Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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Mirkwood's Plague II:

Aftermath

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Chapter 16 ~ The Coronation

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As much as he wanted to let Legolas sleep when dawn finally lit Mirkwood, Celeborn knew that the coronation would begin in just a few hours and that Legolas needed to start getting ready. Gently shaking his arm, Celeborn called Legolas' name until dazed blue eyes slowly opened.

"I'm sorry, mellon nin but you need to start preparing for today."

"Glorfindel?" Legolas asked sleepily.

Although a little confused by this response, the Lord of Lorien answered, "No. It's Celeborn. All your things are laid out in your rooms. We need to get you dressed."

"What…?"

"You need to get ready for the Coronation, remember?" Celeborn explained gently.

"Coronation. Right." Legolas slowly sat up, glancing out the window at the pale-lit forest. "Right." He pulled himself up and walked with Celeborn back to his own rooms where he found Elrond and Glorfindel speaking about him. They both looked up when he entered with Celeborn poised to catch him should he lose his balance.

"Legolas, where were you? We were worried," Glorfindel said.

Seeing Legolas' downcast eyes, Elrond assured softly, "It doesn't matter. You're here now, that's what's important. Come on, let's get you into the bath then get you ready for the day."

Glorfindel quickly prepared a bath and they all waited outside whilst Legolas washed and took a last moment of peace before he would have to face the day ahead. He prayed to the Valar that everything would run smoothly from now on. His stomach turned at the mere thought that in a couple of hours he would be solely responsible for the ruling of what he considered to be his father's kingdom. His quiet reflection was disturbed moments later when Elrond knocked on the door and informed him that he had less than an hour to get ready. He extracted himself from the bath and dried himself off, never once looking at his still-marked and thin frame in the mirror. Once he was dressed he looked presentable enough to face Mirkwood's people. No one would ever know that beneath beautiful finery was a tortured and shattered body, aching and exhausted to the point of just wanting to lie down and never move again. As ever, he hid it well under the façade.

Celeborn had gone when Legolas entered the bedroom, only to be replaced by Aragorn. The King of Gondor was wearing the finest thing he had brought to Mirkwood all those weeks ago, not having planned to attend a coronation. Elrond and Glorfindel were already dressed in their finest clothes.

"You look perfect, considering it was made so hastily," Elrond said of Legolas' clothing. It couldn't be denied that Legolas looked stunning. Bar the dark circles beneath his eyes and his pale complexion he looked as he always did. His face remained set firm and almost grim. His robes were of the traditional dark Mirkwood green with the emblems of the monarch stitched in gold on the breast. It was almost an exact replica of Thranduil's old state robes, which was probably why Legolas looked so uncomfortable in them. He fidgeted under their gazes until they realised his discomfort and looked away.

A knock from the door started them all and Aragorn pulled it open. "Yes?" he asked the servant standing there.

"Your Highness," she addressed Legolas. "Lady Galadriel asked me to inform you that the ceremony is to begin in fifteen minutes."

Legolas cleared his throat nervously. "Thank you."

The servant bowed low and said, "Can I just say how happy we all are that this is finally happening." She smiled brightly and Legolas nodded his appreciation, effectively dismissing her at the same time.

"Well, I guess it is time then," Elrond said, clapping his hands together cheerfully. "Legolas, are you ready?" Although Legolas nodded he looked far from ready. "Then Glorfindel and I should get down to the Great Hall. Aragorn, I'm sure Arwen is waiting to take your arm." Elrond opened the door and ushered them out.

"Actually, Estel…Aragorn, can you just…just wait one minute? I need to talk to you," Legolas said before the king could leave.

"Of course. I'll meet you down there," he assured Elrond.

"Right. Good luck, Legolas. Everything will go smoothly, I'm sure," the healer smiled at the prince who returned the gesture weakly.

As soon as Elrond closed the door, Aragorn turned to find Legolas now leant against the windowsill, looking out at Mirkwood. "Legolas?"

When the prince turned to face him, his face was even paler than before. "I can't do this, Estel. I can't go down there."

Aragorn stepped forward until he was stood in front of Legolas. "Of course you can. You've done it a hundred times in rehearsals and if you do get it wrong I can't imagine anyone would say anything anyway."

"No, that's not what I mean. I can't be king."

"Legolas, you were born into royalty. You were born to do this."

"No. I wasn't meant to be king. It was always meant to be Rumil's duty, not mine. Father taught him everything, not me."

"Legolas…"

"I can't do it," Legolas stated firmly.

"Yes, you can. You have spent your whole life serving Mirkwood. This is no different. It's just a title."

"Damn it, Estel, this is not nothing," Legolas yelled angrily.

Silence engulfed the room for a few beats before Aragorn broke it. "I know it's not," he said softly.

