Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mirkwood's Plague II:
Aftermath
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 11 ~ The Funeral
~*~
It had been four long days since Elrond, Gandalf and Glorfindel had found Thranduil lying dead in a pool of his own blood on the floor of his rooms with his murderer sitting calmly by. On the outside it seemed as if everything was quiet and respectful in Mirkwood but underneath the calm veneer the whole palace was in uproar. The king had been laid out in state for two days already and half of Mirkwood had been to offer their respects to their fallen leader. Gandalf and Elrond had spent almost all their time either sending the word to the necessary people in both Imladris and Lothlorien or trying to control and comfort the people still visiting the king. Most of the main halls had been cleared of patients – people were actually eager to leave now, perhaps absorbing the dismal atmosphere and realising that they would be better off in their own homes. Now people walked around dressed solely in black and grey, even the staff – the few that were left anyway. If the deaths of family and friends, not to mention their crown prince Rumil, were bad enough before now they had no one to look to for support. Thranduil, ill or not, had been their guiding light of hope and now that light was extinguished and they had no one left, particularly as they had barely seen their remaining prince in the past days.
Legolas had locked himself away in his bedroom for most of the time, leaving only briefly to formally address the kingdom about their king's demise. He had been amazed at how together everyone had become in the brief space of time. The last of the funeral pyres had been burned and Mirkwood seemed to be pulling itself together nicely even without the royal guidance it was used to. The Great Hall had also been emptied and cleaned, leaving it in much the same state as before the plague if not considerably more empty of people. No people danced and sang within its walls now and those few who did dare to venture in there were acutely aware of the echoes the wooden floor created. Somehow it seemed disrespectful for any form of celebration to take place while the kingdom was still in mourning. Most of the guest quarters within the palace were now empty and what remained of the Mirkwood council had been reinstated – a necessity in lieu of the king.
Either Glorfindel, Elrond, Aragorn or Gandalf updated Legolas as best they could every day and although he would nod vaguely it didn't seem like he was really taking it all in. He barely spoke to them when they did ask a question, merely answering with a short nod of yes or no. He didn't eat much of what food he was given, nodding passively when Elrond told him that he had to eat to regain his strength but the plate would have hardly been touched when the Elven Lord returned later in the day. He would sleep in short, restless bursts but rarely slept through the night anymore, obviously troubled by the image of his father. When he wasn't lying in bed he was sat in the chair by the window, not moving unless someone specifically asked him to or the call of nature demanded it. Glorfindel would come in every couple of hours to make sure the fire was burning and that he was warm and comfortable enough. Surprisingly, Legolas didn't seem as openly distraught as he had been when he first heard of his father's death but this quiet contemplation was even worse – certainly it was harder for Glorfindel to watch.
The night before the official funeral Glorfindel knocked quietly on the door but typically received no response. This was a common occurrence now so Glorfindel entered anyway. As usual, Legolas was sitting in the armchair he had placed by the window, staring listlessly out at the pouring rain. A storm had been raging all day, furiously pounding the forest and palace and it didn't seem to want to abate even as night fell. Glorfindel looked to the un-slept-in bed, on which Legolas had laid out the same freshly laundered black robes he had worn to see Rumil in state, suggesting he had no intention at all of going to bed that night. On the desk, piled with unread papers, was a tray of untouched food, long cold.
Sighing, Glorfindel spoke softly. "Legolas, you need to eat something."
Legolas didn't so much as he spoke quietly in a hoarse voice. "I'm not hungry."
"You have to eat," Glorfindel repeated, walking on soft feet towards the prince. Legolas didn't respond though. It seemed that lately it would be easier for him to just keep quiet, contained within his own misery. There was no point in bringing everyone else down with him. Speech seemed far too difficult anyway; silence was easier and more comforting. "Maybe some hot soup? Or even just some herbal tea?"
"I said I'm not hungry," Legolas said tersely.
"Mellon nin…"
"Leave me alone." There was no real conviction in Legolas' voice. He just sounded hollow and lost – utterly hopeless.
