Disclaimer: I own nothing except Minastir, Aldarion, Telemnar, and
Mithfalas. I am but a mere child playing in the Sandbox that is the genius
of Tolkien. Also, I am working on my degree in English, so I am my own
beta. Sometimes, that's a difficult thing to be. If you see mistakes that I
missed, please point them out. I'm not perfect, nor do I claim to be.
Thanks!
Series: Yup. This can be read on it's own, would make the most sense if read with the others, but mostly only makes references to Secret Alliances. If you don't feel like reading those, review and I'll clear up any confusion for you.
Bed of Lies
Family Ties
Of Elves and Men
Secret Alliances
The Beginning (This is supposed to be one of the last stories in the series, and I also realized how similar this title is to Cassia and Sio's, but oh well, the plot isn't the same at all.)
As always, author's notes and whatnot are at the end of the chapter. Also, you may notice that this story plays out slightly different than my others have. Hope you like the change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas sighed as his mind wandered. His eyes soon followed and turned towards the window. The sun was just overhead, signaling the arrival of midday. There was a world waiting for him out there. Adventure, travel-- even just a horseback ride--were all just out that window.
Minastir tapped his quill gently on the table across from the prince, bringing his attention back to the task at hand. Legolas looked at him, his eyes simply reading, 'Help me.' The elder elf shrugged, helpless, but the hint of a smile on his face indicated that he took sadistic pleasure in the prince's boredom.
This did not escape the prince, who was sharper and cleverer than most expected him to be. He shot daggers at his mentor with his eyes.
'Sorry,' Minastir mouthed, suppressing a laugh.
Legolas rolled his eyes in a way that said, "Yes, I'm sure you are."
The prince rested his head in his hand, then began filling more papers. It was the one task he hated doing. Every year, he had to fill out reports based on everything imaginable, from the spiders to the drinking water. He had managed to put it off for a while as he visited Rivendell, and so the work had piled up on him.
Thranduil had been understanding in this matter: he hated doing the reports as well. He let his son put them off until they could no longer neglect the duty. He knew the longer his son put them off, the longer he could put them off.
Legolas' eyes wandered to his father's desk. Thanduil was deep in concentration. Another tap on the desk directed his attention to Minastir, whose eyebrow was raised in amusement.
Legolas sighed. He usually never had this problem. He was always able to stay focused, but today, something was tugging at his mind.
"Father?" Legolas asked quietly.
The king looked up, his quill still poised in his fingers. "Yes, Legolas?"
"May we take a break?" He kept speaking before his father could say no. "It would be short, just a quick walk outside and back. Please?"
Thranduil nodded. As Minastir was pushing his chair back, and Legolas had already opened the door, Thranduil stopped them. "You may make it a longer walk, if you wish. You have been in here for the better part of the day."
Legolas smiled. "Thank you." He needed to figure out what was trying to break into his thoughts. He felt it was something important, something he should *need* to figure out, but it was hidden from him nonetheless.
Legolas breathed a sigh of relief as the two elves began walking down the hall. "I was becoming restless in there."
"You were bored."
The prince shoved his friend and mentor. "Aren't you the poetic one?"
"I state things as they are. You're young; it's your job to be poetic."
"Did you see him?"
Minastir creased his brow. "Who?" He half thought that the prince had become so bored that he was seeing things as he worked. Or pretended to work, in his case.
"Mithfalas."
The elder elf hissed in surprise, looking over his shoulder to make sure the door to the study had been closed. He then rounded on Legolas. "What are you thinking? You should know better than that!"
"Yes, but that's never stopped me before."
Minastir frowned at the prince's smile. "This is no laughing matter, Legolas."
"Did you see him?" The prince obviously did not understand Minastir's reaction to the question. His mood did not somber.
"If I say no, will you stop talking about him?"
"You did! You saw him! I did too."
Minastir stopped walking. "You're jesting, right?"
"No. What's wrong? Ada wasn't there, don't worry."
"If he had been caught. . ."
"But he wasn't caught, Tir. He left before anyone knew he was there. There was no harm in it; he just wanted to talk to me."
"And I just want to talk to the son of a Mirkwood spider." Minastir mumbled under his breath, but the prince caught it.
"What, Tir? What would have happened?"
"Do not call me that, *my lord.*"
"Tell me what would have happened to my brother."
"He is no longer your brother. Besides, I can't tell you, my prince."
