Author: Mirrordance
Title: Return
Summary: Post-LOTR. Legolas always felt at odds with his home kingdom. Though it's King by birthright, he fled it, building a prosperous colony in Ithilien. Just when all seems well at last, great dangers in Mirkwood call for the return of THIS King home.
* * *
PART THREE
* * *
Minas Tirith
3020
* * *
They arrived in the White City with much welcome. Gondor, while it had been ravaged by years upon endless years of the war, shared at least some measure of her King's legendary spirit, and was recovering very nicely.
"It is good to see you back!" Elessar greeted the unlikely pair of Legolas and Gimli, taking their hands in his.
"Estel," Legolas said, smiling, "Mellon. As promised. We have returned. And we did not come simply to take advantage of your hospitality. We bear gifts!"
"He brought you elves, Aragorn," Gimli said gruffly, "And this is a set that is particularly hard to deal with! Why, imagine having the tongue of one Peregrin Took with the endurance of an elf! At least that blessed hobbit stopped for food or rest! I wish I left my ears in Eryn Lasgalen!"
"The dwarf does not appreciate our craft, sire," said Esse, "They know very little of such things."
"Of what things?" Estel asked Legolas.
"We will fill your city with flowers and gardens," Legolas told him, "If you would have us."
Estel smiled. "A gift most gladly received."
"May we start immediately, sire?" Esse asked, "I wish to see the city. I've heard the most wondrous things. But from what we passed so far, you really could use our hand here."
"Breathe first, Esse," Legolas advised him, "The work shall begin in the morn."
Estel wordlessly motioned for his majordomo, who easily read into the actions of his sovereign and ushered Legolas' entourage towards their quarters. Gimli and Legolas stayed with the King in his hall.
"Your city is more beautiful than when I last saw it," Legolas told him, "And it will be even more improved once we begin our work."
"I too have a contribution to make," Gimli pointed out, "I've sent word to my kin, and we will fortify your city as well."
"You needn't have brought anything to be welcome," Estel told them, "But these are gracious gifts, my friends. Thank you." He paused a moment, and just stared at their faces, "How were your travels?"
"Magical, I must admit," said Gimli, "Even the forests this elf subjected me too. Save perhaps…" he hesitated, "The last leg of our journey was cut short."
Estel's brows rose in inquiry.
"We did not linger for very long in Mirkwood," Legolas said after a moment.
Estel looked at him more closely. There was great tiredness underlining the joy that was quickly fading from his eyes when they first saw each other again.
"You do not look well," the King
commented.
Legolas
attempted a smile, winced instead.
"That's what ada said." He sighed
melodramatically, "It's just that… It's just that traveling with a dwarf
is so exhausting."
"You will not pin this on me!" Gimli retorted.
Estel laughed, though his smiling eyes remained troubled and concerned. "I can see why you would both exhaust each other. Perhaps it would be best for us to resume this conversation later, after you are both sufficiently rested and recovered for the next round."
* * *
In Minas Tirith, Legolas found rest that he had not known for days. He slept that afternoon and well into the evening, such that he even missed dinner. Elessar was in the company of Gimli and Arwen his queen after the meal in the palace hall, glancing at the doors every once in awhile as if Legolas would come forth at any moment.
"He just needs his sleep, lad," said Gimli, reading the concern in his eyes.
"What happened in Mirkwood?" asked Estel.
"He does not say much," replied Gimli, "but then he never does. He found he is still widely feared and generally unwelcome there. He said he is losing his mind, and I said, he lost it long ago and he really might as well stay. What really happened there, Aragorn? Do you know?"
Estel bit his lip in thought. It was not his story to tell. And yet if he did not tell it, he would not be able to properly draw information out from Gimli.
"He was accused of murdering his older brother," said Estel, "Legolas' death was consequently staged, that he may avoid execution. He stayed in the Mirkwood forests for centuries, in careful hiding. He eventually returned to find the real murderer was his younger brother. He was exonerated, yes. But his people needed to get re-accustomed to him. The pressing issues of the war prevented them from having time to. What I could not understand is why he would leave now, when he found the strength to stomach their distrust before."
