Homecoming
Summary - Legolas returns home after the War of the Ring. How will his father react to Legolas' decision to move to Ithilien?
Disclaimer – I do not own anything and my apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien for using his characters.
Two chapters in one week? Wow!
Chapter 10
The following day, Legolas was on the practice range sparring with three other Elves when Sorontor joined them.
"May I have this fight alone?" he asked the other three. They said yes and backed away to watch.
Legolas stood calmly as Sorontor pushed his blond hair back behind his shoulders and pulled out his knives. His face was drawn tight with anger and the younger Elf briefly wondered what caused it. Then, Sorontor launched his attack. Legolas found himself fighting furiously not to give ground.
The other Elves watched first in amazement and then in horror at the ferocity of the fight. Neither prince was pulling their attack and it seemed that one would be seriously injured or killed.
Finally, Legolas pulled a move he had learned during the Fellowship from Aragorn. He dodged one of his brother's slashes and then head butted Sorontor. The older Elf stopped, thrown off balance and Legolas used that opportunity to knock the swords from his hands.
"Give?" he asked, panting from exertion.
"That was a dirty trick," was the reply.
"There are no dirty tricks when fighting orcs, Sorontor. Only tricks to aid in survival."
"Do I look like an orc?"
"No, but you seemed as angry as one. And those tricks need to practiced." Legolas gave his brother a smirk.
Sorontor wiped the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his tunic. "Give. You will not attack me if I pick up my knives?"
"As long as you sheath them."
"I will. I am too tired to do any more anyways."
The two Elves were quiet as they wiped their blades and sheathed them. Then Legolas put his arm around his brother's shoulder and steered him off the practice field. The gathered Elves parted to let them pass without comment. The display had been so impressive many felt awe at the skill of their princes.
Once they were out of earshot, Legolas turned and looked at his brother. "What had you so angry?" Sorontor looked around and motioned for Legolas to follow him. He did until they reached a stream. Sorontor sat down next to it and drank deeply. He also splashed his face and pushed back his dark blonde hair. Legolas followed his example and then looked at his brother. "Well?" he said.
Sorontor sighed. "Father. He is the reason I am so mad."
"What happened?"
"I spoke with him this morning. I told him Narcalimo was accompanying you and that he really should talk to you." Sorontor paused, the anger growing in his eyes.
"Obviously he did not take the news well," Legolas ventured into the silence.
"No. He said I was making a mistake letting my son go with a strange Elf." Sorontor stopped abruptly. "Oh, Legolas, I did not mean to repeat his words as such. I am sorry."
Legolas stood and turned his back on his brother. He stared in the forest without seeing the birds or trees. For several moments, neither said a thing and then Legolas asked, "What else did he say?"
"That he had no desire to talk to you. And now, he has no desire to talk to Narcalimo."
Legolas turned back and sat down again facing his brother. He shook his head. "Sorontor, what should I do?" He held up a hand to stop his brother and continued, "I have to go. That is not an option. But is there anything I can do to leave on better terms with Thranduil?"
"Talk to him."
"He does not want to talk to me. And you told me earlier to give him time."
"That was then. This is now. It is time to try something different."
"Talk to him. How?"
"Go to his study every day."
"He will not let me in."
"Then stand outside the door and talk."
"Talk to the door?"
"Yes."
"And what should I say to the door?"
"Tell the door and Father, who will be listening, why you have to go."
"Every day?"
"For the first few. If he does not open by then, tell him what your plans are for Ithilien. Tell him how it will help Eryn Lasgalen."
"He will enjoy hearing that," Legolas said wryly.
"He needs to hear why you are going. What you hope to accomplish."
"Fine. I will try. How long should I talk to the door each day?"
"I am not sure. Judge by how you feel." Sorontor paused. "Also, Legolas, let him know that you still love him and forgive him."
Legolas stared at his brother, disbelief etched on his face. "You want me to forgive him while he still will not admit I am his son?"
"Yes."
The Walker shook his head again. "I make no guarantees, Sorontor, but I will try. I do still love him. He is my father. But to forgive him? I am not sure I can do that until he at least has said something to me."
"Legolas, you have to let him know that you will accept his apology, no matter what form it comes in. Father is proud. It is not easy for him to apologize. You have to help him with that."
"Why do I have to be the one doing all the work here? He is the one who is wrong!" Legolas burst out angrily.
"He is wrong, but so are you. In Father's eyes and even still in mine. We do not want to you to go. I have agreed and am supporting you and Narcalimo, but I do not like it. You started this, you must finish it," Sorontor spoke sternly.
"Sorontor, I am sorry. I keep forgetting how hard this is on you also. I will do the work. Thank you for supporting me." His flash of anger was gone and he felt bad for snapping at his brother who was only trying to help.
"You are my brother. I can do no less." Sorontor stood and extended a hand. "Come, let us go in. Now is a good time to start trying to talk to Father."
Legolas let himself be helped up. "No time like the present." The wry tone did not escape Sorontor's notice but he ignored it as they walked towards the house.
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Legolas left his brother once they entered the house. After changing, he walked to his father's study. Outside the door, he took a deep breath and then knocked.
His father's familiar "Enter" did not answer, but Legolas heard footsteps from the room. The door opened slightly and Thranduil looked at his son. Without a word, he started to shut the door. Legolas reached out and blocked it with his hand.
"I would like to speak with you," he said.
"I have nothing to say to you," Thranduil responded. He pushed Legolas' hand off the door and shut it. Legolas gritted his teeth and glared at the door.