Glorfindel perched on the wide windowsill so he could look side-long at Legolas, who didn't bother to acknowledge him. "You really should try and sleep for a while. It'll be a long day tomorrow, you'll need your strength," Glorfindel tried to broker the peace. Legolas ignored him though, not taking his eyes off the rain pelting the glass. White lightening cast Legolas' face into sharp relief, making him appear even more ghostly. "I know it's hard but you need to take care of yourself. You're no good to anyone like this. Please, try to sleep for a couple of hours."
"Go away," Legolas muttered, shifting slightly in his seat as if steeling his resolve.
Glorfindel watched him for a moment, not at all offended by the harsh words. "I'll go away if you really want me to," he offered softly, knowing fully well that that was the last thing the prince wanted or needed right then. Legolas closed his eyes only briefly, confirming Glorfindel's suspicions. Of course he didn't want to be left alone tonight. "Legolas, please try to rest, mellon nin."
"Please," Legolas pleaded, his voice tearfully cracking.
"Alright," the older Elf conceded softly. "Can I get you anything?"
Legolas shook his head slowly before returning his attention to the window. Glorfindel decided that at this fragile moment it would be best to just leave him be. It wasn't like he could really say anything to help anyway and clearly there would be no convincing the prince to rest. It felt wrong to press him when he was so upset. He remained sitting on the sill while Legolas looked out of the window. Not wanting to make the prince uncomfortable, Glorfindel averted his gaze to the window, thinking to himself whether there was anything at all he could do to ease the prince's suffering.
When Glorfindel heard a soft, shuddering breath being drawn beside him, he couldn't ignore it. He glanced over to Legolas to see tears falling down his face and drawing in short shuddering breaths. Instead of trying to find the right words to offer unwanted sympathy, Glorfindel just walked over to Legolas and pulled him into a loose hug. Legolas didn't respond, barely taking his eyes off the window. He did appreciate it though, even if he couldn't tell Glorfindel that. Somehow he knew the seneschal understood his gratefulness and needed no thanks. Neither spoke as they stared out the window at the falling rain. There was no need for words.
At around three in the morning, during a relative lull in the storm, Legolas pulled away from Glorfindel before stiffly gaining his feet. "Excuse me," Legolas said with hoarse politeness to Glorfindel who nodded. Legolas went to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. After using the facilities, he splashed cold water on his face in an attempt to clear his fuzzy mind with curiously shaking hands. He didn't dare look up at his face in the mirror; he knew he couldn't possibly look good and didn't need to be reminded of the fact. In truth, he was worried that if he thought too much on it the truth would shatter the small fragment of a façade he was holding up and he was terrified that if it fell apart he would either descend into that deep pit of despair that currently resided in his chest or go completely mad and neither was a realistic prospect right then. This was why he liked having Glorfindel's arms wrapped around him. He felt safe in those strong arms, like they were an anchor to the sane and a buffer against the misery that encased his soul. On the other hand, things still felt slightly awkward between them. The past didn't just disappear over night after all.
Taking a deep breath, Legolas opened the door to find Glorfindel sitting on the bed, straightening out Legolas' fine black funeral garb. He looked up when he heard the door open and Legolas gazed into beautiful clear blue eyes for a moment before breaking the piercing contact.
"Are you alright?" the seneschal asked softly above the raging storm.
Legolas nodded mutely and walked into the room, keeping his eyes fixed on Glorfindel until he reached the window, when he turned back to look at the fierce storm wracking his kingdom. After a while, Legolas broke the overly tense silence. "I'm sorry," he said softly, not even realising he'd actually said the words for a split second as they very nearly got swallowed up in the noise of the rain.
"For what?" Glorfindel asked, obviously equally surprised at the break in the silence between them.
"Earlier." Legolas turned around to face Glorfindel who was watching him closely. "I do appreciate you being here. I don't want you to go away." It had been the most he'd said since he had seen his father's body. Speaking still felt odd – inappropriate - somehow. "Thank you."
Glorfindel smiled softly. "You don't have to thank me." He rose from the bed and walked over to Legolas, who was still standing rather forlornly by the window although he appeared to have lost interest in the view. He placed his steady hands on Legolas' arms. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Nodding, Legolas looked down from his gaze. His throat constricted but he spoke anyway. "When you're here I don't feel so…lost," he confessed so quietly Glorfindel had to strain to hear. "I don't feel so alone."
"You will never be alone, mellon nin. There are so many people here who love you. They're all here when you need them."
