Authors Note: Thank you so much for all your reviews, I just found that I
could not continue writing this fic with Aragorn but no Legolas. *Sigh*
they belong together *grin*.
Lai: I don't know whether there will be a relationship between Tavaril and Aranel, now that you have put that idea in my head there probably will be. *smile*
Oh and I apologise for any spelling errors but I did not have time to re- read through this chapter before posting it and because I am going to be out all day tomorrow I thought that you would prefer to have it in its raw form rather than have to wait till next week.
Chapter Eight
The fire he had lit hours before was now just beginning to die down, its smoke rising carelessly into the sky above both him and his small, but comfortable dwelling. Poking aimlessly at the ashes and cinders with a stick he sighed heavily. His dark green leggings were dusty and torn in places from this early mornings hunt but it did not bother him, no doubt his father or brothers would bring him a new pair on their next visit and by the sounds that were currently emanating from the forest that visit may be sooner that he had originally thought.
The sound of a single approaching horse had caught his sensitive ears long before it had become visible through the surrounding foliage, but he made no attempt to hide from it knowing that only those aware of his existence would dare to approach this dreary part of the forest that contained his hidden refuge.
Shifting his leather cover foot in the dry earth, he brought his leg up closer to his body and moved to rest his chin on his upright knee, his gaze never leaving the fading flames. He had found himself recently contemplating his past. Thinking through all the mistakes he had made and how they could have possibly been avoided.
He lifted his head and shook it, clearing his head from its depressive thoughts and causing a few of his long flaxen locks to fall forward concealing part of his face.
"You should not be feeling sorry for yourself, especially this early in the morning."
He refused to look up at the rider as he spoke. Ignoring the comments that he knew had been made to agitate him, to gain his attention.
He listened to the sound of feet hitting the ground as the rider ascended gracefully from his mount.
"Legolas stop moping and converse with me. I have something or you that has been sent, in hast, from Lord Elrond."
That Legolas could not ignore and he glanced up to meet the deep, expressive eyes of his father. The tall, imposing elf smiled gently at his son although his concern was clearly visible across his usually stern features.
"Will you not speak to me?" Thranduil asked his expression turning serious, as he watched Legolas turned his gaze away from him.
Sighing heavily the older elf pulled out a scrunched up piece of parchment and dropped it beside his son's feet before stepping backwards, allowing Legolas to believe that he was leaving.
"I apologise Ada," Legolas said quickly, suddenly afraid of being alone again. He had spent so much time alone over the past eighteen years, most of it down to his own rejection of his family and friends fearing the sympathy he knew that he would find from them. "I apologise for being unwelcoming but my dreams have been haunted of late though it is no excuse for my behaviour."
"Perhaps your dreams would not be haunted if you discussed them with those that care about you." Thranduil said gently, moving to sit down on the dusty earth beside his son. Lifting an arm to rest it across Legolas's shoulders he pulled his son close to him. "Open the parchment, perhaps the information will lift your mood."
Legolas turned slightly in his father's arms, his eyes rising to meet with Thranduil's. "Have you read it?"
"No, it is not my place to read what is not mine without permission." He smiled reassuringly. "Now come I must admit that I curious to find out what Elrond must speak to you of so urgently."
"Urgently?"
"Aye, it was sent via a messenger from Minas Tirith," At the confusion he saw in his son's eyes he continued and explained further. "He would not risk the knowledge of your existence being known to men unless it was for a matter of great importance."
Turning his gaze back to the ground by his feet, the younger elf lent forward out of his fathers embrace and picked up the scowl with his weary fingers. He scratched at the wax seal, carefully pulling it from the parchment and placing it to one side, before slowly unrolling it, holding it close enough for his father to read at the same time over his shoulder.
~*~
"Aranel?" Tavaril called out, entering the dark and dreary kitchens in search of the young half-elf. "Aranel?"
"I am not deaf Tavaril there is no need to shout!" Aranel scowled, pulling herself up from the chair that she had been sitting in across the room, an assortment of different fruits upon the wooden table in front of her. She had obviously been sorting carefully through them before he had interrupted her.
"Then answer me when I call and I would not have to shout." He said simply, stepping further into the kitchen as he spoke. "Come are you ready? It is time for you to seek out Lord Elrond and continue your discussion."
She looked up her expression almost apprehensive. "Will you stay by my side?" She asked. "You know him well and I am unsure of what he will ask of me."
