Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, it was lovely to be welcomed back!
This chapter contains a lot of musings, but they fill gaps in the story so I hope you do not find them too boring.
In Tolkien's book, Aragorn meets Arwen in Lothlorien when he is twenty years old. I have gone a bit AU here (well, more than this story is anyway) because in my timeline he is about thirty when this happens. I thought I mention this before I get lots of comments on that.
Please read, enjoy and review!
Important: This is a repost - thanks to all of you who pointed out my mix- up of Celebrian and Celeborn. By mistake I posted an unproofed version with lots of mistakes, including the name-confusion. Sorry about this, and thanks to everyone who spotted it!
- - - - -
Chapter 24 – To Make A Choice
King Thandruil of the Woodland Realm enjoyed a rare moment of peace and quiet. He stood on a wooden bridge over a small forest stream not far from the palace and pondered recent developments. He had been very surprised to receive notes from Elrond and Legolas each, rolled together and sent by messenger bird. Both letters were not long, a bird could not carry more than two or three pages without loosing much speed.
Elrond's message had been brief and to the point, but courteous in tone, simply suggesting a meeting in Lothlorien with Galadriel, and if possible, Mithrandir and Halbarad of the Rangers. There was no mention of the purpose of the meeting but Thandruil guessed that Elrond had not wanted to trust this information to a letter. After all, birds were not immune to arrows or other mishaps. The king guessed that the purpose was to somehow exchange information and perhaps attempts to coordinate defences.
The last years had been increasingly difficult for Thandruil. The pressure of the dark creatures from the South increased, and the elves were pushed hard. There was no real danger for Thandruil's realm yet, but the king was concerned what would happen in the next fifty years or so.
The wood-elven king did not look forward to meeting Galadriel. They had been friends once, but Galadriel had strongly objected to his marriage to Eäradië, his beloved wife and Legolas mother. When Thandruil told her of his plans to marry Eäradië, she had been horrified, and told him that it was his duty to marry a Sindarin elf of appropriate station. To her, Eäradië was a nobody, and a wood-elf at that. Although there had been some intermarrying of Sindarin elves and Silvan elves, it was uncommon and no one of nobility had ever done it. Many of the Sindarin elves regarded the wood-elves as uncultured and primitive.
Thandruil had married Eäradië anyway, and they had been supremely happy for many years. Unconsciously, the king smiled at the memory of his wife. She had been so beautiful and gentle, and yet she could be very determined in some situations. Thandruil remembered her musical laughter, when her dark eyes turned sparkling blue and two small dimples appeared on either side of her face. She had been so beautiful! Suddenly the joyful memories came to an end when he remembered her death after the orcs had tortured her. At the time, he had been almost grateful for her death, had she lived, she would have had to live the rest of her life with a broken body and mind. No, her death had been merciful, but he still missed her, even after all these years.
Eäradië had left him with a two-year-old infant, a babe in arms not yet weaned. Legolas had been a sweet-natured child, and even though he was temporarily unsettled by the sudden lack of his mother, the upset had not lasted, and father and son got used to a routine without a wife and mother. The baby needed a wet nurse, he was too young for solid food, but otherwise his one and only parent was Thandruil. The king fondly remembered many times holding the baby, a small warm body curled up against his chest or in the crock of his arm. And somewhat later, the absolute trust of the young child that 'ada' would be able to make good whatever was amiss.
And then somehow, many years later, things had started to go wrong. Thandruil could not exactly remember when Legolas stopped coming to him, or perhaps he stopped listening. The darkness from Dol Guldur spread and the king's time became scarcer. Or perhaps he made less time for his growing son. Legolas got all the education and training appropriate for his station, but the king saw little of him.
Legolas had never been outgoing, but Thandruil remembered clearly about a hundred years ago when they shared a rare meal together. Legolas was still half a century away from his majority. The meal had been torturous for both of them, Thandruil probing his son with questions about his life, Legolas giving the briefest possible answers. It was obvious that Legolas was unused to this attention and that he avoided certain questions.
Thandruil had noticed especially that his son had been very cagey when it came to talking about friends or lovers. Young elves Legolas' age would normally experiment physically with peers of both genders, trying to find their preferences. Legolas diverted the conversation every time his father tried to find out about this, it was only much later that Thandruil realised that his son probably did not have either friends or more intimate companions at that time. This, too, had been a very painful realisation. And then, at his coming of age, Legolas met Estel.
Thandruil stood now with his elbows leaning on the railing of the bridge, staring into the water. He sighed. Estel's appearance in Legolas' life had increased the rift between them. Why could his son not have chosen another elf as a partner!
