Cold Fire- by Huan the Wolfhound
A/N: This is a slash. I repeat this is a slash. Legolas/ Eldarion with a small paragraph of Legolas/ unnamed person.
If you do not like slashes then go away! Do not protest and slate my story because you do not like slashes. For I am deadly with the bow and arrow and I will hunt you down.
Plot: As the biggest snowfall hits Middle-earth, an ancient evil raises its ugly head. It will take a warrior determined by fate to stop it. Legolas/ Eldarion
Key: Italics- elvish
~ 27 years after the defeat of Sauron, early Spring, Gondor, Minas Tirith~
"An alliance!" the King cried raising his glass.
"An alliance!" the ElvenKing chorused, his melodious voice echoing the man's sentiment.
King Elessar's hand went to the pommel stone of Anduril. It was an action of habit nothing more. "Elves and Men once stood together in unison against the darker forces at bay. Then we were divided. But a new dawn has risen and it will rise on elves and men living together in harmony!"
Both Kings knew it was nothing more than something for the crowds to talk about and feel safer. They both knew that elves and men would never 'live in harmony' their ways were too different and their cultures to alien. The alliance was a pact that if the elves were attacked, the men would defend, and visa versa.
Nothing more.
"The elves are glad to fight and die alongside men!" Thranduil cried in elvish to the elves gathered at the ceremony. They laughed and raised their glasses in agreement.
"The elves are glad to fight and die alongside men," one elf murmured and rolled his eyes. He looked at the man opposite and sighed. "Elves are never glad to die. Least not alongside men."
The man laughed and the elf looked at him in puzzlement.
"And men are never glad to die alongside elves. Besides you should be supporting your father, prince," the man laughed in elvish.
The elf stopped. "You know elvish, human?"
"My mother is elvish, idiot," he added as an after thought in Westron.
"P-prince Eldarion!" the elf cried. "I did not recognise you. The last time I saw you, you were still in swaddling clothes."
The prince blushed slightly and sipped at his wine. "Thank you Legolas," he hissed when he saw amused smiles from the ministers on his side.
Legolas leant back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. "That's okay, your highness. Such a chubby child, and such a terror. I remember you running around with nothing on, before stealing your father's cloak and wrapping that around your waist. Then you ran into the middle of court."
Eldarion went red even more and the elves alongside Legolas laughed with the prince.
"I would not be so hasty prince Legolas in embarrassing me, for I have heard some pretty tales about a certain drunk elf and my father!" Eldarion countered. "I remember in distinct detail about when you couldn't handle some alcohol and you started flirting with my father on the eve of his wedding before starting to ki"-
Legolas stiffened and in a lightening quick action was leaning over the table and glaring at the man.
"Legolas," his father addressed him. "You have something to say?"
Legolas glared at Eldarion one final time before falling back into his seat and mumbling: "No."
"Well than remain seated," Thranduil admonished.
"Do not be so harsh on him," Elessar said with a friendly smile towards his uncomfortable friend. "Legolas has a quick temper and the boys were only jesting."
"You think I do not know that?" Thranduil asked, tilting his head slightly towards the man. His blue eyes were frosty and cold. "He is my son, I think I know more about him than you: Elessar."
Elessar sat back in his seat, quickly followed by the ElvenKing. "Thranduil, do not make a scene. This is meant to be a joyous occasion, do not let us squabble."
Thranduil nodded but did not seem so happy. He did not remain jovial throughout the whole feast and sniffed disdainfully when a platter of grouse was placed in front of him. "I do not eat meat," he announced.
"B-but my Lord," the poor servant protested feebly. "King Elessar said to serve this to you."
"And you have, adequately. But I do not wish it. Give to my son. He seems to have spent so much time with that abominable dwarf that he now eats like one."
King Elessar bit his lip at this obvious insult towards his son and restrained himself from saying something. The table went deathly quiet and Thranduil looked at them with a curl of his lip.
"Carry on eating," he proclaimed. And the servant dutifully served Legolas with the grouse.
