CHAPTER 2
Two days after the Solstice Festival life in Mirkwood was yet far from normal.
The grand ball was still discussed vividly and all elves agreed that it had been many a century since they had last attended such a magnificent event.
Of course Lord Thurin's absence from the feast still mystified all, but then again he had not been seen until the competition on the next day, where he had beaten Amil-Garil, the King's personal bodyguard, who had an excellent reputation as a swordsman.
When the final day of the tournaments arrived, every single elf in the Kingdom of Mirkwood was most eager to talk to Lord Thurin personally, but he remained firmly in hiding.
Much to Elladan's chagrin…
"Where is he? Can you not find him?" The older twin asked Elrohir, who was helping his brother ready himself for the final fight.
"As I have already stated, brother, I cannot find Lord Thurin. But you will meet him soon enough as it is." Elrohir smirked and fastened Elladan's cloak around his shoulders.
Elladan grunted. "That elf is enough to drive the most patient to insanity."
"Speaking of insanity" Elrohir grinned"you are already on the verge of it, it seems. You are obsessed. Besides" the younger twin continued ere his brother could interrupt"I believe our friend Legolas might be somewhat displeased with you for missing his final contest."
Elladan swung around to stare at his brother. "Ai, Valar! I completely forgot. How did he finish"
"He won." A stern voice spoke up from the entrance, prompting both twins to turn in surprise.
None other than the Prince of Mirkwood himself strode into the tent, still clutching the golden arrow that he had been rewarded by the King only minutes ago.
Legolas' usually friendly face was drawn and he looked truly annoyed.
"I'm so sorry I missed..." Elladan stepped forward to apologize but was cut short by a dismissive gesture from the Prince.
"You need not worry, mellon-nîn. I am searching for Elenath, have you seen her" Legolas looked from one twin to the other, his clear eyes blazing with subdued anger.
The twins looked at one another and shrugged.
"Nay, I have not seen her for some time, yet I believe she will be among the spectators when Elladan and Lord Thurin start their contest."
The elder twin retrieved his helmet. "It seems she is avoiding you, tough I ask myself why."
"She has no reason to avoid me" the Prince snapped. "You may tell her that when you see her."
"We will," Elrohir promised, trying to calm their friend. "Now come, the competition is about to begin."
"Harder Estel!"
"I cannot!"
"Oh but you can. I know you can do it!"
"Elenath…" Estel dropped to the ground panting. "Are you sure you really want to do this?"
Glaring at the Ranger the elf crossed her arms. "Do you really think that I would turn away now?"
"Fine!" The human jumped to his feet. "But if we continue now there will be no way back. Are you certain that this is what you want?"
A brilliant smile lit up her face as Estel stepped closer. "Aye, it is most definitely my heart's wish."
"Very well." The Dúnadan consented, smiling. "Then let us continue where we left off."
The sun had already begun it's slow descent in the west as the two combatants entered the clearing and walked up to the King's dais, bowing respectfully.
Elladan had his helmet tucked under his right arm but Lord Thurin was yet again fully clad, which caused the Noldorin elf to glare at him out of the corner of his eyes.
Thurin seemed like an elf content with himself, his every demeanour spoke of a man who got what he wanted whenever he wanted it.
As the King gave the signal, both elves strode towards the centre of the clearing amidst the cheering of the crowds that had gathered beyond the roped-off fighting area.
"Galu mae." Elladan nodded at Lord Thurin and pulled on his own helmet.
Within moments both elves were caught up in a beautiful dance of death.
Armour flashed in the sunlight, swords sang through the air and rang when they impacted, sending sparks flying and bodies twisted and twirled almost too fast for the human eye to behold.
Thurin surprised Elladan, for the mysterious lord seemed to anticipate his every move, parrying and thrusting as though he knew the exactly how the Noldorin elf would react.
Their skills were well matched and neither was easily able to land points.
The final fight could continue on indefinitely, for there was no time limit set. It would only end when one of the contestants managed to gain and advantage of two points.
Legolas sat next to King Thranduil and watched with anticipation as the minutes passed by and neither of the elves in the clearing showed any sign of besting the other.
