The huge green doors before them opened soundlessly into the deepness of the mountain. This was Legolas' home and the fellowship waited for him to go first. With his back to them, they all saw him push back his shoulders, his loyal bow from Lothlorian hooked to his quiver. But then the elf did not step forward, instead remaining standing in the massive doorway.
Frodo and Sam exchanged a glance and Merry and Pippin started bickering. Why would the elf be anxious about finally returning home?
But then their attention was drawn towards the gigantic hall which opened before them. Roots, big as trees seemed to levitate in the hall which ceiling was way above their heads. The guards were clad in green armoury similar to the one Legolas was wearing, stepped aside and bowed towards them. This seemed to reach the elf for he started walking, his long strides so wide the hobbits had to hurry after him lest they be left behind.
Pippin gaped wide-eyed around and walked without paying attention. Merry elbowed him in his side then at the far end of the hall the King appeared, lounging on his throne. He was dressed in highly decorated robes, a crown of entwined branches sitting on his white-blond long hair. Leaning back, arms resting on the wooden throne, he appeared relaxed but his piercing blue eyes followed each of their steps and he was surrounded by an aura which suggested danger.
Legolas led the way until they reached the platform before the King. Behind him, the rest of the fellowship formed a line before the King who had yet to move, his hard eyes transfixed on Legolas. They all bowed as Aragorn did, but Legolas stepped forward and fell on a knee, bowing his head so his blond hair fell before his face like a curtain.
"Legolas", the elven King drawled. His eyes was soft and as cold as wintery icicles or bitter snowflakes finding their way under their warm cloaks to bite into their skin. The elf was not in a good mood. Definitely not.
"My King", the elf answered, still not rising from the ground.
The King stood, pushing back a shawl of blood-red silk. Behind his crown, his throne underlined his statue as he loomed over them.
"I sent you to council to give information of the escape of the creature Gollum and you manage to get yourself in a quest to destroy the One Ring?" The dark voice reverberated in the caverns as the King slowly descended the stairs, eyes boring into the kneeling elf. "You were practically begging to get killed, were you not, Legolas? Have you not been in danger often enough to value the worth of your life?"
The King reached the bottom of the stairs, one hand casually resting on the hilt of his weapon. Still, he loomed over the hobbits and the dwarf as well as the kneeling figure. The rest of the fellowship, Gandalf and Aragorn including, had back away, leaving Legolas to face his King's wrath.
"We needed you here", the King continued, his dark voice like the growl of a bear, deep and threatening. "Here in Mirkwood! I gave you clear orders, orders you disobeyed. How am I supposed to trust you with the lives of my soldiers if I can't be sure you follow my orders? And this was not just a skirmish which forced you to take action immediately. You did not even send a note, Legolas!" The calm had vanished, slowly overtaken by cold, calculating anger. The King's hand tightened over his sword hilt as he grit the words out between his teeth.
"You are supposed to protect this realm. You are supposed to stay here, within Mirkwood's borders. Your duty is to stand with our warriors, not go on a quest half way across middle-earth, there no one has a chance to bring word to you. What experience do you have outside of this wood? What wisedom have you added that others could not have? You left your soldiers leaderless and abandoned your post in times of war! Stupid and foolish! You cannot stroll around wherever you please!"
The King's voice had risen until he yelled, the sound beautiful and terrible and so loud that it rang in the ears of the fellowship. The hobbits gulped, looking afraid at each other, searching for their small weapons. Gimli, who had grown to be a close friend to Legolas, growled in anger, gripping his axe. The loyal dwarf was about to stop the King when Aragorn grasped his shoulder and shook his head, a sad expression in his eyes. They were guests in this Kingdom. As much as he regretted it: There was nothing they could do.
The King went on like this for several minutes. He wondered out loud if Legolas had fallen on his head at one time during his childhood years and had never fully recovered, if maybe he had been granted the rank of Captain too early. Threats of emptying bedpans followed, of being locked in the lowest dungeon and the key thrown in the chasms beyond.
The hobbits shifted their weight, preparing for a strike but Aragorn held them back with warning hands. Gandalf too grumbled in his beard but did not act, not even reading his staff as he pushed the halflings back even as the raging elven King continued to yell at the kneeling warrior.
The regal elf stopped to catch his breath and Legolas used this moment to raise his head. Everyone could see the tear tracks on his noble face. Pain was written in his fair features, wrinkles dug deep into the youthful skin around his eyes.
"I'm sorry", was all he said, sounding desperate.