"Of course I shall." He laughed gently. "Both to support you and to sate my own curiosity." He said honestly, walking forward until he stood directly in front of her and bringing his palm up to cup the side of her face softly. "I am just as involved in the search of your father as you are and will not be satisfied until you are united with him."
She smiled back leaning into his touch, thanking him without words. Reaching out she took the other hand that he now offered to her and allowed the dark haired elf to lead her from the room.
~*~
Legolas folded the parchment carefully, handling it as if it was the most precious item in all of Middle Earth.
He turned slowly in his father's arms to attempt to read Thranduil's expression but all he could see was the shock that was clearly displayed in the older elf's eyes and posture. Tears that had welled in his eyes for many years were for the first time allowed to escape from Legolas's azure eyes.
"She... she lives... my daughter... she lives."
Thranduil could do nothing but nod, pulling his son impossibly closer. The existence of his granddaughter was as much of a revelation to him as it was to Legolas.
"But how could she?" Legolas's shock had quickly changed into confusion. "Why did no one tell me? Why has she been kept from me?"
"I...I do not know, my Greenleaf."
"Have I done something so terrible that the gods had to separate me from her?" Legolas pulled out of his father's grip and stood moving towards the doorway to his simple dwelling.
"Legolas!" Thranduil got to his feet and followed him quickly, suddenly deciding that it was unwise to leave his son alone with this unexpected news. "Legolas wait what are you..."
"I will not waste anymore time!" Legolas interrupted whilst throwing open the door to his small, red timber wardrobe and pulling out a number of tunic's and tossing them in the direction of the bed that stood central in the small room that contained all that Legolas required, except for a bathroom, for washing he used the local stream.
"What are you planning to do?" Thranduil asked although from Legolas's current actions he was almost certain that he had not needed to ask such a question.
The younger elf paused glancing across the room to where his father stood. "Ada, I have spent the last eighteen years alone pleading for just one chance to have what was once lost to me." He implored. "I have finally been given this chance and I will not waste time by lingering here debating my next move."
"But what of Aragorn, have you thought of that?" The king reasoned. "If you have not forgotten he rules Minas Tirith, it will be almost impossible to avoid him completely!"
"I do not plan to avoid him."
"Legolas!" Thranduil hissed. "Not avoiding him was what started all your problems nineteen years ago."
"I am tired of hiding." Legolas sighed, bringing one of his hands up to brush away the hair that had fallen in front of his eyes. "I still love him Ada." He admitted. "I know he now has a life without me but I will not give up our daughter nor will I ignore what we once had!"
"Do you not think that he will have something to say about your supposed death? For some reason Legolas I do not believe that he will accept any answer that you give him easily."
"I know," Legolas sighed heavily. "But I must follow my heart this time for I have ignored its urges for so long."
Thranduil shook his head in dismay. "It is your heart that I fear for. How can you expect me to support you in your decision to return to the man who almost took you from me the last time?" He walked forward to stand in front of his son staring into his eyes for just a moment before pulling him once again into his arms. "You nearly faded last time Legolas, it only by some miracle that you survived and I thank the god's everyday for that."
"I know Ada." Legolas snuggled further into his fathers comforting embrace, although the younger elf was not quite sure which of them needed to be comforted more. "And I am grateful for your constant support but my dreams have been answered the fear I feel at the prospect of facing Aragorn pales at the need I feel for finding my child." He pulled back slightly. "Surely that is something that you are akin to feeling."
Grinning the older elf sighed in defeat he had known that this would be a loosing battle from the start but as his father he had to try and steer Legolas from the heart break he suspected this journey would end in.
"Then please do not go alone allow me to send for one of your brothers..." He stopped speaking as he noticed Legolas shaking his head.
"No Ada, this I must do alone. Please trust me I will return home and hopefully I will be able to introduce you to your granddaughter." He smiled and Thranduil relented. It had been so long since he had seen his youngest son smile in such a way, lighting up the area around him with the smile that reached his expressive blue eyes.
"Then I go knowing that no matter what happens I and your brothers will always be here should you need us. We will never abandon you."
~*~
"Aranel sit with me." Elrond motioned for the two young elves to sit down beside him on the large cushioned window seat as they entered his chambers. "I have much to explain to you before your father arrives."
"You have told Aragorn!" Tavaril gasped, gripping Aranel's hand tighter as they moved to sit down, he had yet to let go of her hand since she had taken hold of his in the kitchens. "Are you sure that was wise I..."
"Calm yourself Tavaril I have not informed Aragorn of Aranel's presence." Elrond stated calmly.
"Then who..."
"As I said there is much I need to explain."
~*~
TBC...
