SLIGHTLY REVISED VERSION
ENDRAINN O ARDA – IDHRIM NED RIN
[Ages of Arda – Years in remembrance]
By Andreea88
Remembrance
Remembrance has a rear and front,-
'Tis something like a house;
It has a garret also
For refuse and the mouse,
Besides, the deepest cellar
That ever mason hewed;
Look to it, by its fathoms
Ourselves be not pursued.
By Emily Dickinson
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I do not own Middle Earth, Legolas, or any other character you find in the books. They're Tolkien's. Lucky guy… pout
Summary: Well, this is actually going to be a collection of some short vignettes from different moments in Legolas' life, from when he was a little elf, and until –I hope- he sailed to the Havens.
Note: In this series, I think I've twisted some facts, though I'm not sure. I'm empty at Tolkienish data before the second age, and even after, so please be nice.
First off, does anybody know who Isildur's father was? Help, if you do!
I don't really know how old Gil-galad was at the moment he died, so I'll just make him about as experienced as Elrond looks to be in the movies. Also, I made him great friends with Oropher, Legolas' grand-dad, which I don't know if it's right. Hope so. shrug. And, since they're such good friends, Gil-galad should know Legolas practically since birth. Oh, and I made Thranduil good friends with Isildur, since I've read a lot about Glorfindel or Elrond being his friends, and I always thought of Thranduil as old as the other two lords.
Now, Legolas himself was born in 3413, the second age, only one decade away from the great battle on the slopes of Mount Doom, so he's about 3050 when he joins the Fellowship, and about 3160 when he sails over the sea. I just wanted to get him more involved in the whole war of the Ring thing, be real close to the heroes of the past. This way, he can take Aragorn's mission in a different manner –since in my world, he knows Estel aka Aragorn since the human was one year old.
His mother never appears, so I just made her up. Her name, Eluinin, means Tear of the Star, and she dies later on. She's the younger daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn, and the sister of Celebrian. So, that makes Elrond Legolas' uncle, and Elrohir, Elladan and Arwen his cousins.
Another thing, and then you can move on. I've no idea when Gandalf came to Middle Earth, so I guessed it was in the first year of the Third Age, to supervise the changes the people were going through. What better place to start investigating, than the kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen, the closest to the danger, and with a new, young king, pushed by evil fates to take the throne in the place of his father –I'm talking about Thranduil!. Then he meets Legolas, who is about 30 -9 years old for a human child. Beware, I make Gandalf some sort of a mentor to the boy, a father-figure, with the Istari seeing him as his 'son'.
Okay, well, I'm done, I think. You can start reading now! Please, be sure to review makes sad puppy eyes and tell me if I should go on. The following chapters are already in my mind can you hear the little wheals turning?, and you'll see an older Legolas, more adventures and first meetings, as well as some mischief. Your opinion matters!
Enjoy! fingers crossed
Chapter 1 --- SWEET DREAMS
~3431, 2nd Age of Arda~
Eryn Lasgalen
The forest was a-buzz with elves, running about in an organized rush, last minute prepares before the grand departure on the morrow morning pushing them on. One of these elves, holding a worn map beneath the light of the many torches that hung in the tress, called out to his companion. When no answer came, he turned around, only to be met by thin air. A little infuriated, he rolled up the map, tucked it under his arm, and called out once again. Still no answer. He started heading back the way they had come, listening carefully and watching the trees for hints of his friend's whereabouts.
For the life of him, Oropher could not understand how a great warrior like his friend –or ex-friend, if he didn't show-up soon- could be so irresponsible. They had much more planning to do, things to discus. After all, they were marching to war against the great evil that Sauron was! Not that Oropher was afraid, he just didn't want to endanger his people by carelessness.
Thinking he had seen something move in the branch above him and heard whispers, Oropher stopped and narrowed his eyes as two figures became clearer behind the thick foliage. One was of a tall, proud warrior he knew well, and the other of a small, little elfling that he also knew very well, his knees pulled under his chin. Judging by the way the older of the two was gesturing and the other's silent intake of breath, Oropher guessed that it was story time… again.