For a moment, the great King Thranduil gaped open-mouthed at the elf who knelt before him, then all his anger vanished. His strong shoulders dropped and his features softened ever so slighted. The King stepped forward, elegantly moved into a squat and griped Legolas' arms, raising him to stand on his feet. He looked in the younger elf's eyes, then he sighed and enveloped the elf in his strong arms. And Legolas wrapped his arms around his King's waist and buried his face against the broad chest and soon his body shock of tears and silent sobs, trembling under the other elf's protective touch. Silent, soothing words came over the King's lips.
Only minutes later Legolas seemed to remember that the entire fellowship was watching him and he tried to escape the strong protective arms. But the King just placed his palms at his cheeks, forcing him to meet his gaze. He leant forward until their foreheads touched and closed his eyes.
"I am so glad to have you back, Legolas", he whispered softly. "Don't you ever do this to me again! You frightened me dearly. There was not a day I did not fret for you, ion-nin. Saes, never frighten me like this again, Legolas. I love you, ion-nin. And I thank the Valar that I finally got you back!"
With his thumbs he stroke over Legolas cheeks, cleaning his face of the tears. Suppressing a heaving sigh, his stern gaze bore into the teary eyes and he nodded. He released the elf fully and his expression became stern once more.
"You are dismissed", he told Legolas.
"But I –", the elf started but Thranduil raised his hand and silenced him.
"I said, you are dismissed!" the King stated again, his order sharp and cold. None of the fellowship could see the loving sparkling of his eyes which took away the coldness. Legolas bowed and went to leave.
As soon as their elven companion was out of sight, Thranduil turned back towards the fellowship.
"Welcome to Mirkwood!", he greeted as if nothing had transpired beforehand. "All Middle-Earth is in your debt for destroying the One Ring of the Dark Lord."
He inclined his head slightly to show his respect, ignoring the confused expressions the halflings bore and the glare upon the dwarf's face.
Just when Aragorn began to hope he would get out of this hall alive, Thranduil's gaze met his. Instinctively the former ranger ducked.
"My servants will show you to your rooms and I would be delighted to see you at tonight's feast. And Estel, don't think for one second the fact that you are King now will change anything!"
Aragorn visibly paled and anger flared up in Thranduil's eyes. But he restrained himself and settled for giving the ranger his 'we-aren't-finished-yet' glare.
While his friends were welcomed by his father and then led to their rooms, Legolas' steps led him into the Royal Wing. He was happy to be back, so happy to have seen his father, to be welcomed lovingly even after all he had done in the past. He craved to be with his family, to be with his brothers and sisters, but at the same time, he was utterly afraid. He hadn't been as afraid as he was now than he had been battling the Uruk-Hai in Helm's Deep, he hadn't been as afraid as he had stood before the Black Gates of Mordor. His pace decreased as he neared the study of his oldest brother, Crown Prince Alcanor. The dark oaken wood of the door was smooth as ever. He stood there for several minutes, scared to knock. Then he raised his hand and sharply did so.
"Enter", the familiar voice of his brother sounded. For one moment Legolas was frozen and then he silently opened the door and stepped into the round room. Behind a desk In the middle of the room sat Alcanor, his eyes trained on the document before him.
Legolas moved uncomfortably.
"What is it?", Alcanor asked, only reluctantly raising his head. He stared at the slim form of his younger brother. For a moment Legolas could see a whole range of emotions moving behind the silver eyes: Relief, anger, worry, hope, love, annoyance, disbelieve. The next moment Alcanor's eyes were cold and unreadable.
"Legolas", he said and slowly, cautiously rose. "You are back."
Legolas nodded and watched his brother carefully coming closer. Tears threatened his eyes and his hands shook. The urge to hug his brother was almost painful. All his emotions had been bottled up for so long. He had not expected to survive the war of the ring and had finally come to peace with some of his past.
"I am sorry", was all he managed to say before he bowed his head to hide the salty liquid.
A hand touched his shoulder and as he raised his head, blue eyes met silver ones. All he wanted to do was to leap forward and hug his brother tight and never let him go again, but he dared not to do so.
"Legolas?" Alcanor asked softly.
"I'm sorry, Al. I … I'm…" The words would not come and instead, as he blinked, tears parted from his eyelashes and hotly hit his cheeks.
"Legolas", Alcanor repeated gently and slowly pulled him closer. Legolas took this as an invitation and leant against his brother's broad chest. Immediately Alcanor's strong arms embraced him and pulled him closer.
"Oh, tithen Las!" the older elf muttered and kissed Legolas blond hair.
"Don't let me go", Legolas begged with a little voice.
