A/N: I am so sorry. I have no excuse for my actions. I have had a hard time
with concentration and have made the mistake of writing four stories at the
same time. Please, I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me!
Chapter Ten
Mirkwood was running smoothly and for this Eyroth was relieved. The guards were having very few problems at their new posts. The only problem on his mind was the king's son. He did not want to disturb him nor did he want him to die in his quarters. The king would have his head if either occurred, more likely in the latter.
A few nights after the king had left he had gone in to find Legolas sleeping peacefully and a few nights later saw him on his balcony. He was alive, which was good news, but his condition otherwise no one knew.
It was a decant hour in the morning and Eyroth was eating breakfast in his study, which he preferred to do, when there was a soft, hesitant knock at the door.
He swallowed and announced, "Come in!"
The door opened slightly and a blonde head popped in. Eyroth quickly stood and waved him in.
"Legolas! Come in, come in. It is good to see you!"
"I am sorry to disturb you, but have you seen my father? He was not in his study, at breakfast, in his chamber, or out in the garden."
"You are not a disruption at all. I was merely finishing my morning meal. To answer your question, the king went to Rivendell to see Lord Elrond. They had important matters to discuss."
"Do you know what matters involved?"
Eyroth swallowed, trying to no stray their eye contact. "I believe the main issue was you."
Legolas paled. "Me?"
"Yes, and my prince," he laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, "if this is about Valanor, your father--"
"The undying lands? What about them? Has something happened?" Legolas' eyes showed fear and Eyroth felt the other elf's muscles constrict from under his hand.
"No, not exactly." He removed his hand and returned to his desk. "We were all expecting you to go. Your father prepared a band to go with you. Do you not wish to leave?"
"No. It is not my time yet," said the elf before him softly, his eyes straying to the floor. "I only wish innocent humans---all innocent beings may have the chance we possess."
"Yes, well that is not how life works."
"Thank you, Eyroth." Legolas turned and left with a final farewell.
'Oh, by Valar. He lives! And will continue to do so!' He filled his mouth with a forkful of his now cold meal and grabbed a quill and ink, furiously scribbling down a message for the king.
He smiled as he completed it and went to seek a messenger.
"Lord Eyroth." He was stopped by no other than a messenger. 'How odd that he find me.'
"Will you--"
"This just arrived for the prince. Do you know where he dwells for he is not in his chamber?"
"Thank you. I will deliver it," the assistant replied taking the letter.
"Did you wish to have that delivered?" the messenger asked, his eyes motioning to the scroll in Eyroth's hand.
"No, thank you. Not now at least."
The messenger nodded and turned in the direction he came.
~~~
Eyroth, similar to the messenger, was having a hard time finding the young prince. He did not wish to ask other elves for he still was not sure of Legolas' mental state.
At last he retreated to his study to find his breakfast sitting on his orderly desk, waiting to be eaten. He sighed and picked up his try. A growl emitted from his stomach as he looked at the hardened, cold meal. He took the tray and withdrew with it to the kitchens below.
The kitchens were vast and contained a collection of rooms with stoves, large counters and pots, pans, and many cooking utensils created by the elves.
Dinner was brewing in the room he entered and the delightful smell reached his nostrils and caused his stomach to protest again. He continued through the doorways to one of the very last rooms where breakfast leftovers were left in the warming closet.
As he entered he was surprised to find Legolas slicing green onions with bowls of other foods spread around him.
"Ah, Legolas! Just the elf I was looking for," he greeted then looked down at the table. His eyebrows quirked and he asked, "What are you doing?"
"I was rather hungry for I have not eaten for almost a week."
"There is food already prepared. . ."
"Thank you, but I will pass."
"If you would like something that wasn't served," Eyroth inquired grabbing a new plate of food from the walk in closet, "I am sure the cooks would fix you what you wish."
"Yes, I am aware of that. They have enough to do besides prepare my meal."
"Well, that was thoughtful of out."
Legolas nodded and removed a bowl of scrambled eggs from the oven and proceeded to mix the green onions in. The king's assistant also noticed small piles of other chopped vegetables as the prince added red peppers to the yellow and green mix.
"A telegram arrived for you," Eyroth said as he held out the envelope.
Legolas looked at it curiously and accepted. While opening it he asked, "Is this from my father?"
"I do not know. It was addressed to you, not me."
"Of course." He pulled out the folded parchment and slowly unfolded the first of the three folds. Eyroth ate, but watched the young elf out of the corner of his eye.
~~~
'Legolas' the fancy calligraphy read in elvish. He immediately recognized Elrond's perfect handwriting.
I am disappointed you could not accept my offer. Perhaps there is
something else we can work out?
You are most likely aware your father is here, though he is in a
terrible state. I cannot bear seeing him at his state. He has grown
worse with each passing hour. You will soon see when he arrives to
journey with you to the sea.
I want you to think about the impact your decision is causing on
Middle-earth, the impact which your people will face.
I tell your father there is always hope. Hope only fades in the lives
of men. He does not accept my advice, but perhaps you will.
The thoughts the letter held traveled through his mind like a speeding train. 'My father is leaving? Mirkwood will fall? What decision have I made?'
He folded the letter and placed it in his inner jacket pocket. He would refer back to it later.
"Is there anything I can do, Prince?"
"Nay, I need to think. Please excuse me."
"Prince Legolas! Your meal!" he yelled after him, but the prince was gone. "What could be more important than eating for him?" he wondered aloud, turning back to his own food.
