The next day, Glorfindel and Legolas chose a place where they could train undisturbed, away from curious eyes. Legolas knew Glorfindel nearly all of his life so he wasn't intimidated by the reputation of the older elf. Before the shadow had grown from Dol Guldur, his family had visited Imladris regularly but after the death of his mother visits to the hidden valley had greatly decreased. Glorfindel was like a mentor to Legolas and they had trained often. Legolas had great respect for the balrog slayer but he also knew that the seneschal was somebody he could confide in.
"We will start light today," Glorfindel announced. "I just want to see how much flexibility you have in your right arm."
They took the sparring knives and started. Like announced, Glorfindel didn't use much strength behind his blows. Legolas parried his attacks that were directed mostly to his right side. After half an hour Glorfindel called a stop to the session.
"I don't think it will take long for you to be back to your usual flexibility and strength. We will train each morning after breakfast, if that is acceptable with you."
"That's fine," Legolas agreed. "It's good to have you as a training partner again."
Glorfindel took the training knives and they started to walk toward the shed where the weapons were being kept. "So, how did it happen?"
"The injury? We were on patrol and on our way back when we ran into a group of orcs. An arrow hit me in the shoulder."
The seneschal opened the shed and put the knives on a shelve. Then he motioned for Legolas to walk with him. "Were there any fatalities?"
"No, we were lucky in this respect. Although a few warriors were injured. The orcs grow bolder, a short time ago they wouldn't have dared to venture so far north. The might of Dol Guldur grows, despite our efforts."
Glorfindel steered them in the direction of the gardens, searching for a spot where they could talk undisturbed. "So how are you with that?"
Legolas sighed. "We do our best. We will increase the patrols and try to clear this part of the forest again."
"No," Glorfindel insisted, turning to Legolas and taking him by the chin, gently forcing him to look him in the eyes, "how are you with that?"
Legolas couldn't avert his eyes and Glorfindel could see the weariness and desperation he tried to hide. Compared to Glorfindel and Elrond, Legolas was still young. But his eyes gave him away: It were ancient eyes; eyes that had seen too much. Eyes that didn't fit to his youthful appearance. He sighed again and finally admitted: "I'm tired. I'm so tired of it all. The constant fighting, the losses, everything." The seneschal released him and he stared at the floor. "For centuries we are fighting for our home but now it seems as if nothing we did had an effect. The might of Dol Guldur has grown, we have a hard time driving them back and keeping the paths safe. The creatures of the dark grow bolder and increase in numbers everywhere, there seems to be an unending number of orcs coming from the south. It seems, for each orc or spider we slaughter, there are three more taking its place."
The older elf put his arm around Legolas' shoulders and guided him to a bench, pushing him down on it. "I know that at the moment it seems as if nothing you do makes a difference. But look for how long Mirkwood already resists the might of Dol Guldur. If it weren't for the warriors of Mirkwood nothing would keep the orcs and spiders from spreading. What do you think the forest and the surroundings would look now if not for the fight of the elves of your kingdom?"
"It's not enough," Legolas insisted, getting up and pacing in front of Glorfindel. "It's never enough. How I wish we could restore our forest to its former glory. Did you know that my father has a mural of Greenwood of old in his chambers? It was such a beautiful forest." He slumped back onto the bench, shoulders hunched. "How do you keep fighting, when all seems lost?" His eyes searched Glorfindel's gaze. "How do you do it? How do you keep going?"
"Because giving up is not an option. Evil has always been defeated before, even when sometimes it looked as if every effort would be futile, as if the dark times would never end." The seneschal gripped the younger elf's shoulders and looked into his eyes. "Stay true to yourself and do your best and you'll see, one day it will be enough. We will be victorious."
Legolas' eyes showed his doubt. "At the moment I can't see a victory. The darkness has been growing for so long I can hardly remember a time when it wasn't so."
"I know it's hard for you. But you fought the darkness for so long that you can't see past that. When did you take a break the last time? When was the last time you did something for fun?"
Legolas snorted. "Did you talk to Lord Elrond?"
Glorfindel chuckled. "So he said the same thing? Don't you think then that there is some truth in that? Allow yourself time to relax, to recover your spirit. You'll see then that everything doesn't look quite so bleak."
Legolas sighed. "I'll try but I can't seem to get it out of my head. Knowing that Sauron sits on our doorstep does nothing to ease my mind. We can't hold his creatures back for eternity. It is hard not to despair. I know that my father also has his doubts about how much longer we can hold on."
Glorfindel was alarmed. "What did your father say?"
"He doesn't want to speak about it but I see it in his eyes when we talk about Dol Guldur."
