Folks, for those of you who have been clamoring for more Legolas, he will reappear by the end of this chapter. And then, in the next chapter, which I have begun to write, it will be all Legolas, all the time.

Uinen Waterlily: Goodness! You certainly are a fast reader! It seems as if you only weighed in on Chapter 1, and now here you are at the latest chapter!

Farflung: In this chapter you'll get to see Elrond's reaction to the growing love between his daughter and his foster-son. He will not, I hope, be as 'constipated' as he is in the movie, so I think that it's a little more book verse than movie verse. Of course, I've collapsed the two meetings between the lovers that are described in the appendix into just once, so I'm not being particularly faithful to the book either, except, I think, in spirit.

Legosgurl: I see in your last review of "Green and Gold" that you have made it to two breaths. You are making real progress! Ready to try for three?

Vicki Turner: Love-struck Estel is about to encounter his first check: in the form of Elrond!

The essence of popsicles: Elrohir's reaction will be shown in this chapter, as will Gilraen's, Elladan's, and, of course, Elrond's.

Grumpy: I have to admit that I, too, really enjoyed the line "…heart to heart, and from there you should be able to progressively align each body part until everything is in place."

Kelly Kragen: That's an interesting thought, that it "might get quite tiring to spend an entire immortal life with the same person." Maybe that is why marriages seem to be few and far between. Monogamy might not be very appealing to an Elf! Hmmm. Maybe Elladan and Elrohir and Glorfindel (the randy Elf Eye versions) have the right idea. Oh, yes: thanks for the MPA congrats. Actually, I wrote an Erestor-style acceptance speech that really didn't fit the occasion. Talk about randy Elves—those folks over at Elvenlords make Elrohir look positively restrained! Here I was being all thoughtful and reflective while the bushes around me are madly shaking. And, yes, pun intended.

Dragonfly: Yes, taking Erestor's advice was a bad idea, but you've got to remember that poor Aragorn had received instructions on what to do with only one of his swords. Quite an oversight, as it turns out.

Mo: Congratulations on the Red Sox victory. That was a pretty extraordinary series! But, heck, if a couple of little Hobbits can penetrate the heart of Mordor and bring down that dread realm, then I guess anything is possible.

Rinny Leonhart: I actually already have a chapter pretty much completed about Legolas and Gimli's post ROTK adventures, but, unfortunately, it is a chapter that kind of comes in the middle of the narrative. Now I have to write the chapters leading up to that particular chapter.

Joee: You will get your wishes in this chapter. You will see Elrond and the twins learning about Aragorn and Arwen, and Legolas is going to reappear by the end of the chapter.

Beta Reader: Dragonfly.

Chapter 54: Matrimonial Matters

Elrond was wise, but even had he not been, it would not have taken him long to notice the bond that had developed between Arwen and Aragorn. Whenever they were at the table, they gazed at each other, even if they were seated far apart. In the Hall of Fire, they gravitated one toward another, always ending up together in some corner, oblivious to the singing and conversation that swirled about them. Aragorn was forever taking her hand in his, and holding it long. Their expressions, their gestures, their tone of voice, everything bespoke love, and a deep love, not a passing fancy.

"They do not feel as brother and sister for one another," Elrond mused to himself one evening after this had been going on for several weeks. "Not surprising, for, even though Aragorn was fostered here, Arwen was away in Lothlórien during all those years. They would neither of them look upon the other as a sibling."

He paced back and forth, wondering how he should respond to the quickening romance.

Briefly he thought of going to one or both and advising against a union on the grounds that Arwen was an eldar and Aragorn an adan, but almost immediately he knew that he would not take that step. To do so would be to call into question the choices made by his own forbearers, thereby casting doubt upon the worth of his own heritage and that of his offspring.

He went onto the balcony and looked out over the valley. He knew that there could be no objection to Aragorn per se. The Dúnadan was a worthy Man—both brave and compassionate—and in temperament he was well suited to Arwen. There could also be no objection to Aragorn in terms of his descent. In his veins ran both the blood of Elves and that of Numenoreans of the highest standing—kings and bold leaders who had led their people from triumph to triumph until the time of the fateful Last Alliance, when in one moment of weakness Isildur had betrayed both himself and his people. Perhaps some would have pointed to this moment of failure in one of Aragorn's ancestors as reason enough to eschew an alliance, but Elrond was not of that opinion. That Isildur had erred did not mean that Aragorn would do likewise when faced by the same temptation.