~~~
A/N: Again I'm really sorry. How is the story progressing? Yea? Nay? Eh? Let me know please!
Chapter Ten
Mirkwood was running smoothly and for this Eyroth was relieved. The guards were having very few problems at their new posts. The only problem on his mind was the king's son. He did not want to disturb him nor did he want him to die in his quarters. The king would have his head if either occurred, more likely in the latter.
A few nights after the king had left he had gone in to find Legolas sleeping peacefully and a few nights later saw him on his balcony. He was alive, which was good news, but his condition otherwise no one knew.
It was a decant hour in the morning and Eyroth was eating breakfast in his study, which he preferred to do, when there was a soft, hesitant knock at the door.
He swallowed and announced, "Come in!"
The door opened slightly and a blonde head popped in. Eyroth quickly stood and waved him in.
"Legolas! Come in, come in. It is good to see you!"
"I am sorry to disturb you, but have you seen my father? He was not in his study, at breakfast, in his chamber, or out in the garden."
"You are not a disruption at all. I was merely finishing my morning meal. To answer your question, the king went to Rivendell to see Lord Elrond. They had important matters to discuss."
"Do you know what matters involved?"
Eyroth swallowed, trying to no stray their eye contact. "I believe the main issue was you."
Legolas paled. "Me?"
"Yes, and my prince," he laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, "if this is about Valanor, your father--"
"The undying lands? What about them? Has something happened?" Legolas' eyes showed fear and Eyroth felt the other elf's muscles constrict from under his hand.
"No, not exactly." He removed his hand and returned to his desk. "We were all expecting you to go. Your father prepared a band to go with you. Do you not wish to leave?"
"No. It is not my time yet," said the elf before him softly, his eyes straying to the floor. "I only wish innocent humans---all innocent beings may have the chance we possess."
"Yes, well that is not how life works."
"Thank you, Eyroth." Legolas turned and left with a final farewell.
'Oh, by Valar. He lives! And will continue to do so!' He filled his mouth with a forkful of his now cold meal and grabbed a quill and ink, furiously scribbling down a message for the king.
He smiled as he completed it and went to seek a messenger.
"Lord Eyroth." He was stopped by no other than a messenger. 'How odd that he find me.'
"Will you--"
"This just arrived for the prince. Do you know where he dwells for he is not in his chamber?"
"Thank you. I will deliver it," the assistant replied taking the letter.
"Did you wish to have that delivered?" the messenger asked, his eyes motioning to the scroll in Eyroth's hand.
"No, thank you. Not now at least."
The messenger nodded and turned in the direction he came.
~~~
Eyroth, similar to the messenger, was having a hard time finding the young prince. He did not wish to ask other elves for he still was not sure of Legolas' mental state.
At last he retreated to his study to find his breakfast sitting on his orderly desk, waiting to be eaten. He sighed and picked up his try. A growl emitted from his stomach as he looked at the hardened, cold meal. He took the tray and withdrew with it to the kitchens below.
The kitchens were vast and contained a collection of rooms with stoves, large counters and pots, pans, and many cooking utensils created by the elves.
Dinner was brewing in the room he entered and the delightful smell reached his nostrils and caused his stomach to protest again. He continued through the doorways to one of the very last rooms where breakfast leftovers were left in the warming closet.
As he entered he was surprised to find Legolas slicing green onions with bowls of other foods spread around him.
"Ah, Legolas! Just the elf I was looking for," he greeted then looked down at the table. His eyebrows quirked and he asked, "What are you doing?"
"I was rather hungry for I have not eaten for almost a week."
"There is food already prepared. . ."
"Thank you, but I will pass."
"If you would like something that wasn't served," Eyroth inquired grabbing a new plate of food from the walk in closet, "I am sure the cooks would fix you what you wish."
"Yes, I am aware of that. They have enough to do besides prepare my meal."
"Well, that was thoughtful of out."
Legolas nodded and removed a bowl of scrambled eggs from the oven and proceeded to mix the green onions in. The king's assistant also noticed small piles of other chopped vegetables as the prince added red peppers to the yellow and green mix.
"A telegram arrived for you," Eyroth said as he held out the envelope.
Legolas looked at it curiously and accepted. While opening it he asked, "Is this from my father?"
"I do not know. It was addressed to you, not me."
"Of course." He pulled out the folded parchment and slowly unfolded the first of the three folds. Eyroth ate, but watched the young elf out of the corner of his eye.
~~~
'Legolas' the fancy calligraphy read in elvish. He immediately recognized Elrond's perfect handwriting.
I am disappointed you could not accept my offer. Perhaps there is
something else we can work out?
You are most likely aware your father is here, though he is in a
terrible state. I cannot bear seeing him at his state. He has grown
worse with each passing hour. You will soon see when he arrives to
journey with you to the sea.
I want you to think about the impact your decision is causing on
Middle-earth, the impact which your people will face.
I tell your father there is always hope. Hope only fades in the lives
of men. He does not accept my advice, but perhaps you will.
The thoughts the letter held traveled through his mind like a speeding train. 'My father is leaving? Mirkwood will fall? What decision have I made?'
He folded the letter and placed it in his inner jacket pocket. He would refer back to it later.
"Is there anything I can do, Prince?"
"Nay, I need to think. Please excuse me."
"Prince Legolas! Your meal!" he yelled after him, but the prince was gone. "What could be more important than eating for him?" he wondered aloud, turning back to his own food.
~~~
A/N: Again I'm really sorry. How is the story progressing? Yea? Nay? Eh? Let me know please!