Chapter 3
I entered inside and was greeted by the usual sight. My father with piles of parchment in his desk and one in his lap, as his back faces me and he is staring at the burning flames from the fireplace.
"Mae govannen, Ad-Your Majesty," I say. I've been learning not to call my Adar as he is...since I must be as formal as possible. Our relationship has long been cool and restrained for many centuries and we aren't warming up very soon. Now, it's Highness or Your Majesty.
He turns at the sound of my voice and slowly states in that slightly chilling, yet low wise voice of his. "Mae govannen, Legolas."
Elves say I am my father's younger copy. Even Thalen, as I said before, my older brother, stated so. We both had the flowing, silky light blond hair, clear blue eyes and a strong yet agile, lithe structure that radiated nobility and power. We both had handsome, carved-like faces which in times of danger, showed no expression.
"I suppose you've come for the report, have you?" he said and I nod, bowing down.
"Yes, your Highness. Tauriel and I were able to wipe some orcs coming from the North but they kept coming, reproducing as fast as we slayed them. It has been an issue and despite the fact, we may have killed about eighty orcs today, it was no use. They probably just re-created themselves."
At this fact, my father looks down at his desk, looking grave and somber, deep in thought. So I continue without him having to usher me on.
"Tauriel and I-" I paused, thinking I had used Tauriel too much in the report but decided to say it anyways, "also encountered spiders...they have grown as well. Thicker and more clever than before. Their schemes are more vile and their poison more deadly. Although, we managed to slay at least thirty of them today with no problem. The company, Tauriel and I suffered no casualties, only a few major injuries involving spider poisons and a few arrows from Mordor but we solved those issues quickly." I looked at father, gathering my last drops of serious. "Tauriel...s-she fought well today, father."
I expected some snap or remark but I almost wanted to sigh right there when all he did was look at me, lean back in his chair calmly and say almost as if he were interested:
"I see..."
For a moment, we stood there facing each other with an awkward silence before he looked at me. Almost as if he were expecting more...it was a curious yet frightening stare but this was my father: I could deal with this.
"Have you nothing else to report Legolas?" he asked curiously, looking at my restrained face.
"Actually," I say looking at him slightly grinning, "yes."
"In our return, after slaying a band of orcs, we encountered an interesting obstacle...the obstacle being a group of thirteen dwarves. The leader, whom I suspect, was a dwarf of a slightly taller stature, slightly wild black hair and who radiated some sort of leadership over the company."
My father looked up at me slowly, his eyes twisting and his face rocketing with emotion. So much emotion...I had no idea what! He was covered by a strange storm of confusion, excitement, happiness, surprise, anger, revenge and so much more...and the most frustrating thing? I had no idea why.
"And what did you do, Legolas?" he asked quickly, as if he actually was worried about those dwarves.
"I did what I thought was wisest," I said slowly. "I slew the spiders that were threatening them, got all of their weapons and cuffed them as prisoners alive. I brought them here so that you could interrogate them or well, keep them as prisoners or use them for whatever use they're needed. I thought perhaps they had some valuable information."
Thranduil stood up. "So you mean to say, that you have those dwarves locked up in the dungeons?"
I look at him. "Yes...they're at your disposal Ad-I'm sorry, your Highness."
He nodded. "You did well Legolas...it was a good choice."
For a moment I was too shocked to say anything, even though my face revealed no emotion. My father was complimenting me. Oh dear...days like these were rare indeed. Despite the fact, that I was the greatest archer in all Middle-Earth, had succeeded every mission with minor casualties and done everything my father had ordered me, perfectly...he was never too pleased.
"Thank you," I said bowing down. "I had hoped so."
"Legolas, do you know who those dwarves are?" said my father changing subject. He did not left me answer but continued on. "These, are the dwarves from Erebor...part of the original families that dwelled there. The leader, the dwarf you described...his name is Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin Oakenshield...the name was fancy and it was regal, so I must have learned about him in my studies with my tutor. The name lingers in my tongue and spins in my mind until all knowledge comes back to me. "Thorin Oakenshield...son of Thrain the Second, grandson of Thror?"
"Yes indeed, give my compliments to your tutor," said my father slowly. "He and his company of dwarves have come to regain their homeland, Erebor, as I had long predicted. Thorin Oakenshield, wishes to become the King Under the Mountain once again."
"But that's pure madness!" I said. "There has been no King Under the Mountain nor will there ever be for a long time. Since that treacherous Smaug, has invaded Erebor, everybody has been to afraid of him to defy him. He lies in the grounds of Erebor, his dominance over the land strengthening as the years pass and his greed and hunger for gold increase. He has the wings of a hurricane and fire deadlier than anything we've seen before. He has scales which can only be penetrated with a dark arrow, harder than the hardest armor."
"Exactly," said my father as he walked forward. "Legolas, I want you to free Thorin Oakenshield and leave him in my throne room. I wish to talk to him...alone."
"As you say," I say bowing down and I quickly leave the room. "I believe Tauriel will tell you her report soon enough."
"If she will, it is her problem," said my father as he walked forward, his silver robes sliding across the marble and his hand touches...my shoulder. "Legolas, you are too kind-hearted, too friendly, too warm. Those are good qualities to have, for you keep the kingdom happy and cheery as you are. However, sometimes it is wise to maintain yourself as a cold, hard, strict person...that way you will remain strong. I do not want you to become so fond of Tauriel."
"I see her as a captain of the guard," I say turning to my father, uncomfortably taking his hand off my shoulder. "As a friend, a fellow elf, a colleague...nothing more. What are you pretending?"
He sighed, looking at me. "I know you understand what I'm talking about Legolas. Now go...I want to talk to Thorin Oakenshield...it's been quite a long time since we've had visits from the dwarves."
"We haven't had any visits at all for the last centuries," I mutter under my breath. My father obviously heard, but I quickly nodded, dismissing myself. "Yes, I will get you Thorin Oakenshield."
