Chapter 34

Pale streaks of a hesitating sunlight walked across the floor of my study. I sat unmoving and waiting for Thranduil to speak. His eyes were unfocused as he stared into the distance and for the longest time I wondered if he were waging a battle with himself and what its nature might be. But finally he drew a deep breath and the tension went out of his shoulders, and he sighed. But he did not look at me when he spoke, and he began:

"We had not thought we would be blessed with another child," he said quietly. "Four sons we had already, which is a great number among the elves, as you know, and the years were lengthening. Yet, Legolas was born in the waxing of the year, under sunlight and amidst greening leaves. Our other children were born in autumn, or winter, but his was the song of summer, and the sun."

He turned his face away. "Even as the darkness crept closer it seemed to us as though the light broke through wherever Legolas went, and his mother, long after she had birthed him, was aglow."

There was a space of silence before he went on. "Different he seemed to us already, then. So bright and so shining. I think, now, that perhaps I have always known that one day he would seek to journey beyond our borders, for they are cold and cruel at times and he is not."

"Yet I kept him with me and did not encourage him, for in him…" He paused. "For in him I see her and how she shone, then."

I found no words for him. We sat long in silence as the humble light moved over my walls. At long last, he looked up at me and there was a new light in his eyes: desperate and fearful.

"I would not mind it, Elrond," he said. "For your realm is safe still and Legolas I would keep safe. In the Greenwood we fight. My sons fight, my people fight. Against the Enemy we set our lives in the hopes that such sacrifice will keep the Shadow at bay. But should Legolas fall, I could not bear it. In Imladris he would be safe. Is that not so?"

"Thranduil," I began carefully, "Legolas was raised with bow in hand. My sons say he is skilled indeed, and he is young. If I could, I would keep him at my side always, but I fear reciting poetry under the starlight will not be enough for him. And I do not think that is his fate."

It was as close as I had ever come to reveal what I had seen in Legolas: something that lay beyond the borders of even my imagination. I did not like to dwell on it for that brought a twist to my heart and I feared it. It was true that I wanted him forever secure in my arms and yet, and perhaps it was due to a sudden flash of foresight, I now found myself ready to argue another point of view.

He looked long at me. "What then do you propose?"

I shook my head. "I would let him train with Glorfindel. Indeed, even let him ride out at times with my sons. I shall not like it for it will be perilous but the Dark Lord's webs are incessantly woven and we need to prepare for whatever might come of His toil. However, you are right: Imladris is still safe and will stay so for as long as I remain here."

And because there was no challenge in his face and no calculating gleam in his eye, but only a father's concern, l leaned forward and made my voice low but sharp, and I said:

"Never again shall we speak of what I am about to tell you. And nor may you ever make mention of this to another..." I regarded him sternly. "But for the love you bear for Legolas I reveal to you now that I have in my possession one of the Three. It will not protect him in battle but it will give him a safe home."

On my finger, visible to no one but myself, Vilya shimmered of gold and blue.

At first, Thranduil did not give any reaction but then he nodded softly.

"I admit I have wondered," said he, "how Imladris remained so unspoiled. This comes not as a great surprise yet now I know for certain. I will keep your secret safe, Elrond, if you will do the same with my son."

"He has a will of his own," I warned him, "as you well know."

"Aye," said Thranduil, with a heavy sigh, "it is so. Unfortunately."

I smiled then. Not at his fears but perhaps because I somewhat enjoyed surprising him. "I will wed him," I said, "if he will have me."

Thranduil's narrowed eyes instantly locked with mine. "You consent?"

"I do. But you will not tell him as much, or even imply that such is my – or your own – intention, for that is my task. And I will ask him when the time is right."

He pondered this. "And when is that?"

I leaned back and discovered that I was still smiling. For though I perceived in him suspicion and frustration, stronger than that, his relief came radiating off him.

"When I deem it so," I told him.

His eyes sharpened further but there was no malice in them. In fact, his lips twisted oddly and there might have flashed a smile across them. But it was soon gone.

"Fine," he said. "Though I will warn you, Elrond. Rarely you and I shall see eye to eye, even if Legolas should accept your offer and come to dwell with you."

"I expect nothings else," I said.

"Then I grant you leave to make him an offer."

"Ah, do you so?" I said dryly. "For that was not at all your own purpose for coming here."

