The Lost City Of Cirus
Author's Note:
Thanks so much for your reviews, they continue to inspire me. I'm back at uni now so updating may be slightly less frequent but hopefully it shouldn't be too much of an interruption.
Meadowsweet1363 thank you for your reviews, they are always welcomed. School does have a habit of consuming your time but just wait till you get to university, you'll find you have so much free time on your hands you wont know what to do with it all. Anyway hope you find time in your busy schedule to keep reading.
Long chapter but hopefully it's a good one. Please enjoy and review.
Twenty-seven
The Council of King Elessar
Legolas woke to find Aquila leaning over him, tracing delicate fingers over the injuries he had sustained to his face that night. He caught her wrist in his hand and gave her a weary look. She smiled down at him and pushed back some of his hair from his face.
"Looking much better, the wounds are healing nicely. Only a very faint mark left from the cut above your temple."
She kissed the spot just above his left temple.
"The swelling around your eye has gone down and only bruising of yellow and faint purple remains."
The Elf closed his eyes as she pressed her lips softly to his bruised eyelid.
"And you never would have known you suffered a split lip."
Her lips met his in a very delicate kiss, which the Prince immediately deepened as he pulled Aquila down on top of him. His tongue swooped into her mouth as he gripped a fistful of her brown hair; the other rested in the curve of her lower back and pressed her more fully to him.
Aquila pulled back, breathless from the intensity of the kiss and looked down at Legolas in bemused wonderment. He simply smiled and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear before planting a swift kiss to her swollen lips and rolling out from under her.
Aquila sat up on the bed, tucking her legs beneath her, and watched as Legolas crossed the room and disappeared into the bathroom. She sighed and got up from the bed, pulling on a robe she was about to make her way to the window to see if the city had awoken yet when there was a sharp rapping at the door.
She turned in the direction of the door and, after ensuring that her robe was tied securely about her, called out to the person on the other side of the door.
"Come in."
The door swung open slowly and a familiar head poked through the gap formed.
"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Sphenurus asked smugly.
"No in fact you are not Sphenurus, I am terribly sorry to disappoint you."
The Roc sighed exaggeratedly and shrugged his shoulders.
"No worry Princess, it is not I but your troops who will be most disappointed to hear I have no gossip for them this morning."
"I'm sure you'll make something up."
Sphenurus looked insulted but Aquila knew the game he played well and he in turn knew she was not falling for his act, she never did, nor did her brother.
"I do not make up gossip thank you. Some times I just elaborate slightly on the truth."
"Well I'm sure you'll find some juicy gossip before the day is out. Have you tried Pandion's room?"
"Sadly that is where I have come from and there was no gossip to be found there either. However, the Prince sent me to request, on his behalf, your presence in his quarters immediately, yours and the Prince of Mirkwoods of course. Speaking of whom, where is Legolas?"
The Roc reclined against the doorframe and tried to peer around Aquila to see if he could spot the Elf within the room.
"He's in the bathroom."
Aquila answered his question as she stepped directly into his line of sight. As she did so Legolas stuck a hand out of the bathroom door and waved to Sphenurus.
"Good morning Prince Legolas."
"The same to you Sphenurus. How are you finding the beginnings of your first day in Minas Tirith?" Legolas spoke from the bathroom as he continued to examine his reflection in the mirror.
"Boring I'm afraid. Do you realize that this city doesn't get up and running till at lest two hours past dawn?"
"You forget Sphenurus, if you had the luxury of being able to sleep in I'm sure you would."
The Roc snorted.
"What a waste of time, sleeping is highly overrated."
Legolas laughed from the bathroom and Aquila joined in quietly behind a well-placed hand to hide her smile. Sphenurus rolled his eyes at the other Roc.
"Oh you are well on your way to becoming an Elf yourself Princess. Before we know it you'll be sleeping past dawn and your ears in your Final form will be pointed."
Aquila shook her head, still trying to get her light laughter in check.
"Tell Prince Pandion we will be over in a moment."
"As you wish my Princess."
