Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Title Translation: Father and Son
WickedGreene: I did a lot of research (more than I needed for this chapter) on Thranduil and I got so motivated I churned this out today. I hope my depiction of Thranduil lives up to your expectations.
I enjoyed spending my time in the sixth tier, near the Healing Houses. There were a great abundance of gardens, and the air was always light and clear. When I wasn't busy looking over papers concerning Gondor's funds; I spent my hours there, tending to the trees, flowers, and plants. Anarion, the Chief Gardener was apprehensive of giving over the care of his precious gardens to an elf, but I was swift to prove my worth after saving an ailing rose bush of which he was particularly fond. He put me in charge of the lemonthrush trees, a large herb garden, and several patches of blushlilys. It was hard but gratifying work, and I loved to do it in my spare time. Aragorn thought it beneath me, but I didn't mind. I was used to caring for things that grow, especially during my time as a child in Amon Lanc.
I was was fussing over the irrigation in a tomato patch I had taken a particular liking to when news came of my father's arrival. It was late afternoon, and I'd shed my robes for a pair of brown breeches and a soft white tunic. I was rather the same color all around, as I was up to my ears in mulch. I bit my lip as I worried a stubborn ragweed from the ground and groped for the trowel behind me, digging a trench where the offending plant had once been. The sun was making a slow but steady path behind the White Mountains, and the soft chirrup of crickets was slowly beginning to fill the air. A chuckle behind me gave me pause, and I righted myself to smile at Aragorn, who had quietly snuck up behind me while I worked.
"Finished settling the Lady Brerwyn?" I queried, brushing a hand over my brow.
"Mm" he replied, coming to kneel beside me and inspect my handiwork. "She's rather enchanted by her rooms."
"I suppose the Woodspeople of Mirkwood rarely see such finery" I mused, tucking back into my pile of mulch with a fervor. "Did you look over my report on the shipments that came in today?"
"I did" he said idly, tracing the curve of a tomato vine. "I never knew a city could eat so many onions."
"Yes, well, try telling the Head Chef he'll have to make due with a third of the usual supply" I snorted. "You'd think there weren't enough onions in the entire world."
Aragorn chuckled, and sat back, observing the garden. We were in a small outer tier, overlooking the edge of the wall. An abundance of honeysuckle blossoms crawled over the turrets to spill onto the white marble of the fortress exterior, throwing up a sweet but not overpowering fragrance. Around us were patches of vegetables, each flourishing in their own way in accordance with the season. Behind us was the recovery portion of the healing houses; stained glass hid the tenants inside, throwing little rainbows of color out onto the flagstone before us.
"You've got some dirt" Aragorn said idly, reaching over to rub my nose. "Just here."
"I've got dirt everywhere" I replied, swatting his hand away. "I'll wash it off soon, I'm about done."
"Your father arrived" he added, as if in afterthought.
I yelped and dropped my trowel.
"Why didn't you say so?" I gasped, looking at him in horror.
"Oh, I don't know" he said airily. "I rather fancied the thought of him catching you here, covered in mud."
"You're a monster!" I shrieked, jumping to my feet. "Where is he? I've got to get changed!"
"Calm yourself" he chuckled, rising and drawing me to him. "The last I saw him, he was on his way to speak to Gandalf, in the first tier." He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips and I relented a little. "I'll go tell the staff you're wanting a bath, shall I?"
"He'll wonder why I wasn't there to greet him" I muttered, fretfully brushing the dirt from my hands. Another kiss, and I huffed. "Oh, you win. I can't stay angry at you, go away. I'll be on in a minute."
He left, chortling quietly to himself and I rolled my eyes. Swiftly gathering up my tools, I made my way out of the vegetable garden and dropped them off at the maintenance shed at the West of the wall. Leaving Anarion a missive stating I'd finish my work tomorrow, I hurried up to the seventh tier to change. Other than Gandalf, I was the only other member of the Fellowship provided rooms within the Citadel. Aragorn too resided there, though his chambers were on the Western side of the Tower of Ecthelion, and mine on the East. Passing under the great spire, I took a red-carpeted staircase to my rooms, where I was glad to see a bath had been drawn. Throwing my soiled garments to the floor, I sank into the water, taking only a few moments to revel in the glorious warmth before beginning to scrub myself clean. My rooms were split into three parts; a study, a washroom, and a bedchamber. All were completely circular and richly adorned in the colors of Gondor with sturdy mahogany furnishings. There were no doors separating the spaces, only thick velvet curtains that could be parted or pulled together with a thick golden tassel. Casting my gaze to the darkened bedroom, I saw that a sky blue robe with white ribbing had been laid out on the mattress, along with a set of shoes. I was grateful, for once, that someone had taken the time to choose my clothes, as I didn't think I'd have been able to decide. Once I had determined I was thoroughly clean, I dried and dressed myself, stopping only to run a flat-toothed comb through my hair. A loud knock on the door gave me pause, and I hurried to answer it, slipping on my shoes as I went.
