A/N: Hello, again! I'm still writing in this story because, frankly, I
like it too much to not share it with anyone!
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership for the works of Tolkien and I never will. I only hope his soul will forgive me for writing about his characters.
The Plan Set in Motion
By the time Legolas, Ithillin, and Taranthuille had managed to find the secret entrance it was midday. Legolas was severely criticized for the length of time he'd wasted by not leaving some kind of sign as to where the entrance was located.
"If I'd left anything to help me remember where the entrance was, I would have probably been found out by father!" Legolas argued.
"At least we would have been in and out of there before midday." Taranthuille added in a hushed whisper.
"Listen. If you don't agree with my methods you can leave now and I'll drink the wine from the First Age by myself." Legolas countered. Ithillin and Taranthuille immediately fell silent and allowed Legolas to continue. "Now, the trick to opening the door is. right. about. here." Legolas found what appeared to be a small fungus on the outside wall of Thranduil's cellar. "It's actually a carving. If you twist it gently like this." Legolas started when suddenly the door swung open with a loud clunk. "Ah, yes. I'd forgotten it made such a loud noise when opening." Legolas chuckled.
"Imbecile. We'll be lucky if your father didn't hear that." Taranthuille hissed.
"He's gone for a walk. I think he's been concerned about something lately. he hasn't been eating much and he's been singing less and less." Ithillin confessed.
"Ithillin! You're one of my father's favorite minstrels! When you sing a song, my father always sings with you!" Legolas said.
"Not lately. not even the tale of Bhrouhhinihrin will cheer him up." Ithillin sighed.
"The wandering centaur without a name. one of his favorites." Legolas noted. "I'm sure he'll be fine soon enough. Come, we've much work to do."
So the three friends set to work on not only entering the cellar, which was extremely crowded due to the love of wine that Legolas's father was known for, but finding the right wine. As Legolas pushed through the crates of ancient wood he noted the one he was looking for. Countless times he'd been asked to retrieve some spirits for guests and such and on one such occasion he'd stumbled upon an ancient bottle. It was from the first age and Legolas could not resist just leaving it there. It was covered with dust so Legolas deducted that his father must have simply forgotten about it. As he approached the ancient crate Ithillin brushed up against another crate that was stacked at an awkward angle. Taranthuille's face took on a look of horror as the crate began to wobble. and then it fell. Ithillin turned quickly to catch it and managed to keep it from hitting the ground. The wine bottles inside clinked around noisily.
"If you're planning on getting us caught, Ithillin, you're doing a wonderful job." Taranthuille snarled quietly.
"Quiet you too! Look." Legolas smiled as he lifted the bottle of First Age wine from the ancient crate. It was the only one left.
"Have you been drinking all of them, Legolas?" Ithillin asked.
"No. There never was much. my father only drank them on special occasions so he didn't keep too many. At least. I don't think he did." Legolas smiled. He carefully pulled the cork from the bottle. The aroma of the wine was overpowering. Taranthuille's tongue began to salivate. Ithillin's right hand began twitching. "Now we each take one sip and then we put it back, alright?" Legolas said seriously and then took a quick sip.
It was like nothing he'd ever tasted before. Sweet and pleasing to not only his mouth, but also his entire body. He felt relaxed. like he was lying in a bed of feathers. All too soon that feeling subsided as Ithillin grabbed the bottle away from him. He protested and made a grab for the bottle as Ithillin drank some but Taranthuille snatched it away and took a large swig. Soon, the elves were fighting each other for tastes of the wine and before they knew it, it was gone. Legolas looked at the empty bottle in horror.
"My father will find out about this." he said in terror.
"So what? Who was he saving it for anyway? Could it have been for Lord Elrond? When was the last time he visited Mirkwood?" Ithillin snorted.
"Or Galadriel." Taranthuille tried. Ithillin and Taranthuille seemed to think this was enormously funny and began laughing merrily. Legolas tried to quiet them.
"Stop! If my father has returned. he'll hear us! Quiet!" Legolas pleaded. Ithillin and Taranthuille exchanged puzzled glances.
