The journey back to Mirkwood was not a short one, two long weeks it took for the pair to arrive back within the safety of the high walls guarding the Elvenking's realm. The guards at the gate bowed their heads in silent respect towards both the young prince and Elenion, each of them returning the gesture quickly. Elenion couldn't deny the surge of relief that flooded through him when he once more entered the woodland realm. His time in Lothlorien had been far for traumatising, his life there was actually far more peaceful and subdued than he had expected it to be, but for all the beauty the Golden Wood held it was not his home. Legolas gave him a knowing smile as they both swiftly leaped down from the mounts that had carefully carried them both the long distance, handing the reins to the awaiting guards.
"Welcome back, Captain." One of the men retrieving the tired horses bowed once more to Elenion.
"Thank you." Elenion returned the young guards kind gesture, stopping only to clasp his hand over Legolas' shoulder "But I am no longer your Captain." He gave Legolas a quick smile before heading towards the entrance of the vast caves, hiding the labyrinth that was the King's underground city.
Of course not much had changed in the years he had been gone, the King was not one to welcome such a thing as changed so Elenion was pleasantly surprised to see that there had been some new lighting entered into the long dark passageway- the king was also not one to enjoy any room that had any lighting above the tone of dim. Elenion suspected this decision had more to do with Legolas than it did his father. Either way he enjoyed the contrast. It would take some adjustment being back within Mirkwood, he had spent the last 5 years enjoying the openness of Lothlorien, his time within the high Mallorn trees was such a contrast to his life within the darkened halls here. Lack of Sunlight included, Elenion was still glad the young prince had convinced him to return, not that he would have had it in him to delay the inevitable for much longer, he had missed these woods and halls more than he cared to admit aloud.
Elenion took a deep breath and steadied himself for the meeting he had delayed for so long, given the fact that he had not spoken to his oldest friend in so long he was understandably nervous as to how the meeting would go, hoping the once more their differences could be sorted and the tension from their last conversation gone. He quickly brought his hand up and along the wooden frame of the door to the king's private quarters, tapping his knuckles against the heavy wood in quick succession.
"Come in." Elenion couldn't help but smile at the obvious annoyance evident in the kings tone.
"You are in a very sunny mood this morning I see." There was the briefest glimpse of surprise over the kings usual stoic features before it quickly vanished and his guarded mask speedily returned.
"Of course." Thranduil nodded, gesturing for Elenion to enter further and join him on one of the empty chairs available. "I did not expect to see you back within my halls this century Elenion." Thranduil reached over to the goblet which rested not far from him upon a small wooden table and brought it took his lips, quickly sipping the flavoured wine.
"Your son brought me back from Lothlorien with him." Elenion shrugged as he seated himself down across from Thranduil. "He can be rather persuasive when he tries."
"Thankfully" Thranduil agreed. " I feel I must apologise for our last meeting, It was not my intention to harm you or your family with my withholding information, if you would give me your forgiveness I will give you my word it will not happen again." Thranduil knew his tone was distant and cold but he was unaware how to use any other, they did not sit well with him so he automatically reverted back to the one he knew best. Elenion sat in shock for a few silent moments, just silently looking over at his old friend with one brow quirked slightly higher than the other, the only evident sign of his surprise showing.
"Forgive me Thranduil" Elenion chuckled quietly, his head shaking "For I did not expect an apology for you anytime soon. That certainly was a new development."
"What can I say" Thranduil sighed as he put the now empty wine goblet back on the table "I am much changed in your absence." They both could not hold back the laughter at the King's dry remark, Elenion did not doubt that absolutely nothing about the king or his ill-tempered personality had changed much in the past years. If he could not improve in his 3000 years he very much doubted a substantial changed could occur in a mere 5.
oOo
Airemana was slowly adjusting to life without her husband once more, Miriniel was once more her full responsibility not that she minded that at all, she enjoyed having her time solely spent with her daughter, although she was at times hard work she did not wish to change one moment – even those moments of heated exchange over the most smallest things. This morning's argument consisted of Mirniel's distaste towards the fact that her mother had decided it was time she learned to not only speak Elvish but be able to write in the script also. She was fluent in the language spoken around her, she had also been taught the common tongue of men but she could not read or write in either.