Prince Eldarion watched the elf opposite him. Legolas' head was hung low and he seemed to be staring at the table with an odd fascination. He could see the elf's cheeks burning red.
"Stop staring at me human. I would have thought that you least of all humans would be so fascinated by one of your mother's kindred," Legolas murmured without looking up.
"I was merely concerned on your behalf," Eldarion said truthfully.
Legolas pushed his chair away and started to stalk out of the hall. "Don't be!" he cried after him.
Prince Eldarion dropped the fork bearing the meat, halfway to his mouth and watched the retreating figure of Legolas. "What?" he hissed when he saw the Mirkwood elves' angry stares.
"Eldarion?" his father's voice boomed. "Everyone else please carry on. Eldarion could you come and speak to me in private."
The man sighed and stomped up to his father. Elessar smiled gently at his son, reassuring him that he was not going to shout.
"Please, could we have a minute away from prying ears?" Elessar asked. "Don't worry," he added when he saw Eldarion's not entirely convinced look. "I won't shout at you."
The father and son walked past the table and the King stopped just before the door.
"Eldarion, I'm not telling you off, but please don't do that again. Legolas doesn't like being felt sorry for, and I would not query his and Thranduil's relationship. It is very strange, but they are still very close. Just leave them be. Okay?"
Eldarion nodded and couldn't help but feel guilty. "I'm sorry father."
Elessar patted his son's shoulder with another smile and walked back to the table. "Are you returning?" he asked.
"I will go and see mother," the prince replied. "I'll see if she wants anything."
With that Eldarion left the hall in search of Arwen, who was currently in bed with a fever. Her newfound mortality left her vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. It would take some while before she built up sufficient immunity.
~
'Why did she have to ask for that book?' Eldarion growled mentally as he scrabbled around in the library for the book his mother wanted.
Arwen had answered the door with a red nose and burning cheeks and when she had asked in such a pitiful voice: "Could you find the book about Dragons.... um the First Dragons?"
Eldarion had instantly nodded and had run to the library.
"Ah-hah!" he cried in triumph and dived underneath a table, narrowly snagging the long threads of the tablecloth on a buckle. Some child had hidden the book underneath the table and Eldarion was about to climb out when he heard the door slam shut and only the voices alerted him to someone's presence.
'Oh no,' Eldarion thought. Should be move now? But then they would laugh at him for being crouched underneath a table. If he got away without being noticed. nonsense! He could tell by their light footsteps that they were elves. They would also have to be deaf to not hear him stomping on the wooden floor. Eldarion crouched into a little ball and hoped he was not noticed.
"Why do you have to do this to me?" a voice cried. "Embarrass me and insult my friends?!"
"I only insult your friends because they are not worthy of you, and I wish to remind you of that," a lower voice said calmly back. Eldarion swallowed a gasp when he recognised the voice: it was that of King Thranduil.
"Who?"
It must be Legolas he was talking to then.
"That dwarf creature you brought into our borders!" Thranduil hissed.
"Gimli is a better friend then I have ever met in Mirkwood," Legolas retorted. "He is trustworthy, reliable"-
"Stubborn, hideous and a dwarf!" the King completed. "And then there's the man."
"Elessar?" Legolas cried incredulously. "You know well that Elessar is equally my best friend!"
"A man?" the words rolled of the elf's tongue like they were something filthy, not to be uttered.
"You obviously count him high enough to make an alliance with him!" the prince said.
"You are young and naïve Legolas," Thranduil said condescendingly and Eldarion clenched his fists angrily at the treatment the son was receiving. "The alliance works both ways: Elessar is protected and I am protected. Do you truly think that I would risk the lives of my soldiers? It is protection for me! My soldiers are leaving for Valinor, if we are attacked, Gondor may be to the only place to receive aid from. I am certifying this aid."
Eldarion again had to bite down heavily on his lip to stop himself from crying out. Thranduil was a shrewd leader, but a liar and a traitor also. His heart started pounding heavily when he saw feet moving lightly towards him and Eldarion prayed that Thranduil would not be too harsh in his punishment.
