Chapter Twenty Four : A Father's Decision
Gwaithwen's tear-filled eyes studied her King intently from across the room. She had given up holding the delicate wine glass, for her hands trembled uncontrollably and she had placed it on the fireside hearth for its own safety. As she watched Thranduil, an elf she had known since he was a mere elfling, she easily detected the almost imperceptible signs of his distress.
The King normally kept his emotions hidden behind an unreadable mask, an expressionless façade which had served him well, especially during trade negotiations, none had ever succeeded in penetrating it but events pertaining to his family were a different matter entirely.
Family meant everything to him and represented the only chink in his otherwise impervious armour and so now tiny fractures appeared in the mask as it steadily slipped from his face.
Anxious eyes darted about the room while his mind amassed a considerable inventory of possible outcomes, each one darker than the next. The furrows in his brow became more pronounced while his posture stiffened further, until it seemed as if his spine would crack. Slowly, he reached up and removed the delicate mithril circlet from his head, some of the early Spring blooms that had been entwined within it, fell silently to the desk but he paid them no heed, he just rested the mark of his office atop a pile of documents and began to massage his temples.
The nurse maid watched then as he tried to finish up the last remaining tasks on his desk before he would have to leave to prepare for the opening ceremony but it was clear that his mind was not focused on the documents lying in front of him. The long white quill he held between his elegant fingers had been poised above the same piece of parchment for ages, its ink steadily dripping from the fine nib and soaking into the thick paper below, obscuring the existing written words.
And then he did something which broke the nurse maid's heart, he slowly and nervously began to chew on the corner of his lower lip, like she had seen the young Prince do time and time again in highly stressful situations, it was one of the many traits he had inherited from his father. She could hold back her sobs no longer, leaning over she held her head in her hands and cried openly.
Her cries seemed to break the trance which had ensnared the King, blinking rapidly he looked over to where Gwaithwen was sitting, hunched over. Rising from his seat, he pushed back the heavy chair and sighed when he noticed the large black ink blot staining his work, it was ruined but in truth he did not care, he just placed the quill back in its stand and moved to be beside Gwaithwen.
Thranduil knelt down before his son's nurse maid, only the soft rustle of the fine silks he wore announced his presence. Then he tenderly enclosed her trembling hands in his own strong grip and squeezed them in reassurance. Tentatively, she raised her head and looked to her King. Her moist, pleading eyes were filled with guilt. Thranduil did his best to offer her a reassuring smile but knowing him as she did, she easily detected the doubts hidden behind the simple gesture.
"They will be found," he stated, with as much conviction as he could muster.
He needed to convince Gwaithwen that he did not hold her responsible for these turn of events nor did he hold any blame against her.
But she remained silent and tight lipped as she tried to keep her choked back sobs under control.
The King reached into a hidden pocket within his outer robes and pulled out a white linen handkerchief, still smiling he offered it to her.
"Dry your eyes Gwaithwen," he instructed her softly, "neither worry nor cry for they will be found, you know Sindadur as well as I and he will not rest until they are both safely home. He will examine every inch of the caves and if the search there is fruitless, he will scour the forests."
Gwaithwen nodded in agreement as she wiped the tears from her reddened eyes.
"I am so sorry my Lord, I did not mean for this to happen, if anything should happen to the Prince or his friend I……..I shall never forgive myself," she swore vehemently.
"Gwaithwen you are not to blame for the adventurous nature of elflings and certainly not Legolas'," the King's smile broadened, "I believe that Aranalf and I are responsible for that endearing little character trait."
The nursemaid smiled for the first time since entering Thranduil's private study, she appreciated his effort at lightning the mood some what.
Thranduil then stood up to his full imposing height, he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on the elleth's forehead. A simple but touching gesture to once again reassure her that he bore her no ill.
Then he walked over to the amply stocked wine cabinet.
"Would you care for some wine Luinsil ?" he asked his advisor.
"Nay my Lord, I am fine," he answered softly.
Nodding then, the King poured himself a glass, completely filling the delicate goblet with the deep burgundy liquid. Without pausing to appreciate its wonderful aroma, he downed the glass in a single swallow, barely tasting the flavoured mix of fruits and spices. Then he poured himself a second fill and turned to face his desk. Its beautiful polished oak surface was barely visible beneath the host of scrolls and parchment documents.
His frown reappeared as he grimaced at the unwelcome sight before him. He was loath to go back to tending to official duties now, he knew he would not be able to concentrate on them, not when all his thoughts were focused on his son and his equally young companion.
