Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Chapter 4. The Storm Breaks
Elladan and Elrohir had spent much of the journey in quiet conversation, trying to decide on the best way to approach Thranduil. Neither elf was afraid of his imposing presence but from previous encounters they knew him to be stubborn and arrogant. "I say we take the direct approach," decided Elladan "there is no need for niceties and I have no intention of pandering to his ego."
"I think you have the right idea" replied Elrohir "but perhaps you should let me do the talking, you are just as likely to lose your temper. We do not want to end up locked in the dungeons, now do we?" Legolas overheard that last remark and laughed at the idea,
"Not even King Thranduil of Mirkwood would dare do such a thing to the grandsons of the Lady Galadriel"
********* Mirkwood loomed ever nearer, it seemed the trees were beckoning to him and Legolas realised that he had been away too long. He was a Wood Elf and part of his inner light was linked to the life force in the trees. As he rode beneath the canopy at the entrance to the forest, he noticed a little more light filtered through the branches, and he listened to the voice of the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves whispering "Welcome home." The elves from Rivendell who formed the hunting party noticed only that Legolas' natural light shone more brightly once he was among the trees.
Suddenly they stopped, their keen elven senses detecting someone moving in the trees, following them. "Do not be concerned, we are in no danger of attack, at least, not from the trees," Legolas said to the others. He whistled a signal which was answered from somewhere above him, "they are just the guards on their daily border patrols. Let us proceed."
They arrived at the gates of the palace without further incident and were greeted by Thranduil's steward. He was to escort them to the guest rooms and informed them that the King would greet them at the evening meal. Bowing to Legolas he said, "Welcome home, Your Highness. Your father wishes to see you, he is in his chambers."
Thranduil rose from the armchair in which he had been seated as Legolas entered the room. "It is good to see you," he said walking over to embrace his son "I have missed you." Legolas was surprised at such a display of affection especially since he had only been gone for a few weeks.
"I missed you, too. Are you well, Father?" he asked.
"Yes, I am well. Tell me, how was your stay at Rivendell? Did you manage to teach young Arwen how to shoot?" he asked. They spent the rest of the afternoon in pleasant conversation, discussing the news and events of the past weeks. Finally Legolas stood and headed for the door,
"I think I should go make myself more presentable before dinner. I shall see you later Father." Thranduil belatedly noticed his son's unkempt appearance and smiled,
"Yes, that would be a very good idea."
*******
The evening meal was a very quiet affair, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and the food and wine were excellent. Thranduil seemed to be in such good spirits that Elladan deemed it an opportune time to broach the subject of the orc hunt.
"Sire, I have a request to make" he began respectfully. Thranduil looked at him warily but indicated for him to continue, "will you give Legolas permission to travel with our hunting party. I am sure you will agree he is now ready for such a venture."
The room fell silent; everyone in Mirkwood could not help but know of Thranduil's thoughts on this matter, the past arguments between father and son still echoed through the halls of the palace. Legolas paled visibly and Elrohir groaned inwardly as the King replied in a voice taut with anger and as cold as ice,
"You presume too much, son of Elrond. This is not a matter for public discussion. I will see you and your brother in my chambers immediately. Legolas, you come too!" He ordered as he stormed out of the dining hall.
"Why did you do that? I told you I would speak to Thranduil!" Elrohir was furious with his brother. Elladan was at a loss for words, he could not believe he had misjudged Thranduil's reaction so badly.
"I wouldn't keep my father waiting if I were you," advised Legolas as he made to follow the King.
******
The three younger elves entered the King's chambers silently and stood waiting for him to speak. He turned to face them, anger flashing like lightening in his eyes,
"Legolas, did you put them up to this? You know my feelings on this subject."
"No he did not," Elrohir answered before Legolas had a chance to speak. "With all due respect, King Thranduil, Legolas has proven himself to be a capable warrior and is probably the best archer in Mirkwood and Rivendell combined. He would be of enormous value to us as a hunter."
