Chapter Nineteen: To Southern Eryn Lasgalen

In the northern region of Eryn Lasgalen, Thranduil was holding a grand feast for his son. Legolas was looking especially handsome that night, attired in glimmering white, his silken blond hair intricately plaited, with a golden circlet upon his head. All of the maidens gazed in longing at him, hoping for a dance. But he did not ask any maidens. His mind was busy in thought about what Avathar had told him about Aerandir. The Prince still could not believe that he had been misled.

"I wonder what Aerandir would say if I informed him." he told his sire later that night. "I actually mistrusted him!"

Thranduil smiled slightly.

"There is something mysterious about the whole matter. You met Avathar, he persuaded you to make him your personal servant, and then he makes you mistrust your mentor, a most noble Elf. I strongly believe that you were not yourself. Something affected you, perhaps a spell. I know you better than to mistrust Aerandir." the King said.

Legolas nodded.

"It is all very bewildering. At times I come upon Avathar when he is alone. He sits and stares at nothing, yet a frightening change comes over him. He appears dark and terrible to behold. Then when I look again, it is all over, and he appears normal. I know not if my eyes are cheated by some spell or not. It is all very strange." he said.

"Indeed it is very strange. Let me warn you once more, Legolas. Beware. My heart is not at rest with Avathar here. Yet since we cannot prove anything, there is nothing to be done." Thranduil sighed.

"I will be cautious, adar. Estelio nin."

Then Legolas bade goodnight to his sire and went to his chamber. He found Avathar preparing his bed for him.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Avathar asked.

"I did." Legolas replied.

Avathar smiled.

"That is well." he said.

Legolas opened his wardrobe and looked for his night clothing. In the reflection of his mirror on the side of the wardrobe he saw Avathar watching him with an eerie smile on his face. It unnerved him.

"I need nothing further from you tonight. You may go." Legolas told him. "Go now and rest, for no doubt you are weary from toil."

"You are kind, Prince, too kind." Avathar said with a bow.

He then left the Prince and went to his chamber. Legolas sighed quietly in relief. Then he changed his clothing and slipped into bed.

As he lay there, Legolas began to think of Míriel. Did she receive his letter? If she did, did she read it? Or did she throw it? If she read it, would Aerandir allow her to reply?

'Look, I have started again! I cannot now think of Aerandir without mistrusting him in some way.' he thought.

He closed his eyes, and immediately Míriel's silver haired head appeared. He shook his head, and he found himself kissing her. In his arms he could almost feel her warm body, and he could smell her.

"Ai! I will go mad if I keep on thinking about her. She was right when she warned me about whom I love." he whispered.

Five days later, Legolas received Míriel's reply. He was beside himself with happiness. He made sure no one knew, or at least he tried. Thranduil caught him reading it in secret.

"What are you reading?" he asked.

"A letter from Míriel." Legolas answered.

"Oh? How is she?"

"She is fine. She told me who Falathar is. He used to dwell in her sire's kingdom, but then he left after her sire became displeased with him. However, she says not to mention it to anyone."

Thranduil looked thoughtful.

"He displeased Gil-celeb, eh? Maybe Falathar tried to force Míriel into marrying her. That would explain why Avathar has a grudge against him. Falathar was thrown out of the kingdom, and so Aerandir was free to wed Míriel. He got Míriel, and Falathar did not." he said.

"That is very possible, sire." Legolas said.

"That is the answer, my son. Avathar twisted the truth. I feel it."

Míriel received a letter from Legolas informing her that he had received her letter. He told her that apart from his sire, no one knew about Falathar, except for Avathar. He then told her how he was regarding his servant more and more with extreme suspicion.

'At times when I come upon him in his solitude, he is wholly changed. There is a dark and formidable look in his eyes.' he wrote.

But he did not tell her about how he came to regard Aerandir with mistrust. He was deeply embarrassed.

The days passed slowly. Míriel's stomach expanded and took on a more rounded shape. She began to endure even more pain, and spent more time sitting than on her legs. The tonic did not help like it did before; it only lessened the pain for a much shorter amount of time. Aerandir spent most of his time at his wife's side, attempting to take her mind off the pain. In this way, he greatly relieved Amorith and Giliath.

"I do hope it will be worth all this pain." Míriel said to Aerandir.

Aerandir smiled softly at his wife and kissed her forehead.

"I promise Míriel, veleth nín, that it will be worth all of the pain you must endure. Think not of the pain, but of the child that will be born. Soon, in several months, you will be cradling our child in your arms. A delicate little edhel, with tiny pointed ears, fair skin and bright, glowing eyes. Our child, produced from love." Aerandir whispered.

Then he wrapped his arms about her and nuzzled her face.

Nine months had passed since Míriel received Legolas' reply. They had been exchanging letters with one another ever since. The Prince was telling Míriel about all the news in his sire's realm, and he mostly read about the conversations between her and Aerandir as she lay in bed, unable to move because of her intense pain. At times, he would imagine himself in Aerandir's place, whispering soft words into her ears, caressing her delicate face, or even kissing her. He knew it would be only three more months before she would give birth to Aerandir's child.

"Ai, has it been that long since my return? Nine months?" he said.

"Nine months it has been." Avathar confirmed.

"Only three more months before Míriel gives birth." he whispered.

Avathar stared at him momentarily. So they were true, the rumors he had gathered from his spies, that Míriel was pregnant.

"Will you not go to see Princess Míriel?" Avathar asked.

Legolas looked at Avathar.

"Am ma theled?" he asked.

"It has been nine months since you saw her last, and, from what you told me, I gather that you are in love with her." Avathar persisted.

"She is wedded." Legolas told him. "Forget not."

"I forget naught, Prince. Yet, a visit will not hurt anything."

Legolas was quiet for several moments.

"Indeed, a visit will not hurt anything. In fact, I mean to solve a problem between Aerandir and myself. It is long due." he said.

Avathar watched the Prince rise and leave his chamber, no doubt to speak with his sire. Avathar smiled coldly at Legolas' back and picked up the latest letter he had received from Míriel.

"A problem between yourself and my brother you say? Then you have believed what I have told you. Very good, young Prince!" he said to himself. "My plan is almost complete. Míriel will soon be mine!"

Then he laughed coldly.

In King Thranduil's private sitting chamber, Legolas was informing his sire about his intended visit with Aerandir and Míriel. He did not tell him that Avathar suggested it to him. He felt it was not good to do so.

"You wish to visit them?" Thranduil repeated.

"I mean to inform Aerandir about the suspicion Avathar planted in me about him. It has been awhile since I saw them as well." Legolas said.

Thranduil studied Legolas.

"You may go, but leave Avathar. I need him here." he said.

"Very well, adar." Legolas replied, and with a bow left his sire.

Back in his chamber, he ordered Avathar to prepare clothing for him for several weeks. The servant did so silently.

"I am going, but you are to stay. My sire needs you." he said, when Avathar had prepared everything the Prince wanted.

Avathar nodded wordlessly. Legolas bade him farewell and left.

Sindarin Translation:

Am ma theled: for what purpose/why