Disclaimer: Tolkien's world. I'm adding pieces to it. LOL.
Author's Notes:
Things start happening again in this chapter…Review please… Hopefully my story will all work out. I still have some very large holes that I don't know what I should do with. The return journey is much more hard to write than I thought it would be…
KitCloudkicker: Sorry. No cliffy intended. NO. Really.
Musicstarlover and Vicki Turner: Church camp is a camp where you go to learn more about God and spend some time in *fellowship* with friends and sometimes family (which we affectionately call brothers and sisters.) It's fun…and it's a Christian camp. Yes, I'm a Christian, which is why I don't write slash pairings…
Lady Tolwen: "He Led Her On" was good. Interesting characterisations. Very very creative.
blue4dogs: First to review last chapter! Thanks!
MORE…Legolas' thoughts are in italics.
**In Mirkwood, Healing Rooms**
Herendil was now dressed in formal robes. Meleris had gotten some from his room. After all, Herendil couldn't exactly go to see the King in a hospital gown. It would have been funny though, Meleris thought with an evil grin. Herendil fitted Meleris' clothes loosely. Herendil was skinny with lack of exercise for a week, he felt self-conscious.
"Don't be so vain, you look handsome as. Now that you are ready, let's go. We don't want to be late," Meleris said.
"It's heaps early," Herendil protested. "I'm not vain. You are."
"Suit yourself. Stop complaining. The healer told me that it would take a while for you to walk," Meleris reminded him. "Or do you want me to carry you?'
"I can walk. I'm not an invalid. I don't need any help at all," Herendil mumbled. He tried to get up too fast and fell promptly in Meleris' strong arms.
"Sure you don't," Meleris said sarcastically. "Slowly. One foot in front of the other."
After several minutes, Herendil's leg's had gotten used to supporting the weight again. Herendil was smiling from ear to ear. Meleris held the door open for him, helping him through. As the door closed, the healer beamed triumphantly and tears fell down her face. She wiped them away without feeling ashamed because she was proud of Herendil. She had watched the whole feat.
**In Imladris, Meeting Room**
Everyone stood up as Elrond came into the room. They all sat down.
Elrond spoke, "This meeting we will focus on the proposed alliance with Mirkwood. I have the parchment here that the messengers from Mirkwood delivered." Elrond unfurled the piece of parchment in the centre of the table.
"With all due respect, Lord Elrond," one of the advisors began. "Don't we need a representative sitting in this talk? It is about an alliance with another Elven Kingdom after all…"
"One of the three representatives was unfortunately killed by an orc on their journey to Imladris. The other had to go back because they were brothers and was bound by Mirkwood customs to return the body to their family," Elrond explained unwillingly.
"But what about the third? Can he not sit in the meeting in place of the other two?" the advisor pressed.
"No, he cannot," Elrond said, more sharply than he intended to. "He is a minor."
"I don't wish to question you, but don't you think that a minor is better than no representative? Perhaps he could he sort out some of the conditions of the alliance."
"No," Elrond snapped. "He is younger than the twins. I do not think that it is suitable to subject him to a meeting."
The advisor backed off and nodded mutely. He knew to leave Elrond alone when he was in that "fatherly" mode. Elrond was very protective of his sons. The advisor wondered whom this minor was that Elrond seemed to be so fond of. Rumours were around Imladris that Elrond hated Mirkwood. Why would he be nice to a representative? The advisor wondered. Maybe its because he's a minor, the advisor concluded.
"Glorfindel? Would you mind reading out the conditions of the alliance please?" Elrond said tiredly. "As per custom, it will be read three times."
Glorfindel picked up the parchment and started to read the conditions out aloud. This meeting was not starting out good.
**In Imladris, Lesson Rooms**
The twins were sitting quietly. Legolas was beside them. They were working on the history of Imladris and the alliances they held.
"Let's draw a large map of alliances and date them," Erestor said.
All three Elflings crowded around the table.
"This is a game. I will give you a different coloured crayon each. You have to put as many alliances from as many battles as you can. They one who has the most wins," Erestor smiled. To Legolas he said, "I know that Mirkwood is a bit different and you are younger so just do your best. Alright?"