But Thranduil stopped and instead, leant against the table with a wearied sigh. "Legolas, son," he said in a kinder voice. "Come here."
Legolas stepped forward with trepidation and into his father's open arms. "Legolas, I do this for you and for the elves of Mirkwood. I want to guarantee that every last elf that desires it, gets to sail for Valinor. Is that too much to ask?"
"No father," Legolas said quietly and leant his head against his father's chest.
Eldarion ground his teeth together as his chances of the prince defending Gondor and pleading for his father to remain true to his word, disappeared as briefly as a summer shower.
"Did you hear that?" Thranduil suddenly hissed.
Legolas nodded his head and ducked underneath the table. He gave a sharp intake of breath as he saw Eldarion smiling feebly at him. Then he straightened up and gave an equally feeble smile. "No father," Legolas said, though he noticed a slight tremor in his voice. "Nothing's there."
"Fine," the King replied and kissed his son's cheek before walking back out of the library. "Do not be long Legolas," he called after him. "Dessert will be served soon."
Eldarion waited until he heard the door shut before crawling out with a slight wince. He had been crouched double for nearly ten minutes and his straight stance (due to many years of being taught etiquette) was not used to being crouched over.
"What are you doing eavesdropping on my father's conversation?" Legolas asked coldly, his back to the man.
"I wasn't eavesdropping," Eldarion protested and pulled the book out, giving it a brush.
"I suppose you normally hide under tables the minute elven lords enter the room then," the prince said sarcastically.
"No"-
"Then what were you doing?"
"I was retrieving this book," the man said though he knew the excuse sounded pathetic.
"Oh yes," Legolas said mockingly. "Don't you dare tell your father about what happened here!"
"Why not? Oh yes- of course I don't mind when my father is betrayed and left vulnerable to our enemies!"
"You must understand what my father says!" Legolas said turning around, but his eyes were sadder and his voice was quieter.
"You don't agree with your father," Eldarion finally said after a minute of silence.
"No!" Legolas protested. "I do! He is right!"
"No he isn't," the prince urged, stepping closer to the elf. "And you know it," Eldarion said slowly, staring deep into the turmoil of the elf 's eye.
Legolas quickly looked away, breaking the eye contact. "No, my father is right," he said sadly. His voice seemed uncertain. "He is always right."
"Can he not be wrong? He is only an elf when all is said and done: he is not perfect. Only Eru is perfect."
"No!" Legolas said sharply, his eyes were wild now. "Father is right! Men are untrustworthy, they break their promises. it is for Mirkwood's good!"
"But. my father! He is the one you made the pact with. He is your best friend!" Eldarion affirmed. "You cannot say that your best friend is untrustworthy."
"I am not!" the elf replied quickly. "I am saying that those who work for him, are."
"I will go to him now then," Eldarion announced and went to the door but was stopped by a hand on his wrist.
He turned around and met Legolas' frantic eyes. "No, please! My father will kill me if he finds out that I let slip!"
"It was not your fault," the man said and tried to jerk away from the prince, but his grip was steely tight.
"It is. Please!"
Eldarion looked at Legolas' noble features twisted into a begging howl. His eyes were frenetic and nervous, his teeth were biting down on his lip and his face was pale.
"I will not tell my father," Eldarion said softly. "But you should."
With that he left he room, much puzzled and confused about the prince of Mirkwood.
~
The band struck up a lively waltz and Eldarion found his foot tapping along to the 3 beats in the bar.
The hall was filled with colour that had not been seen since Arwen and Aragorn's wedding. Flimsy silken objects made by the elves' dainty hands, velvet banners bearing horses from Rohan and wondrous chandeliers made of silver and mithril from the dwarves of the Glittering Caves.
He heard a small peal of laughter that burbled over the owner's lips like water along the pebbles of a stream. He watched as an elf reached up to touch a shield placed on the wall, with a reverent look on his face. "Ada!" he called. "This is Gimli's work, is it not fine indeed?