"You can. You just don't want to."
Minastir resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Either way, the prince wasn't going to find out. "No, my prince. I follow orders from your father above all others, including yours. I cannot tell you what would have happened. Make sure no one else learns of that meeting. No one must know."
"You can't do that to me. You can't make a show out of it and then not tell me."
"I can. I did. We should return to work."
Legolas shook his head, almost in disgust. A million or more questions were chasing themselves in his mind, but one prevailed. What had his brother risked to see him? The condition of his exile had been that he could not return to Mirkwood, under pain of death. It said nothing of any other conditions.
As far as he knew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The prince watched as his father finally stood from his seat, setting his quill down neatly. "I'm done for the day. I will see you in the morning at breakfast?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes, of course." He turned back to the parchment in front of him.
"How do your reports come?"
"Fine, my lord."
"I am your father before your king in private, Legolas. Have you come to the spiders yet?"
Legolas nodded, dipping his quill in more ink. He paused before he set it back to the parchment. "What should we do?"
"Do you think you and your men could handle it, or should I send Telemnar's contingent instead?"
The prince paused, considering the question. "Perhaps both of our troops should go. There are quite a lot of spiders now."
The king nodded. "We will decide on your departure in the morning."
"Yes," Legolas said absently, turning back to his parchment.
"Your candle grows dim."
"I shall light another."
"Do you intend to work through the night, Legolas?"
Without looking up, the prince replied, "No, I just want to finish as much as I can."
The king sat in Minastir's chair. "You can barely keep your eyes open."
Legolas looked at his father, a smile forming on his lips. "Are you saying that you object to my work ethic?"
"Only at this hour."
"I will just finish this report."
Thranduil raised a fatherly eyebrow. "Make sure you get some rest tonight, will you?"
The prince bowed his head. "I will."
The king stood. "Goodnight, my son."
Legolas watched for a moment after his father had left, his eyes fighting to stay open. He finally returned to the task he needed to finish.
Wine expenses. Nothing came to mind. "It really is late," Legolas told himself. He thought of Aragorn. His brain showered fireworks at him, seemingly praising him for finally recognizing that thought. Legolas smiled.
What would Aragorn be doing now? Legolas had received a letter earlier in the year from his human friend. The ranger had traveled north in search of adventure. Legolas half wished he had gone as well.
It wasn't that he hadn't been invited. That had been the very first question Aragorn had asked. Legolas simply could not go. He was needed too much by his father and Mirkwood.
Minastir downplayed adventure. He had once told Legolas, "Adventure! People talk about the idea as if it is something worthwhile, rather than bad food, little sleep, and strange people inexplicably trying to stick pointed objects in you."
To which Legolas had laughed.
'Concentrate,' he chided himself, turning his eyes back to the paper. Wine expenses.
He should answer Aragorn's letter.
'Wine, Legolas.' He wanted to finish it. He needed to finish it.
He pulled out a fresh piece of parchment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Strider-
I apologize for the slow coming of my reply. I received your letter just after the Midwinter's Festival. It is now almost time for the Spring Festival.
Where have your travels taken you? I can only imagine a world far from daily rituals and endless reports. In fact, I should be finishing one of the said reports now. Between that and answering your letter, I chose the one with less numbers.
Things are normal here. There is nothing new or exciting. I haven't been a slave or near death in quite some time. I dare say I rather miss it.
Pulling pranks on the servants has rather lost its appeal as well. I can only take the "You will be king of Mirkwood one day," speech so many times.
I met him, Strider. Mithfalas came to see me when I was in Lady Galadriel's care. He's exactly as I remember him being. It's as though the exile did not affect him at all. He carries no weight on his shoulders, and nothing but a smile in his eyes. It's strange though. His eyes are old. I think he aged more quickly than he should have, but then, I suppose exile would do that.
He risked his life to save mine, by being so near to where we were held. Why? I as much a cursed him to Mordor and back when he left. He knew it, too.
Speaking of that little adventure we had, did you ever find out why they said they were from Evandael, if they were from Gondor? I think there was something deeper running through that issue, but I never did ask you.
Minastir is going insane preparing for the Festival. We do this every year; you would think he would be able to handle it by now. Ada says he is planning something different for this year, which he has not told to anyone. He seems rather excited by the idea, however. When you have had enough of exploring the world, you will have to come to one of the Festivals.
