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.

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PART EIGHT

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      "I think I need your counsel first," Legolas admitted to the adan, when the two old friends found themselves alone inside the elf's tent.

      Aragorn looked at his friend in wonder.  "Even until now you still doubt yourself."

      Legolas shook his head, dismayed, "I am not in my element."

      "What then is your element, mellon?" Aragorn chided gently, "A life of peace, perhaps? A life of quiet?"

      "I'm not sure," Legolas confessed, "Not this.  At least," he attempted a nervous joke, "Isn't madness and chaos more your forte?"

      "I wish you could step outside of yourself and see what we all see," Aragorn told him, ignoring the jibe, "You are handling things very well."
      "You should take command," Legolas said flatly.

      Aragorn smiled at him slowly, willing for him to do the same, teasing the anxious elf with his warm eyes, "That misery I leave solely to you."

      Legolas' lips quirked, "I thought you would stand by me, mellon?"

      "Well yes," Aragorn chuckled, "But I most certainly will not lead the way to anywhere."

      Legolas' jaw tightened.  "I'm afraid of making a mistake.  There are a ton of things at stake."

      "As in all things in life," Aragorn said to him soothingly, "This is just one among a multitude of things we must face."

      "You sound old," Legolas teased him, wrinkling his nose.

      "At least I've matured," Aragorn told him wryly, "Aren't you supposed to show some manifestation of being as wise as your years?"

      Thranduil stepped toward Legolas, achingly saying, ~You think by now I'd be as wise as my years.~

      He embraced his son, ~But I am finding I am still often at a loss.  We work so hard to make the world a finer place for our children.  And here we both are.  The home I have crafted for you only lends you so much pain and so grave a sorrow.  I desperately wish you could stay, yet I know you could not.  And I should not ask it of you.  What is a father to do, really… A King could physically block your way or perhaps invoke your duties and order you to stay.  But a father… a father will let you find yourself first, and then patiently await your return.~

      Legolas closed his eyes, cherished the barest moments of his father's embrace.  He buried his face in his father's cloaks, and said, muffled and wry, making Thranduil smile despite the circumstances, ~You're not very patient at all, ada.  But do not worry.  I will never forget to write.~

      "Legolas?" Aragorn called, frowning in worry for the elf seemed to be lost in some other space and time for a moment.

      Legolas smiled wanly at his friend in assurance, shook his head to say that there was nothing wrong, "It just… It reminded me of something ada said."

      "I'm sure being told you're immature is something you hear all the time," Aragorn teased him.

      "You are incorrigible," Legolas told him.

      Gimli appeared by the entrance of the tent, flanked by Haldir, Elladan, Elrohir and the captains of the Gondor and Ithilien armies.  The more hesitant Mical and Elias were dragged along by the persistent Andrada, crowding the small space.

      "We cannot fight them openly," Legolas declared, "There is a mausoleum at the edges of the palace.  It has a secret passageway that leads into the crown prince's quarters inside.  We will be infiltrating the palace this way.  Unless…" he turned to Mical, "City planner.  Are there any other avenues?"

      "My lord," replied the nervous scholar, "The palace was built at the time of my mentor.  I do not think I will be any more familiar with these mysterious ways than you are."

      "Was anything changed?" Legolas asked, "When the palace was rebuilt after the Dol Guldur assaults? Renovations? Was anything changed before I left for Imladris years ago?"

      Mical shook his head, "Nothing drastic, my lord.  The changes were more… cosmetic, in nature.  And repairs.  The secret ways were never even touched at all."

      Legolas nodded, relieved.  "The name of the game is secrecy.  They must not know we have entered.  The people are with them.  The King is with them.  They will not hesitate to kill if they suspect something is amiss."

      "I assume this means not all of us will be passing through this secret way," said Haldir.

      "Exactly," said Legolas, "A group of twenty at the greatest.  Perhaps… even just fifteen."

      "And what of the rest?" asked Gimli.

      "They must stand at the ready here," said Legolas, "Those inside will secure the hostages—remove them from the equation, so to speak-- and once this is done, a signal will be made from within to inform the others that they can now storm the palace."

      Legolas glanced at Aragorn, as if seeking disapproval, complaints, suggestions.  The King offered him an almost imperceptible, encouraging nod. 

      Go on, go on.

      Not only did Aragorn find the plan acceptable, he was even impressed.  Legolas' was a tactic of stealth, rather than of the brute strength and force of arms that the wide, war plains he was more familiar with guaranteed.  He supposed it was only sensible that the prince, having long been a warrior in troubled Mirkwood, was used to a different style of fighting altogether.  In a forest, there were tons of places to hide, and not as much room for maneuvering or for a large force of men.  He had to make do, and Aragorn was seeing signs of this ingenuity. 

