Chapter Five
Glorfindel lay awake, unable to sleep. One day in Mirkwood and already he'd had his fair share of close calls. Though the whole scene seemed silly afterwards, Glorfindel couldn't help but think of how utterly horrible it could have turned out to be. He knew the incident would do nothing for his nightmares. His nightmares had been focused completely on his incident with the balrog in another life, but he had no doubt that should he fall asleep thinking of both the nightmares and of the events of the day, the images of Legolas' and Arwen's bodies trapped beneath the ice would find their way into his dreams. He wasn't up for the task of reminding himself that things had worked out okay in the end.
He had begun to think that perhaps he would not find sleep this night when there was a quiet knock on his door. He almost dismissed it as being just another bump in the night, but then he felt the presence just outside his door and smiled sitting up. He called out quietly, "Come in."
The door creaked open and Legolas' head poked through the crack. When he saw Glorfindel was awake, he gave a small smile and whispered, "Did I wake you?"
Glorfindel smiled back and shook his head. "No, penneth," he answered, beckoning for Legolas to come in. "I couldn't sleep," Glorfindel admitted, wondering what brought Legolas to his room. Legolas' own nightmares over the death of his mother had long since stopped plaguing him, as far as Glorfindel knew. It had been a while since Legolas had come to Glorfindel's room late at night, teary eyed and frightened from the dreams. He wondered if Legolas still suffered, but had found another safe bed to sleep in. Perhaps his brothers?
"Neither could I," Legolas admitted shyly. He stepped into the room and closed the door softly behind him. "You are not sleepy, are you?" Legolas asked, pausing cautiously. When Glorfindel shook his head, Legolas resumed his trek over to the bed. He stood next to Glorfindel, looking hesitant for a moment.
"You slept for a long while today," Glorfindel observed. "I would worry if you weren't awake now."
Legolas bit on his lower lip and Glorfindel knew that whatever Legolas had to say wasn't going to be pleasant. He waited patiently for Legolas to gather himself. And when he did, it wasn't what Glorfindel had expected.
"Glorfindel, what is it like to be in love?"
It took a moment for Glorfindel to collect himself and redirect his thoughts. He had been completely prepared to discuss nightmares, fears, even death. He had not at all prepared himself to discuss love, especially not with one as young as Legolas. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed before sighing and looking at the distressed look on Legolas' face. He patted the bed and Legolas climbed up and sat next to him.
"Well," Glorfindel began, unsure of how to go on. He decided to take this on a different path. "What makes you ask? You are young yet. Love should be the last thing on your mind."
Legolas shrugged, twiddling with the edges of Glorfindel's blanket. "I don't know," he whispered quietly.
Glorfindel chanced a guess. "Does this have anything to do with the discussion at meal this evening?" Legolas' face blushed a little and he nodded. Glorfindel couldn't help but smile. "Arminas is a very fine match for your brother, but I think she was teasing you."
"That's just it!" Legolas protested. "Saeros' Ada told him that when an ellyth teases you, that means she loves you. I don't know what to do, Glorfindel. I like Arminas well enough, but not enough to love her. She is bonding with Kelderas!"
Glorfindel had to stiffle a chuckle at the hopeless look on Legolas' face. He wrapped an arm around the young elf's shoulders. "Well, I suppose you will have to tell Arminas how you feel. I am sure she will understand." Legolas looked doubtful, but sighed resignedly. "But that is not all that is on your mind, is it?"
Legolas shook his head. He let out a sigh before continuing. "I think that I am in love with an ellyth but I cannot tell because I do not know what love feels like."
Glorfindel's eyebrow rose at this. "Well, what do you feel when you are around this ellyth?"
Legolas thought for a moment. "Like my stomach won't sit still. And I can't seem to talk straight, and I feel like laughing all the time when she is near. Is that love?"
"It sounds like it," Glorfindel said, grinning at the look of horror on Legolas' face. "But perhaps you should speak with your Adar about this. You wood elves have a stranger sense of love than we Noldor." Legolas scrunched up his nose but gave a small laugh.
"Were you ever bonded?" Legolas asked quietly, knowing he may be treading into uncomfortable territory.
Glorfindel paused, but felt Legolas deserved a straight answer. "They tell me I was courting an elf before I fought with the balrog." Legolas was quiet, realizing that he'd never really heard Glorfindel speak of the balrog before without shutting completely down. "Though, I do not remember her and her name is unknown to me. But since I came to Rivendell, I have not had time to court anyone, let alone think of bonding."
"Do you think Arminas will be happy with our family?" Legolas asked, repositioning himself so he was leaning back against Glorfindel's arm. Glorfindel noticed the slightly sleepy look that had crossed the young elf's face. He moved a little so that Legolas' head was cradled in the crook on his arm to give him some more comfort.
