To Mirkwood
Chapter 8: Farms and Ceremonies
Don't own.
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E'thane entered his father's room behind Tylen. Thranduil was still lying in his bed, and looking, if possible, worse than he had that morning. "Your father has something to say to you." Tylen said to E'thane. E'thane stood beside his father's bed.
"Yes Ada?" E'thane asked. Thranduil's eyes quickly shifted to Tylen, who was standing off to the side. Tylen nodded.
"E'thane," He said, his voice dry, weak, and quiet. "I am now, appointing you as the Crowned Prince. You will take over my duties. Tylen…" He stopped. Tylen nodded firmly behind the stunned prince, and Thranduil continued. "Tylen said this illness I have requires the aid of Lord Elrond, but he has not yet returned to Rivendell from Minis Tirith. Tylen will also continue to be your mentor. He'll help you make decisions." Thranduil said. E'thane stared at his father in disbelief.
"No, Ada! I'm not yet ready!" He protested. Tylen moved forward and placed a hand on the young elf's shoulder.
"Do not worry, young one. I'll help you. Your people will love you. Don't worry." He said, guiding the Crowned Prince from the room. When E'thane was back in his room, Tylen wandered off to make preparations for the official ceremony.
After Tylen had left, the tears hiding in Thranduil's eyes spilled over, falling down his cheeks.
E'thane looked out his window. Tylen had instructed him to stay in his room until the following morning. Where are you Legolas? Please come home! I cannot do this! Hurry, my brother. Hurry.
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Legolas opened his eyes. Wait… opened his eyes. Legolas sat up and looked around. He did not recognize where he was. There was a horrible throbbing in the back of his head. He rubbed it with his hand and found a bump. He hid his head on… something.
He finally was awake enough to take in his surroundings. He was in a small cabin. There was a fire going against one wall. There was a wash bin, a small dresser, a table with four chairs, and another larger table that was piled high with colored cloth. There were shelves with many burlap sacks and jars. A fresh loaf of bread was on the table. Off to the side, there was a ladder that probably led up to the second story of the house. There was a woman in the cabin as well. She was leaning over something that was in the fire. Soon, she turned and saw that the elf had woken up. "Ah! You're awake!" she said in a sweet, lively tone. She was probably in her late 30s. She had short dark hair and large, hazel eyes. She was dressed in a simple dress. It had signs of dirt on it.
"Where… where am I?" Legolas asked.
"You're on my farm." She said kindly, stirring the contents of the pot hanging over the fire. Legolas sighed. "Sorry. We are about 50 miles south of Lothloríen." She added, seeing the annoyance in Legolas's eyes. "Don't see many elves out this way. Where are you from?" she asked him.
"I'm from Mirkwood. I was trying to go there… what happened?" Legolas asked.
"Well, my husband and I were out taking the cows to graze yesterday evening, and we saw somethin' lyin' on the ground. We went over and saw you. There was nothing with you. Just you, lying on the ground. We feared the worst since your eyes were closed. We knew it was bad when an elf's eyes are closed. So we brought you back to the house. And you just woke up." She said.
"What time is it?" Legolas asked.
"The sun is rising right now." She answered. Legolas sat up in the bed. "Oh!" She said suddenly. She turned from what she was doing and went to a corner. She picked up a bundle and handed it to Legolas. He opened it and found his bow, elven knives and his quiver of arrows. "We found this as well."
"Thank you. And… what of my horse?"
"There was no horse." She replied. Legolas signed and rubbed his face. "There's a well outside. Why don't you go wash up. I'm sure you're hungry. Breakfast will be ready soon. If you see my husband, or my children, let them know." She said, turning back to the fire. Legolas nodded and went outside. It was a small farm. There was a barn, and the crops were planted close to the house and barn. Legolas spotted the well and he walked over to it. He turned the handle and brought up the bucket. He splashed the water on his face and gently rubbed his eyes.
"Hey! You're that elf!" A voice behind him said. Legolas turned and saw a man standing behind him. He looked to be the same age as the woman. He was wearing a dirty pair of pants and a white cotton shirt.