Mirkwood is in good order, if you don't count the fact that the spiders have more than doubled in population in the last three years. As of yet, they have not expanded their reign on the forest, but it is only a matter of time. We really are running out of ideas. Telemnar and I are to see to the problem.
Aldarion is engaged. He told me just last night. The elf he is to be wed to is a cousin of mine from my mother's side of the family. They are perfect for each other. Sometimes I think maybe they are a little too perfect. He couldn't be any happier, nor I for him.
My candle has almost gone out, so I shall take that as a sign that I have written enough. I hope this letter finds you in good health and good cheer.
Your friend,
Legolas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas read the letter over, sealed it, and attached it to an eagle's leg. "Find him in good health, mellon nin, and if that is not possible, at least find him in good company," he whispered to the bird, then sent it off with a flick of his wrist. He watched the noble creature until it disappeared into the night. Letting a content sigh escape his lips, he blew out his candle and made for bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Thranduil greeted his son with a smile the next morning. "I trust you slept well?"
Legolas knew that smile. He had seen it many times, played both on his father and mother's lips. It simply said, "I know you slept only but an hour last night."
The prince nodded anyway. The hour had been a restful one. Enough for him to finish the rest of the reports today. "Did you?"
Thranduil nodded, but said nothing. Legolas watched him and could see the wheels turning in his mind. Finally, he opened his mouth. "Minastir tells me that you received a visit in Lothlorien."
Legolas kept his calm, making no outward reaction, but inside, he panicked. He shrugged. "Many elves came by to see how I fared."
"Is that all? Anyone you knew?"
"I have seen most of them before, in passing. I knew a few, but they were elves I've grown up with." He wasn't lying completely. He was only selecting part of the truth to reveal. He was only going to be in trouble if Minastir had told him whom the visit had been from.
"Are you sure there's nothing else you wish to tell me of that event?"
Legolas nodded with what he hoped was an innocent look on his face. He as going to *kill* Minastir for this.
Silence followed, broken only by the quiet breathing of father and son as they ate their meal.
"Well, should we get started on the rest of the reports?"
Legolas nodded, turning his fork upside down on his plate. "Let us finish them today."
Thranduil smiled. "Here, here!" He clapped his son on the shoulder, leading him to the study. "I'm afraid Minastir's work is done, so he will not be joining us today."
"Lucky."
Thranduil laughed. "You know, I was thinking just that." He paused, looking at his only son as they walked. "Are you all right, ion nin?"
Legolas creased his brow. "Yes. I am fine."
"Truthfully, now. You've been through more in your few years than most elves ever experience in their whole lives."
The prince smiled. "Well, I am your son, am I not?"
Thranduil pushed the door to the study open, and both elves took their seats. "I suppose that is true. I should expect as much from my own blood."
"I am glad to be home, though."
Thranduil's smile widened. "And I am glad to have you home. Now let's get to work."
Legolas' eyes dropped to the paper in front of him. He sighed. Wine expenses.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Reviewers: Okay, I said I'd get this up right after the first. . . I hate doing this because the story is not finished, but this is just to hold you over and prove that I'm still writing. Please don't expect the next one for a while. I'm only on chapter three, and I'd like to be a few chapters ahead of where I post. Okay? You guys are the best!
Nenya: That's funny. I was at Barnes and Noble and I found a Tolkien dictionary that I bought. It says the same thing. Mithfalas means Grey Coast, which I did not plan on, but actually works out quite beautifully. (There's a hint for you!) Thanks for checking it out! But that still leaves the problem of me sitting at some computer with not but a review and your word it's the one, watching you type away on my computer! PS. I have a lot of pictures of Leggy's headpiece. . . if you feel like giving me your email addy, I will gladly send them your way. If you don't want to leave it in a review, email me at it_could_happen2001@yahoo.com okies?
Das Blume: I have the eerie feeling I've replied to this review before, about Galadriel's eerie quality. . . if I haven't please say so and I will next chapter! Ah! There you are again! There's like, four of you. Nice poem, by the way lol. I did notice the different braids. . . he is gorgeous. Yes, he is my precious! Okay, are there any more of you I need to respond to?
SPEoD: Hey, congrats on being moved to a jumper class! I don't jump, personally. I mean, I can, it's a good thing to know, but you know. Yes, Leggy is hot with head gear. I know ALL about PotC2. . . what did you mean specifically?
