Legolas sighed playing with the figures on his desk. For some reason the encounter with Sauron had not shaken him. Worry for Uru however had. But he had found her to be fine if upset at him for wandering off, but that had melted when she had seen how exhausted he was. It had not taken him long to recover and Mairon had stayed by his side that night at his request. His touch was more welcomed now, it was not the spark that Saurons had brought with it, this made him wonder if it was some magic of Mordor, Mairon used it to comfort and connect with him. Sauron…. Seemed to want his attention as odd as it seemed. The more he thought about it the less the touch had seemed like a threat. But it left him confused and wary of leaving the safety of his shared home with Mairon. Home, somehow he found himself less opposed to the idea of calling at least this small part of mordor his home. And calling the humans his friends, even Uru. He laughed at himself. "Oh if Greenwood knew I had befriended an orc…" he said out loud.
"If they knew indeed, Legolas." Mairons voice made him jump.
"Oh, Mairon… hello." He turned and titled his head. "Can I help you?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing… you haven't left since your encounter with my Lord." He looked concerned and guilty, and it made Legolas soften.
"I'm fine, truly, you don't have to worry about me. I know it wasn't your fault. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time… and he didn't hurt me." He passed and frowned. "He was trying to use the magic you do on me." He hated to sound acutionary but he needed to talk about this.
"... Legolas I'm not…" Mairon sighed. "I promise that it isn't on purpose. Or at least not all the time. You were going to react to my touch no matter what I did."
Legolas got up from his chair making a frustrated noise. "You promised me answers.. I want them, I'm tired of not knowing!" He said, running a hand through his hair. He wanted to cut it, he had not liked the lord of Mordor undoing it as he had.
"... And I have them. But they aren't the ones you want and I'm not sure you're ready to accept them." Mairons voice was soft and pained, full of longing. "...you aren't ready." He said softly. "Just know I love you and I love your Ada." He strode over and reached out for Legolas who leaned into the hand offered.
"I'm not a child,Mairon." He said but sighed, willing to drop it for now and move onto his next concern.. "I want to cut my hair."
Mairon raised an eyebrow at that. "Well… It is your hair I suppose.. Is it getting too long for your liking?"
"Actually I kind of want to try something new, I think I'll have my new friends help me, I like Naveen's hair. He called it an undercut." Legolas wasn't just saying this to get a reaction out of Mairon though he did hope for one.
"You Ada will kill me." Mairon groaned clearly, keeping his reaction under control, much to Legolas' disappointment.
"Ada isn't here… I'll go find them with Uru then, and I won't lose her this time." he promised with a small guilty grin. "... You aren't mad at her right?"
"Of course not, you were with three trustworthy human youth. And we know you would want to explore eventually." Mairon sighed leaning forward pressing his forehead against Legolas'. "Go on then my prince." He pulled away. "I have something I have to do so I wont be around for a few days, just behave yourself?"
"I always do." Legolas replied as he left his room.
He and Uru headed out towards the garden, he and his friends had agreed to meet up there and Uru assured him that they had already been notified. If nothing else, everything in mordor worked like a well oiled machine, of the dwarves. He could appreciate that for what it was worth. He wondered briefly if this was how Sauron wanted the world to work, a constant flow of information, quickly passed from one place to another, ignorant of the attempted disruptions that he had witnessed the likes of his friends attempt. He leaned against a tree in the center of the garden and watched as the eyes beam suddenly swept down upon him, he didn't run or flinch this time but turned up his head, Sauron had the chance to hurt him, he had not. So for what reason should he cower? It had been a split second decision and he swallowed the tiny bit of fear left in him as he met its gaze. It did not stay long continuing its path around the fortress. Legolas found himself watching it feeling his body tingling like he had been shocked lightly. It was not a bad feeling but it left him confused, not that he had time to dwell on it as he heard a voice calling him.
"Hey Morningstar! There you are!" Mina came running out of the trees and threw herself forward to hug him. "Where have you been! Uru wouldn't let us see you!"
"Yeah sorry Mina, that was me I was… thinking." He said waving with difficulty at Jaya and Naveen. "Hey Naveen I need your help cutting my hair, something like yours."
"Is… that even allowed for elves? I've never seen any of you without long, flowing, luscious locks." Naveen was teasing clearly with a wide grin on his face.
"Well there are a few things, particularly for someone of high elf blood like myself, first, it's considered childish, and second, my hair must be burned." Legolas explained. "We can probably use Mairon's forge to burn the hair." he added.
"... Sounds good, we can get right on that then, He should have the sheers I need already there." Naveen said, looking eager.
"Are you sure you want to trust Naveen to do it? We should go get our mother. She cuts his hair." Jaya advised with a frown at her brother.
"No, I've been doing my hair recently. Mama showed me how to." Naveen went a bit red in the face. "Come on Morningstar, you trust me right?"
