"She makes a fine figure, does she not, nín ion?" My Son
"I suppose she does," Legolas muttered, turning away from the window through which he had watched Rhinure ride off. He sank on to the chair next to his father, not really paying attention to the speculative look Thranduil shot at him
"Do you even know who I am talking about?"
"Yes – no. I am sorry, Ada, what was the question again?"
Thranduil laughed, "I have not seen you this distracted since you were first given a bow." Legolas blushed, not knowing how to answer.
"Why did you not see her off from the courtyard? The view would have been decidedly better than from my window."
"I had already said my goodbye, Ada. There was no need for me to watch her leave me."
"And therefore you stood at my window until you could not see her anymore. Sounds as if your goodbye was not good enough."
"Are goodbyes ever good?" Legolas turned his blue eyes on his father and Thranduil sighed. It had been so much simpler when Legolas was a child. All Thranduil had to do was pick him up and hold him in his arms tightly, till all sorrow left his son.
"She will return, little one."
"I know, but that does not make this easier."
"I would not have thought that separation from Lady Rhinure would have been this difficult to bear."
"It is not the separation per se which bothers me. I understand and accept that she needs to return. She has her duties and I have mine."
"Then the problem is?"
"It is her eagerness to leave. I know she did not want to leave me, I could see it in her eyes. But despite this reluctance, there was this strange light in them – a light that told me she was looking forward to going home. This is not her home, Ada, no matter how often I tell myself that. Her home is with the Avari. Just the thought of returning to it made her calmer than I have ever seen her. There was a softness in her that I want to see again – but not if it means that she has to leave me. Does that make me selfish?"
"Of course not, nín ion, but I do think you are slightly envious."
"I think that is a slight understatement. It is just that I do not understand her sometimes, Ada."
Thranduil smiled, "That too will come with time. You just have to be patient. She is not the easiest elleth to comprehend." Legolas emphatic nod made Thranduil chuckle. "If nothing else, you can always blame me for putting you in this awkward position in the first place."
Legolas' face brightened immediately. He sat up straighter in his chair, "Ada, if I do say so myself, that is the best idea I have heard out of you for a long time."
"Impudent pup."
"I learnt from the best, after all."
The guards outside Thranduil's study smiled when they heard the laughter coming from inside. It was not often they heard this rare treat from their King.
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Legolas watched as his father finally stopped laughing and got back to work. He felt a surge of love for the older elf. Not even Legolas could begin to imagine what Thranduil had suffered in his life. Thranduil had lost practically everything that he had loved – parents, friends, wife, home and people. Despite that he managed to survive – not only survive but thrive. Legolas could often see pain lurking behind those wide old eyes but he could also see such joy in them – a joy for life, for love, which seemed inextinguishable. And running through this generous spirit was the strongest will Legolas had ever seen. A will which had seen a dying Kingdom through dark times – a will which still battled Shadow and would not surrender. It amazed Legolas at the sheer power that was his father. Thranduil needed no Ring of Power to be impressive. Legolas often wondered how he had come to be blessed with such a father.
"If you are done staring at me, Legolas, may I return to work?" Thranduil asked, not looking up from the pile of paper in front of him.
"I love you so much, Ada."
Thranduil glanced up at his son, surprised and not a little worried at the emotion running through those blue eyes. "What prompted this declaration, dear heart?"
"I just thought you should know."
Thranduil cleared his throat and said a shade gruffly, "I have always known."
"Are you not going to tell me that you love me?"
"Do you really need me to repeat such an obvious fact?"
"I want you to."
Thranduil sighed, there was not much he would deny this little elf, "I love you. You make my life worthwhile. You are the one thing that brings me peace and delight in this world. I love you more than I love myself – which as others will tell you is a lot."
"Others are wrong, if anything you do not love yourself enough," Legolas interrupted. Thranduil arched a brow at this statement. "Look at you, Ada, you have been working since the morning. You are going to make yourself ill – if elves could become ill."
"Well, thank you, nín ion, for volunteering your help." With that, Thranduil dumped half the pile on his desk in Legolas' lap.
Legolas shook his head wryly. He talked too much.
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The next time Legolas looked up from the petition he was reading, he found the King staring back at him with those green eyes. Legolas immediately stilled - these were dangerous eyes, meant to handled with great care and respect.
"I have a few questions for you, my Prince." The mood in the room immediately became sober. Legolas straightened his shoulders and sat at attention, becoming the Lord he so disliked on occasion.
"I will, as always, answer to the best of ability, my King."
"Would you care to explain why you did not send scouts after the Princess' Company?"