It was her father's decision to have her taught this, voicing his unhappiness with Miriniels lack of ability at her age. Miriniel had requested that her mother, Galadriel read her one of the small children's stories contained within the vast collection of texts housed in the library. Celeborn was most unhappy with the new development, stating that all elven children could read and write fluently in several languages at an age much younger than that of Miriniels. Both Airemana and her mother stressed the fact that Miriniel was a mortal child and should not be required to conform with what would be expected of an elfling. Her father merely stated that he did not need reminding of her lineage, requesting that she at least be taught so that he could feel secure in the knowledge that the attempt was made to educate her further, Airemana greed to his terms and quickly changed the subject- not looking to argue with her father over such a thing. She agreed of course that Miriniel should know how to do such things but did not agree upon the timing. All they could do was try.
The first few times Airemana attempted to teach these lessons to Miriniel herself it had gone terribly, her daughter refusing to sit still for more than five minutes at a time. More interested in exploring the woods or finding her way to Galadriel's gardens to see if she could be of assistance with what little work there was to be done there.
"I don't need to learn to read." Miriniel complained as she was tugged gently along the vast walkway by her mother's hand.
"And why do you think that?" Airemana questioned firmly, in no mood for the girls stubbornness today.
"Because you can always read it to me, or Lady Galadriel. It's a waste of my time." She protested further, putting empathise on the last part of her sentence.
"Oh yes." Airemana nodded while looking down at her child "You are so completely overwhelmed with other things to do that this one improvement would certainly only slow you down." Hearing the tone of her mother's voice Miriniel wisely decided to remain quiet by her mother's side until they arrived at the largest Mallorn tree in Lothlorien, climbing the stairs circling it in an equal silence.
"What took you both so long?" Celeborn asked as they both entered the living quarters of the flet which belonged to her parents.
"Slight reluctance from Miriniel this morning." Airemana shrugged as she walked over to embrace her father.
"Nothing has changed I see." Celeborn shook his head slowly, turning his gaze to the mortal child who looked around the room quietly, sending curious glances in a multitude of different directions. "Miriniel, come here." Celeborn gestured towards the vacant white chair he had ready for her, it was of course before a large white table, strewn across that was many parchments, come filled with beautiful writing of poems and tales long ago written, other pages were blank, Airemana assumed those pages were for Miriniels practice. She did not envy her daughter, for she would have to be on her best behaviour now her learning had been taking over by her father. Lord Celeborn was not known for his patience, Airemana recalled the times he had sat both her and her sister down to teach them both aswell, a small tight smile gracing her lips. Celeborn cast her a questioning glance but Airemana just shook her head in response.
"Behave Miriniel" Airemana advised her daughter as she sat upon the chair with aid from Celeborn and began to remove her heavy Lothlorien cloak. The deep blue now covering the bright white of the chair.
"She will, don't worry." Celeborn laughed dryly as Airemana took her leave, advising she would be back to collect Miriniel in two short hours. Her father had requested she be there all morning to get a head start on her learning but Airemana had denied the request, thinking two hours would be more than enough of a shock to the poor child's system, never mind four.
oOo
"I do not want to ruin your good spirit my friend" Thranduil stood with a heavy sigh, walking over to the jug containing wine that was served to him this morning, this time filling a goblet for Elenion also "But I must tell you something of importance, given my most recent promise not to keep information concerning your family from you again.."
"I have a deep sense Thranduil that I will not enjoy your next sentence" Elenion eyed him warily as he accepted the goblet and inhaled the aroma within. It was wine made by men, but none the less delicious. King Thranduil had been known to favour the wine from Esgaroth over eleven made wine. It was beautifully made and flavoured but Elenion personally favoured the elvish make, although very few bottles of it now remained in Mirkwood – the king stopped its production years ago when he discovered his taste for the wares from the mortal men.
"It concerns Miriniel." Thranduil began warily, suddenly feeling rather nervous to share the information he had gained. He turned to see Elenion take a deep drink from the goblet before pinching the bridge of his nose tightly, assumingly preparing himself for what was to follow. "There have been some questions asked, not about the girl precisely but her family. Well I think it is her family, there is no way for me to be certain."
"What do you mean?" Elenion questioned, his tone guarded "Who has been asking questions?"
"Well I received letters at first, then a mortal man showed up at the gate demanding an audience with me. I was bored so I agreed. He was enquiring about his missing brother; apparently he had left Esgaroth on the premise that he would learn some of the art of elvish medicine from one of our healers. I informed the man that his brother had never made it here, for no mortal has ever resided within these halls. Well apart from Miriniel of course but I did not inform him of her and I'm glad for he then told me that his brother had left Esgaroth with his wife and their young daughter." Elenion obviously paled, absorbing this news with a look of anguish across his features.
