Chapter 13 - Renouncing is Hard to do
"The Prince"
The journey to Mirkwood seemed especially quick to Lianna. Maybe she was just getting used to the forest now. Whatever the case, they arrived at the city within four days of their departure.
Lianna felt chills as she passed their previous camp they made the night Belegorn captured them. She got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach as she looked at the Misty Mountains. Sighing sadly, she knew that she'd get those reactions for a long while whenever she recalled the experience.
She saw Legolas tense as the gate came into view. Lianna herself dreaded seeing Thranduil again. She had only just been thrown out of the city, and now here she was riding into it again. Elves had gathered upon word that their Prince was returning once again. Lianna breathed a calming breath and closed her eyes as the gate was opened. She felt Legolas's hand on hers for a moment before they rode through.
That simple touch instilled unbelievable amounts of confidence in her. His warm skin reminded her of the terrible things Thranduil had done to her love. Anger burned in her veins and she suddenly felt much bolder. She opened her eyes and was greeted with the sight of what she guessed to be the entirety of Mirkwood's population crowded behind the gate to catch a glimpse of the Prince. A cheer went up, but was immediately silenced as Lianna also came into view behind Legolas.
Thranduil could be seen standing on the steps of the palace. His features were not yet visible, but Lianna was sure his expression was an angry one. He walked stiffly down the steps to meet the couple as they rode through the crowd, which parted in their presence and molded back together in their wake. They dismounted, and walked the rest of the way to the King. When they reached him, Lianna's suspicions were proved. Thranduil's face was flushed, and his eyes gleamed with wrath. His eyes flicked quickly from Lianna to Legolas.
"Son, what is the meaning of this?" He snapped angrily. Legolas looked to Lianna for comfort and confidence, and she smiled and nodded reassuringly at him.
"Father, let us discuss this inside." Thranduil would have declined and demanded to know the truth right then and there, had Legolas and Lianna not walked past him and gone inside. So, Thranduil followed them, trying not to believe what his suspicions were telling him.
Once inside, Thranduil opened a door to the study for them. They sat, Lianna and Legolas across from the King. Immediately, Thranduil began his interrogation.
"Legolas, explain this to me! I told you to bring her back to Rivendell. I didn't think I had to tell you to leave her there, too!" Thranduil leaned forward in his chair, waiting for his son's response.
Legolas began calmly, "Father, I am going to marry Lianna." The shock on the King's face was clear. Lianna beamed proudly at Legolas's bravery for coming right out with the truth.
Thranduil stuttered, "Wh-What do you mean?"
Legolas sighed. Valar, he didn't know this could be so hard. "I am going to renounce the throne, and live in Rivendell with Lianna."
The King got past his shock and yelled, "This is treason! You will bring shame on me for simply being your father!"
Legolas stood, and Lianna hurriedly did the same. "I have made my decision, father. There will be a feast tonight and I will announce it to the Elves then." He turned to leave, and Lianna followed. But Thranduil boomed again.
"This is all your fault, elleth!" Lianna spun around. The anger in her eyes matched that in his, and she took a meaningful step toward him. She spat venomously,
"You should be ashamed."
"Me?" He scoffed incredulously, "I'm not the one manipulating and killing Elves!"
Lianna leaned back, as if the statement blew her away. She then took another step toward him, and was about to take another when she felt Legolas's hand on her arm, warning her to take it easy. She ignored it, and shook him off.
"You may not know it, but you almost killed your son. And me, for that matter! Your constant hounding for perfection and conformity to those unreasonable traditions nearly destroyed him and his happiness."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at her, "What are you saying?"
She held her hands up submissively, "I'm just saying that maybe a little support is in order instead of shooting down the things that make him happy."
"I am his father! I want what is best for my son. And marrying a murderous pauper is not exactly what I'd call a top notch decision!"
Lianna's face reddened as she raised her voice, "You are not his father! You are a bully!" Lianna would've gone on, but her ranting was ceased by Legolas's hand on her shoulder.
"Stop this." He whispered in her ear, but she was too concentrated on Thranduil's next statement and her retaliation to even hear.
"So you're blaming this on me now?"
Lianna smiled grimly. "No, unlike you I do not point the finger and try to pass the blame. I'm just suggesting that you have more power in this situation…in his life, than you may think. You're just going about it the wrong way."
Now that she'd said all she needed to say, she let Legolas lead her out of the room. Outside the closed door, Legolas stood back and looked at Lianna.
"Wow!" He exclaimed, with admiration. Lianna was still angry enough that she couldn't speak. And Legolas went on.