Gimli stood outside, looking not a little bit grumpy. He made his way inside without an invitation and threw himself onto the first chair he came in contact with.
"Something the matter?" I queried, sweeping into the study to tidy a stack of papers I'd left scattered on the desk.
"The palace is awash with elves" he growled, pouring himself a glass of wine from my decanter. "They're all floating about and putting on airs."
"So you've come have company with the only elf you can tolerate?" I asked lightly, tucking a missive into my pocket. "I've got to go soon, you know."
"Ah yes, going to meet that antlered elf that kept my father prisoner" the dwarf grumbled. "Let me know how that goes."
"Going to meet my father" I corrected gently, leaning against the wall.
"You're going to tell him about-" he gestured wildly, nearly knocking over his glass in the process.
"Well, we certainly can't avoid it" I replied, placing a steadying hand on the goblet. "Though there's no telling how he'll take it."
"I could tell you that" Gimli harrumphed. "Badly, that's how." He thumped the butt of his axe on the floor. "I still don't know why you can't just elope quietly and bring it to light later."
"Kings and princes don't elope" I replied sternly.
"They don't marry each other either" my friend pointed out.
"Sometimes I wonder if you're with us, or against us" I snapped, striding towards the door.
"Aye, don't be like that lad" the dwarf sighed. "You know I support you, I just would hate to see either of you hurt for all this, and I'm afraid that's the only way I see it going."
We stood in silence for a while, and I found the more I stalled the less willing I was to go.
"I've got to go see him, in any case" I said calmly, opening the door. I cast a glance back at Gimli. "You can stay here if you like, if it's more to your taste."
"I plan to" my friend barked. He reached for his pipe and I grimaced. "Let me know how it goes."
"Of course" I muttered, closing the door behind me.
Standing out in the hall, I deliberated on where to go. I wasn't sure if Gandalf had kept Thranduil long, but I didn't want to go searching for him in the first tier only to find he wasn't there. I took a deep settling breath and let my feet lead me down the stairs and out onto the courtyard, where I gazed at the white tree for a long while. I hadn't talked to my father since I'd sent him the letter in Rivendell, informing him of my decision to join the Fellowship. Mirkwood had beat off a good amount of orc attacks in my absence, so said many. My father had been as much involved in the War as I had, but I'd not heard a word from him. The missive informing me of his estimated arrival had been written by an emissary and contained no personal message for me. I didn't know if Thranduil resented me for leaving him, or knew it was necessary for the Greenwood to aid the Fellowship. A hand on the small of my back gave me pause, and I looked up to meet Aragorn's stormy grey gaze.
"You look wonderful" he said softly. I smiled, a little nervously. "Faramir is getting Thranduil settled in his rooms, I've had a fire built in the Adviser's Hall in the antechamber. Shall we await him there?"
I nodded in assent and we made our way down to the fifth tier. The Governed Circuit amassed most of the business-oriented matters of Minas Tirith. As King, Aragorn would hold his Council Meetings there, and any and all trade deals, treaties, official laws, and financial decisions were signed there. The Advisers Hall was a large, ovular building with a hundred or so offices along with the Council Chamber and its antechambers, and the Wartime Hall. The front entrance was ovular in shape and opened in on a large, rectangular chamber with a long low-hewn rectangular stone table with a throne at the far end. Hanging braziers flickered on the walls along with banners of the White Tree. Exiting to the right, we entered a smaller, spherical chamber with a great fire. Cushioned chairs were scattered throughout the space but I moved to the mantel, too discomfited to sit anywhere for very long. A servant floated in to set a table with drinks and I snatched one up for myself, nursing it as I kept my gaze latched on the door. After some time, I tired of worrying myself sick and took a seat next to Aragorn near the fire. We conversed lightly of the affairs of Gondor while we waited, occasionally sharing a smile or a meaningful glance. A soft knock on the door announced my father's arrival, and we rose in unison to greet him.
I had forgotten the grandness of my Adar. As Thranduil of the Woodland Realm swept into the room, all breath left my lungs and I found myself unable to speak. The light from the fire illuminated his proud, marble features as he surveyed us both calculatingly, his dark brows hovering over sapphire-blue eyes as wise as the hills. He wore his crown, as was appropriate when representing his people in a foreign realm, and his silver and green robe whispered on the flagstones. The liquid-gold torrent of his golden hair fell in a stormy river across his back, and it rippled when he walked. His gaze fell upon me and I bowed my head ever-so-slightly. I felt a fresh rush of fear as I realized the enormity of what I must tell him, and considered the possible consequences that might follow.