Don't worry all will be explained soon.
Thank you for reading and sticking with me so far please review.
Lai: I don't know whether there will be a relationship between Tavaril and Aranel, now that you have put that idea in my head there probably will be. *smile*
Oh and I apologise for any spelling errors but I did not have time to re- read through this chapter before posting it and because I am going to be out all day tomorrow I thought that you would prefer to have it in its raw form rather than have to wait till next week.
Chapter Eight
The fire he had lit hours before was now just beginning to die down, its smoke rising carelessly into the sky above both him and his small, but comfortable dwelling. Poking aimlessly at the ashes and cinders with a stick he sighed heavily. His dark green leggings were dusty and torn in places from this early mornings hunt but it did not bother him, no doubt his father or brothers would bring him a new pair on their next visit and by the sounds that were currently emanating from the forest that visit may be sooner that he had originally thought.
The sound of a single approaching horse had caught his sensitive ears long before it had become visible through the surrounding foliage, but he made no attempt to hide from it knowing that only those aware of his existence would dare to approach this dreary part of the forest that contained his hidden refuge.
Shifting his leather cover foot in the dry earth, he brought his leg up closer to his body and moved to rest his chin on his upright knee, his gaze never leaving the fading flames. He had found himself recently contemplating his past. Thinking through all the mistakes he had made and how they could have possibly been avoided.
He lifted his head and shook it, clearing his head from its depressive thoughts and causing a few of his long flaxen locks to fall forward concealing part of his face.
"You should not be feeling sorry for yourself, especially this early in the morning."
He refused to look up at the rider as he spoke. Ignoring the comments that he knew had been made to agitate him, to gain his attention.
He listened to the sound of feet hitting the ground as the rider ascended gracefully from his mount.
"Legolas stop moping and converse with me. I have something or you that has been sent, in hast, from Lord Elrond."
That Legolas could not ignore and he glanced up to meet the deep, expressive eyes of his father. The tall, imposing elf smiled gently at his son although his concern was clearly visible across his usually stern features.
"Will you not speak to me?" Thranduil asked his expression turning serious, as he watched Legolas turned his gaze away from him.
Sighing heavily the older elf pulled out a scrunched up piece of parchment and dropped it beside his son's feet before stepping backwards, allowing Legolas to believe that he was leaving.
"I apologise Ada," Legolas said quickly, suddenly afraid of being alone again. He had spent so much time alone over the past eighteen years, most of it down to his own rejection of his family and friends fearing the sympathy he knew that he would find from them. "I apologise for being unwelcoming but my dreams have been haunted of late though it is no excuse for my behaviour."
"Perhaps your dreams would not be haunted if you discussed them with those that care about you." Thranduil said gently, moving to sit down on the dusty earth beside his son. Lifting an arm to rest it across Legolas's shoulders he pulled his son close to him. "Open the parchment, perhaps the information will lift your mood."
Legolas turned slightly in his father's arms, his eyes rising to meet with Thranduil's. "Have you read it?"
"No, it is not my place to read what is not mine without permission." He smiled reassuringly. "Now come I must admit that I curious to find out what Elrond must speak to you of so urgently."
"Urgently?"
"Aye, it was sent via a messenger from Minas Tirith," At the confusion he saw in his son's eyes he continued and explained further. "He would not risk the knowledge of your existence being known to men unless it was for a matter of great importance."
Turning his gaze back to the ground by his feet, the younger elf lent forward out of his fathers embrace and picked up the scowl with his weary fingers. He scratched at the wax seal, carefully pulling it from the parchment and placing it to one side, before slowly unrolling it, holding it close enough for his father to read at the same time over his shoulder.
~*~
"Aranel?" Tavaril called out, entering the dark and dreary kitchens in search of the young half-elf. "Aranel?"
"I am not deaf Tavaril there is no need to shout!" Aranel scowled, pulling herself up from the chair that she had been sitting in across the room, an assortment of different fruits upon the wooden table in front of her. She had obviously been sorting carefully through them before he had interrupted her.
"Then answer me when I call and I would not have to shout." He said simply, stepping further into the kitchen as he spoke. "Come are you ready? It is time for you to seek out Lord Elrond and continue your discussion."
She looked up her expression almost apprehensive. "Will you stay by my side?" She asked. "You know him well and I am unsure of what he will ask of me."
"Of course I shall." He laughed gently. "Both to support you and to sate my own curiosity." He said honestly, walking forward until he stood directly in front of her and bringing his palm up to cup the side of her face softly. "I am just as involved in the search of your father as you are and will not be satisfied until you are united with him."
