Legolas and the Balrog
a Little Legolas story
by erobey
Un-Beta'd from this point on. Italics indicate thoughts.
XII. Ride from the Woods and Bring your Bows
"…then Glorfindel saw that they were ensnared by Melkor's evil soldiers: Orcs and goblins plaguing Galdor and Tuor at the head of the trail, more Orcs and a vile Balrog behind his company of warriors, closing fast upon them.
" 'Swords!' cried the Lord of the Golden Flower and his troops drew their weapons and followed after their leader, shouting curses against the hated demons as they charged. Great was the valour of their assault against their foes and the Orcs began to give back, quailing at the sight of the onrushing elves and Thorndor and his eagle lords plucking goblins from the heights with their sharp talons, casting them down into the ribbon of water winding through the rocks in the bottom of Cristhorn.
"Glorfindel challenged the Balrog, desiring to slay it, for many were his loved ones that had perished under the whips of such demons in the Fall of the Fair City of Singing Stones, and among the refugees were the remnants of his House. The craven creature of flame and shadow ignored the summons and jumped past him, landing amid the maids, the children, and the wounded.
"The Balrog's lash snapped and hissed, its crimson fire searing the helpless with its heat, punctuating the brutish laughter of the cruel beast and the piercing screams of wretched agony from the victims. These cries were terrible to hear and an unbearable sound to the warriors' ears. In vain did the company seek a way to put their swords betwixt the children and that whip, for the Orcs renewed their murderous efforts in delight over the elves' torment.
"The gallant heart of Lord Glorfindel was inflamed with pity for his suffering kinsmen and fairly burst with rage to see them tortured by the Balrog, and he would not abide it. With a roar he raced forward and sprang; a mighty leap carried him before the Spawn of Melkor and he accosted the gruesome raug (devil), hewing it with his great sword, so close upon it that the flames of the beast reflected in the fair elven armour. So fierce was his attack that the fiendish foe was pressed back, forced to seek safety upon the craggy limbs of stone abutting the narrow path, but Glorfindel would not relent and followed. From boulder to boulder, dancing across the precipice, heedless of the danger promised by the sheer drop into the defile, the brave captain pursued his enemy, driving him ever farther from the suffering innocents.
"At last the Balrog could flee no further and turned to confront Glorfindel. How the heights glowed with the garish orange blaze and searing silver sparks emitted every time the elven Lord's blade struck the despicable form of Melkor's creation! How the creature bellowed and raged, furious that it could not turn back the dauntless determination of its opponent nor strike down the valiant Vanya warrior! It seemed that Glorfindel was clothed in flame, yet he did not feel the heat nor notice the lick of the lash. He smote the foul creature about the head and sliced off its whip arm at the elbow. Then the Balrog saw that it could not prevail and its end was at hand, and the beast threw itself upon Glorfindel. The mighty warrior did not quail but stabbed his foe with a dagger, and as the creature was thrown back it dragged him down as well.
"Down over the edge they went! Down into the great chasm they fell! Down into the frigid waters of Thorn Sir fell Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower, both vanquisher and vanquished, yet not once did his fair voice cry out in fear or regret all that long way down."
Galurem (Many Blessings) paused here, glancing down in concern to check his baby brother's status, for he had felt the little one's body shiver where Legolas was pressed up close against him, sandwiched between the youngest Dragon child and their father as they sat on the elfling's bed. Enormous owlish blue eyes met his above a curled fist clutching a lock of Galu's chestnut hair, where a small thumb was securely ensconced between dark red lips. Galu shifted his sight to his Adar, seeking consent before turning the page, for on the next leaf he knew was a detailed, coloured drawing of the scene. Thranduil's brief smile and nod encouraged the youth and he carefully, slowly revealed the scary image.
A quick breath left the elfling. "Raug gortheb!"(Horrible demon!) he hissed quietly and looked up expectantly at his big brother, waiting for the end of the tale, which he knew by heart now but still needed to hear.