Still, this train of thought reminded Elrond of the uncertainty of Aragorn's future. In Aragorn the blood of the West ran true—this Elrond believed. But merely possessing this blood was no guarantee that Aragorn would rise above any of the other Chieftains who for generations had been all that remained of the dignity of the Northern Kingdom of Arnor. Aragorn might live out his days wandering the wild in exile, as his father had and his father before him and his father before him—back and back well beyond the memory of Men but not of Elves. Worse, the Ranger might fall to his foes, as his father had done, leaving Arwen as bereft as Gilraen had been.

Elrond's steps became agitated. If Arwen were to espouse Aragorn, she would be relinquishing much. She would be parted from her father and her brothers. She would never be reunited with her mother Celebrían, for she would be forfeiting her place in one of the boats that were more and more frequently departing from the Grey Havens. She would be forfeiting—and here Elrond leaned his forehead against a column—she would be forfeiting her immortality. And for what? To espouse a Man who was fated to die? Even if Aragorn achieved his natural life span, which would be longer than that of most Men, he could still but die in the end. Arwen would see him die, and then, bereft of all her kin, she, too, would die.

"And for what?" muttered Elrond. "For what will she have sacrificed all if he is to be naught but an exile, with no land to call his own?"

"For love, Ada," came a soft voice. "Is that so difficult to understand? I love him. For that, yes, I will sacrifice all."

"But it is not only your sacrifice!" cried Elrond. "It is mine as well! It is Elladan and Elrohir's! It is your kindred's! Think of your mother, who awaits you in the Undying Lands. What you do will affect many besides yourself."

"I do not deny the truth of your words, Ada, but these considerations can have no effect upon my choice because, for good or for ill, it has already been made. It is not the nature of the heart to be ruled by logic; nor is it possible for love, once surrendered, to be reclaimed."

"I tell you, Arwen, if Aragorn is to espouse you with my blessing, then he must be no less than the King of both Arnor and Gondor, those two realms reunited and restored to their former glory. Only to such a sovereign will I relinquish the hand of my only daughter, child of Celebrían, grandchild of Galadriel."

"If that is so," said Arwen, meeting her father's intense gaze with a look no less forceful, "then it will behoove you to do all you can to forward his claim, for marry him I shall."

As she said that, Elrond suddenly knew that, the prize for success being so great, Aragorn would indeed be the one who would restore the world of Men and lead them into the Fourth Age.

"For Arwen alone," he said to himself, "Aragorn would challenge Sauron. Even if there were no other rewards to be had for defeating the Dark Lord, her hand would suffice."

Aloud he merely said, "You may be sure that I will do nothing to hinder him. Beyond that I promise nothing."

Arwen bowed her head.

"With that I shall have to be satisfied—for now."

With these words, she strode away, not angry with her father, but determined that her heart would rule in this matter.

Now certain of his course, Elrond was ready to discuss the matter with Aragorn. He would, he resolved, speak with the Dúnadan after the evening meal that very night.

While Elrond had grappled with his thoughts, Aragorn had been closeted with Gilraen, his mother.

"You are an odd mix today, my son."

"What do you mean, Nana?"

"You are both giddy with joy and downcast with apprehension. What has happened to cause you to simultaneously experience such contradictory emotions?"

Aragorn leapt up and began to pace back and forth, unknowingly mirroring the actions of Elrond.

"I am in love, Nana."

"That accounts for the giddiness, then. But why so downcast?"

"Because there may be—complications."

"As in she is not a fitting wife for you, or you are not a fitting husband for her—or both?"

"I suppose the objections to me would be greater than any objection that might be raised regarding her."

"From which I conclude that she would be viewed by all as eminently worthy, whereas you perhaps not? Is that the way of it?"

"Yes, Nana."