Eldarion nodded though the question was not directed at him. He too had gazed at the fair shield that had been made for none less than Elessar Telecontar's arm. It was rimmed with hard blue steel from the Blue Mountains and rippled on it were runes of some language. They would deflect any blows that landed on the metal. In the middle was mithril coated iron that shone so brightly that it almost blinded the eyes in daylight. The design in the middle that had alerted Legolas' eye to it was that of an axe crossed over a tall tree with reaching boughs.
Thranduil crossed the room slowly and looked at the shield blankly. "Tis the dwarf's," he said coldly.
"Yes, but it is beautiful isn't it?" Legolas repeated, his blue eyes rapturous at the material beauty Gimli had created. He always boasted about his skill with the poker and anvil, and now Legolas finally got to judge it for himself.
"See!" Thranduil said in a low voice. "The dwarf has entranced you with metals- where do you think the fuel to heat the coals came from?"
The prince looked at him blankly.
"Wood!" Thranduil hissed. "You count yourself in league with these miners and forest destroyers."
"N-no Ada!" Legolas protested. "Gimli said that he used coals.. Like we do! Rotten trees.. Dead trees!"
"But why are they dead?" the King asked. "Because your friend killed them with his cumbersome axe!"
Thranduil spat at the shield and stalked back towards the corner where some Mirkwood elves were huddled, deep in conversation.
Legolas blinked several times before watching his father walk away from him again, then with a grave look on his face, reached up his sleeve and polished the spit into the metal.
"Leave that," Eldarion said, walking up to the elf. "There are servants to do those sort of things."
Legolas spun around. "We don't have servants in Mirkwood. Every one is free to do as they like within the borders of the law. Slavery is a disgusting human trait, you like to feel superior somehow."
"That is true," the man acknowledged. "But then if you do not feel this need to be superior, why are you prince and your father King? Democracy would be fairer."
The cerulean eyes narrowed and stared at him so intently that Eldarion nearly had to look away. But he persisted and stared back levelly, his face impassive.
Legolas finally broke the contact by blinking and it was as if a spell had been lifted. Eldarion slumped slightly and blinked rapidly, shaking his head and returned his gaze to the elf.
"You have your mother's eyes," he said with a chuckle.
It was true. Eldarion had received much of his genes from his father, but his lips were his mother's. They were soft, a pale pink like that of the setting sun, and were normally slightly parted so that a glimpse of his teeth could be seen. His eyes were also his mother's: pale blue and luminous, long coal black lashes framed them. But there was also some of his father in them. They were more of a slate shade in them, hardness and also a spark of humour and mischief.
"Democracy would be fairer, but I fear my father likes the power he wields as much as you humans. It brings him more gems and jewels than a simple elf," Legolas said in answer to the former interchange.
"I have heard of the ElvenKing's fondness for all things that shine," Eldarion said.
"No doubt then you have heard many other bad and untrue things about my father and my kin," Legolas said with a sad sigh and looked back towards the shield. "Money grabbing, selfish, dangerous, uncultured"-
"Nay!" Eldarion protested.
"Yes, they are all bad. My kin are known as the more dangerous and more foolish of the elves. Easy to anger and swift to act, we have been given bad names by many of our foes." Legolas' face was calm as if he accepted the truth. "Many of these tales that have been told are true. But that is only because of the world we now live in. Ever since Greenwood changed to Mirkwood, we are nervous of newcomers in case they destroy even more of our beautiful forest like Sauron!"
"I am young amongst my kin, but I did see what Greenwood was like before. It was beautiful. The tallest trees grew there, lush and plentiful, that was until they all shrivelled up into shadow."
Eldarion nodded sympathetically. "Sauron is gone now, Mirkwood will return to its former state, and the elves will be happy and safe!"
"The elves will never be happy, nor feel safe," Legolas said darkly. "Now is not the time for such gloom and despair filled talk. We must celebrate!" he added brightly. "Will you dance with me? Set an example to our fathers that men and elves can live together?"
Eldarion was about to say that he did not want to set an example at all, he wanted to stop the union, but when he saw the hopeful look on the wood- elf's face, he could not.
"I will," he said.
Legolas smiled broadly and taking the man's hand, lead him out onto the floor.
