"A crown to wear in grace and beauty, as is thy right and royal duty." -Flora
"Am I finally cleared to go on a patrol with my troop plus three?" Legolas asked as his blue eyes flickered from Deawin to Cervus, to his father, to Hérion and back.
"Because you are going with so many, I think you can go." Cervus said after a moment giving him a little smile.
"I agree with Cervus." Deawin said. "With numbers you make a chance if you run into anything."
"If you really think you are up to the task." Thranduil replied, his eyes angrily flashing towards the Imladris brothers. The message was very clear. They were responsible for Legolas returning without a scratch.
"What are we waiting for then? Let's get ready!" Legolas cheerfully said as he turned to the eight others that stood behind him, awaiting the final assessment to see if their captain was ready for duty.
"Oh, one last thing, Legolas." Deawin said before Legolas could have even set a step. "Haldon will be captain until further notice of Cervus and I."
"Very well." Legolas replied with a nod, even if his cheery mood deflated at that. 'No fair!' He screamed in his mind.
"Off we go." Haldon said as he started toward the storage room, all of the others following. Quietly everyone strapped on their armour and collected their weapons. Once they all were ready, they took the shortest route outside.
"Where do you want to go, hest?" Briadir asked, looking from Legolas to Haldon.
"To the west." Haldon replied. "Not too far from the stronghold just yet." In rows of two they silently walked over the small paths, soon enough following the river upstream until they came at the small delta where the enchanted river and forest river met.
"What is this?" Briadir curiously asked as they all walked over the banks of the river, only to stumble upon something that was not there the last time they checked.
"That is odd indeed." Legolas mused before he kneeled to have a closer look. Why would there be a need to dam in the enchanted river? "It is not our work."
"I think I can make a good guess." Elladan said. "Is it not that part of this supplies the water source for the stronghold?"
"I believe it is, but I cannot say for sure." Legolas replied before he stood again.
"It is indeed part that runs for out water supply." Evilya confirmed. "I suggest we destroy it and let it take it's natural cause so it does not pollute the possible water we drink."
"I am not going to dig with my hands, you know." Elija pointed out, digging the point of his boot in the damp soil.
"Do you have shovels at the stronghold?" Elladan curiously asked.
"We have several small houses around here, maybe we can ask them?" Samiell proposed as she looked around if she could spot anything that was out of place.
"I do not think we checked those…" Aragorn thoughtfully said.
"I do not believe we have checked on houses here at all, neither do I think other troops ran by them." Elrohir remarked.
"We will first report back to Deawin and Hérion about our findings." Haldon decided, but everyone turned their eyes to the prince.
"It hurts to say, but I am not your captain right now, even if I agree with the course we are taking." Legolas said. "We need to be prepared if we find more sick elves." A moment later, they were all on their way back. Hérion shot from his seat when the large group entered.
"Don't tell me anyone got hurt."
"Baw, no one is hurt." Haldon quickly said, holding up his hands to calm the warrior captain. Hérion carefully let his eyes roam over every single one of them before he nodded.
"Then why are you already back?" He asked as he sat down again.
"We found some unnatural work in the river delta from the Enchanted river to the Forest river. I am not sure, but this might have been the work of the yrch."
"The water of the enchanted river can make anyone fall asleep," Hérion mused, "But how is it we all fell victim to it?"
"It appears they found out where we get the cleanest water and dammed in the Enchanted river to it would overflow and seep into the water we drink." Evilya summed up to what he had seen.
"So, what do you propose, we obviously need to do something, and fast."
"I will go to Galion, telling him not to use any water yet until we figured out where we can get clean water." Elija said, and when Hérion nodded, he took off to find Galion.
"We need shovels so we can remove the dam and restore the delta." Briadir replied.
"Besides that, we also need to go and check the houses that lay near to see how the elves are doing there, they might have fallen victim of the water as well." Legolas pointed out, leaving out the suggestion that the orcs have found them first…
"We will go to Cervus…"
"Picking up a stretcher and a herb bag." Elladan and Elrohir said, grinning to each other.
"I will go and seek some shovels." Briadir offered before he followed the twins out of the armoury.
"Is there anything else?" Hérion asked, looking at the others that were still there.
"That is all I wanted to report for now." Haldon said with a nod.
"Well, I think I am glad I am not captain now…" Legolas mused before he sent up a little grin. "This would become a rather lengthy report."
"Ai, ma. At least you can report to your adar about your whereabouts of the day." Haldon pointed out, knowing this time Legolas could not sneak out from council since he was the prince and still had to attend, captain or not.
"It is not I have a choice in the matter." Legolas said with a shrug. They waited until Elija, Elladan and Elrohir had returned. Briadir took way longer but eventually returned with two shovels before they could go back.
"I think it is best if we split up." Haldon said when they were back at the river delta. "It is no use of us all watching the two with shovels."
"I will go and shovel." Briadir offered, looking at Haldon.
"Very well. Legolas, you will stay here as well then." The captain concluded, not going to rip up the pairs they had formed long ago.
"Then I will help shovelling as well." Aragorn offered, then he could keep an eye upon Legolas, and still hopefully have a little fun.
