shocked at Thranduil’s outwardly spoken threat towards him but didn’t have time to reply before the King had swiftly disappeared from sight. Glorfindel sighed heavily as the tapestry entrance to the great hall fell softly back into place leaving the two Mirkwood elves alone in the now silent hall.

“Well that’s a great way of breaking the ice at a banquet Lord Glorfindel!” After a lengthy silence Erestor finally couldn’t resist the sarcastic comment directed towards his friend. During their entire friendship Erestor had never known Glorfindel to back down from a fight, especially one concerning the King of Mirkwood. Glorfindel huffed a small laugh at his friend before draining the rest of his goblet of wine and standing frhe nhe now empty banquet table.

“He is hiding something Erestor I am sure of it. I know Thranduil he would not have threatened me if the issue concerning Legolas had not been important to him in some way. We must inform Elrond of these activities, will you write and send a message to him? There is something I would like to do before I retire for the evening.” Erestor sighed as he watched his curious and stubborn friend wander silently towards the closed doorway to the hall and peek out momentarily from behind the heavy tapestry door covering.

“Glorfindel please be careful. We are here as peacekeepers remember, not as vigilantes for unfortunate young princes.” Erestor’s pleading and rational tone did not go unfelt by Glorfindel and the warrior turned from his interest in the hallway outside to smile sympathetically at the elder advisor, how now stood a little behind him. Erestor had been a loyal and trustworthy friend to Glorfindel for many years and it was often that Erestor saw reason in situations when Glorfindel had not and saved them both from a lot of trouble.

“I will my friend be assured I will not cause unnecessary scenes that might further tear apart the already fragile alliances between Mirkwood and Imaldris.” Glorfindel’s smile was enough to melt a pound of butter as Erestor watched the innocent faced elf disappear stealthfuly from the banquet hall and into the darkened corridors of the Mirkwood Palace. Erestor sighed again and wandered out into the corridors, already trying to remember which way his chambers lay in the maze of the unfamiliar palace. After some consideration the advisor turned right and disappeared into the corridors, determined to write to Elrond about everything that was happening. His friend he was sure was going to make more work for him before the season was out and if he began to write to his lord now about Glorfindel’s activities, it would not come as a shock to the half elven when his most cherished advisor was thrown into the dungeons of Mirkwood for being meddlesome.

TBC.................