Winter Tears

Chapter 9

“…and I say it was at least 20 yards longer than yours Elrohir.” The two twins scrambled with each other as they sought to take their places at the dinning table. Legolas and Glorfindel followed the two of them in, Glorfindel scowling at his two charges and Legolas trying to hide his smirk in the presence of his elders. In Thranduil’s court Legolas would have been sent to his chambers without supper if he had come scrambling into the dinning hall as the twins had done. Lord Elrond, Lindir, Erestor, Haladin and Thranduil’s chief centurion were already seated at the table when they arrived and Legolas made a conscious effort to bow to Elrond as he entered, noting with dismay that neither the twins nor Glorfindel did so. If there was one thing Thranduil commanded in his court and that was respect, a respect Legolas had learnt early in his childhood that you didn’t ignore.

“Finally, we had thought you were lost and was about to send Captain Sindilar here to find you.” Elrond smiled at Glorfindel and Legolas but the prince didn’t seem to notice the smile, his gaze merely drifting to that of Sindilar who glared at him with what Elrond could only describe as disgust. As if slapped across the wrist Legolas took his seat silently next to his tutor his head against his chest as Haladin whispered harshly to him in hushed Sindarian.

“I apologise my Lord, we got carried away on the archery field and didn’t realise the lateness.” Glorfindel sat in his usual position on Elrond’s left side between his lord and Erestor, the blond haired seneschal didn’t seem to notice the awkwardness between the three guests from Mirkwood as he began an animated conversation with Erestor about the day’s events.

“Apology accepted my friend now let us begin this wonderful meal.” Elrond sat up straighter in his chair as the kitchen hands appeared from the wings of the hall, all carrying sweet smelling dishes. Within moments the table was full with food and all the elves present were filling their plates, all accept Legolas, Haladin and Sindilar who sat patiently watching as Elrond continued to pick his favourites from among the dishes before him. It was Erestor who noticed that the three elves from Mirkwood had not yet eaten, their plates still empty even as Elrohir reached over for seconds of the sweet meats.

“Are you not hungry? Or does nothing take your fancy?” Erestor popped another mouthful of meat into his mouth and chewed slowly watching in curiosity as the three Mirkwood elves glanced at one another and then back up at Elrond, who had stopped his own selection of food to look at the three visitors also.

“Nay Lord Erestor, the meal looks magnificent it is only that we are not accustomed to eating until the king has commenced his own meal.” Haladin looked sheepishly up at Erestor before glancing awkwardly at Elrond. The customs of Mirkwood and Imaldris differed greatly, their rulers demanding different expectations from their lesser.

“Ah, do not apologise Haladin you must think us savages.” Elrond rolled his eyes as both twins reached again for helpings of their favourite savoury pie, unfazed by the three visitor’s awkwardness. “I demand no such rules at my table; you may eat as soon as you wish, for I am picky and will take some time to decide on everything I would like.” Haladin inclined his head in thanks to Elrond before reaching across for a slice of pie, which the twins had so begun to devour. Following the tutor’s lead Legolas and Sindilar reached for what they desired and began to eat quietly.

The meal passed quickly and no sooner than the plates had been cleared away Erestor excused himself. He had purposefully been avoiding looking at Legolas all evening, yet the prince’s silken hair had continually caught Erestor’s eye and the advisor had caught himself staring several times during the meal. Thankfully though everyone else was too engrossed in their own meals to notice his slip up. When Erestor had gone from sight, Glorfindel too excused himself, Sindilar following him in the hopes of consulting the warrior on matters of security. Gradually with their stomachs full the twins departed the table with Lindir, still bickering about the archery contest much to their father’s amusement. Finally with the hall silent, Legolas, Haladin and Lord Elrond were the only ones left. Feeling that they had overstayed their welcome, Haladin rose from the table, urging Legolas to do the same.

“That was a wonderful meal my Lord but I believe Legolas has a promised letter to write to his Ada, and I have a few items that need fixing before rest.” Haladin bowed politely to Elrond and made to leave with Legolas trailing but Lord Elrond’s voice stopped both elves in their tracks.

“Ah, forgive me for keeping you from your activities, but I would like to speak with Legolas if I may?” Legolas froze to the spot as he glanced cautiously from Haladin to Elrond and back again. Haladin glared angrily at his charge, wondering what on earth the prince had done this time to warrant a private discussion with Elrond. With no intention of arguing, Haladin nodded understandingly and turned sharply leaving Legolas standing nervously in front of Elrond in the now completely empty hall. Legolas watched silently as Elrond drained his glass of wine before rising from his chair and gesturing for Legolas to join him. Awkwardly Legolas shuffled quickly to Elrond’s side dutifully following the Lord as Elrond swept out of the hall and down into the moonlight gardens. Staying respectfully a pace behind Elrond Legolas followed the elf Lord silently around the gardens, barely enjoying the serenity of the waterfall, and firefly’s flitting around him as he focused his attention on the curious expression on Elrond’s face. “I do so much prefer the night time to the day Legolas, Imaldris is no more beautiful than when it is bathed in Ithil’s light.” Legolas stopped still as they reached a secluded little glade and Elrond moved quietly to sit down on a stone bench beside a trickling stream.