      Legolas turned to the Ithilien elven captain, "I'm going to need five of your men," and to the man from Gondor, he said, "And five of yours.  I leave this to your discretion.  But I want your lightest pairs of feet.  You may attend to this immediately."

      The elf and man nodded brusquely and excused themselves at once.   Though Legolas has worked with them before, he did not count them among his closest of circles and was not as comfortable discussing his hesitations in their presence.  And one such hesitation was giving assignments to his friends.

      "What of the rest of us?" Elrohir asked.

      "I could hardly command you to go anywhere," Legolas told him wryly, "Well one thing is certain.  As always, the dwarf will go wherever in all of Arda he pleases."

      "Ha!" Gimli exclaimed, delighted.

      "You would know best, Legolas," said Elladan reassuringly.

      "Would I?" Legolas asked him, raising an eyebrow.

      "Yes," replied Elladan, adding dryly, "Come now, Legolas.  Theoretically.  Pretend we're all agreeable persons.  Where would you put us if you had the power?"

      "Frankly?" said Legolas, looking at Aragorn pointedly, "I would rather have you all away and elsewhere.  But since everyone is here, I find it hard to imagine you are all agreeable."

      He was met by an expectant silence.

      The Mirkwood elf sighed in resignation.  "But if I had my way… Naturally, Mical, Lady Andrada and Elias stay here in the camp.  And Elladan, Haldir and Estel will stay as well to lead the charge when we make the signal.  Gimli, Elrohir and I will be part of the group who secretly infiltrates the palace."

      "I would rather go with you," Aragorn said.

      Legolas looked at Elladan wryly, wordlessly telling the other elf, You were saying…?

      "It was theoretical," Elladan told him lightly.

      "All of us who have ever used the passageway before must be separate," argued Legolas, "So that the siege may be repeated should the first effort fail.  That is why Elladan stays as well."

      "Let Elessar go where he wishes," Andrada suddenly said, her voice cool and determined, "I've used the passage before.  In case the first efforts fail, I can lead the way."

      Legolas frowned at her.  The passageway was always the royal family's and theirs alone.  Its secret was well-kept, and justifiably so.  He knew Andrada was a close friend of his father's, but he could not conceive of how she could know of it.

      "Very well," Legolas said, turning to Haldir and Elladan, "Await the signal.  An arrow of flames towards the skies.  We will begin the siege at the height of the night."

      The group dispersed to prepare for the attack some hours away.  But Andrada lingered, and seemed at the verge of saying something to Legolas.

      ~I loved your father,~ she said to him simply, deciding the plainest of truths would serve them best.  She tilted her head, watched his face carefully.

      ~I know,~ Legolas told her, ~I've always known.~

      ~Your lady mother,~ said Andrada hesitantly, ~She has these sharp eyes.  Like yours.  The way you look when you are thinking.  It reminds me of her.  She… she saw me too.~

      Talk of his mother lent him a familiar ache, one that he did not wish to speak of during a night when the possibility of losing his father as well was dreadfully glaring.

      ~We needn't speak of this now,~ he said, occupying his mind by gathering his things about him.

      She paused, and seemed as if she would heed his wishes, for a moment.  But she shook her head, ~I've been silent too long, you impertinent boy.  We old folk can say whatever cursed thing we wish to say.~

      ~Then say it quickly,~ Legolas snapped, putting down his things and staring at her.

      ~You might have been too young to remember,~ said Andrada, ~She died in an attempted siege.  I was in the palace at this time too.  The King, he said to me, 'Keep my family safe.'  But she died in my arms.  It was she who told me of the passageway.  The mausoleum used to be empty, of course, but it was always about, in case of an attack.  She told me to take her sons away to a safe place.  With her dying breath, she told me to take care of you.  And your father.~  She laughed scornfully, ~In all the years that I wished to take your lady mother's place… It was cruel of the gods, really, to grant me my most bitter wish.~

      ~It's not as if you wished her dead,~ Legolas pointed out.

      ~No,~ Andrada shook her head, ~Of course I did not.  But really, my prince.  It felt as if I might as well should have.  I could not take what she was giving.  And so I left, and looked after you from a distance.  To give without taking.  And now… well, I am back.~

      ~I never had the chance to know her very well,~ Legolas said quietly after a moment, ~But I think, my lady… you… you did well by her.~

      She looked at him with a wan smile.  Her eyes glistened with tears unshed.  Legolas did not think it was possible, but the grand old woman seemed to stand taller, as if a great weight has been released from her.