"Yes." Legolas answered. "Your wife told me to tell you breakfast would be ready soon." Legolas said, relaying the message.
"Oh, alright. My name's Fayre. My wife's Nevyn." The man looked around. "My kids are around here too. Twins. Boy and a girl. The boy's Luas and the girl's Alora. Don't know where they are right now, but they'll come soon." Fayre moved to the bucket Legolas had drawn up and Legolas stepped to the side. Fayre suddenly looked up at him. "You're tall." He commented. Legolas smiled nervously. Fayre grinned and washed his face and hands. "Come on." Legolas followed the man back into the house. Nevyn was setting the pot on the table beside the loaf of bread. From somewhere, she had pulled out another chair and set an extra place at the table. Just as they were about to sit down, two young children burst into the room.
"Is the elf awake?" They both asked at the same time. They stopped short when they saw the tall, fair-haired elf standing in their home. "He's awake!" They shouted together. Legolas looked down at the children. They both had dark hair, but the girl's was longer and pulled back in a loose braid. They both also had dark eyes, like their father.
"Sit, children, sit." Nevyn commanded. The children sat down. Nevyn motioned for Legolas to be seated as well. He sat.
As Nevyn was serving out the food, she looked to Legolas. "We have not yet learned your name." She said kindly.
"Legolas." He answered.
"Legolas. Hmm… seems I may have heard the name before." Fayre commented, holding a piece of the bread to his mouth. Legolas didn't want to have to explain the "situation" to them, so he simply said,
"The prince of Mirkwood is also named Legolas." Fayre pointed to him with his piece of bread.
"You're right! That's where I heard it before. Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, the Great Elf King." He recited. Legolas nodded. The rest of the meal consisted of the two children asking Legolas questions about Mirkwood and being an elf, to which he answered happily.
After breakfast, Legolas gladly helped the family on the farm. The sky was menacing, and he knew that a storm would be upon them soon. He didn't mind helping them, but he knew that he had to get back to Mirkwood soon.
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E'thane stood before the mirror in his room, staring at his reflection. He no longer felt like E'thane Nethrandír, son of Thranduil. He felt more like, well, someone he did not yet know. He was dressed in fine silk garments, and there was a silver crown on his head. It was a circlet of silver encrusted with emeralds. The design of the crown was woven vines, branches and leaves. It sat proudly on his fair blond hair. His green eyes stared back at him, nervous, worried, and afraid. E'thane knew in his heart that he was not yet ready for this. He couldn't rule over the realm. Even knowing that Tylen would be at his side did not comfort him. He wished that his brother was there, taking his place, becoming the Crowned Prince he was meant to be. Sadly, however, he was probably still in Minis Tirith. "E'thane." A voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned. Tylen was standing in the doorway, dressed in long, flowing robes, customary of the elder elves. "It's time." E'thane followed him out of the door.
As E'thane walked, he began to feel older. He was only about 16 in human years. He suddenly felt as old as his father is. Arda knows how old that is. But as E'thane walked down that hallway, holding his head high, his back straight, he no longer felt like a child. He had responsibilities now. He wasn't allowed to spend his day as he pleased. No. Everything was changing.
The ceremony was quick. It took place outside the palace, with all the elves of the realm standing in the large courtyard, with the exception of one elf.
Tylen performed the ceremony, since Thranduil was just too sick to do it himself. But the ceremony satisfied the elves of the realm, and when it was over, they left the courtyard, taking amongst themselves.
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The plot thickens… muhahaa. Anyways… think it's going good so far? I promise there will be some action later on.. I think. I don't know. I don't really plan ahead that much when I write. I just… write.
Reviewers-
Haldir's Heart and Soul: heh heh heh
Starlit Hope: Tylen does seem like a jerk, eh?
Jedi Gollum: Thanks!
"Inspirational" Quote:
"I can't bring people back from the dead. It's not a pretty picture. I don't like doing it!" –Genie – Aladdin
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