Sphenurus bowed elaborately and shut the door behind him as he exited. Aquila then dropped her robe to the floor and just as she was about to change to her Half form she decided against it and thought perhaps instead she'd dress in one of the dresses the Lothlórien Elves had made for her. After all she had only been able to wear one so far and it would certainly make a nice change.
After going through the wardrobe where all their clothing had been hung up she decided on a long flowing dress with billowy sleeves and a low neck-line, but this dress was a very pale green, not the color she remembered it being when she had tried it on. In Lothlórien when the seamstresses had her try on all the clothing they had made for her there had been only one green dress and this one had in fact been white. Legolas emerged from the bathroom and noticed her confusion at the color of the dress she was holding in her hands.
"I can imagine you have my father to blame for that one."
"Your father dyed my dress green?"
"No but his servants did, under his directions of course."
"Why?"
"Mirkwoods colors are green you see, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he had already decided you would make a fitting Queen for Mirkwood when you visited."
"So he dyed my dress green?"
"If you do not like the color we can dye it again."
"No, I rather like the color actually. I was just confused as to how its color had changed."
She then slipped the dress on over her head and proceeded to tie up all the fastenings on it, tugging at it in certain place till it sat perfectly on her slim frame. Legolas smiled at her, she really did look good in the dress and a certain part of him, far at the back of his mind, thought she also looked like the perfect Queen for Mirkwood.
"Do you want to dress before we go to see Pandion or you happy going in just your leggings?"
"No, I believe I will dress before I go but I think I would also like to take another bath before I step out, you were right about the warm water speeding up the healing process further. You go on ahead though and I'll meet you there once I'm clean and dressed."
"You will come though wont you?"
"Of course. Do not think I am the type to hide away, I intend to take the matter of last night to Aragorn as soon as we are done with Pandion, just as I said I would."
"Very well. I shall see you in Pandion's room in a bit then?"
Legolas nodded and kissed her softly upon her cheek before heading back into the bathroom. Aquila remained standing where she was until she heard the sound of running water. This snapped her from whatever daze she had fallen into and so she headed out the door and down the corridor, bound for the room Pandion was sharing with Lord Elrond.
"Aquila?" Elrond sounded surprised as he opened the door to find the Roc standing on the other side.
"Sphenurus came by and told me that Pandion wished to speak with me."
She tipped her head to the side and waited patiently for the Elf to invite her in.
"I'm sorry Aquila, please come in." He stepped aside for her and she slipped past him into the room. "I almost didn't recognize you for a second there."
"How does putting on a dress make me that unrecognizable?"
"I suppose I'm just so used to seeing you in your Half from I just expect it, your Final form throws me off."
"I'll remember to warn you in advance next time then Elrond."
The Elf laughed as he shut the door behind her.
"He's on the floor on the other side of the bed."
Aquila raised a querying eyebrow, which Elrond waved off before he went back to the room's small table to finish the script he had been writing.
Aquila made her way round the bed and found her brother lying out on the floor on his stomach amongst an array of drawings, maps and various scripts. Aquila sat herself down on the floor in front of him, tucking her legs beneath her and supporting her weight on one hand.
"You asked to see me Pandion?"
Her brother looked up from his musings, almost as if he hadn't expected her to be there.
"Of course Aquila, time must have gotten away from me."
Pandion shifted the papers splayed haphazardly about him into a disorganized pile and moved them to the side.
"I really just wanted to get a chance to congratulate you and Legolas on your marriage plans before the we have to go to the meeting Aragorn called for this morning."
"What meeting?"
"Legolas didn't tell you?"
"He wouldn't have been told about it." Elrond answered from his spot behind the table. "I don't imagine he's spoken to Aragorn since this afternoon and he made himself pretty hard to find last night."
"Speaking of Legolas, where is he?"
A loud knock on the door brought three pairs of eyes to the spot and Elrond once again lifted himself from his seat and crossed over to open the door. He pulled it open to reveal Legolas standing outside it. The Elf quickly let himself in and Elrond shut the door behind him.
"You have excellent timing Legolas and……what happened to your eye?"