"Hmm, I will talk with Elrond about it. It seems Dol Guldur is not the only place where the creatures of the dark multiply. We noticed increased orc activity in the Trollshaws and the foothills of the Hithaeglir. Elrohir and Elladan are out with the rangers to investigate. We expect them back within the next few days. We will see what they report." He clapped Legolas on the shoulder. "Come now, time to think about other things. What about taking a walk to the waterfall?"
In the evening Elrond and Glorfindel relaxed in Elrond's study.
"I had a talk with our young friend today," Glorfindel reported. "You were right, he is weary. I think it all caught up with him finally. An elf can't fight the creatures of the darkness for centuries and remain unaffected. He questions the significance of their struggles for their home. It also seems that Dol Guldur is indeed a growing problem."
Elrond swirled his wine in his goblet absentmindedly. "I think something needs to be done about Dol Guldur. I need to talk with Mithrandir when I see him next time."
"Legolas says that his father has his doubts how much longer they can hold on against the forces of Dol Guldur. The White Council should have done something against Sauron a long time ago. To let Thranduil deal with the problem on his own is brazen."
"Mithrandir thinks that as well," Elrond mused. "He told me that a while ago. We wanted to discuss this in the White Council."
"It is no wonder that Thranduil's folk has such problems. Sauron's forces seem to be growing," Glorfindel pondered. "It saddens me that Legolas hasn't known much in his life except the growing threat from the south."
Elrond sighed. "Did you know that he carries poison with him?" At Glorfindel's incredulous look he explained: "Did you notice the leaf-shaped pendant he wears? On one of his visits I found him in the library, studying a book about poisons. I found it odd reading material so I confronted him about it. The pendant contains a vial with a rare poison. He was looking for a poison which isn't widely known, so it can't be easily countered."
Glorfindel looked thoughtful. "Our young prince is always good for a surprise. Since he doesn't strike me as the suicidal type I suppose it's the last solution for a desperate situation?" At Elrond's affirmative nod he continued, "Am I correct in the assumption that Thranduil doesn't know about this?"
Elrond leaned back in his seat and gazed at his hands. "No, he doesn't. I asked Legolas about it then and now again as I tended his shoulder. He doesn't want to worry his father. I can't imagine my own sons having such a secret from me. It's hard to comprehend, knowing that he would chose his death over being used against his father or his people. It's a heavy burden to carry."
"And a valiant decision to prepare himself for such happenstance." Glorfindel was both horrified that somebody was willing to go to such length and impressed with the determination of the prince. "He knows that his father would do everything for him. He is Thranduil's one weakness. No wonder they do everything in their might to not let that fact be known. I think that outside the elven realms it is hardly known that Thranduil has a son."
"I considered notifying his father but I couldn't betray his trust in such way," Elrond admitted. "The only thing I could do was to make sure that we have the antidote, although I doubt it would do much good here in Imladris. I'm seriously thinking about writing to Celairdir."
Glorfindel whistled softly. "Do you think he would keep it to himself? If not, you could stir up things for good. Legolas would be furious with you and we don't know how Thranduil would react and what would happen between the two of them."
Elrond sighed. "I know. That's the reason I didn't act yet." He looked pained. "I'm a healer, Glorfindel. It pains me that somebody sees fit to carry a deadly poison and there is nothing I can do about it."
"These are dark times," Glorfindel mused. "Times that push people to extreme measures. Legolas has my respect that he doesn't take any chances. To put the kingdom first can't be easy."
"Aye," Elrond agreed. "I hope he will never find himself in such a situation. In fact I think that he has a part to play against the darkness."
Glorfindel was curious. "What did you see?"
"Nothing for certain. It's just a feeling at the moment. Maybe with time it gets clearer."
The Lord of Imladris got up and poured himself another glass of wine. Silently he offered the bottle to Glorfindel who nodded his acceptance and held his goblet out for Elrond to fill it once more.
"I will talk with Mithrandir and Galadriel about Dol Guldur. Maybe we can do something against Sauron and help Thranduil's folk to get a respite."
"I'm certain they would welcome that," Glorfindel approved. "Even if it would be just for some time, it's better than nothing."
Their conversation turned to other topics and after a while both elves retired for the night.
Over the next few days Legolas started to feel better. The talks with Elrond and Glorfindel helped him to find rest at night and the bone deep weariness slowly dissipated. He was still troubled and the situation of his home weighed heavily on his mind but at least physically he felt better.
One day, as Legolas visited Thúlon in the stables, he was surprised to see that Baranon occupied the neighboring stall. Both horses greeted him at his entrance and he made sure to divide his attention evenly between them.
He intended to take Thúlon out to the paddocks and since both animals seemed to get along well, he asked the stable master if he could take Baranon as well. The stable master didn't object and so Legolas went outside with both horses.
