NOTE: Sorry for the lateness and shortness! I hope this chapter pleases you, as I typed it while half asleep! (UPDATED 5/21)
Chapter Nineteen: To Dol Amroth
The following morning Legolas and Síriel were up by dawn. The Prince wrote a letter to Elessar in which he gave his permission to allow the Men into his realm. "I apologize for my delay in giving you my response, but I thought it better that I take council with híril (lady) Síriel first and listen to her words," he wrote in the letter.
"You did not have to write that." Síriel told Legolas.
"But I do. Your thoughts are relevant to me. My realm is your realm as well. You are my Lady, and the Lady of our realm and its people. And all must know that." Legolas said.
Síriel smiled.
"Oh, but they do know, hîr nín (my lord)." she said.
"They do?" Legolas asked, surprised.
Síriel nodded.
"You do not realize it; you do it unconsciously. Whenever I am with you your attention is almost always on me. All your time not spent dealing with the affairs of our realm is spent with me." she said.
Legolas was quiet.
"Do not be angry. It is a good thing—it shows your love for me." Síriel added gently, flushing slightly.
Legolas drew his wife to him, placing her on his lap. He stroked her copper-red hair. Then he turned her face towards him.
"And always shall I love you, and show it." he whispered.
It took them a few minutes before they were outside. A servant met them and inquired pleasantly if his Lord and Lady needed anything.
"See that this letter is delivered to Elessar." Legolas told him.
The servant nodded and bowed before leaving.
"Shall we ride for awhile?" Legolas asked Síriel.
She nodded.
"Not for long, though, the girls need their meal." she added.
Another servant appeared, leading two horses to them. Quickly they mounted and rode slowly deep into the forest.
"Last night I realized just how much older they are." Legolas said.
Síriel laughed.
"Indeed they have grown!" she agreed.
"Have they said anything yet?" Legolas asked.
Síriel stopped her horse. Her emerald eyes glowed brightly.
"Celebrindal told me yesterday that they are babbling." she said excitedly.
Legolas beamed at his wife.
"They are young yet to speak." he told her.
Síriel smiled widely.
"To hear their small voices will just melt my heart!" she said.
Legolas nodded.
"In time they will walk, then run, and we will regret it."
Síriel laughed.
"Indeed we will!" she said merrily.
They returned shortly to their house afterwards, and Síriel immediately went to nurse their daughters. Legolas greeted his sire and Gil-celeb as he entered the dining hall.
"We saw you riding. You rose early today." Thranduil said.
Legolas nodded.
"I had to send a letter off to Elessar." he explained.
Then he proceeded to tell the two men about Faramir's councils.
"A very delicate matter." Thranduil said thoughtfully. "If it was my choice, I would not let them enter my realm. Men are not to be trusted, especially those who have served under the Dark Lord."
Gil-celeb did not say anything, but his blue eyes flickered.
"There are some who can be trusted. Elessar is one." he said.
"Of course, there are exceptions. I deal with Men, those of Lake-town, but I am very weary of them. You can never tell with them." the Elvenking said. "They have a habit of changing, and they are weak."
Legolas remained silent.
"I know how you feel about this, Legolas, and I am not upset by your decision. I am merely expressing my opinion." Thranduil said.
"Everyone has a different opinion, and it is good that we respect one another's beliefs." Legolas answered.
Gil-celeb and Thranduil nodded.
The morning meal was set out on the tables when Síriel and Celebrindal arrived. They greeted the men then took their seats. Legolas waited until the remainder of his household arrived before eating.
"I have an announcement to make." Legolas said.
There was the chink of silver as all those who were present in the hall set down their goblets to listen to the Prince.
"I am going to Dol Amroth." he said. "I shall be gone for some time, and in my absence I place the care of the realm in your hands."
The household nodded silently. They could be trusted. Legolas knew them personally, as they had served under his sire. They were all nobles, the best in all of Eryn Lasgalen.
After the meal was over, Síriel pulled her husband aside.
"How long will you be gone for?" she asked him.
"You ask as if I am going alone." Legolas said.
Síriel's eyes lit up.
"Am I coming with you?" she asked.
Legolas nodded.
"What about the girls? I cannot leave them!" Síriel cried.
Legolas smiled.
"That is no problem. Celebrindal will come with us, and the girls as well." he told her. "And they will be fine, I assure you."
"Why are we going? Is there a specific reason?" Síriel asked him.
"Prince Imrahil requested that we come and visit. And our sires can come with us as well."
Síriel smiled.
"I will go and prepare, then." she said, and hurried off.
Legolas watched her go with a smile on his face. Prince Imrahil did indeed invite him to visit, but that was not the real reason he was going.
"I hope Gimli is still there when we arrive." he told himself. "Oh, what a pleasant surprise adar will receive!" he added, chuckling.
When afternoon came, Legolas was finishing up with his councilors. Thranduil and Gil-celeb were prepared for the journey, as well as Síriel. Celebrindal was attempting to calm her down.
"The girls will be fine, gweston (I swear)." she said.
Síriel wrung her hands.
"They are so young! I will stay behind with them!" she cried.
It took her some time to calm down, and that was with the combined efforts of her sire, Legolas, and Thranduil.
"Are we ready?" Legolas asked. "I want to have a good start before this day ends. It will take some time to reach Dol Amroth."
"We are ready." an herald called.
"Then, let us go." Legolas said, nudging his horse forward.
"To Dol Amroth!" the herald cried.
The Elves rode off with many cries of a safe journey and farewell.