Sorry folks for not posting over the weekend, my little boy was very poorly and we spent it in hospital with him. He's home and doing much better now so here's the next chapter...
Chapter 25: Leave Taking
"Gelmir is most anxious for the party to press on now that Prince Legolas has regained his health," Mithrandir explained to the table.
"And why should we have need to tarry further?" interjected an exasperated voice.
"Thranduil! I believe Legolas must be the one to choose the time of our departure. My dear you must feel able to face that which we may come to meet on the road," Nienna urged her Son to speak his true mind, not that which he believed he should.
"I understand Mother," he explained with a slight hint of embarrassment, "But truly I am ready as ever I will be. I cannot know how I will deal with such things until I face them."
"Wise words for one so young," Mithrandir smiled. "Brave words," he continued.
"Aye," Elrond agreed. Thranduil said nothing, to Nienna's displeasure.
"Imladris is truly the most beautiful place I have ever seen, but I long to see Greenwood. I long to walk the halls where once my Brother strode as King." The Elven-Prince looked down at the table top at the mention of Lòrel.
"And so you shall," his Father boomed, then quietened his voice when his Son's face looked solemn once more. "You say you are eager as I to leave yet such a long face? Make your mind up boy!"
Legolas knew he should simply have kept his mouth shut, to be respectful of his Father and King in such company, but he answered before these thoughts entered his mind. "Perhaps you forget that I must part once more with my beloved Daughter."
Thranduil stemmed his anger. A rare sight. He had forgotten, so obsessed was he to see his Kingdom again. The past week Legolas and Ceres had barely left the child's side, having spent four weeks apart from her. They both felt the separation keenly, neither had been away from her for more than a night or two previously. However Evelyn was a happy and content little girl, she weathered the separation well. She asked after their return daily of course, but always found something to amuse herself.
An awkward silence fell upon the meeting, broken eventually by Erestor. "I will prepare a lesson plan for her, to put in place during your absence if your Highness should wish it."
"Lesson plan? She's four years old," Legolas interrupted.
"And a very bright young elleth," Erestor continued, affronted by the Prince's comments. "I assure you I am well practiced in teaching those of such a young age. I taught all three of Lord Elrond's children."
"Forgive me, Master Erestor, I meant no slight on your abilities. Evelyn has a short attention span, I doubt she will adhere to such a schedule," Legolas explained.
"She is bored," stated the dark-haired elf matter-of-factly, "I have seen it many times. She will do well when exposed to the correct material."
Legolas bit the inside of his cheek so as not to respond along the lines of what he was thinking, which in summary was 'Who does this man think he is telling me I don't know how to encourage my own child's development.' After some thought, the Elven-prince actually responded with, "I thank you Master Erestor, on behalf of myself and my Wife, such time and effort on your part would be gratefully received."
Erestor bowed his head in acknowledgement and respect.
"Perhaps we should leave at first light, tomorrow week?" Elrond suggested, and was answered with a succession of nods.
Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. He had been concerned that they would take Thranduil's lead and be packing that very night. He was glad he would have another week with his darling Evelyn.
Securing the last trunk to the wagon, Leowen then started to inspect the horses lined up for the party leaving this morning for Eryn Galen. He made a few last orders to perfect the preparations then began saddling Princess Ceres' light grey mare. His Highness Prince Legolas had insisted that he no longer required a saddle, having practiced without for two weeks. The Captain agreed that the Prince was doing well, but it was a long road. He therefore packed a spare saddle among the provisions on the wagon, should Legolas feel the need to use it.
"Morning, Captain," the King clapped his hand on Leowen's back firmly in greeting.
Thranduil was in fine sprits this morning. The Captain of the Royal Guard finished saddling the horse and turned to see how the Prince and Princess were faring this morn. As expected they were not so jolly as the King. Legolas put on a convincing mask of indifference, though everyone knew how torn he was with leaving his Daughter behind. Ceres was a little less composed but bearing up well all things considered.
Scott stood on the steps, his face full of sadness, and on his hip he held his Niece, in her pyjamas, half asleep. "I'll take good care of her," he smiled at his Sister.
Leowen let a small smile play on his features as he watched Ceres fuss over her Brother and her Daughter. She raked her fingers through the toddler's hair, detangling it expertly, though perhaps it wasn't necessary as she was sure to return to her bed anyway.