It was then that he finally smiled and into that smile went all his power and knowledge, and though I knew he had played me, when I thought of Legolas and the way he lit up my very soul, I found no incentive to argue.

"Yet you must speak with him," I said instead. "For he fears your judgement."

"Oh, I shall," said he.

o.O.o

I saw him no more that day until we were to sit down to supper. It was now long since I had last eaten and I welcomed the hour. I was standing with Glorfindel by the head of the table when Thranduil swept inside and just as Glorfindel's mouth twisted into a wry smile, my gaze fell on Legolas as he appeared on the threshold, on the heels of his father. His eyes were wide and filled with doubt and he hesitated as he looked first to Thranduil and then to me. My heart went out to him, but I would not test his courage so cruelly and so I must be content with only smiling at him. But I ached to hold him and feel the press of his cheek to my shoulder and the way in which his arms would come around my waist; and I hoped he could read as much in my smile.

"Legolas!" came suddenly Elrohir's bright call. "Will you not join us? For my brother has an opinion on shooting that I cannot seem to get out of his head."

Gratitude welled up within me as Legolas, with only a dash of heat to his cheeks, thus was saved from having to make a difficult choice and he sped across the room to where my sons stood. Over his shoulder I caught Elrohir's eye and his wink at me.

"Would you know…" murmured Glorfindel in an undertone. "They have learnt something at last."

I looked to him then and beheld him long. "Indeed, you would know," I said softly.

He caught my eye and understanding came into his face before he shook it off with a grin. "Ever a handful they were. And shall yet be so for many years to come, I foretell."

But I held his gaze and his grin faded into a smile touched by melancholy.

"Thank you," I told him.

Thus we stood for a while longer, each mired in his own thoughts, ere the food was brought out and we arranged ourselves around the table.

I let Legolas choose his seat without pressure and in the end he slid into the chair by his father. But Arwen, with a dazzling smile at Thranduil, chose the one to his right and even the Elvenking could not withstand the light of the Undómiel for long. She blunted his edges, I saw, and conversation gradually picked up and though I was sat between Glorfindel and Erestor, I was pleased.

When the time came to leave the dining hall, the last dazzling glow of scarlet lay low in the western sky and the stars were glinting down to fill the pools and rivers of the Valley with their silver rain. The last calls of the birds trilled through the trees and the sweet night-scent of many flowers came wafting through the house.

That was when I found Legolas, for he had stayed behind as the others slowly exited and there, in that mingling of light, I took his hand in mine and laced our fingers together. His face he turned up to mine and I smiled. I lifted my free hand to his cheek and stroked it and knew that I would never tire of feeling his skin against my fingertips. In his eyes were mirrored the stars and ever so gently I closed the distance between us and brushed his lips with mine.

It was a simple kiss, long and light. I let my mouth linger upon his as the night fell into place around us and the voices of the others drifted off into the distance. My loose grasp on his fingers became what anchored me to the world while my heart swam in the shining seas of the glimmering heavens.

When it was truly over, he rested his head upon my shoulder and I stroked his golden hair. Like this we remained until my breathing had become his and I realised that my eyes were still closed. So I opened them and urged him silently to lift his head so that I could once more look into his face.

"This is all I shall ever want," he said softly.

"It is yours," I smiled, and lifted some of his hair over his shoulder to let it fall behind his back.

"Truly?"

"Truly," I told him.

He regarded me for a moment longer but then he let go of my hand.

"My father," he began, "is pleased enough, I think."

Then he made a face and embarrassment flooded his eyes.

"To be quite frank, he told me that I could have done worse. So it seems your fears were not entirely unfounded, my lord. For that I should have… bonded with someone of your station appeals to him." He licked his lips. "You must know, my lord, that such designs never once crossed my mind."

I let him finish for it was clear to me that his need to lay this truth at my feet was great. And so it was only when he had fallen silent that I nodded.

"It may be that we have given Thranduil more than he ever expected," I said. "But let that be so. For it does not in any way mar my feelings for you. And I believe you."

He held his breath for another heartbeat but then it came rushing out of him and he fell into my arms. I brought him close and kissed his hair and he burrowed his face in my neck and stayed there. My palms stroked up and down his back, mindful of his golden tresses. Against the fine wool of his tunic, Vilya danced and together we wove a web of protection around him. If that was what Thranduil sought in the end, when he gave his youngest to an Elven Lord, then I was more than happy to oblige.

TB