Gilraen wondered what maiden Aragorn could have encountered on his travels who would have been thought to have been so far above his station. For Aragorn had yet to journey to Edoras or to Minas Tirith, and the human settlements he had visited were inhabited only by farmers, craftsmen, and merchants. On the other hand, she thought, smiling to herself a little, no doubt these Men, humble as they were but steady and respectable, looked askance at Aragorn when, his clothes worn and stained with travel, he sauntered into their well-ordered villages.

"Where does she dwell, Estel?"

"Here in Rivendell."

Gilraen was surprised but not troubled. One of the lesser ellith, no doubt, with whom Aragorn had spent many hours playing as a child before the time when weapons-training had become an all-consuming passion.

"An elleth, then. You aim high, my son, but with Elrond to forward the match, no doubt any objections on the part of the parents may be overcome."

"She is not entirely an elleth, Nana. Like me, she is of mixed parentage, adan and eldar. I have more of the adan in me, and she more of the eldar, but we are akin, she and I."

Bewilderment gave way to consternation as the truth dawned upon Gilraen.

"You can't mean the Lady Arwen," she exclaimed. "Tell me that that you have not been so foolish as to fall in love with the daughter of Elrond!"

"Yes, it is Arwen I love."

"Estel—Aragorn—we dwell here by the sufferance of Lord Elrond, who has provided sanctuary to you and to your father before you—nay, for centuries the heirs of Isildur have been raised in Imladris by the forbearance of the Eldar. Would you have us be driven into the wild, into uttermost exile, to be hunted relentlessly by our foes until at last the line of Arnor is extinguished utterly?"

"Elrond would not do so," Aragorn replied calmly.

"Arwen is his daughter! Do not presume to know what he would or would not do."

"And I am his foster-son and his kinsman, descendant of his brother Elros. In me Elros lives on. But even were I not his kinsman, even had I not been raised at his table, Elrond would do nothing so unjust as to blame me for loving a maiden so worthy as is his daughter. And name it not foolishness, Nana. Indeed, had I not fallen in love with Arwen, only then would you have been free to question my wit!"

"Yet he will not approve."

"I will make his approval inescapable."

"It will take much to make his approval inescapable."

"Arwen is worth much," Aragorn said simply.

"The price will be high," warned Gilraen.

"I will pay it.

"Yet not you alone," said Gilraen sadly. "Nonetheless, as you are my son, I must of course hope for your success in this endeavor, and if I can forward the match in any way, I will. Alas! Even if a marriage does take place, I doubt that I shall be alive to see it. The period of betrothal shall be considered a long one even in the eyes of an Elf!"

Gilraen kissed Aragorn, and he left her to walk in the garden, where, by prior agreement, Arwen, too, had gone to walk. Long they sat by the fountain laughing and, yes, singing, at which exercise Aragorn had much improved since that night when he had attempted a serenade beneath Arwen's window.

As the household dined later that evening, Elrond said softly to Aragorn that he wished to see him in his private chamber before he retired. Nothing in the elf-lord's impassive face conveyed concern or disapproval, and Aragorn assumed that Elrond, as was his custom, wished to pass on a few words of advice and encouragement before the Ranger departed on his next journey. Still, the young Man was not altogether surprised when Elrond, after making the expected comments about Aragorn's upcoming departure, turned the conversation to the relationship between the adan and his daughter. Since Aragorn had spoken to his mother about his feelings for Arwen, he at once assumed that Gilraen had raised the matter with Elrond.

Elrond smiled wryly when Aragorn said as much.

"I did not need to learn of your attachment from your Naneth! Estel, you could no more disguise your feelings than a Troll could succeed in hiding his presence in a kitchen!"

"Have we been that obvious?" said Aragorn, chagrined.

"Yes," Elrond replied simply.

Aragorn anxiously studied Elrond's face. What would the Lord of Imladris have to say about the budding romance between adan and elleth?

"I will not tell you outright that you may not love my daughter, for I am well aware that love can neither be commanded nor banned. However, the fact that I do not forbid you from loving my daughter does not mean that I give either my approval or my leave. My approval you may never have. Approval, like love, is tied up with one's emotions, although not to the same extent. My emotions I cannot entirely govern. It may be that some day I shall look upon a union between you and Arwen with satisfaction and even joy. It may be that I shall never come to feel so. I do not know!"