"If one of them does not land a point soon I am afraid we shall sit here until tomorrow," the Prince joked.
"Ai, Valar, I hope not!" Thranduil chuckled, looking fondly at his son and silently thanked Ilúvatar that they were able to share this moment.
His only son had been perilously close to death on too many occasions. Having him sitting beside him now was a very gratifying feeling.
"I am very proud of you, Legolas. You have not only proven your skill as the best archer in all the realms, but also as an elf who knows where his responsibilities lie. You shall make a fine king when my days in Middle-earth are over."
Legolas stared at his father, amazed and slightly shocked to hear such heartfelt words.
Their relationship was and always had been somewhat difficult and although the Prince loved his father with all his heart and knew that Thranduil felt the same for his son, they were both headstrong and tended to be quite stubborn, which made communicating somewhat of a problem at times.
As the surprise wore off Legolas smiled at his father, his clear blue eyes flashing brilliantly in the setting sun.
"Hannon-le, ada. Your words honour me, though I pray to Eru that your days here may continue for some time yet."
The clashing of steel against steel redirected their attention back to the elves below.
Elladan seemed to have gained the upper hand for Thurin was starting to show first signs of wearying.
When the latter lunged at the Noldorin, Elladan swung his curved blade in a low arch and caught Thurin across the breastplate of his armour, causing him to stumble backwards and drop to his knees a few breathless seconds later.
All was still in the glade as Thurin remained hunched over, one hand splayed across the dent in his armour the other steadying him.
It was not the objective to wound an opponent, merely to disarm him at best, so Elladan strode over to Thurin an knelt before him.
"Lord Thurin, are you injured?" Elladan could not see any blood at least. "Mylord?"
Thurin did not answer and both elves in the clearing were taken slightly aback when a third party appeared next to them, quietly asking Thurin the same question.
"Estel? What are you doing?" Elladan looked at his human brother who was currently helping Lord Thurin take off his helmet.
"We need to get the armour off!" The man snapped as Thurin pushed away his hands and continued to remove the perturbing headpiece.
When the helmet finally rolled to the floor a cascade of long black hair fell around the elf's shoulders and down his back, shimmering with molten fire in the last rays of the stetting sun.
King Thranduil, who had risen from his seat and now stood at the edge of the dais watched the events blow with a worried frown.
"Lord Thurin, are you well?"
As the elf in question raised his head to face the King, Thranduil's jaw dropped in surprise.
Behind him he could hear Legolas gasp and jump to his feet.
In the clearing below Elladan stared into familiar blue eyes, unable to fully comprehend what had just occurred.
"Elenath!" An angered roar filled the cooling evening air and a tall, fair-haired elf strode into the field, blue eyes blazing.
Elenath suppressed a sigh, she could barely breathe anyway. Elladan's blow had dented her breastplate and probably cracked a rib or two which now prevented her from inhaling properly.
Estel was already working the catches of her armour but she had urged him to fasten them ever more tightly when he had helped her get dressed, much to her dismay.
Glorfindel pushed Elladan roughly aside. "What in the name of Eru have you done!" He stared into his daughter's pale face.
It was forbidden for women to participate in the disciplines of the warriors. She might have been a worthy fighter, but she had broken the law.
"I fought…" she panted, "…as you taught me." Defiance glittered in her eyes. And tears of rage, for she had not expected so much disapproval from the one man who was the sole reason why she entered the contest in the first place.
Estel finally released the last catch, enabling her to breathe more easily, yet no less painfully.
"I was a disgrace to you as a daughter. I thought perhaps I could make you proud of me as a warrior." She lowered her head in defeat and to hide the hot rush of tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks at any moment. "Apparently I have only managed to disgrace myself yet again."
The Vanyarin elf lord stared at his only child, disbelief written all over his fair face.
"Elenath…" He looked down at his daughter, working hard to hide his true feelings from the gawking crowd. "Do you really believe that this is the way a true warrior would work out his problems? By lying? Nay, if you had felt the need to you should have talked to me."