Legolas nodded again, blinking back his tears as they blurred his vision. He looked up at the beautiful Elda and wondered how he could ever – no matter how briefly - have hated the person now stood before him. This kind, generous person. This person who showed him nothing but unwavering love and affection and support.
"I'm sorry," he said again, not glancing away from the piercing gaze.
"What for?"
"I said some things to you, some horrible things, back when we were…Well, you didn't deserve any of it. I never meant to hurt you no matter what happened between us."
"Hey." Glorfindel wrapped him in another hug and Legolas accepted the contact gratefully, laying his head against the broad chest and listening to the steadily pounding heart. "You don't have to worry about that right now. That's all in the past."
"I love you," Legolas whispered tearfully, closing his eyes.
For a moment Glorfindel froze, not expecting that. "I know," was all he could say in return. A sharp cry from the prince told him that Legolas had been hoping for something more than a lame acknowledgement. "Listen, your only thought should be for getting through tomorrow. We can talk about this later if you still want to." Legolas nodded and almost regretfully pulled back, wiping his tears away. "Alright?"
"Yes." Clearing his throat, Legolas walked away as if embarrassed. "I might start getting ready."
"It's not four in the morning yet. I think it's still a little early to be getting dressed."
"Right." For a couple of minutes Legolas paced back and forth restlessly. "I wish it wasn't raining then at least I could go outside."
"You should lie down," Glorfindel suggested softly. Legolas just shook his head and Glorfindel interpreted it to mean that he had no idea of sleeping that night. Arguing would get them no where so Glorfindel spoke quietly, "Then take a walk through the palace. Get out of this room for a couple of hours before dawn."
"There will be people out there," Legolas stated the obvious, glancing at the door.
"They will not bite. Besides, I'm sure no one will bother you even if you do encounter them," Glorfindel reasoned. Legolas still didn't look convinced. "It's still early. I doubt there will be many people about anyway at this time of day. Come and take a walk with me," Glorfindel said, holding out his hand.
Reluctantly, Legolas took it and Glorfindel led him to the doors, pausing for Legolas to slip on a dressing gown even though he still wore a tunic and leggings. They walked down the halls with no particular destination in mind and mercifully found the palace deserted, the servants not yet going about their daily business despite the big day ahead of them. Glorfindel walked behind the prince, equally quietly, giving Legolas the space he needed and Legolas didn't seem to even notice his presence.
They wandered around aimlessly for a while before Glorfindel finally spoke up with a hand on the prince's shoulder. "Legolas, we should probably get back. It's going to start getting busy in a while."
"Of course," Legolas said, having been pulled from his sombre thoughts. He looked around him, apparently disoriented for a moment. He quickly got his bearings and began walking back towards his own rooms.
When they got back inside, Legolas immediately went to the bed and looked down at the funeral clothes, running long fingers over the fine material.
"Excuse me, Captain, I should get dressed," Legolas said softly, not looking up at the other Elf.
"As should I. I won't be long. Shout if you need anything."
Legolas nodded, hardly noticing as Glorfindel left the room to go to his own quarters where his own borrowed black formal clothes were laid out ready for the day.
It took another few long moments for Legolas to finally pick up the clothes and take them into the bathroom where he quickly washed and slowly dressed, the clothes feeling uncomfortable on him, more for their bad connotations than the way they were tailored. Walking back out into the bedroom, Legolas looked at himself in the full length mirror. Dressed entirely in black it looked a sad sight. Had he not lost enough through the disease without the loss of his father as well? There was always more though. There was always something else to lose. To Legolas that seemed so unfair.
Not knowing what to do next with the time he had to spare, Legolas sat back down in the chair and watched the sun rise through the clouds, although it was quickly obscured by the rain and the day remained dismal even if the winds had died down slightly.
When Glorfindel, accompanied by the visiting Lord and Lady of Lothlorien – Celeborn and Galadriel – entered the bedroom a while later, Legolas remained in his chair, not even bothering to look up to see who it was and certainly not concerning himself with the normal protocol his position demanded when addressing nobility.
"Legolas?" Glorfindel asked softly when the prince didn't rise.
He went to take a step forward but Galadriel placed her hand on his arm, stopping him. She and Celeborn approached Legolas and the Lady of Lorien knelt down so they were level. He finally looked across at her when she touched his hands, which were folded neatly in his lap.
