Legolas Greenleaf: Agent of MESS
:::::::::::::::::::
Disclaimer: Legolas Greenleaf and associated characters belong to JRR Tolkien. Legolas' appearance belongs to Orlando Bloom in a wig. The James Bond concept was created by Ian Fleming. A few odd characters and moments belong elsewhere.
Author's Notes: Again, I should explain that I have borrowed certain attitudes from Fleming's books. Feminists (or any female with a sense of self-respect), please don't hate me. Bond's attitude (by way of excuse) is portrayed wonderfully (if in a completely sexist way) in this quote from Casino Royale:
"And now there was this pest of a girl. He sighed. Women were for recreation. On a job, they got in the way and fogged things up with sex and hurt feelings and all the emotional baggage they carried around. One had to look out for them and take care of them."
And I seem to have noticed that no one much seems to like this fic much. Thanks go to Julia for being my one reviewer! If you don't like something, please let me know. Or is it just that Ffn has got really quiet round here?
:::::::::::::::::::
Chapter 3. Arrival In Edoras.
:::::::::::::::::::
An uneventful journey led Greenleaf to Edoras, a kingdom some way South of Lothlorien. To its North-western borders was the stronghold of Isengard, and the tower of Saruman. Ever mindful of the wizard's presence at his borders, King Theoden welcomed Greenleaf's arrival and had indicated to MESS that he would be glad to assist, as long as there was no threat to his people. The hilltop settlement was full of men, women, children and animals, and Theoden knew that they would never survive a prolonged onslaught from Saruman's forces.
The King had, however, sent spies to Isengard. The ones who had returned reported to Greenleaf, telling him of their discoveries. There was not much that they could tell him, merely that Saruman was forming his own army, though they didn't know how or where from. The wizard called it the Army (Republic) of Saruman the Excellent, or ARSE for short. The army's numbers were apparently increasing by the day, though the spies had never seen them; only found evidence of their movements. This gave much concern to the old King. He had the settlement's walls strengthened and doubled his security, with armed warriors standing guard around the walls at all times.
Greenleaf noticed all this as he walked through, and he also noticed how heads turned as he passed, thinking that maybe he should have worn a hat or hood. It would have hidden his hair and ears at least; if not his unusually fair skin, which would still pick him out among the people. Elves were not common around these mountains. Too many rocks, too little trees. You were more likely to find Dwarves here than Elves, Greenleaf thought with a snort.
He had been given quarters in the Golden Hall, a classy building that was all gilt and rich decorations. The flag, a rearing horse on a green background, fluttered in the wind, pulled this way and that. The guards at the door were taciturn, nodding faintly as Greenleaf sauntered past. He wasn't sure how they liked his being there, but so far all the soldiers and people had been courteous and polite. But he knew that there would be some resentment; he was an outsider and an Elf, both reasons enough to earn people's distrust. Perhaps they were hoping that he could rid their borders of Saruman and his army. Greenleaf just wanted to get the ring and get out, as he had been told to do.
His room was on the East side, a large airy place with tall windows. Greenleaf was glad, as he preferred not to feel cooped up. Casually, he bent down and reached into his pack, taking out a small glass. He moved around the room, running the sphere up and down the walls. Satisfied that there were no listening devices in the room, he replaced it in his back and sat on the bed to pull his boots off. U had warned him of one of Saruman's latest tricks, which consisted of enchanting insects to relay what they had heard, then sending these bugs to keep an ear on events elsewhere in Middle Earth. The glass sphere was spelled to detect the bugs, and Greenleaf would re-check his room regularly. Now though he stretched out on his bed to rest. It had been a long and arduous journey and he wanted to be fresh for the formal meal he had been asked to attend that evening.
:::::::::::::::::::
It was nearly dark when he woke; the familiar stars were just beginning to shine through. Blinking his eyes, he washed his face in the water from the pitcher on the washstand, sluicing away any dust left from his travelling. He dressed smartly in deep blue tunic and leggings, smoothing down the fabric carefully. He neatened his hair before walking out of the room.
