Chapter Fifteen ; Preparations
Author's note; sorry about the delay folks, for some reason I kept getting http: server error 503 when I logged on to Ah modern technology - don't ya just love it !
This chapter is a bit of fluff really.
In the next chapter, father and son go head to head - so to speak !
It had pushed his skills of persuasion to the limit but Legolas finally convinced Gimli to return to his room, take his rest and get settled in, the promise of more almond cakes had finally clenched the deal.
If both friends were to be totally truthful to each other they were equally looking forward to relaxing in a warm bath. The cold streams had not bothered them while they travelled together but there's a lot to be said for a hot tub and some soap.
The Prince walked his friend to his chamber and opened the door for him once more. It swung open smoothly and silently, yet the dwarf made no move to enter, instead he looked up at his friend with serious concern.
"You intend to speak with your father I gather", he stated more than asked.
The elf nodded silently in admission.
Gimli released a staggered sigh and allowed his broad shoulders to sag imperceptibly as if he too felt the pressure Legolas must be under.
"Legolas I have no desire to come between you and you father……..I know now that he is all the family you have …..and I would not be the cause of you two arguing…….family is too important my friend."
The dwarf expressed his sentiments so softly that Legolas was surprised his friend's gruff voice was capable of such tenderness.
Legolas looked meaningfully into the swirling depths of the dwarf's dark eyes and saw honest compassion there.
A slight smile escaped his lips.
"Yes Gimli, family is important but so is friendship elvellon. Do not worry, all will be well, I shall speak with him once I have made myself more presentable," the Prince glanced down at his less than spotless travelling tunic, "besides, he didn't exactly warm to the notion of my friendship with Aragorn straight away either" he added lightly.
The dwarf knew that the elf was only trying to make him feel better about the situation yet some how he felt that Legolas was holding something back and he could not guess exactly as to what it could be. He suspected that whatever this secret was, might help to explain the King's reactions and biting comments and Gimli had a bad feeling that should this mystery be revealed that it would not be to his liking.
But he knew that his friend was under enough strain at the moment and he would not query him it about it now nor would he have him worrying about him, so he decided to take his friend's advice and bathe, then relax for a while.
The Prince could see that his burly friend had come to some sort of a decision, he only hoped that it did not involve leaving Eryn Lasgalen.
Gimli crossed the threshold into his room.
"Fine Master Elf, I shall try to wash the smell of the forest out of my beard and then I shall take some rest while you call on your father," he began to close the door but stopped suddenly and poked a warning finger at the Prince, "don't forget the almond cakes !"
As the heavy wooden door closed before him, the young elf allowed a barely audible sigh of relief to escape, then he walked to his own room next door.
Once inside he took in the familiar surroundings. Nothing had changed while he was away, everything was still exactly where he had left it the morning he had set out for Rivendell. His room looked much like Gimli's only it contained many more personal items.
His old art easel and paint box stood abandoned in the corner, covered with a fine dust sheet. A small stack of books rested by his bed, he had yet to finish any of them, whenever he had found time to read, he was always abruptly called away to perform some duty or other and he thought it highly unlikely that he would be able to pay the books any attention now, especially with Gimli around.
As he placed his current bow and quiver on a large oak press he looked up to see his very first bow hanging as always on the wall between two of his paintings. Carefully he took it down and ran his long, graceful fingers over the plain, unadorned dark wood.
It felt so small and light in his hands.
But then it was a child's bow.
He had fired his very first arrow with this little bow and became hooked straight away, he had practiced for more hours than could be counted down at the archery fields until he could hit the centre of every target.
He remembered the bruises that adorned his left arm when he didn't grip this little bow properly. Somehow the string always managed to catch his arm just above his arm guard. Sindadur had told him unsympathetically that the pain would be a useful reminder to hold his arm properly.
Regardless of the many trials and errors he had with it, it had all been an enjoyable experience, back then archery had been fun. Then he looked at his gift, the ornately carved bow of the Galadhrim and his heart felt saddened, knowing that he had only ever used this beautiful object as an instrument of death. As he replaced the little bow on the wall he promised himself some time on the practice fields, it would be nice to remember what it felt like when his archery skills were not just used for slaying.
He carried his pack over to his bed and began to empty out its contents. Everything would need to be washed and one of his tunics was in definite need of repair, Gwaithwen would probably unleash her wooden spoon if she found out and he wondered idly if he could smuggle the item to the tailor without her knowledge.
As he emptied the pack the bed became littered with various items; soap, healing herbs, rope, a whet-stone, spare bow strings, a comb, spare leather straps and fletches. Finally he removed the last item, it was well wrapped in cloth which he carefully removed, revealing a delicate mithril circlet.
No doubt he would be required to wear it later. He did not really enjoy wearing this symbol of his nobility but was glad it had come to no harm. It was placed on another press beside a small painting of his father.
He stared at the picture for a few moments, then decided it was time to get cleaned up and face him, putting off the inevitable would only make things harder.
So he entered the bathing chamber and began to fill his tub with gloriously hot water while he removed his travelling clothes.
He added a generous amount of lavender oil and then slipped into the bath, allowing the hot water and soothing smell to ease his tensions while he un-braided his hair.
