Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the characters. All rights belong to the wonderful and amazing J.R. R Tolkien!
Chapter 3:
(Estel/Aragon POV)
For our own sake we rode up to the palace much slower than our elven friend, choosing to travel the longest and slowest route possible.
I could see that our hobbit companions were quite confused by the anxiety and nerves exerted by both Gimli and I however, they chose to remain quiet for the time being; something that I did not believe Pippen to be capable of.
No extent of staling could delay the inevitable however, and it was not all that long before we reached the palace gates. The gates into Mirkwood stood tall and proud daring enemies to try and enter.
Riding up with the remainder of the patrol that had discovered our company, we were admitted entrance with no delay much to my dismay.
Following the elves we traveled to the palace stables where or horses were taken to be cooled down and fed.
Leaving the stables we were met with the joyous bright faces of Arveldir and Beleguron. "Ah my friends it would seem as though you have finally arrived! Come, the king requests your presence immediately".
Based on the spring in the fair elves' steps they were enjoying our discomfort and misfortune a bit too much for my liking.
"Tell me how does Legolas fair"? I inquired softly.
"Aye you and I both know that the king can never stay angry at the elfling for long, I imagine that he has already been forgiven. You on the other hand, well let's just say I hope the people of Gondor are not too attached to their new king"!
Cringing, I nearly ran into Beleguron's back as we stopped abruptly outside the majestic and grand doors to the throne room.
"Wait, here the king shall see you shortly".
With that the two elves disappeared into the throne room leaving us alone with our thoughts.
At long last the hobbits undying curiosity broke free and Pippin started to bombard me with questions. "Strider, what is going on? Why are you so nervous? Where did Legolas go? Why is Gimli over there pacing looking more terrified then when we faced an army of orcs at the Black Gates"?!
"Patience my dear friend, Legolas merely went up to his quarters momentarily he shall be joining us all again shortly and Gimli, well, he just really cannot wait to meet the king"!
Judging by the murderous glare Gimli was throwing my way I would be hearing about this in the near future.
I could see that my response was not sufficient to cease the young hobbits curiosity however, I was saved from any farther questioning by Arveldir's arrival.
His next words found me wishing that I could spend all day subjected to Pippin's questioning, "Estel, the king will see you now".
"I have got this! I am Aragon, king of Gondor, Estel, foster son of Lord Elrond, Strider, member of the fellowship I can do this"! I just kept repeating this over and over in my head as I walked in to the grand room before me. These thoughts quickly changed to "Nope don't got this" as soon as I laid eyes upon the proud elven king.
"My king", I spoke bowing down low.
"Rise Estel Elrondion, I wish to look at you as you explain to me just why my son joined such a quest".
The even tone in which he spoke sent chills racing down my spine "Well, well you see...…",
"Yes go on",
"The thing is…."
"Funny your brothers seemed to have the same lack of words when confronted with the same question. I ask again, what exactly was going through your head when you allowed mu danger and accident prone son to join the fellowship of a ring of great evil and travel through middle earth to none other than Mordor"!
The king spoke with an unsettling calmness which found me wishing that he was yelling instead, "Well….."
"Also, not only does any trip with the two of you almost certainly guaranty injury, it has also come to my attention that to reach the golden woods of Lorien you traveled through the DWARVEN MINES OF MORIA"!
"Please my king; with all due respect, this is Legolas we are talking about. He is the most obstinate, bull headed, determined elf that I have had the pleasure of knowing, and we both know that once he sets his mind to something there is no chance at stopping him, and quite honestly I do not believe that we should. He is not an elfling, and he is one of the best archers to have ever walked middle earth. His skills were greatly valued by the fellowship; without your son who knows if we could have ever accomplished all that we have".
Finishing my little speech I anxiously held my breath in anticipation for Thranduil's less than pleasant reaction.
I was shocked however, when instead of yelling and demanding for my execution he merely sighed, shoulders dropping. Before me no longer stood a furious king but a father who was terrified that he would lose his son, his precious elfling.
"Yes, I suppose that you are correct and that deep down I knew that to, however, that does not mean that I have yet to accept it. Honestly how is it that the two of always seem to find yourself in some form of trouble, it really is quite remarkable"!
"Really we are not that bad…"
Here Thranduil threw me an extremely disbelieving look. "I shall ask you the same question I asked Legolas. Name just three times that the two of you have gone out on an adventure, scout, trip etc. in which the both of you have returned without being injured in any way shape or form.
"Well, there was that one scout around the Mirkwood border about 50 years ago".
"In which the two of you ran into a band of orcs and received multiple injuries, including but not limited to, broken ribs, lacerations, and head wounds".
"Okay, so maybe not that time, but there was that one time..., well…."
Across the room Thranduil raised one eyebrow mockingly.
"Well, I am sure that it has happened numerous times! I just merely cannot think of any instances off the top of my head"!
"Funny, Legolas could not either".
"Yes, well it has been a long journey and we are both quite tired, you see".
"Oh yes I am sure that is it"! Thranduil spoke with extreme sarcasm.
All mirth disappeared from his face moments later and once more he was very serious.
"Estel you must understand, I love my son with all of my being, he is what I live for. Ever since his nana, my wife, passed on to the Halls of Mandos he is what has kept me here, kept me alive. He is my hope, my salvation and I do not know what I would ever do without him".
"Yes, my king, however, you have to accept that Legolas is his own grown being, no longer an elfling, and it is not up to you or I to control his actions, or we may both lose him. He is a dear friend to me and you must believe that I would do everything in my power to keep him from any harm".
"My mind knows that you speak the truth but my heart refuses to accept it. For now your word shall have to do. You have proven yourself a true valuable friend to Legolas time and time again, and I thank you for that".
"Thank you my king, Legolas is like a brother to me and I would gladly give my life to protect his".
"You are a good, loyal friend Estel".
"Now what do you have to say about this dwarf my son has seemingly befriended…."?!
At this a sly grin slid around my face, now this part was going to be fun!
A/N: Well Estel has made it through in one piece! Up next to face the father is Gimli! Thank you all for reading and please review! Your criticism is greatly appreciated so that I can improve my writing. Next chapter should be up soon; have a great weekend everyone!