Gimli held up his hand, "Younger brother, you say?"
"Yes," replied Estel, wondering where this was going.
"Would he look like, a uh… lesser Legolas?" Gimli asked.
"I would say so," said Estel.
"He is roaming the kingdom freely," said Gimli, "I know now why Legolas is so disturbed."
"Legardo roams
freely…" murmured Estel, "I would be disturbed as
well. He killed the heir to the throne
years ago, and tried the same with Legolas. He stabbed our friend in the back, a scar he
still carries."
Gimli
frowned. "I cannot stand such treachery. I wish me and my axe had done something with
that traitor's face before we left."
"No wonder he found the need to leave," Estel said, "Well. He and I shall speak more of this, when he is ready. The work here in the city shall keep him occupied for now."
* * *
The King caught Legolas early in the morning, sitting by a windowsill in one of the palace's multitude of halls. The sun was shining and lending the already-golden prince an even more ethereal glow. His eyes were shining, and there was an easy smile on his face when he turned toward the new arrival.
"Good morning," he greeted his old friend.
"Legolas," said Estel, returning the smile, "You look much better, mellon. As you should. You slept through the entirety of yesterday!"
"You did not think I came here for your company, did you?" Legolas teased, "I came only for a decent bed!"
Estel's smile faded a tad, as he watched Legolas' face. "Such a comfort you did not find in your home, I heard."
"Ah," said Legolas after a moment of thought, "Indeed. And so. You have heard that Legardo roams free as you and me?"
"Gimli said so," replied Estel.
Legolas nodded, "He is very perceptive." He paused, frowning, "Are you going to encourage me to do 'the right thing' and to come back there? To face a past that unfortunately keeps resurfacing?"
Estel shrugged. "I do not know, mellon."
"I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that some things are just meant to happen," said Legolas, "just as there are some things that are meant not to. There will always be things beyond my control, and things that are not fated to be mine. Much as I may desire, much as I may work. Mirkwood is one of these."
"And so you have come here," said Estel, "to stay?"
"For awhile," winced Legolas, "If you will have me."
"You know I would," said Estel, trying to coax a smile out of the other, saying, "I will gladly suffer your company, as I always have."
It worked, as if often did.
"Well," said Legolas wryly, "I would not be here if I had any other choice, you know."
Estel chuckled, and they stayed in companionable silence, before he asked, "What are you planning, after?"
"The Sea will always call," murmured Legolas thoughtfully, "But even as my heart yearns for it, I cannot bear to leave, at least… not yet. That Haven will always lie in wait for me. It is not going anywhere. This Earth in the meantime… holds things that I can only enjoy for a little while more."
"Are you by any chance referring to me?" Estel teased him.
Legolas considered saying something clever in return. But instead, he laughed and said, "As a matter of fact, I am."
* * *
Ada,
The city is in wonderful bloom. Thank you for the loan of your gardeners and planners. Did Esse tell you I offhandedly offended him the first time I asked for his help? You can probably imagine his manic eyes widening in disbelief, when I asked for a bag of seeds to plant. He said, it takes a lifetime to master his craft, and seeing what he has done for Gondor thus far, there is no art like Esse and his flowers indeed.
Dwarves of Erebor have come with crafts of their own. I am very pleased to say, while our passionate artisans and craftsmen have occasionally found the need to disagree about a thing or two, we have yet to start killing each other… Or perhaps I am being unfair. The dwarves are admittedly a joy to deal with. They create great works, ada. It takes my breath away. I am happy to be a part of something that grows with me… I am just overjoyed that I am helping to create something, to build something that is beautiful and I know will last. You must have felt the same way, when you were founding Eryn Lasgalen.
