Dark Council- *added Epilogue*
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
12
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2,569
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
12
Views:
2,569
Reviews:
21
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 8: Reckoning
CHAPTER 8
Legolas paced the length of the meeting room several times while planning his strategy. Yesterday, Thranduil had given him permission to conduct a meeting of his own with the Council, although he could offer his son little hope of success. The Prince knew he would have to choose his words carefully, or he would risk presenting himself as nothing more than an outraged son. His argument would have to be both compelling and irrefutable, or he would do his father more harm than good. He heard the turning of the door handle, and ceased his pacing immediately, standing with calm dignity as he watched the members of the Council file into the room. They each greeted him in turn, and Legolas waited patiently while they took their seats at the long table.
When all faces of the Council members were turned to him expectantly, the Prince immediately took the offensive.
“I desired to speak with you about the handling of this current situation, or perhaps ‘farce’ would be a more fitting word. I am certain this will come as no surprise to anyone here. What *is* a surprise, to me at least, is the willingness with which certain members of this Council have accepted the allegations against King Thranduil. All of you have walked upon Middle Earth a great many more years than I; have you *ever* been witness to events such as the ones that have taken place in recent days? Has not the Lord Thranduil always been a competent and caring King, ensuring peace and safety for his people?”
Legolas felt himself losing the battle with his temper, but he no longer cared. Let them all see his indignation and his disgust, he would still make his point clear. Several Council members shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, and the Prince felt a little twinge of satisfaction. Good; but they had not yet begun to squirm.
“How could it have come to this, Councilmen? A child could see that my father has been ensnared by a scheme calculated to discredit him. Why can *you* not see it?”
One of the elders on the Council, Amaran, held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Please calm yourself, Prince Legolas,” he said. “Our dispute is not with you.”
The blonde Prince walked slowly to the table. He bent and placed both hands on it, looking unswervingly into the elder’s eyes. “If you oppose my father, you oppose *me*,” he said in a deadly soft voice. Amaran blinked rapidly and swallowed hard under the scrutinizing gaze of those violet-blue eyes. When it became evident that Legolas awaited a response, and wouldn’t be looking away anytime soon, the elder blurted out a feeble self-defense. “’Tis an unseemly way of life for a King!”
Legolas stood straight, his eyes narrowed as he gazed down at Amaran. He understood immediately. “You are speaking of my father’s involvement with Garand,” he said in disbelief*Tha*That* is what’s behind your betrayal of your King; you disapprove of his lover!” He strode angrily back and forth now, all thoughts of self-control vanished. He looked directly into the eyes of each Councilman as he passed by him. What he read in their eyes both enraged him and gave him hope, for it was obvious to Legolas that not *all* members of the Council had turned against his father; some had not been swayed by Rymir’s venomous insinuations, and these members met the Prince’s gaze directly, while the ones guilty of traitorous talk refused to do so.
Legolas now knew who the enemies were, and it was to them that he addressed his next words.
“So, you would condemn your King merely because of his love for another male? You who are so ‘enlightened’, who pride yourselves on your forward thinking? Your narrow-mindedness astonishes me, Councilmen! Nearly one quarter of Mirkwood’s male population is romantically involved with another male. It is not a crime, nor is it an indication of character.”
He paused then, and turned again to Amaran. “I seem to recall an incident not so long ago that would have cost you your life, were it not for Garand. I believe you were returning with a convoy from a diplomatic mission, when you were set upon by Orcs before you reached Mirkwood’s borders. Garand rode out with some of the Border Guard to drive them off and bring you safely home. And you, Tion, when your little daughters were bitten by poisonous snakes in the woods. Did my father not bring them and your wife to the palace to be cared for by the healers until they regained their health and their strength? Yet you both repay compassion with treachery, and on the word of a devious, black-hearted lout like Rymir!”
Legolas ceased his tirade and stood silent, trying to regain his composure. The Council members who were opposed to Rymir looked at the blonde Prince with a newfound respect, some of them smiling in approval of his handling of the situation. The members opposed to Thranduil stared mutely at the table before them.
Legolas drew a long breath before saying calmly, “To those of you still loyal to the King, I apologize for this outburst. To the rest of you, I have only one more thing to say. Rymir’s hypocrisy knows no bounds, since he himself is a lover of males. And if I were you, I would keep my young sons out of his sight. Good day to you, Councilmen.” And with those words, the Prince strode out of the room with regal dignity.