"You believe that Miriniel is theirs?" Elenion asked quietly.
"I do" Thranduil nodded, his eyes examining and paying close attention to every move Elenion made, wary of how his friend would take this news. So far it was going better than he had expected, Elenion hadn't yet risen from his seat and left the chambers. "I do not know of any other humans lost within my woods apart from the young couple you reported to me as dead on the return of that patrol.
"Nor do I." Elenion admitted. "But that does not mean that Miriniel is who they seek. Surely many mortals have perished in those dangerous forests without our knowledge." Thranduil nodded in agreement.
"I have sent him back to Esgaroth and removed him from my realm, you have nothing to fear even if Miriniel is the lost daughter of that man's brother, he does not need to know that. I just thought it was best to share this information with you."
"Thank you." Elenion nodded, agreeing that the decision made was for the best, he would rather know of this so that he could prepare.
"What will you do?" Thranduil asked, mildly curious as to what his advisor would do with the new information given to him.
"I do not know" Elenion laughed "I fear the choice on this falls to my wife and not myself, I will send word to Airemana." He stood quickly, bowing to Thranduil before hurriedly leaving the room. No doubt in search of some parchment and ink.
oOo
It was nearly two months after his letter was sent that Elenion had heard anything back from his wife about the predicament with the family from Esgaroth. She had not wrote back to him however, but had decided to travel to Mirkwood to sort through the details for herself. She brought with her a full escort from Lothlorien, that to Elenion's dismay included the marchwarden. Not that he didn't like Haldir, he had actually grown to tolerate the elf when he spent time in Lothlorien, he just was not happy with him knowing any information about the situation, which now that he was here, escorting his wife to the woodland realm he had no doubt that the marchwarden knew the same as he.
Airemana was escorted along with Haldir to the King's study, where Elenion and Thranduil were both discussing possibilities of an orc attack against the wall when they were interrupted. Elenion was shocked to see Airemana escorted in at first but that shock quickly changed to welcoming when Miriniel jumped out from behind her mother and climbed up onto his lap, embracing him tightly and laughing with joy.
"How have you grown so in a few short months?" Elenion questioned demandingly while gently probing her sides, making her squirm and laugh beneath his grasp.
"There must be something in the water in Lothlorien." Thranduil agreed, nodding as he took in the size of the child before him, he knew she would have grown but was not expecting her to have grown as much. It was a stark reminder of the mortality of humans. "You should have sent word of your arrival, I would have had rooms prepared for you." Thranduil directed his gaze to Airemana and Haldir, giving them a questioning glance.
"It was a last minute decision." Airemana shrugged, regarding Thranduil with the same untrusting glare she always held for him.
"Very Well." Thranduil stood and left the room, in search of a servant to let them know that rooms had to be prepared for their surprise guests.
"Your visit in not an unwelcome one" Elenion smiled at his wife, receiving a stony glare in response. "I assume you are here to discuss my letter?" she only nodded in response.
"Miri, why don't you come with me? We shall have a walk around these halls before our chambers for our stay are ready." Haldir held out his hand to the girl beckoning her forward but she refused to move, merely staring at his hand confused at the fact that he expected her to move.
"I want to stay with ada." She protested, her jaw squaring with determination.
"You've only just arrived, surely we can discuss these matters when Miriniel sleeps this evening." Elenion supplied, as eager as the girl for their reunion not to be ended so soon. Airemana agreed, nodding her head in defeat.
"I will return to our home" she inhaled deeply suddenly looking weary from the long journey. "Return with Miriniel there when you are ready." She turned to leave with Haldir only to be stopped by the appearance of the King within the doorway.
"Your home is no longer the same." Thranduil informed her, walking quickly around her and the marchwarden, claiming his usual perch.
"What do you mean by that?" she questioned.
"Well.." Elenion began to explain but Thranduil bet him to it.
"Elenion's quarters have moved." Thranduil shrugged "His residence is now within the halls. A young couple now live in the small house on the outskirts of the wall." The shock was evident on Airemana's face, that shock quickly turned to anger.
"It was for the best" Elenion tried to explain quickly before her anger could rise.
"You did not think to consult with me on this before you gave away our home?" she accused, her voice firm with her attempts to control her anger given her present company.
"You were not here to consult." Elenion replied smoothly.