Thúlon was used to follow Legolas without lead or halter but the elf was surprised that Baranon immediately followed the example of the other stallion. Thúlon on his right and Baranon on his left he walked slowly to a paddock, quietly observed by Glorfindel.
The balrog slayer smiled as he watched the younger elf with the horses. Obviously it had been a good idea of Elrond's to place the colt next to Legolas' stallion. The Lord of Imladris had put the horse there in the hope that he could help to lift the prince's spirit. It seemed as if his plan was working.
Three days later, Elladan and Elrohir returned home.
Elrond was reading a book when his sons entered his study. He looked up from his reading and smiled. "Elladan, Elrohir, you're back."
He got up and father and sons embraced briefly.
"Hello, Ada," Elladan greeted. "Arathorn sends his greetings."
"How is he?" Elrond asked.
"He is well and happy. Gilraen is with child."
Elrond smiled delighted. "That's good news indeed." His grey eyes clouded in memory. "It seems just a short while that Arathorn was a child himself."
"You should have seen him, Ada," Elrohir chimed in. "He is thrilled that he will be a father soon, so much that he annoys Gilraen with his pampering."
"I can imagine," Elrond said, eyes sparkling with amusement. "How did your scouting go?"
Elladan sobered. "There are many traces of orc activity. We encountered one large group and fought them but Arathorn plans a campaign against the orcs. They are becoming a danger to the villages and to travelers."
"Aye," Elrohir confirmed. "Their numbers have grown so much that something needs to be done."
"We will join forces with the rangers," their father decided. "I will talk to Glorfindel and ask him to prepare everything. Come, let's sit down and talk."
His sons followed him over to the hearth and they sat down around the fireplace in comfortable armchairs.
Elrond leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs in front of him. "There's news from here too. While you were away Legolas arrived." He smiled at the delighted comments of his sons.
"That's great," Elladan enthused. "The last time he visited was years ago."
"How comes he suddenly has the time to visit?" Elrohir asked.
His father sighed. "Officially he conducts the negotiations for the purchase of some horses. Unofficially Thranduil sent him here to get away from Mirkwood for a while. He was injured while on patrol but the damage goes far deeper than that. His father wants for him to get some rest and recover his spirit. Legolas is weary of the constant fighting and the darkness encroaching on Mirkwood." He turned to both of them. "I'm worried about him."
"Elrohir looked concerned. "That doesn't sound good. Is there some way we can help?"
"It seems that there hasn't been a lot of joy or fun in his life lately. Maybe you can help him to discover that life has more to offer than the constant fight against the creatures of the darkness."
His sons exchanged worried looks. "We will do what we can," Elladan promised on behalf of both of them.
Their father smiled gently. "I didn't expect anything else." He paused for a moment. "I would like for him to not participate in the raid against the orcs."
Elrohir snorted. "Do you really believe that Legolas would stay in Imladris and let us go and fight against orcs? You know him, Ada. He would never avoid a battle in such way, no matter the reasons."
Elrond sighed. "You are right. I would prefer that he would not but we can't delay the campaign against the orcs until he has returned home. When does Arathorn plan to launch the attack?"
"At the moment he has scouts out to find their hiding places and explore the best way to attack them," Elrohir explained. "I think the Dúnedain will be ready within the next two weeks."
"I'll send a messenger to him to assure him of our help. Then we'll need to come up with a meeting point." Elrond already started to plan what needed to be done.
After a while father and sons were satisfied with the first stages of planning and Elrond sent for Glorfindel to get things started.
Like the twins predicted, as Legolas heard about the campaign against the orcs, he immediately volunteered himself and the Mirkwood contingent to help. Elrond wasn't really happy about that but knew better than to refuse.
In the days before they set out, Legolas kept training with Glorfindel and after Elrond had given the go ahead, he started to shoot with his bow again. Glorfindel was a master with the sword but centuries of battling orcs and spiders had turned Legolas into a deadly opponent with the twin knives and so their sparring matches often drew many spectators.
Legolas also trained with the Mirkwood warriors and Elladan and Elrohir joined them on most days. Together they prepared for the upcoming battle.
One day Elrohir challenged Legolas to a contest with the bow only to lose soundly, much to the amusement of his brother and the Mirkwood elves, who won a lot of prizes by wagering on their prince.
Finally, after nearly two weeks, Arathorn arrived with a few of his men. The rangers had found the hiding places and encampments of the orcs and a plan was developed to get as many orcs as possible. Since they used caves as their retreat, the Dúnedain had scouted around and found the entries to the cave system. The orcs were in for a bad surprise.
TBC