"Leglas" he said softly, and his voice was like velvet. Unbidden, memories of how he had addressed me as a child rose within my mind. "Ionneg."
"Adar" I replied, stepping foward. His stern gaze lifted and was replaced by a momentary tenderness. He lifted his hands and drew me forward to kiss my cheeks. "El sila erin lu e-govaned vin."
We stood there a moment, his cheek lingering against mine, and I felt some of the anxiety I had felt leak out of me. He was not so angry as to not greet me affectionately. Perhaps there was hope after all.
"It is good to see you well" he said softly, drawing back. "I have worried for you."
"I knew you would" I replied, smiling softy. "For what it's worth, I am sorry."
My father's gaze fell upon Aragorn, who remained standing next to the fire.
"We will speak of such things later. For now, it is enough that I have seen you are alive and well." He moved to greet Aragorn, and my love bowed deeply. "Estel, it is good to see you again."
"Le nathlam hi" he replied, straightening. "Won't you sit down? You must be tired from your journey."
We talked for a long while, exchanging news and trading stories. I distributed the wine when needed, and was content to listen to the two Kings share their news. It made me happy to see them get along. Aragorn had ever been good with the ways of elves. He was polite, tactful, and sensitive. My father valued his opinion and thought him a good man among many who were not so good. Though often suspicious, Thranduil was gracious of those who were respectful to him. Looking between them, I wondered how well their relationship would hold up once we revealed our intentions.
"Legolas has been managing Minas Tirith's finances" Aragorn was saying, leaning back in his chair. "I confess that I've found myself with very little to do with him about, you've taught him well."
"Indeed" Thranduil said slowly, raising an elegant brow at me. "Legolas rather loves his numbers, 'twas geometry he was rather fiercely opposed to."
"I'm not overfond of shapes" I muttered.
"And you've been working in the gardens?" my father pressed. "You seem to have made yourself quite at home."
"I like to be useful" I replied uncomfortably. "You know I don't like an idle mind, Adar."
The conversation wore on until a servant came to inform us that dinner was ready. Aragorn had arranged for Thranduil and his party to dine with us, and left to make sure that everything was in order. This left my father and I alone, where he gazed at me with a sudden intensity that made me uncomfortable.
"You left me" he said idly, after a time. I startled at the sound of his voice in the silence but said nothing. His demeanor had changed subtly, as it was wont to when he was stormy. "You left me, and ran off on a possibly hopeless quest with nothing but a pathetically short missive as a goodbye."
"Adar" I said quietly. "Adar, I did what I thought was right."
"What if you had died?" he replied, his voice deadly soft. "How do you think I'd have survived it?"
"I was needed elsewhere" I said softly. "I can't always be under your wing."
"And yet you can be under a King of Man's!" he thundered, standing. I winced as the goblet he was holding shattered to the floor. "Don't think I'm a fool, Greenleaf. Here you are, sitting in a King's antechamber, wearing his house colors" I paled. "You tend his garden, eat at his table, and figure his finances and you think I am a fool" he spat the last word, his eyes flashing.
"The Fellowship was as detrimental to the quest as Frodo and Sam!" I protested, standing as well. "You played your part too, just because I played it elsewhere does not mean I am of lesser value." I took a deep breath. "As for how I serve Gondor, I serve it as any person would aid the Kingdom he fought under in the time of War."
"You aid it because you bed its King" he snarled. "I see how he looks at you, and I see how you look at him."
"I love him" I said lowly, finally caving to his suspicions. "Is that so wrong? Adar, I could have picked someone far more terrible to love!" I folded my arms across my chest. "And I do not bed him, I wait to wed him."
At my admission, he looked at me as if he had never seen me before. His lips thinned and he drew himself up to full height.
"If this is some foolish political scheme you know I won't have any of it" he snapped. "Gondor and the Realm of the Elves have always gotten along under specific terms but we cannot be a united Kingdom."
"Do you think me so boorish that I'd wed myself off in order to solidify some sort of treaty?" I scoffed. "No, I want him because I love him." I swallowed. "Didn't you love Nana? You know we don't love thoughtlessly, I've given my heart to him, and I don't intend to turn away from it just because you don't approve."
"Don't speak to me of your mother" Thranduil snapped. "You never knew her."
"No, I didn't" I agreed. "But I know there was a time when you loved her, and you didn't let anything stand in your way." I folded my arms. "And now, I'm not letting anything stand in the way of me."
A great silence fell between us as he gazed at me. I regretted being so shallow as to bring my departed mother into it, but there was a time for everything. I couldn't allow myself to be weak in the face of my father's rage. Strigent in his beliefs he was, but unfair he was not. The prejudices of man did not extend to the elven world, and I hadn't accepted the advances of any courtiers. Unlike Aragorn, I had no nuptial obligations, and my father was fully aware of that. After a time, Thranduil appeared to deflate. Sitting back down in his chair, he gazed gravely at me.