"We wanted to come and see you before the funeral and privately offer our most sincere condolences for the king's death."
"Thank you, my Lady. My Lord," Legolas said, looking up at Celeborn, who smiled gently in response.
"If there is anything I can do – we can do – please do not hesitate to ask."
Legolas merely smiled this time, not really knowing how to respond.
"Galadriel, we should get going and find our seats downstairs," Celeborn prompted quietly.
"Indeed. We shall see you later, I have no doubt," Galadriel said kindly and received another small nod. She bent over and kissed his cold, pale cheek softly before standing and walking away. Celeborn merely placed his hand on the prince's shoulder, squeezing gently before joining his wife outside.
As Legolas stiffly stood up, Glorfindel closed the door behind them. "Sorry, they said they wanted to see you. I didn't know how to say no." Legolas shook his head, dismissing the apology. "Are you alright?" he asked a received a small nod. "Legolas? Are you alright?" he asked again, more firmly.
Legolas smiled softly. "Just tired," he admitted quietly.
"Maybe you should lie down for a few minutes then," the seneschal gently suggested. "People can wait for a while if they have to. You could just close your eyes for half and hour or so."
"I'll be fine, really."
Although Glorfindel didn't entirely believe him, he didn't press the matter any further. And he didn't get another chance to comment anyway as a sharp knock came from the door and Elrond confidently entered, also dressed in black formal robes brought for him by his sons from Imladris.
"Legolas, it's time. Are you ready?" he asked quietly. The younger Elf didn't bother to answer. How could he ever be ready for this? "Shall we get this over with then?" Although the Elven Lord's words were light, everybody understood that it was false cheer.
They walked with Legolas into the sitting room but he stopped suddenly when Elrond opened the door. "Legolas?" Glorfindel asked quietly.
After a moment, he spoke almost nervously. "Can I have just a minute?" the prince asked croakily.
Glorfindel and Elrond glanced at each other in concern before Elrond answered kindly. "Of course, mellon nin. Take all the time you need. We'll be right outside when you're ready."
Once the door was closed and Legolas was alone in his chambers, the prince moved back into his bedroom. He looked up and out at the kingdom, still hazy from the pouring rain. He went to his bed and, using the post for support, knelt down on the carpeted floor, his hands clasped together. His lips moved slightly in silent prayer, something he knew he would not be able to do outside with all of Mirkwood watching his every move. He stayed knelt on the floor for a couple of minutes before opening his eyes and pulling himself up, straightening out his robes and taking a deep breath. He opened the sitting room door to find Glorfindel and Elrond waiting patiently for him.
"Are you ready?" Elrond asked with a small smile.
"Yes," Legolas said softly. He wasn't ready at all but he couldn't reasonably put it off any longer.
As they walked down the corridors the noise of people talking got louder. Obviously people wanted to come to this final farewell to the King of Mirkwood. Before they rounded the corner to the Great Hall, Legolas almost subconsciously reached for Glorfindel's hand and the seneschal took it, lacing their fingers together. When they were met with people though they both thought it wise to let go and Glorfindel did so with one final reassuring squeeze.
People bowed low as Legolas walked by. Some reached out and grabbed at him but with Elrond's and Glorfindel's help he managed to shrug them off. It only got worse when he entered the Great Hall. People grabbed him and hugged him, crying onto his shoulder and robes. Guards tried to gently pry them off and escorted Legolas to the throne where he would sit throughout the ceremony. Once on the throne guards surrounded it so people couldn't get too near and swamp him as they clearly longer to do.
As various people began to speak and offer their public goodbyes, Legolas scanned the crowd for the familiar, friendly face of Glorfindel and after a couple of minutes, he found him seated next to his Lord and Elrond's children. He eventually managed to capture the captain's eyes and Glorfindel smiled reassuringly through the crowd. This at least gave Legolas the strength to get through the rest of the tedious and painful ceremony. Although all he really wanted to do right then was run away and hide in his room, curl up in bed and cry himself to sleep, he knew that this ceremony alone would go on for a good few hours and he would have to be present throughout, maintaining his calm exterior when inside he felt his heart was breaking.