"As to my leave, however," Elrond continued, "that you may win regardless of whether or not you have my approval."

"What must I do to win your leave?"

"Become the King of Westernesse," Elrond replied simply.

"The King of Westernesse?"

"Erestor has taught you the genealogies. I do not need to rehearse for you what that means."

"The King of Westernesse was the ruler of the combined kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor."

"Yes."

"There is a great Force that would desire to thwart the resurrection of that great realm."

"If course."

"I must defeat that Force?"

"It would seem so."

"You set a high price on your daughter."

"Ah, but as you are madly in love with my daughter, you will now passionately declare that I value her too lightly."

"But you will then retort that, as you are her father, no one could value her more highly than you do, and so I would be entering into a fruitless debate. No, I must save my energy for reclaiming the world of Men. I shall start at once."

Even Elrond's eyebrows had not the mobility to adequately express his surprise at this last statement. Suffice it to say that they shot up as far as possible without becoming lost in his hair, which, as his hairline was rather elevated, was very far indeed.

"You mean to march at once upon the forces of the Dark Lord!?"

"Elrond, I am passionate but not foolish. I know that it will require many years and much effort before I am to overthrow that Power. At the outset, if I am to someday take on the Dark Lord, I must acquaint myself with the lands nearer to his stronghold—and with the lands that I shall someday reign over. I will have to spend much time in both Rohan and Gondor. Tomorrow I shall put aside the name Aragorn, and as Thorongil I shall set out for the south. I will not return to Imladris for a long time."

Elrond nodded, impressed.

"You are nowhere near winning my leave, but you are already earning my approval."

"But I will have more than either your leave or your approval," vowed Aragorn. "I will have your blessing!"

"If you win both my leave and my approval, you will indeed have my blessing. I will proffer it freely."

"Of course," replied Aragorn insouciantly. "How not? Else it would not be a blessing."

"Now you are becoming altogether too flippant for my liking. You do understand what you are up against?"

Aragorn assumed a more serious expression.

"Elrond, I have been raised on tales of Sauron and his depredations, and you know that my knowledge of Orcs comes from first-hand experience. I am aware of the extent of his power. Yet I nonetheless dare to say that the days of the Dark Lord are surely numbered. To espouse Arwen I would cut my way through all the minions of the Dark Lord. Aye, I would march to the foot of Barad-dûr itself."

"You may very well have to," said Elrond dryly, but now he was suppressing a smile at Aragorn's youthful hubris. The elf-lord had himself witnesses the charge of the hordes of Mordor and knew better than Aragorn what it was that he was proposing to confront. Still, the human had always been a fast learner, and Elrond believed that he would bide his time until there was a very real prospect of vanquishing the forces of Sauron. He arose and bent down to kiss Aragorn's forehead.

"Estel, I hope that you do indeed win both my approval and my leave—aye, and my blessing, too."

"Then it is already half-given," Aragorn replied.

"Aye," said Elrond thoughtfully. "I believe that it is."

His discussion with Aragorn at an end, Elrond went in search of Elladan and Elrohir, for he felt that they should be apprised of the situation. It likely would be awkward if they learned of the matter inadvertently. He found the twins at ease in the garden, in the company of many other young Elves. Elrond noticed with amusement that several of the company—nay! most of them—were ellith.

"Your pardon," Elrond said to the company, "but I fear I must borrow my sons for a little while. Elladan, Elrohir, let us go to the library, for I have news that will be of great interest to you."

Excusing themselves from their companions, the twins fell into step beside their father.

"Not ill news, I hope, Ada," said Elrohir, giving his father an inquiring look.

"It is difficult to say," Elrond replied. "As a general rule, the news that I would share with you is the sort that provokes congratulations. However, there are certain—complicating factors."

With that equivocal answer the twins were forced to be satisfied until they were safe within Elrond's private chamber. Elrond handed each of the younger Elves a goblet of wine and bade them be seated.

"It has come to my attention," he began, "that Aragorn is in love—and not just in love, mind you, but deeply in love. He is desirous of marrying the object of his affection and swears that nothing will stand in his way."

"Is he?" enthused Elladan. "How wonderful! I shall go to him at once and congratulate him!"

Elrond raised his hand to silence him.

