AN: I'm trying to think of a point in LotR where the fellowship find out that Legolas is the Prince of Mirkwood (he is introduced to the reader at the Council of Elrond, but not to the fellowship). The only one I can think of is Haldir's greeting - but that was said in elvish and wouldn't have been understood by the others. Gimli calls him a 'princeling' in the film, but there's no telling whether he was mocking or not (or whether it was simply a film invention ;) ). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just think it would have come as a little of a surprise for the fellowship to find this out about him.
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EPILOGUE
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When three riders entered the city, three days after his well-received return, Aragorn would not have identified them as the three elves for whom he waited. So different in bearing did they appear, that his eyes brushed over their passage through the gates even as he gathered a small group of soldiers to search for the latecomers. Strong and bold did these riders appear, postures straight and heads held high. He assumed they were officials from other states, come to address the King. He was not so far off.
The stablehands looked bemused as they were offered three horses without reins to lead them by, but were spared the trouble as Arod and Cúdîn - remembering their last visit - went in search of food and stabling with Rochûl in close pursuit.
Asking for the King, the visitors were directed to the top of the great wall, where the King was addressing a small group of men, their would-be rescuers. Reaching the top of a long series of steps, they stood silent behind the King as he gave a quick description of the three they would be searching for. One soldier looked up and met Elrohir's eyes with a start. He held a delicate finger to his lips, a grin quirking his lips as the other two stifled laughter.
With a severe frown on his face, Aragorn turned to find out just what was so very funny... only to be faced with three wide grins.
"We thought we'd save you some trouble." Elladan said lightly.
"Is it safe to assume some great harm befell you all, and was the cause of your tardiness?"
"Ah yes... We came across some orcs... perhaps the best luck we've had for many months." Aragorn pondered this oxymoron for a moment.
"Thank you men. You're dismissed." He waved the soldiers away distractedly, leading the three towards the palace. He looked up, and met Legolas' eyes. "You look better." He told him softly.
"It's surprising how you can be ignorant of something's importance until you think it lost." Legolas smiled at Aragorn's confusion.
"Are you all planning on talking in riddles today? If so, I shall find someone else to take company in, for I will not stand for it."
"I am better." Legolas offered, with one eyebrow raised. "Is that alright with you?"
"Glad to hear it." Aragorn paused. "It wouldn't have anything to do with you carrying Elrohir's bow, would it?"
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The elf met the dwarf's gaze with trepidation, only to find the greatest of sorrows hidden there. He had no time to speak, for the dwarf enveloped him in an embrace, arms tight about his waist. He squeezed once and then stepped back, clearing his throat noisily.
"Well now laddie. You don't look too bad for a dead elf. What kept you so long? You missed all the best fighting." Three onlookers held their breath, uncertain whether Gimli's comment would be taken as scorn or as a jest as it was meant.
"I'm afraid I was distracted, Master Dwarf, else I would have rejoined you sooner."
"Just like an elf that, 'distracted'. Probably saw some flower or other..."
"Perhaps it would do you good to take a little time for flowers, Dwarf. They are the beginning of much which is beautiful in this world."
"Pah." The two were near nose to nose - as close as two beings so separated by height could get. Elladan edged closer to Aragorn, who was hiding a grin behind his hand.
"Should we not separate them?" He looked up at them in surprise.
"This is normal behaviour between them. I had not expected them to fall back into it so easily, but I suppose their friendship must be stronger than I thought."
"If this is friendship, I must redefine enmity." Elrohir observed from beside them.
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Frodo watched Legolas in his quiet way, and Sam watched Frodo - for he was worried about over-stressing his master after his long ordeal. When it was suggested that he too had been through an ordeal, the gardener often shook off the concern with a world-wise smile.
"I was just there for Master Frodo." He would answer. "To help him along a little on his way."
In complete contrast to their kin's quiet observation, Meriadoc and Perrigrin were all over the returned elf, with as many questions as they could think of, all answered in truth and simplicity - bare facts which allowed the older and more world-wise Frodo fill in the missing details. Even having spent only a little time with the four small beings, Legolas could understand every word of what the twins had told him about the effects of the war on the hobbit's innocence.
Aragorn, Gimli and the twins appeared in the doorway and he greeted them with a smile and a nod as they filtered into the room, greeting the hobbits in turn.
