Summary – Legolas returns home after the War of the Ring. How will his father react to Legolas' decision to move to Ithilien?
DISCLAIMER: As stated before, I do not own the Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 5 – Secrets
The atmosphere at dinner was festive, led by Narcalimo. Everyone in the palace said they knew exactly when he found out because his joyful yell was so loud. Legolas participated completely, submerging his feeling of guilt for not being honest. For the next two days, he battled with himself. He could not bear to interrupt the joy, but knew the longer he delayed, the worse it would be. But yet, this would be the first elfling to be born since the shadow had been lifted from Eryn Lasgalen. All the Elves of the realm wanted to celebrate. Legolas could not disappoint them.
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It was the tenth day since Legolas had returned and five days since Sorontor and Melime had shared the news. Taking a break from the festivities, Legolas again rode Arod through the forest to his favorite clearing. While he was sitting in a tree, he heard the sound of a horse's hooves. Automatically, he grabbed his bow and fitted an arrow to it. He trained it in the direction of the sound and waited. Moments later, a horse broke into the clearing with Narcalimo on his back. Legolas tensed as the horse appeared and then relaxed as recognition dawned. Without putting the bow and arrow away, he jumped to the ground.
"Legolas! Are you going to shoot me?" Narcalimo was visibly startled by the bow and Legolas' sudden appearance.
"No. But you should be more careful. I did not know who was entering the clearing and needed to be prepared."
Narcalimo tensed at the reprimand, but then realized that his uncle was being honest. While he had not experience the same things, in Mirkwood or during the Fellowship, he knew that riding unannounced upon someone in the forest was not smart. "I apologize, uncle. I just wanted to speak with you and forgot to be alert and careful. It will not happen again."
Legolas nodded and put away his bow and arrow. "Dismount then, young one." As Narcalimo obeyed, Legolas continued, "What has brought you so far from the palace? Are you jealous of the attention your little brother or sister is getting already?" The teasing tone brought a smile to Narcalimo's lips.
"No, I am not. In fact, I am looking forward to the young one's arrival. It will be fun to have a younger sibling."
"One you can blame for accidents and noise?"
"Of course. Father has told me he used to do that to you."
Legolas laughed. "He did. But I also did it to him. And most of the time, we caused the noise and accidents together."
"Grandfather has said that. Truly I am looking forward to being a big brother. But, Legolas," he paused and looked seriously at his uncle, "can I be honest with you?"
Legolas sobered also responding to the change in his nephew's voice. "Always, Narcalimo."
"I know my parents, and many others, still think of me as a child. But I am not." He paused for a moment then continued. "I am not always the most aware or thoughtful, but I am learning."
"You are not a child, Narcalimo. You have fought well in the recent battles I was told and are showing more maturity every day. I have noticed a difference since my return."
"Thank you."
"But one thing you must understand. Parents always see their children as children. Father still sees me as an elfling. You just must accept this fact."
The brown-haired Elf smiled briefly. "I will try. But this is not really what I want to speak of."
"It is not?"
"No. What is bothering you, Legolas?"
The abrupt question took Legolas off guard and he stepped back. Puzzled, he asked, "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Obviously, the quest changed you. Everyone has noticed. But something more is upsetting you. Something you do not want to talk about. What happened? I feel that if you would discuss it, it would not disturb you as much."
Legolas studied his nephew for a while, saying nothing. Narcalimo returned the gaze evenly, his dark blue eyes serious.
"Truly, you have grown up. I cannot believe you noticed. The Elf I knew when I left would not have."
Narcalimo nodded and then spoke. "I realize I do not have your experience or wisdom, Legolas, but I can listen. Talk to me. Ease your burden."
Legolas inwardly shook his head, amazed to hear such deep thoughts from his nephew. He would no longer think of him as "young one." But instead of answering, he walked to the other side of the clearing and stood looking into the forest for a few moments. Gradually he turned back and slowly made his way to Narcalimo. As he was crossing the clearing, he said quietly, "I will miss this forest greatly."
Narcalimo frowned as he heard the words, but did not speak. He was not sure if Legolas meant for him to hear or not and knew that he needed to let his uncle tell the tale in his own time.
Legolas motioned to the grass and sat. Narcalimo did the same facing him. Both horses grazed on the side of the clearing, paying no attention to the Elves. Legolas sighed. He knew the time had come to tell of his promise.
