Chapter 4
The morning of the banquet dawned bright and clear, with not even a wisp of cloud to be seen in the early morning sky, and a shimmering heat haze hovering in the fresh air that was already warmed by the heat of the Midsummer sun.
"It appears that the weather is going to favour your celebration. I think it will be a clear, warm evening, judging by the by the brilliant blue of the sky today, and the brightness of the star shine last night," commented Thranduil as he and Legolas walked to the kitchen where breakfast was being served early to allow the cooks time to prepare the banquet.
"Did you sleep at all, or did you just stay awake all night watching the stars?" Legolas asked, as he affectionately clasped his father's shoulder. Taking Thranduil's slightly raised eyebrow to indicate the latter, he laughed merrily. "Well I hope your prediction about the weather is correct, for although we Elves would not be bothered by summer rain, I am certain that our guests would not appreciate it," said Legolas as he opened the door to the dining hall and ushered Thranduil inside. A respectful silence descended as the he entered, and all present rose and bowed to their King, who suddenly decided that such formality was rather incongruous in the very relaxed atmosphere of this realm. With a conspiratorial wink at his son, he cleared his throat and announced,
"Since I have your attention already, I hereby decree that normal courtly etiquette towards me is no longer to be observed. You may address me simply as 'Thranduil'. It is still required behaviour however, for the royal guests of Gondor who will be here this evening."
"I think Aragorn and Arwen will be here sooner than that, I am expecting them to arrive within the hour," said Legolas as he helped himself to some fresh fruit juice.
"I thought his name was now Elessar?"
"King Elessar he is to his subjects, but he still prefers to be called Aragorn by his friends," explained Legolas.
"I see. I suppose Gimli will also be here early? Will the other Dwarves be coming with him?" asked Thranduil, unable to decide on the sliced peaches or the fresh bread rolls and cheese and finally taking a serving of each.
"Yes, to both questions. If you wish to avoid them, I suggest you keep away from the stream that flows a short distance from here. They will be making their camp in a rather large cave that is nearby."
"I will keep that in mind. Now, on to something more important; I know you were not expecting me, and must have your own plans for the day, so is there anything I can do to help with the preparations?" Thranduil asked, glancing around to see the bustling activity that had already begun in the kitchen. Legolas frowned slightly, trying to think of something, but nothing came immediately to mind.
"I think everything is well in hand, Adar, why not just relax and enjoy the fair weather?" Thranduil looked doubtful, even an experienced banquet holder as himself often missed some important detail, and Legolas had, he suddenly realised.
"Everything, you say? Where are you setting up the pavilion for the ladies accompanying Aragorn and Prince Faramir?" Legolas looked utterly bewildered for a moment, a pavilion? Noticing his son's dilemma, Thranduil asked a rather pertinent question. "Surely you do not expect them to be able to climb up to the talans to refresh themselves, dressed as they will be in all their festive finery?"
"I had not thought of that," his son admitted. It was not normally a problem, for both Arwen and Eowyn loved climbing up to his talan. It would be difficult for ladies dressed in ball gowns to use the rope ladders, he realised, thinking of the gown, with its voluminous skirts, that Arwen had been wearing the last time he attended an official function in Minas Tirith. The maids of his community had no such problem, for they always wore lightweight dresses that enabled them to dance unhindered or to easily climb to their talans.
"Considering your lack of experience in preparing a banquet and the finer points of a lady's attire, it is not surprising. I will take on the task of seeing to their comfort. as soon as I have delivered the many letters and packages I was given to bring to various of your fellow settlers," offered Thranduil, with an almost elfling like eagerness.
"Thank you, Adar. Your presence here is not only pleasing, but also fortuitous. If you think of anything else I have forgotten to do, please feel free to rectify the situation," said Legolas sincerely grateful for the assistance. Just then the sound of a deep, gruff voice boomed across the clearing.
"Where is that crazy Elf? He better not have gone to the glade without me!" the Dwarf declared loudly, ignoring the amused smiles of tolerance of those around him; the Elves of Ithilien were quite used to such an outburst from their prince's friend.
"Ah, Gimli has arrived," said Legolas unnecessarily. He walked to the open window near where he was sitting and called loudly, "I am in the dining hall, Gimli, come and have some breakfast!" The Dwarf was slightly startled to see Thranduil also seated at the table, but he covered his surprise well by taking a place beside the King and casually enquiring if he had slept well.