Lizzie: Aw, thanks!
elfluvr2931: Wow, I'm blushing. Thank you so much!
LegolasLover2004: Sorry, that's it for that one. Short but sweet, right?
Andraste Emeraldpetal: Hannon lle, that means a lot ::big smiles::
Deana: Your countdown ends! I hope this meets you expectations. Oh, and I'm gonna play around with Aragorn's death and Leggy a little bit. (In WAY later stories.)
Kenderbender: In all honesty, I knew very little when I posted my first fic. I read a ton of everyone else's, and I look things up online. You really learn a lot as you go. Plus, I've been reading all of Tolkien's books as needed. I think it's encyclopediaofarda.com, or something like that, but it's a great reference site. Isn't the movie fantastic?
Catmint: Love the name. Thanks!
Ryuujin Dragon King: That was the last of The Beginning, but I do have Legolas/Aragorn friendship fics, lol! Thanks for the review!
Elainor: An excellent point, Thranduil's being king with his father still alive. I will address that in Family Matter, thanks for pointing that out! Thanks so much for the great review for BoL!
Arayelle Lynn: Thank you! Yes, they still have many more years of adventures left! Three times to see the headpiece and planning more. . . that sounds like. . . me! If it's crazy, then I'm fine with being crazy, lol!
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Just a story, sorry, but here's one that's just a chapter!
Lulu Bell: 7k. That qualifies as long. Aragorn did say the sarcasm part, but Legolas chimed in because he heard it so many times. Actually, as of yet, I see no end to my stories (You are so sweet,) but I imagine he day will come. Was he guy cute? You never said! I went to the midnight showing. Flirted a lot with the frappachino maker guy. . . he was CUTE! Lol. Yeah, I was tickling my friend and winning and she bit me. Left a huge bruise too, lol! Your little cousin is adorable! Remind me to tell you about my friend's little cousin when it's not so late. . . My holidays were fantastic! How were yours? Until next time, mellon nin!
Jenzy: I love getting new reviewers so much! Thanks for reviewing! Honestly, there is nothing to apologize for! Hm, I'm afraid you're in for a few cliffhangers in this story. Then again, this is me we're talking about. By the way, I love your use of language. Well, your vote while it is late, is the tie-breaker. Again, thank you so much for your kind review. It's going in my 'favourite reviews' folder. I hope to see you again!
Series: Yup. This can be read on it's own, would make the most sense if read with the others, but mostly only makes references to Secret Alliances. If you don't feel like reading those, review and I'll clear up any confusion for you.
Bed of Lies
Family Ties
Of Elves and Men
Secret Alliances
The Beginning (This is supposed to be one of the last stories in the series, and I also realized how similar this title is to Cassia and Sio's, but oh well, the plot isn't the same at all.)
As always, author's notes and whatnot are at the end of the chapter. Also, you may notice that this story plays out slightly different than my others have. Hope you like the change.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas sighed as his mind wandered. His eyes soon followed and turned towards the window. The sun was just overhead, signaling the arrival of midday. There was a world waiting for him out there. Adventure, travel-- even just a horseback ride--were all just out that window.
Minastir tapped his quill gently on the table across from the prince, bringing his attention back to the task at hand. Legolas looked at him, his eyes simply reading, 'Help me.' The elder elf shrugged, helpless, but the hint of a smile on his face indicated that he took sadistic pleasure in the prince's boredom.
This did not escape the prince, who was sharper and cleverer than most expected him to be. He shot daggers at his mentor with his eyes.
'Sorry,' Minastir mouthed, suppressing a laugh.
Legolas rolled his eyes in a way that said, "Yes, I'm sure you are."
The prince rested his head in his hand, then began filling more papers. It was the one task he hated doing. Every year, he had to fill out reports based on everything imaginable, from the spiders to the drinking water. He had managed to put it off for a while as he visited Rivendell, and so the work had piled up on him.
Thranduil had been understanding in this matter: he hated doing the reports as well. He let his son put them off until they could no longer neglect the duty. He knew the longer his son put them off, the longer he could put them off.
Legolas' eyes wandered to his father's desk. Thanduil was deep in concentration. Another tap on the desk directed his attention to Minastir, whose eyebrow was raised in amusement.
Legolas sighed. He usually never had this problem. He was always able to stay focused, but today, something was tugging at his mind.
