Disclaimer: I am not a professor or a philologist or a member of the Inklings. Alas, I have never been to England nor was I born in South Africa. So apart from a love of beauty and an admiration for Old English and medieval stories I have nothing in common with the writer of The Lord of the Rings. Ergo, any recognizable characters are his not mine. I but vainly hope to add a few threads in the great tapestry of Middle Earth.
Chapter 1 – An Elf called Laiqalasse
Legolas sung softly as he swung himself from his horse. It had been far too long since he had entered the fair haven of Rivendell and his heart felt light and merry as he remembered the peace that lay upon it. The Last Homely house he mused, yes it was that indeed, and for him it had been a second home ever since he his sister had long ago made friends with the children of Elrond. He laughed as he thought of those happy hours spent in sunlight and peace of Imladris as the children of the last elven lords in Middle Earth had become fast friends. Arwen and his sister Erynel had been ready to take on their brothers in every competition which as often as not ended in laughter and dishevelment much to the outward disapproval and inward merriment of their parents. Of late he had visited only infrequently and mostly on errands for his father, for Mirkwood had grown dark and her prince was needed to lead the people, the two mothers had departed Middle Earth and laughter was harder to come by where it had once rung out freely.
It had been near to twenty years since he had had seen his old friends and he wondered if he would find them changed for though twenty years were short in the life-span of an elf much had occurred since he had bid farewell to his friends near the High Pass. He hoped Arwen would be there for she reminded him of his sister and she was a charming and understanding friend with wisdom beyond her years. And yet it was hardly likely for the last he had seen of her, her brothers had been escorting her to Lothlorien where her grand-parents, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn dwelt and she often stayed in the Golden Woods for many decades. One day he would go there himself and look upon the beauty of the land of singing gold he decided, one day when he was not so hard pressed fighting to keep the woodland free of evil…his musings ended abruptly as a blinding blur of dark-hair and long legs came pelting down the aisle dodging the stalls with practiced skill. Legolas quickly threw himself up and to the side vaulting into the nearest stall to avoid the collision. The youth pulled himself to a stop just before reaching the spot than had been so quickly vacated by the elf.
Legolas laughed pleasantly at the look on the young man's face, he seemed surprised and confused.
"You're a Silvan elf" he stated somewhat belligerently looking at the prince's simple brown and green-grey attire.
"So I am" returned the prince, well half-silvan to be accurate he thought "you have sharp eyes for one so young…" Ai, thought Legolas, that was certainly the wrong thing to say, obviously the boy considered himself an adult by the standards of men.
"I may be young to you, master elf but I am nearly of age among men." His tone became frighteningly blunt "I must warn you those who live here are Noldar and they have little love of wood-elves."
"I had heard that the home of Elrond Half-Elven was open to all travelers, be they elves, dwarves, hobbits or men." Legolas responded carefully, could Elrond and his sons' have forgotten their friendship so quickly he wondered. No, something was apparently bothering the boy, he must be misstating his friends' beliefs.
"Lord Elrond's family has ever been friends with King Thranduil and his family" he continued deciding that it would be prudent to withhold his identity until he could speak with elf-lords alone.
"Ah" said the boy "you are a messenger from Mirkwood, and perhaps you bring news of Prince Legolas?" his tone of voice was now warm and welcoming, leaving Legolas decidedly confused; at least it seemed that his friends were anxious for news from him, apparently the last message announcing his arrival must have miscarried.
"Aye" he responded quickly "I am a messenger from the king and I bear tidings of the prince" he bowed formally "My name is Laiqalasse, I am an archer in the service of the king."
"And I am Estel of Imladris" returned the boy cordially, bowing elven-fashion. "Have you served under Prince Legolas?" he continued hopefully. Legolas decided that he was glad he had not given his Sindarin name, this man-child seemed unduly fixated with him. "I have served with the Prince of the Woodland Realm" he answered wording his sentence carefully "why do you ask?"