"...Actually no, but sure let's just get this over with before thoughts of what Lord Elrond would think, make me back out." Legolas laughed and slung an arm around Naveen's shoulders. "Uru we are ready to go!" he called over and she nodded and motioned for them to follow. Legolas remembered the way to Mairon's forge and was excited to go back. He had enjoyed learning about Mairon and his craft. When they arrived he was surprised to find a wooden box and a letter with his name on it waiting on the workbench.
"Oh, did he make you a gift?" Mina asked curiously looking around him.
"It uh… appears so.." Legolas hesitated over the letter before pocketing it and opening the box. He was shocked at the beautiful circlet it contained. It was made of mithril, and gleamed in the torchlight of the workshop. It resembled leaves and flowers and in the center of each flower was a gemstone. The very center one was golden and gleaming, bigger than the rest. He didn't know enough about gems to identify it.
"Wow… fit for a prince don't you think?" Jaya's voice was sympathetic and encouraging. "You should try it on once we are done."
Legolas nodded in agreement and sat on the stool as Naveen found the sheers he needed. It didn't take as long as Legolas had thought, and he found the feeling of his hair falling off as it was cut odd. The girls gathered it up and threw it into the forge, dutifully. When Naveen was done he located a mirror. Legolas turned his head around. The sides were shaved, and three stars had been cut into the right side. His hair was still long enough on top that it would cover the undercut if down. "Looks great Naveen, thanks. And thank you two for taking care of the hair."
"It was no big deal. Weird that it didn't smell though." Jaya said, frowning. "Guess elf hair just doesn't when it burns."
"I… actually don't know." Legolas confirmed. "But now that this is done, what do you guys want to do today?"
"Well I'd like to go riding but I don't think you are allowed outside the fortress, are you?" Jaya said shrugging.
"Not at the moment no… and I'm not allowed a bow yet either." Legolas sighed. "Though it wouldn't hurt to ask Mairon?" He added thoughtfully. He had not thought about seriously trying to escape since his first attempt. He really should start thinking about it again. If he could gain Mairons full trust by just not taking the small opportunities to try something….
"We can see if he'll let you show off your archery skills. If you get like one arrow at a time, that would mitigate any risk." Naveen said after thinking quietly for himself.
"Master is busty, and I cannot leave you alone. " Uru spoke up from her spot by the door. "...come back to the home and I will go ask him." She sighed seeing Legolas crestfallen look.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Mina said as they put things back and gathered behind Uru to leave.
As they were leaving Legolas spotted Calaer coming down the hall. He noted that the dark elf walked with complete confidence and people moved out of his way. He met his gaze and stopped a bit away from them. "Hello again Baldur…. A forge is no place for children to play, surely your handler knows that." he eyed Uru who glared back in distaste.
"Good thing we weren't playing. I had permission from Mairon and Uru's supervision." Legolas replied, his friends to their credit said nothing about the name Baldur.
"Did you now? Found yourself a powerful sponsor here hrmm pup?" Calaer laughed softly and slipped past them. "Carry on then with your handler." he said dismissively. It made Legoals' blood boil slightly to be referred to as though he was less than an animal but he did not want to cause problems by getting into a fight.
"... yes sir." he muttered as Uru took up the rear and ushered them along muttering to herself in black speech. He caught the words spoiled, or entitled he would have to double check his notes, and something about talking to the master. Through Calaer had not done anything but be rude. "Uru? Where is Mairon at?" He asked, hoping to soothe her anger. "And what did he mean by sponsor?"
"Mmm, Master is in a meeting with the council. And… sponsor is.. When a new defector joins they are assigned a sponsor to keep them honest. Master is… almost yours. But you are different. Home is Mordor for you." she said softening as she answered him.
"So everyone keeps saying.. Who was his sponsor?" He felt like he knew the answer already.
"Master Mairon, He saw promise in him, and does not like Lord Elrond." she said Elrond's name with a slight scowl, as though she too did not like him, it made Legolas wince as he remembered that she was an orc, she was a potential enemy, if wasn't who he was… Whoever he was. "...Little master?" Uru looked concerned.
"It's nothing Uru… thanks." He forced a weak smile and fell quiet listening to his friends' conversations or trying to, he didn't know their language either it seemed.
He suddenly felt alone all over again wishing desperately for Tauriel, or Strider. Even a bow in his hands would feel like home at this point, he wished his own was not laying broken out in the distant hills. It had been a gift from his Ada, when he had been deemed old enough to join the scouts in the forest. It had surprised him that Ada had allowed him to go out with them, or even start training, given how overprotective he was. But the Greenwoods had been safer then, almost five hundred years ago. The spiders had only just started pushing forward into their territory. He sighed softly as they reached the home, glad to go sink into a chair, still lost in his thoughts of far away.
"Ummm morningstar? Where did you go?" Mina asked, her voice sounding far away but calling him back to Mordor.