Even though he was supposed to be listening to the praise people were piling on the late king, he found all his attention was fixed solely on the coffin on a platform in the middle of the room.
"Your Highness," a voice said in the distance. Legolas looked down to find one of the Mirkwood advisors kneeling before him. "Your Highness." He was holding an open book out for Legolas to take. Clearly someone, probably Elrond, had chosen something for him to read. Maybe he himself had chosen it and he just didn't remember. The past days had been such a blur that he could barely remember anything about them. Realising every eye in the room was on him and that people were waiting, Legolas took the book with shaking hands and slowly stood up, wishing the attention would fall upon someone else. He looked down at the text and recognised it as one of Thranduil's favourite poems. His eyes suddenly burned and the words in front of him blurred. When he looked up at the expectant people though he forced back his stinging tears, cleared his throat and in a wavering voice, began to read.
Once that was done, Legolas sat back down, taking a deep, steadying breath and discreetly wiped tears from his eyes when everyone's attention was diverted from him. Again, he caught Glorfindel's eye and smiled weakly.
After what seemed like an eternity of speeches and prayers, none of which Legolas really paid attention to, the ceremony was finally drawing to an end. Another officer, this time from the Royal Guard, bowed before him. "Sir, would you like to…" He seemed decidedly uncomfortable with Legolas' confused silence.
Noticing this exchange and Legolas' obvious confusion as to what was supposed to happen next, Elrond quickly and quietly mounted the steps up to the throne, nodding as the officer saluted, and crouched down beside Legolas, leaning close so he could speak without being over-heard.
"Legolas, if you would like to say goodbye to your father, now is the time," he said, trying to sound as gentle as possible and ignoring people's whisperings from behind him.
For a brief moment, Legolas looked utterly astounded at the question. He was sure that at some point someone must have gone through all this with him but he barely remembered. The thought of having to say goodbye to his beloved father under the scrutiny of hundreds of eyes was not one he relished.
"I don't know what to say," he confessed in a whisper to Elrond.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want." Legolas still looked unsure. "I can come with you if you'd prefer." Slowly, Legolas nodded and stood up.
As he approached the coffin, walking past the tearful crowd, he suddenly felt nervous. He had not seen his father since that terrible first day and he had no idea what to expect. The last thing he wanted was to break down again in front of his entire kingdom. When he reached the steps, he looked over at Elrond with imploring eyes. Elrond shot him an encouraging look and Legolas began to climb the short set of steps to the platform. When he looked down into the open coffin he was relieved to see only a white sheet with the Royal emblem on it. Breathing a sigh of relief, Legolas immediately stepped down. The crowd seemed a little surprised that he remained silent and that there was no emotion other than relief on his face but those who knew him well understood that Legolas would not fall to pieces here in front of everyone. He would wait until he was alone and far from the prying eyes of the public for the tears to come and grief to overwhelm him.
Legolas walked quickly back to his throne, ignoring the whispers and stares around him. And, after only another half an hour, this part of the ceremony was over. The wooden coffin was covered in a thick, black shroud with the Royal emblem in the centre and six Elves came forwards, carrying the coffin from the room. In truth, Legolas could easily have skipped the whole thing. He felt no great need to sit beside his father's coffin and pray to the Valar throughout a rigid ceremony. He had done enough of that alone in his rooms. To some that might have sounded cold or uncaring but for people who knew him it seemed perfectly logical. Legolas had never liked being in the spotlight, always preferring to do things quietly in private. After all, it had always been Thranduil and Rumil who managed public relations.
Selected officials and family friends – headed by a sombre Legolas – followed the coffin on its parade through the palace corridors. At the end of the main corridor, the coffin went right where it would be taken to a large pyre and cremated and the party turned left into the large ballroom where the wake was to be held. It was just another place for Legolas to be surrounded by crying people.
Inside, servants had set up several tables, chairs, divans and couches for people to sit on and there was one long table at the end on the room on which was a selection of fine foods and drinks. To Legolas it all looked far too much like a party. It was supposed to be a wake, a time for grieving not celebrating. He bit his tongue though and was soon surrounded by people hugging him and offering their condolences. Although Legolas desperately searched through the crowds for Glorfindel, he couldn't find him and felt his heart contract in grief.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and went to shrug it off before realising it was Elrond, flanked by his twin sons Elladan and Elrohir. "Elrond," he sighed in relief, trying to detach his hand from a crying maiden.
