The Lost City Of Cirus
Author's Note:
Well we are fast approaching the end of this story, unless I decide to write a sequel but that will depend on a lot of things. There are still few chapters to go though so we're not quite there yet. This chapter's a bit longer to make up for the last couple of short ones.
Laurenke1 thanks much fro your kind comments; I'm really glad you love this story so much. Also good to hear you finally got through it all.
Hope you like and please review!
Thirty-Five
Blown In On The Winds Of Change
"Princess Aquila! I heard you had woken." Sphenurus called out as he stepped into the tent.
Aquila silenced him with a finger to her lips.
"Shhh. He is sleeping." She stroked a hand gently over Legolas' soft golden hair.
He lay curled up beside her on the bed, his head resting on the bottom of the pillows she was leaning back against. She had remained sitting up talking with him after Elrond and Aragorn had left and had noticed him starting to nod off in the chair so she invited him up onto the bed with her, even though there really wasn't much room for the both of them, and he had promptly fallen asleep.
Sphenurus crossed the tent and sat down in the vacated seat beside the bed.
"Sphenurus! What happened to your face?"
Aquila reached a hand out to stroke a finger over the bandages wrapped across the right side of the Roc's face.
"Oh it's nothing really. I took a blade down the right side of my face during a moment of distraction. It's going to leave a rather large scar and I've lost the use of my right eye."
"Oh Sphenurus I'm so sorry, you poor thing."
"I'll be alright." Sphenurus waved off the concern directed at him from his Princess. "I'm thinking of getting an eye patch."
Aquila laughed quietly and he joined her, careful not to laugh too loudly so as not to wake the sleeping Prince.
"It would certainly make you all the more devilishly handsome Sphenurus." She added with a sly wink.
"Yes I thought it might add to my appeal."
"Evidently you have survived the poison, as have I."
"Indeed, though for a while there we thought we might loose you. I also heard we nearly lost the Prince of Mirkwood."
"What? Was he injured? I didn't see any bandages on him." Aquila looked worriedly over Legolas' sleeping form but still couldn't see any noticeable injuries.
"No he was not injured, but there is more than one way to kill an Elf."
Aquila gave him a confused look before what Sphenurus was trying to say sunk in.
"His heart?"
Sphenurus nodded in response and smiled to himself as he watched Aquila stroke a loving hand down Legolas' side.
"Elrond told me that when Legolas found you he thought you were dead and he just broke down."
"Poor Legolas."
She lent down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. He shifted slightly but remained asleep. Sphenurus smiled at her and she smiled back.
"If you ever needed proof of his love for you…"
"I don't need proof from him. I'm just thankful he didn't succumb to the heart ache."
"I believe you have Elrond to thank for that. I hear it was he who convinced Legolas to hold on to life."
"Well I will have to thank him when I see him next for keeping my Prince safe for me."
"How is your wound healing?"
"Elrond says well but the bandages have to stay on and he's still treating me with the antidote. I'm also not allowed to partake in any vigorous physical activity until the wound has closed properly."
"So what are you and Legolas going to do for the next few weeks then?" Sphenurus asked with a cheeky grin.
Aquila reached a hand out and gave him a gentle shove. Which only caused him to laugh loudly and Aquila had to give him a stern look in order to quiet him down.
"Let him sleep Sphenurus."
"I apologize Princess. Has Elrond told you when you will be fit enough to leave the confines of your bed? Today is my first day out."
"Aren't you lucky. From the sounds of things I'll be stuck in here for a while, at least until the muscles in my abdomen have healed enough to support my own weight so I can walk."
"I'll talk you for a walk when you're a little better Aquila." Legolas mumbled sleepily.
"I'm sorry Legolas did we wake you?" Aquila asked in concern.
"Yes but only just now and don't worry over it, the nap has done me good and I will be able to sleep through tonight and every other night from now on knowing that you will no slip away from me in the night."
She kissed him softly and he hoisted himself up into a sitting position.
"How's your wound healing Sphenurus?" Legolas asked as he yawned behind his hand.
"Well, but my eye is shot. I will never see with it again."
"I am sad to hear that Sphenurus."
"I have lost the use of one eye but you nearly lost your future bride and your own life."
"These things are in the past. Let us focus on a future of healing and peace."