"Legolas will escort you to your new living quarters" Thranduil nodded towards his son who was now standing behind Airemana "He was also show you to your room for your stay with us Haldir." Haldir bowed respectfully to the elvenking while Airemana just left the room without another word.
oOo
Miriniel sat at the table with her father, quietly consuming the broth that was prepared for her supper while Airemana was reading their things to go take a well-deserved and much needed bath in the underground springs that doubled up as the bathing pools within these halls.
Airemana laid some fresh towels on the back of a chair as her eyes once more wandered around the vast walls and high ceilings that formed Elenion's new home within Mirkwood. "Do you not like it?" he questioned quietly as he removed the empty bowls from the table, helping Miriniel maintain her balance as she climbed ungracefully from the chair.
"It is lovely." She sighed heavily. "Just different."
"I brought all your things over here," he explained nodding towards an empty room that contained some boxes filled with a variety of items. "And of course Miriniels things have also been placed in her chamber."
"I have my own chamber?" she questioned, the conversation now holding her interest.
"Of course you do." He replied matter of confidently "Where else would I store all your things? I had to have the bed replaced as the old one was much too small, but there are items you may recognise."
"I'm going to look." She quickly dashed past her mother only for Airemana to take hold of her wrist and pull her back slightly.
"You can look after you have bathed." Airemana laughed at the disappointed look upon the girls face. "We won't be long" she informed Elenion, grabbing the towels from the back of the chair and pulling Miriniel quietly behind her.
oOo
The evening that followed after her calming bath with Miriniel was not one that Airemana would ever like to look back on for the memories would never be fond. She had ended up leaving the living quarters that Elenion now occupied, requesting one of the many guest rooms that there were available throughout the vast halls. She found no rest that evening, her stomach constricting with nerves on what would await her tomorrow after her short trip to Esgaroth, she had to speak with this family. Elenion disagreed but would not stop her from going as she wished. She had hoped Elenion would accompany her there, as she made her enquires but he had refused. Wishing to take nothing to do with the idea. He could not seem to understand that she just had to know the answers to the questions that had filled her every waking moment since that letter from her husband had arrived in Lothlorien many weeks ago. Speaking to this family would be the only way she would find rest again once more.
"You still look tense." Haldir commented with a frown marring his forehead as he gently guided her onto the small ship that was there to transport them across the lake to Esgaroth.
"I cannot relax." She smiled at him tightly. "Not until I speak with them."
"And if you learn that these people are in fact Miriniels true kin?" He questioned his eyes intent on her face, trying to gauge her reaction.
"I do not know." She answered quietly, her eyes cast out upon the choppy waters each movement in the water bringing them closer to the harbour of the small man made town upon the water.
oOo
Elenion was busy writing a response to Lord Elrond, who had sent a letter to the King of Mirkwood, once again seeking council with him over the growing threats that now encompassed all of middle earth. The threat that now impacted all realms, not just the elven ones. Thranduil of course had little compassion for the problems that's this caused for the world of men or dwarves, as long as his realm and halls were safe, he had no need to be concerned. Elenion however didn't have the heart to respond to Lord Elrond with the King's reply so was trying desperately of a better way to word the response, so as not to offend the Lord of Imladris. It was no easy task.
Miriniel browsed through the many walls in the study, her eyes scanning the many titles of books placed without thought throughout the room. She picked up some of the parchment from the desk as she joined her father, pulling herself up onto his lap as he stared at the blank parchment before him.
"Will the orcs kill everyone ada?" her voice sounded frightened as she spoke quietly, her dark eyes now staring widely at Elenion as he felt the frown appear.
"Give me that" he quickly removed the letter from her small hands and rolled it up, quickly placing it within one of the drawers and shutting it quickly. "How did you read that?" he couldn't hide his surprise and pride in this new development.
"Not all of it" she shrugged "Some of it. Celeborn taught me."
"He did?" Elenion was even more shocked with that information than Miriniels new found ability to read elvish script.
"Yes" she nodded again, pulling another parchment from the table, reading a few of the words to demonstrate. "I don't know all the words yet." She shrugged, stumbling when she reached a few sentences.
"No but you will learn them." He smiled reassuringly down at her. "You have learned this skill fast Miri, do not be disheartened."
"Okay." She nodded in agreement, returning her gaze back to the words in her lap.