Elrond reached a hand out to touch the bruise around Legolas' eye but the other Elf jerked his head away. Elrond let his hand fall to his side and stepped aside as Pandion and Aquila picked themselves up off the floor to join the two Elves.
"The explanation for my eye is a long story but I'll tell it to you if you wish to know."
Both Pandion and Elrond stood in expectant silence as they waited for Legolas to tell them his story. The Prince sighed and proceeded to tell the story of what happened to him last night. By the time he was done Aquila was lying along the bed on her side, her head propped up with a bent arm, Legolas sat beside her, his legs dangling off the beds edge, Elrond had pulled up his chair and sat, leaning forward, in it and Pandion lent casually against one of the posts of the four-poster-bed.
"You're going to tell Aragorn about this aren't you?" Elrond asked in concern.
"Of course I am. I just wish I had a better idea of who it was so I could tell him."
"Well it's a safe bet that at least one of them visited an infirmary last night, judging from your description of the stab to the stomach you gave one of them." Pandion added casually. "Not to mention another probably still has the remains of a rather nasty cut to his arm, seeing as Men are not as gifted a healers as Elves."
"He has a point. You could track those two easily enough and maybe, if we're lucky, they'll tell us who their accomplices were. With some obvious persuasion of course." Aquila sounded hopeful and Legolas took a moment to process it all.
"I'll bring it up with Aragorn when I see him next."
"He's called a meeting, apparently" Aquila cast an accusing glance at her brother who shrugged in response. "You might want to catch him before it starts."
"Good point." Legolas pushed himself up from the bed and headed straight for the door.
"You're going to speak with Aragorn now?" Elrond queried.
Legolas nodded confidently before ducking out the door. However no more than a few seconds had past when stuck his head back in.
"Oh by the way Aquila that breakfast Aragorn promised you is waiting for you in our room."
"Hey Legolas!" Pandion called out before the Elf ducked out. "Congratulations on your plans to marry Aquila, and for getting father to agree with them."
Legolas smiled and then disappeared a second time and this time, even after several minutes, didn't return. Aquila sighed and sat up on the bed before sliding to the end of it and setting her feet upon the floor.
"If that is all you wanted me for Pandion I think I might leave you to get back to your papers and I shall go eat my breakfast."
Pandion nodded but didn't move from his position, leaning against the bedpost.
"See you at Aragorn's meeting?" She called from the doorway.
Both nodded and waved goodbye as she disappeared out the door, closing it quietly behind her.
"Aragorn!" Legolas called out as he entered the King of Gondor's throne room.
The room was being set up for the council he was holding that morning and already most of the available space was taken up by a long, dark wooden table. Servants were arranging tall-backed chairs along its length and an elaborately carved chair sat at its head.
He wasn't sure if the King was in there but he'd tried his room and had been sent here by Arwen. He was about to call out again when Aragorn strode in through the building's double doors.
He halted upon seeing Legolas standing in the doorway on the other side of the room but quickly gained his composure and hurried around the table to get to him.
"Legolas!"
He reached him quickly and stopped in front of him; flashing him a wide smile, he was thrilled that his friend seemed to have forgiven him for his childish behavior the day before. That smiled however, quickly slipped from his face as he saw not only the stony expression Legolas wore but also the faint bruising the area around his right eye suffered. That he definitely didn't remember being there yesterday.
"Legolas, what happened to your eye?" The King sounded and looked very concerned for his friend.
"That's what I've come to speak with you about Aragorn. I'm afraid you're not going to find the story pleasant to listen to but you need to hear it."
"Of course." Aragorn seemed slightly dazed but he managed a slow nod.
"If you don't mind my friend, I would appreciate it if we could discuss this a little more privately."
Aragorn managed another slow nod before gathering his thoughts together and seemingly snapping out of the haze he'd been momentarily trapped in. He then ordered the servants from the room and had them shut the doors behind them.
"We are alone now."
"We'll go to my study."
"My men did this to you!"
"I cannot confirm that Aragorn. All I know is that they were wearing the helms of soldiers in your army."