"I have not yet finished, Elladan."

Both Elladan and Elrohir looked at him expectantly.

"I also have news of your sister. She, too, is in love."

Elladan again went into raptures.

"Two in love at once! How marvelous! Perhaps Imladris shall be treated to a double wedding! Ooomph!"

That last ejaculation resulted from Elladan's having been jabbed in the side by Elrohir's elbow. With Elladan silenced, Elrohir turned a sober face to their father.

"Ada, is it too much to hope that it is coincidental that Arwen and Aragorn have fallen in love at the selfsame time?"

"It would indeed be too much to hope," Elrond replied.

"Which means?" said Elladan slowly.

"Which means," Elrohir explained impatiently, "that Ada is saying that Arwen has fallen in love with Aragorn and Aragorn has fallen in love with Arwen!"

The twins exchanged worried glances. To Elladan and Elrohir, Aragorn was a brother. It was therefore as inconceivable to them that Aragorn should espouse Arwen as it would have been if either of them had proposed to do so. Elrond had to struggle not to laugh, so troubled were their expressions.

"Ada, you must be wrong," exclaimed Elladan. "Arwen and Aragorn are brother and sister. I am sure that neither would indulge such an-an-an unnatural appetite!"

"It is hardly unnatural for a young Man of his age to be attracted to a beautiful, graceful, compassionate, and wise maiden. Nor would it be unnatural for the aforesaid maiden to return the affection of the youth. Granted that Aragorn is a little scruffy at times, he is nonetheless handsome, strong, brave, thoughtful, and intelligent. Moreover, he comes of a distinguished lineage, worthy of her own."

"But, Ada," said Elrohir. "That doesn't change the fact that they are brother and sister!"

"I am convinced," said Elrond calmly, "that the fact that he is your brother does not make him hers. He grew up in your company, but he has no memory of her. Nor does she have any sisterly feelings for him. He is her foster-brother in name only, and neither law nor custom nor their own feelings would prevent their union."

Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other helplessly. This was going to take some getting used to.

"We-ell," said Elrohir slowly, "this is an odd turn of events. Legolas won't marry Arwen because he feels as if he is her brother. Aragorn will marry Arwen because he feels that he isn't. This is not how we expected things to turn out!"

Elrond laughed.

"So," he said teasingly, "have you been trying to play matchmaker."

The twins sheepishly admitted that some overtures on the subject had been made to Legolas—and that the Mirkwood Elf had turned them down in no uncertain terms.

"But, truly, Ada," said Elladan, "didn't you ever think that Legolas would have been an excellent match for Arwen?"

Elrond had to acknowledge that he had.

"Yes, soon after Legolas arrived here, it did occur to me that a marriage between the two would have been a most desirable one. I certainly would have done nothing to discourage such an alliance. But before too many years had passed, it became plain that they thought of each other as brother and sister. Hence I never tried to actively encourage them to think of each other as prospective spouses."

"I think, though," the elf-lord added wryly, "that Mithrandir was rather glad to see that the two had come to look upon one another as siblings. Even before Aragorn's arrival at Imladris—long before, in fact—I believe that our wizard friend was looking about for a suitable spouse for the future king of the combined realms of Arnor and Gondor, whoever that turned out to be. When I once idly mentioned my hopes for Legolas and Arwen, Mithrandir gainsaid the idea in most uncertain terms. 'They are not suited for each other—not suited at all!' he huffed. Several more years had to pass before I understood why he had so disparaged a union between the two. He thought that the heir to the throne of Gondor would be turning up at any moment, and he wanted Arwen held in reserve against that day! Perhaps he shall be proved right—about the heir, that is. We shall see."

"I wonder," said Elladan thoughtfully, "What Legolas will say when he hears of it."

"So great is his affection and respect for each that he will steadfastly support her choice and proclaim to all and sundry that Aragorn is worthy of it. But you are not to tell him of this matter—at least not yet."

"Why not, Ada?" asked Elrohir, puzzled.

"I have not yet given my permission for them to marry," Elrond replied simply.

Puzzled, Elladan and Elrohir looked at him wordlessly.

Elrond smiled gently.