"You really are afraid he's going to find out?" Ithillin asked.
"Of course I am! My father was saving this wine for a special occasion. I only wanted us to take one sip each." Legolas started.
"Don't go blaming us, Legolas. You starting draining it too after your first sip." Taranthuille warned.
"Oh and your first "sip" wasn't any different? You drank half of the bottle in one go!" Legolas snarled.
"Are you trying to tell me it's my fault? I'm not the one who went behind my father's back and drank his wine." Taranthuille countered. Legolas was about to retort when a new voice came from the main entrance to the cellar.
"No, indeed you are not." The three elves turned to find Thranduil looking upon them with a saddened expression on his face.
"Father." Legolas gasped.
"King Thranduil!" Taranthuille and Ithillin yelped in unison.
"Legolas. tell me you have not done. what I think you have just done. with the last of the spirits of the first age." Thranduil asked. To this, Legolas could only bow his head in shame. "Taranthuille, Ithillin, you are both excused. Leave from here. I must speak with my son." Thranduil ordered. Taranthuille and Ithillin turned to give Legolas an apologetic look before they left the cellar.
"Legolas. I would like you to change into your robes and meet me in the banquet hall as soon as you can. We have guests." Thranduil said emotionlessly.
"Yes, father." Legolas still found he could not meet his father's gaze. As he walked out of the cellar and finally managed to get outside he felt as if his ribs were going to break under the pressure of this feeling of failure he held. After entering his room, he noticed that little Pippin the fox had left. 'Why did I do it? How can I ever. how can my father ever forgive me?' Legolas thought as he stripped off his clothing. 'Why am I such a child? I'm older than the way I've acted today. Why did he have to come back so soon? Why did we drink it all?' Finally, after dressing in his robes he began to walk very slowly to the banquet hall.
"Legolas. I am glad you have arrived finally." Thranduil said as Legolas entered the hall, still looking ashamed. "May I introduce you to the lady Celebrian. She is here on important business. Having come all the way from Valinor. I had hoped to share with her some of the wine I'd been saving." Thranduil said.
"Lady Celebrian.?" Legolas pondered. 'Hadn't she been. is this the same one?'
"Yes, Legolas. I am indeed the same one, as you so put it." Celebrian spoke, having heard his thoughts.
"Is Lord Elrond here as well?" Legolas asked.
"Yes. He is down in the cellar choosing the wine we will be drinking. I left that matter to him considering he has a much better understanding of the best of wines." Thranduil said.
"Thranduil, tell me. how is it your son emptied an entire bottle of spirits before consulting with you?" Elrond asked, walking over to them with two bottle of wine in his hands. His expression was that of anger and hurt. He seemed to know exactly how Legolas managed it, and he did not bother to hide his rage.
"My son's child-like behaviour is a mystery to even me. Perhaps he should explain himself." Thranduil offered. To this, Elrond raised one eyebrow in annoyance.
"You. Explain yourself. My wife, Celebrian, has journeyed far and has arrived here to discuss this matter with Thranduil. Thranduil informed me he had been saving his most prized wine for such an occasion. Why did you take it upon yourself to steal it? Answer me." Elrond asked of Legolas, who was now feeling quite out of place among such a host of important elves
"I. do not know." Legolas answered quietly.
"Indeed. Thranduil, I am disappointed in you. I came here to offer my knowledge on the matter at hand and this is how you repay me." Elrond said. Thranduil looked like he'd been stabbed.
"Lord Elrond. I assure you. this was not my intention." Thranduil stuttered.
"Elrond. do not blame Thranduil for his son's. behaviour. after all, we've known Thranduil for many years." Celebrian said. Elrond merely grimaced as a reply. He turned again to Legolas.
"I have yet to forgive you, child. Leave my sight. I must speak with your father and I do not need any more disappointments." Elrond said. Legolas bowed low and left without a word.
A/N: So? Do you like it so far? And as for 'The Matter At Hand' everyone is talking about, that will be revealed shortly. Also, if you want to know the tale of Bhrouhhinihrin I'll put it in the next chapter. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership for the works of Tolkien and I never will. I only hope his soul will forgive me for writing about his characters.