"The rest of the orcs were defeated," Galu read, "for the warriors' vigour was renewed as their wrath kindled high to see their revered leader fall. Then Thorndor, Lord of the Eagles, retrieved Glorfindel's broken body from the icy river. At the entrance to the rocky pass he was laid to rest; a high cairn was raised over him and upon it yellow flowers grew. Yet nevermore did any elf see those blossoms and only the eagles kept vigil over the grave, until finally the lands were changed and all that region inundated by the Great Sea.
"Alas! Great was the mourning of the refugees for Glorfindel was beloved among his people. With heavy hearts they continued on for there was nothing left of the world they had know before and little hope for peace when so many of the noble Gondolindrim were no more. The End." Galurem shut the book and looked down at his baby brother with a sad smile.
Then Legolas pulled his thumb out and smiled, too, as he straightened up. "But that is not the end, is it?" he said firmly. "Glorfindel was reborn. He is alive right now, is that not so, Ada?" the child's eyes held a bright and hopeful light within them as he turned to his father.
"Aye, he lives. Glorfindel resides in Imladris with the people of Elrond, for the Lord of those lands is descended of Tuor and Idril and Eärendil," confirmed Thranduil, drawing his youngest elfling up onto his lap and wrapping him up tight in strong, safe arms.
The King had not been surprised to find Galu already here when he had arrived at the nursery, for the impetuous youth had thrown down his fork and nearly yanked the table cloth to the floor in his haste to exit the dining hall. Thranduil had felt a strong surge of pride in his Dragon son then, for though by silvan custom he was of Huneb'ell's people, Galurem reminded the Sindarin Lord of his own elder brother, long dead on the desolate and blasted plains before Morannon.(the Black Gate of Mordor) Even now, the smouldering resentment Galu felt on his baby brother's behalf was evident, deeply colouring his natural glow with silver flashes, like the bright white heart in the hottest core of a single flame.
Thranduil unwound one arm from his youngest and reached over to encompass Galu in the embrace. His Dragon son looked up, surprised and embarrassed, but a softer gleam filled his eyes, too, and Thranduil knew he was pleased.
Galu smiled shyly, too aware of all the faces watching, for they were not the only occupants of the nursery. Indeed, he had been but the first to reach Legolas' chambers, for almost all the siblings, save Glamor and Sîrgel, who was attempting to mend matters with his beloved, had come to mitigate the harshness of the Silver Queen. It felt good to have been the first, however, and Galu was proud to receive this open affirmation from their sire. He met each of his siblings' gazes, noting the mixture of envy and genuine joy upon their countenances. He was so much more at peace now and wondered how the intense, explosive anger that had consumed him earlier had cooled and given way to this easy sense of security and belonging. Legolas has a way of doing that; he calms me.
Galu recalled the events preceding this restful moment:
The younger of Huneb'ell's offspring stormed from the refectory without bothering to hide his outrage. No one should ever be permitted to make Legolas cry after all the elfling has suffered. He hated Ithiloth and her cool, smug demeanour, looking down on the other wives because she was First and belonged to the House of Tawar. She barely even spoke to him or Glamor and treated their mother with disdain when they met.
So it seemed to his troubled mind, for Galu felt keenly the sting of his lack of status among his own people. His grandfather belonged to the Foxes and refused to acknowledge Huneb'ell's children by Thranduil. In truth Ithiloth was not unkind to his mother even if they were seldom in agreement on issues of concern to the Greenwood. To the young warrior, however, this lack of accord was interpreted as criticism and derision on the part of the Silver Queen. I would like to make her cry!
Galu went straight to the nursery where he found Legolas in the tub as Galion watched over him. The chestnut-haired prince grinned as he observed his baby brother making waves to move his wooden barges through the water. "What are you playing, maethor dithen (little warrior)?" he asked, sharing his smile with Galion as he entered and sat on the edge of the bathtub.
"Galu! I am glad to see you here. Is Sîr really angry with me? Do you think he will forgive me?" implored Legolas. "I did not know Tulus would think I was being rude."
"Nay, Tuiw, he is not angry, I am sure. He is talking with Tulus and explaining what you meant. Whatever made you ask her that?" Galu could not help inquiring, for it was such an unexpected thing for his little brother to say.
"I did not know it was wrong," Legolas' lower lip trembled anew and his bright eyes filled with more tears.
