Author's Note: There's kind a twist to the end of this part. I was in kind of a crude, humorous mood while I was writing this, so I may not keep the ending; but tell me what you think. On a side note, sorry for the absence. Life has a bad habit of getting busy when you're on a roll.
The Hall of Kings was empty as Legolas had hoped. The Mirkwood youth had agreed to take Haldir on a tour of Mirkwood, first showing him the river and the woods, and finally the Hall of Kings.
The two elves strolled through the great hall after the evening meal talking of light issues and of the plans for the next few days. Thranduil had to be approached delicately about matters between Lorien and Mirkwood. This was not something to be rushed. Legolas agreed to approach his father first, and if all went well, Haldir would follow up with a visit of his own.
"This is beautiful…" Haldir remarked, stopping in the middle of the hall. "Never did I predict I'd see a place as beautiful as Lorien…and here is Mirkwood." Haldir smiled ruefully at his friend. "Though, I am biased, Mirkwood is certainly beautiful."
The hall stood empty save for the two elves. Enormous pillars stretched from floor to ceiling, parallel to spiraling staircases leading to to other rooms. Swords and weaponry owned by past kings lined one wall, ornate fabrics and writings lined the other. Haldir moved toward the first to admire one of the blades, pale eyes admiring the elven craftsmanship.
Legolas smiled as though satisfied. "Indeed. But you've only seen half of it. Come, on to bed for the both of us. We have much to do tomorrow."
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"Father…." Legolas sighed disgustedly. "Do you not think this silly feud between Mirkwood and Lorien has gone on long enough??"
"Legolas…how many times have I told you? You must always use our name last."
The youth suppressed another sigh. "Lorien and Mirkwood then." Thranduil was silent for a moment, making his son wonder if he had forgotten the question. "Legolas…you know little of the conflicts between Lorien and Mirkwood." Thranduil said at last. "This has been going on for hundreds of years, and every time we come close to peace, Lorien does something to hinder the process!"
Legolas bit back a reply. "Father…" he said, straining for patience. "I think the fault is on both sides--"
Thranduil looked up sharply and Legolas wisely cut himself off. "I will hear no more of this. Legolas, please…" Thranduil rubbed a temple and sighed. "There is little I can do for Mirkwood or Lorien. I have given up trying to make peace."
"Father, you've done so little--"
"Legolas, enough!" Thranduil snapped in a rare show of annoyance. "You are dismissed."
~
Legolas shut the door quietly before storming down the hall. Haldir met him halfway.
"Well??"
"My father is an ass!" Legolas snapped, continuing past the Lorien elf and bursting out onto the street. Haldir couldn't supress a laugh.
"So much for Elven ettiquette! I take it your father rejected your ideas?"
"Without even a second thought! He can be so….stubborn!" Legolas fumed and paced in front of the stairs of the hall they'd just exited.
"Perhaps if I spoke to him?"
"I think not. Not now anyway." Legolas paused, his face serious. "Haldir, mellon-nin, as much as I hate to ask you, I think it would be best if you returned to Lorien. I fear any further efforts would be in vain."
Haldir nodded. "I understand…but are you sure there is nothing more you or I could do?"
"I think not. We should leave early in the morning."
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Just as before Haldir and Legolas rode in single file, Haldir's cloak pulled up over his face and Legolas leading him on his horse. As soon as they were clear of the Mirkwood boundaries, Haldir removed the shroud and put the thin garment in a saddlebag. The pair broke into a trot, then a canter and were soon flying over the fields as though they were young again, racing one another. They reached the bank of the river and the pair dismounted.
"This is where we must part." Legolas said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Father has instructed me to go only as far as here."
Haldir nodded. "I'm sorry my visit wasn't as successful as we both had hoped. Perhaps you and I will live to see the peace between our kinds. I'm glad our friendship has survived the feud. I'll send my friend Alana with word of my arrival--" Haldir cut himself off suddenly.
"Haldir..?"
"Alana…Legolas! I'm brilliant!" Haldir looked up at the sky as though saying a prayer. "I have an idea! I'll send Alana to meet with your father!"
Legolas looked doubtful. "You're going to send a mere girl to consult my father?"
"Ah, but this is no ordinary girl. She's a Lorien elf and a friend of mine. She can be very….convincing at times…" Haldir smirked evilly. "Trust me, Legolas. I'll send her back with a word from me in a few days."
The doubt still not erased from his face, Legolas sighed. "I think you're losing your mind, my friend, but at the moment, we're running out of options. Ride well."
Haldir smiled and mounted his horse. "Crazy yes. However, Helm's Deep was crazy, and you still made it out alive.."