For a few moments Thandruil pondered what he knew about Elrond's foster son, and realised that even though he had seen him regularly for over a decade, it was not all that much. And he and Legolas had always been extremely discrete, for many years Thandruil had never been quite sure whether they were good friends or lovers. Until, one day, he had gone on a late walk under the tree to relax after a very strenuous day when he saw Legolas and Estel standing under a huge old beech tree, holding each other and kissing with all the passion of the young. Thandruil had been shocked, he had suspected this relationship, but to see it confirmed was quite another matter.
The next day he had taken Legolas to task about it. With hindsight, the king thought, this had been a mistake. After that, Legolas withdrew even more, and began to spend as much time away from Mirkwood as he was able to get off duty.
Until, yes, until something happened before Legolas went to Imladris this time. But he was sure that whatever had happened between them, and perhaps it was only a silent acknowledgement that they still loved each other, was for the good. Legolas had written every few weeks throughout the winter, something he had not done in decades. After having read these letters, Thandruil realised and acknowledged just how important Estel was for Legolas.
And then, standing on a small wooden bridge in the rapidly falling darkness, Thandruil had a flash of insight. 'I am doing to Legolas what others, amongst them Galadriel, did to me. I am objecting to his chosen partner ... I, of all people, should not be doing this. If Estel was not a mortal, I would not be so concerned... I do not wish to loose Legolas, he is my only son. But he loves Estel, perhaps that shouhd be enough for me ... perhaps I should let the future worry about itself. I do not wish to do to Legolas what was done too me."
With a stab of hurt, the elven king remembered his last confrontation with Galadriel. It had been unpleasant, to say the least. Galadriel had visited the woodland realm and had also for the first time seen Legolas. The child was four years old and just beginning to walk. He had not yet lost his infant chubbiness, and with his light blonde hair and huge dark eyes he could charm a smile out of an orc. When Thandruil had proudly introduced Legolas, who hid himself in the formal robes of his father, and then hesitantly stepped forward, Galadriel had remained silent for a long time and then only said: "I can see he is of mixed heritage."
Thandruil had found this comment immensely hurtful. The implicit disdain for his wife and child stung. Galadriel had not said anything else. After that, relationships, already strained, became coldly formal. Thandruil had not seen Galadriel since that time and was not looking forward to doing so. And yet he acknowledged the wisdom of Elrond's proposal.
With a sigh, the king turned and went back to his palace. There was a journey to organise.
- - - -
Further west, Elrond was also getting ready for the upcoming meeting in Lothlorien. He was slightly anxious about seeing Arwen again, it had been a long time that they had not seen each other and there were many unspoken issues. But even so, he missed his daughter greatly and was looking forward to seeing her again. The elf-lord wondered what she would make of her grown foster brother. She would probably hardly recognise him, the last time she had seen him he had been a lanky, awkward youth of about thirteen mortal years. With a mental shock Elrond realised that it had been only two years after that last visit of Arwen in Imladris that Estel had met Legolas, and within a further two years they had become involved with each other.
Even for a mortal, that had been too early. Estel would have his thirtieth birthday next year, for a ranger that was still very young, normally those of Numenorean blood were not considered to be of marriable age before their fiftieth birthday. But what was done was done, and Estel and Legolas seemed to be able to make their relationship last, for better or worse.
Elrond admitted to himself that he had come to like Legolas greatly. The young prince had an intriguingly complex personality, and he was undoubtedly very attractive. But was Elrond appreciated most was Legolas' obvious devotion to Estel. Even though the sensible thing for both of them would be to pair up with female partners of their own people, Elrond could feel the deep affection between his foster son and Legolas. He wondered whether Thandruil's feelings towards this relationship had changed. Well, he would find out fairly soon.
Elrond decided that it was time to inform everyone participating in the trip to Lorien that they would depart in two days' time.
- - - - -
In Lothlorien, Galadriel, too, was thinking about the suggested meeting. She agreed with her son-in-law that a meeting between the elven realms was overdue and necessary. But she did not look forward to meeting Thandruil again. Their parting many hundreds of years ago had been almost hostile. Galadriel to this day did not understand why Thandruil had to marry Eäradië. There was no reason for him not to have her as a lover, but marriages served a purpose, either as a tool for political alliances or to produce an heir of appropriate parentage for the future. Thandruil could have easily wed a more appropriate partner, had children with her and perhaps have Eäradië as a lover on the side. There would have been nothing unusual in that arrangement. But he had to marry her and have this child, Legolas, who was now the sole rightful heir of the Woodland Realm.