"...Home." He replied, shaking his head and blinking as he came back to himself. He felt like his soul was trying to leave, which to be fair, for an elf was entirely possible.
"Is your home nice?" Mina asked, her voice was soft and sympathetic.
"Yeah, it… it's beautiful, we call it the Greenwood. It is like the garden Mairon made, but older and bigger obviously." he smiled at her. "Maybe one day you guys can see it and meet my sister and ada." He ran a hand through his now short hair and smiled wistfully. "My sister is married to a dwarf prince… I miss her a lot. I…haven't been a good brother as of late." he sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I missed her wedding."
"Oche man." Naveen groaned. "I can't imagine what Jaya would do to me if i missed her wedding."
"I'd kill you, bring you back, and feed your body to the that order." Jaya replied, smirking while giving Legolas a look. "Did you at least write her a letter?"
"Of course I did! I had a new bow made for her as a wedding gift as… Ada broke hers." Legolas coughed awkwardly into his fist. "She loved it. And… threatened to feed me to the wargs in the event she gets pregnant and I miss the birth."
"I need to meet your sister. She sounds like a riot." Jaya burst out laughing. "What's her name again?"
"Her name, Is tauriel." Mairon said as he swept through the door into the sitting room. The council meeting had been a nightmare. The generals and nobles of Mordor were anxious to meet their prince, and were not satisfied with how long this was taking.
"I… didn't realize you knew of her…" Legoals sounded wary about that fact.
"She was just a small child when I knew her, newly orphaned due to the… whims of Oropher." He scoffed at the memory, such a small child hiding behind Thranduil who was not yet an adult himself. He removed his outer robe and tossed it onto a free chair before sinking into it and softening at Legolas. "Uru tells me you have a request?"
"...I… I do… I want to use a bow." Legolas didn't meet his gaze, it seemed his poor mood had made his son hesitant. But he was also asking for a weapon.
"Do you now?" he sat thinking. There was an easy solution to this, his own supervision and only allowing him one arrow at a time. "I suppose you have behaved well enough, I will make time to take you to the arena. I am sure others would love to see your archery skills."
"Really?" That immediately brightened his sons mood as he sat up straighter. "You'll let me?"
"There will be some restrictions, one arrow at a time and someone else must retrieve them, but yes." Mairon replied, smiling fondly. "Now there is one more thing, my lord is preparing a feast… he expects you to be there." He sighed slightly. "Word has gotten around the the elvenprince is a… guest in Mordor. The council wishes to see you make a public appearance."
"...I… what? Will you be there? I… can I bring Uru?" Legolas looked horrified. His friends only groaned knowing they would be expected to attend as well.
"Relax Morningstar, its not that serious. It'll be boring, unless you like talking politics." Jaya, he remembered her name, spoke up.
"Well it should be a boring one, if you three behave yourselves this time." Mairon commented, making Jaya jump and look embarrassed.
"It may surprise you who the mastermind behind the wine incident was." Her brother, Naveen, coughed awkwardly as their friend, little Mina just sat quietly smiling.
"So it appears. My point still stands,and of course I will be there and you can bring Uru, no one will question your guards presence." He was not lying, hw would be there, not as Mairon. Not how he wanted the father reveil to go but he would work with it. And perhaps the presence of others would help keep any negative reaction under control. "You should wear the circlet I made you." He added finally taking a look at his sons hair cut. It was nice. What was left was partially braided and pulled into a short ponytail. It looked rather good on him, allowing his sharply pointed ears, more similar to the ones he bore, show better. And almost made him appear more regal, less delicate, fitting of Mordor.
"I will… It's really beautiful." Legolas said, nodding at the box that held it, sitting upon the table in front of them.
"You should try it on!" Mina piped up. "I'd love to see it on you."
Legolas nodded and opened the box carefully removing the circlet and with Mina's help slipped it on, it fit him perfectly as Mairon knew it would. "What do you think?" He asked his son.
"I think its… marvelous. I...can I wear this anywhere?" Legolas looked embarrassed to be asking but was clearly fond of it already.
"Of course you may, it is a gift, and you are a prince." Mairon said softly.
Legolas nodded again. "Thank you Mairon, I uh… I love it." He still looked embarrassed.
"Thank you, your Ada was.. Less interested in the workings of the forge even if he agreed everything I made was beautiful." Mairon laughed softly. "Had I thought she would accept it I would have made a wedding gift for your sister."
"...yeah I don't think Mordor sends out wedding gifts to people who help destroy their armies…" Legolas scoffed. "But the thought is appreciated….. What happened to her parents?" He asked after a moment.
"They were killed by orcs when Oropher ordered them to scout out alone. He was their king, how could they refuse… It was… by my understanding a punishment, whether or not he expected them both to die, I cannot say." He shook his head. "But they both knew they would not be returning… Thranduil knew as well." He finished, being greeted only by silence as Legolas frowned glaring at the floor in front of him.
"She never said…" Legolas finally replied.