"Never", Alcanor smiled and tightened the embrace. "Never, muindor!"
They stayed like that for a long while, Legolas almost desperately clinging to the Crown Prince.
"What about we look for our brothers and Eyae?" Alcanor asked calmly as soon as they parted.
"Is she angry at me?"
"Eyae is always angry", Alcanor joked, tugging a few stray strands of hair behind his baby brother's ears. He gestured towards the door and Legolas followed the light pressure of his hand between his shoulder blades and left the study. Together they strode towards Eyaenne's chambers just two doors down the hall. She was Thranduil's second child and oldest daughter and after the death of their mother, it had been her who had raised Legolas with the help of their brothers.
Alcanor opened the door without knocking, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"What is it?" an alarmed voice immediately asked and blankets were thrown aside even as Eyaenne reached for her weapons leaning against the couch. She was not alone but Roewen, Alcanor's wife, was with her. Seeing the wide smile on the usually hard and serious features, both she-elves slowed in their hurried movememts to reach for weapons.
"What is it?" Eyaenne asked again, frowning.
Alcanor stepped aside and revealed Legolas who smiled hesitantly and unsure. The next moment Eyaenne embraced him, hugging him close. Seeing nothing beyond her wavy hair but feeling Roewen's hands brushing of his hair and holding his shoulder, he laughed and cried at the same time, so happy to be back.
"Are you alright?", Eyaenne whispered, her voice shaking even whilst she held back all the other things she doubtlessly wanted to say.
"I'm uninjured. And I'm home", Legolas replied just as quietly, earning himself another squeeze before he received the half-hearted punch in the side he had expected from Eyaenne to begin with.
As soon as they had welcomed Legolas properly they went to look for his other siblings, Daeros, Arahen and Falin, who currently were in a meeting. They interrupted the meeting with laughter and disorder and dragged their brothers out with them, shouting back towards the gathered elves that the meeting was adjourned until a later time. And Legolas received more hugs and joy and he fully relaxed in the knowledge that his family was safe and he was still welcome in his home.
Strider couldn't help it. He was growing more and more anxious, afraid of the chat he would have to have with Thranduil. He had allowed Legolas to join them on a deadly mission, even though he had known that the elven Prince had been mentally unstable.
The hobbits noticed his nervousness, but misinterpreted it. They were worried about Mister Legolas who hadn't shown up. Also, while the rooms for the members of the fellowship were all on the same floor, and indeed, in the same corridor, where was no room prepared for Legolas. The King's threats about locking the archer in his dungeon and throwing away the key rung loudly in their memory and Frodo was already searching his memory. Surely Uncle Bilbo had mentioned the wood elf King's dungeons! The problem was just, as it always was with Bilbo's stories, that is was difficult to differentiate the truth from the embellishments.
As they asked a servant to why the elf wasn't staying with them, she just looked at them. When she shook her head and laughed silently before continuing walking down the corridor. Her reponse not helping them at all, they were all anxious to go to dinner, hoping to finally see Legolas again. They got dressed while they plotted how they'd free their elf from the dungeon should he not join them during the evening.
"Will Master Legolas be there, Strider?", Sam asked when they met in the corridor outside their rooms. The man smiled down at the hobbit.
"I am pretty sure he will, Sam. You see, he hasn't seen his father in a long time and they were not very close before the quest, even though I know that Legolas loves his father very deeply. He will want to spend as much time with him as possible, especially considering what happened in the throne room." Aragorn smiled at the memory how Thranduil had enveloped his youngest child into his arms.
"But the King has invited his father to the feast too, hasn't he? He can't make him stay at home, can he? I would be sorry if he has to stay at home when his son has just returned and is dining with the King. I guess he would like to be there, would he not? Oh, please Strider tell me the King has invited him as well. If he hasn't I don't know if I even want to go! I do not want Master Legolas to be unhappy and apart from his father after they haven't seen each other for so long!"
"Peace, Sam!", Aragorn laughed. "I promise, Legolas will be there. And Legolas' father will be there as well!"
Sam did not seem entirely convinced, but nodded solemnly. Aragorn smiled a mischievous glint in his eyes. He was just waiting to see the faces of his friends when they figured out that Legolas was indeed an elven prince.
There was a light chatter in the halls then they entered. Many elves were already present and turned towards them as they entered. They bowed deeply and the music stopped for some seconds before returning more powerful. The cheeks of the hobbits flushed dark and only the beard hid an equal flush on the cheeks of a certain dwarf.
"May I show you to your seats, my lords?", a servant asked politely and bowed while already gesturing towards the high table.