"You really gave him a piece of your mind. I couldn't have said it better myself. Well, I wouldn't have had the guts even to try. I was getting ready to hold you back. I thought you were gonna throw a punch anytime there!" They laughed. They had made their way to Legolas's room, and Lianna cooled off enough to speak. Now that the heat of the moment had passed, the adrenaline still pumped in her veins, and she had nowhere to direct it. So she paced, and ranted excitedly.
"I didn't even think about it, the words just came. I don't think I've ever been that I have ever been that angry in my life!"
Legolas sat in his chair and watched her. "I am very proud of you, you know."
Lianna stopped and sat on his bed. "I'm proud of you too. Honestly, if you would've made me tell him like you made me last time, you'd have been the one getting the tongue lashing." She laughed.
"You make me brave." Legolas stated. Lianna's eyes shone with approval as she looked upon him.
"No, bravery comes from inside. I just cheer you on. I got your back." She grinned. Legolas leaned forward to kiss her lips lightly. "Now what do we do?" Lianna asked him quietly. Legolas leaned back and looked around the room.
"Get ready for tonight. Renouncing will be hard to do."
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Lianna was more nervous than Legolas, she thought. Though she was not the one who would have to tell all the Elves who loved her that she'd be leaving them. Legolas made sure she had a clean gown to wear to the feast. A simple light green dress with long belled sleeves, but no less beautiful than any other she'd seen.
Legolas wore a plain tunic and clean brown leggings. She could tell he was anxious as they waited for a servant to fetch them for the feast. He wrung his hands and mumbled things to himself. Probably rehearsing his renouncing speech, she figured. Finally, a knock came at the door. They followed the servant outside where large candles lined the pathways. In the back lot of the palace tables were filled with Elves, and a long table before them all was reserved for the royal family and the Stewards.
Lianna took Legolas's hand before they walked to their table. He smiled down to her, but she read the uneasiness in his eyes. All the Elves stood upon seeing their presence, and sat along with them. Legolas sat next to Thranduil, and Lianna could have cut the tension with her steak knife. The Steward of the City, Firlas, and his wife sat on the other side of Thranduil, and Lianna uneasily noted the strange smiles on their faces.
The Elves were served, and the city ate merrily, except for their table. Lianna ate little, and Legolas did not eat at all. With each passing minute, his hands shook more violently, and his heart beat faster. When the plates had been cleared, Legolas took a deep breath and stood. A silence fell over the crowd. Lianna glanced over to see the resentful expression on Thranduil's face. Legolas cleared his throat and began,
"My good Elves of Mirkwood, it is good to be home." A cheer rang out, and Legolas smiled. He loved it when they did that. Melancholy filled his voice as he continued, "But I fear I cannot stay for long." The roar that had been slowly subsiding completely hushed at hearing this. He looked down to Lianna, who smiled sadly at him. "It pains me to leave you all, but I must renounce the throne of Mirkwood."
Whispers ran through the crowd. Legolas felt he owed more of an explanation than that. So, he continued.
"You see, I wish to marry this elleth." He gestured down to Lianna, and a few Elves cheered, while others whispered still. "And she is a pauper, so I do not have the King's blessing. To marry her and live happily, I must make a choice. I choose to follow my heart. I may return and see you all again someday, but until then namaarie (farewell), good Elves of Mirkwood."
Legolas held down his hand for Lianna, who was smiling up at him proudly. She took it and he led her off the grass and back into the palace. Legolas heaved a sigh of relief as they reached his room. Lianna was content in basking in the finality of his decision.
"It's done." Legolas said, as he flopped onto his bed.
"You're sure this is what you wanted." Lianna asked, as she lay beside him.
"Even if it wasn't -which it is- it's too late to take it back now."
Lianna placed a hand on his chest and asked, "Was it as hard as you thought it would be?"
He sighed, "Harder. But now that it's over, I am just so happy I did it. I'm so relieved, I know I made the right decision. We are both paupers now." His tone lightened as he continued, "And, as someone once said, no rain, no rainbows. You have to make it through the storm to see the dawn. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. The rain will-" He'd have jabbered on for hours with those proverbs if Lianna hadn't silenced him with a kiss.
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Firlas (feer-lahs) - meaning 'Fading Leaf' (The steward of the city. Not an outstandingly integral Elf, but he is the descendant of Thranduil's father's appointed Steward, so they really have no choice but to accept him)
A/N…well, he's renounced the throne. Now, they go back to Rivendell, get married, and have a wonderful life together for the rest of eternity…
Or do they?
Artria - Thanks, and Lianna thanks you too, for your concern and devotion.
TPfan333 - thanks!
I was going to wait for more reviews before I posted this, but apparently I'm not going to get any more. And it would be unfair to those who actually read AND review to have to wait so long.
love - Austin B.
