Legolas

Characters :

Legolas - prince of Mirkwood

Astella -- Legolas's Master in archery

Thranduil --the father, king of Mirkwood

kiki-- the bird

Galleon-- butler of the king; incharge of the wine

Esteleryn-- Captain of of Mirkwood; great archer elder brother of

        the young Legolas who told him tales

Lasare-- brother to Legolas, next to Esteleryn

Tuilas-- brother of Legolas

Eliniel -- female elf, best friend of Legolas

Angalasuin --Guardian of the Mirkwood gate

Tom Bombardil

Aragon/Estel-- foster son of Elron; a ranger

Gandalf -- the great wizard; Legolas's secret counselor

NOTE: I had some error in downloading, blame it to the clumsiness

of a beginner. This is second chapter of Reinventing Legolas.And

Thank you for your reviews. Other than Leggy, you've also inspired

me in speeding up this work. This is unedited so if ever others

would volunteer, I'd gladly hand it to her/him.

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Reinventing Legolas 2

Homecoming

There has been a time that Mirkwood was free from the great shadow looming upon its mountains and forests. It was when the elves could still frolic undisturbed in Dol Guldur; that while playing at the water flowing from the great river, they would sing in concert with nature. It was when the young ones were free to explore the great woods, with its

floor bed of dried leaves and wild flowers that had fallen from the tall trees clothed in green leaves; or in quest for an adventure within and beyond the forest. It was when education was found not just in halls or in the court yard, but in the lessons learned upon one's travel. It was when the test of strength and spirit was based not in victory achieved from competition, but upon one's conquest. It was when myth was real, lores were not just in books but in flesh. It was the time of my great grand fathers, my grandfather,

my father, my brothers... time that I could never have.

"Legolas, they are waiting for you at the dining hall," Astella's voice has interrupted

my rumination. He alone knows where to find me if no one else can. Here at the top of this gigantic mahogany that stands elegantly tall, I could see the rest of Mirkwood and past Dol Guldor. My feet are far off the ground, recklessly dangling from the branch that supports my weight, holding me the way a father holds his son upon his shoulder.

"Had my words failed to reach you, then shall you require me to repeat them?"

" I can hear you from here, Master Astellas, but I could find my way to the dining hall that you need not to escort me."

"Very well, my prince. Then we shall see you in the dining hall."

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" My lord and my beloved princes, here's the wine favorite of the eldars when the realm had been one, and the Valar had still walked on Middle Earth," speaks Galleon. Father tastes it and smiles in satisfaction.

"Oh, splendid once again, Galleon. You're one of Mirkwood's precious possessions at the envy

of Elrond and Celebron," my Father remarks, followed by the unanimous moan of approval from the diners. Astella keeps on glancing at my corner as I sit next to Esteleryn who intermittently places fruits on my plate. My father clears his throat.

"Today is, indeed, special for we are not only celebrating the safe returns of the Mirkwood troops..." the applause has interrupted my father's speech, " but also to celebrate my youngest son's,Legolas Greenleaf, completing his education with distinction never had been given since Oropher in the art of Archery. Four hits in a second." He turns to me with adoring eye of a father. His applause joins the rest of the diners, and the much louder sound comes from my three brothers who for their sacrifice has given us this peaceful evening.

"Well, well, well, your arrow proves to be deadlier than mine, Legolas," says Esteleryn.

"Time to test it then..." all eyes turn to Tuilas, " onto the flesh of a dwarf."

And those whose hands just a while ago were applauding are now laughing but not to strip me of my dignity, but purely in amusement despite how that manner sounds against their wishes.

"But I'm looking forward to test it on a pack of orcs." Silence comes after my words. But it is my father who breaks it.

"My son, never estimate the strength of the dwarves. Either way three Mirkwood princes is enough to rattle the orcs, now four is enough to topple a kingdom."

"But is it not what you want?" I say, the first time I argue with my father.

"It is not what I want if the kingdom is mine."

"But..."

"Never, Legolas. I'd never sacrifice my four sons the way Oropher sacrificed his

sons in a futile battle."

"But it's not your choice to sacrifice my brothers for my sake!"I abruptly stand knocking

the wine glass in which its content spills on the marble table.

"Nor yours, for their sake." My father's voice stays calm despite my outburst. Shame creeps onto my face, but after they have heard my forbidden thoughts, I could no longer turn back and return to my meek self.

"It'd never be futile father. Like your brothers' sacrificed has never been futile.

Unless you have given up hope." Once again silence follows my words, it is as though I'd

been given this moment. And so this moment I savor to speak my mind, " the dark force though no matter how you seem to belittle poised a grave threat to your kingdom. Orcs have forced us to hide deeper to the woods,and just lately they had driven us to live in the caverns like dwarves! Whatever could happen to me, father, it would be of my honor to have served you in protecting this last kingdom of your fathers. I'd gladly embrace Mandos' realm if there where the heroes lie."