Thranduil was not the least bit impressed, "he is also the Prince of Mirkwood and he cannot afford to risk his life on one of your hunts." The truth of the matter was that Thranduil loved his son dearly and did not want to lose him, he wanted to keep him safe from danger.
"My lord" said Elladan with a steel edge to his voice, "surely you realise that if the Dark Lord is allowed to regain his power, even Mirkwood will suffer the same fate as the rest of Middle Earth."
"Of course I know" hissed Thranduil "the warriors of Mirkwood, including Legolas, have fought many battles with orcs and other fell creatures in order to keep our realm and Middle Earth safe."
"Yes," agreed Elrohir, speaking with compassion and conviction "but he has fought only within the confines of the forest. If what the Lady Galadriel says is true, the final battle with Sauron will be at his gates. Do you not think it would be wisest for your son to gain some battle experience in the open country outside of Mirkwood now, before the war begins? We will be meeting with Haldir, who as you know is well experienced in warfare and has trained many fine warriors over the centuries".
"What say you Legolas?" Thranduil turned to his son who had been listening in awe to the power behind Elrohir and Elladan's words. It was a side of his friends he had not seen before, they were becoming great elf lords in their own right. Elrohir had made a great deal of sense thought Legolas and they both had given him the confidence to speak his mind,
"Father, I know that you only wish to protect me, but you cannot do so forever. I am the Prince of Mirkwood and as such I should do all in my power to ensure that I can protect my people. I have a feeling that I will do more than just face a few orcs in the war that is yet to come, but I am inexperienced in the ways of fighting battles in the mountains, and on the open plains. The best way you can protect me is to allow me this chance to learn, for the more experience I have in small battles, the greater will be my chances of surviving the war."
"Your point is well argued," conceded Thranduil reluctantly. He was very impressed with the maturity Legolas had exhibited and he knew that Elrond's sons spoke wisely. "Very well, you have my permission to go."
Chapter 4. The Storm Breaks
Elladan and Elrohir had spent much of the journey in quiet conversation, trying to decide on the best way to approach Thranduil. Neither elf was afraid of his imposing presence but from previous encounters they knew him to be stubborn and arrogant. "I say we take the direct approach," decided Elladan "there is no need for niceties and I have no intention of pandering to his ego."
"I think you have the right idea" replied Elrohir "but perhaps you should let me do the talking, you are just as likely to lose your temper. We do not want to end up locked in the dungeons, now do we?" Legolas overheard that last remark and laughed at the idea,
"Not even King Thranduil of Mirkwood would dare do such a thing to the grandsons of the Lady Galadriel"
********* Mirkwood loomed ever nearer, it seemed the trees were beckoning to him and Legolas realised that he had been away too long. He was a Wood Elf and part of his inner light was linked to the life force in the trees. As he rode beneath the canopy at the entrance to the forest, he noticed a little more light filtered through the branches, and he listened to the voice of the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves whispering "Welcome home." The elves from Rivendell who formed the hunting party noticed only that Legolas' natural light shone more brightly once he was among the trees.
Suddenly they stopped, their keen elven senses detecting someone moving in the trees, following them. "Do not be concerned, we are in no danger of attack, at least, not from the trees," Legolas said to the others. He whistled a signal which was answered from somewhere above him, "they are just the guards on their daily border patrols. Let us proceed."
They arrived at the gates of the palace without further incident and were greeted by Thranduil's steward. He was to escort them to the guest rooms and informed them that the King would greet them at the evening meal. Bowing to Legolas he said, "Welcome home, Your Highness. Your father wishes to see you, he is in his chambers."
Thranduil rose from the armchair in which he had been seated as Legolas entered the room. "It is good to see you," he said walking over to embrace his son "I have missed you." Legolas was surprised at such a display of affection especially since he had only been gone for a few weeks.
"I missed you, too. Are you well, Father?" he asked.