"Right." The three Elflings burst into laughter.
"What is it that you find so amusing?" Erestor asked confused.
"Just a joke," Elrohir said.
Erestor shook his head and said, "Ready?"
The three elfling's spaced themselves around the large piece of parchment.
"Get set."
Each person grabbed a crayon. Elladan was blue. Elrohir was red. Legolas was green. The twin's faces were masks of complete concentration. For once, Erestor thought, fighting a smile.
"Go!"
**In Mirkwood, Somewhere in the Corridors**
"We are going to be late," Herendil groaned. He was sitting down for the tenth time.
"It is okay. I can explain. Take it slowly, you don't want to injure yourself."
"I know." Herendil rolled his eyes.
"Come on," Meleris said encouragingly.
Herendil got up, but he was aware that his rests were getting longer and longer. After all, he hadn't walked in a week. He had just spent the time lying in bed.
"I don't think I'll make it," Herendil said uncertainly.
"I do," Meleris said with a glint in his eyes. Without warning, he picked Herendil up and ran for the throne room. He ignored the servant's stunned looks as he sprinted past them.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Herendil said. Meleris only laughed. "Put me down right now. Hey! Put me down! I order you to…argh…are you listening?"
Meleris did not obey until they reached the door of the throne room. He put Herendil on his feet and said seriously, "Yes, sir."
"Why did you do that?"
"To help you," Meleris answered simply, taking Herendil off guard. Herendil had not expected this response. Meleris silently opened the door and both of them walked in.
**In Imladris, Meeting Room**
"Has anyone got any questions?" Elrond asked.
"Forgive me if I am rude but I do not understand the need for this alliance with Mirkwood. We have not been allied since the last battle at least some a millennia ago," said one of the advisors.
The other advisors murmured in an agreement.
Another said, "Tis true Lord Elrond. Are you sure that this alliance is not…a trap of some sort?"
A younger advisor burst outright, "Thranduil must have some ulterior motive for this…"
"No. Perhaps he genuinely wants to make up…"
"He can't be, he's always been that arrogant…"
Elrond held up his hands to silence them. "First of all, we are discussing the alliance with Mirkwood proposed by King Thranduil. This is not a debate about King Thranduil's character. Even if he is absent we should still respect his title. Secondly, I believe in peace. Is there any reason why we shouldn't be allied with Mirkwood?"
The advisors were silent. One advisor stood up and bowed his head, "We apologise for our behaviour from earlier on, Lord Elrond. We meant not deliberate disrespect towards King Thranduil. I just don't think this proposed alliance feels right…" The other advisors nodded.
"Apology accepted," Elrond said graciously. "But why?"
"Its just King Thranduil, Lord Elrond. It's just that he never was quite friendly with the relations from Imladris. I don't think that he has personally visited Imladris in the last millennia, let alone the last century. Its no secret that Mirkwood has never really gotten along with the Imladris folk."
"I support his statement, Lord Elrond. I propose that we refuse the alliance because the King of Mirkwood showed no personal interest in Imladris or it relations. It could be dangerous. I mean with everything we heard about Thranduil…"
Elrond raised his brows. "Dangerous? Refuse the alliance you say?" Elrond stood up. "Think about it. Would it be not MORE dangerous if we refused the alliance? It would be risking open warfare. What difference is this alliance to our alliance with Lorien? We are making peace, not war," Elrond was starting to sound aggravated. He didn't understand his advisors. "I chose you to help me make my decisions. I chose all of you because you knew how to make peace. This alliance is not personal. It is a diplomatic decision. What did you hear about Thranduil? That he is a great monster? You, my advisors, of all people are paying heed to gossip? Need I say that some decision regarding the whole of Imladris are not about personal relationships. It's a decision make for the sake of peace. Perhaps then we can establish a friendship. You are not even thinking about this at all. It's prejudice." Elrond paused. "We will continue this discussion after lunch AFTER we have all thought about it. You are all dismissed."
The advisors avoided his gaze and walked out of the room.
"I wonder why I keep those advisor sometimes. They are going to drive me insane."