A/N: This is a slash. I repeat this is a slash. Legolas/ Eldarion with a small paragraph of Legolas/ unnamed person.
If you do not like slashes then go away! Do not protest and slate my story because you do not like slashes. For I am deadly with the bow and arrow and I will hunt you down.
Plot: As the biggest snowfall hits Middle-earth, an ancient evil raises its ugly head. It will take a warrior determined by fate to stop it. Legolas/ Eldarion
Key: Italics- elvish
~ 27 years after the defeat of Sauron, early Spring, Gondor, Minas Tirith~
"An alliance!" the King cried raising his glass.
"An alliance!" the ElvenKing chorused, his melodious voice echoing the man's sentiment.
King Elessar's hand went to the pommel stone of Anduril. It was an action of habit nothing more. "Elves and Men once stood together in unison against the darker forces at bay. Then we were divided. But a new dawn has risen and it will rise on elves and men living together in harmony!"
Both Kings knew it was nothing more than something for the crowds to talk about and feel safer. They both knew that elves and men would never 'live in harmony' their ways were too different and their cultures to alien. The alliance was a pact that if the elves were attacked, the men would defend, and visa versa.
Nothing more.
"The elves are glad to fight and die alongside men!" Thranduil cried in elvish to the elves gathered at the ceremony. They laughed and raised their glasses in agreement.
"The elves are glad to fight and die alongside men," one elf murmured and rolled his eyes. He looked at the man opposite and sighed. "Elves are never glad to die. Least not alongside men."
The man laughed and the elf looked at him in puzzlement.
"And men are never glad to die alongside elves. Besides you should be supporting your father, prince," the man laughed in elvish.
The elf stopped. "You know elvish, human?"
"My mother is elvish, idiot," he added as an after thought in Westron.
"P-prince Eldarion!" the elf cried. "I did not recognise you. The last time I saw you, you were still in swaddling clothes."
The prince blushed slightly and sipped at his wine. "Thank you Legolas," he hissed when he saw amused smiles from the ministers on his side.
Legolas leant back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. "That's okay, your highness. Such a chubby child, and such a terror. I remember you running around with nothing on, before stealing your father's cloak and wrapping that around your waist. Then you ran into the middle of court."
Eldarion went red even more and the elves alongside Legolas laughed with the prince.
"I would not be so hasty prince Legolas in embarrassing me, for I have heard some pretty tales about a certain drunk elf and my father!" Eldarion countered. "I remember in distinct detail about when you couldn't handle some alcohol and you started flirting with my father on the eve of his wedding before starting to ki"-
Legolas stiffened and in a lightening quick action was leaning over the table and glaring at the man.
"Legolas," his father addressed him. "You have something to say?"
Legolas glared at Eldarion one final time before falling back into his seat and mumbling: "No."
"Well than remain seated," Thranduil admonished.
"Do not be so harsh on him," Elessar said with a friendly smile towards his uncomfortable friend. "Legolas has a quick temper and the boys were only jesting."
"You think I do not know that?" Thranduil asked, tilting his head slightly towards the man. His blue eyes were frosty and cold. "He is my son, I think I know more about him than you: Elessar."
Elessar sat back in his seat, quickly followed by the ElvenKing. "Thranduil, do not make a scene. This is meant to be a joyous occasion, do not let us squabble."
Thranduil nodded but did not seem so happy. He did not remain jovial throughout the whole feast and sniffed disdainfully when a platter of grouse was placed in front of him. "I do not eat meat," he announced.
"B-but my Lord," the poor servant protested feebly. "King Elessar said to serve this to you."
"And you have, adequately. But I do not wish it. Give to my son. He seems to have spent so much time with that abominable dwarf that he now eats like one."
King Elessar bit his lip at this obvious insult towards his son and restrained himself from saying something. The table went deathly quiet and Thranduil looked at them with a curl of his lip.
"Carry on eating," he proclaimed. And the servant dutifully served Legolas with the grouse.