“Aye, but Imaldris is beautiful all the time.” Diplomatically Legolas spoke, Elrond urged him to reply. The elf Lord chuckled to himself at Legolas nervousness but did nothing to alleviate it.

“Yes, you are very observant Greenleaf and diplomatic too, you would make a fine councillor.” Legolas blushed a little as he moved over to a small cherry bush beside the bench Elrond sat on and hesitantly picked one of its deep red flowers to slip into his hair. Elrond watched almost mesmerized by the Prince’s movements, the young elf so innocently bathed in moonlight that his pale face shone like Arada. It had been such a long time since Elrond had seen Legolas, and they had never met formally that the prince would remember. Legolas had been an ordinary child, his eyes dull like his mothers and his hair unruly and curly at the tips. Yet the prince it seemed had grown into his beauty, and even the feminine features of his face now looked perfectly at home amongst such a striking bone structure. “How is you arm?” Realising that he had been staring Elrond cleared his throat and changed the topic of conversation.

“It is better I think, it no longer aches as it used to. Thank-you.” Self-consciously Legolas tucked his injured arm against his chest, still twiddling a cherry flower between his fingers.

“That is good, and you enjoyed the archery class today. Glorfindel spoke highly of your fair play, it will be interesting to see how you perform with a bow.” Legolas nodded silently his ever-present warm smile still gracing his lips. “Lord Erestor came to see me today.” Elrond bit his lip for a moment in concern, trying to find an easy way of entering the topic he did not wish to discuss. Legolas smile brightened at the name of Erestor and Elrond rose a smooth eyebrow in interest as Legolas excitedly broke into the conversation.

“Aye, did he discover my letter? I perhaps should have left it somewhere more easily seen but I was late to meet Lord Glorfindel and did not think of any place better than his desk? I so wished to thank him for looking after me, I am not very brave when it comes to my own pain, and I am told by Haladin that I do not make a pleasant patient.” Legolas continued to smile brightly at Lord Elrond having initiated the most animated conversation he’d heard from the prince since his arrival in Imladris. Slightly stunned by Legolas reaction and open admittance of leaving his letter, Elrond was momently thrown off guard, realising that his means of attacking the conversation were now useless. “Lord Glorfindel mentioned this morning that Lord Erestor was very particular about his privacy, I have not upset him have I?” Elrond paused with his mouth open at a loss for what to say for a moment, but then as the elf lord stared into Legolas innocent blue eyes he could not bring himself to worry the prince.

“Nay, he was merely concerned that you had not made your presence known to him.” Lord Elrond tried to brush off the seriousness of what he’d previously intended to speak to Legolas about but the prince it seemed was far to sensitive to the elf Lord’s concerns, and began worrying his lip again in nervousness.

“I am sorry, I should have not entered the room without being asked I did not think it would offend Lord Erestor. Please, you will not tell Haladin will you? I will do anything to apologise for my misguided judgement.” Elrond did not miss the wash of fear that spread over the prince’s face, Legolas was obviously worried about his tutor and consequently about his father finding out about his mistake. Reaching out, Elrond took hold of Legolas’ hand and drew the prince down to the bench beside him, having given the prince’s hand a comforting squeeze.

“Legolas, calm yourself. You have done nothing wrong and I see no reason at all for Haladin to know of this.” Legolas visibly calmed, and Elrond was sure now more than ever that Thranduil’s discipline of his son was tougher than anything Erestor had ever thrown at the twins while being their tutor. Legolas smiled mildly and continued to twiddle with the flower in his hands, his enthusiasm for the topic of conversation once again lost into silence. Elrond inwardly sighed to himself as he let go of Legolas’ hand. “Lord Erestor is one of my dearest friends and has been in my service for many millennia.” Deciding to change the topic of conversation away from the negative Elrond spoke softly to the young elfling sitting quietly beside him. Legolas looked up from his flower at the mention of Erestor. Elrond briefly paused to allow himself a secret smile, the prince’s obvious interest in the advisor causing Elrond some amusement.

“Millennia?” Legolas looked a little shocked but respectfully didn’t question the elf Lord, as Elrond continued.

“Aye, many Millennia. He is from Gondolin, and was one of the very first elves to settle in Imladris along with myself after the war.” Legolas it seemed had completely forgotten about his flower, and his wide-eyed gaze was now firmly settled on Elrond, as the youth intently listened to the story. “He is far older than myself and in years only 100 younger than Glorfindel.” Legolas’ eyes grew impossibly larger as Elrond spoke of his advisors lengthy lifespan. Legolas had never met anyone older than his father before, and Thranduil was some thousands of years older than most.