He felt much better and a whole lot cleaner after his thorough soak. The time alone had allowed him to sort out a few things in his head. He only hoped that things would go as well as he had rehearsed them in his mind.
He dried himself off and removed a dark brown silk shirt and beige leggings from his wardrobe. Once dressed he began to put on a fresh pair of brown leather boots. As he was sitting on the edge of his bed, pulling on his second boot, a soft knock rapped on his door.
"Come in," he replied.
The door swung open partially and a familiar voice asked him,
"Are you decent ?"
"Yes, fear not Lady Gwaithwen, your honour shall not be offended" he answered as he hurriedly shoved the damaged tunic back into his pack.
Gwaithwen's head appeared around the door.
"Young scamp !" she lightly scolded, "well I see you are almost ready."
Then she entered the room carrying a small tray of almond cakes.
"Ai Gwaithwen you must have read my mind, I promised Gimli I would bring him more of your delicious cakes, he seems to have taken quite a liking to them" the young Prince laughingly declared.
"And why wouldn't he ?" she countered, "he is obviously a dwarf of considerable taste !"
"I have heard Gimli accused of many things, but taste was never one of them" he teased, narrowly missing her swiping hand as it tried to cuff his ear, "peace Gwaithwen ! Do not have me call upon my father with glowing ears !", he pleaded.
"Very well, just this once," she warned gently as she placed the tray on a nearby press, "now come, sit by the window and I shall try to put some order on the hair of yours" she instructed the young elf, as she reached over to the bed and retrieved his comb and a small discarded towel.
Legolas lifted a small fire side stool over to the nearest window and sat down compliantly while Gwaithwen dried off the ends of his hair and then began to comb out any tangles. She worked swiftly and methodically as she braided his long silken hair into his favoured warrior style.
"There, you are ready" she told him with a gentle pat on the shoulder.
Legolas stood up in front of her and smoothed out his shirt.
"Well, do I pass inspection ?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes my Lord, you look every bit the Prince you were born to be" she proudly announced, as she felt emotional tears threaten to show themselves.
Turning quickly away she wiped her eyes and retrieved the tray of tiny cakes.
"Well, what are we to do with these little morsels ?" she enquired mischievously.
"I had better give them to the dwarf or I shall not be let forget it any time soon", he told her.
So they both left his room and Legolas closed the door gently behind him. When they were outside in the corridor their ears were assaulted by a strange sound.
The Prince recognised it at once for what it was and could not help but smile.
"For the love of the Valar ! what is that noise ?" Gwaithwen demanded, totally bemused.
"That my Lady is the sound of a dwarf sleeping", he happily informed her.
"It sounds like he's wresting with a pack of wargs!", she exclaimed incredulously.
Legolas did his best to stifle his giggles as he slowly opened the dwarf's door and crept inside. The sound was, if possible even louder and Gwaithwen's delicate eyebrows rose in amazement. The Prince left the little cakes resting on a small wooden locker beside the dwarf's bed and then soundlessly sneaked back out of the room, closing the door behind him. He was relieved that his friend had been able to find peaceful rest after their weary travels.
As they walked down the corridor Gwaithwen turned to her Prince.
"How did you ever manage to stay hidden from the enemy with that racket ?", she asked in wonder.
"Oh we never let it get that bad on the journey to Mordor, except while staying within the protected borders of Lothlórien. Usually someone would just give him a shove and it would cease", he informed her playfully.
"Amazing", she replied while shaking her head, still in apparent disbelief, "Well my dear I must return to my work and ensure all is underway for tonight's feast."
She placed her two soft hands either side of the Prince's face and gently pulled his forehead to her lips, kissing him tenderly.
"Go now, make your peace and be strong", she advised him lovingly, then she turned and walked quietly away.
And so he made his way to Luinsil's office, where he found the elder elf busily arranging the King's future appointments.
"My Lord", the startled elf exclaimed as he stood abruptly, "I was not expecting you, how may I be of service", he asked somewhat flustered.
"All is well Luinsil, please sit down, I merely wish to know the King's where abouts", the Prince told the advisor.
"Ah….yes….of course, the King…..the King is in his private study my Lord……..though he did express a desire to be left alone", Luinsil hesitantly informed his Prince.
"You have my thanks Luinsil…..I shall take that under advisement", then he smiled briefly and allowed the old elf to return to his unenviable duties, while he headed straight for his father's study.
Review Responses ;
messenger of the Elvenking ; Oh yes Gwaithwen is one tough Lady and will take no nonsence from our poor Prince ! I'm gald you like her and that you enjoyed my little attempt at humour ! Sindadur and Fimindor do sound like they have a lot in common !
daw the minstrel ; Thanks again for your review ! I find it hard to write convincing humour sometimes so i'm really glad it made you laugh !
sylvie ; You're Welcome ! Welcome! Welcome ! And thanks again for another winderful review ! So happy you're still enjoying this story – but be warned, it won't always be sweet and fluffy ! OHHH ! Dark things planned ahead – evil snigger ! Yep, Gwaithwen can be a bit of a weapon but she does have a heart of gold, glad you like her ! Hope your Birthday went well !
Alatariel Narmolanya ; Thanks ! (big grin!) I was hoping people would like her as she is very important to Legolas. Yep ! That Gimli certainly knows how and when to turn on the charm, smooth taking devil that he is ! Hee! Hee!