Galadriel vividly remembered the fair-haired toddler with a shy smile and those dark eyes, so unusual in a Sindarin elf. He had been hiding in his father's robes, and yet had been curious enough to peek out occasionally. And finally, his curiosity got the better of his fear of strangers and he had approached her on unsteady feet, smiling at her, clearly anticipating to be caught and held. But she had not done so, and had watched as the child came to an unsteady halt and looked at her, suddenly loosing confidence. Those eyes! Huge, and of such a dark blue that they appeared almost black. She told Thandruil that his son's mixed heritage showed.
With hindsight, she had realised that Thandruil must have found that comment and her lack of enthusiasm towards the child very hurtful.
The Lady of Lorien sighed. She knew well that on occasion in her long life, she had made mistakes. And the way she had handled that encounter with Thandruil and Legolas had been one of them. Galadriel knew that that her objection to Thandruil's marriage and that last encounter had cost her the elven-king's friendship. Perhaps there would be a chance now to improve relationships again, although she did not truly expect this. She hoped that Thandruil would bring Legolas along, she was curious to meet the young elf, whom she had only seen once in his life at four years old.
Galadriel had chosen her own daughter's husband, Elrond, very much with a political alliance in mind. She was well aware of the fact that Celebrian and Elrond had not been passionate lovers, but they respected each other and had three beautiful children. Somewhat to her surprise, neither had taken a lover during the marriage, and Elrond did not seem to have done so after Celebrian left to the Undying Lands, either. Although, according to Arwen, that had not been entirely his choice. Galadriel would not have blamed him if he had done so.
Galadriel sighed. Many of her own people did not seen to understand how important it was for the elves in Middle Earth to retain leaders of true nobility. Mankind had abandoned this notion, and they were now without any leader. The only true remaining heir was Aragorn, Elrond's foster son. But he was had not yet decided whether he would take up the task of uniting the fragmented human nations. He was also involved with Legolas of Mirkwood, another unfortunate alliance. Immortal and mortal, and both heirs to kingdoms. Galadriel had looked into a mirror to see what they future might hold for these two, and had seen both of them married with children. This was one possibility, but often fates were altered and events did not come to pass. Only time would tell.
TBC. Please review.
This chapter contains a lot of musings, but they fill gaps in the story so I hope you do not find them too boring.
In Tolkien's book, Aragorn meets Arwen in Lothlorien when he is twenty years old. I have gone a bit AU here (well, more than this story is anyway) because in my timeline he is about thirty when this happens. I thought I mention this before I get lots of comments on that.
Please read, enjoy and review!
Important: This is a repost - thanks to all of you who pointed out my mix- up of Celebrian and Celeborn. By mistake I posted an unproofed version with lots of mistakes, including the name-confusion. Sorry about this, and thanks to everyone who spotted it!
- - - - -
Chapter 24 – To Make A Choice
King Thandruil of the Woodland Realm enjoyed a rare moment of peace and quiet. He stood on a wooden bridge over a small forest stream not far from the palace and pondered recent developments. He had been very surprised to receive notes from Elrond and Legolas each, rolled together and sent by messenger bird. Both letters were not long, a bird could not carry more than two or three pages without loosing much speed.
Elrond's message had been brief and to the point, but courteous in tone, simply suggesting a meeting in Lothlorien with Galadriel, and if possible, Mithrandir and Halbarad of the Rangers. There was no mention of the purpose of the meeting but Thandruil guessed that Elrond had not wanted to trust this information to a letter. After all, birds were not immune to arrows or other mishaps. The king guessed that the purpose was to somehow exchange information and perhaps attempts to coordinate defences.
The last years had been increasingly difficult for Thandruil. The pressure of the dark creatures from the South increased, and the elves were pushed hard. There was no real danger for Thandruil's realm yet, but the king was concerned what would happen in the next fifty years or so.
The wood-elven king did not look forward to meeting Galadriel. They had been friends once, but Galadriel had strongly objected to his marriage to Eäradië, his beloved wife and Legolas mother. When Thandruil told her of his plans to marry Eäradië, she had been horrified, and told him that it was his duty to marry a Sindarin elf of appropriate station. To her, Eäradië was a nobody, and a wood-elf at that. Although there had been some intermarrying of Sindarin elves and Silvan elves, it was uncommon and no one of nobility had ever done it. Many of the Sindarin elves regarded the wood-elves as uncultured and primitive.