Prince Eldarion watched the elf opposite him. Legolas' head was hung low and he seemed to be staring at the table with an odd fascination. He could see the elf's cheeks burning red.
"Stop staring at me human. I would have thought that you least of all humans would be so fascinated by one of your mother's kindred," Legolas murmured without looking up.
"I was merely concerned on your behalf," Eldarion said truthfully.
Legolas pushed his chair away and started to stalk out of the hall. "Don't be!" he cried after him.
Prince Eldarion dropped the fork bearing the meat, halfway to his mouth and watched the retreating figure of Legolas. "What?" he hissed when he saw the Mirkwood elves' angry stares.
"Eldarion?" his father's voice boomed. "Everyone else please carry on. Eldarion could you come and speak to me in private."
The man sighed and stomped up to his father. Elessar smiled gently at his son, reassuring him that he was not going to shout.
"Please, could we have a minute away from prying ears?" Elessar asked. "Don't worry," he added when he saw Eldarion's not entirely convinced look. "I won't shout at you."
The father and son walked past the table and the King stopped just before the door.
"Eldarion, I'm not telling you off, but please don't do that again. Legolas doesn't like being felt sorry for, and I would not query his and Thranduil's relationship. It is very strange, but they are still very close. Just leave them be. Okay?"
Eldarion nodded and couldn't help but feel guilty. "I'm sorry father."
Elessar patted his son's shoulder with another smile and walked back to the table. "Are you returning?" he asked.
"I will go and see mother," the prince replied. "I'll see if she wants anything."
With that Eldarion left the hall in search of Arwen, who was currently in bed with a fever. Her newfound mortality left her vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. It would take some while before she built up sufficient immunity.
~
'Why did she have to ask for that book?' Eldarion growled mentally as he scrabbled around in the library for the book his mother wanted.
Arwen had answered the door with a red nose and burning cheeks and when she had asked in such a pitiful voice: "Could you find the book about Dragons.... um the First Dragons?"
Eldarion had instantly nodded and had run to the library.
"Ah-hah!" he cried in triumph and dived underneath a table, narrowly snagging the long threads of the tablecloth on a buckle. Some child had hidden the book underneath the table and Eldarion was about to climb out when he heard the door slam shut and only the voices alerted him to someone's presence.
'Oh no,' Eldarion thought. Should be move now? But then they would laugh at him for being crouched underneath a table. If he got away without being noticed. nonsense! He could tell by their light footsteps that they were elves. They would also have to be deaf to not hear him stomping on the wooden floor. Eldarion crouched into a little ball and hoped he was not noticed.
"Why do you have to do this to me?" a voice cried. "Embarrass me and insult my friends?!"
"I only insult your friends because they are not worthy of you, and I wish to remind you of that," a lower voice said calmly back. Eldarion swallowed a gasp when he recognised the voice: it was that of King Thranduil.
"Who?"
It must be Legolas he was talking to then.
"That dwarf creature you brought into our borders!" Thranduil hissed.
"Gimli is a better friend then I have ever met in Mirkwood," Legolas retorted. "He is trustworthy, reliable"-
"Stubborn, hideous and a dwarf!" the King completed. "And then there's the man."
"Elessar?" Legolas cried incredulously. "You know well that Elessar is equally my best friend!"
"A man?" the words rolled of the elf's tongue like they were something filthy, not to be uttered.
"You obviously count him high enough to make an alliance with him!" the prince said.
"You are young and naïve Legolas," Thranduil said condescendingly and Eldarion clenched his fists angrily at the treatment the son was receiving. "The alliance works both ways: Elessar is protected and I am protected. Do you truly think that I would risk the lives of my soldiers? It is protection for me! My soldiers are leaving for Valinor, if we are attacked, Gondor may be to the only place to receive aid from. I am certifying this aid."
Eldarion again had to bite down heavily on his lip to stop himself from crying out. Thranduil was a shrewd leader, but a liar and a traitor also. His heart started pounding heavily when he saw feet moving lightly towards him and Eldarion prayed that Thranduil would not be too harsh in his punishment.