Aragorn nodded and followed swiftly and his friends hurried to follow his lead.
"Where is Mister Legolas?" Sam asked nervously the moment they were seated.
"The lad will come. You heard Aragorn. He'll be there. He probably needs to wash his hair before he does. Till it dries and he gets his silly braids into it might take some time", Gimli said grumpily.
"Rise for the King and the Princes and Princesses of the woodland realm of Greenwood!" a loud voice announced.
"Oh, no, Legolas will be so sad to have missed this!", Pippin whispered loud enough for everyone at the table to hear. Aragorn chuckled.
The doors opened and side by side stepped in King Thranduil and his youngest son. At his side was Prince Legolas. Both were dressed in regal robes of rich, dark fabric, shimmering green in the light. Legolas was the only one of the Royal children to have inherited his father's piercing blue eyes and his smile, even though not many knew of the last as Thranduil barely smiled. But now he did smile and he smiled broadly and happily. It was beautiful to see them appear in all their power and might.
Alcanor, Crown Prince of Mirkwood, walked behind them a faint smile resisting his attempts to supress it. His wife, Princess Roewen, was at his side, her long brown hair plaited elegantly and her dress matching her husband's in colour. She was holding his hand tightly and smiling just as broadly. The Princes Daeros and Arahen walked behind them, wearing almost identical grins so many could easily confuse them to be twins. The second oldest of the royal children, Princess Eyaenne arrived with her partner, Captain Methelion of Ravenstone Outpost. Both wore black trousers and slim-fitted tunics; the silver stitching along Eyaenne's neckline like the light of stars on the blue fabric. They were holding hands and Eyaenne had more eyes for the elf by her side than the elves that had gathered for dinner, her long dark curls knit together in a beautiful braid. They were followed by Prince Falin, who was the youngest beside Legolas. His long Falin silver hair - a heritage of their father - glowed dimly in the light.
Legolas' eyes easily found those of his comrades and he broke into musical laughter like none of them had ever heard from him as he saw the expressions on their faces. Thranduil's attention was drawn towards the fellowship then, as well as the attention of Legolas' siblings. The King did not hesitate to join into the laughter and soon did all the elves in the room. Aragorn's and Gandalf's bubbling dark laughter was easily heard over the silver light music kind of it of the elves.
Thranduil suddenly silenced as well as his other children and they looked at their youngest brother and son who kept laughing, their eyes full of joy. Thranduil could not resist, he pulled Legolas in a tight embrace and softly kissed his temple. Legolas returned the embrace and his laughter slowly silenced.
"You should see your faces, mellyn-nin", he smiled.
"You are ... You are … You are …" Pippin was unable to finish his sentence.
"You are a Prince!", Sam cried out.
"Yes, I am", Legolas smiled.
"Why didn't you tell us!" Merry accused, standing up.
"The elven laddy a prince!", Gimli grumbled unbelievingly.
"Can you believe that? We travel with Master Legolas all this way and he doesn't even mention he is a prince! Not even once! Why didn't you tell us, Master Legolas?"
Before the elf could answer, Gimli interrupted
"You knew!", he accused Aragorn. "You knew! And you did not tell us! How could you not tell us?"
"I find it rather amusing, actually", Aragorn admitted and Gandalf agreed with a nod what earned him angry looks of four hobbits and one dwarf.
"And what is your excuse, laddy?"
"Laddy?", Alcanor interrupted indigently before his baby brother could answer.
"Laddy? Laddy 'Las?", Arahen, smirked.
"Oh, don't you dare!", Legolas threatened, rolling his eyes. But the mischievous glint in the eyes of his family members told him they weren't going to drop that one. Legolas growled.
"Actually I had thought you knew. I thought Estel would have told you. However, yes, I am a Prince. May I introduce to you: My father, King Thranduil of the Mirkwood realm, and my siblings: Alcanor, Eyaenne, Daeros, Arahen, and Falin. And Alcanor's wonderful wife Roewen and Eyae's just as wonderful boyfriend, Methelion. My family." The last two words were spoken with so much love that no one dared to speak afterwards. Instead, Alcanor and Arahen hugged Legolas tightly and Falin soon joined in the mission to squeeze the air out Legolas' lungs.
The wood elves, who had not seen the royal family this open and this happy in a long while, smiled, clapped and laughed.
"Okay, I think that's enough now" Legolas protested weakly. Then he wasn't released, he spoke up again: "No, honestly guys, don't hug me that hard, I cannot breathe!"
Please review!
This was the first story I ever wrote.
[08.09.2014] - originally posted
[27.12.2020] - slight updates