"I think she will be exceedingly happy with your family," Glorfindel whispered. "Though it may take some time for her to adjust to dealing with all of you, considering your family has a knack for attracting trouble."
Legolas yawned, nestling further into Glorfindel, his eyes slightly glazing with sleep. "No more than you Noldor," he whispered tiredly. Glorfindel chuckled softly, watching as the young elf fell asleep in the safety of his arm. Glorfindel leaned his head back, smiling to himself. No matter how much he jested with the young elf and his family, Glorfindel couldn't help but admit that he had missed Legolas dearly. It was good to see his young friend again. And with that though, Glorfindel drifted to sleep, contently undisturbed by the nightmares for a night.
The next morning had gone on without incident. Legolas, at his utter dismay, had been forced to go to lessons with the promise that in the afternoon he could show Glorfindel and the twins his skill at archery. It had been enough to motivate the young prince to leave his guests' sides for the morning. Glorfindel had let the twins and Arwen roam the palace grounds while he sat in on some of the training that the more advanced warriors were taking part in.
Glorfindel watched as two young warriors sparred with each other. He was surprised to see the intensity with which the training sessions were held and had to keep reminding himself that in Mirkwood, such intensity was necessary. Mirkwood warriors would come face to face with such intensity out on patrol much sooner than warriors of Rivendell would. Though Rivendell had the occasional orcs and wolves, Mirkwood had spiders, goblins, and larger orc parties to deal with. There were far greater dangers in Mirkwood now that it had fallen under shadow.
"Evaluating my warriors?" The voice caught Glorfindel by surprise and once again he found himself cursing the Silvan stealth. He turned and smiled at Kelderas, who was dressed in his sparring tunic, though he still wore the ranking pallets in his hair.
Glorfindel rose, looking back towards the training warriors. "Just marveling in the strength of Mirkwood's warriors," Glorfindel answered, grinning.
Kelderas chuckled a little, watching the two warriors. He called out a pointer to one to hold his elbows out bent further as to not tire. When they were done, he turned back to Glorfindel. "I was wondering if you would want to sit in on our more advanced training session. They've been needing some extra motivation lately and I think your presence would help bring that to them."
Glorfindel nodded, "Of course," he nodded, following Kelderas as he walked towards a further training field. Glorfindel heard the sounds of knife sparring before he saw them. When they were closer, his curiosity was peeked when he saw the warriors training with short, close ranged weapons instead of archery or swords. He hadn't known the Mirkwood warriors trained with these sort of weapons. "When did this start?" He asked to Kelderas, quietly.
Kelderas leaned closer, so none of the warriors could hear. "Since we found that the orcs were using new strategies. Their numbers are overpowering. With a sword, it is easy to get it stuck in their armor. With short knives, it is easy to dispatch of them when a group is trying to overpower you when you are alone." Glorfindel nodded, feeling again the weight of the shadow that now lay over Mirkwood. It was troubling that they would have to deal with situations such as these. "If you see something you think can be improved in a warrior's technique, do not be afraid to tell them. They will listen to you." Kelderas nodded towards him and then walked in towards the warriors, quickly telling the two who were sparring to stop and telling two who had been sitting, watching, to start. The snow made it slippery, but the warriors seemed to be able to handle it. Glorfindel admired them for it.
Glorfindel watched them and in only a few seconds, found himself engrossed. He made his way towards them and began giving out pointers. Kelderas and the short ranged blade teachers brought out more to spar in pairs. Glorfindel quickly fell into the role of helping these warriors improve their defensive techniques instead of offensive. Kelderas remained by Glorfindel's side, glaring at warriors who questioned the tips. Glorfindel had to laugh at that.
Before they knew it, the training session was over. Glorfindel had found himself with two blades in his hand, taking on some of the warriors himself, teaching them about the different attacks they may encounter. The orcs whom he often ran into in Rivendell had slightly different fighting techniques than did the ones in Mirkwood. Kelderas was overjoyed to find his warriors getting the worldly lessons. As Glorfindel helped Kelderas and the teachers to clean up, Kelderas laughed suddenly. Glorfindel looked over, wondering what could spark the crown prince to laugh.
"I just realized that most of those warriors knew not who you were," Kelderas said, grinning. Glorfindel too grinned back before he shrugged.
"Well, we wouldn't want them boasting to their friends that they trained with the ever powerful Glorfindel," he joked. Kelderas laughed again before nodding towards the teachers, who nodded back respectively. He clutched Glorfindel's shoulder and guided him back towards the palace.
"I believe Legolas has been waiting all day to show you his skill in archery," Kelderas said. "No doubt he gave Saleas problems today."
Glorfindel smiled at the thought. Was there anyone who Legolas didn't give problems to? He doubted it. "Well, he will have to wait a little longer, I am famished." Glorfindel said, putting a hand to his stomach. Kelderas nodded in agreement.