"Ai! No more weeping; I am not scolding you. If you want to know, I thought it was very funny. Did you see how red Sîr's face became?" Galu giggled and leaned in to splash the elfling. "Do you know, I think that is a fitting prank, enough to earn the initiation without further trials."
Legolas' eyes grew huge and he glanced furtively at Galion, fearful for the elder servant to learn of this deeply protected secret among the siblings, but Galu only laughed.
"Nay, it is no test I give you. Galion knows all about it as does Eirien."
"Is that true?" whispered the blue-eyed child, staring at his Ada's trusted seneschal.
"It is, Legolas. Fear not, we have never given away anything that was not meant to be known. In fact, I helped with the joke played upon the Noldor visitors," averred Galion proudly. "Now then, your toes are all wrinkled up like raisins and the water is too cool to play in any longer, Tuiw. Out you get and into your night clothes."
"Very well, Galion. Must I go to sleep though? I am not at all tired for I rested this afternoon," Legolas sought to negotiate his punishment.
"Minui Naneth did not say anything about making you sleep, only that you were confined to the nursery until the letter is finished. Come, you may sit abed for a time and mayhap Galu will tell you a story or two," suggested the butler kindly.
"What letter?" demanded Galu, interrupting his brother's excited exclamation of anticipation. The Silver Queen, Galion relayed, had decreed that her nephew must compose a letter of apology to Tulus for his inappropriate remark. Upon hearing the explanation, Galu cursed her vilely. "Eru's Arse, she is colder than Ossë's balls!"
"Galurem!" chastised Eirien sternly, poking her head around the bathing room door. "You must not say such things in front of Legolas."
"Forgive me, Eirien, but someone must teach him to swear and it might as well be me," quipped the elder prince and was gratified to see the nanny smile indulgently as she turned away. "When Adar hears of this he will be very displeased. Legolas can hardly write his name much less an entire apology."
"I can do it, Galu," assured the child at once. "I want to do it, for I had no wish to upset Tulus."
"Tulus was upset because she was surprised to have her dallying with our brother revealed! Do not worry over it, for if she is to join our family she will need to possess a good sense of humour. Can you imagine allowing her into Noss Othronn if she cannot see how truly funny the whole situation was?" opined Galu as he helped Legolas dress and began to comb his hair out.
"What is dallying?" asked Legolas.
Eirien laughed from the other room as Galion snorted loudly while trying to conceal his merriment. "I think we are no longer needed in here, Herven," (Husband) said the clairvoyant nanny. "Galu has matters firmly in hand." She peered around the door for a final smirk at the Dragon ellon ere she and Galion exited the nursery for their private quarters.
Legolas was glad, for of all his siblings only Galu would ever answer his questions in a straightforward way. He looked expectantly over his shoulder as his brother worked the comb through his hair and received an answering grin and touselled locks in reply. "Well? What is it? Everyone talks about it and I know they do not mean lagging behind or going slow on purpose."
"Correct, pen vaen. (clever one) Dallying is what two elves do while hoping not to create an elfling," he announced and laughed anew at Legolas bewildered expression. "Do not fret over it, Tuiw," he repeated before the next question could arise. "Now, mayhap I can go and see what is left of the desert."
"That is good of you, Galu," enthused Legolas and hugged his brother tight around the neck. He decided to just let the whole matter of elfling babes alone as it had generated so much trouble for him already.
"Aye, it is very generous, yet you must have something more nourishing first," came a voice from the doorway. Both princes looked up to find Thranduil there, smiling upon his sons fondly. He knelt quickly to catch the bounding form of the littlest prince as Legolas left Galu and vaulted through the air into his Ada's embrace. The King carried his youngest to bed and settled him there, Galu following right behind. They sat Legolas between them, propped up against the headboard with pillows stuffed behind them.
"I will, Ada. Is the dinner over now?" he asked.
"Nay, but we have decided to finish it in here," spoke another voice from the sitting room. In walked Fêrlass and Doronlass bearing a large covered tray between them. Together they set this on the low table beside the bed.
"I made sure to include everything you like best, Tuiw," added Doronlass as he lifted off the cover with a flourish.