"Yes, one that hopefully joins the Rocs and the Elves once again."
Several days passed before Elrond deemed Aquila fit enough to leave the confinements of the tent for some fresh air. Legolas helped her from the bed and then aided her in slipping a light dress on once she was in her final form.
He supported her weight by draping her arm about his shoulder and wrapping one arm about her middle and using the other across his body as a support for her to hold onto. She let him bear her weight has her legs were weak from having to remain in bed for so many days.
They slowly made their way out of the tent and into the filtered sunlight that bathed the small clearing the infirmary tents had been set up in. Aquila closed her eyes as she let the warm sunshine softly bath her skin. Legolas smiled down at her as he watched her enjoy the simple pleasures of the sun.
"Ready?" He whispered softly into her ear.
She smiled up and him and shook her head. He then led her slowly across the clearing. It was only a short distance but as they reached the other side he noticed she was having more difficulty putting one foot in front of the other than she was before.
"Do you think perhaps I could sit down to rest for a few minutes Legolas?"
"Of course, as long as you need."
He then helped her to sit down on the soft grass with her back up against a thick tree trunk to support her while she was sitting. He slide up beside her and too pressed his back to the tree's trunk. He slipped his arm about her waist to help hold her up as well. He was all too aware of Elrond's warnings about stretching the muscles around the injury and opening it back up again.
"Aquila!" Frodo called out as he hurried over to the couple settled beneath the tree. "It's good to see you out and about. Elrond mentioned you were feeling better but I didn't expect to see you out yet." He seated himself on the grass before them and Aquila lent forward slightly to press a kiss to his forehead.
"Thank you for worrying over me Frodo."
"We were worried for you too Legolas. I don't know what we would have done without you."
"Let's not dwell on it my friend."
"No, let's not. We have far too much to celebrate now anyway. And speaking of celebrations I hope we'll all be invited to your wedding Legolas." Frodo grinned at the Elf who smiled back.
"We wouldn't have it any other way my friend. In fact we expect you and the other Hobbits to be there." Legolas assured him.
"I best go tell the others. Please excuse me." Frodo leapt to his feet but had one more thing to say before he dashed off in search of the other Hobbits. "I hope you continue to get better Aquila, we were all overjoyed to hear that you pulled through. We'll be sure to see you later."
With that Frodo dashed off leaving the two waving after his retreating form. They laughed quietly and Aquila lent her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. She felt Legolas lean over her and place a hand on the grass by her hip, felt his weight settle against her and she smiled as he carefully pressed his lips to hers.
She was having none of his attempts to be delicate with her though and eagerly returned his kiss, wrapping an arm around his neck and pulling him down to her. He gave in to her and deepened their kiss, trying his best to hold his weight up off her so as not to aggravate her injury. A huge gust of wind tussled Legolas' golden hair and mingled it with the espresso strands of Aquila's. He intensified their kiss further as he settled himself further over her, both ignoring the strange gust of wind.
"Good morning then Prince Legolas." A loud voice boomed from above them.
Legolas pulled back from their kiss in a hurry as he suddenly realized whom the voice belonged to. He leapt up from the grass and quickly straightened his tunic before bowing and addressing the Roc before him.
"King Audax. I was just…we were just…what are you doing here? I thought you vowed never to return to Middle Earth?"
"I did, but recently certain events have persuaded me that times have changed since I made that vow and that this world is a very different place, with a very different King ruling over mortal Men."
Legolas nodded his understanding but was cut off before he could say anything.
"And you do not need to explain yourself Prince Legolas. I am pleased to see you are so happy with my daughter. After all, you have taken her to be your bride and soon enough you will share your bed with her."
Legolas had the decency to blush slightly, not because of what the King was implying but because Aquila had already shared his bed, on several occasions. If he had turned around he would have noticed Aquila desperately trying to hide her face in the shadows of the tree so that she did not betray herself to her father.
"Now my daughter, you are not still upset with me are you?"
"No father. Why would you think I was still upset with you?"
"Because you have not even greeted me properly yet. Have we fallen out so far that I no longer deserve a hug from you?"
"Of course not father."
Aquila placed both hands on the ground and was about to try and lift herself when Legolas rushed to her side to help her up. King Audax looked on in concern as he watched Legolas carefully maneuver her into a standing position.