"I did not see the need to press the issue – the Avari are wary enough as it is. I did not feel it prudent to antagonise them further."
"You do realise that while the Avari know where and how we live, we do not have similar knowledge about them?" Thranduil asked calmly, wondering if his son had thought through this decision he had made.
"Be that as it may, we are not so blind as Lady Rhinure would have us believe."
"Explain."
Legolas stood and bowed to his King before taking out a map from a side desk. "These are the patrolling patterns that the Avari so kindly suggested to us. I am sure that you have seen, as I have I, that there is a particular part of the forest that only the Avari will patrol. It is not so obvious, but it will be rare if any of our patrols approach that area."
"And?"
"And I postulate that the Avari settlement is in that area."
"That is a daring proposition to make from proposed patrols."
"Not so daring – Lady Rhinure must be confident that we will implement these plans since overall they are efficient. Therefore, if her home is not in that area it will soon be. You see, I believe that the Avari are nomadic. That is the only explanation on why our scouts have never stumbled onto their settlement in these long years. The Avari are planning to move into this general area."
Thranduil inclined his head in agreement, encouraging Legolas to continue. "Furthermore, from what Faelon has been able to gather from Agorion, the Avari are fanatically devoted to their Kin, and as adamant not to let us near their home. Agorion is most studious in not mentioning anything about his life – not even the name of the town. His silence is almost as instructive. Given the Avari distrust of us, it would make sense that this area – where we are not to go – is hiding something important."
"You are presuming that the Avari patrolling pattern is intense enough to be defensive. This could just be another way to keep the Avari separate from the Wood-elves. Lady Rhinure has not been enthusiastic about prolonged interaction between our people – this could be anther tactic of hers not to let familiarity spring up. The Avari patrol one side and we patrol the other."
"Yes, that is also a possible explanation and probably true one way or the other. I do not believe that the Avari want any sort of camaraderie with us. However, the regularity of the patrols would suggest that there is something in this area beyond the few villages on the map. It would have been more sensible to abandon the area all together. I believe that the Avari will actually patrol a wider area than these plans suggest which makes it likely that their capital is there."
"While I do not disagree, I do not think the Princess would ever suggest abandoning any home – be it only Silvan ones." Legolas looked at Thranduil, not understanding. "The Avari are devoted to their homes, to the Kin – fanatically so. You have seen it as clearly as I. The way they treat Lady Rhinure is proof enough. This devotion is more a general principle than anything – everyone has the right to their homes. The Avari would die to uphold this. If it means saving only a few villages, I believe that Lady Rhinure would commit the resources to prevent the people from being uprooted."
"That is speculation, my Lord."
"Speculation augmented by observation. I have seen the Avari fight for our land, and they do it with such fervour that it leads me to believe that they would never consider abandoning anybody – any home. It is a matter of pride for them. Pride which I can understand. I would not do it either. It is part of the reason why I believe they make such good allies – they would die for us."
"But they will not trust us."
"No, they will not do that." Thranduil shook his head, "I do not pretend to understand the why behind their actions. I can tell you that they came into Mirkwood without a home. Perhaps, only those who have had no home of their own can appreciate how important it is – so important that they would be willing to see that no one is ever deprived of it."
"That is a very noble interpretation of their actions, my Lord."
"Yes, is it not? However, I also believe that your proposition is absolutely correct. It would be particularly appropriate if Lady Rhinure managed to preserve those villages while all the while keeping us away from her capital. Two birds with one stone – very ingenious."
"If it is true."
"And how will we find out if it is true or not, my Prince?"
"We know that the Avari are returning home on this trip. When they return – or more precisely – when Agorion returns, Faelon will keep an eye on our Avari Captain. Even a soil sample will confirm where the Avari have been."
"You think you will be able to garner their position from a scrap of soil?"
Legolas knew that Thranduil's incredulity was more of a test than disbelief, "We are Wood-elves, my King. This is our forest. We will know."
"And how do you propose to get this sample?"
"Faelon is going to make himself useful and be a good friend by tending Agorion's horse. It is amazing what even our careful Avari miss – hooves, undersides of saddles, so on."
"Will Agorion allow it?"
"Faelon has done it before – Agorion seems to trust my lieutenant well enough."
"Then we are fortunate that such a friendship exists."
"Are we not, my King?"
"You have done well, Legolas. This might work to our advantage after all."
"I am pleased that you approve, my Lord."
Both father and son's eyes had a frighteningly similar feral expression in their eyes.
x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x
"There is only one thing that worries me about this, my Lord."
"Only one thing? Such arrogance, princeling."