The Plan Set in Motion
By the time Legolas, Ithillin, and Taranthuille had managed to find the secret entrance it was midday. Legolas was severely criticized for the length of time he'd wasted by not leaving some kind of sign as to where the entrance was located.
"If I'd left anything to help me remember where the entrance was, I would have probably been found out by father!" Legolas argued.
"At least we would have been in and out of there before midday." Taranthuille added in a hushed whisper.
"Listen. If you don't agree with my methods you can leave now and I'll drink the wine from the First Age by myself." Legolas countered. Ithillin and Taranthuille immediately fell silent and allowed Legolas to continue. "Now, the trick to opening the door is. right. about. here." Legolas found what appeared to be a small fungus on the outside wall of Thranduil's cellar. "It's actually a carving. If you twist it gently like this." Legolas started when suddenly the door swung open with a loud clunk. "Ah, yes. I'd forgotten it made such a loud noise when opening." Legolas chuckled.
"Imbecile. We'll be lucky if your father didn't hear that." Taranthuille hissed.
"He's gone for a walk. I think he's been concerned about something lately. he hasn't been eating much and he's been singing less and less." Ithillin confessed.
"Ithillin! You're one of my father's favorite minstrels! When you sing a song, my father always sings with you!" Legolas said.
"Not lately. not even the tale of Bhrouhhinihrin will cheer him up." Ithillin sighed.
"The wandering centaur without a name. one of his favorites." Legolas noted. "I'm sure he'll be fine soon enough. Come, we've much work to do."
So the three friends set to work on not only entering the cellar, which was extremely crowded due to the love of wine that Legolas's father was known for, but finding the right wine. As Legolas pushed through the crates of ancient wood he noted the one he was looking for. Countless times he'd been asked to retrieve some spirits for guests and such and on one such occasion he'd stumbled upon an ancient bottle. It was from the first age and Legolas could not resist just leaving it there. It was covered with dust so Legolas deducted that his father must have simply forgotten about it. As he approached the ancient crate Ithillin brushed up against another crate that was stacked at an awkward angle. Taranthuille's face took on a look of horror as the crate began to wobble. and then it fell. Ithillin turned quickly to catch it and managed to keep it from hitting the ground. The wine bottles inside clinked around noisily.
"If you're planning on getting us caught, Ithillin, you're doing a wonderful job." Taranthuille snarled quietly.
"Quiet you too! Look." Legolas smiled as he lifted the bottle of First Age wine from the ancient crate. It was the only one left.
"Have you been drinking all of them, Legolas?" Ithillin asked.
"No. There never was much. my father only drank them on special occasions so he didn't keep too many. At least. I don't think he did." Legolas smiled. He carefully pulled the cork from the bottle. The aroma of the wine was overpowering. Taranthuille's tongue began to salivate. Ithillin's right hand began twitching. "Now we each take one sip and then we put it back, alright?" Legolas said seriously and then took a quick sip.
It was like nothing he'd ever tasted before. Sweet and pleasing to not only his mouth, but also his entire body. He felt relaxed. like he was lying in a bed of feathers. All too soon that feeling subsided as Ithillin grabbed the bottle away from him. He protested and made a grab for the bottle as Ithillin drank some but Taranthuille snatched it away and took a large swig. Soon, the elves were fighting each other for tastes of the wine and before they knew it, it was gone. Legolas looked at the empty bottle in horror.
"My father will find out about this." he said in terror.
"So what? Who was he saving it for anyway? Could it have been for Lord Elrond? When was the last time he visited Mirkwood?" Ithillin snorted.
"Or Galadriel." Taranthuille tried. Ithillin and Taranthuille seemed to think this was enormously funny and began laughing merrily. Legolas tried to quiet them.
"Stop! If my father has returned. he'll hear us! Quiet!" Legolas pleaded. Ithillin and Taranthuille exchanged puzzled glances.