Ignoring the work for the moment, he began to pace back and forth in front of the large desk while he drained the rest of his glass.
Meanwhile Luinsil and Gwaithwen looked on uncomfortably, suddenly feeling like intruders in the private study as they observed their King's increasingly distracted state. Then their troubled glances found each other and a silent agreement was reached. Luinsil would be the one to speak.
"My Lord," the advisor called tentatively and waited until he had his King's attention before continuing, "why don't you join the search party," he suggested, "leave the documents for now, they will still be here on your return."
The advisor sympathised with his King as he watched the troubled elf glance repeatedly at his over loaded desk. He knew it must be sheer torture for him to be stuck here doing mundane paperwork, he no longer had any interest in and that he should be expected to prepare for a festival he no longer felt like celebrating.
But Thranduil was all to aware of his obligations to his people and this knowledge held him back, he knew how important the festival was to the elves of Mirkwood. The Ethuil celebrations represented new life, new growth and new beginnings. Flowers bloomed and crops were planted while Anor hung lazily in the cerulean sky as the days lengthened. Her warm presence lifted the spirits of the elves and helped them battle with the shadow's threat while its dark tendrils reached out and encroached on their territory more and more as the years passed by.
He felt guilty about the prospect of abandoning the celebrations but he also knew where his anxious heart desired to be.
Sensing the King's dilemma, Luinsil added, "My Lord as you said, with Sindadur involved in the search it is mostly likely that they will be found hale within the next couple of hours. If you wish, the opening ceremony need only be postponed until then. Gwaithwen and I shall notify those involved. Your people will understand. You are their King but you are also a father. No one would fault you for your actions."
When there was no immediate reply, Gwaithwen stood up from her chair and moved purposely over to the King. She stood before him and appraised him with a critical yet concerned eye. Lifting her gaze to meet that of Thranduil's, she looked back at him candidly. His expressive eyes revealed much under her close scrutiny, behind them she could see the battle raging within, she saw his doubt, fears and worries and quite surprisingly she saw a desire to be comforted.
In the public eye, the King's stoicism was legendary, he appeared unaffected by everything, only those close to him witnessed the very personal and emotional moments he shared with the young Prince. They were all each other had, each one supported the other in difficult times and consoled one another in times of sadness. It was Thranduil that rushed to his son's bed chamber in the middle of the night when his dreams were invaded by night terrors and it was the Prince that would offer his father a loving hug when he seemed to need it. But now the King's support system was missing a vital link and he felt empty.
So without any thought to proper protocol, Gwaithwen moved closer and wrapped her arms about the King and much to her pleasure, she found her embrace returned as his strong arms wrapped around her and hung on for dear life. She smiled as she felt some of the tension drain from his body allowing his shoulders to relax a little. And so they held on to one another for a few moments in mutual silent support until Thranduil leaned in slightly and whispered into her ear.
"Thank you my friend……………I needed that," he smiled and sighed with relief, now that he had reached his decision.
He would make for the caves without further delay and join the warrior's searching for his son.
"Go," she simply whispered in return, grateful that she was of some help.
Once the embrace was broken, Thranduil looked over to his advisor and thanked him also, immediately after, he left his private study and ran in the direction of the store rooms.
As he rushed through the flame lit corridors of his palace, the King passed by several other elves, they bowed hastily and pressed themselves against the stone walls, allowing him through unobstructed. They were some what surprised to see their normally dignified and composed King in such haste with his fine robes gathered up about him.
Thranduil did not slow his pace until he reached the massive wooden doors that sealed the entrance into the cellars and store rooms beyond.
He heaved on one over-sized iron handle and pulled the heavy door open enough for him to squeeze through.
The tunnels here were less ornate and more functional, several torches were ablaze along the sides of the passageway each one held securely in place by an iron ring. The King noted absently that two of the wall sconces were empty. Large over head beams and pillars, made of sturdy oak offered support to the ceiling above while beneath him, the King's swift feet glided over the long grooves worn into the ancient stone from the supply carts.
He passed by several store rooms, all sealed shut before he entered into a much wider area, at first glance it appeared empty except for the several barrels of wine and butter tubs, until he noticed one of the wooden trap doors was being held open.
"Galion ?" he asked, unsure of who was actually there.
Slowly a pair of grey eyes appeared from one side of the trap door, upon seeing the King they widened in surprise.