"To answer your previous question, no" he shook his head and smiled brightly "the orcs will not survive long enough to cause that much damage." He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and moved the straying curls from her face, giving her a better view of the pages. "How do you know of orcs?"
"Celeborn taught me." She shrugged, still not moving her gaze.
"What did he tell you?"
"That they are foul things that smell really bad." She laughed and Elenion could not stop himself from joining her.
there was two brief knocks on the door before the young prince of Mirkwood entered the room, his eyes scanning around quickly to gauge his audience.
"I'm afraid your father is not here Legolas, he has chosen to spend the day in his chambers." Elenion explained Thranduil's absence.
"I was looking for you." Legolas inclined his head towards the young girl in Elenion's lap, looking rather bored. "Lady Miriniel." She merely waved in response much to her father's amusement.
"How can I help you?" Elenion asked curiously, it was not often that Legolas needed help with anything.
"There is a patrol due to leave this afternoon but also training that needs done with the archers. I do not have the facilities to do both today and hoping someone could be spared to assist." The young prince looked a little stressed when he explained the situation. Elenion smiled and informed him that he would happily take the patrol to allow Legolas the time to perform the training that was required for the new archers within the guard.
"Does that mean I get to come with you ada?" Miriniel looked almost excited at the prospect of getting a proper look at the forest that lay before the walls of Mirkwood.
"You were so quiet that I almost forgot you were here" Elenion frowned at the prince and began to apologise. "Airemana has gone out to Esgaroth with Haldir, I'm afraid I cannot take any patrol or training while I have Miriniel, my apologies my prince." Legolas nodded in response, understanding the predicament but not prepared to disappoint his father by failing on one of these tasks given to him.
"And if Miriniel joined me in the training grounds? She could watch while they practice." Legolas supplied, obviously slightly desperate if he was willing to tolerate a human child to get the job done.
"Very well." Elenion agreed, just as eager to perform another patrol of the woods he knew so well. "Just do not let her touch nay of the weapons there, or you will have to deal with the wrath of my wife." Elenion warned him in advance, for he would not accept responsibility if Airemana were to discover Mirniel's presence in the field.
"Agreed." The prince nodded, looking sceptically over at Miriniel who just stared blankly back at him.
oOo
"Why do you walk so fast!" Miriniel exclaimed as she almost ran behind Legolas in order to keep up with his pace.
"I do not walk fast, Lady Miriniel, you are just extremely slow." The prince reluctantly slowed his pace while waiting for the child to catch up.
"I'm only eight." She complained. "You are like twenty, so you're older. That's not my fault."
"I can assure you my lady, I am much older than a mere twenty years old." He could not hide the amusement from his tone.
"You are?" she sounded as confused as she looked, gazing up at him in doubt.
"Yes." He replied with a quick nod, once again moving forward now that the girl had joined his strides.
"Well then how old are you?" she waited for a reply but never got one, which then lead to here guessing his age for the rest of their journey to the training grounds. "25? 26? 36? 56?" Legolas shook his head in response. "I give up" she sighed "I don't know any other numbers."
The prince kept his gaze forward but couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his lips as he entered the training field, the mortal following behind him.
oOo
"We leave at first light tomorrow" Airemana informed Elenion as she served a plate of salad to Haldir who waited patiently. "I will not risk travelling any later than that with the orc packs growing bolder, I wish to return to the safety of Lothlorien quickly."
"So soon." Elenion did not attempt to hide his disappointment. "Does this have anything to do with your trip down to Esgaroth today?"
"Maybe." Airemana smiled at him tightly as she took a seat at the table beside the marchwarden. "I did not tell of Miriniel as I cannot be sure, there Is no way to know for sure but I agree with Thranduil, I believe she was the daughter of that young human couple."
"And do you plan to tell Miriniel of this?" Elenion asked, considering all their options.
"No."
"Do you not think she has a right to know where she hails from?" Haldir asked, joining the conversations between the pair.
"She hails from Mirkwood." Elenion answered sternly, his tone daring the marchwarden to continue his train of thought.
"Yes, she does." Airemana agreed "but she will now reside in Lothlorien with me."
"You can't keep her from me for the rest of her days Airemana, you wouldn't be so cruel."
"I have no intentions of keeping her from you Elenion, whenever you can have her here with you she can be a guest here."
"A guest in her own home." Elenion bit the words out through gritted teeth, not trusting his composure to remain in place for any more discussion on the subject.
"It is for the best Elenion." Airemana shouted after his retreating figure.