"Father?" Legolas asked quietly.
The king looked up, his quill still poised in his fingers. "Yes, Legolas?"
"May we take a break?" He kept speaking before his father could say no. "It would be short, just a quick walk outside and back. Please?"
Thranduil nodded. As Minastir was pushing his chair back, and Legolas had already opened the door, Thranduil stopped them. "You may make it a longer walk, if you wish. You have been in here for the better part of the day."
Legolas smiled. "Thank you." He needed to figure out what was trying to break into his thoughts. He felt it was something important, something he should *need* to figure out, but it was hidden from him nonetheless.
Legolas breathed a sigh of relief as the two elves began walking down the hall. "I was becoming restless in there."
"You were bored."
The prince shoved his friend and mentor. "Aren't you the poetic one?"
"I state things as they are. You're young; it's your job to be poetic."
"Did you see him?"
Minastir creased his brow. "Who?" He half thought that the prince had become so bored that he was seeing things as he worked. Or pretended to work, in his case.
"Mithfalas."
The elder elf hissed in surprise, looking over his shoulder to make sure the door to the study had been closed. He then rounded on Legolas. "What are you thinking? You should know better than that!"
"Yes, but that's never stopped me before."
Minastir frowned at the prince's smile. "This is no laughing matter, Legolas."
"Did you see him?" The prince obviously did not understand Minastir's reaction to the question. His mood did not somber.
"If I say no, will you stop talking about him?"
"You did! You saw him! I did too."
Minastir stopped walking. "You're jesting, right?"
"No. What's wrong? Ada wasn't there, don't worry."
"If he had been caught. . ."
"But he wasn't caught, Tir. He left before anyone knew he was there. There was no harm in it; he just wanted to talk to me."
"And I just want to talk to the son of a Mirkwood spider." Minastir mumbled under his breath, but the prince caught it.
"What, Tir? What would have happened?"
"Do not call me that, *my lord.*"
"Tell me what would have happened to my brother."
"He is no longer your brother. Besides, I can't tell you, my prince."
"You can. You just don't want to."
Minastir resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Either way, the prince wasn't going to find out. "No, my prince. I follow orders from your father above all others, including yours. I cannot tell you what would have happened. Make sure no one else learns of that meeting. No one must know."
"You can't do that to me. You can't make a show out of it and then not tell me."
"I can. I did. We should return to work."
Legolas shook his head, almost in disgust. A million or more questions were chasing themselves in his mind, but one prevailed. What had his brother risked to see him? The condition of his exile had been that he could not return to Mirkwood, under pain of death. It said nothing of any other conditions.
As far as he knew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The prince watched as his father finally stood from his seat, setting his quill down neatly. "I'm done for the day. I will see you in the morning at breakfast?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes, of course." He turned back to the parchment in front of him.
"How do your reports come?"
"Fine, my lord."
"I am your father before your king in private, Legolas. Have you come to the spiders yet?"
Legolas nodded, dipping his quill in more ink. He paused before he set it back to the parchment. "What should we do?"
"Do you think you and your men could handle it, or should I send Telemnar's contingent instead?"
The prince paused, considering the question. "Perhaps both of our troops should go. There are quite a lot of spiders now."
The king nodded. "We will decide on your departure in the morning."
"Yes," Legolas said absently, turning back to his parchment.
"Your candle grows dim."
"I shall light another."
"Do you intend to work through the night, Legolas?"
Without looking up, the prince replied, "No, I just want to finish as much as I can."
The king sat in Minastir's chair. "You can barely keep your eyes open."
Legolas looked at his father, a smile forming on his lips. "Are you saying that you object to my work ethic?"
"Only at this hour."
"I will just finish this report."
Thranduil raised a fatherly eyebrow. "Make sure you get some rest tonight, will you?"
The prince bowed his head. "I will."
The king stood. "Goodnight, my son."
Legolas watched for a moment after his father had left, his eyes fighting to stay open. He finally returned to the task he needed to finish.
Wine expenses. Nothing came to mind. "It really is late," Legolas told himself. He thought of Aragorn. His brain showered fireworks at him, seemingly praising him for finally recognizing that thought. Legolas smiled.
What would Aragorn be doing now? Legolas had received a letter earlier in the year from his human friend. The ranger had traveled north in search of adventure. Legolas half wished he had gone as well.