Thandruil had married Eäradië anyway, and they had been supremely happy for many years. Unconsciously, the king smiled at the memory of his wife. She had been so beautiful and gentle, and yet she could be very determined in some situations. Thandruil remembered her musical laughter, when her dark eyes turned sparkling blue and two small dimples appeared on either side of her face. She had been so beautiful! Suddenly the joyful memories came to an end when he remembered her death after the orcs had tortured her. At the time, he had been almost grateful for her death, had she lived, she would have had to live the rest of her life with a broken body and mind. No, her death had been merciful, but he still missed her, even after all these years.
Eäradië had left him with a two-year-old infant, a babe in arms not yet weaned. Legolas had been a sweet-natured child, and even though he was temporarily unsettled by the sudden lack of his mother, the upset had not lasted, and father and son got used to a routine without a wife and mother. The baby needed a wet nurse, he was too young for solid food, but otherwise his one and only parent was Thandruil. The king fondly remembered many times holding the baby, a small warm body curled up against his chest or in the crock of his arm. And somewhat later, the absolute trust of the young child that 'ada' would be able to make good whatever was amiss.
And then somehow, many years later, things had started to go wrong. Thandruil could not exactly remember when Legolas stopped coming to him, or perhaps he stopped listening. The darkness from Dol Guldur spread and the king's time became scarcer. Or perhaps he made less time for his growing son. Legolas got all the education and training appropriate for his station, but the king saw little of him.
Legolas had never been outgoing, but Thandruil remembered clearly about a hundred years ago when they shared a rare meal together. Legolas was still half a century away from his majority. The meal had been torturous for both of them, Thandruil probing his son with questions about his life, Legolas giving the briefest possible answers. It was obvious that Legolas was unused to this attention and that he avoided certain questions.
Thandruil had noticed especially that his son had been very cagey when it came to talking about friends or lovers. Young elves Legolas' age would normally experiment physically with peers of both genders, trying to find their preferences. Legolas diverted the conversation every time his father tried to find out about this, it was only much later that Thandruil realised that his son probably did not have either friends or more intimate companions at that time. This, too, had been a very painful realisation. And then, at his coming of age, Legolas met Estel.
Thandruil stood now with his elbows leaning on the railing of the bridge, staring into the water. He sighed. Estel's appearance in Legolas' life had increased the rift between them. Why could his son not have chosen another elf as a partner!
For a few moments Thandruil pondered what he knew about Elrond's foster son, and realised that even though he had seen him regularly for over a decade, it was not all that much. And he and Legolas had always been extremely discrete, for many years Thandruil had never been quite sure whether they were good friends or lovers. Until, one day, he had gone on a late walk under the tree to relax after a very strenuous day when he saw Legolas and Estel standing under a huge old beech tree, holding each other and kissing with all the passion of the young. Thandruil had been shocked, he had suspected this relationship, but to see it confirmed was quite another matter.
The next day he had taken Legolas to task about it. With hindsight, the king thought, this had been a mistake. After that, Legolas withdrew even more, and began to spend as much time away from Mirkwood as he was able to get off duty.
Until, yes, until something happened before Legolas went to Imladris this time. But he was sure that whatever had happened between them, and perhaps it was only a silent acknowledgement that they still loved each other, was for the good. Legolas had written every few weeks throughout the winter, something he had not done in decades. After having read these letters, Thandruil realised and acknowledged just how important Estel was for Legolas.
And then, standing on a small wooden bridge in the rapidly falling darkness, Thandruil had a flash of insight. 'I am doing to Legolas what others, amongst them Galadriel, did to me. I am objecting to his chosen partner ... I, of all people, should not be doing this. If Estel was not a mortal, I would not be so concerned... I do not wish to loose Legolas, he is my only son. But he loves Estel, perhaps that shouhd be enough for me ... perhaps I should let the future worry about itself. I do not wish to do to Legolas what was done too me."
With a stab of hurt, the elven king remembered his last confrontation with Galadriel. It had been unpleasant, to say the least. Galadriel had visited the woodland realm and had also for the first time seen Legolas. The child was four years old and just beginning to walk. He had not yet lost his infant chubbiness, and with his light blonde hair and huge dark eyes he could charm a smile out of an orc. When Thandruil had proudly introduced Legolas, who hid himself in the formal robes of his father, and then hesitantly stepped forward, Galadriel had remained silent for a long time and then only said: "I can see he is of mixed heritage."
Thandruil had found this comment immensely hurtful. The implicit disdain for his wife and child stung. Galadriel had not said anything else. After that, relationships, already strained, became coldly formal. Thandruil had not seen Galadriel since that time and was not looking forward to doing so. And yet he acknowledged the wisdom of Elrond's proposal.
