Hello mellyn!
As promised here is the next chapter! It is a little different than normal so please understand that. This is also the last chapter in this part of my story... I will post on Wednesday but it is a sneak peek at the sequel that is already in the works. (I will start posting that in a couple months as I need a little break)
Thank you all for coming on this year and a half long journey with me! I appreciate each and every one of you! I hope you have at least gotten a little bit of enjoyment out of it in these tough times :)
To silverarrow: Mellon nín! What a journey! feel free to message anytime! I will not have a way to respond until I post again next year but just know I appreciate your encouragement very much! You are amazing! Hang in there and I hope to hear from you in a couple of months :D
To elvenmaia: the journey continues... ;) thanks for getting me this far!
Out of Mirkwood
Scribbles-on-Parchment
December 26, 2020
Chapter 74 – Forgotten Goodbyes
Three days later…
Thranduil slammed his fist onto his desk in frustration. It had been several days now since his youngest son's return to the palace and already things were falling to pieces. He had thought that having Legolas back would help his heart to heal, but it had not. Instead it felt as though the void between him and his youngest was deepening with every interaction they had.
Ever since his return Legolas had grown quiet and withdrawn as if he were hiding something from the rest of them. The arrow wound on his shoulder was healing well and Narril had not found any lasting effects of the spider poison that had almost killed him. However, the king knew that something was still not right. Though his relationship with the young ellon had always been rocky, it seemed almost ten times worse now.
The Sinda ran his hand through his hair in a futile attempt to calm himself. So many things continued to grow worse with every day that passed. Yrch and spiders had been sighted at the borders to the Greenwood as the darkness continued to creep into the healthy part of the forest that surrounded the palace. His full power and strength had still yet to return even though he had been reassured that the poison had left his body. Thalion had vanished the day they had brought Legolas home and had still not appeared; Thranduil feared he had fallen prey to some evil creature. And then there was Tamír. The Silvan elf had turned up in the Hall of Healing after one of Meldir's guards had shot him in the chest. Upon seeing the joy on the ellon's face as he was reunited with his wife and child, the elven king had agreed to let him stay in the Greenwood as he could not find the heart to send his old mellon away.
For the first time in his long life, Thranduil felt at a loss of what to do next. With darkness steadily creeping closer and the knowledge that the news of their existence would soon spread to all parts of arda, the Sinda felt helpless. If he could not even assist Legolas to heal from his brush with death then how in Eru's name was he expected to help his people fight the coming storm?
Tamír walked slowly down the deserted hallway that led to the Halls of Healing. He had finally been permitted by his wife to get up and take short walks around the palace. Sometimes Nalledir would accompany him, but today he was alone.
Narril had spoken much to him of all that had happened since he had disappeared and he too had told his side of the story of his disappearance from the Greenwood. He had been worried the elleth would never believe him or be able to find it in her heart to forgive him, but she had done upon hearing his story.
And his son, his sweet son Nalledir. Every time the young ellon walked into the room he had a way of making Tamír smile. He reminded the Silvan so much of his wife, the gentle nature, compassion, and stubbornness. His only regret was that he had never got to watch his son grow up or get to teach him the things he needed to know. Instead Nalledir had matured into a handsome and respected healer on his own and without his adar's help or guidance.
Even after hearing that Thranduil had given him leave to stay in the Greenwood, the Silvan had yet to speak to or even see the elven king. He had been told that the Sinda had all but locked himself in his chambers and would leave only to see his sons or attend important meetings. Tamír doubted if he would ever be on speaking terms with the ellon again.
While Tamír knew things would never be the same as when he had left the forest, he was determined to make the best of it. This was his second chance and he was not going to let it fall away. He only hoped that Elrond would understand.
Kélion stood outside of his adar's door. He was reluctant to knock even though he knew the eldar was expecting him. Part of him was still not ready to face the elven king.
Things had changed ever since Legolas had returned. While the mood of the palace had lightened considerably, the relationships between those in the royal family had darkened. His younger brother was spending more time by himself in the garden or at the shooting range than he was with anyone else. Though he knew the elfling would never admit it, Kélion could see the dark circles growing under Legolas's eyes and the sudden loss of energy and joy that the Sinda usually exuded.
However, every time he tried to bring this up to the young ellon, it was as if the prince threw up a wall around himself and refused to speak of it. He had not said anything more about his time with the Noldor nor his encounter with the spider. All of this was leading to mounting frustration between the brothers.
Even now as he was about to speak with his adar, he had a feeling he already knew what was about to be discussed. No doubt the elven king wished to speak with him either about Legolas or about the yrch that had been seen stalking along the edges of the barrier. Some magic still must have lingered there for the creatures had yet to actually set foot inside of it.
And then there was Rívorn. Kélion had not yet spoken with his adar about the dark elf, mostly because it all seemed like a dream to him now. He had talked with Meldir extensively about this and his friend had reassured him that the entire palace had been searched and no sign of the Silvan had been found. It was like the eldar had vanished into thin air. Still the crown prince had had the number of guards protecting the royal wing doubled. He was not taking any chances with his family. He had just got Legolas back and he would not lose him again.
Êmand sat and watched Legolas. The young ellon was sitting in the branches of the white oak that stood tall in the royal gardens. The Silvan had refused to leave his charge's side and even now caught himself glancing around wearily. He had failed in his duty once before and he vowed he would never let it happen again.
The older ellon watched the prince lean his head against the rough bark of the tree and close his eyes as if listening to something. Êmand frowned and moved closer to the base of the oak. He folded his arms over his chest and continued to watch to see what happened next.
