Chapter 113: The crowned prince of Mirkwood
Cield held Tonus carefully as Haldir and two random healers, who we shall name Tim and Jim, where checking the injuries on Tonus. The elf had more than just a head cracked open: Tonus also had splinters in his hip, a split lip and his front tooth was chipped. Cield felt just awful about what had happened to Tonus, and was so grateful Tonus was unconscious; else he would be awake and suffering.
"He needs his head closed up, judging by the amount of blood, if we do not heal him soon he could die of blood lose." One of the healers who as you remember, his name was Jim. No it was not Tim who just spoke.
Cield could feel a tear down his cheek as he looked at Tonus. He knew he had gotten more attention than Tonus. He knew he was favoured over Tonus. But Cield could not have Tonus dead, for Cield had always looked up at Tonus as if he was an idol.
"Cield, will you be healing Tonus? Him being your brother..." Tim said.
"I suppose I can. I may need some help though." Cield said. Jim stood by Cield's side, so Tim and Haldir left the room.
Cield cleaned the dried blood from Tonus' head, and used some middle-earth stitching talents to stitch Tonus' head back together. Cield bandages Tonus' injury, and opened Tonus' mouth, then realising there was nothing he could do about the tooth that had been chipped. Cield cleaned up the split lip, and held a cloth to it as he waited for it to stop bleeding. When it did, Tonus' lower lip was swelling.
Cield stripped Tonus of his leggings so he could remove the splinters from his hip. There where many, and Cield thanked Valar they did not get too deep in Tonus. Once Tonus had been healed, Cield changed his brother into silky, clean robes and got the maids to wash Tonus' pale brown hunting leathers.
Cield waited at Tonus' bedside until finally Tonus' eyes slowly opened. Cield smiled and embraced his brother. Tonus felt himself to see what had happened. He could feel his swollen lip, and he was relieved to learn there where no longer any splinters in his hip.
"Thank you, my gwador, thank you." Tonus sighed, sitting upright as Haldir entered the room.
"I believe lord Thranduil would like to see you both." Haldir said. Of course, Haldir was just guessing Thranduil wanted to know what was going on, and had no idea Thranduil had fallen asleep.
Cield helped Tonus to his shaking feet, delicately handling his elder brother. Tonus was quite shook up by his injuries, and could barely stand by himself, so Tonus kept an arm around Cield's neck, and Cield kept hold of Tonus so he did not slip.
Tonus looked at Cield and smiled lovingly at his little brother as he walked to his father's room, where he let Cield release him and Tonus began to walk on his own.
Then Tonus learnt that Thranduil was asleep. Haldir smiled at Thranduil: The elven king looked beautiful as he lay in bed, his chest rising and falling, Legolas held in his arms as if the child was a toy animal. Legolas cuddled against his father's arm but felt no need to sleep. Haldir carefully moved Legolas from Thranduil's arms, but was alarmed when Thranduil began to talk in his sleep.
"No... ada... don't leave me... ada... no... come back... please... ada... don't go... please... you cant be... you are... no... no... no..." Thranduil awoke with a yell. Legolas buried himself into Haldir to hide from his father, and Tonus clutched Cield's shoulder for support.
"Lord Thranduil, what is the matter?" Galion asked, just entering the room.
"Nothing... just a dream... you where there, as was... my father..."
"Not again..." Galion sighed. "What?" Haldir asked.
"Since king Oropher... died... Lord Thranduil has not been able-
"To forget the day I watched my father died. I stayed mourning over his body so long that I was poisoned by an arrow, and if it where not for Galion here, I would have given up life and just blacked out..." Thranduil sighed.
"You knew Galion before he was the butler?"
"Yes, I knew Galion before he was the butler. Long before: he was one of my only friends when I was a child... my only other friends lord Elrond, Elros, my brother, my father, Gil-Galad and the trees of Mirkwood." Thranduil muttered. Galion bit his lip in remembering this.
"All the children used to tease Thranduil, so King Oropher chose that Thranduil would have private tutoring. Thranduil never met any elflings since he had private tutoring, and the only elflings he knew aside from his friends called him names, tease and bully him."
"And I was picked on until I cried, and even then they continued. Galion was also bullied because he was my friend and he tried to defend me. Once my father caught them teasing me, they all got into much trouble, but it never stopped the bullying until I became sixteen in mortal years... I finally fought back, but once they all had run away, my father grounded me until I turned seventeen..." Thranduil smiled carelessly at the memory.
"Why did they tease you ada?" Legolas asked.
"Because he was sindarin, and because of the colour of his hair."
"But I like Ada's hair. Its pretty and it smells nice. And Ada's hair looks like mine, and I like my hair too." Legolas smiled as he reached forward and yanked a strand of hair from his father's head and held it against Haldir's hair.
"Its not like Haldir's hair because Haldiw has really light hair but ada's hair looks like honey."
"As does your hair look like honey, Legolas." Thranduil smiled as the elfling leaned forwards for a kiss on his nose.