I think we are physically fashioning for Estel a beautiful and strong kingdom that is worthy of his people's undefeatable spirit. Flowers and trees, and rocks and spun iron. Gentleness and strength, beauty and function. Come together, they are such a wonder to behold.
How are you faring? How are our people? I miss you so. I miss your mighty, laughing eyes. It may be awhile yet until I can come to visit you. Elessar, so pleased is he with our works, has proposed a new venture. He asked me to help rehabilitate another Gondor city that has seen the worst of the war. It is called Ithilien. It will be the King's Steward's seat and I was told to spare no expense. Needless to say, I am eager to work on this project, and Esse and his men are already surveying the area even as I write you. We will once again be working with the dwarves. Can you believe it, ada? Me and dwarves. And gardeners! The world is really strange and really beautiful.
Yours always,
Legolas
* * *
And so it was how the re-building of Ithilien began. The eager group of elves and dwarves, coupled with the resources of Gondor and its own craftsmen, made quick and beautiful work of the city.
The spearheading of the project inadvertently fell upon Legolas' able hands, as his elven planners and gardeners consulted him in almost every aspect of the venture, it being that he was their Prince, and that he had the King's confidence. He exercised powers over finances and resources, and made decisions regarding the general designs. The dwarves too soon saw it fit to rely upon his judgment and coordinate their efforts with his, because any questions they had with the Mirkwood artists would pass by Legolas anyway, not to mention he was more grounded and far easier! to deal with.
Estel watched with some surprise and great pleasure, this side of his friend that he had not the privilege of witnessing before—the side that was the great and able leader. He left his main city to survey the developments one afternoon, and was apparently not the only one to notice this.
"He was born a king, sire, though he will be the last to know it," Searfin said to Estel wistfully, as the pair watched the elf work, "He is first to till the fields and pound the nail, first to dirty his own hands and last to clean them… he is our greatest servant, and such is a true King. Is it not?"
"It is so," said Estel, smiling, "I've not had the chance to see this side of him before. I've never seen him become the prince before, if you get my meaning… He was always arrogant and prideful, yes," laughed Estel, "But to approach this leadership with no hesitation… it is a sight to behold."
"He is returning to his old self," said Serafin, "He was this way in youth. The ringleader. It was always so sensible to follow him. He was very convincing. Did he ever tell you, about this time in our youth, when he made an… an 'educational trip' into a nest of spiders with a torch and a troupe of us? We all escaped unscathed, except for him… not that he was hurt in any way, but of course, there's also the fact that he'd have needed a new pair of ears after his father the King gave him a much-deserved scolding."
Estel laughed, "I bet he did."
"He lost some of that glimmer after… after Lesandro," said Searfin hesitantly, "And Mirkwood is all the less for it. But if he can reclaim himself here, perhaps… perhaps he can find the heart to return one day."
"Perhaps," said Estel thoughtfully, "Perhaps not. Serafin, I need your counsel."
"Of course, sire," said the Mirkwood soldier quickly.
"Naturally I wish for him to reclaim his home too," said Estel, "But… but I find myself considering gifting him with a part of Ithilien."
Searfin's brows rose, "A colony, sire?"
"Yes," said Estel, "It's been weighing on my mind for awhile now. He does not know that what beauty he builds is actually for himself. It's a just reward, to be sure… far more has been given to those who have served far less. I wish for him to have something of Gondor, for all that he has given to us. I was set to gift Gimli with the same, except, I'm rather certain he has his heart set upon the Glittering Caves. Um. Do you think it would be wise? I want to give Legolas something. But at the same time, I do not want to discourage him from returning to his home, I do not want to wrest him from his responsibilities, and from his father. What are your thoughts?"
"I think," said Serafin, considering, "I think he will make a fine Lord, sire. The very best. But I also believe Mirkwood should have him back. But he should also have something of his own. But…" he smiled, realizing he was being redundant and confusing, "I suppose I'm going around in circles. Speak with the dwarf, sire. He understands much. But ultimately… I think this is something I think he has to decide himself."