It wasn't that he hadn't been invited. That had been the very first question Aragorn had asked. Legolas simply could not go. He was needed too much by his father and Mirkwood.
Minastir downplayed adventure. He had once told Legolas, "Adventure! People talk about the idea as if it is something worthwhile, rather than bad food, little sleep, and strange people inexplicably trying to stick pointed objects in you."
To which Legolas had laughed.
'Concentrate,' he chided himself, turning his eyes back to the paper. Wine expenses.
He should answer Aragorn's letter.
'Wine, Legolas.' He wanted to finish it. He needed to finish it.
He pulled out a fresh piece of parchment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Strider-
I apologize for the slow coming of my reply. I received your letter just after the Midwinter's Festival. It is now almost time for the Spring Festival.
Where have your travels taken you? I can only imagine a world far from daily rituals and endless reports. In fact, I should be finishing one of the said reports now. Between that and answering your letter, I chose the one with less numbers.
Things are normal here. There is nothing new or exciting. I haven't been a slave or near death in quite some time. I dare say I rather miss it.
Pulling pranks on the servants has rather lost its appeal as well. I can only take the "You will be king of Mirkwood one day," speech so many times.
I met him, Strider. Mithfalas came to see me when I was in Lady Galadriel's care. He's exactly as I remember him being. It's as though the exile did not affect him at all. He carries no weight on his shoulders, and nothing but a smile in his eyes. It's strange though. His eyes are old. I think he aged more quickly than he should have, but then, I suppose exile would do that.
He risked his life to save mine, by being so near to where we were held. Why? I as much a cursed him to Mordor and back when he left. He knew it, too.
Speaking of that little adventure we had, did you ever find out why they said they were from Evandael, if they were from Gondor? I think there was something deeper running through that issue, but I never did ask you.
Minastir is going insane preparing for the Festival. We do this every year; you would think he would be able to handle it by now. Ada says he is planning something different for this year, which he has not told to anyone. He seems rather excited by the idea, however. When you have had enough of exploring the world, you will have to come to one of the Festivals.
Mirkwood is in good order, if you don't count the fact that the spiders have more than doubled in population in the last three years. As of yet, they have not expanded their reign on the forest, but it is only a matter of time. We really are running out of ideas. Telemnar and I are to see to the problem.
Aldarion is engaged. He told me just last night. The elf he is to be wed to is a cousin of mine from my mother's side of the family. They are perfect for each other. Sometimes I think maybe they are a little too perfect. He couldn't be any happier, nor I for him.
My candle has almost gone out, so I shall take that as a sign that I have written enough. I hope this letter finds you in good health and good cheer.
Your friend,
Legolas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas read the letter over, sealed it, and attached it to an eagle's leg. "Find him in good health, mellon nin, and if that is not possible, at least find him in good company," he whispered to the bird, then sent it off with a flick of his wrist. He watched the noble creature until it disappeared into the night. Letting a content sigh escape his lips, he blew out his candle and made for bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Thranduil greeted his son with a smile the next morning. "I trust you slept well?"
Legolas knew that smile. He had seen it many times, played both on his father and mother's lips. It simply said, "I know you slept only but an hour last night."
The prince nodded anyway. The hour had been a restful one. Enough for him to finish the rest of the reports today. "Did you?"
Thranduil nodded, but said nothing. Legolas watched him and could see the wheels turning in his mind. Finally, he opened his mouth. "Minastir tells me that you received a visit in Lothlorien."
Legolas kept his calm, making no outward reaction, but inside, he panicked. He shrugged. "Many elves came by to see how I fared."
"Is that all? Anyone you knew?"
"I have seen most of them before, in passing. I knew a few, but they were elves I've grown up with." He wasn't lying completely. He was only selecting part of the truth to reveal. He was only going to be in trouble if Minastir had told him whom the visit had been from.
"Are you sure there's nothing else you wish to tell me of that event?"
Legolas nodded with what he hoped was an innocent look on his face. He as going to *kill* Minastir for this.
Silence followed, broken only by the quiet breathing of father and son as they ate their meal.
"Well, should we get started on the rest of the reports?"
Legolas nodded, turning his fork upside down on his plate. "Let us finish them today."
Thranduil smiled. "Here, here!" He clapped his son on the shoulder, leading him to the study. "I'm afraid Minastir's work is done, so he will not be joining us today."
"Lucky."