"Hannad," said Legolas and reached over the take up one of the buttered sweet rolls. It quickly disappeared and was followed by a large forkful of venison, for the child was quite hungry after his long day exploring the grounds and the interrupted meal.
"I have brought a pitcher of apricot nectar, your favourite," sang out Annûnfaen as she marched in, Corchrîn beside her with enough cups for everyone. All the Raven children dragged in chairs and cushions from the parlour and settled around the princeling's bed. Corchrîn placed her chair near her husband and they clasped hands, Thranduil carrying hers to his lips for a swift kiss. The family began to share the repast when another interruption occurred.
"Ah, I just knew there was a party today. What is it we are celebrating, Orgilion?" It was Menelfân and his brother, Sîrgel's younger siblings of the Hawk clan.
"I am not sure. Perhaps it is for the first time ever that Sîr has been bested twice, in a single day, and by his youngest brothers." Orgilion grinned at Legolas and Fêrlass in turn.
"What have you brought, Gilion? (a nickname for Orgilion, means Star-son)" demanded Annûn, noting a thick book in her brother's hands.
The Hawk princes settled on the floor and Orgilion was about to explain when the door opened again and in bustled the heiresses of the House of the Butterfly: Lothanor, Brithla, and Gwirithiel with Calargyll right behind them. Each carried a tray piled with pastries and cakes from the pantry and promptly set these on the foot of the bed.
"You cannot leave us out," twinkled Calargyll merrily. "We have brought the sweets. Now, what games are we going to play?"
"Nay, enough excitement has occurred this day," admonished Thranduil, holding up a hand to still the chorus of groans and complaints from his offspring.
"I agree," said Corchrîn with due solemnity. "That is why Gilion has brought the book."
"It is your favourite, Tuiw," announced the young Lord of the Hawks. "The story of Glorfindel and how he saved Eärendil by battling the vile Balrog to the death."
"Oh!" Legolas clapped in anticipation as he gazed up at his Hawk brother. Orgilion and Menelfân were already heroes in his estimation, almost as strong and brave as his Ada, for he knew they were frequently gone from his life because of their dedication to protecting Greenwood from the evils of Orcs and spiders. And he knew it was Menelfân who had pulled his Naneth's body from the clutches of the Orcs on the day she died. Yet it was from neither of these he wished to hear the legend told. Legolas turned eagerly to Galu on his left. "Will you read it to me?" he begged with his most irresistible indigo gaze.
Galurem smiled broadly, honoured to be chosen above his more prestigious elder brothers or his highly ranked younger brothers, and fairly ecstatic that Legolas would have none of the sisters narrate the story. "I will do so with pleasure," he said and accepted the heavy, illustrated book form Orgilion.
With that everyone had settled in to hear the tale and listened spellbound as Galu had narrated with appropriate dramatic flair. Now that the tale was finished, the younger elves rose and stretched, relieving cramped muscles and stiff backs, for all the siblings had been hard at work upon their punishment tasks throughout the day. Galu, however, was content to remain where he was and smiled at Legolas as he leaned more fully into their Adar's clasp.
Legolas sighed in contentment. This was a much better end to the day than he had hoped for after his blunder at table. All of his family was present, except for Glamor and her mother, Minui Naneth and Sîr. While he was sorry his Dragon sister was not there, Legolas did not miss Huneb'ell, who was sometimes frightening, or Ithiloth, of whom he had seen enough that day, and he was a little worried about facing Sîr again just yet. He did wish the Noldor warriors could have heard the magnificent tale, but decided he could share that with them another time.
Annûnfaen stood from the chair in which she had been comfortably curled. "Why this new interest in Glorfindel, Tuiw?" she asked, stretching tall to ease her aching back. All day she had run back and forth on the practice fields, retrieving arrows, swords, shields, spears, and lances for various sparring warriors. More than a few of the ellin had made allusions to her appearance and flirted with her, and this had been the most unbearable aspect of the task for she had not had to endure such conduct until recently. She wanted to discuss it with her Nana but had another matter that she felt must be broached to her siblings first.
"I just want to know if it is really true," explained Legolas. "I will go to Imladris and ask him myself someday."