Thranduil looked at Tonus, and saw the bandages he wore, and saw how nervous he looked.
"What happened Tonus?"
Tonus looked at his father and sighed.
"When I went to get Cield... I went head first into a tree..."
"How?" Thranduil nearly jumped up.
"Cield gently punched me, but it started... your horse that I... used without permission, and she jumped on her hind legs and I was sent flying. The horse was not found because she ran off."
Thranduil sighed... that was his favourite horse. Thranduil beckoned Cield and Tonus forwards, and they followed quietly.
Thranduil gently touched Tonus' face. Thranduil's vision was slightly blurry at the moment, but he could tell this was Tonus, for he knew who his son was.
"How do you feel now?" Thranduil asked.
"Fine, thanks to Cield's healing." Tonus said quietly.
"Cield, come here." Thranduil said.
Cield came to his father, and knew he was in trouble. He was the fault that Tonus got injured.
Thranduil took his son's hand into his own, and slapped his wrist. "That is all...?" Cield asked. His wrist did not hurt at all.
"Yes. I have not the strength to beat you, nor would I beat you if I could. Twas an accident Cield, and I am sure Tonus forgives you."
Cield looked at Tonus, and Tonus smiled. "Of course I forgive you." Tonus said quietly. Thranduil smiled, and embraced both sons, kissing each of them. Then Legolas began to cry.
"What's the matter Legolas?" Haldir cooed. "Ada... I want a kiss and a hug!" Legolas sniffled. Thranduil chuckled and Haldir learned over so Legolas was close enough to receive an embrace and a kiss on either side of his face, then on his nose and brow.
"That better sweetie?" Thranduil asked. Legolas shook his head. Haldir held him above Thranduil so he could kiss his father's nose. Legolas rubbed his nose on Thranduil's cheek to show his affection before being pulled back up by Haldir.
"Bink." Legolas smiled. Thranduil felt hopeless, lying in bed when even his son whose head had been cracked open could walk freely.
"Sorry father, but I should be returning to Firelien. We have been thinking of what to name our child, and so far with no luck. I will visit later." Cield said. Cield kissed Thranduil's brow before leaving the room. Then a knock at the door was heard, and Haldir chose to see to it.
"We will visit later as well." Haldir said. Haldir did not kiss Thranduil, but let Legolas kiss and embrace him.
"I'll miss you Ada!" Legolas called as Haldir left to attend to the door.
Thranduil looked over at his crown of leaves and red berries, the leaves red, since it was autumn (yes it snowed in autumn). Thranduil realised that he could not rule mirkwood from bed, and he did not know how long it would be until he was better. Thranduil shot a glance a Tonus, who watched over his father carefully.
"Tonus?"
"Yes father?"
"Come here..." Thranduil said, picking up his crown and began to play with it's leaves until Tonus came to Thranduil's bedside. Thranduil placed the crown of leaves on Tonus' head.
"What is this about, Adar?"
"Do you like the crown, ion-nin?"
"It is beautiful but what is it for?"
"I cannot rule mirkwood whilst in bed. So I wished to know, if you would do me the honours of ruling my forest while I am injured and recovering. Of course, when I get healthier I will again rule mirkwood, but until then, would you kindly rule mirkwood, for your father?"
"But, who shall make sure you do not pass away in your sleep?"
"Galion could, and I promise you I will not. Mirkwood needs a ruler, and you, my son, should be her ruler temporarily."
"Yes father, I will. I would love to just see what it is like to be the king of mirkwood!" Tonus smiled.
"Tonus, in the chest, the golden chest you see over there, there is a circlet. I ask of you to bring it to me. The chest is opened already, as I was looking through it before this unpleasant incident."
Tonus nodded, and found the silver circlet his father spoke of. The circlet was a perfect band of silver, with three white gems on the front, and fair elven designs on the back and around the three gems. The gems and silver glittered as Tonus handed it to his father. Thranduil removed his crown from Tonus' head.
"Lower your head." Thranduil ordered, and Tonus obeyed. Thranduil fit the circlet to Tonus' head, and gently slid a finger beneath Tonus' chin and raised his son's head.
"Tonus Thranduilion," Thranduil began, "You are the crowned prince of the forest of Mirkwood." Thranduil looked at his beautiful son, who looked at his father in amazment.
"There was no celebrations, I know, but on such short notice I would hope you do not expect any."
"I do not. This is... wonderful. But why did you not make Legolas or Cield crowned prince?"
"Cield has told me he no longer wishes to be crowned prince, as he wishes not to have all the responsibilities of the crowned prince. Legolas is still too young, and obviously Illiendal is a she-elf and cannot be the heir to my throne. You are the eldest and rightful heir anyways." Thranduil smiled. Tonus kissed his father repeatedly and let Thranduil pull him into a warm embrace.