"The Prince"
The journey to Mirkwood seemed especially quick to Lianna. Maybe she was just getting used to the forest now. Whatever the case, they arrived at the city within four days of their departure.
Lianna felt chills as she passed their previous camp they made the night Belegorn captured them. She got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach as she looked at the Misty Mountains. Sighing sadly, she knew that she'd get those reactions for a long while whenever she recalled the experience.
She saw Legolas tense as the gate came into view. Lianna herself dreaded seeing Thranduil again. She had only just been thrown out of the city, and now here she was riding into it again. Elves had gathered upon word that their Prince was returning once again. Lianna breathed a calming breath and closed her eyes as the gate was opened. She felt Legolas's hand on hers for a moment before they rode through.
That simple touch instilled unbelievable amounts of confidence in her. His warm skin reminded her of the terrible things Thranduil had done to her love. Anger burned in her veins and she suddenly felt much bolder. She opened her eyes and was greeted with the sight of what she guessed to be the entirety of Mirkwood's population crowded behind the gate to catch a glimpse of the Prince. A cheer went up, but was immediately silenced as Lianna also came into view behind Legolas.
Thranduil could be seen standing on the steps of the palace. His features were not yet visible, but Lianna was sure his expression was an angry one. He walked stiffly down the steps to meet the couple as they rode through the crowd, which parted in their presence and molded back together in their wake. They dismounted, and walked the rest of the way to the King. When they reached him, Lianna's suspicions were proved. Thranduil's face was flushed, and his eyes gleamed with wrath. His eyes flicked quickly from Lianna to Legolas.
"Son, what is the meaning of this?" He snapped angrily. Legolas looked to Lianna for comfort and confidence, and she smiled and nodded reassuringly at him.
"Father, let us discuss this inside." Thranduil would have declined and demanded to know the truth right then and there, had Legolas and Lianna not walked past him and gone inside. So, Thranduil followed them, trying not to believe what his suspicions were telling him.
Once inside, Thranduil opened a door to the study for them. They sat, Lianna and Legolas across from the King. Immediately, Thranduil began his interrogation.
"Legolas, explain this to me! I told you to bring her back to Rivendell. I didn't think I had to tell you to leave her there, too!" Thranduil leaned forward in his chair, waiting for his son's response.
Legolas began calmly, "Father, I am going to marry Lianna." The shock on the King's face was clear. Lianna beamed proudly at Legolas's bravery for coming right out with the truth.
Thranduil stuttered, "Wh-What do you mean?"
Legolas sighed. Valar, he didn't know this could be so hard. "I am going to renounce the throne, and live in Rivendell with Lianna."
The King got past his shock and yelled, "This is treason! You will bring shame on me for simply being your father!"
Legolas stood, and Lianna hurriedly did the same. "I have made my decision, father. There will be a feast tonight and I will announce it to the Elves then." He turned to leave, and Lianna followed. But Thranduil boomed again.
"This is all your fault, elleth!" Lianna spun around. The anger in her eyes matched that in his, and she took a meaningful step toward him. She spat venomously,
"You should be ashamed."
"Me?" He scoffed incredulously, "I'm not the one manipulating and killing Elves!"
Lianna leaned back, as if the statement blew her away. She then took another step toward him, and was about to take another when she felt Legolas's hand on her arm, warning her to take it easy. She ignored it, and shook him off.
"You may not know it, but you almost killed your son. And me, for that matter! Your constant hounding for perfection and conformity to those unreasonable traditions nearly destroyed him and his happiness."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at her, "What are you saying?"
She held her hands up submissively, "I'm just saying that maybe a little support is in order instead of shooting down the things that make him happy."
"I am his father! I want what is best for my son. And marrying a murderous pauper is not exactly what I'd call a top notch decision!"
Lianna's face reddened as she raised her voice, "You are not his father! You are a bully!" Lianna would've gone on, but her ranting was ceased by Legolas's hand on her shoulder.
"Stop this." He whispered in her ear, but she was too concentrated on Thranduil's next statement and her retaliation to even hear.
"So you're blaming this on me now?"
Lianna smiled grimly. "No, unlike you I do not point the finger and try to pass the blame. I'm just suggesting that you have more power in this situation…in his life, than you may think. You're just going about it the wrong way."
Now that she'd said all she needed to say, she let Legolas lead her out of the room. Outside the closed door, Legolas stood back and looked at Lianna.
"Wow!" He exclaimed, with admiration. Lianna was still angry enough that she couldn't speak. And Legolas went on.