"Yes, I am well. Tell me, how was your stay at Rivendell? Did you manage to teach young Arwen how to shoot?" he asked. They spent the rest of the afternoon in pleasant conversation, discussing the news and events of the past weeks. Finally Legolas stood and headed for the door,
"I think I should go make myself more presentable before dinner. I shall see you later Father." Thranduil belatedly noticed his son's unkempt appearance and smiled,
"Yes, that would be a very good idea."
*******
The evening meal was a very quiet affair, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and the food and wine were excellent. Thranduil seemed to be in such good spirits that Elladan deemed it an opportune time to broach the subject of the orc hunt.
"Sire, I have a request to make" he began respectfully. Thranduil looked at him warily but indicated for him to continue, "will you give Legolas permission to travel with our hunting party. I am sure you will agree he is now ready for such a venture."
The room fell silent; everyone in Mirkwood could not help but know of Thranduil's thoughts on this matter, the past arguments between father and son still echoed through the halls of the palace. Legolas paled visibly and Elrohir groaned inwardly as the King replied in a voice taut with anger and as cold as ice,
"You presume too much, son of Elrond. This is not a matter for public discussion. I will see you and your brother in my chambers immediately. Legolas, you come too!" He ordered as he stormed out of the dining hall.
"Why did you do that? I told you I would speak to Thranduil!" Elrohir was furious with his brother. Elladan was at a loss for words, he could not believe he had misjudged Thranduil's reaction so badly.
"I wouldn't keep my father waiting if I were you," advised Legolas as he made to follow the King.
******
The three younger elves entered the King's chambers silently and stood waiting for him to speak. He turned to face them, anger flashing like lightening in his eyes,
"Legolas, did you put them up to this? You know my feelings on this subject."
"No he did not," Elrohir answered before Legolas had a chance to speak. "With all due respect, King Thranduil, Legolas has proven himself to be a capable warrior and is probably the best archer in Mirkwood and Rivendell combined. He would be of enormous value to us as a hunter."
Thranduil was not the least bit impressed, "he is also the Prince of Mirkwood and he cannot afford to risk his life on one of your hunts." The truth of the matter was that Thranduil loved his son dearly and did not want to lose him, he wanted to keep him safe from danger.
"My lord" said Elladan with a steel edge to his voice, "surely you realise that if the Dark Lord is allowed to regain his power, even Mirkwood will suffer the same fate as the rest of Middle Earth."
"Of course I know" hissed Thranduil "the warriors of Mirkwood, including Legolas, have fought many battles with orcs and other fell creatures in order to keep our realm and Middle Earth safe."
"Yes," agreed Elrohir, speaking with compassion and conviction "but he has fought only within the confines of the forest. If what the Lady Galadriel says is true, the final battle with Sauron will be at his gates. Do you not think it would be wisest for your son to gain some battle experience in the open country outside of Mirkwood now, before the war begins? We will be meeting with Haldir, who as you know is well experienced in warfare and has trained many fine warriors over the centuries".
"What say you Legolas?" Thranduil turned to his son who had been listening in awe to the power behind Elrohir and Elladan's words. It was a side of his friends he had not seen before, they were becoming great elf lords in their own right. Elrohir had made a great deal of sense thought Legolas and they both had given him the confidence to speak his mind,
"Father, I know that you only wish to protect me, but you cannot do so forever. I am the Prince of Mirkwood and as such I should do all in my power to ensure that I can protect my people. I have a feeling that I will do more than just face a few orcs in the war that is yet to come, but I am inexperienced in the ways of fighting battles in the mountains, and on the open plains. The best way you can protect me is to allow me this chance to learn, for the more experience I have in small battles, the greater will be my chances of surviving the war."
"Your point is well argued," conceded Thranduil reluctantly. He was very impressed with the maturity Legolas had exhibited and he knew that Elrond's sons spoke wisely. "Very well, you have my permission to go."