A gasp from Merry brought everyone's attention back to Legolas and he flinched as he realised that the young hobbit had discovered the injury to his hands.
"It is not as bad as it might seem." He said, trying to hide his hands once more in his sleeves and searching for disgust in the eyes of his friends, old fears and insecurities. resurfacing.
"But how will you use your bow!?" Pippin asked, seeming quite upset by the sight.
"Need finds a way." Legolas replied softly. "Never fear." And with this assurance the hobbit's fear was quenched - for if he said so, it must be true. And so talk moved onto other things.
"Have you seen my scar?" Merry asked, with a light in his eyes. "It's most impressive, everyone says so." Legolas glanced up at Aragorn, whose eyes danced with laughter.
"You must show me, Master Hobbit. For if everyone says so, it must be so." And so, talk continued long into the night.
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Gandalf arrived early on the fourth day after their arrival, Shadowfax bearing him lightly across the plains. Directed to the arms practice fields, he found a scene he had long thought never to see again. Legolas and Aragorn were challenging each other to an archery competition. The two stood side by side, observing the targets. At Elrohir's word, they stepped so that they were perpendicular to their targets, bows out and an arrow to the string, still held slack. A second word and two hands came back in unison and released, two shafts flying across the field. A dual thud.
All pair of eyes went to the targets except one. Gandalf knew what the score was, his attention was fixed on Legolas - eyes bright as he surveyed his win, stood tall with his bow at his side, one hand resting upon its solid arch. His string hand hung at his side, no longer concealed, no longer a shame to him. Two bands of white tape caught his fingers together in a position best for the pull and release that they were so unused to, meaning that they rested strangely at his side. Unaware of his observer, Legolas absentmindedly picked at the tape to release his fingers. Aragorn turned from his examination of the targets and cried out, Gandalf's presence finally revealed.
The Istar chuckled as the others gathered around him.
"I come with a message from King Thranduil of the Elven Kingdom of Mirkwood." He spoke at last, once all welcomes were done. Legolas stiffened almost imperceptibly and Gandalf met his eyes. "He would invite the fellowship to the funeral of Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, his son."
"A Prince?"
"A funeral?"
"Where's Mirkwood?" Came three questions at once. Legolas bit his lip and looked away from inquiring glances.
"No one has taken a message to Legolas' home in the north regarding his wellbeing. They think as we did, that he is dead." Aragorn answered two of them.
"But you are a Prince, Legolas? How did we never come to know this?"
"You had no need to know such a thing. It means little to me save that if my father were ever to pass I would become a boring person like him and take on much responsibility I have no wish for. Besides, you were travelling with a King, what is a prince beside that." Legolas gave a mock bow to Aragorn, but there was sadness in his eyes.
"You had better remember it, and perhaps allow me to win once or twice within my own lands." Aragorn joked. "But come, we must pack if we are to make it to Mirkwood in time."
"You intend to go to my funeral!?" Legolas asked, baffled.
"We all must go, to be polite. Though I think your father might wish most to see you."
"I don't know if..." He looked back and found Elrohir and Elladan at his shoulders. "What will he think of me?"
"Once he is done thinking you a ghost, he will surely be supremely proud. You are a hero in this war, Legolas. You survived what most cannot dream of. You must go home to him."
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Only one more chapter guys...
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Lady Janelly : Dunno if he would have used zinc oxide tape (climber's tape) to tape his fingers, but I had a play and ended up with a staggered position (meaning the ring finger was bent slightly in the tape) else the little finger doesn't touch the string. Makes it hard to straighten your fingers without shifting the tape, and aches like hell if you leave it there too long. Might have to look for a more long-term solution. :D I love research.
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Blaise & Sylvie : Glad you liked the chapter. That one scene was part of the original planning, it's very rare that you get something from so early in the writing process in the final fic.
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Kitty : Good enough?
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Sesshyangel : Mwahaha... Corrupting fangirls, my favourite passtime...
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http:www . sunion . warwick . ac . uk /socs/su134/Fancy/Photos/Spain2004/CIMG0086.jpg - had to share this. Take out the spaces for a demonstration of the proper use of climber's fingertape. ie: to stem the flow of blood whilst you're climbing.