Elrond obviously noticed his discomfort and motioned for Elrohir to remove the clingy woman – whom Legolas didn't even know – and the twin did so, taking her hand in his own and gently leading her away through the crowds. Legolas breathed a sigh of relief at having a little space.
"Are you alright?" Elrond asked softly. Legolas went to assure him that he was fine but what actually came out was an almost desperate shake of the head. "Alright, come on. Let's get you out of here for a minute," the Elven Lord said firmly, placing his hand on Legolas' back and guiding him through the crowds, who had now turned to the platform on the other side of the room where two Elves began to sing a melancholy tune. Mercifully, Elrond and Elladan kept people away from him and they finally made it outside, where Legolas could at least draw breath. Elrond led him to the nearest room – a dining hall – and guided him inside. Once the door had clicked behind him, Elrond sat the prince down at one of the long tables.
"Elladan, can you please get Legolas a glass of water," Elrond said to his son.
"Of course," the twin nodded, leaving for the kitchen next door.
"Feel better?" Elrond smiled, crouching down in front of the Elf.
"Yes. Sorry," Legolas answered, his voice still thick and trembling slightly.
"Shhh, don't be sorry. It was getting a little crowded in there." Elrond noted how Legolas was firmly avoiding his eyes, as though afraid that his resolve would crack should he see the sympathy hidden behind them. Elrond stood up and wrapped Legolas in a tight hug, which for a moment the prince gratefully leaned into. Reaching up to stroke long, blonde hair, Elrond muttered, "It's alright, mellon nin. It's alright."
Although he felt Legolas shuddering against him, the prince was obviously struggling back his tears. After a few seconds, Legolas pulled back, wiping his damp eyes with the back of his hand.
"Please, Elrond, not now," he said softly.
Worried though he was, Elrond understood and willingly complied with whatever Legolas needed to get through this day before he broke down and comfort was not helping him maintain his façade, unfortunately, that obviously meant just leaving him alone and not encouraging his grief for the moment.
"Alright," he said gently, standing up and settling for placing his hand on Legolas' shoulder. Elladan returned a moment later with a glass of clear, cold water. He handed it to Legolas, who took it with terribly shaking hands. "Thank you," he smiled falsely at the twin. He drank half of it slowly then handed it back to Elladan.
"If you want to you can slip away. Sit quietly in your rooms for a while. We can make your excuses."
"Thank you, Elrond but I should get back." He looked to the door leading to the grounds longingly. "Maybe I'll just step outside for a couple of minutes though." He stood up, straightening out his grey tunic beneath his black robes.
"Of course. Take as long as you need." Legolas nodded and left the room, stepping outside into the fresh air, glad at least that it had stopped raining for a while. Looking around Mirkwood now it was hard to believe that so much had happened in so little time. These past weeks had all been such a blur, it seemed like Rumil bringing the dying child back from the apparently haunted village had been years ago and yet it had all happened so fast. He wished he could just go back a couple of weeks. There were so many things he had wanted to say – none of which he had said when his family were alive. That was always the way though.
Sighing heavily he re-entered the dining hall, suppressing a shiver, and went back into the hall where he immediately merged into the crowd, now braced to confront the sympathetic mourners.
Even though it was Legolas' father being put into the ground he found that it was him doing all the comforting, hugging them stiffly as they cried on his shoulder. Diplomats shook his hand and told him bracingly that he needed to just carry on as that was what his father would have wanted. Legolas just smiled politely, wishing they would wipe those smug smiles off their faces.
As yet another person approached him he sighed and held out his hand, not even looking up. "No need to be so formal, mellon nin," a familiar voice said.
Legolas looked up when he saw the person before him. "Glorfindel," he sighed in relief, having to suppress a smile.
"How are you doing?"
"Fine," Legolas lied and of course Glorfindel saw right through it.
"Here, I brought you some wine," Glorfindel said, handing him a glass of red wine.
"Thank you."
"I see you have been doing the majority of the consoling," Glorfindel said, noting Legolas' somewhat ruffled appearance.
The prince shrugged, taking a sip of the best wine Mirkwood's cellars held. "I don't mind."