      ~Well of course,~ she said, ~I am not as sprightly as I used to be.  I can only protect you so far.  But Elessar… I championed him because he can do for you what I could not.  He always has, hasn't he? Ever since years ago.  I've watched, you know.  I always have.  I've heard, and I've listened.  He can help redeem my word for me.~

      Legolas smiled at her wistfully, ~It's that fool who needs guidance, not me.~

      ~You can look after each other,~ she said lightly.

      He paused, and looked at her, measuring.  ~Have you thought of what happens to you after all of this? Have you returned to stay at last?~

      ~I don't know,~ she admitted, looking at him pointedly, ~Have you?~

* * *

      Torres took the King's study as his office.  The hall was entirely too grand, and the sight of the throne was mocking him.  And so he sat upon the intricate wooden desk, leafing through the various books and papers he found in the quiet room.

      ~I never knew how to read,~ he said to no one in particular; his audience was composed of the irate sovereign shackled and seated upon the floor, guarded by two of Torres' men, and Legardo who was similarly situated.

      ~They talked about symbols and things that told stories,~ he continued, ~I never knew what that meant.  Until I looked through these things and they are screaming at me, but I cannot hear them.~

      He was met with no reply, nor did he expect any.

      Torres nodded at the King to call his attention, ~I've had my meeting with the Lord of the Ithilien elves.  At the very mention of you, his eyes burned and I clearly saw myself in them, saw him visioning the precise manner of my demise.~

      ~You had better fear him,~ Legardo retorted.

      ~I didn't particularly see him extend any manner of kindness to you either,~ Torres told him dryly, ~Curious thing.  We were educated to believing that the older son inherits the throne.  And here you have the grand Eryn Lasgalen, with its older son upon some other seat, and its younger son a mere foot soldier.  These clues are screaming at me, but I cannot hear them.~

      ~Why should it matter to you?~ asked Legardo, ~Such trivial concerns should be immaterial to one who is already facing his death.~

      ~I live by that old maxim,~ said Torres, ~To know one's enemy.~

      Legardo just shrugged, said nothing of the situation.

      Torres looked at him, measuring.  ~I've heard it said that Legolas of Ithilien is a great hero of some kind.  Some war.  I don't know, we've been closeted in a war of our own in that dreadful prison.  In the short time of peace I've spent in the hospitality of the King, I've heard the servants speak of him.  Whispers of his exile, his greatness, his fall.  It's like an old legend.  Ones that we told ourselves in the dark.  Fiction to me, life to him.~

      ~You really picked the wrong hostages though,~ Legardo lied swiftly, ~Legolas of Ithilien has a bone to pick with all of us.  To kill us will only be a favor to him.  He desperately wants the throne, he would kill for it.  He has before.~

      ~And what?~ Torres said sarcastically, ~I might as well let you go? I might as well set you free?  Really, my prince.  Give me a little credit.~

      Legardo matched his dry tone, ~I had to try.~

      Torres looked at him thoughtfully, ~But you're not a prince are you? We were never formally introduced, after all.  And… it wasn't only of Legolas that I've heard stories told.~  He stepped towards Legardo with a glint in his dark eyes, ~We are the same, you and I.  The dark of captivity made me into what I am, just as the dark of the shadow of your brother made you what you are.~

      ~You must be very clever then,~ Legardo told him sourly.

      ~No,~ Torres said smoothly, ~You're just not nearly clever enough.~  He turned to his men and said, ~Take the lesser son with the women and children, with the helpless, where he belongs more.~

      ~That's mean,~ Legardo pointed out as he was pulled roughly to his feet.

      ~You are right,~ said Torres, ~It's not so much that, I suppose.  As much as there is one more adage I choose to live by: Never keep all your eggs in one basket.  Legolas of Ithilien will not give up so easily, I think.  But there is just one of him to go around.  The King is with me, the people are there, the brother is elsewhere, the soldiers in the dungeons… Mark my word, Legardo.  If they attack, and I think they will, a lot of you will be going down with the lot of us.~

TO BE CONTINUED…

Original Character Guide:

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.

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.

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.

Elias – one of the Forgotten elves, the first one whom Legolas and company find.

Torres – the leader of the Forgotten elves

Yasmina – Torres' beloved wife, also one of the Forgotten elves

SOME NOTES, REPLIES AND THANKS

THANKS TO MY REVIEWERS: Starlit Hope, Tychen, MSL, Grumpy, Elessar*Lover, Platy, Gwyn, Dragonfly32, Insanechildfanfic, LOTRFAith, HalandLeg4ever

To Platy: haha, thank you for the correction.  It does sound funny :)

THANKS TO ALL WHO REVIEWED AND ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO READ!!! 'til the next post!!!