Legolas continued as if he had not heard that acerbic remark, "This deduction I have made was not difficult to come by. I am pretty sure Lady Rhinure is aware that Faelon watches Agorion as closely as he watches my lieutenant."
"Undoubtedly, she is no fool."
"Then why move the settlement at all. She has to know that eventually we will notice something suspicious about the patterns she has suggested."
"Maybe she does not realise how closely you watch her."
"Perhaps, but eventually we would have discovered the abnormality. We might have done it faster than she expects but she has to have known that we would have found out. She is not one to underestimate her opponent. Which leads me to wonder why bother moving at all."
"As I said, maybe it is a ploy to keep the two races separate." Thranduil offered, interested to see where his son was going.
"Well, I will know when Rhinure returns. However, something about this situation unsettles me. If she is moving, it leads me to wonder why. Is the Avari strength not great enough to defend their previous location? Or is it that she is expected more trouble and wants us to know where she is, albeit indirectly? Either way, I do not like it."
Thranduil nodded, he knew that if Legolas was correct it meant that trouble was coming. "There is no way we will know until she returns. And I have never been one for idle speculation. There is enough trouble for us to deal with now without worrying about future ones as well."
Legolas nodded absentmindedly, not really listening to what Thranduil said. His eyes were still on the map in front of him, as if he could divine some meaning from it.
*~ What do you hide from me, Rhinure? ~*
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Nilmandra: Such impatience – explanations are coming, slowly but they are coming. All will be revealed (and now I sound like a carnival magician – oh lord.) There is a lot of the plot which needs to be unfolded. God save us all when it comes out.
Fasesintothewest: "Cultural and anthropological issues" – hmmm are you sure you are not doing that because you are interested in history and these issues? ;) I happen to think that "nerd" is a compliment so if you sound like one that is a good thing. Why bother hiding intelligence – that is such a waste. Rhinure's situation is a bit like a house of cards – Legolas pushes a little too hard and all will come falling down. But I think she has read him well in the fact that she knows he won't push too hard too fast – he will push eventually but she has some time. Hopefully that will be enough. Hope you slept well – I know what lack of sleep can do to one. It is not pleasant ;)
Alkvingel: If you get and alert and ff.net says that the chapter does not exist – try trying a few random letter at the end of the address – the chapter should pop up. I hope that helps.
Niffers: I think LULA is a great idea – it might exist, you never know. I have found some really weird stuff on Legolas on the net. There was a site on his hair and one on his eyebrows. *shrugs* Each to his own I suppose. One night is sometimes enough to change your entire view on life – the realisation it has, however, takes longer. Anyway, I am taken artistic licence and speeding up reaction and learning curves because I cannot write with an elven sensibility in mind. Both of them are insecure about what they share – Legolas about his position in her life and she about the potential havoc he can wreck in her life. It makes me feel very sad for them.
Midi: I don't like stories in which Legolas falls in love to easily – he is too cagey to do that. Wood-elves, to my mind are too suspicious to trust easily – Legolas included. And with good reason I believe. The Silvan elves have never been accorded much respect by their Noldor cousin. And Rhinure is Avari – even worse than a High Elf – I find it amazing Legolas has gotten this far. Hats off to him. PS. I like long reviews – very much so.
Daw the Minstrel: Cothion is a character – if you think Rhinure was stubborn wait until you meet this chap. He gives stubbornness a new name – courageous to the point of stupidity. Thank god, he is only the Heir, not the Sacrifice. Though as Commander of the Avari forces, you can imagine why the Avari are deadly fighters – with a general like that how can they not be
Lossendholiel Greenleaf: Tirnen is unlikely to be all black. It probably blends into the background – which means that it probably has a lot of black since I imagined it to be in a sort of shadowy place. But I don't think there would be much pale green. Tirnen is probably a highly practical place – the Avari probably change it around to fit the place they settle in. As for the Avari predilection for black, I will explain that later. ;)
LOTRFaith: I am not sure how to pronounce Rhinure – since English is not my native tongue my pronunciation is probably wrong. But Ree-n-ure sounds roughly correct – three syllables, though I was thinking of the last syllable to be sort of end with a "ray" but I could (am probably am) wrong.
Blueangel06: Addiction is very possible – I am addicted to quite a few stories on ff.net. Some of which are not updated very regularly, which is very disappointing. Therefore I try to update as soon as possible.
Isilwen: "40 really long chapters" – hmmm is that a subtle hint for me to shorten the length or speed up the plot? ;) There are quite a few surprises planned – I hope – so hold on to your hat and enjoy the ride.
