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CHAPTER 6: THE JOYS OF FATHERHOOD
The year continued to pass very slowly for the Royal Family of Mirkwood. Time, which was never usually more than a trifling concern for the Elves, weighed heavily on their hearts and the sons of Thranduil began to fear even more gravely for the safety of their little brother.
Through the men of Laketown, they learned that Boromir, heir to the steward of Gondor, perished as he defended the members of the Fellowship. Hearing of the death of such a doughty and courageous young man came as another draft to make the flame of hope flicker. It only served to highlight the peril that Legolas was in.
They each reacted to their anxiety in their own separate ways. Thranduil worried over the five elder boys even more than ever; fussing, as Daeron jokingly put it, like 'a mother hen'. Adrahil spent more and more time on patrol, scouring desperately for any news regarding his youngest brother. Daeron tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to keep everyone cheerful with his ridiculous sense of humour and followed Aranwë about as often as he could – determined to keep his headstrong brother out of trouble.
Saeros, who was – according to the teasing Daeron – an 'Ada's boy', tried as much as he could to console Thranduil's worry and help his father with much of the political and legal paperwork that kept turning up. When he wasn't helping his father, he was on the practise fields with Haldir and Valien – at the request of Celeborn, Haldir had remained in Mirkwood. Between Valien's good-natured teasing and Haldir's friendly companionship, Saeros's heart was somewhat lightened.
The mild-mannered Lindon shut himself away in the library and spent all his time reading. Adrahil tried his hardest to pull his quiet younger brother away from his solitude, but the only time Lindon left home was when he was on patrol. He was so worried about Legolas that he simply had to distract his mind.
And as for poor Aranwë, he continued to brood. Though Daeron, who he was generally closest to, teased him and fought to make him laugh, he found himself no happier than before – his mind dwelling on the promise he had made to his brother three centuries ago. He quarrelled and, on two occasions, fought with some of the guards; for which Thranduil had no choice but to punish him. All in all, the Royal Wing in the Mirkwood Palace was not a merry place, and would not be until Legolas returned once more.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Well; Ada, Master Iolwin, you've certainly proved your point!" grinned Saeros ruefully, as he and Haldir looked over the archery targets. The Elvenking and his Arms Master had well and truly thrashed the youngsters in the shooting contest they had challenged them to. "Experience is a far greater asset than youth!"
"See that you never forget that, elfling!" laughed Master Iolwin good-naturedly. "Challenging your brothers to a match is one thing. Taking on your Ada and your Arms Master is another altogether, even if you do have a March Warden as your partner."
"And my March Warden is a good shot is he not, mellon-nin?" called a silvery, warm voice from behind them. Startled that some one was able to approach without their notice, Thranduil and Iolwin swung round too see Haldir smiling brilliantly at a tall, blond elf.
"Ada!" he cried delightedly, throwing his arms around the intruder, as the older elf hugged him close. Then he remembered exactly who was watching this exchange and stepped back, going fiery red.
"Mae govannen, Celeborn." grinned Thranduil, inclining his head, before crossing to clasp arms with the Lord of Lorien. "You are welcome here."
"I am glad to see that this young rogue is not wreaking havoc on your home!" laughed Celeborn, grinning at his blushing foster-son. "I am well aware of the trouble he causes when not under my stern eye!"
"You talk as if I were an unruly elfling!" cried Haldir indignantly.
"To me you are." smiled Celeborn. "One I am still capable of putting over my knee."
"Ada!" Haldir turned an even deeper shade of scarlet.
"Worry not, Haldir, he is only teasing you." said Thranduil, amused. "You and Saeros can continue to work on your aim for the time being, since you are no match for a couple of old soldiers like us. I have things to discuss with your Adar in private."
The youngsters obediently made their way back down the archery ground to fetch their arrows and Iolwin excused himself politely. Celeborn turned to Thranduil with a content expression.
"Thank you for allowing him to stay." he told his younger cousin. "Convincing him to carry that missive was the only way I could keep him from going to Helm's Deep."
"Helm's Deep?" repeated Thranduil. The name meant something, but he was not sure what.
"Rohan." explained Celeborn. "Théoden summoned as much help as he could to repel the forces of Saruman and a small force of elves rallied to their cry. Galadriel foresaw an evil end for him if he should journey there, but Haldir was determined he was going. I threatened him with all sorts if he disobeyed me, but he still wanted to go. Persuading him to take the message was the only solution. I knew he hadn't seen Saeros in a while, so I sent him off as soon as I could, which left me with only Orophin to handle as Rumil rarely sets a foot out of line. Valar protect me from headstrong elflings!"
"Think yourself lucky, Celeborn!" laughed Thranduil. "You only had to raise two unruly elflings. I had to raise six – well, in all fairness, four as Lindon is too quiet and Saeros too thoughtful to cause trouble. However, I maintain that having Daeron counts as enough trouble for three!"
"I'm just glad that he and my grandsons do not live too close to each other!" said Celeborn fervently. "I think that the efforts of those three hooligans combined would be the one thing successful in making elves age!"
"I think poor Cirdan is still recovering from the last time they were together!" Thranduil smiled ruefully, remembering the gathering at Imladris, where Elrond's twin terrors and Daeron had set new records for mischief and pranks.
"And yet we wouldn't have them any other way!" said Celeborn softly, a smile playing about his lips. Thranduil mirrored his expression.
"Certainly not!" he replied.
"I thank you again, for helping keep Haldir away from Helm's deep." said Celeborn sincerely. "He has reached his majority, but he just can't accept that I worry about him, or fret for his welfare. His is not mine by blood, but I couldn't love him more!"
"Ah, the joys of fatherhood." sighed Thranduil. "I know how you feel. Legolas's absence weighs heavily on my mind. I would give anything just to have my youngest home safe and sound. Will you tell me how he was when he passed through Lorien? I am eager to hear any reports you have on the orc activity too."
"Of course." said Celeborn. "We have much to catch up on."
"We certainly do." agreed Thranduil, slinging his bow onto his shoulder. "Come; let us retire to my study."
"An excellent suggestion." said Celeborn. "Lead the way."
Next chapter - Legolas comes home!