Elenath looked at her father with huge, shimmering, pain filled eyes. "When should I have talked to you, adar?" Her tone was icy. "When you were in Mithlond? Or during one of your many council meetings?" She shook her head smiling bitterly. "Besides, there was nothing to talk about anyway."
Accepting Estel's help she rose unsteadily to her feet, hissing in pain when her injuries protested.
Turning towards the dais she bowed somewhat stiffly before the King. "Forgive me, your Majesty, I meant no harm or disrespect with my actions." Her gaze flickered briefly to Legolas before she bowed her head, awaiting the King's punishment.
Thranduil looked from Elenath to Glorfindel, who stood just behind his daughter, feeling sorry for the elf lord who had become a friend to the King long ago.
"I accept your apology, Elenath, daughter of Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower, but understand that I cannot tolerate lawbreaking and therefore I ask you, do you accept whatever punishment I deem worthy of such a crime?"
"Aye, I shall accept your punishment, your Majesty." She sighed wearily, no longer able to hide her pain.
Thranduil nodded, somewhere deep inside he felt compassion for the young elf-maiden standing before him, a look of utter defeat etched on her beautiful face.
"Very well. Then I bid you go back to the palace so a healer may have a look at your injuries. I will call for you to hear your punishment in my own time."
"Thank you, your Majesty." Elenath bowed once more, wincing as white-hot fire shot through her upper body, causing her breathing to hitch.
"As for you, Dúnadan," the King addressed Estel, who had moved to help Elenath and now froze in his tracks, "I gather you had some part to play in this foul game?"
Elenath tensed, but Estel gently pried her fingers from his arm and lowered his head.
"Aye, your Majesty, I knew that it was Lady Elenath who fought as Lord Thurin. I too shall accept whatever punishment you see fit."
The King nodded thoughtfully. It was not the first time he had witnessed the Ranger getting into trouble, but it was the first time the man was not directly the cause for it.
"Then I shall summon you too, as soon as I have reached a decision."
Estel nodded, never in his life would he have left Elenath to take all the blame, though she was not happy at all with his actions.
When King Thranduil dismissed them they left the clearing behind them, followed by the murmur of the crowd as they made their way back towards the palace on the well-trodden path that led through the dark forest.
"You did not need to admit that you had helped me," she reprimanded the human who walked beside her. "I goaded you into helping me, you are not to blame."
"Nay?" Estel snorted. "The decision was still my own. I will stand for my actions."
"Perhaps you are both simply nifts." Elrohir remarked as he caught up with them. "I can't believe you actually did that!"
"Neither can I!" Elladan looked at Elenath. "I am sorry for hurting you, though." Guilt weighed heavily on the older twin's heart.
Elenath stopped and stared into Elladan's face. "'Twas not your fault. I wanted to participate in the tournament. Any injuries I sustained are due to my own stupidity."
She continued walking down the forest path, grateful for Estel's supporting arm under her shoulders.
"I am sorry though that I lied to you, El, I meant no harm." Somehow she had failed to see how wrong she had been with her charade. Now not only she was in trouble, but Estel too.
Elladan smiled at her. "Worry not, it was not I who took a blow." He winced slightly as she glared at him. "But to be quite honest, you are an exceptional swordfighter."
"Hannon-le." Elenath smiled weakly. "Though I'm afraid you are the only one who thinks thus."
Both Elladan and Elrohir started to protest but were silenced by Estel who had noted the elleth's laboured breathing. There was enough time for bickering later.
When they arrived at the palace Estel and Elenath slipped in through the servants entrance. It was bad enough that they whispered when they passed, but neither of them wanted to face the full wrath of the gossipmongers that were the nobles of the elven realms.
"Shall I stay?" Estel asked, concerned at how pale the elf-maiden was when they reached her room.
Elenath shook her head as she sat down gingerly on the bed, careful not to aggravate her hurting ribs any further.
"Thank you, but perhaps you should go to your room and wait there. The King will probably want to see us soon."
"I'm afraid he might." Estel agreed as he walked to the door, gracing her with a lopsided grin.
As soon as Estel had left a feeling of dread filled her stomach at the thought of being punished.