"How do you propose to divide your time between Mirkwood and Gondor?" he asked roughly.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about that" I said lightly, moving to stand near the fire. "Are you planning to sail?"
He turned his head and gazed into the fire.
"I miss your mother" he said quietly. "Her spirit was the brightest light in a world full of darkness. I raised you hoping that I could leave you a legacy you could rely upon in hard times." He ran slender fingers over his lips. "The time of the Elves is ending. The last ships are bound to sail soon, and Man must have his Reign on Middle Earth." He looked gravely at me. "If you are to be part of that reign, perhaps I can rest a little easier." He looked suddenly weary. "I've considered sailing many times, but with so many elders of our kin leaving Middle Earth, I am loathe to leave it bereft." He cast me a considering glance. "Though I do not take your age into consideration lightly, I have seen far many more years than you, and perhaps I may still be of service."
"So you do not plan to sail?" I asked, astonished. He smiled gently.
"Think you that I've forgotten the gifts bestowed upon you, my son? I'd like to be here to watch the upbringing of my grandchildren."
I flushed, at once delighted and embarrassed.
"Adar...I don't know what to say."
"I'm not saying the road you have chosen will be an easy one" he said wryly. "Marriage is never simple, you must learn to temper each other through the years. But I won't be yet another spoke in the wheel of conflict that you are going to face. I've seen far too much unhappiness in the world to deny you what will bring you joy." Thranduil frowned. "Has Aragorn announced any of it to Gondor? I imagine such a declaration would cause quite a bit of unrest."
"No, he hasn't. We're...not sure how to go about it, honestly."
"Does he have a Council formed?"
"A small one, we haven't incorporated specific sectors of the Nobility as of yet. Why do you ask?"
Thranduil stood and swept towards the fire, coming to lean against the mantel to face directly opposite me. He gazed into the flames for a moment before speaking again.
"I would make the announcement a public one, and exclude informing anyone beforehand. It doesn't give anyone any room to object, and forces you intentions into the public eye before it can be covered up and tucked away. Give an excuse, such as the coronation, and bring it to light along with the your decided date of the event." He looked sternly at me. "You have to understand that there are those who would consider this a great shame to the face of Gondor. Some may try to harm you for it. Even when you are married, being an official couple doesn't make you invulnerable."
"Is it because I am an elf?" I whispered.
"No" he murmured. "It is because you are male."
"I can't pretend to understand it."
"No one is going to pretend to understand you" he replied calmly. "I do, because I had an inkling of it after you refused some of the most beautiful and intelligent elleths in all of Middle Earth. But not everyone has had the privilege of knowing you. They will judge you on your race, gender, and heritage." He smiled wryly. "My name will only get you so far in the World of Men."
We left the antechamber and went down to the fourth circle to join the others for dinner. I was both relieved and apprehensive. My father's acceptance of everything meant that he understood how hard things were going to be, and was wise enough not to allow himself to be part of that hardship. I could not help but think it was a mere foreboding of the troubles that were to come. Even as Aragorn understood that my father had conceded, and practically worshiped him throughout dinner, I felt the stirrings of a great misgiving in my heart. After all, if one of the greatest of Kings would sacrifice his own ideals in the face of his sons happiness, who else would step up in his stead to take that happiness away?
Translations:
Ionneg-my son
El sila erin lu e-govaned vin-A star shines on the hour of our meeting.
Le nathlam hi-You are welcome here
Author's Note: Yep well, I didn't take that break I was going to. I literally watched a twenty minute documentary on Thranduil's character and it inspired me so much I just got right down to business today. I'm not sure how I did it but I blame the plot bunnies. They're everywhere! I do this all un-Beta'd so keep in mind that I may have plot errors here and there. I know that the Councils of the King would likely have been held in the Citadel, but I mixed things up a bit. I researched the layout of Minas Tirith, and I kind of felt that 'Royalty' should have a tier of the city all their own. So I made the Citadel that. *shrugs*. Anyways, the plot gets a little more complicated from here on. I'm actually not sure I want to do the whole 'Legolas survives multiple assassination attempts' thing, because I feel like it has been done a lot. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to PM me or comment and I'll give you the credit. I hope I haven't made it seem like Thranduil went easy on Legolas. I actually started the chapter all ready for a rip-roaring fight between father and son and suddenly Thranduil was incredibly gracious and I was okay with it. I feel like Thranduil became a little more understanding of the changes in the world after the events of The Hobbit, which softened his overall demeanor. Also, please don't be surprised if I drop of the face of the earth for three days. I'm on a writing spree and I'm thinking it's only a matter of time before I crash and need to take a break. I was sort of thinking that would happen yesterday and then I got all inspired. Either way, I'll be back within 72 hours max when it does happen. Thanks for reading!
R&R