But Thranduil stopped and instead, leant against the table with a wearied sigh. "Legolas, son," he said in a kinder voice. "Come here."
Legolas stepped forward with trepidation and into his father's open arms. "Legolas, I do this for you and for the elves of Mirkwood. I want to guarantee that every last elf that desires it, gets to sail for Valinor. Is that too much to ask?"
"No father," Legolas said quietly and leant his head against his father's chest.
Eldarion ground his teeth together as his chances of the prince defending Gondor and pleading for his father to remain true to his word, disappeared as briefly as a summer shower.
"Did you hear that?" Thranduil suddenly hissed.
Legolas nodded his head and ducked underneath the table. He gave a sharp intake of breath as he saw Eldarion smiling feebly at him. Then he straightened up and gave an equally feeble smile. "No father," Legolas said, though he noticed a slight tremor in his voice. "Nothing's there."
"Fine," the King replied and kissed his son's cheek before walking back out of the library. "Do not be long Legolas," he called after him. "Dessert will be served soon."
Eldarion waited until he heard the door shut before crawling out with a slight wince. He had been crouched double for nearly ten minutes and his straight stance (due to many years of being taught etiquette) was not used to being crouched over.
"What are you doing eavesdropping on my father's conversation?" Legolas asked coldly, his back to the man.
"I wasn't eavesdropping," Eldarion protested and pulled the book out, giving it a brush.
"I suppose you normally hide under tables the minute elven lords enter the room then," the prince said sarcastically.
"No"-
"Then what were you doing?"
"I was retrieving this book," the man said though he knew the excuse sounded pathetic.
"Oh yes," Legolas said mockingly. "Don't you dare tell your father about what happened here!"
"Why not? Oh yes- of course I don't mind when my father is betrayed and left vulnerable to our enemies!"
"You must understand what my father says!" Legolas said turning around, but his eyes were sadder and his voice was quieter.
"You don't agree with your father," Eldarion finally said after a minute of silence.
"No!" Legolas protested. "I do! He is right!"
"No he isn't," the prince urged, stepping closer to the elf. "And you know it," Eldarion said slowly, staring deep into the turmoil of the elf 's eye.
Legolas quickly looked away, breaking the eye contact. "No, my father is right," he said sadly. His voice seemed uncertain. "He is always right."
"Can he not be wrong? He is only an elf when all is said and done: he is not perfect. Only Eru is perfect."
"No!" Legolas said sharply, his eyes were wild now. "Father is right! Men are untrustworthy, they break their promises. it is for Mirkwood's good!"
"But. my father! He is the one you made the pact with. He is your best friend!" Eldarion affirmed. "You cannot say that your best friend is untrustworthy."
"I am not!" the elf replied quickly. "I am saying that those who work for him, are."
"I will go to him now then," Eldarion announced and went to the door but was stopped by a hand on his wrist.
He turned around and met Legolas' frantic eyes. "No, please! My father will kill me if he finds out that I let slip!"
"It was not your fault," the man said and tried to jerk away from the prince, but his grip was steely tight.
"It is. Please!"
Eldarion looked at Legolas' noble features twisted into a begging howl. His eyes were frenetic and nervous, his teeth were biting down on his lip and his face was pale.
"I will not tell my father," Eldarion said softly. "But you should."
With that he left he room, much puzzled and confused about the prince of Mirkwood.
~
The band struck up a lively waltz and Eldarion found his foot tapping along to the 3 beats in the bar.
The hall was filled with colour that had not been seen since Arwen and Aragorn's wedding. Flimsy silken objects made by the elves' dainty hands, velvet banners bearing horses from Rohan and wondrous chandeliers made of silver and mithril from the dwarves of the Glittering Caves.
He heard a small peal of laughter that burbled over the owner's lips like water along the pebbles of a stream. He watched as an elf reached up to touch a shield placed on the wall, with a reverent look on his face. "Ada!" he called. "This is Gimli's work, is it not fine indeed?