The color had completely drained from Aragorn's face and he sat back in his chair as though the weight of situation weighed so heavily upon him he couldn't sit up straight.
"That is conformation enough……I am so sorry Legolas."
"You mustn't blame yourself Aragorn, you can hardly be expected to be aware of the intentions of every person in this city."
"You speak as though this is of no large concern to you my friend."
"I have healed quickly and by tomorrow it will be forgotten."
"Ah yes, the physical evidence will be gone but will you ever be able to roam the streets of my city unarmed again?"
Legolas didn't answer and couldn't even bring himself to make eye contact with Aragorn, lest his eyes betray him.
"If I hadn't behaved towards you yesterday in the way I did none of this probably would have happened."
"You think your opinion would have had an adverse affect on your people Aragorn?"
"I've been attempting to be as civil towards the Rocs as possible but my people are having trouble following my example. To hear I had lashed out at the Rocs would have been the opportunity they'd been waiting for."
"Do you really think word of my marriage proposals could have gotten around the city that quickly?"
Aragorn gave his friend a blank look but when the Elf didn't respond he gave voice to his thoughts.
"You are royalty in a large kingdom Legolas. How quickly does word get about when you do or say something of even the slightest bit of interest to your subjects?"
"I see your point. You think they were motivated to attack me simply because I have announced plans to marry a Roc?"
"No, I think had that been Aquila out in the city last night she might be dead. I think you received a harsh warning that certain people in this city are not too happy about your choice of bride, and that perhaps in the future you would not be as welcome in this city as you once were."
Legolas looked mournful and Aragorn placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Legolas placed his hand over Aragorn's and smiled at him.
"You know that is not how I feel Legolas. Nor is that how the majority of my people feel. In fact it might interest you to know that I had several households come to me last night asking if they could house one of the Rocs during their stay here. Not only were they hoping to help in the war in anyway possible but they also confessed to being interested in finding out more about the Rocs and trying to patch up broken friendships between us and them."
Legolas smiled wider at that and Aragorn's grin also broadened.
"Thank you Aragorn. Are you taking back what you said yesterday then?"
"Most of it yes and most certainly the way in which it was said. I am happy that you have found someone who you are happy to wed and whom your father also approves of. I also believe she will make a caring wife and a fine Queen. However, it will take time for me to adjust to her being your wife……but I'm prepared to take the time to learn to see her in this new light, if you will give me that time."
"Of course Aragorn." The Elf embraced his friend tightly before releasing him as a coy comment shattered the moment.
"I'm sorry am I interrupting something?" Sphenurus stood, coolly leaning against one of the throne room's columns.
"Is it customary for members of the Roc guard not to announce their entry?" Aragorn asked in feigned disproval.
"Of course not. Forgive me King Elessar for failing to live up to the high standards held within your city." Sphenurus dropped to his knee and bowed till his head almost touched the floor.
"I'm beginning to like this one. I think perhaps he might change my entire perspective on Rocs." Aragorn whispered to Legolas.
"Please Sphenurus get up from your knee there is no need for that here."
The Roc straightened himself and flashed a smile at the King.
"I am here for the council you called for this morning King Elessar. I take it I'm early?"
"Yes you are, and so is Legolas it would seem."
Aragorn gave Legolas a look, asking him if their previous discussion needed to be continued. The Elf shook his head, only enough for Aragorn to see before adding a verbal comment.
"One will have a deep gash to his belly and another a cut to the upper arm."
Aragorn nodded sharply and called one of his personal guards over to his side. The guard bent so that Aragorn could whisper in his ear. Then he was out the door and gone.
"He will ensure at least one of them is found."
"Thank you my friend."
"There's no need. I still feel partially responsible, no matter what you say."
Sphenurus politely pretended he was engrossed in the fine stitching of an elaborate tapestry until Aragorn motioned for him to take a seat at the long table. The Roc sat a few seats down from where Legolas was sitting, allowing enough room for both his Prince and Princess to sit closer to the head of the table, but still being close enough to hold conversation with Aragorn and Legolas until the others began arriving.
