The Jewel of Mirkwood

(A/n) This is not essential to the story but it's a nice closure peice for our poor stressed Filgree. I might consider making a few references to this in the main story but it's not anything major. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 81a (Filgree’s Aside)

……It was not until he was outside in the hallway that he let the chocked sob leave his lips and the tears begin streaming down his face. For over two millennia he had devoted his life to looking r Ler Legolas and his brothers and while he had not felt the connection with Hale and Talion as he had with Legolas, their parting from him had been just as emotional. Legolas however had always held a special place in his heart and while he had always prepared himself for the inevitable nothing compared to the reality of having to let go of the elfling he’d risen almost as his own son. Up until now Legolas had always relied on his tutor for advice or council even after him reaching his majority Legolas had still turned to him for everything. Now however his bond with Glorfindel would secure Legolas reliance on his lover for everything he needed and Filgree could help feel a little redundant.

Aware that he was intruding still on Glorfindel and Legolas first night together Filgree gathered himself together enough to move away from the doorway. It was hard the first few steps he took away from the door but with each step the distance between them became larger and easier to take. Not really knowing where his feet were leading him Filgree followed the torch lit hallways of Imladris. There were few about at this time in the morning only those guards taking their watch for the evening. Before he knew it Filgree found himself standing quietly in the middle of the kitchens. The usually chaotic room was deserted, the tables and utensils carefully cleaned and neatly put away ready to be used again with the rising of the sun.

Unsure of where to go or what to do with himself Filgree sat down on one of the stools next to the table and rested his hands on his elbows. Despite everything Filgree c not not stop the tears that began flowing anew from his eyes. Never had he felt so isolated and useless as he did now and although it was selfish he wished silently Legolas had never grown up. Filgree shook his head at that thought and cursed himself silently. No he had always wanted the best for Legolas and now that the prince had gotten his chance Filgree had to feel happy for him. Still his reasoning did little to stem his tears and finally he resigned himself to his fate before laying his head down on the table to begin weeping openly.

With his eyes closed tightly in grief Filgree did not noticed the silver haired elf that stepped silently into the kitchens. For a moment the silver elf paused not knowing whether to stay or leave but the strangled sob from Filgree was what made the decision for him. With soft gentle feet Lindar wandered quietly over to Filgree’s slumped form and pressed a soft hand to the tutors shoulder. Filgree nearly jumped out of his skin at the touch but relaxed again as he recognised the face.

Embarrassed by his state Filgree crudely wiped his tears with the sleave of his robe before rising as if to leave. Lindar however pushed the elf back down into the seat before pulling up one of the stools for himself. Filgree watched as Lindar perched himself carefully atop the stool and folded his arms neatly in front of him on the table.

Lindar was a strange elf. Neither of Sindarian or Noldor blood. His parentage had long been disputed and rumours often spoke of his father being of human breeding although the claims were never supported with truth. Filgree remembered hearing about how the rare silver haired elf had arrived in Lord Elrond’s care. He had come with a mysterious missionary from the mountains. A ranger and his elvan companion had found the babe among the brush of a river still in his cradle and swaddled in leather. They had searched the length of the river for a camp or signs of where the babe had come from but they had found nothing. In desperation they had taken him with them to Rivendel and handed him over into the care of Elrond a skilled healer and kind soul. Searches of the elvan realms had proved fruitless in discovering the babe’s parents and in the end Elrond had brought the babe up as one of his own children. Without a name Elrond had called him Lindar…..’little lost one’ in Quenya. Lindar had grown like most elves to be quite a bright young thing. He was smaller than most his own age and had found himself the butt of many a joke. While he had trained as a warrior and often took his time on the borders most often than not he would be found in Erestor’s rooms readicrolcrolls and copying texts. Erestor had quite taken the youngster under his wing and taught him Quenya and a multitude of other languages used within Imladris extensive library of books. He had spent a considerably time in Gondolin before it’s fall in the war and had become quite a good source of inquiry for all things past.

Lindar was not a sociable type and that was why Filgree found it so strange to have the elf sitting next to him at the table. Filgree stared for a while at Lindar’s appearance. The younger elf was not considered handsome among elves, his features smaller and less prominent than true elves, his complexion not flawless like those of the elder. Yet he was pretty in his own special way. His hair was what most people admired about him if nothing else. His long silver hair was like a river of mithral flowing down his back and caught the light like Ithil herself. Having no defined heritage Lindar often wore his hair free of knots and braids and was usually the only elf at formal gatherings with his hair worn thus. It was often a cause for a scornful remark about disrespect but Lindar seemed to take it all in his stride having been brought up with the censure while he was an elfling. His clothing too never changed with the seasons as most other elves. He seemed to prefer the grey mottled tunic and leggings and was only rarely seen out of them. Filgree supposed that was partly due to financial troubles but did not want to pry, as most others didn’t either. Lindar was secretive and private about his room and his things and was most often than not just left to his own devices.

“You are sad because you will not be his tutor anymore.” Lindar’s voice was soft and lilting an unusual sound from such a stone faced elf. Filgree sighed and shook his head silently.