"I had sufficient rest, thank you," replied Thranduil. "And you?"
"Slept like a stone!" Gimli laughed, amused by his own words. "Is Aragorn here yet, Legolas?" he asked as he helped himself to a large portion of scrambled eggs.
"No, but he will be here shortly," replied the Elf. "Where are the rest of your friends?"
"Setting up camp, I do not think they will venture into the settlement today, they have heard your father is here," Gimli said looking slightly embarrassed and trying to avoid Thranduil's displeased glare.
"You may inform the Dwarves that I intend to have absolutely nothing to do with them," he said coldly, his demeanour making him appear like the Sindarin warrior he had once been, emanating an aura of majestic and absolute power. "However, you may also warn them that I will not tolerate any interference with our celebrations, nor any disrespectful behaviour towards my son or his guests, myself included! Now, if you will both excuse me, I will see to the matters we were discussing earlier," he said Legolas. As he stormed out of the room, he did not even notice that all activity had ceased and there had been utter silence as the Elves watched their King display his awesome power.
"My father was right, the Elvenking can be very intimidating when he chooses," said Gimli.
"It was no idle threat, all the Elves here will support any action he might take," said Legolas seriously. "I think we had best make sure there is no reason for a confrontation between your friends and my father, or our efforts at rekindling a friendship between our races will be in vain."
"Have no fear, we will behave, even if just to spite your father," said Gimli with a wicked smile. "So how is your 'surprise entertainment' coming along? Have you finished it yet?"
"My part is complete. I just need your and Aragorn's additions. Come and see how you like it so far," he offered. Legolas watched with some amusement as Gimli climbed his wooden ladder, but when he saw the Dwarf's foot slip on the rung, he reached out with elvish reflexes and hauled him onto the talan.
"I warned you the rungs would become slippery," Legolas said as he poured the Dwarf a glass of wine to ease his shattered nerves. Gimli proceeded to down it in a single gulp.
"And I told you Dwarves were not meant to climb trees! Perhaps we should both heed each other's advice in future," suggested Gimli raising his glass offering a toast to the notion. Legolas did likewise and they both laughed as they heard Aragorn's voice below, as he spoke to Arwen,
"That elf we just passed was Thranduil, I tell you. I have known him for many years, there is no mistaking him," he insisted.
"Are you sure? He certainly looked a lot like Legolas," replied an equally adamant Arwen.
"Hah!" exclaimed Gimli, "Even Arwen made the same mistake, and she at least has seen him on many prior occasions."
"I must go down there and greet them, are you coming?" Legolas asked, guessing correctly that Gimli would prefer to stay where he was.
"Are you insane? After the trouble I just had climbing up here?" Gimli asked, refusing to let the Elf's teasing bother him. The Dwarf walked over to the edge and peered down to where Aragorn and Arwen were waiting. "Hello, you two," he called over the edge of the talan just as Legolas nimbly jumped and landed beside Arwen.
"Was that Thranduil I saw over by the dining hall?" Aragorn asked as Arwen reached up to kiss Legolas' cheek by way of greeting.
"Yes, he arrived unexpectedly yesterday. Ask Gimli to tell you the tale of how they met, it is quite amusing," said Legolas, ignoring the scowl he could feel boring into his back from the talan above.
"Later, perhaps," he replied, waving a scroll under Legolas' nose. "I am eager for you to see the finished product. You will excuse us, my love?" he asked, gently brushing his lips across the back of his wife's hand.
"Of course," replied Arwen who had her own plans for the day. The Queen of Gondor was a regular visitor to Legolas' community, and had quickly made several friends. "I will see you all later," she said, 'I am eager to visit with my friends," she said, waving to a group of elf maids who were walking in the direction of the glade. On seeing their friend, they stopped and waited for her, greeting her warmly with hugs and much laughter.
Legolas and Aragorn quickly climbed the rope ladder and soon the three friends were deeply engrossed in perusal and discussion of Aragorn's scrolls and the ones of his own that Legolas retrieved from his study. After several hours, they had completed their work and were highly satisfied with the result and had retired to the armchairs Legolas had made to suit their individual physiques.
"It will be a fitting finale to the evening," said Legolas, leaning back casually into his chair and casting his eyes over the final work once more.
"Yes, it will," agreed Aragorn as he leisurely sipped his wine and asked in as innocent tone as he could muster, "Now Gimli, will you kindly tell me how you came to meet Thranduil.. and survived?"