"Liar," Glorfindel smiled. "You know that the others are around here somewhere. I believe Estel was trying to find you earlier but you were obviously swamped." Legolas just nodded, not really seeming to hear what was being said. Glorfindel couldn't really blame him. All this must have been rather overwhelming. "Are you really alright?"
Legolas looked up at him and smiled weakly. "No." Glorfindel went to speak comforting words but Legolas stopped him with a raised hand. "I should get back."
"Right."
Eventually, Legolas ran into people he actually knew and cared about personally. He looked up to find Celeborn and Galadriel standing before him. Thankfully, they didn't speak with him for too long or try to hug him. They merely formally said they were sorry as their duty required and moved on. Legolas wished everyone could be that short in their condolences. His wish was not granted, however. Even Arwen ended up crying into his robes as he held her and hushed her kindly. Aragorn came and rescued him this time, taking his crying wife off the prince with a small, apologetic smile. Elladan and Elrohir kept their condolences mercifully short, probably under orders from their father and grandparents. The Hobbits all sobbed on his robes for a while until Gandalf pulled them away, alerting them to the fact that there was still food on the tables and they left him alone. Even Gimli had a tear in his eye although he merely mumbled something gruffly, shook Legolas' hand then walked off.
Even after the majority of people had left Legolas was still talking to politicians who seemed intent on telling him everything that would have to happen next, including ridiculously detailed descriptions of the upcoming coronation ceremony. It was absolutely the last thing Legolas wanted to hear at his father's funeral. He could only handle one thing at a time. When they started speaking about how he would want to change the kingdom, to mould it around his own regime, Legolas wanted to shout at them and run away. Instead he merely took another sip of his wine to keep himself from saying anything stupid.
On the other side of the room, Celeborn approached Glorfindel, who was watching Legolas nodding vaguely to the people in a circle around him.
"How's he doing?" Celeborn asked quietly.
Glorfindel glanced briefly over at the Lorien Lord. "He looks about ready to run away and hide," the seneschal answered quietly. "No one seems to want to leave him alone. They all want to hug him."
"Indeed."
"He's been consoling people all day. You'd think they hadn't realised it was his dad who died," Gimli's gruff voice said from beside them.
"They would naturally look to the next in line for reassurance in lieu of their king. People want to know they are in good hands," Celeborn reasoned.
"Well, they should leave him alone."
"For all intents and purposes, he's their king now. And they will look to their king in times of trouble. It's only natural."
"It's hardly fair on him though," Glorfindel said softly.
"Life is rarely fair on ruling monarchs," Celeborn answered, watching Glorfindel watching Legolas.
"Do you think we should go and rescue him?" Gimli asked from behind them.
Glorfindel nodded and walked over to the trapped prince. "Excuse me," he said, cutting in mid-conversation.
"Captain Glorfindel," one of the councillors greeted distastefully, looking down at the seneschal. "I didn't know you were in Mirkwood."
"I go where my Lord instructs," Glorfindel answered calmly, not intimidated by the advisor's glare.
"Yes, I can imagine."
Ignoring the condescending tone, Glorfindel smiled. "If you'll excuse us, I need to borrow your prince for a moment." He walked Legolas away from the politicians and past the few remaining people. "Just walk purposefully."
He led Legolas over to a corner in which Gandalf was waiting. "Ah, Legolas. How are you doing?" he asked as if surprised to find Legolas still here and not already retired to his rooms.
Legolas looked around and took a deep, shuddering breath before saying, "They were asking me if when I reshuffle my staff I would consider giving them all promotions."
"A touching sentiment," the wizard said dryly.
Legolas still looked worried though so Glorfindel looked deep into his eyes. "Hey, you don't need to worry about any of that right now."
Legolas nodded. "Did you need something?" he asked Glorfindel who had pulled him away from the discussion.
"I just thought you could use a break from all the political wrangling."
"Thank you," the prince sighed gratefully.
Gandalf placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Why don't you go and sit down with Elladan and Elrohir for a while. Try to look busy. I find that's the best way to avoid being pestered." Legolas nodded and, after casting a discreet, thankful glance to Glorfindel, walked over to the twins who were sitting on the couch.
Translations
Mellon nin – My friend
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*