"Fine! Do not talk to me! But I have something to say to you! So I will say it out here and every Elf who walks by can hear it also!" He shouted at the door, angrier than he had been in centuries. Legolas took a step back and also took a deep breath. He had to try to remain calm. Once he felt his voice would be steadier, he started again.
"I am sorry you do not want to talk to me, but I would like to talk to you. So I will." He paused and then continued. "I am very sorry you do not want me to move to Ithilien, but I have to. There is such evil still present in Middle Earth. A strong Gondor is necessary for the good of all Middle Earth. And Gondor needs a healthy Ithilien. Once it was a beautiful forest. Only Wood Elves can make it beautiful again."
Legolas stopped, debated inwardly, and then continued. For a while, he spoke about the benefits of a strong Gondor and Ithilien and why he had to go.
He stopped again and said the hardest thing he had that day. "Father, I love you and hope to speak with you before I leave." Legolas placed a hand on the closed door as he spoke and then waited. When there was no response, he slumped his shoulders and walked away.
For the next week, Legolas continued to visit his father. He changed the time occasionally, but Thranduil refused to speak to him or after a few days, even open the door. However, Legolas knew the king heard him speak. Whether or not Thranduil truly listened was a different story. Legolas ended each visit by telling his father he loved him and wished to speak with him. It became harder every day.
To relieve his tension, he worked harder on the practice field and on preparations for departure. He drove himself ruthlessly and felt better for it. Things were coming together very well.
One day as he left the cave that housed the royal family and many others and headed to the practice field, he heard "Lord Legolas!" called by two young voices. He stopped and waited for the two boy elflings who were moving to Ithilien. When they reached him, they both saluted him with an arm across their chest. Legolas returned the salute and greeted them. "What did you want to speak to me about?" he asked.
"Lord Legolas, we know that we are young, but we wish to start learning the bow before we leave for Ithilien," Ondollo, the elder said.
"And our parents said you have to give permission before we can start," Alassello added.
The Walker looked at them, surprised. "You want to learn archery? Why?"
"On my last birthday, my parents told me I could start learning on my next. I will be 15 then. But that will be after reach Ithilien. I want to be more than just," Ondollo paused as he searched for the right word, "baggage on the trip. I know it will be years before I will be an excellent archer, but at least I can keep practicing and maybe help a little."
Legolas pondered silently. Alassello shifted and then began to speak. "Lord Legolas, that is not the only reason. I realize I am nearly two years from 15, but I also want to learn. When the spider took Yulian, it made me realize how unprotected I was and how helpless. You saved her and we," he glanced at Ondollo, "could not do anything to help. I do not want to feel that way again."
The prince looked at both intently. At first, they stood patiently but then began to fidget. Finally, Legolas spoke. "I will start to teach you, today if we can find bows," he held up a hand to their thanks. "But they are rules you must follow. First, you must learn when to fight and why," Legolas grinned privately to himself. He remembered Elrond's sons explaining similar rules to a young Estel when he first was taught the sword. "You must agree to practice everyday. If I, or your parents, decide you are not ready and you should wait, you will with no arguments. And most importantly, you cannot wear the bow while traveling."
The elflings exchanged glances and then nodded uncertainly. "Lord Legolas, if I may ask one question." Ondollo paused as Legolas said, "Yes?"
"Why can we not wear the bows while traveling?"
"Very simply – it makes you a target." The elflings looked puzzled so Legolas continued. "Valar willing, we will not have to fight on the road, but I do not think that will be the case. If you have a bow, the orcs or Men will aim for you. If you do not, there is a better chance of your escape."
Alassello swallowed and then spoke, "Escape? Why would we need to escape?"
"If we are overrun and lose the battle, you will need to fly for your lives."
Both elflings blanched. "That would not happen, would it?" Alassello's voice was not completely steady.
"There is always a chance. The road to Gondor is dangerous. Best to be prepared." Legolas spoke firmly. He did not like scaring these two, but felt it would help make them more obedient during the trip. And after having watched them and talking to their parents, he knew they had a problem with obedience. As did many elflings their age.
"We will agree not to wear the bows while we travel. But can we put them on our horses?" Ondollo asked.
Legolas smiled slightly. Ondollo reminded him of the bargaining he used to do as an elfling with his father. But thoughts of his father stopped the smile. "We will see. Come, let us head to the archery range and find bows for you."
Both elflings smiled and said, "Oh, thank you Lord Legolas. Thank you, thank you!" They did not even hear his "You are welcome," as they sped ahead of him to the archery range.
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Legolas' days were even fuller for the next two weeks. In addition to finalizing preparations, he spent time each day talking to his father's door, practicing on the sword field, and teaching the two boys. He would let another Elf take over their training once they left, but for now it helped keep him occupied. He spent most of his evenings alone. Often Melime invited him to join them for dinner and the evening. The few times he did, he realized that they needed time with their son before they left. So he would leave early. It became easier to just refuse the invitation altogether.
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The night of the planned meeting for the Ithilien Elves arrived. They met at the same clearing as before. All were excited now that the day of departure was getting close. The business was taken care of quickly and all agreed to bring their extra items to the stables starting the next morning. Legolas wanted to pack all the extra gear before hand.
No new questions arose and the meeting concluded quickly. This time the elflings had stayed closer to the circle this time, not wanting a repeat of the time before.
Legolas dismissed the meeting with a reminder that they would meet again three nights before departure.
TBC…
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A/N: Reviews are greatly appreciated. They help encourage the writer to continue! The squirrel in my head has a tendency to fall off its wheel without feeding from reviews :-)