"…and don't let her stay up late, watch her sugar and salt intake and definitely no horse riding," Ceres referred to Scott's 'We'll see' when Evie had begged for a pony ride.
Legolas strode to the Captain's side, clasping arms and rolling his eyes at his beloved's ranting. Leowen returned the Prince's amused expression and the pair walked away from the others as he proceeded to inform him of all the preparations that had been made, and what was yet to be done.
As the elves around them began to mount, at Thranduil's command, Legolas felt his heart grow tight in his chest. Now was the time.
Noticing the company's readying to leave, and the distracted look on Legolas' face, Leowen patted his Friend's arm reassuringly and let him go to say his goodbyes.
He'd been dreading this part and wanted it over as soon as possible. "Scott," he said quietly in greeting, nodding his head at his life-long Friend. The two embraced as Ceres took Evie for a cuddle. "Dude I'll come back for you and Evie as soon as I possibly can."
"I know that Dude," Scott said in a strained voice, returning the name that had become almost sentimental. It was a memento of their youth and of their previous life.
Ceres smiled despite her threatening tears. To hear her boys addressing each other like they always have in this mystical and beautiful land, it would be laughable if it weren't so endearing to her.
Legolas left his Friend and wrapped his baby girl up tightly, concentrating on keeping his emotions at bay. "You be a good girl for Uncle Scott, you're going to have so much fun you'll barely notice we've gone."
Evie sniffled amongst her tears, nodding, "I will be good Daddy. I promise."
He held her close as his Wife said her goodbyes to her Brother.
A whisper in his ear threatened to unmask him, "I love you Daddy."
Legolas was silent a moment as he tried to regain an even voice, "I love you too, my Princess."
Reluctantly he passed her into Scott's arms once more and strode towards Ceres' horse. He helped her to mount then fluidly did so himself. He waved his hand in the air as they moved off but had not the heart to turn and look at Evie, who he could hear crying clearly. He looked to his right to see his Wife wiping silent tears as they fell, trying to stop them before they took hold. He nudged his horse closer to hers and took her hand tightly. Nothing is more shrill to the ears than your own baby's cry.
Ceres sat down on the grass beside the fire. She didn't feel much like helping set up camp. She was the Princess, surely that got her out of it? She was too out of spirits to do much at all, save feel sorry for herself.
Legolas helped by putting up the royal tent with Boran. The idea was a pompous one in his mind, but Thranduil liked his sense of distinction. The Prince would happily sleep under the stars, and if Ceres felt comfortable with the idea perhaps they would.
When everything was set up for the night and lembas was being given out around the fire, Legolas sat heavily, for an elf, beside his Wife and kissed her leather-covered shoulder. "Are you alright?" he smiled as best he could given the day's emotional toll.
"Aye," she breathed deeply, resting her head against him.
Adan handed Legolas a piece of lembas to share with Ceres, he took a few bites and broke a piece off for her. When she refused it he admonished her. "We agreed Ceres," he said as quietly as possible, "You've done so well, just a small piece."
She took it and bit off a tiny mouthful, giving the remainder back to him. "Satisfied?"
Her Husband looked at his boots non-committally.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, I know. It was always going to be this hard to leave her," he took her hand and they huddled together by the fire.
"Adan," Legolas called after some time, "Do you have any more lembas?"
Legolas raised his eyebrows in frustration at the elf's stunned silence.
"But you ate nearly an entire slice," the elf stated.
The Prince's continued silence was not an amused one, Adan rummaged through a pack to dig out two more slices.
"Thank you," Legolas smiled politely and sat devouring the way bread.
The elves were in amused astonishment. Ceres and Thranduil were in states of mild embarrassment. Nienna was just pleased to see her Son alive and eating at all.
After such a long day's ride and such emotional ups and downs Ceres soon fell asleep, her head resting on her Husband's leg as he continued to talk to the others. They taught him a few elvish songs and they sang long into the night. Eventually they all decided to get a few hours sleep. Jey and Leowen took watch that night.
Legolas prepared their bedroll and blankets outside with the rest of the elves, then moved his Wife carefully. He covered them both with their blankets as he drifted off to sleep with elvish songs still ringing in his ears.