"My brothers have told me stories of the warriors in Mirkwood and he is the greatest of the woodland warriors." Legolas frowned; these mysterious brothers obviously had some over-blown ideas of life in Mirkwood. "I would not say that he is the greatest" he said calmly "King Thranduil is by far a better swordsmen and a wise leader." The youth frowned and opened his mouth to retort but seemed to think better of it "As you say" he said politely "perhaps you can tell a story of your prince in the hall of fire tonight. I will lead you to dinner if you wish, once you are finished with the horse. My father and brothers will not return until tomorrow." "Your father and brothers?" asked the prince confused "who are they?" "Lord Elrond adopted me when my father died" explained the boy "I have grown used to referring to him has my father and the twins as my brothers." "So Elladan and Elrohir return in the morning? I have much to discuss with them and Lord Elrond." Laiqalasse returned somewhat cryptically.
The youth watched him with fascinated eyes as though having served with the "greatest warrior in Mirkwood" made him worthy of special consideration and awe. Legolas shook his head; he was going to have to have a talk with the twins he decided, these stories they were telling their brother must be positively ridiculous. Still it would be fun to masquerade as a simple messenger for the evening without any "your royal highnessing." Dinner was a pleasant meal, though he eyed Glorfindel and Erestor cautiously, taking care that they could not see his face. He had no intention of being discovered so early in the evening. The elves sitting around him were a merry bunch and he soon found himself laughing and singing with them, Mirkwood, darkness and spiders forgotten for the moment.
As the meal concluded he decided that the Hall of Fire was too great a risk, there were simply too many elves that knew him for him to go unrecognized. As it was he was surprised that no one had commented on his hair, for golden haired elves were few and amid the dark-haired Noldar it should have been recognized. He was about to slip away to the rooms that had long ago been set aside for him when he found himself accosted by Estel. "If you will join me" he assured the prince "I will find a place for you to sleep. And though the house is rather crowded, I could find you a bed in return for a tale of Mirkwood." Legolas groaned, Estel was going to be mightily disappointed with his stories, but the thought of earning his bed for a story was an amusing one and without thinking he gave the boy his hand and let himself be pulled along the well-known corridors. Too late he realized his mistake, as Estel felt the palm of his hand and stiffened. He held the prince's palm in the light, looking at it with narrowed eyes.
"This is a brand mark" he said softly "Who did this to you?"
"It is a long and not particularly pleasant story" returned the elf "though it had a happy ending."
"And what was the ending?" he returned without thinking "I...I am sorry, I did not mean to pry" he continued hurriedly "I can see that you would rather not speak of it, pay no head to my idle curiosity."
"I am not offended" Laiqalasse assured him "The memory has long ceased to pain me. I was captured along with a human child, a dunedain. Those who had captured us wished me to give them information concerning many things, including secrets of my King, when I refused they tried to persuade me, happily with little success." He smiled somewhat mirthlessly. "What happened to the child?" asked Estel feeling slightly overwhelmed "I left him with his mother who assured me that she would return him to a refuge where none could touch him."
Estel felt flabbergasted, this had to be him. The mysterious elf that had saved him so long ago, obviously he had no idea that that same child was standing before him. He turned serious grey eyes back towards Laiqalasse, "You left out all the important parts" he accused "And I would like to hear you sing again." Legolas spun on his heel and stopped when he saw the boy's eyes. He had wondered what was so strangely familiar about the youth but now he understood. So Estel was Aragorn, though no doubt he did not know who Aragorn was yet. He studied the face in front of him "Yes" he said slowly 'I see it now, I wonder that I missed something so clear." He bowed again "We meet again, Estel o Imladris, Mae govannen."
Estel returned the bow "You are doubly welcome. Lord Elrond will indeed be glad to see you. Long he has sought my mysterious rescuer. I most apologize for my ungracious welcome earlier." he smiled ruthfully. "No harm, done" the other laughed "though you would be wise to greet all with equally gracious words." Carefully Estel led the way; if the prince had thought that he was getting too many looks earlier he was soon corrected. Estel was practically walking backwards, unable to conceal his open admiration, obviously he had a more vivid memory of certain events then Legolas had given him credit for.
As the two stood on the balcony that opened out over the valley of Rivendell Legolas began to sing, softly at first but gaining strength and power with every passing moment. Estel listened quietly, if nothing else the song convinced him of the identity of Laiqalasse. He thought back to that dark time. True he had been a child, a mere handful of years but certain things he remembered clearly; the way the golden-haired elf had protected him as well as he could, the way the men had treated him for that and very clearly the giving of that faint scar. He felt excited and intimidated at once, one his childhood heroes was standing beside him, singing for him!