Both the night and the king's halls rose before the travelers in a welcoming curtain of warm glowing lights and a blanket of the night sky. From atop his horse, Legolas's body relaxed with a sigh, "It is good to be back..."
"It is good to have you back ion," replied the King. Already the gates were being opened and a horn sounded at the arrival of the Royal company. As they travelled through the gates, horses left at the start of the bridge, near by elves stared at the arrival of the prince whispering to themselves. Their glances made Legolas uncomfortable. While he was loved by the kingdom, he knew they judged him differently now. He was a war hero and by morning stories would reach him of the rumors said about his travels. Thranduil looked over at him as they walked towards the throne room.
"What troubles you?" he said solemnly, barely moving his lips.
"They stare," was all Legolas said.
"You return to them from the dead baring a bow from distant lands and your face and hands carry new burdens, yet your eyes are light as the morning sun. Do not judge curiosity."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it..." replied the prince. He kept his eyes forward and head tall as he was trained since childhood, but his pace quickened as he came closer and closer to solitude...and a bath. O Elbereth did he want a bath!
In the royal chambers Legolas found a welcome presence. It was Galion quietly setting wine glasses and clean linens on a sofa, but his activities were interrupted as he jumped back in surprise at the sound of the closing door, spilling drops of wine on the sofa. At the sight of Legolas his eyes widened, and Legolas grinned.
"Be glad I'm not my father. He'd have you fired for wasting good wine," joked the prince.
"Be glad I'm not your father. He'd have you punished for causing the spilt wine," retorted the Butler.
The two stared at one another, then broke into laughter. Legolas felt a tear in his cheek and felt the warmth of blood oozing slowly from the cut on his face. He grimaced and saw Galion looking at him pityingly.
"It's fine, just a scratch," he said quickly.
"Might I ask from what?"
Legolas walked across the room to a cabinet containing basic medicinal supplies, "Orcs, along the border, left overs from the war I suppose. Beorn came to my aid thankfully and the fight was over quickly...," his brow furrowed as he pressed a cloth to his face, "I am surprised patrols were not placed on the borders. Usually the king sends orders when he senses approaching orcs, are there no troops to spare?"
"..There are," Galion became uncomfortable, Legolas could tell, "We just couldn't spare the troops at this moment when shelter's need to be rebuilt and food hunted."
"Galion!" Legolas grabbed the butler by the lapels, "you're a terrible liar. The truth, now!"
Torn between disobeying his king or being put into a series of arm and leg bars Galion could barely even think to imagine, he remained frozen in fear. The butler's savior was another unexpected door closing.
"Legolas Greenleaf what is the meaning of this!" exclaimed a familiar exasperated cry of Celeborn. Legolas turned with icy eyes but did not release his grip on the butler.
"Leave." Legolas said with a feral look that Celeborn knew all too well. He had seen it on many warriors who had been at war far too long.
"Your quarrel is not with Galion, Legolas, spare him."
Slowly Legolas released him and discovered his hands shaking terribly. Between his tremors and blood spilling down his face, he looked quite terrifying.
"Tell me." Legolas pleaded and his face turned to concern and loyalty. Celeborn took his hands and pulled him gently to sit on the sofa. He was reminded of the prince's arrival in Lorien: his was face was bloodied and bruised as it was now, and his mouth was spewing out Silvan faster than Celeborn could understand, hands shaking and tears beginning to fall. Scared. The prince was scared then because he thought he was loosing. He was scared now because he thought he had lost.
"Penneth your father was hurt during Sauron's demise. He has not since recovered and the Lady Galadriel is doing all in her power to help." Legolas still trembled, "Be at peace in the knowledge that the darkness is gone. You saw it leave," he looked at the prince and smiled, "A bath would do you some good."
The Lord beckoned to Galion to ready the bath water. A few minutes later, Legolas found himself led to the private bathing pools by several young ellons. It was a steamy room made from natural hot springs and water falls creating a shower of warm water. Various perfumes had been added to the water used to calm nerves and heal wounds. Peppermint, lemon grass, and lilac. The ellons marveled at the prince. They must have been new to the castle for he had never met them before. The oldest must have been fifty which was still young by elven standards. They stood towards the corner of the room unsure of whether to leave or not. Legolas continued as if they were not there and began to undress, reveling the semi healed scares that his travels with the fellowship had left. An arrow wound on the shoulder from Moria, a deep gash from Helm's Deep, a black scare from a poisoned blade at the Black Gates...he looked over at the young elves who were wide eyed.
"You are dismissed," he said to them.
"Yes m'lord," one said, while another slapped him atop the head whispering its your highness you half-wit! Legolas smiled.
The two left the room but one remained. He was smaller and had dark hair and freckled skin. His eyes reminded him of someone he had met before.
"What is your name?" asked Legolas.
"Mirdan Silorion, your highness." replied the boy.
"Silor is your father?"
"Was, my prince. My parents died in the war."
"I did not know he had a son. Your father was an excellent warrior and his fea was strong and kind. I am sorry for your loss, Mirdan," Legolas apologized. He did not know Silor well, but he was a good wood elf whom he had been responsible for. He was in one of the first battalion's Legolas had been captain of, and he had lost connections with him after he was promoted to the kings guard.
"He spoke of you, my lord" interjected the child, "After my mother died he said that your mother died as well in the war. He said I could be strong like you one day, and my grief of her loss would fade and I could be happy again."
"My mother did die," Legolas's face looked pained, "her loss has not faded, but it is a burden I have learned to live with. I rest knowing she is in the Halls of Mandos and that she will not see the suffering of Arda. Tell me how you came to live here, Mirdan."
"The King brought me here after my village was burned." Legolas knelt by the child and looked him in the eyes.
"Should you ever need anything, i promise, Mirdan, I am at your service. Is there anything you require at this moment?"
Mirdan fidgeted and shuffled back and forth biting his lip, "Perhaps you could tell me a story from your adventures...?" he asked bashfully.
Legolas laughed gently, "Perhaps another time is more apt," he pointed to his face, "right now I am in desperate need of a bath, wouldn't you agree?"
Mirdan smiled and bowed before darting out of the bath chambers and Legolas was finally alone.
"What is up there?" the child asked the bear.
"Those are the stars," replied the bear.
"But what is a star, truly?" pressed the child.
"A star? It holds the light of those across the sea," answered the bear.
"Is my mother a star?"wondered the child.
"I suppose she is," said the bear.
The fox jumped on the child lap and curled into his chest. The child's eyes became the stars in the night sky, glimmering and sparkling.