"Then we will go and see to the houses around here, I want us to collect back here every hour to report." Haldon said and instructed them in which way they were to search. As soon as the duo's set out to check the houses, Aragorn and Briadir started with shovelling, removing the dam and restoring the delta.
"I can take over if you want." Legolas replied after he watched the surroundings for over thirty minutes, but nothing came near and he almost to the point of complaining he wanted to do something as well.
"Not a chance." Briadir and Aragorn replied in unison, before they looked up at each other with a grin.
"Unbelievable." Legolas shook his head, trying to hide the grin. "And you could not have brought three shovels?"
"If I would have found three shovels, I would have brought all three. Maybe the others have found one."
"You know I am not a porcelain doll, right?"
"Only one that has come to life by a dash of magic." Briadir said, grinning up at the prince. "You know that you standing on guard is important as well."
"I know it is important, but it feels like I am doing nothing."
"I cannot believe I need to reassure the crown-prince." Briadir shook his head as he straightened. "Soon enough we will be all out hunting spiders and yrch again. Have no worries. I am not about to face the wrath from your Adar because I took pity on my best friend."
"I know, and you should not." Legolas gave him a tiny smile. Both Briadir and Aragorn knew what he was thinking now. "How did it go?" Legolas called after a little bit as he spotted the first duo, carrying an elf on a litter. After a few minutes, they were also joined by 'Dan and 'Ro, as well as Haldon and Elija.
"We need to borrow a shovel, if you do not mind." Haldon said as he looked at the others.
"An unfortunate elf had an encounter with some orcs." Elija softly added.
"I will come with you, then Legolas can help carrying the litter." Briadir tried as he walked up to the young elf. Haldon thought about it for a moment before he nodded.
"Sounds like a plan. What are you going to do, Estel?" He asked, looking at the human. They were not going to let anyone go alone, not when everything was not checked thoroughly yet.
"I will go and help dig." He offered with a small nod before he went to climb out of the muck and mud.
In total, it took them two more days of digging and scanning through the thick foliage before they had restored the river delta and had checked every single house for their occupants.
Thranduil watched as the light danced in his son's eyes, a smile tugging on Legolas' lips. They stood side to side in front of his massive throne as they looked over all Mirkwood elves that had assembled. Thranduil knocked with his staff on the floor once, instantly hushing the crowd as he gained their attention. He took two steps forward before speaking;
"Welcome dear Mirkwood elves. I thank you all for assembling here, I shall keep it short. I know the evil had heeded for now, and if it was not for these three, we would have perished as a snack for the forces of Evil. I cannot deny that they saved my live in the heat of the battle. I am hereby happy to hand you all a token of our gratitude and grand you the title, 'Friend of Mirkwood.' Saes, step forward." A servant came carrying a pillow. Three silver broaches in the crest of Mirkwood lay upon the dark red satin. Carefully, Legolas pinned the broaches upon their tunics. Loud cheers erupted from the hall the moment they turned around.
"I think I can speak for us all when I say that I am very happy to see everyone up and about again." Aragorn started when the cheers died down. "We came upon the call of your king, asking for urgent help, but that was it. Nothing prepared us to find a kingdom, fast asleep. Being a friend of Caun Legolas, I went to seek him first, and when I found him, I feared his passed on to the Halls of Mandos. Luck appeared to be on our side as this was not true and we found that most of you were not nearly as deeply asleep as Legolas. It was an immense task to get all of you provided from water and take care of so many elves with just our three. Our efforts were not in vain and soon many of you awakened, even if you were still weak, you recovered quickly once you were awake. Only when Legolas was about well once again, we went to explore and make sure no dark creatures were lurking too close for comfort and we ran into something unusual. A dam in the River delta that contaminated the water source with water of the Enchanted River. The removal of the dam concluded the whole set of events."
"We feel honoured to be granted the title, knowing it is not to be taken lightly." Aragorn said and looked at his foster brothers. "I think I have said more then enough now. Let us feast!" The crowd once again erupted in cheers before the musicians started a merry tune. Soon the guests of honour mingled between the locals having a great time with plenty of good food and great wine.
Eventually after two long days of feasting, it was time for the Imladris brothers to go home once again.
-Be prepared for a massive author's note;
Firstly, I am saddened to learn that yesterday, June 19th, Sir Ian Holm passed away at the age of 88. "I am quite ready for another adventure!" -Bilbo Baggins.
Secondly, this chapter also marks the end of yet another adventure. I really hope you liked it and almost beg you to leave me a review, pretty please!
Thirdly, I would like to thank you all for reviewing! For this chapter goes out a special thanks to Horsegirl01.
Fourthly, I am very glad this schoolyear is almost over. When I am finally freed of it's clutches, I hope I can spent more time writing, hoping to bring my next story soon enough to you. It will be a family fic about Legolas who learns what it is to have a family, and what it means to be a royal. Legolas loves to get into trouble as always, also has a big brother for a change. Anyone wants a sneak peak?
Please keep safe and healthy!-
Dictionary:
Hest - Captain
Baw - No
Yrch - Orcs
Ma - Yes
Adar - Father
Saes - Please
Caun-Prince