* * *
3022
And so it was, too, that part of Ithilien was given an elf-lord, while part of it was under the able ruling of Captain Faramir, son of the late Steward of Gondor.
At the closing of the project, Legolas enthusiastically prepared himself for the ceremonial passing of the newly built city's symbolic keys to Elessar. He garbed himself in his best tunics, and sauntered towards the King's crowded halls.
The hall was peopled with Gondor's noble court, and quite the handful of dwarves and elves. Or rather, more than a handful… As the work progressed, more of each of Legolas' and Gimli's kin heard of the inspiring new project and flocked to Gondor with their aid. So busy was he with his work, that Legolas did not even realize just how many more elves and dwarves have arrived until just now. And so, many have seen to the beautification of Ithilien, save for, of all people, the King himself.
Between friends, Legolas forbade Estel from visiting the site for inspection (naturally, he could not have forbidden the King from doing anything he desired!), wanting Ithilien to be a wondrous surprise. He was now eager to see Estel's face upon visiting the city, even as Estel was eagerly anticipating Legolas' face upon discovering that part of it was his! Gimli, ever the enthusiastic co-conspirator, stuck beside the elf during the entirety of the ceremonies, not wanting to miss a moment of his surprise. The elf was seldom caught unawares, and was often the chief of all mischief… but today, today the dissident will get the shock of his long life!
Legolas stepped forward, bearing the key. His bow was reverent and his stance formal, but his eyes were wonderfully alight, as he handed the city keys to the King.
Estel accepted it with as much reverence, and as much light. With a plethora of formalities, he handed the keys to Captain Faramir, Ithilien's human ruler, who thereafter approached Legolas with a strange, unexpected offering.
The elf, firmly believing his role was over and done with at the passing of the keys, hesitantly glanced at Estel, knowing that anything Faramir had decided must have come from him.
Faramir reverently unfolded the standard he was bearing. It was a profound, near-black shade of green that Legolas thought was reminiscent of the deepest, most glorious of forests. At the center of the carefully-crafted flag was a single, intricate leaf embroidered with spun gold.
"The ages have taught us great shadows and greater loss," said Faramir, "Race against race, blood against blood. We have known plenty of darkness, we have known plenty of disunity. But… we have also known our own strength. The war has revealed the worst and the best of us. But the work, and the revelations did not end with the lowering of the swords. It began anew with the raising of the shovels and the hammers, the planting of the seeds and the flowers, as we shifted ourselves from the struggle to survive, towards the struggle to rebuild, and then to grow.
"In the building of Ithilien," he continued, "We have seen the best of these efforts. The city is an emblem of unity and hard work, of stability, of hope, and best of all, vision. Vision of a world jointly forged by mixed hands, vision of a world beautiful and strong. And enduring."
He reverently offered the standard to a stunned Legolas, saying, "And so the King grants Prince Legolas of Eryn Lasgalen a colony in Ithilien. In a world that has long lived in the darkness and cold of the winter, past ages of deaths and departures, in Ithilien we see re-birth, and hope. In Ithilien, we see the spring, a spring that began with one green leaf."
Began with one Greenleaf, Estel thought, as he met Legolas' pointed look. The pun had come from him of course.
The prince accepted the standard with set jaws, as the hall erupted in enthusiastic applause. Gimli gamely patted the elf's arm, and cheered the loudest of all. Estel, watching Legolas' face, was not as enthusiastic. Legolas did not seem to like it at all.
* * *
The riding party of Gondor's nobles flocked to Ithilien in eager anticipation to see it. At the head of the column was Estel, and beside him rode Legolas who, as always, shared a steed with Gimli. Searfin, who by now had taken it upon himself to always protect the Prince, was on Legolas' other side.
"You are not pleased," Estel said, over the thunderous pounding of horse hooves.
"No, not really," Legolas retorted, "I suppose it would be too much to hope that you had nothing to do with this."