He walked with a purposeful stride towards the dining hall. Halfway there, he met King Theoden making his own way to supper. Though progressing in his years, the white-haired man was still lively and vigorous, possessing a youthful energy. He smiled as he saw the Elf.
"Good evening, Mr Greenleaf," he greeted him.
"Good evening, your highness," Green leaf replied. As an Elf he had no obligation to defer to mortal royalty, but he felt it was polite, being as he was staying in his hall. Greenleaf was in fact a prince in his own right, but with his work in MESS he chose not to use his title, preferring the relative anonymity of being an ordinary Elf. His early life had been fairly secluded in Mirkwood, therefore his status as royalty was not well- known outside the wood.
"Were my spies' reports useful?" the King asked as they walked together down the corridor.
"Yes, though I would like to go there myself."
"Well, occasionally he has guests for dinner in Orthanc. He'll probably invite you soon when he hears there's an Elf here." Theoden paused and rolled his eyes. "Which he has undoubtedly."
Greenleaf raised an eyebrow. "He has spies here?"
"In a way," Theoden said, shrugging his shoulders, "I'm sure he keeps an eye on us somehow, probably through his magics."
"It wouldn't surprise me," Greenleaf commented, remembering U's information about the bugs.
The pair entered the dining hall where a long table had been set up down the centre. Benches flanked the lower end of it, providing seating for the lower orders. They all stood as their King entered. He smiled and nodded, acknowledging their respectful gesture before waving them to sit again. With Greenleaf, he walked up the hall to the other end of the table, where benches gave way to seats. Theoden sat at the head of the table, indicating that the Elf should sit in a seat to his left. Servants immediately hurried forward with food.
Greenleaf looked across the table to meet a fascinating pair of blue eyes. Giving the owner of the eyes a glance over, the Elf was fairly impressed with what he saw. The face they were set in was beautiful yet determined. A high forehead was surmounted with long blonde hair, which had the slightest of auburn among its waves. The maiden wore a white dress, under which firm breasts pushed up promisingly. Theoden introduced her.
"This is my niece, Eowyn," he said, "Eowyn, this is Legolas Greenleaf."
"Delighted to meet you, Legolas," Eowyn said, eyeing the handsome Elf.
"Equally so," Greenleaf replied, bowing his head courteously. This brought a flush to her cheek, and her eyelashes fluttered momentarily. A faint cough came from the man at her elbow, drawing Greenleaf's attention. The cougher was a small pale man, made smaller by his hunched posture. His hair was black, greasy and stringy, dangling just above his food.
"Grima," he offered by way of introduction, "chief advisor to his majesty." He blinked slowly in an almost reptilian way. "It is unusual to see an Elf here."
"I'm travelling," Greenleaf answered, using his cover explanation," I have much desired to visit these parts. I am planning to make my way to Fangorn Forest soon, to see the trees."
Grima made a small noise. "Of course," he said, "it is well known that Elves have a certain," here he paused delicately, "affinity for the woods."
Greenleaf's eyes narrowed faintly. He sensed that this man wasn't being friendly. "I am a Wood Elf," he replied, "my kind are particularly connected to the trees."
Seeming to notice the tension between the two, Eowyn stepped into the conversation.
"I have never met one of your kind," she said, "though I have heard many tales. Tell me, are they all true?"
"It depends what you've heard," Green leaf answered, his eyes twinkling. Eowyn laughed, and her cheeks dimpled.
They continued to talk throughout the meal, occasionally flirting to the apparent disapproval of Grima. It was mostly small talk, though imbued with a certain amount of interest in each. This was, however, mostly one-sided on Eowyn's side, as Greenleaf had only a passing interest in the lady. His work called for him to be cold-hearted, and such was the nature of Elves that they could die from grief. As it was to Greenleaf, he married himself to his job, devoting his energies to what he did. A pretty maid was a distraction, but only that.