"You really gave him a piece of your mind. I couldn't have said it better myself. Well, I wouldn't have had the guts even to try. I was getting ready to hold you back. I thought you were gonna throw a punch anytime there!" They laughed. They had made their way to Legolas's room, and Lianna cooled off enough to speak. Now that the heat of the moment had passed, the adrenaline still pumped in her veins, and she had nowhere to direct it. So she paced, and ranted excitedly.
"I didn't even think about it, the words just came. I don't think I've ever been that I have ever been that angry in my life!"
Legolas sat in his chair and watched her. "I am very proud of you, you know."
Lianna stopped and sat on his bed. "I'm proud of you too. Honestly, if you would've made me tell him like you made me last time, you'd have been the one getting the tongue lashing." She laughed.
"You make me brave." Legolas stated. Lianna's eyes shone with approval as she looked upon him.
"No, bravery comes from inside. I just cheer you on. I got your back." She grinned. Legolas leaned forward to kiss her lips lightly. "Now what do we do?" Lianna asked him quietly. Legolas leaned back and looked around the room.
"Get ready for tonight. Renouncing will be hard to do."
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Lianna was more nervous than Legolas, she thought. Though she was not the one who would have to tell all the Elves who loved her that she'd be leaving them. Legolas made sure she had a clean gown to wear to the feast. A simple light green dress with long belled sleeves, but no less beautiful than any other she'd seen.
Legolas wore a plain tunic and clean brown leggings. She could tell he was anxious as they waited for a servant to fetch them for the feast. He wrung his hands and mumbled things to himself. Probably rehearsing his renouncing speech, she figured. Finally, a knock came at the door. They followed the servant outside where large candles lined the pathways. In the back lot of the palace tables were filled with Elves, and a long table before them all was reserved for the royal family and the Stewards.
Lianna took Legolas's hand before they walked to their table. He smiled down to her, but she read the uneasiness in his eyes. All the Elves stood upon seeing their presence, and sat along with them. Legolas sat next to Thranduil, and Lianna could have cut the tension with her steak knife. The Steward of the City, Firlas, and his wife sat on the other side of Thranduil, and Lianna uneasily noted the strange smiles on their faces.
The Elves were served, and the city ate merrily, except for their table. Lianna ate little, and Legolas did not eat at all. With each passing minute, his hands shook more violently, and his heart beat faster. When the plates had been cleared, Legolas took a deep breath and stood. A silence fell over the crowd. Lianna glanced over to see the resentful expression on Thranduil's face. Legolas cleared his throat and began,
"My good Elves of Mirkwood, it is good to be home." A cheer rang out, and Legolas smiled. He loved it when they did that. Melancholy filled his voice as he continued, "But I fear I cannot stay for long." The roar that had been slowly subsiding completely hushed at hearing this. He looked down to Lianna, who smiled sadly at him. "It pains me to leave you all, but I must renounce the throne of Mirkwood."
Whispers ran through the crowd. Legolas felt he owed more of an explanation than that. So, he continued.
"You see, I wish to marry this elleth." He gestured down to Lianna, and a few Elves cheered, while others whispered still. "And she is a pauper, so I do not have the King's blessing. To marry her and live happily, I must make a choice. I choose to follow my heart. I may return and see you all again someday, but until then namaarie (farewell), good Elves of Mirkwood."
Legolas held down his hand for Lianna, who was smiling up at him proudly. She took it and he led her off the grass and back into the palace. Legolas heaved a sigh of relief as they reached his room. Lianna was content in basking in the finality of his decision.
"It's done." Legolas said, as he flopped onto his bed.
"You're sure this is what you wanted." Lianna asked, as she lay beside him.
"Even if it wasn't -which it is- it's too late to take it back now."
Lianna placed a hand on his chest and asked, "Was it as hard as you thought it would be?"
He sighed, "Harder. But now that it's over, I am just so happy I did it. I'm so relieved, I know I made the right decision. We are both paupers now." His tone lightened as he continued, "And, as someone once said, no rain, no rainbows. You have to make it through the storm to see the dawn. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. The rain will-" He'd have jabbered on for hours with those proverbs if Lianna hadn't silenced him with a kiss.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firlas (feer-lahs) - meaning 'Fading Leaf' (The steward of the city. Not an outstandingly integral Elf, but he is the descendant of Thranduil's father's appointed Steward, so they really have no choice but to accept him)
A/N…well, he's renounced the throne. Now, they go back to Rivendell, get married, and have a wonderful life together for the rest of eternity…
Or do they?
Artria - Thanks, and Lianna thanks you too, for your concern and devotion.
TPfan333 - thanks!
I was going to wait for more reviews before I posted this, but apparently I'm not going to get any more. And it would be unfair to those who actually read AND review to have to wait so long.
love - Austin B.