He might have been referring to Gimli. Or to Serafin. He was not sure. Either way, both guilty parties said at almost the exact same instant, "It seemed wise!"
Legolas took a deep breath of frustration, and kept his eyes on the road.
"Why not, Legolas?" Estel asked him, "Why not?"
"Why not?" snapped Legolas, "I'm sorry, my King, but you hardly left me with any choice. I may defy you in closed doors, mellon, but we are friends enough that I will reject nothing that the King offers to me, in front of his people."
"So it is the format that incenses you," inquired Elessar, "And not the offer itself?"
"Both," replied Legolas sternly.
"Why?" pressed Estel.
"It is going to be such an embarrassment, Estel," said Legolas after a moment, "You gave me a colony. I will have lands, I will have houses. I have no people!"
"Are your elven eyes failing you?" Gimli retorted from behind him, "Or have you not seen you are being followed and admired? It seems also that your ears will soon fail as well, for you've not heard the whispers that more of your kin are to come."
"The greatest elven realms are diminishing with many of your people taking to the Undying Lands," said Estel, "Some are tired and wish to leave, others desire to stay, but are uncertain of their fate without their lords. They seek light, Legolas. They will find it in you. As those who ride behind us have. Did you know that most of them were heaven-bound until they passed through and heard of you?"
"In days as uncertain as these, my lord," piped in Serafin, "They came to you. As we all have."
Legolas considered it, but said nothing for awhile.
"I suppose," he said in a quiet tone, and Estel was relieved to find it seemed as if he was conceding at last, and no longer so angry about it, "I can hardly change my mind now, it being that I've already accepted."
Estel chuckled, "Legolas, do you remember one of the things Elrohir said to you long ago? I cannot forget it, for even now it fits so well. He said, 'Has anyone ever told you that you do not accept aid, compliment or apology very graciously?'"
A smile teased Legolas' lips, "I remember."
"But you are still not thanking me, are you?" Estel chided.
"No," Legolas said, chuckling helplessly as he shook his head.
* * *
Ada,
It may be awhile yet until I can return to you. The King has gifted me with a colony. A colony! What a cunning and insufferable man he is, ada, almost as clever as you! Why, he did not tell me what I was building belonged to me.
It is so strange. I feared I will have lands and riches, but no people and hence, no real realm. But Esse and his party of artisans have decided to stay for now, and elves from Lothlorien and some of Rivendell have come too. Serafin said, they came to the colony in search of light in days so uncertain, and they found it in me. While I know not of the truth or falseness of that, I am certain of the light I found in them, and of the light I found in Ithilien.
I do not think they came here for me. They came here for the same reasons I did. To look for an anchor here in an Earth so beautiful. The world is changing, ada. The elves are leaving, and our colony is coming together as a rather motley band of the remnants of our kin from here and there, those who still hesitate to leave. A strange crew indeed. But we do share a vision. And we do share a desire to stay, at least for awhile.
I mentioned I once feared no one would want to follow my lead. Who wants to take orders from a known murderer, ada…? But it seems that while in our own Mirkwood I am yet to be redeemed, my part in the War of the Ring has not gone unnoticed before the eyes of the rest of the world. Either my deeds were indeed great, or people are not so quick and final to condemn after all. If the latter is the case, then I am wondering if it was right for me to have left you… perhaps, perhaps not. But in thinking of these things, my mind inevitably returns to Ithilien, and Ithilien feels right, so I cannot regret having left, for the latter could not have been created without the former. I only hope I did succeed in becoming a credit to your name (at last?).
You may want to visit me, one day. The city is beautiful. And we are creating trade arrangements from all over. We are growing, and thankfully well-founded. Visit me soon.
Yours always,
Legolas
* * *
Thranduil smiled, putting down his son's letter.
He seems happy, Thranduil felt, and after awhile, it was all that truly mattered.
Thranduil folded the letter neatly, and placed it upon an ornate wooden box. He kept all his correspondence with Legolas here, and unbeknownst to his son, Thranduil kept correspondence with one other fellow from Gondor… namely its King (who was indeed admittedly very clever).
