Summary: Legolas returns home after the War of the Ring. How will his father react to Legolas' decision to move to Ithilien?
The usual disclosure still stands - I own nothing, and apologize to Mr. Tolkien for playing in his realm.
And I won't make any threats about not updating without feedback this time, but I will say: I appreciate the reviews!
Homecoming - Chapter 7
Legolas dried off with the same distraction that he had since his father's stunning declaration. Standing in front of his closet, he reached in and pulled out clothes by rote. He had been numb since hearing "my family. Not you." He probably would still be standing inside the door, dripping wet, if his brother had not shaken him out of his shock. He told Legolas to bathe and change and then they would meet with Melime and Narcalimo to figure this out.
A knock disturbed Legolas and he called "Enter," then winced as it reminded him of his father. Never had he dreamed this would be his father's reaction!
Narcalimo entered and blocked someone else from entering. He then said, "He is dressed, Mother. You can come in." He moved out of the door as she shouldered past him. "I have seen Legolas naked before. It did not matter if he was now." Sorontor had followed her in, and none of the three males responded. "Well, so much for that joke," she said quietly. Then louder, "Legolas, come here and sit by me. You two sit also." The three followed her orders. As Meloime watched Legolas, she wondered if he was even aware of what he was doing.
"Legolas! Look at me! Pay attention!" she snapped. The harsh tone did more to make him alert than anything else. Tears filled his blue eyes.
"Why did he say that? I cannot believe…" he trailed off, the tears running freely down his cheeks. Melime pulled him into an embrace and stroked his hair as he cried. Sorontor and Narcalimo sat silently feeling Legolas' pain.
Once Legolas had regained control, Melime sat back from him and regarded him, sympathetically, yet sternly. "Legolas, he did not mean it."
"You did not see him, Melime. He did."
"Legolas, stop. He did not. He is hurting and lashed out in pain. He will regret his words later."
The Walker did not argue, but shook his head slightly.
Melime sighed. "Legolas, your father loves you deeply. There is nothing on Arda he loves more than you and your brother. He has spent several months worrying about you. Add to that, the fight to protect Mirkwood at Dol Guldor. He has been under a great deal of stress for a long time. We won at Dol Guldor. And then, we have word that you lived and are returning home. He allowed himself to start to think that everyone will be good again. Maybe even like it was in the days of Greenwood the Great."
She stopped to let her words sink in. Legolas continued to look hurt, but at least the numb look was gone. Sorontor looked torn between sympathy for Legolas and pain for his father. Narcalimo appeared concerned, and more, but Melime could not put a name to the other emotion. She switched her attention back to Legolas and continued.
"Thranduil suddenly has all these hopes for Mirkwood and the family. Then you arrived home. At first, it was his dreams come true, but soon he, and the rest of us, realized you are not the same Legolas that left on the errand to Imladris. The quest was more difficult than you have admitted."
"It is not that I want to keep things from you, any of you," Legolas included Sorontor and Narcalimo in his comment, "but there are things that I simply cannot talk about; things I saw, things I felt, things I did."
Sorontor spoke for the first time since entering. "Legolas, we know. Not what you experienced, but that there are things you cannot share. Do you remember when you first started telling Father and I? I asked if it was really that bad and you said yes. We believe you, Legolas. Father does, too. I think that is part of Melime's point."
She nodded. "It is. Thranduil's dream of Greenwood coming back was falling apart. No matter how he tried to deny it, things would not be perfect. You are too different. The fighting here changed all of us as well. But your father grabbed harder at his dream. Especially when we announced my pregnancy. Upon reflection, it would have been better to wait, but," Melime paused, "I thought you wanted to sail for Valinor. Maybe the baby would keep you in Middle Earth. I am selfish, Legolas. I did not, and still do not, want to lose you."
Legolas smiled faintly. "I love you also, Melime." He then tried for a lighter tone. "But luckily for Sorontor, I love you like a sister."
"Very lucky for me!" Sorontor agreed as Legolas and Melime exchanged an embrace.
As Legolas sat back, a shadow darkened his eyes. "I am not ready to leave for Valinor. There is still too much to be done to make Middle Earth safe." He shook his head as if to force the shadow from his eyes. "But what does that have to do with Father's reaction?"
"He felt he was losing his dream. He wanted everything to be perfect and peaceful. He did not want to admit there is still work to be done. I think that is the real reason behind his anger," Melime continued.
