Chapter 29
Imladris was basked in a spectacular golden glow as the sun set. The mists from the many waterfalls kept the hidden city cool, shrouded in mystery, but no less beautiful. Legolas stood on the cliff overlooking the valley, Elladan, Elrohir, and Haldir mounted beside him. It was foolish really, the adventure they had embarked on, but as young ellons they loved being wild and free. The unexpected arrival of Haldir to Imladris reunited the friends and quickly they spoke of going out on an adventure. Truly they had not meant to be gone for so long, but the past could not be undone. They were returned now, with many stories to tell, and Legolas finally ready to return to his true home.
As they crossed the bridge of the main entrance to Imladris they were confronted with a none-too pleased looking Lord Elrond and a smug Arwen.
"My Lord, my Lady." Haldir and Legolas bowed their heads as they entered.
"Father," the twins murmured as they rode through the gates, ignoring their little sister completely. They quickly moved to exit the scene but Elrond was not done with them.
"Not so fast," he said, commanding they stay.
"Three princes and a respected marchwarden stand before me, yet one would not be able to tell the difference from four elflings of but twenty years," he said dryly. All winced at the slight and knew they were in trouble. "Did none of you think it prudent to at least inform someone of your departure? My precious daughter had to inform me of your secret plans." Arwen smiled beautifully—so that's why she looked smug. Elladan and Elrohir shared a look, ready to get back at her for ratting them out. "And you," he turned to Legolas "What was I supposed to tell your father as he sent letter after letter commanding your return to Greenwood?" Legolas paled. If Elrond was displeased he could only look forward to his father's famous temper upon his return. "You two, I will deal with later," he narrowed his eyes at his sons. He turned on his heel, leaving them, muttering about 'as if it weren't already hard enough to run a kingdom'.
"At least I did nothing wrong," Haldir smirked.
"Dolle naa lost (your head is empty)," Elladan said, followed by a teasing smack to Haldir's head. Hadlir retaliated with a jab to his side but before a full-on brawl could ensure Elrohir and Legolas pulled the two apart.
"Do not give father another reason to chastise us," Elrohir warned. They straightened their clothes and put on a mask of composure as Lindir approached.
"Lord Legolas, letters from your father," he handed the prince several rolled parchments. Before he left, Lindir threw the twins a disapproving look. Legolas thought the bathe and change before reading the letters but something seemed wrong. His father rarely sent one message, if that, and Tauriel would send many, but there were none.
"Lindir!" he called back the elf. "Are you sure these are all the letters?"
"Yes, my Lord." He did not look amused at being doubted.
"Very well," Legolas said, dismissing him. He excused himself from his friends and went back to his chambers to read the messages at once.
The first letter was dated from three weeks ago. He began reading it and instantly noticed something amiss in his father's tone. The final line of the message confirmed his fears: Tauriel has been injured. He tore through the second and third letters which reported that she remained asleep with no change. The fourth letter said little of Tauriel but his father suggested he return home as quickly as possible—indirectly telling him Tauriel's condition was worsening. The final letter was from one week past and he dreaded reading it…there were no more letters since. With trembling fingers he began to read, his heart in his throat and his eyes wet no matter what the outcome.
'Tauriel's condition has improved. She still sleeps but is expected to recover. The healers—' Legolas did not need to read any more of the letter. She was alive, and that was enough. He threw together what few belongings he had brought and called for a servant to have a fresh, fast horse ready in ten minutes.
Legolas left his chambers in search for Elrond. Seeing as it was evening he imagined supper just beginning to be served and so he went to the dining room. All were present and he was thankful he would not have to waste time looking for them. He thanked them profusely and said farewell, promising to visit again soon. In less than twenty minutes he was on the journey home.
The elvenking had been in a foul temper for the past month; especially in recent days since Tauriel had fallen ill again. Even Namileth had called him 'unbearable' and refused to see him. He commanded the healers tell him what ailed her the second time but they refused him outright. His mood went from enraged, to confused, to trying to be patient, to enraged again at their disobedience. Gyldyril merely told him it was not her place to inform him of what had occurred, but could assure him that Tauriel would be fine and recover quickly. Adding to his ire was the inexplicable disappearance of his son.
A quick rap on his door disrupted his musings and he allowed entry.
"My Lord," a guard said breathlessly, "Prince Legolas has been spotted entering our borders. He will be here within the hour."
"Open the gates," Thranduil ordered, dismissing the guard. He rose, adjusted his robes, and removed his crown. "Tell Tauriel Legolas has come," he said without glancing at a nearby attendant. He knew it would be strange for a king to wait at the gates, but in this moment he was a father who had gone far too long missing the presence of his only child.
"Adar." Legolas stood before his father.
"Ion nin," Thranduil said quietly. He saw the frenzied look in Legolas' eyes—yes, he knew that look well. Who else could better understand the fear of losing the one you loved?
"I apologize, ada, I should have come sooner. I—"
"You are here now." Thranduil ever so slightly bowed his head and took a step towards his son. Legolas looked at him curiously but felt the calm his father exuded and allowed his father to approach. He would have never expected his return to be met with an embrace from his father, but he was glad it did; he realized he needed to be reassured…and for that to come from his father meant everything. "And that is all that matters." Thranduil finished, stepping away from his son. "Go to her, she knows you are here." Legolas did not need to be told twice.