"What happened?"
"I was injured during the war with the Chameles. I just have to be careful not to reopen the wound until it's healed properly."
Audax shot Legolas a look that could have killed but Aquila cut him off before he could say a word.
"Father! You can blame him for nothing! He tried to keep me back in Minas Tirith but I wouldn't allow it. If anyone is to be blamed it's me."
Legolas remained frozen to the spot in shock as Aquila strode, slowly though it may have been, up to her father. The two stared one another down for some moments and Legolas dared not move as father and daughter regarded each other carefully.
"Is this true Legolas?" Audax finally asked without his eyes ever leaving Aquila's.
"Yes it is King Audax." Legolas replied promptly.
The smile that crossed the King's face only served to confuse Legolas as the King shifted his gaze from his daughter to the Elf.
"Then I guess you are already having as much trouble caging her as I did."
Legolas laughed and Audax joined in. Aquila however was the one who was now confused. Her father took her into his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead before he released her and embraced Legolas.
"You will take good care of her. I know you will."
Legolas smiled and shook his head in agreement. He then excused himself and quickly sidestepped around Audax so that he could lend his body to Aquila to support herself with as she stood.
"King Audax. What are you doing here my Lord?" Sphenurus asked in surprise as he came into the clearing with Pandion and spotted the Large Roc.
Sphenurus bowed low to his King but Pandion remained ridgid, frozen to the spot, as he knew for sure he was in more trouble than he'd ever dreamed was possible.
"Sphenurus I am sorry to see you injured my friend. I hope you will recover swiftly."
"'Tis nothing really my Lord, I'll be right as rain soon just you wait. In fact Lord Elrond say the bandages can come off in few days and I had some of the Elves make me up a rather dashing looking eye patch."
Audax laughed at the lighthearted comment but he knew the loss of his eye had affected the Roc more than he was letting on. Audax then turned his attention to Pandion who stiffened his spine and locked eyes with his father. The Roc King strode up to his son, his features blank, before a smiled tugged up the corners of his mouth and he pulled Pandion into a tight embrace.
"Can you forgive me my son, for driving you away?"
"I believe I can father but only under the condition that you will allow me to lead my own life and choose to do things in my own time."
Audax's features hardened for a moment before he sighed and nodded his head, giving in to his son's requests. He knew if he did not he would have no heir left for his Kingdom and so would be forced to remarry in order to continue his line's rule over the Rocs.
Aquila lent into to Legolas to whisper something in his ear. She looked weary and Legolas nodded in response to her question. He wrapped her arm about his shoulder again and took as much of her weight as he could while still allowing her to walk.
"I hope you'll excuse us but Aquila is feeling rather exhausted and so I'm going to take her back to the tent so she can rest."
"Will you be back to join us again Legolas?" Audax questioned him.
Had it been asked by any other Legolas would have said no, far preferring to remain by Aquila's bedside to ensure her safety while she slept. However it was Audax who had asked and Legolas had a sneaking suspicion he wished to discuss with him the matter of his planned marriage to his daughter.
"Once I have seen to it that she is sleeping soundly I will return."
Audax nodded in approval and Legolas proceeded to lead an already half asleep Aquila back to the tent she had spent the last many days in.
Pandion and Sphenurus excused themselves as they'd already promised Aragorn to meet him almost half an hour ago and would be sure to inform the King of Gondor of the unexpected arrival of King Audax. Audax thanked them and asked if they would also be able to arrange for him to meet with King Elessar to discuss the future of the Rocs relationships with the race of Men.
After they had left the large Roc busied himself watching the camps inhabitants go to and fro about their business. He pressed his back to a tree and observed quietly from in its shadow so that he would remain as inconspicuous as possible.
It did not take long for Legolas to emerge from the tent and return to where Audax was waiting for him.
"Walk with me young Prince."
It was not a question so much as a request and Legolas quickly fell into step with the taller Roc. Hands behind his back and with a posture he had had to adopt on many a formal occasion in Mirkwood, Legolas walked beside the King of the Rocs.
"Tell me Legolas, does your father plan to make you King of Mirkwood once you are wed?"
Legolas had been expecting a question of sorts and so wasn't fazed by it in the least. He also had a fair idea of where this was heading.