"Ask what? About the Balrog? I am certain it is true, Legolas," said Menelfân. "You need not go to Imladris to learn that; ask our visitors for they are all friends with Glorfindel and see him almost every day."
"Oh! I had not thought of that! That is a grand idea, Menel. I was not thinking about the Balrog, though. I want to know if he really died and was reborn."
"Of course he was. Why would anyone make up such a thing?" Corchrîn was flabbergasted for Legolas to be thinking thus and met her beloved's eyes in worry.
Thranduil reached out and squeezed her fingers, smiling to give reassurance he perhaps did not quite feel in his soul.Whatever is pen dithen nín (my little one) thinking of now? "Aye, Legolas, the Lord of the Golden Flower lives again. By his own words he has said this and while I have not heard them myself the story was told to me by Mithrandir, who knew him in Aman. For many long years he dwelt there, growing up again from a small elfling, much like you are now, into the mighty warrior we have heard so much about."
"Then I believe it, Ada, if you say it is so. It is important to be sure," he said solemnly.
"Why do you need to be sure of Glorfindel?" Fêrlass finally asked what everyone wanted to know, even though they all suspected what this reason must be.
"If it is really the same Glorfindel, then my Nana will be reborn, too. She was just as brave as Glorfindel, fighting orcs and wraiths to protect our people," he said with calm determination. "And Greenwood needs her, more even than Lord Elrond needs Glorfindel. The Valar will have to let her come back if they allowed Glorfindel to return."
A few seconds of silence followed this announcement, for though everyone had been thinking it, hearing such a strong statement from the elfling was troubling, for of all the elves that had passed into Mandos, only Glorfindel had ever returned to Middle-earth to speak of it.
"Ai, Legolas!" Annûn breathed out, disturbed and somewhat shocked, not knowing whether to caution her brother or encourage his ardent hope to remain.
"Nay, he is right," stated Galu firmly, sending her a look that demanded the latter. "This is the promise of Námo to all the First-born, that should the body and soul be sundered a new hroa will be given after a time of rest and healing in his Halls. Yet Námo did not reveal how or when this would take place, and perhaps that is something only Glorfindel can answer. Let us, then, hold hope in our hearts for Curóniel's swift rebirth."
"Aye, to that I will gladly pledge," stated Menelfân. He reached out for his glass of juice and everyone followed his example. "An Curóniel adonnatha ar addelitha o Mandos Tham. (To Curóniel's rebirth and return from the Halls of Mandos.) May she be healed of her hurts and rested in spirit. May she see the light of Aman and the faces of the Valar and return to tell us of such wonders."
"An Curóniel adonnatha ar addelitha o Mandos Tham." (To Curóniel's rebirth and return from the Halls of Mandos.) Everyone spoke this oath, raised their goblet, and drank to signify their solidarity in wishing for this great event to come to pass.
After this, Calargyll wondered aloud if it might not be best for Legolas to try and rest, as he had endured an exhausting evening. She raised her brows to Thranduil and gave a small nod, her way of informing him that she had won the morning's tournament between the wives, and preceded her daughters from the nursery.
Corchrîn tried to hide her disappointment but Thranduil noticed anyway and gave her hand a final kiss before releasing her from his clasp. Sadly he watched her leave the room, her head held high and her back strong and unbowed, for he understood how much it hurt her to know he would spend this night with his Second Wife. He bent to give his littlest prince a kiss. "Îdh vaer, Tawarwaith dithen." (Rest well, little Tawarwaith.) So saying, and accepting a kiss and a hug in return, the King rose and dutifully followed after Calargyll.
Doronlas gave a low rumble of discontent but voiced nothing more of his anger to see his naneth saddened. He motioned for his siblings to join him and not only the Ravens but the Hawks followed him from the nursery. Together the five marched down the halls until they reached a less-used section of the stronghold, a series of caverns reserved for emergency occupation by the Wood Elves of the forest at large. At a dimly lit cross-corridor they encountered the Butterfly daughters waiting for them and Glamor was also there.
"Where is my brother?" demanded First Daughter of the House of the Blue Dragon.