Though she was of royal descent she had always been taught that she did not stand above the law and was therefore to be held fully accountable when she violated it.
Up until now she had wholeheartedly agreed.
Tears she had not dared shed earlier threatened to spill over as weariness consumed her.
She had not only managed to truly disgrace herself but also her father, a thought that was not easy to stomach. Never in her life would she willingly do something to hurt him.
True, she was angry at Glorfindel for spending so much time on his duties as Lord Elrond's seneschal, but that did not warrant her behaviour.
A quiet knock on the door alerted her that the healer the King had spoken of had arrived, yet she was surprised to find that it was a familiar presence that entered the room on her invitation.
Lord Elrond found Elenath sitting on the edge of a huge four-poster bed in a dark room, her face drawn in pain that had little to do with the injuries she had sustained earlier.
Sadness emanated from her, tangible for those who were not indifferent to another's feelings.
"Tinu-nîn." Smiling softly he took her small, cool hand in his own larger ones and stroked away a stray tear that left a glittering path on her smooth cheek. "My brave little warrior." He tipped her chin up so her glistening eyes met his.
"I'm so sorry, vede, I did not mean to cause any harm. Nor did I mean to disobey ada. I just wanted to…" She sighed heavily. Nothing she could say would undo the wrongs she had created.
"Hush now, child. There is enough time for words later." Elrond had started to examine her, noting with a frown the ugly bruises that were already showing where Elladan's sword had dented her armour.
As he applied gentle pressure to her ribs she hissed in pain and drew back slightly.
"I will apply some salve and bandage, one rib is most definitely cracked. You will need some time to heal, Tinu, why don't you rest for a while?" Reaching for a pot of salve that he had brought along Elrond failed to notice the look of desperation that flitted across her face.
"Elenath?" The elf lord looked at her when he received no answer, concern evident in his piercing gaze.
"Aye vede, I shall rest."
Nodding, Elrond finished his work and helped her lie back more comfortably. Only when her eyes were half-lidded and glazed with sleep did he leave the room.
It was time to find Glorfindel and perhaps do some talking of his own.
"But why, Peredhel, why would my own child defy me thus" Glorfindel turned in a swirl of cream coloured and dark blue robes, looking at his friend with a pained expression.
The two elf lords were standing in the living quarter's of the Vanyarin's guest chambers, or rather Elrond was standing, Glorfindel was pacing and had been doing so for quite some time.
Elrond thought for a moment, but ere the Noldorin lord could answer King Thranduil strode into the room, followed by the Prince and two guards, Amil-Garil and Trelan.
Glorfindel ceased his pacing and bowed slightly as the ruler of Mirkwood stood before him, smiling despite the awkwardness of the situation.
"Peace, mellon-nîn, be at ease. Is it not the nature of children to defy their parents" The King cast a pointed sideways glance at Legolas, who flushed a little despite himself.
Perhaps he had not always obeyed his father, but was it legitimate to say that he openly defied him? Nay, he did not believe so.
Trelan's soft snicker behind him made him cast a furious glance at the smaller elf, who only winked mischievously in return.
Legolas sighed. Nearly three millennia of friendship had given both Trelan and Raniean far too much knowledge about the Prince's exploits, much to his regret.
Glorfindel shook his head. "I beg your forgiveness for Elenath's behaviour, Thranduil, I do not know what prompted my daughter to act as she did."
The King shook his head, spilling golden hair over the deep green fabric of his cloak. "There is naught to forgive and were it but between friends I would let Elenath get away with merely a reprimand. But as it happened before half the elves on Arda, I am afraid that I will have to deal out punishment, as the law requires."
It hurt Thranduil beyond words to see his son stiffen nigh imperceptibly at the mention of punishing anybody.
Though it had been many millennia ago, Legolas still had the emotional scars his uncle, Thranduil's own brother, had dealt him as a child. Punishment for fictitious crimes committed by an elfling.
Unaware of the Prince's reaction Glorfindel nodded. "I would not expect anything else, Mylord. The Valar know she has most certainly deserved it." Though his words were uttered coolly, unease gripped the Vanyarin lord's heart. He did not want his daughter treated like a criminal, whether she deserved it or not.