"I am not sure of my father's exact plans for the retiring of his crown but I imagine it will be sometime soon after my marriage."
The Roc nodded slowly, seemingly contemplating this.
"I do not plan to move the City of Cirus back to where it was once located."
Legolas nodded and prepared himself to have the news broken to him, that he would eventually have to replay to Aquila, that they would not be permitted into the city and that they were to tell no one of its location.
"However when my grandchildren are born I would like for me to be able to visit them, and for them to visit me."
Legolas turned shocked eyes up at the Roc, who smiled down at him.
"I don't understand your Majesty."
"You know the Dwarves well don't you Legolas?" Audax continued, seemingly on another topic, as though Legolas had never spoken.
"I know some of them well, yes." Legolas answered in confusion.
"If I paid them handsomely do you think you could commission them to carve a staircase into the mountains for me?"
"Excuse me my Lord."
"I would like to build a stairway into the mountains from their base up to the city of Cirus, and a path from this stairway into the heart of Mirkwood. So that our two kingdoms may once again be joined."
Legolas remained silent as he contemplated such a task and all of its implications.
"I think it would please Aquila greatly." Audax continued with a knowing smile.
"I don't doubt that it would." Legolas smiled back before the lifted his eyes to meet the King's. "I think it is a most wonderful idea King Audax and will be the first task I see to once I have taken up my fathers crown."
"I am glad to hear it Prince Legolas."
The two shook hands firmly in agreement before they continued on their walk.
"Now if it is not too much trouble Prince Legolas, do you think you could introduce me to this King Elessar?"
"Of course King Audax. I'm sure he's very eager to meet with you. He has come to appreciate the Rocs far more than any other Man. I believe he will be the King to reunite the two races, with your blessings as well of course."
"We shall see young Prince, though I do hope to repair some of the damage done to our old relationship I will need to judge King Elessar for myself before I make any decision to rewrite our treaties."
Once Legolas had introduced the King of the Rocs to the King of Gondor he excused himself to leave them to discuss matters on their own, that and he was eager to return to Aquila to see if she had woken from her nap.
However on his way to Aquila's tent he was halted by a blare of trumpets and a large procession of horses. Legolas watched in surprise as the line of horses spilt down the middle and one white horse with a tall blond Elf upon its back make its way down the center towards him.
"Father?" Legolas gasped in disbelief.
King Thranduil dismounted and walked over to where is son stood. Legolas remained in a state of semi-stunned disbelief before breaking out of it and throwing his arms about his father's neck.
"What have I done to deserve such a welcome from you Legolas?" Thranduil asked with a joyful chuckle.
"I am just glad to see you. I know we have not seen eye to eye recently but I think I have come to appreciate what you were trying to do for me."
"I am glad to hear it my son."
"What are you doing here?" Legolas questioned as he pulled back from their shared embrace.
"I heard the news of our victory over the Chameles but that is all the information I was privy to. I came straight here to ensure that my son was safe."
Thranduil took Legolas' hands in his own and stroked his thumbs over the back of his son's fingers.
Legolas cocked his head to the side as he father's expression changed suddenly and Thranduil brought Legolas right hand up closer to his face. As his eyes lifted from his son's hand he arched an eyebrow at Legolas who smiled almost shyly as he took his hand back.
"I have asked Aquila to be my bride. King Audax has approved of the union and we await only yours before we can wed."
Thranduil pulled his son into an even fiercer hug than before and Legolas gasp as he had the air forced from his lungs.
"Of course I approve of her Legolas. Did you not think I had given you my blessing back when you brought her to Mirkwood?"
"Actually father," Legolas managed to gasp out as he was crushed further "I had not even contemplated marry her when se came with me to Mirkwood."
Thranduil pulled back from his son and held him at arms length.
"But I thought that was why you had brought her? To meet with me and obtain my blessing."
"Did you ever wonder why I never actually asked you for permission to take her for my wife?"
"No, I suppose I didn't. But there has been no harm in the matter and I think now you best take me to see your chosen bride so that I may properly assess her suitability as Mirkwood's future Queen."
Thranduil wrapped an arm reassuringly about his son's shoulders as he laughed loudly, Legolas joining in as he began to lead his father to Aquila's tent.
To be continued…