The little one never seemed to get tired of the wondrous tales of Númenor and Lindon, of how Sauron had been imprisoned and the King's betrayal. Though it had all happened not long ago, to the little one it was exciting.
Slightly less angry, Oropher raised his voice once more, trying to get the attention of his wayward comrade.
"Gil-galad, as glorious as your recollections may be, don't you think you should be focusing more on the near future? Say, tomorrow morning, perhaps!" He had to fight hard to keep from laughing as both creatures froze. Then a chuckle could be heard, and an exaggerate sigh.
Obviously, his friend had not mist the jest behind his words, and Oropher had to smile this time. Barbs like these had been going on between them for a very long time. 'You would think that ruling a kingdom, warring the greatest evil Arda shall ever encounter, would bring us to some level of maturity' he thought amused.
"My dear friend, you could not begin to comprehend the gloriousness of my recollections!" The tone was filled with humor, and Oropher could hear the elfling covering his mouth to suppress his laughter.
Faking indignation, he crossed his arms, and stood as tall and proud as any elven noble could.
"I demand that you show me more respect!" This was rewarded by his friend's appearance from behind the leaves. Feet securely planted on a branch, Gil-galad bowed low, in a mocking act of reverence.
"I humbly beg your pardon, for my lack of appreciation of your endless wisdom and knowledge, my lord Oropher, honored King of Eryn Lasgalen the fair." Again, silvery laughter came from behind him, abruptly stopped by what Oropher guessed was a small hand clapped over a small, giggling mouth.
Waving his hand in dismissal –a very kingly thing to do, he reasoned- Oropher turned away. "You have been forgiven, but see to it that it does not happen again" It was silly to consider them not equals, but it was also loads of fun to watch Gil-galad bow and apologias like that! They both knew that it was all a jest, and nothing above or beyond.
"Yes, my lord. I promise it shall not happen again… this night" he added, smiling from ear to ear at his friend.
He laughed lightly at the suppressed mirth so evident in the king's grey eyes, and noted with pleasure that the little elfling still in the tree was laughing as well.
Oropher noticed that too, and switched his focus from Gil-galad. "And, who pray tell, have you ensnared this time, with your phantasmagorical adventures?" 'As if I don't already know?' For who else could it be, if not his son's child, Legolas.
A golden head peaked out, huge blue-grey eyes sparkling in the torch light. As soon as little Legolas' gaze fell on his grandfather, he darted from the tree and straight into his arms. "Daerada!" he shrieked happily, landing safely in the king's embrace. [Grandfather –made-up word]
Laughing at the elfling's antics, Gil-galad descended on a saner path, gracefully jumping on the ground from a low branch. " Young Legolas here sneaked away from Tyulusse, it seems, and he could not bare to let me depart before I recounted the forging of the Rings" The almost apologetic tone of Gil-galad's voice brought another smile to Oropher, but he frowned all the same, hoping he made a point by it.
Thinking his grand-father was upset with his bigger friend, Legolas squirmed in his arms, trying to get down. Once his feet touched the ground, he ran to Gil-galad and planted himself firmly before the warrior, big, pleading, but hard-set eyes lifted at the king.
"Please, daerada, it was my fault! I ran, Gil' good! I bad, I don't go to river!"
Oropher stood, surprised at the little one's determination. 'So much strength and courage for someone so young' he mused. After all, Legolas was barely eighteen, the equivalent of a four years old human boy, yet he was defending his friend fiercely against the punishment he knew usually came to him, after escaping his caretaker: no visits to the river for two days. Despite loving the Forest River immensely, Legolas found ways to run of, in the woods, playing in the trees. Then, when found, he always accepted his punishment without a lot of arguments.
"Please, Gil' can still go to river! He good!"