"Why Prince Legolas, what ever happened to your eye?" Sphenurus asked as he noticed the slight bruising around the Elf's right eye.
Legolas waved off the comment, not really in the mood to tell the story again, word would soon get around anyway. Sphenurus took his reluctance to answer in good nature and nodded simply.
"Yes I see. Thought the Princess might be a bit much for you to handle."
Aragorn burst out laughing and Legolas, despite trying to refrain from doing so, soon joined in. Sphenurus grinned widely; pleased his joke had brought smiles to both men's faces. They had looked far too somber when he'd walked in.
"Unfortunately Legolas' injury has little to do with Aquila, that would be rather funny though."
Legolas shot the King of Gondor a displeased look but Aragorn only grinned back at him.
"Well it's not like the two haven't got into trouble for roughhousing before." Sphenurus continued in all sincerity.
"Really?" Aragorn asked in surprise as he cast a look over at his friend, who looked less than pleased with the revelation.
"Yes in fact the two got into a rather large scuffle with some of the other Elflings in Mirkwood and Aquila suffered a particularly nasty gash in her leg, caused by a protruding tree branch. King Audax sought to blame Legolas for involving his little girl in the fight in the first place. Told him he was an irresponsible brat and informed Aquila that young ladies didn't get into fights. Then forbade Legolas to set foot in Cirus for a year, mind you the restraint only lasted a few months and even then Aquila had been sneaking him in and herself out."
"Well I never." Aragorn was grinning widely and casting a smug look in Legolas' direction.
"Oh as if you never got into trouble as a boy Aragorn."
"I think you'd find I was quite a well behaved lad thank you Legolas."
"Should we get Elrond in here and maybe have him tell a few stories then shall we?" Legolas added coyly.
"No, I don't think that will be necessary. It would seem we've all gotten ourselves into a spot of trouble in the past and I think it's best left there."
Legolas leaned back in his chair, a victorious smile plastered across his face.
"How is it that you know so much about the young Prince Legolas Sphenurus?"
"Ah well you see it was my duty, when I wasn't seeing to his majesty's armies, to ensure that his children were safe. More often than not they weren't and if so I had to cover for them. Couldn't stand to see the poor things get in trouble when all they were really trying to do was have some fine. Of course I couldn't be there all the time and Pandion required significantly more watching than Aquila. If she were with Legolas I felt relatively assured that she'd be safe. He may have been an 'irresponsible young brat' to quote a great King but he had her best interests at heart. I hear that particular fight started over one of the young Elflings involved teasing Aquila."
Sphenurus winked in Legolas' direction and the Elf blushed slightly. Aragorn smiled as he imagined a young Legolas throwing himself head long into a scrap to defend the honor of his friend, not much had really changed.
"Are we telling stories of the mischief Aquila and Legolas used to get up to?" Pandion said as he strode into the room.
With him was Aquila and Elrond, Elrond dressed in his usual robes rather than his armor and Aquila was still wearing the dress she'd dressed in earlier. Aragorn had to blink several times before he recognized the Roc Princess and Legolas smiled with a sense of pride.
"Well if they were half as bad as my sons and Pandion then I certainly feel for both King Thranduil and King Audax."
"When did Elladan, Elrohir and I ever behave badly?" Pandion asked innocently.
"I seem to recall and incident where the three of you let all of the horses out of the stables just to avoid a music lesson." Elrond gave Pandion a playfully accusing look while the others laughed.
"Come and sit, the others should join us shortly."
Each took up a seat; Elrond sitting to Aragorn's other side and Pandion seated himself beside him. Aquila took the empty seat beside Legolas who lent over to whisper something in her ear. She nodded and glanced discreetly over at Aragorn.
"Aragorn. I would like to thank you for the excellent breakfast you had sent to me this morning. You are a man of your word it would seem."
Aquila smiled at the King and he acknowledged the meaning behind the simple comment with a smile of his own.