After the meal, Greenleaf walked Eowyn to her room, lending her his arm in a gentlemanly way. When they were alone in the corridor, she turned her face to him.
"My father has told me of your real reasons for being here," she said softly, almost directly into his pointed ear.
"Then you know that you must not speak of it." He gave her a warning look.
"I know," she replied, "but I want you to know that I will help you, should you need it." They reached the door to her room and stood outside.
Greenleaf smiled. "Forgive me," he said, "but-."
"I am not a defenceless woman," she interrupted, "I am a shieldmaiden of Rohan. Should you need me, I shall be there, however you need me."
"I shall bear that in mind," he said. She opened the door and looked at him invitingly.
"Goodnight, Lady Eowyn," Greenleaf continued, deliberately not noticing here invitation. A romantic dalliance would be fun, but was not what he wanted now. He wanted to concentrate on the job in hand.
He turned to go as she shut the door firmly. Her proposal, to help him, had been interesting. In his experience, human females didn't fight back; they took care of the children. They were for staying at home, not going out to war. Their role was to reproduce, to continue the line of men. And of the women that Greenleaf had met, he knew none who he deemed capable of the kind of work he did.
As he drew colder to his room, he became aware of someone behind him. Glancing back, he saw the creepy King's advisor Grima, who hurried to catch him up. When he reached Greenleaf's side he stared up at him, eyes so pale as to be indistinct from the flesh that surrounded them.
"You should leave her alone," he hissed.
"Why?" the Elf asked. He was beginning to feel nothing but disdain for this man.
"She is not uncourted," Grima replied, laying a stress on the last word. Greenleaf looked at him askance.
"By you?" he asked, unable to keep a faint sneer from his voice.
"Do not involve yourself in something in which you have no part, Elf!" the man spat. "Your kind has no business here!"
With that he hurried away in the other direction. An expression, half smirk and half frown, crossed Greenleaf's face. Something about the advisor was not trustworthy, and he resolved to keep a careful eye on him. The man was trouble.
:::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::
Disclaimer: Legolas Greenleaf and associated characters belong to JRR Tolkien. Legolas' appearance belongs to Orlando Bloom in a wig. The James Bond concept was created by Ian Fleming. A few odd characters and moments belong elsewhere.
Author's Notes: Again, I should explain that I have borrowed certain attitudes from Fleming's books. Feminists (or any female with a sense of self-respect), please don't hate me. Bond's attitude (by way of excuse) is portrayed wonderfully (if in a completely sexist way) in this quote from Casino Royale:
"And now there was this pest of a girl. He sighed. Women were for recreation. On a job, they got in the way and fogged things up with sex and hurt feelings and all the emotional baggage they carried around. One had to look out for them and take care of them."
And I seem to have noticed that no one much seems to like this fic much. Thanks go to Julia for being my one reviewer! If you don't like something, please let me know. Or is it just that Ffn has got really quiet round here?
:::::::::::::::::::
Chapter 3. Arrival In Edoras.
:::::::::::::::::::
An uneventful journey led Greenleaf to Edoras, a kingdom some way South of Lothlorien. To its North-western borders was the stronghold of Isengard, and the tower of Saruman. Ever mindful of the wizard's presence at his borders, King Theoden welcomed Greenleaf's arrival and had indicated to MESS that he would be glad to assist, as long as there was no threat to his people. The hilltop settlement was full of men, women, children and animals, and Theoden knew that they would never survive a prolonged onslaught from Saruman's forces.
The King had, however, sent spies to Isengard. The ones who had returned reported to Greenleaf, telling him of their discoveries. There was not much that they could tell him, merely that Saruman was forming his own army, though they didn't know how or where from. The wizard called it the Army (Republic) of Saruman the Excellent, or ARSE for short. The army's numbers were apparently increasing by the day, though the spies had never seen them; only found evidence of their movements. This gave much concern to the old King. He had the settlement's walls strengthened and doubled his security, with armed warriors standing guard around the walls at all times.