Holding back his laughter to not offend the valiant efforts of the little one, Gil-galad leaned closer, and whispered into his ear, just loud enough for Oropher to hear. "I doubt that he would try to restrain me again. Last time, it turned out that I could wield a sword just a little better than he can"
Legolas' eyes went even rounder, and he stared back in shock. "You and daerada fought!?" The idea of seeing these two legendary heroes battling was incredible to him!
"No, Legolas, not really. It was just a game" Oropher answered, cutting off his friend's undoubtedly smart remark regarding that first time they had sparred, and he had lost, slipping in a puddle of fresh mud. Wincing mentally at the memory, he decided to not tell Legolas about it, or, for that matter, let Gil-galad tell him.
"Now, shall we return you to the halls? Your mother and father must have the entire house in an uproar." Gathering the child in his arms, he made to go back, followed by Gil-galad, who was still chuckling. In truth, he had been very impressed with Legolas' manifest, since he knew how much the little one loved swimming in the river.
After a moment of silence, Legolas tore his eyes from the many soldiers they were passing, and looked at Oropher. "Daerada?"
"Yes, Legolas?"
"Gil' go to river." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Almost an order. The thought of this little creature giving him, the King of Eryn Lasgalen, orders, was too much. He laughed, but then saw the strong resolve in his grandson's eyes, and sobered slightly. This problem was important to Legolas, so it should be treated as such.
"Yes, Legolas, Gil' can- I mean Gil-galad can go to the river whenever he wants. I can't stop him" This seemed to please the elfling, and he smiled. Shifting in the king's arms, Legolas faced Gil-galad.
"See, Gil'? Told you daerada nice! You go to river!"
Smiling earnestly, Gil-galad ruffled Legolas' hair with his hand. "Yes, thank you very much for helping me, Legolas."
Blushing, Legolas turned back, whispering a barely audible "You welcomed"
'Modest too', Oropher mused. 'A fine prince he will make'
As they approached the palace, an elf all but ran to them, her pale face looking troubled and worried. When she spotted the little elfling in her king's arms, the worry quickly melted into fury.
"Where, by the stars, have you been?!" Tyulusse, the one under whose care Legolas had been placed at birth, was now stomping to them –if an elf could even do that. She bowed stiffly to the nobles, narrowed eyes never leaving Legolas, who hung his head, awaiting the lecture that always came.
"He was with me, my lady" Gil-galad stepped up, before Oropher could say anything. "He was safe, and getting into no trouble, I assure you" Smiling, he looked at the elfling. "Isn't that right, Legolas?"
The only response was a small nod. Sighing deeply, Tyulusse relented to Gil-galad and the king. "I will take Legolas to his parents. Thank you for your concern, Tyulusse"
With that, Oropher proceeded to walk up the stairs and into the greeting hall of his home.
"Nana!" Legolas shrieked with joy, as an elf emerged from one of the adjacent corridors. Long, golden hair, deep blue-grey eyes, gracious and regal… for a moment, Oropher thought he was looking at his own wife. 'May she find peace in death' he sadly prayed. The memory of his sweet Miril never left his heart, and he still missed her. Silently, he vowed that Sauron would pay for all his crimes. 'For my beloved Miril'. [Mommy]
"Legolas!" The child jumped into her open arms, and buried his face in her silky hair. "Oh, my little one, you scared us so!"
"Don't be scared, nana! I with Gil'! He told me 'bout the Rings!" Turning to Gil-galad, his eyes pleaded for support. The last thing little Legolas had wanted was to get his nana upset.
"I was with him, lady Eluinin, and he was a very good little elf.'
Smiling brilliantly, Eluinin kissed her son's forehead, and then looked gratefully at Gil-galad. "Thank you, my lord. I hope he wasn't too demanding"
The three older elves laughed at that, knowing well that Legolas, though young, had a way of getting what he wanted. Blushing to his pointy ears, the princeling hung his head in what seemed to be shame, though in one so small, it shouldn't have been at all.
Eluinin took his face in her hands. "We were not laughing at you, ion nin. We meant you no shame. We love you very much, little Greenleaf, don't you know that?" [my son]
The boy's eyes lit up, and he hugged his nana, all sadness disappearing.