Diadora: Which elleth needs the lesson, Rhinure or Ehtewen – maybe both? What kind of lesson did you have in mind? Thank you for the praise – as always it is deeply appreciated (ok, so it makes me grin like the Cheshire cat – happy now?!)
Passion Lover: See even the Avari have a sense of humour *hopeful look*. There is hope – they are not so different from the Eldar after all. I agree about Legolas using his emotions – love for his people make him a better Prince for example. I think he is able to put the negative emotions aside and use the positive as it were. The Avari should learn to do that – it is not as easy as it sounds and yes there is danger in doing that. In some respects, it is easier to avoid the problem all together and push aside all emotion, but in some respects that makes you weaker. You disregard a part of yourself, a potentially vital part and that can only lead to more problems in the long run. Of course, the Avari don't see it like that – I guess they are entitled to their opinion no matter how wrong I think it is.
Rhinure history will come out as eventually – but I guess there is no harm in telling you this now. Rhinure is the fourth Sacrifice in her family – and fourth one after the other – therefore fourth in an unbroken line. Which means her mother was Sacrifice, and one of her grandparents etc (haven't decided whether to make it her grandfather or grandmother).
Casey: I don't think Rhinure and Legolas are that different – though their differences are many. They are both decent people, both care deeply about their people, their duty. Both are committed to helping their people. There is a nobility of spirit which is common to both of them – and the will to do what it takes to protect their people. There are both well-edged weapons and know how to use it (which is also part of the problem). They are both rulers and therefore able to understand each other in ways another ruler would not be able to. Only someone who suffers under the same pressures and restrictions can empathise. Which is why Rhinure and Legolas share a respect which can be the bedrock of their relationship – a grudging one true but it is there. Yes, there are different but that it is true of any relationship. Time and a little understanding can overcome much – I have seen it in real life.
Rhinure and Legolas have never begrudged the other their duty. They may not understand the why behind each other's actions and that causes harm but after the initial reaction both have accepted that the other has to do some things. Legolas understands why Rhinure must leave, and she understands that he is manipulative because he is concerned about his people. That is actually pretty good after only a few months of marriage. Legolas does talk to Rhinure, e.g the long conversation they had in the meadow before making love, the discussion about patrols etc. Remember the day they spent together before their marriage – the playfulness between them gives me hope.
No one said it will be easy – Rhinure and Legolas have a lot (and I mean A LOT) of problems to overcome. Yes, it could all blow up in their faces but then life was never meant to be easy was it? She will change the way he wants because she must and it is her duty. Necessity is the mother of invention after all. It will take time but the elves are immortal after all. Let me see if I can allay your fears in the later chapters. Remember, characters change, grow – hopefully both Rhinure and Legolas will change as well and grow together.
As for the canoness of the marriage, the following is an extract from "Laws and Custom of the Eldar": The Eldar wedded once only in life, and for love or at the least by free will upon either part. (my emphasis).
Tolkien allows marriage by consent which are not based on love. Not a particularly attractive proposition but the marriage is canon. Free will is the key – no matter what Legolas thought he had a choice. He could have said no – called Thranduil's bluff. If he believed in it so strongly he could have made a stand. He did not – he made a choice to marry her – it might have been duty but it was his choice – free will. I am not sure about the divorce position. I know Finwe married twice – but he got a special dispensation. I am assuming that wives can only be put aside (or husbands) in extreme situations – and only if they cannot fulfil their duties as a spouse. Kind of if Legolas chooses to sail and Rhinure does not. He cannot fulfil his duties so she could put him aside – however once she chooses not too she can't later change her mind. However, for the Avari a marriage vow is taken once and is unbreakable. Once you have sworn that is it – no divorce/annulment possible. Since the Avari are my creations I chose to do this since I wanted to illustrate the severity of the marriage vows. The very fact that Rhinure was willing to do this shows her commitment. Any relationship based on such commitment must have a chance of working *fingers crossed*
TigerLily713: I am glad you enjoyed the surprise in the last chapter – I liked it too. I thought it would get attention. Rhinure got suckered – guess she is not invincible after all *grin*
Surreal: How could you miss Chapter 42? Shame on you ;) (kidding – I am glad you reviewed the last chapter though). I am trying not to imagine how much Ehtewen saw – it makes me blush. I am kind of hoping she just 'checked' on them and then retreated back to a respectable position. Your questions will be answered in due time – you will just have to keep reading of course to find them.
Kelley: *grins* If you start discussing religion etc then who will I discuss shirtless Legolas with? If you want you can talk about both – I don't mind. I of course think the opportunity to play – er, work with Legolas is one of the attractions of writing this fic.
