"I will name my son after you"
Chapter 21
"Let's talk like (grand)father to (grand)son."
He looked like them, Oropher decided, finally seeing the young Archer for who he really was.
If he stretched his imagination just a little bit and pictured his son and the young elleth he kept seeing behind his back as adults, he could see bits and pieces of them coming together to create the man before him.
Leanna's brilliant gold hair…
Thranduil's sharp eyes…
Her small nose, his smile…
It was all there, now so painfully visible it was as if those traits were mocking him for being so blind before.
When he looked at the man before him he didn't see Legolas of Greenwood, a humble archer in the king's guard, bold enough to stand up to his ruler, with a sad past and sparkling friendship with the current prince. Instead there stood Legolas Thranduilion, the son of his son, formidable Archer, and prince of Greenwood, who was sent into the past by accident.
Comparing the two sides of the same coin, there really wasn't that big of a difference.
While Legolas the guard has always had his head respectfully low, in acknowledgment of his higher status and speaking only when spoken to; Legolas Thranduilion stood with his head high and shoulders squared, his silver-blue eyes meeting Oropher's unflinchingly, like a true future king, for they were of the same blood.
'He's like a magnificent butterfly finally showing his true colors.' Oropher thought to himself as he watched his grandson (it feels so wired to finally acknowledge that) shift from foot to foot, uneasy in this silence that overtook them.
For the present king knew not what to say. He thought he would figure it out while Legolas was on his way, but alas he came up with nothing.
Nothing but 'Why did you lie?'
The truth was bound to come out eventually. Though... would he believe it had it not come from Gandalf's mouth? Or would he fly into a rage and lock the young elf in a cell for blasphemy?
He honestly couldn't say.
(Though the second option seems more likely, much to his dismay)
"You… wanted to see me, my Lord?" Legolas asked after clearing his throat, finally breaking the silence between them that started to grow unbearable.
"I did." The king responded intelligently, though he was unsure what to follow it with. "I simply… wished to talk to you."
"About what?"
"You." He said in place of the traitorous 'My grandson' forcing its way up his throat. "Our family. The kingdom." Oropher added almost as an afterthought.
The boy blinked before looking away and scratching at his left arm, a trait he shared with Thranduil.
"I… do not think it is wise." There was a certain tone to his voice, a certain sadness that told the wise king all he needed to know.
So the future is not kind to them. Okay.
"That is alright, child." Though the situation was still very new to him, he had no problem seeing him as one of his own. "I won't ask questions that may cause trouble." He had no idea what type of questions were one hundred percent safe to ask, but he felt like he would regret it if he didn't at least ask about something.
But they were approaching dangerous waters. It was best to thread them carefully.
"Do you have siblings, Legolas?" Eru, it felt so strange asking him things at all. It made them feel as if strangers met in an alleyway, while they were almost as closely related as he had feared.
"No." The archer kept his gaze averted. "I am an only child."
'The only heir.' Oropher surmised, nodding his head.
Odd. He could remember encouraging Thranduil to try for at least three, what with war being a constant threat over their head, to make sure Greenwood is never left without a member of royal descent to lead it.
Oropher himself wanted to fill out that quota but… life was not so kind as to indulge him in this desire.
He wrecked his brain for something else to ask, something harmless and yet informative he can carry in his heart forever to remember his only grandchild.
But all he could think of was…
"Is it safe?" Oropher desperately wanted Legolas to nod his head 'yes', to tell him that he only took up archery because it looked like a good way to pass the enormous amount of free time he has living in a peaceful world.
For everything he now did to have meaning.
But the boy did not give him that. Instead he shook his head and his eyes were filled with mourning when they met the king's.
"There is always danger." Came the vague answer and a part of Oropher wanted to scream. But Legolas wasn't done. "A fort-"
"Ah, I shall stop you right there, my young chap." Gandalf appeared suddenly, as he was known to do, quite in time to stop the world from breaking apart. Completely unperturbed that he just ruined a rather private moment between the two. "Perhaps telling our dear king too much is... inadvisable."
"But…" Legolas blinked owlishly, more surprised to see the wizard show up out of nowhere than he probably should be. "You don't even know what I was going to say." He says with a small pout, crossing his arms over his chest.
"A wizard always shows up when he is needed." Mirthrandir responded, stroking his magnificent beard. "Which is to say… Right now. To stop you from doing something reckless, no doubt."
The young Archer scoffed indignantly, while Oropher took the time to give his old friend (and sometimes mentor) a glare that was sure to melt lesser men, but did nothing but make Gandalf wink and smile at him.
It looks like this private face-to-face with his grandson, won't be so private anymore.
Goodie.
Accepting his fate he just shook his head, and decided to continue their conversation with the grey wizard watching.
Something which became all the more difficult when said man chose that moment to light up his pipe and start blowing smoke ships at their faces.
"Is your father a good king?" He should feel nasty asking if his own son is competent at a job he was born into, but he honestly has no idea what else to ask.
Especially with Gandalf listening.
"He does the best he can." Legolas said with a small smile. "Though that does make him… distant at times." There is wistfulness in his voice that brought forth images of centuries spent alone or with caretakers. All the time that went by without seeing his only parent, to the point that when they finally did come face to face, they were little more than king and loyal second in Command.
Legolas didn't have to tell him that adult Thranduil was about as affectionate towards him, as an ork was cuddly. It was all written in his body language and sad eyes.