"You are right. There is something I have not said and it upsets me. But I have not wanted to disturb the joy of the household. Your little brother or sister is the first elfling to be born in Eryn Lasgalen. I have not wanted reality to intrude."
Narcalimo sat silently for a moment. His worst fear was coming true. Despite the way Legolas looked, he was dying.
"Alas, Legolas! How can you be dying now! You survived! You cannot!" Narcalimo burst out and then covered his face with hands.
Legolas sat stunned for a moment and then reacted, reaching out and pulling Narcalimo's hands down. Looking steadily into Narcalimo's eyes, which were filled with tears, he said, "I am not dying. I am not. Narcalimo, I am completely healthy."
It took a few moments before Narcalimo calmed down. He turned his hands to grab his uncle's firmly. "You are not dying?"
"I am not."
"But then, what is so bad? Why are you going to miss the forest?"
Legolas squeezed his nephew's hands and then released them. He sat back, looked to the side and then back at Narcalimo. "I promised Aragorn I would move to Ithilien to help rebuild it and Gondor."
Narcalimo stared at his uncle and then jumped to his feet. "You are moving to Gondor? You are leaving Eryn Lasgalen? That is all? You are upset about that? I thought you were dying!" By the end, he was yelling.
The Walker also got to his feet. "Narcalimo, calm down."
"No, I will not! I thought something horrible was happening to you. I was so worried. And you are just moving!"
Legolas shook his head and muttered quietly, "I have to admit, this was not the reaction I was expecting. I expected anger, not relief."
Narcalimo heard him and the words calmed him down, somewhat. Legolas took advantage of the silence to continue. "Just moving? I do not think that Thranduil will feel that way. Nor Sorontor or many others."
He began to walk around the clearing, still speaking, "Have you heard how many times Father has said that he is happy I am home? That he is so glad the family is back together? I dread telling him the truth."
Narcalimo spoke firmly, "Stop pacing, Legolas." Legolas obeyed and walked back to his nephew. "Sit down again."
After both were comfortable on the grass, Narcalimo continued. "I apologize for my reaction. I was dreading the worse. I am so glad that you are not dying." He smiled and Legolas returned it. "Now, Thranduil will not be happy that you are leaving Eryn Lasgalen. But as you have told me, you must make your own decisions as an adult. Grandfather will yell, carry on and ask if you are crazy. That is his way. But he also loves you and trusts you to make the right decision. I have seen this since you left on that errand to Lord Elrond's. He will support you. Maybe not at first, but he will."
"Thank you, Narcalimo. Hearing you say that makes me feel better. Everything you say is true. He will yell and be upset. But most of all, I want his blessing. I just do not know if he can give me that and that is why I have not said anything."
"By delaying, you are making it worse, Legolas. You must tell him."
"I will, tonight. I cannot delay any longer and should not have waited this long."
"Very good!" Narcalimo then shifted as if uncomfortable and asked, "But now I want to be selfish. Why did you promise this to Aragorn? I hate the thought of you leaving."
Legolas sighed again. How did he explain his reasoning? So much of it was belief and faith. "I saw everything Aragorn did to save Middle Earth. I saw so much destruction that Sauron and Saruman had caused along with orcs. We won this war, but evil men and creatures still exist. The fight is not over. I believe, no I know, that helping restore Ithilien will help restore Gondor and Middle Earth. I have to do it. For all of Arda. For Aragorn and Arwen and their children. For Eryn Lasgalen, for you, for the new elfling, for Hobbits and Dwarves, for all creatures. That is why I promised."
Narcalimo stared at Legolas when his uncle finished. "I am convinced Legolas. You speak truly. If you tell the same to Grandfather, he will also understand. Do not misunderstand me, he may not like it, but he will understand."
"Thank you, Narcalimo. Your confidence helps me. Now should we return and rejoin the happy house?"
"Yes, we should. And Legolas?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for trusting me."
"You earned it, Narcalimo. You have earned it."
As they rode back to the palace, Legolas hoped that his father would be as understanding as his nephew.
A/N: Well, at least Legolas has told someone, finally!
I've been out of town for work for the past five days - hence the longer delay between chapters. But I'm back now.Thegood news is atleast the Avalanche made it to the second round of the NHLplayoffs while I was out of town. Yea!