Greenleaf noticed all this as he walked through, and he also noticed how heads turned as he passed, thinking that maybe he should have worn a hat or hood. It would have hidden his hair and ears at least; if not his unusually fair skin, which would still pick him out among the people. Elves were not common around these mountains. Too many rocks, too little trees. You were more likely to find Dwarves here than Elves, Greenleaf thought with a snort.
He had been given quarters in the Golden Hall, a classy building that was all gilt and rich decorations. The flag, a rearing horse on a green background, fluttered in the wind, pulled this way and that. The guards at the door were taciturn, nodding faintly as Greenleaf sauntered past. He wasn't sure how they liked his being there, but so far all the soldiers and people had been courteous and polite. But he knew that there would be some resentment; he was an outsider and an Elf, both reasons enough to earn people's distrust. Perhaps they were hoping that he could rid their borders of Saruman and his army. Greenleaf just wanted to get the ring and get out, as he had been told to do.
His room was on the East side, a large airy place with tall windows. Greenleaf was glad, as he preferred not to feel cooped up. Casually, he bent down and reached into his pack, taking out a small glass. He moved around the room, running the sphere up and down the walls. Satisfied that there were no listening devices in the room, he replaced it in his back and sat on the bed to pull his boots off. U had warned him of one of Saruman's latest tricks, which consisted of enchanting insects to relay what they had heard, then sending these bugs to keep an ear on events elsewhere in Middle Earth. The glass sphere was spelled to detect the bugs, and Greenleaf would re-check his room regularly. Now though he stretched out on his bed to rest. It had been a long and arduous journey and he wanted to be fresh for the formal meal he had been asked to attend that evening.
:::::::::::::::::::
It was nearly dark when he woke; the familiar stars were just beginning to shine through. Blinking his eyes, he washed his face in the water from the pitcher on the washstand, sluicing away any dust left from his travelling. He dressed smartly in deep blue tunic and leggings, smoothing down the fabric carefully. He neatened his hair before walking out of the room.
He walked with a purposeful stride towards the dining hall. Halfway there, he met King Theoden making his own way to supper. Though progressing in his years, the white-haired man was still lively and vigorous, possessing a youthful energy. He smiled as he saw the Elf.
"Good evening, Mr Greenleaf," he greeted him.
"Good evening, your highness," Green leaf replied. As an Elf he had no obligation to defer to mortal royalty, but he felt it was polite, being as he was staying in his hall. Greenleaf was in fact a prince in his own right, but with his work in MESS he chose not to use his title, preferring the relative anonymity of being an ordinary Elf. His early life had been fairly secluded in Mirkwood, therefore his status as royalty was not well- known outside the wood.
"Were my spies' reports useful?" the King asked as they walked together down the corridor.
"Yes, though I would like to go there myself."
"Well, occasionally he has guests for dinner in Orthanc. He'll probably invite you soon when he hears there's an Elf here." Theoden paused and rolled his eyes. "Which he has undoubtedly."
Greenleaf raised an eyebrow. "He has spies here?"
"In a way," Theoden said, shrugging his shoulders, "I'm sure he keeps an eye on us somehow, probably through his magics."
"It wouldn't surprise me," Greenleaf commented, remembering U's information about the bugs.
The pair entered the dining hall where a long table had been set up down the centre. Benches flanked the lower end of it, providing seating for the lower orders. They all stood as their King entered. He smiled and nodded, acknowledging their respectful gesture before waving them to sit again. With Greenleaf, he walked up the hall to the other end of the table, where benches gave way to seats. Theoden sat at the head of the table, indicating that the Elf should sit in a seat to his left. Servants immediately hurried forward with food.
Greenleaf looked across the table to meet a fascinating pair of blue eyes. Giving the owner of the eyes a glance over, the Elf was fairly impressed with what he saw. The face they were set in was beautiful yet determined. A high forehead was surmounted with long blonde hair, which had the slightest of auburn among its waves. The maiden wore a white dress, under which firm breasts pushed up promisingly. Theoden introduced her.