Tauriel was standing on the balcony of her new room, leaning against a bookshelf as she looked over the forest. Ever since the news she found emptiness inside herself that only grew…at times feeling like she would get lost in it. When she was younger she would often try to decipher every shade of green in the forest and count as many as she could. She did it now, if only as a distraction. Her head snapped up as she heard a knock on her door. She felt such joy at seeing her love, and such dread. She did not bid him enter, instead going to allow him entry personally.
"Melamin," Legolas said, his voice a mix of many emotions: happiness, worry, anxiety, love. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her to him tightly, but with tenderness as if she were fragile. She felt as though she were in a daze; lost in herself and in those enchanting blue eyes. Legolas never wanted to let her go, he found he could not. He lifted her easily and brought her with him to sit together in a chaise. There he finally turned her cheek so he could look at her clearly. A crease of worry tinged his brow as her clear green eyes were now clouded and remote. "Tauriel?" He asked gently. Why did she not speak? Her eyes flickered to his and met for a moment before she looked down.
Conflicted. Yes, that was what she felt. She was hurt he had not been there for her. But at the same time she understood he had duties. She had failed his as a wife before they were even wed. But that did not stop her from loving him. And in that moment, she realized she did not do him justice…for he would love her too. Despite everything, he had promised his eternal love for her.
"I am sorry," he said, his voice wavering. How could he be so senseless? Of course she would be angry! Her silence confirmed this and he hoped she would forgive him for leaving her to endure in pain and suffering alone. "I—there is no excuse for—" he tried to find the right words, beseeching her forgiveness.
For the first time in months Tauriel smiled. She looked up at him, his gentle face the reflection of his pure heart. With ease, she pressed her lips to his and silenced him. He tensed, but she relaxed, and eventually he did as well.
"Will you not speak to me?" he whispered at last. "It has been months since I have heard your musical voice; would you deny me that pleasure?"
"You know as well as I that my voice is hardly musical," she replied, smiling openly. The beautiful smile which lit his face dispelled the darkness that had harbored within her.
"Perhaps, but I enjoy hearing it all the same." He squeezed her hand and absentmindedly stroked it.
"I missed you," she said, barely a whisper.
"Years have gone by faster than the few days we were apart. You do not know how I longed to return to your side." He pressed as kiss to her head, unable to be satisfied of his desire for her.
"And now here you are."
"And here I shall stay," he said, but his tone made it a promise. Tauriel knew he would eventually leave again, he had duties after all, but she nonetheless felt reassured.
"Will you tell me what happened?" he asked gently. Tauriel sighed and her grip inadvertently tightened. "It does not have to be now. Time will heal your wounds."
Tauriel winced and she knew she had to tell him. She willed herself to be strong, to not shed any tears, but her body betrayed her. Legolas brought her close to him and stroked her hair soothingly as he wiped away her tears, cursing himself for upsetting her and. Without detaching herself from him she stood and led him back to the balcony, both her hands holding his.
"Legolas," she said, finding strength she did not know she had. "Some wounds will heal to become scars, simply a memory of the battles fought prior. Others, heal in name but will never be the same." He nodded as he tried to figure out what she was getting at. She let his hand go and instead moved to the laces holding her loose dress together. She undid them easily but paused, exhaled, and then uncovered the ugly jagged scar decorating her belly. She heard him suck in air and moved instinctively to touch it, but refrained.
"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.
"Not anymore," she replied, letting his fingertips ghost over it. "But…" he heard the catch in her voice and looked up slowly. "But the healers said the wound caused too much damage inside. And that I would never be able to bear children." She searched his face, expecting to see sadness and disappointment, even if for an instant, but found no such thing. Instead she saw love. She saw endless love that poured from his eyes into her own and filled the void within her. What the battle had robbed her she could never get back…but it could be filled with something else, something better.
"You're not disappointed?" she asked, despite herself. She tried to lessen the edge in her voice with an attempt at humor. "I did tell you I would never make a good wife."
He lowered his head and kissed the scar, peppering kisses until he reached her lips but halted.
"I could never be disappointed in you. You are the strongest, most loving, caring, fierce, elleth that I know. In fact it is quite the opposite. I have been blessed by the Valar beyond measure to have your love. And I love you in return." He finally kissed her lips. "More than life itself."
Tauriel knew the sadness she felt at her barrenness would never go away, but she also knew she could find joy in other aspects of her life. The nagging sensation that they would eventually have to tell the king still bothered her but she paid little attention to it now. The couple instead sat on the chair for hours telling light-hearted stories of what had occurred while apart.
"You did not!" Tauriel scolded.
"I did!" Legolas said defiantly. "It was the first thing I told Haldir; that I had succeeded where he had not and that we were indeed betrothed."
"Shameless. Absolutely shameless," Tauriel laughed.
"So shameless in fact, that for some time I have entertained the thought of advancing our wedding. How about at the end of next month?"
"You cannot be serious?" her mouth dropped.
"I have never been more sure it is the right thing to do. There would be no greater honor than to be yours fully and completely," he replied easily. Her sweet but passionate kiss left him without a doubt of her response.
End note:
So to make up for the sadness of the last chapter I put in some sweet father/son moments and even sweeter Legolas/Tauriel fluff. Hope you enjoyed it and as always leave a review to let me know what you think