With a sigh, the king turned and went back to his palace. There was a journey to organise.
- - - -
Further west, Elrond was also getting ready for the upcoming meeting in Lothlorien. He was slightly anxious about seeing Arwen again, it had been a long time that they had not seen each other and there were many unspoken issues. But even so, he missed his daughter greatly and was looking forward to seeing her again. The elf-lord wondered what she would make of her grown foster brother. She would probably hardly recognise him, the last time she had seen him he had been a lanky, awkward youth of about thirteen mortal years. With a mental shock Elrond realised that it had been only two years after that last visit of Arwen in Imladris that Estel had met Legolas, and within a further two years they had become involved with each other.
Even for a mortal, that had been too early. Estel would have his thirtieth birthday next year, for a ranger that was still very young, normally those of Numenorean blood were not considered to be of marriable age before their fiftieth birthday. But what was done was done, and Estel and Legolas seemed to be able to make their relationship last, for better or worse.
Elrond admitted to himself that he had come to like Legolas greatly. The young prince had an intriguingly complex personality, and he was undoubtedly very attractive. But was Elrond appreciated most was Legolas' obvious devotion to Estel. Even though the sensible thing for both of them would be to pair up with female partners of their own people, Elrond could feel the deep affection between his foster son and Legolas. He wondered whether Thandruil's feelings towards this relationship had changed. Well, he would find out fairly soon.
Elrond decided that it was time to inform everyone participating in the trip to Lorien that they would depart in two days' time.
- - - - -
In Lothlorien, Galadriel, too, was thinking about the suggested meeting. She agreed with her son-in-law that a meeting between the elven realms was overdue and necessary. But she did not look forward to meeting Thandruil again. Their parting many hundreds of years ago had been almost hostile. Galadriel to this day did not understand why Thandruil had to marry Eäradië. There was no reason for him not to have her as a lover, but marriages served a purpose, either as a tool for political alliances or to produce an heir of appropriate parentage for the future. Thandruil could have easily wed a more appropriate partner, had children with her and perhaps have Eäradië as a lover on the side. There would have been nothing unusual in that arrangement. But he had to marry her and have this child, Legolas, who was now the sole rightful heir of the Woodland Realm.
Galadriel vividly remembered the fair-haired toddler with a shy smile and those dark eyes, so unusual in a Sindarin elf. He had been hiding in his father's robes, and yet had been curious enough to peek out occasionally. And finally, his curiosity got the better of his fear of strangers and he had approached her on unsteady feet, smiling at her, clearly anticipating to be caught and held. But she had not done so, and had watched as the child came to an unsteady halt and looked at her, suddenly loosing confidence. Those eyes! Huge, and of such a dark blue that they appeared almost black. She told Thandruil that his son's mixed heritage showed.
With hindsight, she had realised that Thandruil must have found that comment and her lack of enthusiasm towards the child very hurtful.
The Lady of Lorien sighed. She knew well that on occasion in her long life, she had made mistakes. And the way she had handled that encounter with Thandruil and Legolas had been one of them. Galadriel knew that that her objection to Thandruil's marriage and that last encounter had cost her the elven-king's friendship. Perhaps there would be a chance now to improve relationships again, although she did not truly expect this. She hoped that Thandruil would bring Legolas along, she was curious to meet the young elf, whom she had only seen once in his life at four years old.
Galadriel had chosen her own daughter's husband, Elrond, very much with a political alliance in mind. She was well aware of the fact that Celebrian and Elrond had not been passionate lovers, but they respected each other and had three beautiful children. Somewhat to her surprise, neither had taken a lover during the marriage, and Elrond did not seem to have done so after Celebrian left to the Undying Lands, either. Although, according to Arwen, that had not been entirely his choice. Galadriel would not have blamed him if he had done so.
Galadriel sighed. Many of her own people did not seen to understand how important it was for the elves in Middle Earth to retain leaders of true nobility. Mankind had abandoned this notion, and they were now without any leader. The only true remaining heir was Aragorn, Elrond's foster son. But he was had not yet decided whether he would take up the task of uniting the fragmented human nations. He was also involved with Legolas of Mirkwood, another unfortunate alliance. Immortal and mortal, and both heirs to kingdoms. Galadriel had looked into a mirror to see what they future might hold for these two, and had seen both of them married with children. This was one possibility, but often fates were altered and events did not come to pass. Only time would tell.
TBC. Please review.