The morning of the banquet dawned bright and clear, with not even a wisp of cloud to be seen in the early morning sky, and a shimmering heat haze hovering in the fresh air that was already warmed by the heat of the Midsummer sun.
"It appears that the weather is going to favour your celebration. I think it will be a clear, warm evening, judging by the by the brilliant blue of the sky today, and the brightness of the star shine last night," commented Thranduil as he and Legolas walked to the kitchen where breakfast was being served early to allow the cooks time to prepare the banquet.
"Did you sleep at all, or did you just stay awake all night watching the stars?" Legolas asked, as he affectionately clasped his father's shoulder. Taking Thranduil's slightly raised eyebrow to indicate the latter, he laughed merrily. "Well I hope your prediction about the weather is correct, for although we Elves would not be bothered by summer rain, I am certain that our guests would not appreciate it," said Legolas as he opened the door to the dining hall and ushered Thranduil inside. A respectful silence descended as the he entered, and all present rose and bowed to their King, who suddenly decided that such formality was rather incongruous in the very relaxed atmosphere of this realm. With a conspiratorial wink at his son, he cleared his throat and announced,
"Since I have your attention already, I hereby decree that normal courtly etiquette towards me is no longer to be observed. You may address me simply as 'Thranduil'. It is still required behaviour however, for the royal guests of Gondor who will be here this evening."
"I think Aragorn and Arwen will be here sooner than that, I am expecting them to arrive within the hour," said Legolas as he helped himself to some fresh fruit juice.
"I thought his name was now Elessar?"
"King Elessar he is to his subjects, but he still prefers to be called Aragorn by his friends," explained Legolas.
"I see. I suppose Gimli will also be here early? Will the other Dwarves be coming with him?" asked Thranduil, unable to decide on the sliced peaches or the fresh bread rolls and cheese and finally taking a serving of each.
"Yes, to both questions. If you wish to avoid them, I suggest you keep away from the stream that flows a short distance from here. They will be making their camp in a rather large cave that is nearby."
"I will keep that in mind. Now, on to something more important; I know you were not expecting me, and must have your own plans for the day, so is there anything I can do to help with the preparations?" Thranduil asked, glancing around to see the bustling activity that had already begun in the kitchen. Legolas frowned slightly, trying to think of something, but nothing came immediately to mind.
"I think everything is well in hand, Adar, why not just relax and enjoy the fair weather?" Thranduil looked doubtful, even an experienced banquet holder as himself often missed some important detail, and Legolas had, he suddenly realised.
"Everything, you say? Where are you setting up the pavilion for the ladies accompanying Aragorn and Prince Faramir?" Legolas looked utterly bewildered for a moment, a pavilion? Noticing his son's dilemma, Thranduil asked a rather pertinent question. "Surely you do not expect them to be able to climb up to the talans to refresh themselves, dressed as they will be in all their festive finery?"
"I had not thought of that," his son admitted. It was not normally a problem, for both Arwen and Eowyn loved climbing up to his talan. It would be difficult for ladies dressed in ball gowns to use the rope ladders, he realised, thinking of the gown, with its voluminous skirts, that Arwen had been wearing the last time he attended an official function in Minas Tirith. The maids of his community had no such problem, for they always wore lightweight dresses that enabled them to dance unhindered or to easily climb to their talans.
"Considering your lack of experience in preparing a banquet and the finer points of a lady's attire, it is not surprising. I will take on the task of seeing to their comfort. as soon as I have delivered the many letters and packages I was given to bring to various of your fellow settlers," offered Thranduil, with an almost elfling like eagerness.
"Thank you, Adar. Your presence here is not only pleasing, but also fortuitous. If you think of anything else I have forgotten to do, please feel free to rectify the situation," said Legolas sincerely grateful for the assistance. Just then the sound of a deep, gruff voice boomed across the clearing.
"Where is that crazy Elf? He better not have gone to the glade without me!" the Dwarf declared loudly, ignoring the amused smiles of tolerance of those around him; the Elves of Ithilien were quite used to such an outburst from their prince's friend.
"Ah, Gimli has arrived," said Legolas unnecessarily. He walked to the open window near where he was sitting and called loudly, "I am in the dining hall, Gimli, come and have some breakfast!" The Dwarf was slightly startled to see Thranduil also seated at the table, but he covered his surprise well by taking a place beside the King and casually enquiring if he had slept well.