"Worry not, my friend" the King smiled, sensing the other elf's unease. "The ancient laws require me to chose a form of retribution I deem worthy of that kind of crime, and I have just decided what to do with Elenath." Thranduil stepped closer, his lips but a hairsbreadth away from Glorfindel's ear.
The other elves present could not hear what the King said, but a heavy weight seemed to lift off their spirits as the elf lord's eyes lighted and he laughed out loud.
Clapping the King on the shoulder the golden haired elf lord tried in vain to suppress his mirth. "That is indeed a most terrible idea, my King, grand, yet terrible"
Thranduil smiled. "And worthy of her status." He turned to Elrond. "But what to do with your Estel? It seems to me the boy was well aware of Elenath's betrayal. Have you any ideas what to do with him….this time?"
Elrond sighed, he was well aware that it was not the first time Estel had gotten into trouble in Mirkwood.
To him as a father it was becoming somewhat embarrassing.
Noting his friend's discomfort Glorfindel turned to the King, smiling. "Mylord, I have an idea that might just work for us all."
When Elenath awoke the next morning she was slightly surprised that she had actually slept quite peacefully for more hours than she had ever rested at a time.
A heartbeat later she noted with a slight frown that Lord Elrond must have incorporated some sedative herb in the salve he had applied to her bruises last night.
Being a father to three sons had obviously made him quite inventive with the medicines he used.
But what of the King's summons? Had Elrond delayed them too?
The young elf sat up somewhat stiffly, her ribs still hurt but the pain was nowhere near as bad as it had been the day before.
Milky sunlight filled the room and birds twittered merrily in the trees beyond the window.
All seemed well...until the memories of the tournament slammed into her with full force, causing her insides to clench uncomfortably.
She could still hear the spectators oohing and aahing and whispering hurriedly among themselves, shocked by the turn of events and the brashness of the dark-haired elf maiden.
A long day lay ahead of her, she thought wearily, and her first task would be to find her father and beg Glorfindel to forgive her.
She had spoken spiteful words that made her deeply ashamed as she thought of them now, for she was no longer an elfling that did not comprehend the duties a man such as her father was burdened with.
Reprimanding him for doing what he deemed necessary had been an act so childish that she wished she could just turn back time and undo the ills she had created.
But then again...Had not Glorfindel looked at her in disgust as she lay on the floor, barely able to breathe and hurting?
Had he not simply left her lying there, uncaring whether she was well or not? And had it not been he who had called her a wimp, even if he had not explicitly used that word?
Ire burned brightly in Elenath's heart, obliterating all reason.
Nay! She would not seek him out and beg him for mercy. She would stand before the King and accept whatever fate he had deemed for her! Although her father might think otherwise, in her soul she was a warrior and as a warrior she would act.
Snatching up an overtunic and belting it loosely around the undergarments she already wore Elenath slid out of her room and walked soundlessly down the corridor, barley taking note of the handful of guards that were standing watch.
Within minutes she had left the building behind her and stepped outside, welcoming the cool morning air.
The grass was still wet as she made her way through the gardens, heading for the massive gates that had already been opened, either by Prince Legolas or the King himself.
Because of the festivities the gates – that were closed and sealed by elven magic at night – were opened at daybreak so as not to give the guests a feeling of being locked up.
Only Thranduil and Legolas wielded the magic that would open the gates, a chosen few guards had the authority to close them.
After leaving the palace grounds it took Elenath no more than ten minutes to reach a favoured spot of hers on the banks of the Forest River.
The tiny glade was surrounded by trees that reached all the way to the water's edge, giving a sense of privacy to the elf maiden as she undressed and unwound the bandage around her ribs.
A frown creased her brow as she saw the ugly blue-black bruise that ran diagonally across her torso for the first time.
No wonder she could hardly move!
Stepping into the water she sighed as the cool currents rippled against her.
Luckily the summer had been very warm and the river had lost the worst of it's chill.
Elenath submerged herself completely, letting the water untangle her hair and wash away the sweat and dirt that still clung to her from the day before.