A sudden angry yell caught their attention and the two turned their heads to inspect the source of the noise. They were both surprised to see Meneldur guiding a horse that carried a very perturbed looking Luthin. Kelderas let out a small sound of fear and Glorfindel immediately saw why. Luthin's arm was in a tight sling. Kelderas hurried over to them. Meneldur was the first to see the crown prince.
"Mae Govannen, my Prince," Meneldur bowed respectively before taking on a serious tone. "Will you please tell your brother that he is not invincible and that he should be grateful for the care that is given him?" Kelderas looked from Meneldur up at Luthin, who just noticed his brother. Luthin broke into a grin.
"Kelderas!" He said, attempting to get off the horse.
"Wait until we are at the stables!" Meneldur admonished.
Luthin didn't listen. He slid from the horse, hiding a grimace as he jarred his arm. Kelderas was instantly at his side. "It's a flesh wound to my arm, my legs work perfectly fine." Luthin said harshly towards Meneldur.
"They won't if I break them in order to get you to rest," Meneldur growled back. Though Kelderas was worried for his brother, he couldn't help but smile at the unusual care Meneldur showed towards his brother.
Kelderas stood in front of Luthin, touching his shoulder gently and trying to get a look at his arm. "What happened?" He asked looking Luthin in the eye, showing him he wanted a true response, not a smart remark. Luthin noticed the look at decided to give Kelderas the truth.
"An orc scimitar got a little too close," he gave, sounding as if it were nothing more than a bee sting. "It's nothing. A flesh wound."
"A flesh wound that requires him to rest for the next few days, but he will not do anything I tell him to," Meneldur scowled.
Kelderas turned and smiled towards Meneldur. "Do not worry, Meneldur," he said. "I'm sure Adar will make him stay in bed for a week."
Luthin snorted at that. "We'll see about that."
"Luthin!" Came a sudden cry. The group turned to see Legolas, followed by the twins, running towards them. He had his bow and quiver strapped to his back, but it didn't look like archery was on his mind. He ran to Luthin straight away, pausing in front of him to eye the sling that was wrapped around his brothers arm. "What happened?" he demanded. "Does it hurt? Are you all right? Do you need a healer?"
Luthin chuckled at Legolas' barrage of questions. He reached out to ruffle his youngest brother's hair affectionately before assuring Legolas that he was fine, to which Meneldur snorted again. Luthin brought Legolas into an embrace, wrapping his good arm around his brother's shoulders and closing his eyes as he took in his youngest brother's scent. He realized then how much he had missed his family, and how close he had come to coming back without a limb, possibly dead.
"I missed you, sprig," Luthin whispered to him.
"I missed you too, Luthin," Legolas whispered back, sensing his brother's sudden rush of emotion.
Luthin pulled away and sighed, looking over to Kelderas. "Well, Veryandil has sent me home on leave, so I suppose you are stuck with me for a while." Kelderas looked suspicious at that, but decided that he'd better not talk about it in front of Legolas, for fear of worrying his youngest brother more than necessary. Instead, he nodded and embraced his brother.
"It is good to have you home again," he said.
Luthin smiled, patting his brother on the back before looking towards Glorfindel and the twins. He looked rather surprised to see them. "I had not expected to have the company of the Rivendell elves," Luthin said, grinning at the twins, who smiled back at him. "The High Pass should be closing soon. Will you be wintering with us?"
The twins went to answer, but Glorfindel got to it before them. "No," he said, giving them both a look. "Our visit is short, but Arwen wanted to see Mirkwood. We will be leaving in a few days."
Luthin nodded. "Good," he said and then leaned closer to the twins. "I have some ideas to share with you." The twins snickered as Glorfindel sighed and looked down towards Legolas, who still looked rather shaken as he looked at the sling on Luthin's arm.
"Legolas," Glorfindel called softly. The young prince looked over at him. "I can still count on you to help me against these three, can I not?"
Legolas grinned. "Yes!" he said. "And Arwen too. What until we tell you our plan for a snow fortress. It will beat whatever they have planned," Legolas said, glaring at the twins, who both broke into laughter
Review Responses:
kel: Why thank you! I'm glad to see you back here again, reading my stories hehe.
Kirsten: Yep, Luthin's back. And he'll be in the rest of the story I think.
jen: Yeah sometimes the review stuff messes up for me too. But, I just review on a different chapter or whatever. Oh, and I agree that there is never too much Legolas. :-) Right now, I'm trying to work with a lot of characters. I want to give the twin lovers something to work with too, so we'll see where that goes.
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Little Legolas is all right, for now...bwhahaha.
werewolflemming: I'll be sure to keep that in mind hehe. I thought the image of Legolas falling asleep in Thranduil's arms was cute too, so I just had to put it in there. There will be a lot more of Thranduil babying little Legolas. :-)