Penpunk: I hope your rejoicing was enjoyable. Rhinure is a nightmare since she gives me a headache every time I write her. But then so does Legolas – as much as I love him I wish I could smack him sometimes. I wish someone would do that to both of them. Much Ado About Nothing is a good idea too – I happen to adore the play. Though who is going to be courageous enough to trick the First Guard? Ehtewen is more likely to kill someone than Beatrice ever was. And Herenion, despite his cheerful attitude would probably react as strongly. It is one thing to tease him, totally another to trick him. It is after all a matter of principle – they are not little Elflings but old old elves. How dare anyone deceive them? *fan however goes off to plot nonetheless* Let us see what brews.
Kel: I know what you mean about the relationship being doomed. I too fear that, there is so much fear and mistrust floating around. But I believe with faith practically anything can be achieved – even for these two elves *fan prays that she can pull it off*. I don't know if Rhinure underestimates people around her more than she is working with a completely erroneous set of assumptions. Her thought process as such. is unclouded but the starting point is wrong. Now usually I don't like using strong words like "wrong" but in this I am justified I think. Legolas does have the "power" in the relationship and yes the potential for abuse is there. If she is assuming that "power corrupts" etc then she would be right to fear him. But she does not know Legolas that well. Yes, if he truly believed that his people's survival depended on breaking her he would do it – but there is no reason to believe that. Legolas would not unnecessarily wield his power – neither would she. I think the Avari working assumption is "expect the worst – always and from everyone". I think Rhinure does that with Legolas and with her other Avari as well. Part of the problem is that they divorce emotion and action. I don't think Legolas would abuse Rhinure because he cares and respects her – actions. Rhinure can't/won't understand that. If emotions are treacherous and changing then they can't be used as the basis of expectations – if that is so, then Rhinure cannot depend on trust and love, not her people's and not Legolas'. Bit sad no?
However, given time and example she should learn no? And therein, I believe lies the salvation of this relationship. I believe the Avari love each other but they are not shining examples of trust and honesty. Legolas is (well, sort of – though he is capable of manipulation and sneakiness with the best of them). As I said, given time and patience, even this relationship may be salvaged. It is a matter of commitment, and Rhinure is nothing if not committed. She is a strong women, she will adapt. Of course, I may change me mind and take all of this back. ;)
Casey: You are the second Casey to review this chapter. Welcome. Most people have a sense of humour (well most normal people). It just differs from culture to culture. Often, without the cultural context it is difficult to understand it. I know, for example, that I don't understand some British jokes but that is because I come from a different culture. Ehtewen is no fool, she has been around for a long time. While she might think her way is right I think she is competent and aware enough to realise that other ways to live exist as well. Legolas, in some ways, is so much more courageous. To live with your heart on your sleeve, to be open to the pain that life may cause is difficult. To keep hoping, loving despite the pain is to be a hero. Now only if Rhinure would see it that way.
As long as there is tenderness between Rhinure and Legolas, I will hope that they will make it. Hope after all makes the world go round (or whatever the ME equivalent is – is ME flat?)
Eulalie Desdemona: The way I picture it, the Avari know they are funny, they know that they others find them amusing. They just do this without smiling or laughing obviously. Kind of if their eyes twinkled, or that they would turn away if they felt a smile coming on. It is a matter of maintaining a façade when others are around. They do it with their pain, why not with their joy as well?
Syd: I don't exactly know how I came up with it. I originally wanted to do a Legolas-romance. Create a female character for him while keeping him in character. The politics just grew out of my fascination with the Avari and the complexities of rule. You can blame/accredit some truly awful stories for this one. I decided that if I read one more story in which Legolas behaved immaturely/screamed at his father/ ran off in the middle of a war/ rescued maidens single-handedly / forget his duty as a Prince/ behaved essentially like a child – I would die. So to save myself I decided to write a story myself. This is the result.
Elf Ears: I think Rhinure survives the pressure because she just ignores it. She ignores the pain, disgust, loneliness being Sacrifice causes. These emotions are after all irrelevant as long as she does her duty. I don't like the Avari way but it does tend to produce determined, strong-willed characters. Messed up they may be, but at least they are impressive in their folly.
Not all Sacrifices are female. Cothion as Heir, would be Sacrifice if Rhinure died. I think Rhinure's grandfather was Sacrifice as well. I just think women are Sacrifice more often since they are more stubborn. Basically, anyone who is stupid – er, determined enough to take the vows can become Sacrifice in theory, once the people accept the person's claim. I will explain more of this later.