She smiled back leaning into his touch, thanking him without words. Reaching out she took the other hand that he now offered to her and allowed the dark haired elf to lead her from the room.
~*~
Legolas folded the parchment carefully, handling it as if it was the most precious item in all of Middle Earth.
He turned slowly in his father's arms to attempt to read Thranduil's expression but all he could see was the shock that was clearly displayed in the older elf's eyes and posture. Tears that had welled in his eyes for many years were for the first time allowed to escape from Legolas's azure eyes.
"She... she lives... my daughter... she lives."
Thranduil could do nothing but nod, pulling his son impossibly closer. The existence of his granddaughter was as much of a revelation to him as it was to Legolas.
"But how could she?" Legolas's shock had quickly changed into confusion. "Why did no one tell me? Why has she been kept from me?"
"I...I do not know, my Greenleaf."
"Have I done something so terrible that the gods had to separate me from her?" Legolas pulled out of his father's grip and stood moving towards the doorway to his simple dwelling.
"Legolas!" Thranduil got to his feet and followed him quickly, suddenly deciding that it was unwise to leave his son alone with this unexpected news. "Legolas wait what are you..."
"I will not waste anymore time!" Legolas interrupted whilst throwing open the door to his small, red timber wardrobe and pulling out a number of tunic's and tossing them in the direction of the bed that stood central in the small room that contained all that Legolas required, except for a bathroom, for washing he used the local stream.
"What are you planning to do?" Thranduil asked although from Legolas's current actions he was almost certain that he had not needed to ask such a question.
The younger elf paused glancing across the room to where his father stood. "Ada, I have spent the last eighteen years alone pleading for just one chance to have what was once lost to me." He implored. "I have finally been given this chance and I will not waste time by lingering here debating my next move."
"But what of Aragorn, have you thought of that?" The king reasoned. "If you have not forgotten he rules Minas Tirith, it will be almost impossible to avoid him completely!"
"I do not plan to avoid him."
"Legolas!" Thranduil hissed. "Not avoiding him was what started all your problems nineteen years ago."
"I am tired of hiding." Legolas sighed, bringing one of his hands up to brush away the hair that had fallen in front of his eyes. "I still love him Ada." He admitted. "I know he now has a life without me but I will not give up our daughter nor will I ignore what we once had!"
"Do you not think that he will have something to say about your supposed death? For some reason Legolas I do not believe that he will accept any answer that you give him easily."
"I know," Legolas sighed heavily. "But I must follow my heart this time for I have ignored its urges for so long."
Thranduil shook his head in dismay. "It is your heart that I fear for. How can you expect me to support you in your decision to return to the man who almost took you from me the last time?" He walked forward to stand in front of his son staring into his eyes for just a moment before pulling him once again into his arms. "You nearly faded last time Legolas, it only by some miracle that you survived and I thank the god's everyday for that."
"I know Ada." Legolas snuggled further into his fathers comforting embrace, although the younger elf was not quite sure which of them needed to be comforted more. "And I am grateful for your constant support but my dreams have been answered the fear I feel at the prospect of facing Aragorn pales at the need I feel for finding my child." He pulled back slightly. "Surely that is something that you are akin to feeling."
Grinning the older elf sighed in defeat he had known that this would be a loosing battle from the start but as his father he had to try and steer Legolas from the heart break he suspected this journey would end in.
"Then please do not go alone allow me to send for one of your brothers..." He stopped speaking as he noticed Legolas shaking his head.
"No Ada, this I must do alone. Please trust me I will return home and hopefully I will be able to introduce you to your granddaughter." He smiled and Thranduil relented. It had been so long since he had seen his youngest son smile in such a way, lighting up the area around him with the smile that reached his expressive blue eyes.
"Then I go knowing that no matter what happens I and your brothers will always be here should you need us. We will never abandon you."
~*~
"Aranel sit with me." Elrond motioned for the two young elves to sit down beside him on the large cushioned window seat as they entered his chambers. "I have much to explain to you before your father arrives."
"You have told Aragorn!" Tavaril gasped, gripping Aranel's hand tighter as they moved to sit down, he had yet to let go of her hand since she had taken hold of his in the kitchens. "Are you sure that was wise I..."
"Calm yourself Tavaril I have not informed Aragorn of Aranel's presence." Elrond stated calmly.
"Then who..."
"As I said there is much I need to explain."
~*~
TBC...
Don't worry all will be explained soon.
Thank you for reading and sticking with me so far please review.