"I had sufficient rest, thank you," replied Thranduil. "And you?"
"Slept like a stone!" Gimli laughed, amused by his own words. "Is Aragorn here yet, Legolas?" he asked as he helped himself to a large portion of scrambled eggs.
"No, but he will be here shortly," replied the Elf. "Where are the rest of your friends?"
"Setting up camp, I do not think they will venture into the settlement today, they have heard your father is here," Gimli said looking slightly embarrassed and trying to avoid Thranduil's displeased glare.
"You may inform the Dwarves that I intend to have absolutely nothing to do with them," he said coldly, his demeanour making him appear like the Sindarin warrior he had once been, emanating an aura of majestic and absolute power. "However, you may also warn them that I will not tolerate any interference with our celebrations, nor any disrespectful behaviour towards my son or his guests, myself included! Now, if you will both excuse me, I will see to the matters we were discussing earlier," he said Legolas. As he stormed out of the room, he did not even notice that all activity had ceased and there had been utter silence as the Elves watched their King display his awesome power.
"My father was right, the Elvenking can be very intimidating when he chooses," said Gimli.
"It was no idle threat, all the Elves here will support any action he might take," said Legolas seriously. "I think we had best make sure there is no reason for a confrontation between your friends and my father, or our efforts at rekindling a friendship between our races will be in vain."
"Have no fear, we will behave, even if just to spite your father," said Gimli with a wicked smile. "So how is your 'surprise entertainment' coming along? Have you finished it yet?"
"My part is complete. I just need your and Aragorn's additions. Come and see how you like it so far," he offered. Legolas watched with some amusement as Gimli climbed his wooden ladder, but when he saw the Dwarf's foot slip on the rung, he reached out with elvish reflexes and hauled him onto the talan.
"I warned you the rungs would become slippery," Legolas said as he poured the Dwarf a glass of wine to ease his shattered nerves. Gimli proceeded to down it in a single gulp.
"And I told you Dwarves were not meant to climb trees! Perhaps we should both heed each other's advice in future," suggested Gimli raising his glass offering a toast to the notion. Legolas did likewise and they both laughed as they heard Aragorn's voice below, as he spoke to Arwen,
"That elf we just passed was Thranduil, I tell you. I have known him for many years, there is no mistaking him," he insisted.
"Are you sure? He certainly looked a lot like Legolas," replied an equally adamant Arwen.
"Hah!" exclaimed Gimli, "Even Arwen made the same mistake, and she at least has seen him on many prior occasions."
"I must go down there and greet them, are you coming?" Legolas asked, guessing correctly that Gimli would prefer to stay where he was.
"Are you insane? After the trouble I just had climbing up here?" Gimli asked, refusing to let the Elf's teasing bother him. The Dwarf walked over to the edge and peered down to where Aragorn and Arwen were waiting. "Hello, you two," he called over the edge of the talan just as Legolas nimbly jumped and landed beside Arwen.
"Was that Thranduil I saw over by the dining hall?" Aragorn asked as Arwen reached up to kiss Legolas' cheek by way of greeting.
"Yes, he arrived unexpectedly yesterday. Ask Gimli to tell you the tale of how they met, it is quite amusing," said Legolas, ignoring the scowl he could feel boring into his back from the talan above.
"Later, perhaps," he replied, waving a scroll under Legolas' nose. "I am eager for you to see the finished product. You will excuse us, my love?" he asked, gently brushing his lips across the back of his wife's hand.
"Of course," replied Arwen who had her own plans for the day. The Queen of Gondor was a regular visitor to Legolas' community, and had quickly made several friends. "I will see you all later," she said, 'I am eager to visit with my friends," she said, waving to a group of elf maids who were walking in the direction of the glade. On seeing their friend, they stopped and waited for her, greeting her warmly with hugs and much laughter.
Legolas and Aragorn quickly climbed the rope ladder and soon the three friends were deeply engrossed in perusal and discussion of Aragorn's scrolls and the ones of his own that Legolas retrieved from his study. After several hours, they had completed their work and were highly satisfied with the result and had retired to the armchairs Legolas had made to suit their individual physiques.
"It will be a fitting finale to the evening," said Legolas, leaning back casually into his chair and casting his eyes over the final work once more.
"Yes, it will," agreed Aragorn as he leisurely sipped his wine and asked in as innocent tone as he could muster, "Now Gimli, will you kindly tell me how you came to meet Thranduil.. and survived?"