Departure
Keldir sighed when he saw his prince trying to sneak his way around the Halls of the palace. In the long years he had known Legolas, not once had he seen his prince successfully lie or sneak his way into anywhere. Though it was not through a lack of trying.
He could remember one time when Legolas had tried to sneak into the kitchens to steal some raspberry pies. This particular memory never failed to make him smile. Legolas proud grin as he made his way back to his rooms was an image he would never forget. Arms full of jelly tarts he was almost running through the halls. That is until he managed to run headfirst into his Ada. This left both ellons sprawled on the ground, covered in raspberry jelly.
Keldir snapped back to reality and sighed. He couldn't help but feel like he was putting his prince in danger by going along with this plan. He knew he should tell his King, it would be the responsible thing to do. But his heart told him he could never betray legolas like that. So even if it meant risking his Kings anger Kerdir would follow legolas, if only to keep him out of danger.
"He's so young" he muttered under his breath while making his way towards his prince.
"Mellon nin, I was beginning to think you had left without me."
The sudden appearance of his guard made legolas jump, which of course made Keldir smile.
"Forgive me my prince it was not my intention to startle you."
"Of course it wasn't" replied legolas while eyeing his friend with suspicion.
"Mellon nin, did you find out what time the guards change over?
Keldir continued to smile at his Lord, for he recognised the intentional change in topic.
"Aye Gwador. According to my Ada the guards are due to change over at one hour to midnight."
"You asked your father? Was that wise Kel?"
"Do not worry Gwador he believes I was asking for a friend of mine who I believed to be on night shift."
"Well done Mellon. Are you ready to go?"
"Aye I believe so my Lord" Kel replied with only a moment of hesitancy.
"Great. Then I believe it's about time we left."
Making there way though the palace unnoticed proved to be more of a challenge than they originally though. There were not only guards patrolling the halls but also palace staff and councillors. "They must be preparing for the departure tomorrow." legolas whispered to Kel.
After about 20 minutes of skulking around the halls the pair found themselves hiding in the bushes just outside the main door.
Escaping the palace had required a straight forward plan, but trying to escape Mirkwood takes a lot more consideration. This is due to the huge stone doors that only open if given the right command.
Unfortunately legolas hadn't been given this password.
"My prince, Look." Whispered Keldir as he pointed to a pair of guards."
"I believe they are about to swap posts with the guards on the other side of the wall."
"I believe your right Mellon nin. Let's see if we can get closer." As the pair started to make their way out of the bushes there was a sudden shout followed by the sound of stone grinding on stone.
Legolas grabbing Kel"s arm began to pull him closer to the doors. The Valar must have been looking down on them this night, because the ever attentive guards were standing together discussing something that must have occured during their patrol. Hoods pulled over their heads, the run away prince and partner slipped past the guards and into the dark forest.
Three days later:
After what felt like days of non stop walking and climbing through the trees, Kel spotted a distant lake. "My Lord, I think I see a lake. We must be close." Legolas turned too see what his gwador was looking at and smiled. "Aye my friend. We must be close."
Over the last few days Keldir had watched his friend grow quieter and decided he had had enough.
"Mellon nin, we have risked your father's famed wrath just so that you could meet some humans, but it seems the closer we come to achieving this goal the more withdrawn you become. What's wrong?
Legolas turned to face his gwador.
"I am sorry Mellon nin. I know you are risking much to come with me."
"Aye my Lord, I am. And I'm happy too, as long as I know that I'm doing it for a good reason? Is this why you're quiet? Is it thoughts of your father causing you this distress?
Legolas offered a meek smile. "No gwador, it's not. Although the thought of facing my father again does make me nervous." legolas sighed. "I can't help but worry about meeting one of the secondborn for the first time. You know my Ada's views on this subject, and I'm beginning to wonder how much of what I've been told is true?"
Suddenly Keldir understood his friends subdued demeanor. Having never meet a human before Legolas has only the words of his father to trust. King Thranduils opinion of the second born is no secret. He believes them to be greedy, selfish beings who are not worth the time of the firstborn.
Keldir hadn't spent much time amount humans, but he understood that they weren't all the same. "My Lord I know your father's opinions about the second born, and I would never say anything to contradict my king, but I do believe that you should give them a chance. You may find that they surprise you." Legolas looked down his ears turning red. "You're right Mellon nin, I shouldn't prejudge them it was wrong of me to assume the worst."
It was now Keldir's turn to sigh. "Do not punish yourself too harshly my Lord. But with all of this said, I must ask that you remain cautious around the second born. They are a younger race and are often afraid of what they don't understand."
"I understand Mellon nin, I know my Ada hasn't done much to strengthen the ties between elves and men. I'll keep my face covered."
"Thank you. I don't believe I have it in me too face your father if something happened to you." Admitted Keldir with a look of mock horror on his face.
Legolas laughed. "You're right Mellon nin, that isn't a fate I would wish on anyone." He replied while grinning at his gwador.
With his princes spirits raised Keldir suggested that they keep going so that they may arrive tomorrow morning. A full day ahead of the official delegation.