"Go now, you will be told what to do if all you say is you are replacing the king for the time being. Rule well, my son, for one day when I am old and the sea is calling, Mirkwood shall be yours." Thranduil said, kissing his eldest a final time before Tonus quickly bowed and left to the throne room. Galion strode over to the bed where he smiled.
"It is rare to see your sensitive side to anyone else but Legolas and Illiendal. And to believe some think you as an abusing father." Galion smiled at his old friend.
"Abusive? Where have these rumours come from?"
"The dwarves, sir. The dislike you and your father, so no doubt they would start rumours of you beating all your children."
"That is a lie, and you know it Galion."
"Of course I know that it is a lie. I have never seen such a sweet elfling like Legolas, and he shows no signs of abuse, and while bathing Legolas I found no burns, swellings or welts aside from a bump on his head that I had seen him earn from bashing into a tree, and a paper cut on his index finger," Galion said. "But I do not expect the dwarves to be starting rumors about 'the horrible elven king who gives people paper cuts'." Thranduil smiled and held Galion's hand.
"You where truly my closest friend. I personally felt that Elrond was... strange... and the trees had their own way to respond to my speaking with them, but you where the only one who was close to me, could speak back to be without making odd tree-like sounds and you liked what I liked."
"Adventures, sword-play, big elves, warriors and bows." Galion smiled. "Aye yes, that was what we both loved." Thranduil sighed. "But it seems you have yet another love to add to this childhood list. Is this a wedding ring on your finger, Galion?" Thranduil raised one of Galion's fingers, where a band of bronze was. "No, for as you know elves do not have rings like mortals do. But it was a gift from my wife, which she gave me when our child was born. I gave her a ring in return."
"You see Galion? I know very little about you, less than when we where children. You are wedded and have a child, never would I have guessed! Tell me, what is your son's name?"
"My son's name is Aradol. He is turning fourteen on the very day of Yule." Galion smiled at the thought of his son. "He has become a mighty warrior, and I have supported him as much as I can by using the gold I earn as your butler to buy him weapons he desires."
Thranduil loved his old friend, though since being king he had not spent time with him at all.
"Bring your son to see me tomorrow, and I shall help him with being a warrior, for I can give him whatever armour and weapons he desires." Thranduil smiled. Galion was beaming. "Thank you, thank you sire! Aradol has ever wished for better weapons and armour, and I have been ashamed that what I bought him is not great, but, thank you!" Galion embraced Thranduil.
"On one condition," Thranduil looked at Galion. "I ask that you, as well as your son and wife, do not call me 'lord', 'king', 'sire' or anything formal! I dislike these formalities, mellon-nin."
"You are my mellon... Thranduil. And if it pleases you, I will not call you anything formal anymore, though the other servants will probably think little of me if I do that." Galion smiled, Thranduil embracing him. Galion and Thranduil talked much after that, until Thranduil had to go to sleep to heal well, but Galion remained there to watch over him.
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"Rumil? Orophin? What are you two doing here?" Haldir gasped as he saw his brothers standing in the doorway. Legolas clutched Haldir's leg and hid behind Haldir's leg from the strange elves. They looked serious, and scary. Nothing at all like Haldir, though there was a resemblance.
"We got worried about you. We thought we would not see you again! We thought perhaps spiders got you, or Thranduil killed you, or worse – the child you where watching ate you!" Rumil embraced his elder brother.
"No, that is not factual. Rumil was panicking, but I was just watching him scared that you where to die." Orophin smiled, embracing Haldir. "He is my brother, why would I not panic?" Rumil shot Orophin a nasty look.
"I must stay longer in mirkwood, for the king is injured and none can look after his child while he lies in bed recovering." Haldir said.
"Where is this child?" Orophin asked. From behind Haldir's leg, Legolas found that Rumil looked much more friendly than Orophin. "He is behind my leg." Haldir said. "Legolas, come out." Haldir said, giving the elfling a small nudge. But Legolas popped right back behind Haldir.
"Don't be shy cherub, these are my brothers." Haldir tried again to move Legolas, but the elfling threatened to bite his hand.
"Legolas, these two will not hurt you. They are Rumil and Orophin, Rumil being the shorter one." Haldir said, this time forcing Legolas out from behind his leg. Legolas looked at Haldir, and Haldir knew Legolas was very scared and shy, but Haldir gave a gentle nudge forwards and the elfling began to examine Orophin's leg. Rumil and Haldir chuckled as Legolas felt Orophin's leg, and poked his leg and even smelt his leg. Finally, when Legolas looked satisfied, he jumped onto Orophin's leg and wrapped his legs and arms around his leg, hanging onto Orophin's leg and it did not appear he was going to let go. "Oatmeal!" Legolas shrieked.
"Oatmeal?" Orophin asked.
"He seems to have given you a name." Haldir smiled. "Go on Legolas, go smell Rumil's leg and see if he is as fun to hang on!" Haldir encouraged the little elfling, and so Legolas walked over to Rumil's leg...
To be continued...