The old butler had been looking down into the stream below, straining to see if the portcullis had been securely closed for the evening. He had not heard the King's approach over the rush of the water below. Almost instantly he dropped the trap door and it slammed shut, the noise echoed loudly off the surrounding rocks.
He stood up quickly and fixed his slightly disheveled appearance.
"My…my Lord !" he answered, most embarrassed, while bowing as obediently as he could
Thranduil noted the butlers distracted state, his slightly glazed eyes and flushed complexion. He could put some of it down to being taken by surprise but the King knew that it was most likely due to the fact that his butler had been drinking the dorwinion wine again while he was working. The King clenched his jaw and reined in his temper, now was not the right time to lecture the old elf.
Galion groaned inwardly at the King's expression, he was not having a good day, earlier he had endured an abrupt interrogation from the Captains, Sindadur and Hinheal. They had rushed into his cellar like a pack of charging wargs, Galion had thought for a moment that the palace was under siege. No sooner had they arrived when he was showered with an abundance of quick fire questions about the young Prince and his friend Galadon. Unfortunately he could be of no assistance and this did not seem to help Sindadur's mood at all. Just as quickly then, they split up into two units, with Captain Hinhael taking the tunnel that lead to the north and north-west passage and Captain Sindadur led his party through the entrance of the tunnel leading to the east and south-east passages.
And now here was his King standing before him looking most unpleased.
"Do you know which way Sindadur went Galion ?" the King asked as calmly as possible.
"Aye my Lord," the elder elf replied, nodding happily, "he went that way."
Galion pointed to the entrance that led to the east and south-east passages, relieved now that he was able to help out and he prayed silently that he would be in the King's good graces once again.
"My thanks Galion," Thranduil replied and headed through the tunnel with out further delay, leaving the still startled butler behind.
Soon the warrior King reached the fork in the tunnel, he had no way of knowing which route Sindadur would have taken, most likely they had split up further to cover more ground quickly, but which way had he gone ? So he did the only thing he could think of, he called out his Captain's name and listened as his voice echoed off the stone walls and faded away in the distance. After a mere moment his call was answered in the form of a young palace guard.
The guard bowed respectfully before his King, as he held his flaming torch out a safe distance from his body.
"Captain Sindadur awaits you ahead Highness," he announced while gesturing down the tunnel to the south-east.
"Lead the way Sídhgeredir," Thranduil replied and allowed the younger elf to take him deep into the mountain to where his Captain was located.
It didn't take long for them to finally come upon Sindadur's position, some of the warriors were off checking down minor narrow crawl ways and passages that lead off the main tunnel. The Captain stood beside Nestor, one of the palace healers, both of them bathe in the eerie orange glow of the flickering torch light.
Both Captain and King looked to each other for a moment, sharing a knowing look that explained everything. The King was not here because he doubted his Captain's ability to find his precious son, he was here because he simply needed to be. Smiling with renewed determination, Sindadur advanced forward and gripped Thranduil in a warrior's greeting.
Thranduil smiled in return, feeling much more at ease now that he was actively taking part in the search.
"Come my Lord," the seasoned warrior suggested with a wry smirk, "let us find your wayward son."
Author's note; Another long delay, I know, I'm bad...maybe some reviews will make me write a bit faster not so subtle hint heehee !
Jebb; Hi Hon ! Thanks again for lifting my spirits ! 'Resourceful', well that's one word you could use to describe those little elflings, I can think of a few less flattering ones ! Bad feeling ? now what gave you that idea ? innocent eyes
Shall abandon 'guaranteed formula' just for you !
Opalkitty; Gosh! Don't you be worring about reviewing late ! You've got more important things to be worried about ! Hope you & your family all safe & well & that you'll all be back home asap ! Thanks for keeping in touch & I look forward to hearing from you when ever you can !
Kelsey Estel; Hi there ! Great to have you back ! Yes Thranduil has had to deal with a lot of family tragedy, he's lost his father & in 'my world', his wife Aranalf (while giving birth to Legolas, see chp 4; A Grave Error ) and possibly more ! shifty eyes Thanks for the 'sinister' info , that's kind cool ! I'll be discussing the banner when this considerable 'flash-back' is over, which will be in the next chapter, yes it is from the battle of the Last Alliance. Sorry about the 'caves conclusion' thing, I just had it in my mind that maybe the young Legolas learned all about Dragon's from stories his father told him.