"You really are afraid he's going to find out?" Ithillin asked.
"Of course I am! My father was saving this wine for a special occasion. I only wanted us to take one sip each." Legolas started.
"Don't go blaming us, Legolas. You starting draining it too after your first sip." Taranthuille warned.
"Oh and your first "sip" wasn't any different? You drank half of the bottle in one go!" Legolas snarled.
"Are you trying to tell me it's my fault? I'm not the one who went behind my father's back and drank his wine." Taranthuille countered. Legolas was about to retort when a new voice came from the main entrance to the cellar.
"No, indeed you are not." The three elves turned to find Thranduil looking upon them with a saddened expression on his face.
"Father." Legolas gasped.
"King Thranduil!" Taranthuille and Ithillin yelped in unison.
"Legolas. tell me you have not done. what I think you have just done. with the last of the spirits of the first age." Thranduil asked. To this, Legolas could only bow his head in shame. "Taranthuille, Ithillin, you are both excused. Leave from here. I must speak with my son." Thranduil ordered. Taranthuille and Ithillin turned to give Legolas an apologetic look before they left the cellar.
"Legolas. I would like you to change into your robes and meet me in the banquet hall as soon as you can. We have guests." Thranduil said emotionlessly.
"Yes, father." Legolas still found he could not meet his father's gaze. As he walked out of the cellar and finally managed to get outside he felt as if his ribs were going to break under the pressure of this feeling of failure he held. After entering his room, he noticed that little Pippin the fox had left. 'Why did I do it? How can I ever. how can my father ever forgive me?' Legolas thought as he stripped off his clothing. 'Why am I such a child? I'm older than the way I've acted today. Why did he have to come back so soon? Why did we drink it all?' Finally, after dressing in his robes he began to walk very slowly to the banquet hall.
"Legolas. I am glad you have arrived finally." Thranduil said as Legolas entered the hall, still looking ashamed. "May I introduce you to the lady Celebrian. She is here on important business. Having come all the way from Valinor. I had hoped to share with her some of the wine I'd been saving." Thranduil said.
"Lady Celebrian.?" Legolas pondered. 'Hadn't she been. is this the same one?'
"Yes, Legolas. I am indeed the same one, as you so put it." Celebrian spoke, having heard his thoughts.
"Is Lord Elrond here as well?" Legolas asked.
"Yes. He is down in the cellar choosing the wine we will be drinking. I left that matter to him considering he has a much better understanding of the best of wines." Thranduil said.
"Thranduil, tell me. how is it your son emptied an entire bottle of spirits before consulting with you?" Elrond asked, walking over to them with two bottle of wine in his hands. His expression was that of anger and hurt. He seemed to know exactly how Legolas managed it, and he did not bother to hide his rage.
"My son's child-like behaviour is a mystery to even me. Perhaps he should explain himself." Thranduil offered. To this, Elrond raised one eyebrow in annoyance.
"You. Explain yourself. My wife, Celebrian, has journeyed far and has arrived here to discuss this matter with Thranduil. Thranduil informed me he had been saving his most prized wine for such an occasion. Why did you take it upon yourself to steal it? Answer me." Elrond asked of Legolas, who was now feeling quite out of place among such a host of important elves
"I. do not know." Legolas answered quietly.
"Indeed. Thranduil, I am disappointed in you. I came here to offer my knowledge on the matter at hand and this is how you repay me." Elrond said. Thranduil looked like he'd been stabbed.
"Lord Elrond. I assure you. this was not my intention." Thranduil stuttered.
"Elrond. do not blame Thranduil for his son's. behaviour. after all, we've known Thranduil for many years." Celebrian said. Elrond merely grimaced as a reply. He turned again to Legolas.
"I have yet to forgive you, child. Leave my sight. I must speak with your father and I do not need any more disappointments." Elrond said. Legolas bowed low and left without a word.
A/N: So? Do you like it so far? And as for 'The Matter At Hand' everyone is talking about, that will be revealed shortly. Also, if you want to know the tale of Bhrouhhinihrin I'll put it in the next chapter. Thanks!