The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 9

Glorfindel sighed as he wandered through the gardens. In ithil’s light the beautifully tended flowers of Mirkwood’s palace shone in an array of colour. After wandering the corridors of the palace for sometime Glorfindel hadn’t come across the library. It had been several years since he’d been in the halls of Mirkwood and for the life of him he couldn’t remember which turn was which. After becoming thoroughly lost in the halls of the palace Glorfindel had found the nearest exit into the gardens and had escaped that way. He had hopped to consult the birth and death scrolls of Mirkwood in order to trace prince Legolas’ lineage but having failed in finding the library gave up entirely on the exercise. Since the incident in the banquet hall the warrior had been pondering over the young prince. It had irritated him in his lack of possible reason’s Thranduil could be so cold towards his youngest son, yet still be so protective of him in the face of a threat. The idea that Thranduil thought Glrofindel a threat to his youngest son’s and not his eldest two was another conundrum in itself but Glorfindel supposed that it would reveal itself with the solving of the former problem. It puzzled Glorfindel also that Legolas’ presence, as a member of the royal family had been shamefully kept secret from all the surrounding realms. Glorfindel never recalled seeing the elfling at any formal engagements he’d takent int in despite Thranduil’s two eldest son’s attending every function. Elrond had never directly spoken of Legolas apart from acknowledging the fact Thranduil had three sons not just the two publicly visible ones. Glorfindel was becoming more and more frustrated with the lack of answers he as coming up with a set about relaxing as he walked through the gardens. Digging into the pouch on the side of his robe Glorfindel fished out one of the travelling sweets Elrond had given him upon leaving Imaldris and carefully unwrapped it. Glorfindel adored the sugary taste of the sweets and had often sought them out in Lord Elrond’s private kitchens during the night, after a particularly stressful day. Popping the yellow toffee into his mouth Glrofindel folded the wrapping back up and stuffed it back into the pocket of his tunic to dispose of later.

Over the last hour Glorfindel had wandered aimlessly through the gardens and it was only now as he came to an unfamiliar doorway back into the palace that he realised he’d come so far and that it was getting very late. He shuddered to think what would happen if Thranduil or one of his guards caught him wandering freely around the palace and so he took the opportunity to go back inside in an attempt to find his own sleeping chambers. The dimly lit corridor that lead from the doorway wound its way right to a set of steps and Glrofindel thought nothing off it as he ascended them. He was sure he’d never seen this part of the palace but all the corridors looked the same with their decorative weapons, ancient banners and elven fine art. Coming to the top of the stairs Glorfindel spotted two doorways, one to the right and the other to the left before the corridor continued off in another direction. With curiosity the warrior noted that the tapestry that shielded the left door was almost black, no colour at all compared to all the other tapestries around the palace. From beneath the tapestry Glorfindel could see the flicker of light he assumed to be a fire and smiled as he saw the movement of a shadow on the slate floor. Quietly the warrior stepped sideways so that he was standing directly in front of the tapestry before stopping still and listening intently for signs of anyone still awake. When he heard nothing he moved forward some more in an attempt to peek around the tapestry to see inside the room. There were so many unused rooms within Thranduil’s palace and to find one seemingly occupied in such a remote location within the palace was too much for the inquisitive seneschal. Without thinking too much of possible consequences Glrofindel pushed aside the tapestry and stepped silently into the room.

Before his eyes could even adjust to the light in the room he was being pushardhard against a wall the familiar touch of an elven blade poised against his throat inhibiting his breathing somewhat.

“State your business or I will slit your throat from ear to ear.” Glorfindel couldn’t help but be a little surprised at the voice that addressed him a clear but determined growl.

“Tutor Filgree?” Glorfindel’s voice was suddenly two tones higher than before and he all but squeaked at the dark haired elf before him. In all his life Glorfindel had never allowed himself to get into such a dire situation and for a brief moment he thought he would pay for this mistake dearly. However after a moment he felt the knife being taken away from his neck, allowing him to relax and swallow convulsively around the moment of fear.

“Lord Glorfindel? How did you get here?” The dark haired elf before him seemed just as shocked as Glorfindel was as the tutor stepped back allowing the seneschal room to breath.

“I apologise Filgree I was wandering the halls looking for the kitchens but seemed to have become a little lost.” Glorfindel bowed his head in apology towards the tutor. “I did not mean to invade your private chambers.” For a moment Filgree stood staring at Glorfindel the elvaade ade still tightly clutched in his hand, weary of the blonde elf that stood before him. The last thing he had expected would be for the lord to appear at the doorway to Legolas’ bedroom. There was a tension between the pair, their stares not portraying any emotion. For a moment Glorfindel suspected Filgree of not believing his explanation. When the tutor slipped the knife back into the belt of his robe and smiled Glorfindel relaxed at having not been discovered.