Breaking through the surface she revelled at the feeling of the morning breeze as it caressed her wet skin while the sun shone down, spilling golden light and warmth across her.
That is how Legolas found her, standing in the shallow water near the banks of the river, her eyes closed and her face turned towards the sun.
Long raven tresses fell over her shoulders, covering her breasts and gently floating on the water where it reached her waist, her long, slender fingers splayed and combing through the stream as it flowed past.
Feeling like an intruder the Prince tried to slip away just as quietly as he had accidentally stumbled upon her but she must have finally sensed his presence, for a pair of surprised, cobalt-blue eyes locked onto him.
"Your highness!" Elenath gasped, crossing her arms in front of herself and dropping into a crouch in the water, using the glittering surface to hide beneath.
"Forgive me!" Legolas turned at the same moment, mortified that she had seen him gawk at her. "I did not mean to intrude. I knew not that you were here."
Elenath suppressed a sigh. This was most definitely not what she needed on the day she was to be sentenced by the King.
"I believe it is better…. I…I shall leave now." The Prince stammered awkwardly. "Forgive me…" He turned to leave, taking a few steps towards the woods, when her voice froze him in his tracks.
"Wait!" Elenath could not believe she had just said that aloud. It was true, she had wanted desperately to talk to him since seeing his shocked expression at the tournament last night, but now was most definitely not the time for a chat!
Legolas stopped but did not turn, for he heard her sloshing through the water, heading towards the shore.
"Please, don't go." Elenath hurriedly pulled on her clothes, hissing when she made a wrong move and thereby aggravated her injuries.
Hearing the sound of pain Legolas spun around and saw with relief that she was dressed, but she was kneeling on the soft moss near the water's edge, pale as moonlight.
"Elenath!" Three quick strides had him kneeling next to her, gently cupping her cool cheek. "What is it?"
She shook her head, sending a few droplets of water in his direction. "'Tis naught. I merely cracked a rib yesterday…"
Legolas leaned back on his heels, looking into her pain-filled eyes. "Naught you say?" He asked with a hint of anger in his voice. "Let me see for myself." Worry made his voice sound harsher than he had intended.
Something in his demeanour made her obey and she carefully pulled up her tunic to reveal the bruise on her chest.
Wincing in sympathy the Prince shook his head.
He had experienced similar injuries many times in his life and therefore knew the pain they caused.
"You are just like Estel. All is but a scratch." He retrieved the bandages, that lay on her overtunic. "Here, let me."
As gently as possible he started re-binding them around her torso, giving a satisfied nod when he was done.
"I've been looking for you for days." His pale blue eyes met hers. "Why did you run away on the evening of the ball?"
Elenath busied herself with refastening her undertunic, keeping her gaze averted.
"I don't know why. Perhaps I was afraid." She lifted her eyes to meet his. "We had no business doing what we did."
She started to rise but he caught her hand and pulled her back down.
"Why? What was so wrong with what we did? 'Twas not unlawful." His eyes snapped cool flames, for he could not understand why she seemed to reject him.
"Oh Legolas…" Elenath smiled tenderly at him. "I was so confused that night. My father and I had had a most unusual talk and besides that my thoughts revolved around the tournament. When Raniean interrupted us it was easier for me to leave than to face what I felt for you."
His gaze had grown solemn but deep inside she could see a spark of hope and uncertainty.
"And, pray tell, what feelings did you have? Were you ashamed?"
"No!" Elenath shook her head vehemently. "I was not ashamed, but having to face the fact that I had fallen in love with a friend I had known all my life was too much to accept then."
For a few heartbeats the Prince just stared at her, leaving her to wait breathlessly for his reaction.
"Did you say "love"?" He queried, uncertain if he had truly comprehended what she said.
Elenath smiled. "Aye, that I did, your Highness."
"Good." Legolas pulled her closer, mindful of her injuries, and cut off anything she might have replied with a deep, breathtaking, heart stopping kiss that had her literally melting in his arms.
"And Elenath…" He murmured against her lips. "Never call me "your Highness" again."
TBC…
Elvish translations:
Galu mae – good luck
Hannon-le – thank you
