Meeting her son for the first time had been the best moment of her life. Cradled so carefully in her arms, she had fallen in love with him the second he was placed there.
But then she had to leave him in a forest alone, left him to burn with the underbrush and left for the hall before she could tell anyone where he was.
She had begged Mandos to tell her if he died or not, and if so when. She needed to know if what she had done would cost both of them their lives, but he would not say.
It was Yavana who came and told her that Thranduil had found their son, and they were together and safe.
Meeting her son for the second time would be the scariest thing she ever did.
She didn't know how she could even begin to make up for what she had missed, because he had grown into not only a wonderful person but to be a legend.
She had heard stories from Greenwood warriors about his heroic feats and it was incredibly hard to not notice their love and loyalty. It felt sometimes like she was learning about someone from the first age, somebody who died long before she was born and was living out the worst of days the best they could.
But it was her who had died.
Legolas was one of the nine who walked to destroy the ring. One of five hundred who stood before the black gates trying to give the ring bearer the time he needed. And seeing him now she could believe it. She struggled to hold back her tears the very moment she laid eyes on him, just like the first time. Except for this time Thranduil was not there to laugh at her, wipe her tears, kiss her head and say something to make her laugh.
No, this time she was alone to look upon him.
Her son, her beautiful son. He looked much more like Thranduil than she had expected him to, and it guilted her to admit she had hoped he wouldn't so waiting for him would not be as lonely.
Legolas hadn't seen her yet, and for right now she was happy with that. He was talking enthusiastically with Lady Celebrian and her twin sons about something, she could not even begin to guess what they might be talking about.
She knew nothing about him, her own son. She knew nothing other than what had been told to her by stories from the dead.
"It is good to see you again, Mereneth." The long lost queen jumped slightly, having been startled by the sudden voice and whipped her head to the side to see an apologetic Lord Elrond, "Apologies, I didn't intend to startle you."
Pressing one hand to her thudding heart and resting the other lightly on his arm she managed a smile, "No, please its alright, I'm still just a tad jumpy it would seem, being back is different than I thought it would be."
Elrond gave a small laugh, "Glorfindel said the very similar thing." He looked over to where Legolas was still enjoying his conversation, "Why have you not yet gone to talk to him?"
"Meet him." She corrected.
"Pardon?"
"When I go over there it is to meet him. The Legolas and son I knew was a carefree elfling who had dragged me out to the forest find his father the best flowers for his spring crown. I know nothing about this Legolas, how am I even supposed to start?"
He seemed to contemplate something for a few moments, his head tilted slightly to the side while he regarded her. "His favorite color is yellow, he won't drink any medical teas without a jug of honey in it, he has been known to squirt liquid out of his nose with laughter, he whistles to birds when he sees them to say hello, his favorite person is his father. I think you will find he is still very much the elfling you saved those years ago."
She looked at him again, at the easy smile that sometimes seemed the natural way for his mouth to sit, he still fidgeted - even from here she could see the way he played with a ring on his finger - and she still loved him just as much as she had the first time she looked down at him.
As if sensing the change within her Elrond began guiding her through the small crowd over to Legolas. Having spotted the serious expression on his husband's face and the way Mereneth stared at Legolas, Celebrians motherly hackles immediately roared to life and the queen made a mental note to thank her later.
Legolas, however, had gone statue still.
The queen came to stand before the group, "I apologize for the intrusion but I'm-"
"I know who you are."
Legolas looked like he might faint, or throw up, or cry. Perhaps all three.
Mereneth was fairly sure she looked about the same. She had not dared to hope that he would recognize her after all this time.
Her son. Her little Greenleaf.
He seemed to decide on tears and managed to choke out, "Nana," before he was right there in front of her, and she was allowed to hold him.
Mereneth knew she was crying and probably crushing him in their hug, but she also knew she didn't care, "You've gotten so big."
Legolas managed a laugh, that same soulfully cheerful laugh he had the day she left him, "Ada says that if I had grown two more inches he would have to cut me off at the ankles so I wouldn't be taller than him."
Now she was really crying, but also laughing, "That sounds like your father."
Oh, how she missed him, how she had missed her son. At least soon she would have endless days with them once more very soon. And until Thranduil got there, at least she had ample time to learn everything about Legolas that she could.
She didn't remember what she had been so scared about in the first place.
….
I feel like you all need to know the reason they were all gathered together was to celebrate Aragorns birthday, I was gonna fit that in but then didn't have room.
One more left!
Would love to hear from you!