“No I am sad because I love him as a son and it is sad to see the day your son grows apart from you.” Lindar seemed confused by Filgree’s statement but the silver haired elf did not speak of it and merely nodded quietly.

“He will still come to you though for advice as a friend. He will need you when times are difficult.” Filgree nodded in quiet reflection his gaze caught in the strange lavender eyes of the silver haired elf in front of him. Lindar swallowed hard as he avoided looking at Filgree who was staring quite blatantly at him, almost in wonder. Filgree could not get his head around how an elf could have such perfectly lavender shaded eyes. So lost was he in staring at his strange companion that he did not realise how uncomfortable he was making the timid young elf until Lindar spoke up. “I wish you would not stare at me so. My appearance can not be that interesting.”

Filgree quickly snapped his head up from his distant gaze and promptly apologised to his companion.

“I am sorry I am just fascinated with the colour of your eyes, they are beautiful.” Filgree watched in delight as Lindar blushed a bright shade of pithe the point of his ears turning crimson red.

“Do not jest with me Tutor Filgree they are ugly and do not sparkle like your own do in the moonlight.” Lindar twitched nervously as he looked away from his companion unsure of where else to train his gaze. Filgree chuckled amusedly at Lindar’s shyness and smiled as he remembered having seen such a look on Legolas’ face when he was just an elfling.

“I do not jest Lindar your eyes change colour from rich purple to pretty lavender with each flickering of the candles.” Filgree paused and stretched up to brush a stray stand of silver hair from Lindar’s face. Lindar flinched away from him and Filgree silently wondered who had hurt such a helpless elf to make him so frightened of other people’s touches. Still he did not dare ask such a question of an elf he had only recently fully been introduced to. “Do you not wonder who your parents are Lindar? And where your beautiful eyes come from?” Filgree watched as Lindar lowered his gaze to stare at the tabletop his eyes closing in sadness as he shook his head in reply.

“No. Tdid did not want me and I would rather belong to no one than to someone who did not love me.” Filgree sighed heavily the sadness and bitterness in the elf’s tone unhealthily depressive.

“Perhaps they did not have a choice in giving you up. Maybe it was the only way they could savu. Pu. Parents do strange things sometimes but it always out of love no matter how cruel it may seem.” Filgree watched as Lindar shook his head defiantly his lavender eyes having turned a deep purple hue in the space of a few moments.

“I do not wish to discuss this. I came here to offer you companionship yet you ridicule me like the rest of them when I try and befriend them. I had thought you were different but it seems you are not.” Filgree was stunned to see the temper of the silver haired elf and almost fell off the stool in surprise as Lindar got off his own stool and began to stride towards the doorway leading from the kitchen. His silver haired flowed out from his back like a sliver cloud and his outer grey robe swished around him irritably reflecting his mood.

Filgree was not sure what propelled him from stool but within a moment he found himself blocking the entrance to the kitchen preventing Lindar from leaving. Lindar stopped a meter from Filgree’s body and stared pointedly at the tutor his arms still folded into the robes of grey. Filgree noted with dismay that Lindar’s eyes were now a dark purple, almost black in their appearance making the elf look far more menacing that he probably was.

“Please Lindar I am sorry for my mistake. I am enjoying your company and wiou wou would not leave me.” Lindar shook his head determinedly and moved to barge past Filgree but Filgree lifted his hand to block the path. Almost immediately Lindar cowered away from him all but falling to his knees as Filgree’s hand came up to stop him moving past. Filgree was shocked as he saw Lindar’s shoulders shuddering in almost fear as he held his hands over his body as if trying to protect himself. Thinking that he had caught the elf by mistake Filgree fell to his knees beside the silver haired elf and went to put an arm comfortingly around his shoulders. Lindar tensed even more at the touch of Filgree and the tutor knew hardly what to do as he heard the helpless whimper from the silver haired elf at his side. “Lindar I am sorry. I was not thinking. Let me look at you and see what damage I have done.” Filgree lifted Lindar’s face to look up at him desperate to see what bruise he had left on the elf if he had indeed caught him by mistake. The sight of Lindar’s face however was heart breaking. The elf’s eyes had turned almost pale lavender now and tears fell freely down his face. He shook physically in Filgree’s hands his eyes swimming with fear as he stared up at the elder tutor.

Filgree knew then as he stared into the elf’s scared eyes what had happened to Lindar and his heart bled for the tortured soul. Without thinking of his actions Filgree leant forward and pressed his lips softly against Lindar’s in a chaste kiss. Lindar’s gaze never left Filgree’s as the tutor broke the kiss and pulled the shaking elf into his arms. Like he had done with Legolas so many times Filgree rocked Lindar quietly in his arms soothing the elf with a gentle song whispered quietly into his ears. Despite himself Filgree began to cry as well. Legolas had grown and become such a wonderful elf yet there were elves like Lindar who had never had the chance to become something better and it saddened Filgree’s heart that such a pretty creature could be so tormented and abused so cruelly. It was then that Filgree took yet another soul into his heart and the cycle of being both a tutor and a lover began over again……

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..