Legolas paced the length of the meeting room several times while planning his strategy. Yesterday, Thranduil had given him permission to conduct a meeting of his own with the Council, although he could offer his son little hope of success. The Prince knew he would have to choose his words carefully, or he would risk presenting himself as nothing more than an outraged son. His argument would have to be both compelling and irrefutable, or he would do his father more harm than good. He heard the turning of the door handle, and ceased his pacing immediately, standing with calm dignity as he watched the members of the Council file into the room. They each greeted him in turn, and Legolas waited patiently while they took their seats at the long table.
When all faces of the Council members were turned to him expectantly, the Prince immediately took the offensive.
“I desired to speak with you about the handling of this current situation, or perhaps ‘farce’ would be a more fitting word. I am certain this will come as no surprise to anyone here. What *is* a surprise, to me at least, is the willingness with which certain members of this Council have accepted the allegations against King Thranduil. All of you have walked upon Middle Earth a great many more years than I; have you *ever* been witness to events such as the ones that have taken place in recent days? Has not the Lord Thranduil always been a competent and caring King, ensuring peace and safety for his people?”
Legolas felt himself losing the battle with his temper, but he no longer cared. Let them all see his indignation and his disgust, he would still make his point clear. Several Council members shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, and the Prince felt a little twinge of satisfaction. Good; but they had not yet begun to squirm.
“How could it have come to this, Councilmen? A child could see that my father has been ensnared by a scheme calculated to discredit him. Why can *you* not see it?”
One of the elders on the Council, Amaran, held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Please calm yourself, Prince Legolas,” he said. “Our dispute is not with you.”
The blonde Prince walked slowly to the table. He bent and placed both hands on it, looking unswervingly into the elder’s eyes. “If you oppose my father, you oppose *me*,” he said in a deadly soft voice. Amaran blinked rapidly and swallowed hard under the scrutinizing gaze of those violet-blue eyes. When it became evident that Legolas awaited a response, and wouldn’t be looking away anytime soon, the elder blurted out a feeble self-defense. “’Tis an unseemly way of life for a King!”
Legolas stood straight, his eyes narrowed as he gazed down at Amaran. He understood immediately. “You are speaking of my father’s involvement with Garand,” he said in disbelief*Tha*That* is what’s behind your betrayal of your King; you disapprove of his lover!” He strode angrily back and forth now, all thoughts of self-control vanished. He looked directly into the eyes of each Councilman as he passed by him. What he read in their eyes both enraged him and gave him hope, for it was obvious to Legolas that not *all* members of the Council had turned against his father; some had not been swayed by Rymir’s venomous insinuations, and these members met the Prince’s gaze directly, while the ones guilty of traitorous talk refused to do so.
Legolas now knew who the enemies were, and it was to them that he addressed his next words.
“So, you would condemn your King merely because of his love for another male? You who are so ‘enlightened’, who pride yourselves on your forward thinking? Your narrow-mindedness astonishes me, Councilmen! Nearly one quarter of Mirkwood’s male population is romantically involved with another male. It is not a crime, nor is it an indication of character.”
He paused then, and turned again to Amaran. “I seem to recall an incident not so long ago that would have cost you your life, were it not for Garand. I believe you were returning with a convoy from a diplomatic mission, when you were set upon by Orcs before you reached Mirkwood’s borders. Garand rode out with some of the Border Guard to drive them off and bring you safely home. And you, Tion, when your little daughters were bitten by poisonous snakes in the woods. Did my father not bring them and your wife to the palace to be cared for by the healers until they regained their health and their strength? Yet you both repay compassion with treachery, and on the word of a devious, black-hearted lout like Rymir!”
Legolas ceased his tirade and stood silent, trying to regain his composure. The Council members who were opposed to Rymir looked at the blonde Prince with a newfound respect, some of them smiling in approval of his handling of the situation. The members opposed to Thranduil stared mutely at the table before them.
Legolas drew a long breath before saying calmly, “To those of you still loyal to the King, I apologize for this outburst. To the rest of you, I have only one more thing to say. Rymir’s hypocrisy knows no bounds, since he himself is a lover of males. And if I were you, I would keep my young sons out of his sight. Good day to you, Councilmen.” And with those words, the Prince strode out of the room with regal dignity.