It reminded him of his own treatment of his offspring, of how scared Thranduil was when he found out he ditched his lessons to go explore the forest.
Because such actions don't come from nowhere.
And maybe this whole situation is supposed to be a lesson of some sort, a learning experience for all of them to change their ways before it's too late.
To fix mistakes they didn't even know they were making, years before they have actual consequences.
Or maybe it's just a big accident that shouldn't have happened in the first place, but did anyway and now they all have to deal with it.
Oropher didn't know.
All he knows is that if Gandalf doesn't stop blowing smoke ships into his face, he'll take the damn pipe and stuff it where the sun doesn't shine.
Doing his absolute best to ignore the wizard's antics for just a little longer, Oropher took a step closer to the archer.
He's pleased to see he doesn't back up, just stands taller at attention.
"I realize we haven't known each other for very long but, for what it's worth..." he started, reaching out to put a hand on the younger elf's shoulder. "I am very proud of you… grandson."
He could see the silver-blue eyes widen momentarily and fill with tears, before Legolas looked away from him.
"It means a lot... grandfather." Came the quiet response when he finally looked up again, a smile gracing his lips.
"Oh come now my dear king, you can do better than that."
For a second neither knew what Gandalf meant.
And then Gandalf stepped in and pushed them into one another, essentially forcing a hug out of the two.
"There, hug it out like proper family." He said, puffing his pipe and stepping back to admire his work.
It looked very… awkward, if he was to be honest with himself. With Legolas's face plastered against the king's chest, and with Oropher's right hand still on his shoulder, while the other one hovered awkwardly over his back.
Really, looking at this one could get the uneasy impression that they never hugged another person in their impressively long life times.
Shaking his head he moved closer to, yet again, offer his assistance, by gently guiding their hands to their proper places.
And so they stood there, a little less awkwardly pressed against each other, with the wizard calmly instructing Oropher to rub small circles on Legolas's back. After a while they both relaxed enough for the poses to seem more natural.
Even though he should probably leave them alone for a little while, as it won't be long until they really had to do something about Legolas's presence, as welcome as it may be, but Gandalf decided the risk is just too great and they've already caused enough of a mess in the space time continuum.
So he remained in the room with them, silently contemplating their options while proofing his pipe and decorating the air with airships preparing for a battle at sea. He liked having something to look at while he pondered and wondered.
But, before the flotillas could so much as ready their cannon, the door burst open and in flew the platinum blond haired princeling. The ruckus causing both king and archer (future prince) to part from their embrace and reach for their weapons.
"Ada, please don't be mad at Legolas!" He exclaimed, looking up at his father pleasingly. "It wasn't his fault! I snuck away when he and the twins weren't looking! Please don't take him away, father! I promise I'll study more! I'll even do the boring things, just please don't punish my friend!"
The room was filled with silence after the loud pleading, as both Legolas and Oropher looked at each other.
'What is he talking about?' the king's raised eyebrow seemed to ask.
'It's… a long story.' the young Archer shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck, the combination of those gestures somehow perfectly conveying his thoughts.
Oropher chuckled under his breath, and shook his head with a new fond smile.
'Children.' He thought. 'Can't live with them, can't live without them.'
"Relax, my son." The king said, realizing that Thranduil is still waiting for his response. "No one is getting punished for anything."
"Oh thank, Eru." The princeling let out a relieved breath, hand clutching at his heart dramatically. "I was so worried!"
Oropher frowned at him.
"My boy, you make it sound as if meeting me is the equivalent of a death sentence." He said, putting his hands on his hips.
Thranduil had the decency to look sheepish.
"Well…" the boy started slowly, playing with the edge of his robes. "You only call people for a private meeting when you're really really mad at them, so I just thought…"
The king opened his mouth to object that, no that is in fact not true at all, when he realized that… yes, yes it was. At least… from Thranduil's stand point. After all, he never witnessed all the bickering he and Eärendil do whenever they're alone in a room together, as he is usually occupied with lessons when they happen. The little Prince only saw incompetent warriors and other dissapointing charges being called into the throne room, so his worries aren't exactly… ill-founded.
"That… may be true." Oropher admitted after his lengthy pondering. "But this time is different. I simply wanted to talk with him about something."
"Oooooh." Thranduil nodded his head sagely. "What did you talk about, Ada? Was it archery? I bet it was archery!"
"No, my son. We talked about how to safely get him home." He couldn't exactly tell the child that Legolas was actually a time Traveler that's also his son, now could he.
"But…" the boy tilted his head like a confused puppy. "Isn't he from Greenwood? Shouldn't his home be in the forest somewhere?"
"Well, yes, it was here in Greenwood but it…" the king paused looking for a good explanation.
"Burned down a few years ago." Thankfully Legolas chimed in just in time before the king could embarrass himself. "Along with… my parents."
"Oh no! That's so sad, Legolas!" Thranduil ran over to the archer and hugged him. "You must be so lonely…"
"I was… but I have you now, don't I?" The blond smiled and ruffled the prince's hair.
"Yeah!" Thranduil grinned up at him before his eyes shone and he turned to his father once more. "Ada we should adopt him!"
Oropher choked on his spit while Legolas tried not to laugh.
"Well… I mean…" the ever eloquent king was caught a little off guard by that proposition but... honestly… if they couldn't send him back to his own time…
They might have to.