The others began arriving one by one or in pairs and small groups. Glorfindel arrived quickly and took up a seat near Pandion and Elrond. Aniond had been invited to represent Mirkwood's army and Haldir was present on behalf of the army sent from Lothlórien. Gimli arrived with another Dwarf and sat at the table beside Aquila. Faramir soon joined them along with Eowyn and Arwen arrived promptly to take her seat beside Aragorn. The newly appointed captain of Gondor's armies Seobryn was present, Aquila was more than pleased, to say the least, that Addramyr had been stripped of any rank or title he once held and dismissed from Gondor's army entirely. She was overjoyed however to discover Aragorn had promoted Seobryn to captain. He smiled at him and he returned the gesture with an even wider smile.
The four Hobbits had also been asked to join them and spots were reserved for them at Aragorn's end of the table. When they showed Aquila smiled brightly at them and they were quick to recognize her and began to enquire her on her whereabouts for the past twelve days. Last to arrive was Eomer, who wasted no time locking eyes with Legolas. Aquila gasped quietly as she saw the danger flash in Eomer's eyes and as she felt Legolas hand brush the outside of her thigh lightly she knew he had seen it too.
As Eomer finally took his seat Aragorn stood and motioned for the room to be quiet. All eyes turned to him and like a wave the gravity of the situation finally crashed upon him. So many armies from so many different regions in Middle Earth had gathered here to fight off this new enemy. Everyone was going to have to trust one another completely or they would fail. And unfortunately, despite all his efforts, there were still some who stubbornly refused to trust the Rocs. He would just have to change that because they needed Rohan's cavalry.
"Thank you all for coming. I won't bother with the details of why we're all here because you are all well aware that these Chameles that have arisen from the Western Seas have threatened us with war. We will not allow them to march into Middle Earth and take what we've fought so hard to protect."
Aragorn paused and placed both hand on the table, leaning forward slightly.
"Already I have set Glorfindel and Pandion at work on strategies for our armies and they will be joined this afternoon by Seobryn" he motioned to the captain "and Gimli" he then gestured at the Dwarf. The organization of our defenses will be in their hands and I expect each of you to follow whatever plans they come up with and lead your armies accordingly. Can I expect this from all present?"
All who were seated at the long table nodded, some more obviously then others. A heavy silence hung in the air, during which Aragorn straightened himself again.
"If any of you have any concerns regarding the organization of our defenses I would appreciate it if you would take them up with me and I will pass the message along to those involved."
"I have a few concerns I'd like to voice King Elessar." Eomer announced coldly from his seat down the far end of the table.
"Thank you Eomer. I will speak with you of them later." Aragorn answered through gritted teeth.
Eomer smirked snidely at this, knowing he'd gotten to Aragorn, for such a feat was no easy task. However when he next spoke Aragorn's spoke with an even tone, continuing much as he had before Eomer had spoken.
"Now if anyone has any questions that desperately need answering I would also appreciate it if you would approach me individually. If not you are free to go and spend the next few days of peace as you wish, for soon we set out for war."
Aragorn nodded to those present who had been assigned the task of organizing defenses and strategies of attack and each removed himself from the table quickly, proceeding to Aragorn's study where the King assured them they would not be disturbed.
Eomer, who only moments ago seemed to eager to voice certain concerns to Aragorn, swiftly removed himself from the throne room. Eowyn joined Arwen as she left but Faramir opted to stay behind. The others remained seated but no one spoke for some time. Everyone, with the exception of Aquila, Aragorn and Elrond, had by now noticed the bruising to Legolas' eye and all were wondering how it had occurred.
Aragorn decided the best course of action would be to simply make the others aware of the incident. After all, if he requested they would keep the information discreet. However he didn't want to do anything without Legolas' permission. So Aragorn lent to his side and gestured for Legolas to lean towards him. He then whispered to his friend, so quietly the elf had to strain to hear.
"I think you should tell them what happened. They may know something or could even help us find out who's responsible."
Legolas didn't respond at first but Aragorn waited patiently, knowing the elf was weighing up the consequences of such an action.
"I can't tell them Aragorn. I am so tired of telling it."
"What if I told them?"
Legolas paused again and took even more time to think it through. Finally he spoke.
"Alright Aragorn, tell them."
To be continued…