"It's…It's my father's throne. I cannot sit on it."

"Legolas, it is your throne now, not your father's or your brother's. You are King of Mirkwood."

The prince considered this for a couple of minutes before looking up. "I could come and stay with you. You could take me to Gondor. Please, Elessar."

"You know I can't do that."

"Why not?" Legolas asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Firstly because I don't think that travelling would do you any good right now. And secondly, because you have responsibilities here and it would be irresponsible of me to take you away from them."

"Please, Aragorn."

"You're going to be fine," Aragorn assured gently.

"Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm not fine, Estel." He looked into the man's sympathetic grey eyes, tears clouding his own blue orbs. "I'm not fine," his voice cracked out. "Please help me, Estel. Please help me." His next breath hitched in his throat.

Aragorn stepped forwards and enveloped Legolas in his arms. "I am going to do everything in my power to get your through this. You are not alone, you hear?" Legolas nodded against him, wiping tears off his face before pulling back. "You know that this is merely a formality. Just a ceremony. These things are always a lot less scary than they look. It's all just for show. All you have to worry about is saying the right words at the correct time. Nothing more."

"And tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow you recover from today. After that you take one small step at a time. Your people are not expecting miracles from you, Legolas. They will be learning from this experience as much as you. Nor do you have to prove yourself to them. That you have already done. Look at what you have brought them through already. If you can tackle that you can handle just about anything. And you shall not be alone. You have all of us to help. Elrond and myself will stay for certain. And even after we are gone there will always be advisors. They will aid you in the decisions you make.

"Being a king isn't about ruling single-handedly. It is about being a leader who knows how to make the right decisions. You are a prince of Mirkwood," Aragorn continued, smoothing out Legolas' robe. "You fought in the War of the Ring and you are bound to the Fellowship by an eternal bond of friendship. And now you are King of Mirkwood.

"Don't you ever forget your lineage. You are a son of kings. Of royal blood one way or another. I know it is terrifying to stand before a nation and rule them but it does get easier. Surround yourself with the right people and it gets better. I do not doubt for a single second that you will lead your people well and be a great king. It just takes time and practice. You will have both."

"And if I can't? If I'm a terrible king, what then?"

Aragorn smiled gently. "There will always be people who will think you a bad king. All you can do is rule as your conscience dictates. That way you will always be a good king, even if you make unpopular decisions. You heart has never yet led you astray, do not put so little faith in it now."

"I wish I had your faith," Legolas whispered sadly.

"For what it's worth, my faith in you is absolute – as it has always been."

"It's worth a lot," Legolas smiled gently. "Estel, I'm scared," he admitted.

Aragorn pulled Legolas into a hug, holding him tightly. "I know." He pulled back so he could look directly into Legolas' eyes. "Believe in yourself if nothing else." Again he straightened out the Mirkwood-green robe. "You are going to make a fine king." Legolas nodded. "Now, are you ready?" Another small nod then Legolas took a deep breath. "Alright, let's go."

They got as far as the door before Legolas stopped him again. "I never got the chance to say: thank you, Estel, for everything you have done. I could not have done it without you."

Aragorn smiled. "You are most welcome."

"I really mean it. Back when Ada was so sick and everything was falling to pieces you…well, I think I would have been utterly lost if it hadn't have been for you. Thank you."

"Come, it is time for you to be crowned King of Mirkwood. Your people await you." Legolas nodded sharply. "You will be fine. Get through today. Everything else can wait."

Although slightly tentative walking through the corridors, when they reached the large double doors to the Great Hall, Legolas stood up a little straighter and held his head high.

"I'll be around all day if you need me," Aragorn assured, squeezing his friend's shoulder gently.

"Aren't you going to wish me luck?"

"You won't need it." He smiled and patted Legolas on the back before slipping into the Hall to take his place alongside his wife.

Legolas took a deep breath, straightened his tunic and readied himself for what lay ahead. "Your Highness?" a guard asked, his hand on the door. Legolas nodded shortly and the guard opened the doors to reveal the Great Hall, beautifully decorated and filled with diplomats and officials from Mirkwood. The people, Legolas noticed, had abandoned their black mourning clothes in favour of uniforms and brighter clothing suitable for the occasion. Most still wore items of black though; small tributes to the dead, reminders of the horrors that had occurred. Everyone stood as he walked slowly down the aisle towards the throne. People bowed as he passed. He caught Glorfindel's eyes and drew strength from the small smile he gave.

Climbing the steps to his throne, Legolas turned to face his kingdom. Every eye in the room was on him as he sat down on the throne that had once belonged to his father. As soon as he was sitting he knew there was no going back. There was a shuffling as everyone in the large audience took their seats then complete silence fell. After another moment, Legolas nodded to the minister on his right – the signal for the ceremony to begin.

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