Chapter Eighteen: Legolas' Letter

Thranduil stared after Legolas' retreating figure. He still did not believe what he had heard from his son, that Aerandir forced Míriel to wed him. And who was Falathar? Thranduil had never heard of him. He pondered whether or not to write Gil-celeb, then decided against it.

Legolas left his sire and went into another empty room to think. How foolish he had been to believe Avathar! After all, he hardly knew him! Aerandir was his mentor and a dear friend; he knew him for many centuries. Never had he appeared in any way bad. How did he dare to doubt him now, at the word of a servant whom he knew not? Did he not tell his own people to be wary of Avathar? How had he been fooled?

'I will take my sire's advice and be cautious of Avathar. How did I dare to doubt Aerandir? If he is, as Avathar says, truly evil hearted, then he would have thrown me out of the kingdom when I confessed to him that I kissed Míriel. Yet he did not. That proves Aerandir is pure of heart. What does my sire mean when he feels that Avathar may be here for a deadly purpose?' he thought. ' I must be on my guard.'

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After Legolas' departure, the Elves in southern Eryn Lasgalen returned to their normal lifestyles. They were glad at the return of their beloved King Gil-celeb and Aerandir from their visit with the Beornings and Woodmen. There was much gaiety concerning Míriel's pregnancy. There were many feasts held in honor of the occasion that for several weeks Míriel and Aerandir did not have a chance to sit with each other.

"I swear, I have never seen as many feasts held in one day than today. Can you believe that we attended four feasts?" Aerandir said.

Míriel winced as she eased herself onto a chair.

"I believe it. I am so very full from eating. Everyone kept forcing food, saying, 'You are carrying Aerandir's child, so you need as much nourishment as you can get! Eat! Eat!' You would think I was starving. If anyone else invites us to a feast tomorrow, I will burst from all of the food I ate. I cannot eat for at least a fortnight!" she said.

Aerandir smiled affectionately at his wife.

"Did you take the tonic for your pain?" he asked her.

"Of course, otherwise I would not have gone with you. If I do not take it, I cannot stand on my feet." she replied.

She watched as he undressed. There was a knock at the door.

"Who is there?" Aerandir called, hastily pulling on his leggings.

"It is I, Amorith."

"Enter."

The door opened slowly as Amorith entered. She bowed meekly to the captain and her lady. She held out a letter to Míriel.

"What is it?" Míriel asked her curiously. "An invitation to a feast?"

"It is a letter, from Prince Legolas. Since I was on my way here to prepare you for your rest, I brought this with me." Amorith replied.

"A letter from Legolas?"

Amorith nodded her head.

Míriel took the letter from her and turned it over in her hands. What did the Prince want? Aerandir looked at the letter apprehensively. She knew what he was thinking, for it was also on her mind. She waited until Amorith had left after preparing her for the night before opening it.

Aerandir watched her face closely as she opened it.

"It is alright." she announced with a sigh of relief.

Aerandir exhaled slowly. He had feared the worst.

"How is our young Prince?" he asked.

"He is fine. He sends his regards to you. He says his journey home was interesting. He met an apparently wandering Elf who is now his personal servant. His name is Avathar." Míriel replied.

Aerandir raised his eyebrows.

"Avathar? What sort of Elf would call himself the shadows?" he said. "That is most interesting."

"Indeed it is." Míriel agreed.

"Anything else?"

"Thranduil sends his regards as well."

She folded the letter carefully and hid it under her pillow. There was something else. Legolas had asked about Falathar. How did he know about him? Suspicion and fear coursed through her.

"What is wrong, my dear?" Aerandir asked.

"Nothing." the Princess replied.

She forgot about the letter as Aerandir pulled her into him and began to kiss her tenderly.

The following day Míriel awoke before Aerandir and slowly got out of bed. She bit her lips as the pain immediately began when she stepped onto her feet. She managed to dress herself and slipped out of the bedchamber silently, the letter clutched tightly in her hands. The Princess made her slowly through the palace halls until she came to her sire's private quarters. She knocked softly.

"Míriel?"

She turned around to find her sire standing behind her, a puzzled expression on his face.

"What are you doing up so early, and on your own?" he asked.

"It is something important." she replied. "This letter."

"Apparently. Come inside, then."

The King helped his daughter into his chambers. After seating her and giving her something to drink, he took the letter from her hand and read it to himself silently. His face grew grave towards the end.

"Legolas sent this to you?" he asked upon finishing.

"I received it last night from Amorith." Míriel said.

"Does Aerandir know about it?"

"He knows everything except the part about Falathar."

"I wonder how he knows."

"Then you did not inform Thranduil?"

Gil-celeb shook his head.

"I did not." he told her.

He gave her the letter back.

"He says in the letter that he heard about Falathar from a subject of yours." she said. "Do you know of anyone who lives in Thranduil's realm and was your subject?"

"I do not. Perhaps he heard from his stay here." her father replied. "Or there could be former subjects of mine that relocated there."

Míriel sighed.

"There are many possibilities. There is one I fear." she said.

"What is that, sell nín?" Gil-celeb asked.

"That Falathar himself told him."

Gil-celeb flinched.

"I do not think he would dare to do such a thing," he said.

Míriel smiled sadly at her sire.

"I truly hope so." she said, and rose to leave. "Oh, and sire, do you recall ever having a subject named Avathar?"

Gil-celeb shook his head.

"Very well. I will leave you now. I wish to return before Aerandir awakes, finds me not, and then worries." she said.

"Will you reply to Legolas about Falathar?" Gil-celeb asked.

"I will."

Then she left his chamber and found herself face to face with Amorith. The handmaiden chided her at walking so early in the morning, but especially since she did not take her tonic and was unaccompanied. Aerandir was still resting when she returned to her chamber.

"Good. At least I have time to think," she said quietly.

She sat down before her dressing table and stared at herself in the mirror. She placed the letter before her.

'So, Legolas, you know of Falathar. What do you know of him? And who told you? I mistrust this Avathar. Something in my heart tells me he is not what he appears to be. I hope my greatest fear does not come true. If it does, then woe to me! Beware, young Prince!' she thought.

Then, taking a piece of parchment and quill, which she dipped in ink, Míriel began to write a reply to Legolas' letter. She was careful not to make too much noise as not to wake her husband. When she finished, Aerandir was stirring in the bed. Quickly, she sealed her letter.

"Aerandir! You are awake!" she said softly.

He gazed at her for a moment.

"What are you doing awake?" he asked.

"I took a brief morning stroll and only just returned." she replied.

He dressed, and they went to the dining hall for the morning meal. Míriel sent her letter to Legolas. Then she offered a silent prayer to Eru.