Eldarion nodded though the question was not directed at him. He too had gazed at the fair shield that had been made for none less than Elessar Telecontar's arm. It was rimmed with hard blue steel from the Blue Mountains and rippled on it were runes of some language. They would deflect any blows that landed on the metal. In the middle was mithril coated iron that shone so brightly that it almost blinded the eyes in daylight. The design in the middle that had alerted Legolas' eye to it was that of an axe crossed over a tall tree with reaching boughs.
Thranduil crossed the room slowly and looked at the shield blankly. "Tis the dwarf's," he said coldly.
"Yes, but it is beautiful isn't it?" Legolas repeated, his blue eyes rapturous at the material beauty Gimli had created. He always boasted about his skill with the poker and anvil, and now Legolas finally got to judge it for himself.
"See!" Thranduil said in a low voice. "The dwarf has entranced you with metals- where do you think the fuel to heat the coals came from?"
The prince looked at him blankly.
"Wood!" Thranduil hissed. "You count yourself in league with these miners and forest destroyers."
"N-no Ada!" Legolas protested. "Gimli said that he used coals.. Like we do! Rotten trees.. Dead trees!"
"But why are they dead?" the King asked. "Because your friend killed them with his cumbersome axe!"
Thranduil spat at the shield and stalked back towards the corner where some Mirkwood elves were huddled, deep in conversation.
Legolas blinked several times before watching his father walk away from him again, then with a grave look on his face, reached up his sleeve and polished the spit into the metal.
"Leave that," Eldarion said, walking up to the elf. "There are servants to do those sort of things."
Legolas spun around. "We don't have servants in Mirkwood. Every one is free to do as they like within the borders of the law. Slavery is a disgusting human trait, you like to feel superior somehow."
"That is true," the man acknowledged. "But then if you do not feel this need to be superior, why are you prince and your father King? Democracy would be fairer."
The cerulean eyes narrowed and stared at him so intently that Eldarion nearly had to look away. But he persisted and stared back levelly, his face impassive.
Legolas finally broke the contact by blinking and it was as if a spell had been lifted. Eldarion slumped slightly and blinked rapidly, shaking his head and returned his gaze to the elf.
"You have your mother's eyes," he said with a chuckle.
It was true. Eldarion had received much of his genes from his father, but his lips were his mother's. They were soft, a pale pink like that of the setting sun, and were normally slightly parted so that a glimpse of his teeth could be seen. His eyes were also his mother's: pale blue and luminous, long coal black lashes framed them. But there was also some of his father in them. They were more of a slate shade in them, hardness and also a spark of humour and mischief.
"Democracy would be fairer, but I fear my father likes the power he wields as much as you humans. It brings him more gems and jewels than a simple elf," Legolas said in answer to the former interchange.
"I have heard of the ElvenKing's fondness for all things that shine," Eldarion said.
"No doubt then you have heard many other bad and untrue things about my father and my kin," Legolas said with a sad sigh and looked back towards the shield. "Money grabbing, selfish, dangerous, uncultured"-
"Nay!" Eldarion protested.
"Yes, they are all bad. My kin are known as the more dangerous and more foolish of the elves. Easy to anger and swift to act, we have been given bad names by many of our foes." Legolas' face was calm as if he accepted the truth. "Many of these tales that have been told are true. But that is only because of the world we now live in. Ever since Greenwood changed to Mirkwood, we are nervous of newcomers in case they destroy even more of our beautiful forest like Sauron!"
"I am young amongst my kin, but I did see what Greenwood was like before. It was beautiful. The tallest trees grew there, lush and plentiful, that was until they all shrivelled up into shadow."
Eldarion nodded sympathetically. "Sauron is gone now, Mirkwood will return to its former state, and the elves will be happy and safe!"
"The elves will never be happy, nor feel safe," Legolas said darkly. "Now is not the time for such gloom and despair filled talk. We must celebrate!" he added brightly. "Will you dance with me? Set an example to our fathers that men and elves can live together?"
Eldarion was about to say that he did not want to set an example at all, he wanted to stop the union, but when he saw the hopeful look on the wood- elf's face, he could not.
"I will," he said.
Legolas smiled broadly and taking the man's hand, lead him out onto the floor.