Oropher watched the scene quietly, admiring his daughter-in-law's way of handling Legolas. 'She truly is reason for Galadriel and Celeborn to be proud. She is both wise and beautiful. Her parents raised her well' "Mellon nin, you said there were matters to be addressed…"
Gil-galad discreetly pulled his attention from the princess and Legolas, just as Thranduil rushed in. The king's son let out a breath of relief upon seeing his son safe.
"Tyulusse told me. Thank you very much, my lord, father." He said as he picked up Legolas who hugged him.
"It was my pleasure, my prince." Then, to his friend "Now, if your king would only deem to share this urgent matter of his…" Oropher nodded, smiling, since he had indeed forgotten what the problem had been.
As the two lords departed, Thranduil looked at his son. Legolas, for his part, was too busy playing with his ada's collar to notice. "Ion nin, you must not frighten us so. We were worried."
Stopping his game, Legolas locked eyes with his father. The determination in them made Thranduil halt his words. "I know, ada. I don't go to river, fo' two days. But Gil' go, he was good." [daddy]
What he meant, they could not know, but they were glad that they weren't going to have to lock the door and windows to keep their son inside.
First coming out of her surprise, Eluinin smiled seeing Legolas stifle a yawn. "I think this little elfling has had quite enough excitement for today. Besides, it's past your bed time"
"Will you tell me a story, nana?" The hope shining in those bright eyes was more than she could take. "Of course, tithen min" [little one]
Carrying him to his room, Thranduil put his son down and kissed him on the forehead. "Sleep well, my prince"
"Night-night, ada" Then he kissed his wife, and left the two alone for the story telling.
Pulling the silk pajamas over his head, Eluinin asked Legolas "What story would you like to hear?"
After a few moments of deep meditation, he decided. Raising a fist to the ceiling, as if wielding a mighty sword, and propping the other on his hip, he took on a look that he thought was brave. "The a'ventu'es of Gil-g'lad the Brave and O'opher the Wise!" he shouted, and waved his hand to strike an invisible foe.
Laughing at his still bad pronunciation, Eluinin calmed him, and tucked him into bed, to which he didn't oppose. It was always nice to have his nana tuck him in. "I'm afraid I don't know of their adventures, as I wasn't even born when they had most of them." Disappointment made his eyes darken, and Eluinin regretted it, so she rushed to cheer him up.
"But, perhaps, you would be interested in hearing some of your ada's adventures" That worked.
"Yes, yes, yes! Tell me, nana! Tell me!" He all but jumped up and down on the bed.
"Alright, little one, calm down. Lay down and I will tell you."
Wiggling under the blanket, Legolas waited for Eluinin to sit down next to him, and then he snuggled close, in her lap. Inhaling deeply, he enjoyed the sent of vanilla and fresh spring flowers that his nana always had, and closed his eyes.
"When your ada was young, a little older than you, perhaps-"
"Ada was little, like me?" Legolas asked, amazed, through another yawn, his eyes glazed over.
"Of course he was, tithen min. He had to be born sometimes, Legolas"
The only answer that came from the half-asleep elfling was a mumbled "Oh" and a yawn.
"So, when he was little, he wandered through the trees, and…" The words started to fade, silencing down to whispers, caressing him like the cool winds, in his trees. He felt like he was floating on puffy, vanilla clouds.
Eluinin noticed his breath deepening, and heartbeat steady. The young princeling had fallen asleep. Sitting up and once again tucking him in, she kissed his cheek. "Some other time, I will tell you of his adventures."
Pushing a stray lock of golden hair out of his eyes, she looked at the serene face of her son. So beautiful, so innocent… but for how long? He would one day grow up, and leave them to search for his own adventures.
"Sweet dreams, my little Greenleaf."
Legolas could hear a distant voice talking to him, but didn't bother trying to understand the words. He was being pulled deeper and deeper into his dreams, and images of what his ada might have looked as a little elf flooded his mind.
~~~~~
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