"Legolas, brave are your words. I don't doubt the intention of your heart and your skill. But this fire I see in you is the same fire I had seen in Oropher. I do not think I could ever live in eternity without laying eyes on you or any of my sons, for I could not live another pain in this lifetime. If you want to protect this kingdom, then live! It's all I ask of you."

"But what about my brothers? Are they that dispensable that you can allow them to march and face the pack of wolves and orcs?"

"Because I know where their allegiance is and they would never break it."

"I have pledged my heart in your service. To you! You're my father, you should know this. I love you,Ada. I only have my allegiance to my one and only king. It's you, my lord."

"It's where you are wrong, Legolas. You've given your allegiance to me, yes, but to your

brothers too, to your small friend, to the dying horse, and even to Gandalf! You'd give

your heart to friendship, to your promise even if it is done in sheer impulsiveness, to

anyone in need of your service because your heart is big that it has rooms for everybody. But I don't want to share you.I'm that selfish. There is not a fear in your heart, Greenleaf. That is your strength. That is your gift that has become my curse.Time will come that this same passion in your heart, this fire, will drive you away from me."

"Then give me the chance to prove you wrong."

"I'll never give them the chance to court your young heart, Greenleaf. Now, everybody, you

can continue this affair to the social hall, be merry and savor this evening. However, I need to excuse myself."

And that is how my moment has ended in the dining hall,in front of my brothers,my teacher,and in front of every single noble elf who is present this evening. My grandest performance I guess in my whole elven years.

*************

I had never once surrendered my senses to the lure of the wine, but I make an exception

this evening. After all, this is in celebration to my latest, and probably last act of

bravery. Cheer for me, Legolas Greenleaf,prisoner of Mirkwood. But how could I guess that it has not yet ended?Just right after the door to my chamber opens, my three brave brothers surprise my eyes.

"Middle Earth is full of creatures you are yet to see, Legolas," says Esteleryn, standing so

noble in his stature. Tuilas is lying on my bed comfortably, while Lasare has his back at us, eyes feasting on the trees that have chosen to grow in this subterranean we called our home.

"And perhaps, I'd never see," I answer.

" You just don't have an idea on what just happened at the dinner, Legolas. You've

hurt our Ada," Esteleryn replies.

"And you don't have idea how your protectiveness has imprisoned me."

"And how you've imprisonment our father here in Mirkwood if he could join his sons in

protecting this kingdom," Esteleryn answers.

"And how is it that I imprisoned him if it is his choice to remain here?"

"That you have never known because you only have listened to your own misery."

Esteleryn is the eldest of the four of us. And I being the youngest is his favorite. He

has never concealed his fondness of me to my other brothers. He spoke only kind words to me especially at the presence of the others.But this moment is another oddities of the many ones that have happened even before the break of dawn.

"It's your heart he cannot trust, Legolas. It's your passion that would lead you to throw

away your precious life within a heart beat would you deem it fit, and your discernment lacks the wisdom refined by time and experience, but you have rather a wisdom reigned by your heart.Ada has to keep you here, for your sake,for his sake, for our sake. We love you, Greenleaf." His arms reach me and in a gentle embrace he has proved what he's just said.

I then feel the added pressure of Tuilas's and Lasare's arms. I could not argue this, could I? "Have my apology for bringing the issue to the open at the dinner, Legolas."

"You need not to, Tuilas. At least you've given me the moment. The little greenleaf's speech for the night. I'm telling you it'd be the talk for the ages." I hear them chuckle.

"Don't you worry, little greenleaf, for if to collect orc's head is your next hobby, we'd

do our best you've an endless supplies," says Tuilas that earns a chuckle from Lasare.

"Do not even joke about it." Esteleryn's gentle reprimand to Tuilas.His eyes then seek mine.

"But nevertheless, I'll ask father if we can bring you to our next patrol as long as you

promise you'd never wander beyond our sight."

"Really?" I say in excitement. The child in me once again belies the seriousness of my desire to join the patrol. And this earns another chuckle from my three adoring big brothers.

"It is not as though Legolas will wander beyond Mirkwood, and after all he's the best archer among the four of us." It's Lasare, the only one who sees me as equal however he hides it.

"Yeah, why not. With you around, I could have much time to use for some bath," says Tuilas. The night has made our laughter more pronounced, fomenting the sleeping creatures that have sought shelter in the great woods. The noise of the revellers from the social hall has been filtered by the walls. There is a time for mourning, a time for sorrow, and a time for a shared laughter. This I could never replace with any other.