Ever since he had been brought back the young Sinda had withdrawn not only from him but also from Kélion. After so many years of caring for Legolas, the Silvan knew when his ward was upset or worried about something. But this, this was neither. Instead it was like he was constantly fighting something. Yes, there was grief and even sorrow in his eyes, but the air of gloom that the prince now carried around him was not right. It worried Êmand greatly.
Yet, if he could not get the eldar to speak of what it was that occupied so much of his mind, then he could not help Legolas in any way. It was this familiar feeling of helplessness that cut at his heart. The elfling had never hesitated in telling him everything that was on his mind before. So, what had happened now that had changed this?
The young Sindarin prince that had disobeyed his adar and gone missing had not been the same one that had returned. Some part of Legolas had been left with the Noldor and Êmand did not know if it would ever be returned.
Legolas felt the rough bark of the tree pressing into the side of his cheek. He knew it would leave an imprint later, but he did not care anymore. The young ellon could hear the gentle whispers of the tree as it tried to comfort his worries and send him strength.
He had not told anyone of the attack he had felt on the barrier or even that he had taken over supplying the power to it. He found that he recovered quickly after every large surge of power was taken from him, but it no less drained his energy considerably. Legolas found himself getting more and more irritated by those around him, particularly by Êmand. Even now he could sense his mentor's presence below him and half expected the Silvan to call him down.
The older ellon was too wise not to see that there was something wrong with him, yet he dreaded when the elf uncovered the feeling that he had been hiding. No doubt he would be very upset, but this was not enough to make the elfling tell his troubles to the eldar.
Ever since he had returned he had found himself battling dark thoughts and overwhelming regret. This, coupled with the power being taken from him to strengthen the barrier, was draining his very súlë. However, he would not let anyone find out about this. The last thing he wanted was to have his brother or Êmand worry unnecessarily for him. He could supply all of the elven magic the Greenwood needed. He worried that if Kélion tired he would suffer the same collapse and drain in his inner light as he had before.
Suddenly the surrounding forest and palace seemed to become incredibly suffocating. He found himself wishing for the open plains and waving grassland of Rohan. The tree beneath him swayed slightly trying to soothe the young eldar that clung to it as though it were a lifeline. Legolas knew he should drop down next to Êmand and tell his all of this to the Silvan, but he felt unable to move.
Instead the elfling sat there and let the now familiar feeling of regret wash over him. He had been out of the Greenwood; he had escaped the forest. Was that not what he had always wanted? Was that not what had led him to leave the palace in the first place? If so then why had he not seized his chance for freedom while he had had it in his grasp?
There were so many things that he wished he would have done differently. But most of all he wished he had been able to say goodbye to Estel. Upon returning he had realized that he had begun to grow a bond of friendship with the edan. The human had been the first to treat him as a true mellon, not as a ward or liability. This was a forgotten farewell that he knew would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Elladan looked back across the rolling hills of the plains of Rohan. The dark forest of Mirkwood had vanished and been replaced with tall waving grass. It seemed like so long ago since they had ridden across these very hills with the young Sinda. How much had changed since then.
The Noldor cast a glance at Estel who rode beside him, eyes downcast. The young human had not recovered his usual cheerful demeanor after their departure from Mirkwood. In fact, none of his ellyn had. It was as if they all knew of the failure that had befallen them. Elladan had hoped their trip would have ended so much differently. Inside his pocket he could still feel the crumpled-up letter that was addressed to Thranduil. He had found it abandoned on the ground in the clearing.
After Thranduil and elves had melted back into the trees, the Noldor had spent several hours scouring the surrounding forest in search of Tamír. However, no sign of the eldar was ever found and Elladan had even begun to wonder if the Silvan had gone to find the palace on his own or if he had been taken back by the Mirkwood eldar. Either way they were returning with one less member of their company. He could only hope that his ada would be able to take it well once they got back. Tamír had been his friend for many years and now they would have to bring him the news that they had no idea what had befallen him. Elladan prayed that the ellon was not lying dead somewhere in the dark forest.
However, the fear of the unknown and the guilt of that he had left one of his own behind would never leave him. Until he knew what happened to the Silvan, the older twin knew it would weigh on his mind for years to come.
Estel watched the tall grass part around his horse's legs. His mind felt far away as though he had forgotten it back under the trees of Mirkwood. So many great disappointments had occurred over the past several days that the young human did not know what could even be said about it. He had always known he would have to leave Maer with his adar upon their departure from the forest, but now that the elfling was not here it felt like something was missing. Tamír too had vanished into the dark shadows of the woods leaving yet another hole in the Imladris party.
He had taken a strong liking to Maer, even though he was not sure if the feeling had been the same on the part of the Sinda. He still felt protective of the eldar and wished desperately that things had turned out differently. Estel knew it was foolish to think this way but the friendship that he had felt beginning to grow between them had been like nothing he had ever felt before. He was sure that if they had had the time, it would have grown into a fast and unbreakable bond.
The young human shook his head. Perhaps this was all just in his head. He had, after all, only known Maer for less than a week. They were living in two different worlds that he doubted would ever again meet; or at least not while he was still alive. All he could do was pray to Eru that the princeling would live a long and happy life under the boughs of the Greenwood.
Estel turned back towards Mirkwood and put his hand over his heart in a final sign of farewell. He then before turned back around and continued riding towards Imladris. He never looked back.
Elvish Translations:
mellon – friend
adar – father
maer – golden
yrch - orcs
ada – dad
súlë – spirit