"This is my niece, Eowyn," he said, "Eowyn, this is Legolas Greenleaf."
"Delighted to meet you, Legolas," Eowyn said, eyeing the handsome Elf.
"Equally so," Greenleaf replied, bowing his head courteously. This brought a flush to her cheek, and her eyelashes fluttered momentarily. A faint cough came from the man at her elbow, drawing Greenleaf's attention. The cougher was a small pale man, made smaller by his hunched posture. His hair was black, greasy and stringy, dangling just above his food.
"Grima," he offered by way of introduction, "chief advisor to his majesty." He blinked slowly in an almost reptilian way. "It is unusual to see an Elf here."
"I'm travelling," Greenleaf answered, using his cover explanation," I have much desired to visit these parts. I am planning to make my way to Fangorn Forest soon, to see the trees."
Grima made a small noise. "Of course," he said, "it is well known that Elves have a certain," here he paused delicately, "affinity for the woods."
Greenleaf's eyes narrowed faintly. He sensed that this man wasn't being friendly. "I am a Wood Elf," he replied, "my kind are particularly connected to the trees."
Seeming to notice the tension between the two, Eowyn stepped into the conversation.
"I have never met one of your kind," she said, "though I have heard many tales. Tell me, are they all true?"
"It depends what you've heard," Green leaf answered, his eyes twinkling. Eowyn laughed, and her cheeks dimpled.
They continued to talk throughout the meal, occasionally flirting to the apparent disapproval of Grima. It was mostly small talk, though imbued with a certain amount of interest in each. This was, however, mostly one-sided on Eowyn's side, as Greenleaf had only a passing interest in the lady. His work called for him to be cold-hearted, and such was the nature of Elves that they could die from grief. As it was to Greenleaf, he married himself to his job, devoting his energies to what he did. A pretty maid was a distraction, but only that.
After the meal, Greenleaf walked Eowyn to her room, lending her his arm in a gentlemanly way. When they were alone in the corridor, she turned her face to him.
"My father has told me of your real reasons for being here," she said softly, almost directly into his pointed ear.
"Then you know that you must not speak of it." He gave her a warning look.
"I know," she replied, "but I want you to know that I will help you, should you need it." They reached the door to her room and stood outside.
Greenleaf smiled. "Forgive me," he said, "but-."
"I am not a defenceless woman," she interrupted, "I am a shieldmaiden of Rohan. Should you need me, I shall be there, however you need me."
"I shall bear that in mind," he said. She opened the door and looked at him invitingly.
"Goodnight, Lady Eowyn," Greenleaf continued, deliberately not noticing here invitation. A romantic dalliance would be fun, but was not what he wanted now. He wanted to concentrate on the job in hand.
He turned to go as she shut the door firmly. Her proposal, to help him, had been interesting. In his experience, human females didn't fight back; they took care of the children. They were for staying at home, not going out to war. Their role was to reproduce, to continue the line of men. And of the women that Greenleaf had met, he knew none who he deemed capable of the kind of work he did.
As he drew colder to his room, he became aware of someone behind him. Glancing back, he saw the creepy King's advisor Grima, who hurried to catch him up. When he reached Greenleaf's side he stared up at him, eyes so pale as to be indistinct from the flesh that surrounded them.
"You should leave her alone," he hissed.
"Why?" the Elf asked. He was beginning to feel nothing but disdain for this man.
"She is not uncourted," Grima replied, laying a stress on the last word. Greenleaf looked at him askance.
"By you?" he asked, unable to keep a faint sneer from his voice.
"Do not involve yourself in something in which you have no part, Elf!" the man spat. "Your kind has no business here!"
With that he hurried away in the other direction. An expression, half smirk and half frown, crossed Greenleaf's face. Something about the advisor was not trustworthy, and he resolved to keep a careful eye on him. The man was trouble.
:::::::::::::::::::