"Well, you have to keep them for one because they help you. Two, because they represent the residents of Imladris," Glorfindel answered bluntly. "You may be the Lord but you are choosing on behalf of the people. Didn't you say you believed that everyone should be able to know what goes on in Imladris? That you wanted to keep this an open realm? Elrond, you have the power to make the decision but the people influence your decision because the decision affects them. You wanted them to have a say, since you represent them after all."
"You are right, Glorfindel," Elrond sighed. "But I also believe in giving everyone a chance…"
"This is what makes you an ideal Elven Lord. You are compassionate, willing to listen. You are also willing to make changes but perhaps the residents are not quite ready to accept this," Glorfindel analysed.
"Yes. I know that prejudices that lie between me and Thranduil…"
"I think you did surprise them by defending him. Everyone knows that you aren't the best of friends."
"I think I feel this way because of Legolas. Half of me wants to refuse the alliance, to protect him." Elrond suddenly looked tired again. He had been trying to suppress his feeling for Legolas during the meeting.
"But the other half of you tells you to give Thranduil a chance right? Because that is what Legolas would have wanted."
"Legolas loves him still. I can see it in him. Even after what Thranduil did to him. I feel torn but I know I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of this decision. I see no reason why we shouldn't give the alliance a chance," Elrond reasoned.
"I agree," Glorfindel said. "But first we have to get rid of the prejudices but maybe if we can convince them maybe to have a trial period perhaps it's a start. Of course you can always just order the decision anyway, you have the power to, I suppose…"
"No," Elrond shook his head sadly. "I want to make a decision that the advisors agree with. They represent the people. The people's influence should matter. I don't want to end up as some sort of corrupt dictator. As much as I could just order it, power comes with responsibility and respect. I will not allow the alliance to be completely refused but I cannot establish it completely without their approval. I respect my people and their wishes. I just have to hope that we can persuade them."
Both of them fell silent. It was still outside, but the sky was overcast.
**In Imladris, Lessons Room**
Erestor was impressed by the effort the twins were actually putting into their work. He was stunned by the amount of knowledge Legolas knew for his age. Legolas was a special elfling – Erestor could tell that he was smart.
He watched as the elfling scribbled the dates furiously onto the parchment. He was surprised that the twins actually did pay attention. Legolas must be a good influence on them, he concluded.
"Five minutes to go," Erestor warned.
The three elflings renewed their efforts to fill the piece of parchment up. Really, it was almost full. The writing was small as to squash all the information in.
"Time's up." Erestor clapped. "I'm really proud of all of you. You did a much better…much better job than I though you could."
"Who's the winner?"
Erestor looked at the proportions of red, blue and green. "It's very close. Who do you think is the winner?"
"I AM!" Three voices cried out.
"I agree…you all are winners. Elladan, you forgot the Battle of the Meneng IV. Elrohir, you forgot the Shileth Skirmish. Hmm…Legolas, what about the famous Fight for Freedom in 1320?"
"Erestor!" The elflings groaned.
"Okay, Okay. I give up. You worked excellently. So well that I've decided to…give you the rest of the day off!" Erestor announced.
"Really?" Elladan asked sceptically.
"You are kidding me," Elrohir quipped.
"No, I'm sure that your father wouldn't mind. Just don't bother him. He has an important meeting today. He needs to concentrate," Erestor explained. "You've completed all the work for today. You father only told me to run through the battles of the First Age today, you've done the all of them and extra."
"Thanks Erestor," the twins chorused. They gave him a hug.
"Thank you," Legolas said shyly.
"Shoo!" Erestor shoves them into the corridor playfully. "Don't come back!"
"We won't!" The twins promised. Then they linked their arms and headed for the Great Hall.
Please Review! Six pages! Yay! Thanks for the definitions yeah…I hope the characters are not getting too OOC. I'm trying! Honest! I know…I'm working on it…
For those who celebrate Easter, I hope you had a happy one…I just went to see "The Passion of Christ" around 2 days ago…very sad movie…
Many apologies for this chapter being late, there was just too much stuff going on. Sorry guys…Blame it on the stupid internet connection…every time I wanted to update it wouldn't let me go on!!!!