"What? I do not understand," Narcalimo spoke up from his spot on the floor.
"Thranduil wants to believe the battle is won and is over. We can live in peace. Everything will be like it was before your mother died and Mirkwood was named. When Legolas announced he was moving to Ithilien, it shattered Thranduil's dream. And it made him angry because he knew the dream was never real to start," Melime answered.
Narcalimo looked puzzled and then said, "So basically, you are saying that grandfather really is not mad at Legolas. He is mad at himself? For trying to ignore the truth?"
"Yes," Melime smiled at him.
"Does not make much sense to me," Narcalimo muttered.
"I understand your reasoning, but I am not sure I agree," Legolas said.
She shrugged, "I may be wrong, but I have known you and your family my entire life. I think I may have a better perspective on Thranduil than you."
"You have numerous times in my arguments with Father," Sorontor agreed.
"Well, all of this is good. When I think about, you are most likely right about why Father is so mad, but how does that help me talk to him?" Legolas asked.
"Right now, it does not. Give Father a some time to calm down. Stay quiet when you see him and stay busy. Visit your friends, go for rides. Father will speak with you eventually."
"Sorontor is right. And during those visits, you can see what friends want to go with you," Melime added.
"Do you think I still should ask other Elves given Father's reaction?"
"Yes," Sorontor and Melime said in unison. They then exchanged smiles. Legolas smiled wanly at their exchange. It was not uncommon for them to finish each other's thoughts or speak simultaneously.
"Well, it is time for this Elf to go to bed. My husband, are you coming?"
"Yes. Narcalimo, you should go also. Let Legolas get some rest."
"Do you not mean sleep?" Narcalimo asked as he stood up.
"I doubt he will sleep tonight," Sorontor said looking at his brother still sitting on the couch.
Melime placed a kiss on Legolas' cheek. "We will see you in the morning. Every thing will work out." He half smiled at her and then looked at Sorontor and Narcalimo standing by the door. "Thank you. All of you. I hope you are right." After they left, Legolas' smile faded. He sat in the chair staring into space throughout the night.
Legolas spent the next month trying not to brood on his father's continued silence. He instead worked on preparing for his departure to Ithilien. A few days after Legolas had told his family, it was common news among the residents of Eryn Lasgalen.
All were shocked initially, but surprisingly most supported Legolas in his decision, even if they did not want to go with him. He was also pleasantly surprised by the number of Elves who expressed an interest in moving. At the end of the month, he received the best news he had since making his announcement as he lunched with two old friends, Lisse and Veryandil. They had married many years ago and had a young daughter, Yulian.
"Legolas, we have decided to go with you," Lisse said.
He stared at her in shock for a moment before looking at Veryandil for confirmation. He nodded. "We love Eryn Lasgalen, but this is a new opportunity for Elves. One that we have not had in an age. We want to be part of it."
Lisse added, "I love the forest here and it saddens me that the one in Ithilien was destroyed. I am not much of a fighter, but at least I can help the forest regrow. I can do that to show my love to Middle Earth."
"But what about Yulian? She is still very young," Legolas asked.
"Aye, she is, but we feel the reward is worth the risk. We do not make this decision lightly, Legolas. We have talked about nothing else since we heard the news," Veryandil said.
"We decided positively last night. That is why we asked you over today," Lisse smiled. "Plus, Ithilien will grow much better when it hears an elfling's laugh."
Legolas smiled back. "Very true. I just worry that she will be lonely. No other elflings and family."
"But she will not be. My sister and her husband with their son and another couple with their elfling are also coming. Both are a few years older than Yulian, but the three are good friends," Veryandil replied.
"Wonderful! I never hoped that any families with elflings would come. That is just wonderful!" Legolas exclaimed.
"When are we leaving?" Lisse asked.
Legolas sighed. He did not want leave until he talked to Thranduil but winter was fading quickly and they needed to travel in early spring. The Elves needed to be in Ithilien at the beginning of the growing season. They could delay no longer than another six weeks. "We will have a meeting in three nights with all who want to go. We will decide an exact date than, but it will be soon."
Veryandil and Lisse smiled. "We will tell everyone that we know who is interested. Where are we going to meet?"
Legolas thought for a bit, "The clearing just to the west of the gates at sunset."
When he left, Legolas felt extremely hopeful about the rebirth of Ithilien. His friends were coming with him!
TBC...