"Elladan, Elrohir, you know that I long ago made the decision that I would someday forfeit Middle Earth and return to the Undying Lands. You also know that my brother Elros made a different decision, and his bones have long ago become one with the land that he could not bear to be parted from. Thus the two of us have been sundered—perhaps for all time. If Arwen does espouse Aragorn, she will have made the choice of Elros, and I shall be sundered from her as well—as shall you. I will not lightly permit this to be done. If Arwen is to forfeit her immortality—and if we are to relinquish her to Middle Earth—then she will do so for no one less than the King of Westernesse. This I have told to Aragorn. A marriage may in fact never take place, but if one does, many years may pass before Aragorn is united with Arwen. In the meantime, it would not be wise that the prospect of such a marriage be bruited about. Such talk may draw attention to Aragorn when he still has need of secrecy. Later, when things are a little further along, you may tell Legolas. Of course, what Aragorn himself will tell him I have no way of knowing."

"I suppose," said Elladan, "that means we cannot tell Haldir either."

"And why should Haldir wish to know of this matter?" asked Elrond, eyebrows on alert.

"Um, well, Ada," stammered Elladan, "Arwen spent many years in Lothlórien, and she got along quite—well!—with Haldir. Ah, he gave her archery lessons!"

"Archery lessons? I trust she never shot him through the heart?"

"Actually," Elrohir joined in, "it appears that she did—not meaning to, of course!"

Elrond sighed.

"I pity Haldir. Even if Arwen were not to marry Aragorn, I do not think she would espouse Haldir. He is too serious!"

Elrohir looked triumphantly at Elladan.

"Ada," he crowed, "that is exactly what I said."

"You and your brother seem to have taken considerable interest in your sister's wedding prospects," said Elrond dryly. "Pray, when am I to see the same energy and enthusiasm directed toward your own matrimonial futures?"

"Why, Ada," Elrohir replied cheekily, "we were just now auditioning candidates when you interrupted us!"

"Then I suppose you had better get back to it," said Elrond, smiling. He nodded dismissal to the twins, who gratefully escaped back to the garden. They were pleased to find that it was now deserted, for they were still sifting their feelings and had much to say one to the other.

"Anyone who married Arwen would become our brother," reflected Elladan, "and, as Aragorn is already our brother, I suppose that would make him our brother squared."

"Brother squared?" said Elrohir quizzically.

"Yes—don't you remember Erestor telling us about squaring numbers—a number multiplied by itself has been 'squared'. Thus two squared is two times two, and three squared is three times three and four squared is—"

"Yes, yes, I see," interrupted Elrohir. "So you are saying that Aragorn will be twice the brother to us."

"Oh, no," replied Elladan earnestly, "for squaring is not the same thing as doubling. Doubling would be multiplying by two, but three time two, three doubled, is not the same thing as three times three, three squared. Of course, in the case of two squared, since two is the actual number in question, it might look as if one were doubling, but this is mere coincidence."

"Oh, do be quiet," said Elrohir good-naturedly. "Save this mathematical disquisition for Holy Haldir."

"Holy Haldir!" exclaimed Elladan indignantly. "You shouldn't refer with such disrespect to one of the Galadhrim!"

"Earnest Elladan," teased Elrohir, "standing up for Holy Haldir. Here's a thought! Whether squared or doubled I know not, but you and Haldir are surely a pair. Yes! Holy Haldir and Earnest Elladan. You should espouse him!"

"Elrohir" gasped a scandalized Elladan. "You shouldn't talk so! That's simply not done!"

"Oh, you'd be surprised at what's 'done'," replied Elrohir archly. He then strolled away, leaving behind an Elladan who was trying very hard not to wrap his mind around the scenario to which Elrohir had just alluded.

In Mirkwood, Legolas of course had no idea of what was transpiring in Rivendell, but it would have made him glad had he known, for it would have given him a means of fending off his father.

"There's Arwen, now, isn't there," Thranduil was saying hopefully. "You would look lovely together, I hope you know. Your children would be stunning—the boys strikingly handsome, the girls astoundingly beautiful."

"Ada! Do not speak so!"

"But it's true," Thranduil continued doggedly. "Why do you object to my pointing this out?"

"Because that would mean that Arwen and I would have to—we would have to—oh, Ada, please speak no more of this matter!"