“Does he remember Gondolin? I have read books that say it was the most beautiful city before it fell?” Legolas shifted closer to Elrond, having crossed his legs and turned sideways on the bench to fully face the elf Lord. Elrond chuckled at the prince’s enthusiasm for the topic sure now that Legolas had taken a liking to Elrond’s chief advisor.

“Aye I am sure he does remember Gondolin, as many who survived its fall still do.” Elrond paused briefly reflecting on the sorrow that he felt in his heart, knowing what pain Gondolin’s fall had caused to so many elves, Glorfindel and Erestor included. “But such things cause pain Legolas, and it is best sometimes that those who remember do not talk about it.” Legolas nodded understandingly under Elrond’s saddened gaze. “Let us not dwell on the sadness however Legolas, for there are happier things to discuss at present.” Legolas looked up from his hands twisting in his lap to smile at Elrond who idly reached up and brushed a stray braid from Legolas’ face. “You will understand of course that elves such as Lord Erestor are funny in their ways. Just as I, Glorfindel and even your father no doubt have certain rules concerning our privacy, Lord Erestor has the same. One of the most important is that Lord Erestor’s private chambers and library are just that Private. While you are welcome anywhere in the last homely house, I must ask you not to enter Erestor’s private chambers, unless asked to by Erestor himself. He enjoys his privacy and we must respect that.” Legolas nodded firmly in understanding, knowing what it felt like to have his privacy invaded by others. The young prince now realised his mistake in entering the library, but at the time it hadn’t seemed to monumental when he’d done it.

“I’m sorry for entering Lord Erestor’s library.” Legolas hung his head in shame but Elrond quickly reached forward and tilted the prince’s chin back up so that he was force to meet Elrond’s gaze again.

“Yes, I am sure you are but do not stress yourself over it. You were not to know that room was Erestor’s private library or his rules regarding it. Besides I think your intentions of thanking Lord Erestor for last night were well placed and should not be discouraged.” Legolas smiled shyly, his face colouring a little at the praise. “Now that unpleasantness is dealt with, I wish to discuss the employment of your time while here in Imladris.” Legolas frowned in confusion at Elrond’s statement. The prince had understood that he would merely be training with Glorfindel while in Imladris, and nothing else would be required of him. “Do not frown at me Greenleaf, I am not a hard task master.” Elrond chuckled as he smoothed the frown lines from the prince’s forehead. The elf lord found that he could not keep his hands off the young prince’s soft skin, and was surprised at how easily Legolas accepted the friendly touches; perhaps Elrond was not the only one who bestowed touches such as this. “Understandably you will spend most of your time with Glorfindel and the border patrols in combat training and skills but there will be times when that training is halted and in accordance with your fathers wishes I will be employing your time else where.” Again Legolas nodded and although eager to begin learning new things hoped that the other duties were not too demanding. “I thought perhaps you would like to join Erestor in performing some of his duties? He can teach you many things regarding royal diplomacy and he has a fondness for teaching history, both of our own race and others such as the dwarves or humans.” Legolas’ eyes lit up at the prospect of learning about other races other than the elves and Elrond allowed himself an indulgent smile, knowing that his own two son’s had had no such enthusiasm for history when Erestor had attempted to teach it. “Lord Erestor also oversees the stores, I’m sure he would be appreciative of some help during the winter months.” Again Legolas nodded and Elrond mused that his own son’s had never been so accepting of the tasks delegated to them around Imladris as Legolas seemed to be.

“That would be wonderful, I haven’t ever been allowed to do anything other than join the patrols in Mirkwood.” Legolas trailed off his gaze returning to the flower that’s pollen had now stained the prince’s finger tips a pink shade. Elrond had the sense to bite his tongue, careful that any comment regarding his feelings for Thranduil’s often-irrational behaviour would do nothing to make Legolas feel comfortable in the Elf Lord’s presence.

“Well I am glad you approve of my decisions, I would have you enjoy your stay with us Legolas.” Without realising that he’d done it Elrond reached out a hand and passed it over Legolas’ cheek. It was just impossible to not touch the elfling before him and Elrond was not sure what had come over him, although Legolas it seemed was oblivious to the touches. “Will you walk with me back to the house, I believe I have kept you from the letter to your Ada for too long as it is.” Obliging the Elf lord Legolas quickly stood up and took his place one step behind his elder, as the both of them strolled easily back to the house in silence. There was far too much to think about to find idle conversation but Legolas it seemed didn’t mind the silence either, Elrond pausing momentarily to glance back at the elfling to see a far away gaze in Legolas’ eyes. Perhaps the conversation had gone far better than Elrond had ever imagined it would have.

TBC>>>>>>>