"He is still with Tuiw. I do not believe he means to join us or he would have caught up with us before now," said Annûnfaen, her tone disgruntled and irritated. She wished he was present, for generally Galu was a staunch supporter of her plans even when others would gainsay her.
"Sîr is not coming either. We cannot hold Yejquv [High Council without them," sighed Brithla. (Pearl)
"Oh yes we can and we must," argued Orgilion. "Just look at Annûn; we all know what that sparkle in her eyes portends."
"Aye," nodded Menelfân with a sly grin. "She has had an Idea."
At this everyone turned to focus upon the youngest Raven child. She was indeed smiling with unbridled deviousness and looked fit to burst in her desire to reveal this Great Notion that had come upon her during the evening spent in Legolas' rooms. Yes, she had just conceived what was probably the best prank ever, and she had thought up some very grand schemes in her short life. Not even Lothanor's 'Attack of the Avari' could compare to the utter perfection of this plot. In fact, Annûn wondered if she would ever be able to come up with anything to top it, so magnificent would this endeavour prove.
"Out with it," demanded Lothanor. (Sunflower)
"Nay. We must convene Yejquv," insisted Annûn. "This is too important to discuss in the passage. I have determined the most fitting way to grant Tuiw his induction into Nost Othronn (House of the Underground Fortress). AND…" the youngest Raven paused dramatically to enjoy the effect as all her siblings leaned closer. "I have the perfect trial for Tulus as well. She will either prove herself worthy to join us or Sîr will realise his error in choosing her and cease his courting."
"Tulus? Why bother with her? We do not even know if Sîr is really contemplating bonding with her," groused Gwirithiel. (April Daughter)
"What does it matter? She has harmed our Tawarwaith, has she not? Poor Legolas had to endure one of Naneth's dreadful lectures," groaned Orgilion.
"And no doubt there is other punishment as well, which we will learn of on the morrow from Galu. Legolas tells him everything. I agree; Tulus has earned the censure of Nost Othronn on behalf of our muindor laes (baby brother)." Doronlass had no qualms about subjecting the unsuspecting maiden to his sister's scheme.
"Nasan," intoned Lothanor. "Sui iarwain sí, canin Yejquv." (So be it. As the oldest here, I call High Council.)
Silently all the children of Thranduil filed into a room on the right. They gathered loosely in its centre and then Menelfân called out: "Tegi calad!" (Bring light!) and upon his command all the torches flared brightly, for as one of Oropher's descendants he had inherited the gift for this sort of magic, even if he was officially a Lord among his Naneth's clan of the Hawk.
Each Elf waited for Annûnfaen to speak, for no further prompting was required. Yejquv had been called and enough members of Nost Othronn were present to fulfil quorum, though it was unusual to do so without the entire compliment of its members.
The Raven daughter met each of her siblings' expectant faces with smug delight. "Here we stand in the bowels of our Orod Im'elaidh. (Mountain amid the Trees) Deep are the tunnels and the caverns situated; deeper still are the shafts and veins of our mines. We are all aware that sometimes unpleasant things are found in such dark and abyssal zones of Arda. Things so old that Greenwood seems a meadow of saplings in comparison and even Eirien but an elfling, though she has lived since the time of the Awakening."
"There are no monsters asleep in our mountain, muinthel, (sister)" scoffed Fêrlass, but his eyes were very wide and bright in the firelight. It occurred to him that he had often overheard the miners telling such tales when they were off duty and resting in the gardens. His chore in the kitchens no longer seemed quite as onerous.
"Oh? I say, no one can be certain of that," countered Annûn. "I say, let us assume that there is indeed a terrible creature hidden in the depths of our fortress. Legolas shall learn of it and he shall prove both his courage and his wits by defeating this vile creature. Furthermore, he shall redeem his lost honour over the unintended slight to the House of the Black Boa by rescuing Tulus from the clutches of this hideous fiend. The Tawarwaith shall destroy Oropher's Bane, the Balrog of Mirkwood."
Annûnfaen gloated, contemplating the stunned expressions that met her inspection. Her siblings stood with dazed and uncertain features, some gaping openly, others eying her shrewdly, some frowning in worry. It was precisely the reaction she had wished to provoke and she could hardly wait to reveal the details of her elaborate plan.
TBC