"Well, whatever you would have to do, you would be doing it with Arwen," Thranduil said stubbornly. "Surely that is not a prospect that could displease you."

"ADA!"

"And think of the advantages that would accrue to both realms, Legolas. An alliance between Greenwood and Imladris. Your love for the realm of Elrond is strong. Surely you must rejoice at the prospect of taking a step that would be good not only for the land of your birth but also for the one that sheltered you for all those years."

"Ada, Arwen is my sister!"

"Only after a fashion of speaking. Celebrían gave birth to her, whereas you mother is Laurelässe."

Thranduil suddenly paused, amazed. He had uttered the name of his departed wife. Just as he had long refused to utter Legolas' name, fashioned as it was after hers, he had also avoided naming Laurelässe.

"You have never spoken of my mother," said Legolas soberly.

Thranduil nodded, unable for a moment to speak. Then he took a deep breath.

"Your mother—Laurelässe—was a remarkable woman. She was a Noldo who left her kin in order to enter into a marriage with a Sinda who dwelt in a distant land. We had never met, but she was obedient to her parents' wishes—apparently a trait that you have not inherited!"

Thranduil smiled at Legolas, and suddenly it seemed easy for him to speak.

"She spoke differently from the Elves amongst whom she had come to dwell, and she was used to different customs, but these things did not seem to bother her. She adapted easily and gracefully to folk of different lands. Now that is a trait she seems to have gifted you."

Legolas and his father shared a smile.

"I, however, was at first awkward in her presence, and there was no long betrothal during which I could have made her acquaintance. Her land was under threat from Orcs, and her father did not wish to linger in Greenwood. Thus the marriage ceremony took place within days of her arrival at the Great Hall. You may imagine that the first night we spent together was not one destined to be memorable in the annals of romance!"

Legolas, however, preferred not to imagine.

"Still, as regards that, she soon put me at my ease. She had something in common with Edwen Nana: a good-natured acceptance of the fact that she came equipped with a body, and a determination to make the most of it. I do hope that she has passed that attitude on to you!"

Legolas colored a little. He was aware that Elrohir and even Elladan were ahead of him in terms of 'making the most of it'. But he had to have inherited something from his father as well as his mother, and perhaps that explained his reserve in matters of romance.

"In her land," Thranduil continued, "her people had dwelt in the trees, on platforms like unto the ones of Lothlórien. I think it was hard for her to dwell in a hall that was dolven into the earth, and I had shafts driven into the soil and rock wherever possible in order to admit more light and air. I also had additions built so that some rooms were in fact situated above ground, thus permitting the constructions of windows. I was in one such room the day that she was fatally injured, and through the window I saw her being hastily borne to the Hall."

He fell silent for some time, and Legolas feared that he would not continue. But at last he bestirred himself and went on.

"She showed great courage that day," he murmured, "and I should have honored that courage by embracing the son that she died to save. Things would have turned out quite differently."

"But not necessarily for the better," Legolas said softly.

"Ah, that is Mithrandir speaking in you," Thranduil retorted, but not angrily. "That wizard has some curious notion that events are moving toward some desirable conclusion and that everything tends toward the best."

"He is a Maia," Legolas said simply.

"A Maia and a meddler," said Thranduil good-humoredly. "But as he is a Maia, I suppose he cannot help but be a meddler. I do not fault him for the part he has played in this!"

"I am glad to hear that, Ada, for I am sure he was acting for the best."

"Oh, aye, aye, no doubt. Ah, Edwen Nana, you have come to join us?"

"No," the nurse-maid said acerbically, "I have come to call you to an awareness of the time! It seems to have escaped your notice that long ago you should have gone to the dining hall. While you may not care whether or no you have somewhat to eat, there are a great lot of folk who are desirous of dining, and they cannot commence until you deign to put in an appearance! Dreadfully inconsiderate of you to keep them waiting, don't you think?"

"I am very sorry," Thranduil said humbly. "We shall come at once. Legolas, we shall speak more of this matter later, that I promise you."

Arm in arm, the King of Mirkwood and his son hurried off to the dining hall and its patient occupants, but Legolas, you may be sure, already felt as if he had been well fed that day.