Thranduil felt, as he always did, that his son may keep things from him and therefore, found the need to ensure all was well. Elessar was only more than willing to comply.
Their correspondence spanned all the years Legolas had been away. It began with Elessar's thanks for the gardeners and planners, and word that Legolas was safe within the palace. Thranduil's further inquiries about Legolas were always generously responded to, and though he wished he could see his son grow at last into himself, Elessar's kind words and vision from the loving eyes of a friend were descriptive, and always lent him immeasurable joy.
And so Legolas had his land, had his people, had his trade arrangements. There was just one more thing missing. Thranduil frowned. No, maybe two. He wanted a daughter-in-law and the consequent grandchildren, yes, but Legolas was still too… flighty for Thranduil to hope for that. The other thing, was an army. That, the King of Mirkwood could easily remedy.
He took out a sheet of paper from his desk, and wrote out an order commissioning a small contingent of twenty of his best soldiers in the service of Ithilien for the next few years. It was not much, but it was a good, solid start. Legolas would know to recruit and train more of his own soldiers from there. And then he wrote his son a letter, gifting him with the troupe, and promising he will come by one day.
TO BE CONTINUED…
SOME REPLIES, THANKS AND NOTES:
Great thanks to those who read and reviewed, like dd9736, gwyn, starlit hope, tychen, silvertongue, kanaylle, msl, idle mind, kit cloudkicker, konzen, me, stoneage woman, sodalite, random ramblings, ice mage 1014, dragonfly, jenzy, platy, luthien anaclime, deana and chica.
Stoneage woman: tantamount means equal or equivalent to :)
Tychen: well I hope your less-maternal (and less noble!) side which is fascinated with the Ranger is somewhat satisfied by the Estel-parts of this chappie. More of him will come, I promise :)
Dd9736: I hope the third part, which is pretty much a summing up of the building of Ithilien, answers your question :) Naturally I didn't think he could build a colony with his eccentric motley Mirkwood crew. But it somehow became the start. I hope it's a feasible idea :)
I'll be putting up an Original Character Guide at the end parts of my fic from here on end to ease the confusion that will inevitably follow :) hope it helps :)
Lesandro was the much-beloved heir to Mirkwood and Legolas' older brother, until he was murdered in the 2800's.
Legardo is Legolas' younger brother, and was the murderer of Lesandro, as Legolas finds out in "Exile." He tries to kill Legolas too, but fails and is imprisoned.
Lord Sala is the cowardly but opportunistic Mirkwood politician who tried to take the throne from King Thranduil by accusing Legolas of Lesandro's murder.
Lady Andrada is an old elf woman who fell in love with Thranduil but staged her own death to escape her unreturned love and subsequent despair in Mirkwood. She staged Legolas' death as well, to keep him from being a pawn in Sala's ambitions.
Dalsegno is actually Estel/Aragorn. In "Escape" he loses his memory and is given a new name after an orphanage gives him shelter. Once in awhile, those who knew him under this name still refer to him in this way.
Cecilia is the old woman in charge
of the "Escape" orphanage. Biggles and Damien are her aides. These three characters will not be appearing
in "Return."
Sari is an elf of Lothlorien and was Arwen's betrothed centuries before she met Estel. He was a celebrated soldier, until he was captured by orcs and was a slave to them for hundreds of years. In 3014, he is found and complicates Estel and Arwen's life in "Escape." He eventually falls in love with a human woman named Teresa.
Teresa is Sari's wife, and was also an occupant of Cecilia's orphanage, another character of "Escape."
Serafin is the loyal Mirkwood soldier who follows Legolas to Ithilien. He makes his debut in "Return."
Esse and Mical are Mirkwood brothers and eccentric geniuses who followed Legolas to Ithilien, also introduced in "Return." Esse is the Royal Gardener and Mical is the Royal City Planner.