Thranduil laughed. "You know, I was thinking just that." He paused, looking at his only son as they walked. "Are you all right, ion nin?"
Legolas creased his brow. "Yes. I am fine."
"Truthfully, now. You've been through more in your few years than most elves ever experience in their whole lives."
The prince smiled. "Well, I am your son, am I not?"
Thranduil pushed the door to the study open, and both elves took their seats. "I suppose that is true. I should expect as much from my own blood."
"I am glad to be home, though."
Thranduil's smile widened. "And I am glad to have you home. Now let's get to work."
Legolas' eyes dropped to the paper in front of him. He sighed. Wine expenses.
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Reviewers: Okay, I said I'd get this up right after the first. . . I hate doing this because the story is not finished, but this is just to hold you over and prove that I'm still writing. Please don't expect the next one for a while. I'm only on chapter three, and I'd like to be a few chapters ahead of where I post. Okay? You guys are the best!
Nenya: That's funny. I was at Barnes and Noble and I found a Tolkien dictionary that I bought. It says the same thing. Mithfalas means Grey Coast, which I did not plan on, but actually works out quite beautifully. (There's a hint for you!) Thanks for checking it out! But that still leaves the problem of me sitting at some computer with not but a review and your word it's the one, watching you type away on my computer! PS. I have a lot of pictures of Leggy's headpiece. . . if you feel like giving me your email addy, I will gladly send them your way. If you don't want to leave it in a review, email me at it_could_happen2001@yahoo.com okies?
Das Blume: I have the eerie feeling I've replied to this review before, about Galadriel's eerie quality. . . if I haven't please say so and I will next chapter! Ah! There you are again! There's like, four of you. Nice poem, by the way lol. I did notice the different braids. . . he is gorgeous. Yes, he is my precious! Okay, are there any more of you I need to respond to?
SPEoD: Hey, congrats on being moved to a jumper class! I don't jump, personally. I mean, I can, it's a good thing to know, but you know. Yes, Leggy is hot with head gear. I know ALL about PotC2. . . what did you mean specifically?
Lizzie: Aw, thanks!
elfluvr2931: Wow, I'm blushing. Thank you so much!
LegolasLover2004: Sorry, that's it for that one. Short but sweet, right?
Andraste Emeraldpetal: Hannon lle, that means a lot ::big smiles::
Deana: Your countdown ends! I hope this meets you expectations. Oh, and I'm gonna play around with Aragorn's death and Leggy a little bit. (In WAY later stories.)
Kenderbender: In all honesty, I knew very little when I posted my first fic. I read a ton of everyone else's, and I look things up online. You really learn a lot as you go. Plus, I've been reading all of Tolkien's books as needed. I think it's encyclopediaofarda.com, or something like that, but it's a great reference site. Isn't the movie fantastic?
Catmint: Love the name. Thanks!
Ryuujin Dragon King: That was the last of The Beginning, but I do have Legolas/Aragorn friendship fics, lol! Thanks for the review!
Elainor: An excellent point, Thranduil's being king with his father still alive. I will address that in Family Matter, thanks for pointing that out! Thanks so much for the great review for BoL!
Arayelle Lynn: Thank you! Yes, they still have many more years of adventures left! Three times to see the headpiece and planning more. . . that sounds like. . . me! If it's crazy, then I'm fine with being crazy, lol!
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Just a story, sorry, but here's one that's just a chapter!
Lulu Bell: 7k. That qualifies as long. Aragorn did say the sarcasm part, but Legolas chimed in because he heard it so many times. Actually, as of yet, I see no end to my stories (You are so sweet,) but I imagine he day will come. Was he guy cute? You never said! I went to the midnight showing. Flirted a lot with the frappachino maker guy. . . he was CUTE! Lol. Yeah, I was tickling my friend and winning and she bit me. Left a huge bruise too, lol! Your little cousin is adorable! Remind me to tell you about my friend's little cousin when it's not so late. . . My holidays were fantastic! How were yours? Until next time, mellon nin!
Jenzy: I love getting new reviewers so much! Thanks for reviewing! Honestly, there is nothing to apologize for! Hm, I'm afraid you're in for a few cliffhangers in this story. Then again, this is me we're talking about. By the way, I love your use of language. Well, your vote while it is late, is the tie-breaker. Again, thank you so much for your kind review. It's going in my 'favourite reviews' folder. I hope to see you again!