“Your apology is accepted allow me to show you the correct direction.” Filgree’s suspicions were still at the forefront of his tone and Glorfindel knew that the tutor was being carefully diplomatic. Filgree pushed the tapestry aside and gestured for Glorfindel to go through first back out into the corridor, careful to keep his body between the lord and the sleeping prince. It was obvious the seneschal had believed this to be his chambers and while he was none the wiser about the real occupant of the room, Legolas would be safe. Glorfindel turned around in the hall just quick enough to catch the dark haired tutor glancing cautiously back into the room and over to the bed. It was then that Glorfindel saw him through the sheer royal curtains of the large bed. The shining blond tresses that flowed over the crimson coloured blankets was an instant indication of who slept in the bed, and what the tutor was protecting or rather trying to hide.

“I did not know that tutors in Mirkwood were permitted to have privacy curtains around their beds?” The comment shocked Filgree into a protective reaction as he quickly pulled the tapestry covering closed hiding the scene inside the room away from Lord Glorfindel’s further inspection. Filgree had been lucky that it was dark when the lord first entered the rooms but now with the light streaming in from the hallway it was clearly obvious what was in the room.
“We are not permitted.” Filgree’s tone was curt but much less angry then Glorfindel imagined it could be considering the circumstances.

“Then this is not your chambers then?” Glorfindel watched with concerned interest as the dark haired tutor before him took a step forward so that he was merely a few inches from touching his chest against the slightly taller warrior. His dark green eyes flashed a moment of determination and Glorfindel almost expected to have to defend himself from a blow to the face or stomach. The fight never came and the tutor merely pointed in the direction of the hall, which lead away from the room.

“Follow the hall to its end, the stairs at its completion will take you back to the entry hall. I am sure you can find your way back to your own chambers from there.” Glorfindel knew he was not going to get a reply to his last question but remained still even as Filgree directed him on the correct path back to his rooms. After coming all this way Glorfindel was going to make the most of coming across the Prince of Mirkwood’s chambers, so isolated in their positioning within the palace.

“Does King Thranduil know of your being within Prince Legolas’ chambers so late at night?” Filgree swallowed hard and cursed himself inwardly for having allowed the lord to see into the room. No one was ever allowed into the prince’s chambers save for Filgree, the one trusted manservant and the King himself.

“He is the one who orders it to be so Lord Glorfindel. I protect what is housed within and I do so with my life.” Filgree straightened himself so that he gave the appearance of being taller than he was, should Lord Glorfindel refuse to leave or attempt to reach the young prince sleeping within. “Now I say again……..” Filgree went to again give the directions back to the main hall but Glorfindel quickly interrupted him.

“Why should it be that prince Legolas’ chambers are not in the royal wing of the palace as are his brothers?” Filgree was becoming agitated by all the questions and his temper was becoming short, what with having put up with King Thranduil’s stupidity concerning his son all day. Glorfindel took a step back as the tutor quickly removed the elvan knife again from the belt of his robe pointing it at Glorfindel’s heart.

“What is your real business here. You ask too many specific questions for someone who is merely lost.” Filgree tilted his head in questioning as he watched the blue-eyed warrior before him raise his hands in submission showing him that he was unarmed. Filgree was taking no chances however it was too much of a coincidence that two highly respected Imaldris elves had been sent to Mirkwood a season before Legolas’ coming of age, after so long having very little communication between the realms. “Lord Elrond is a wise elf but he does not know everything. Your coming here will result in nothing of use for Lord Elrond.”

“Are you accusing me of spying tutor?” Glorfindel was becoming impatient with Filgree’s accusations and erupted in angry shout, which echoed along the hallway. Both elves cringed at the sound having merely whispered up until that point.

“Filgree? Is that you!” A timid voice from inside the room behind Filgree was a sure sign that Legolas had awoken with the shout and the tutor cursed Glorfindel for having disturbed the young prince.
“Aye little one, it is me. Return to sleep I am merely talking to a servant.” Glorfindel opened his mouth wide in shock as the tutor softly addressed the young prince from outside the room, soothing him in elfish before turning back to glare at the warrior.

“I think you have done enough be gone with you or I shall call the guards and have you arrested. Goodnight Lord Glorfindel.” Filgree’s voice was merely a whisper and Glndelndel had to strain to hear the words. The anger however in the tutor’s demure was enough to signal that Glorfindel had pushed the line tonight and that he should return to his rooms. Obediently Glorfindel nodded before bowing respectfully to the tutor, who continued to eye him suspiciously.

“Goodnight to you Filgree, my apologise for waking the prince.” With that Glorfindel turned and headed off down the hallway. Behind him he could still feel Filgree staring at him but did not acknowledge it as he reached the end of the hallway and began to descend the stairs. His mind was working overtime now, having discovered such a scene. If his suspicions about Thranduil hiding something were worth consideration before they were now definitely worth investigating. He would start tomorrow by getting close to the prince. Legolas seemed to be the key and Glorfindel would use all this charms to get to the bottom of the secret.

TBC......

(A/N) *Blushes* Thank-you for all the kind reviews, I am working hard to keep this story going with suspence. Bear with me for a few more chapters before we find out this great secret.