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Here's the next chapter!

Part V

Moonlight dappled the grass. The silence of the night was broken by the sounds of laughter and singing. There was the occasional rush of air, which none but an Elf would have sensed, as an owl swooped. Legolas, Eredhion and Voronwë on either side of him, sat on a rock overhanging the river. All three young Elves had their feet dangling in the water as they sipped the honeyed wine Legolas had coaxed out of Galion.

Legolas was close enough to his childhood that he felt the exhilaration of being outdoors at night without worrying about being reported to his parents. Only a few years ago he would have been huddled in a cloak, lest his hair alert the guards to his presence. Now he could laugh with his friends, and wave merrily at the guards who passed them while on their rounds, which had increased in frequency due to the presence of the Men.

Fortunately, Legolas had kept his hand steady during Bregolien's night drills, so he would not be subjected to training at dawn. In fact, he would have, for the most part, his normal training schedule the next morning, although he would have to miss the afternoon's lessons. Lord Armad and some of his companions intend go riding in the forest and Lord Norgalad had insisted that Legolas should escort them.

"Feredir told me it will be worse when we have regular archery lessons with Master Bainion," Eredhion said, enlarging on the theme he had begun when Bregolien had begrudgingly released them. Eredhion was not truly drunk, but he was more cheerful than usual. "Lord Bainion might not remember our names, but he will certainly remember all our flaws."

"Master Bainion is never unpleasant," Legolas protested.

"He is very kind," said Eredhion. "Especially to you, since you do him such credit. But he is never satisfied… or so Feredir says."

"Feredir is not much of an archer," Voronwë said. Legolas cast him a warning glance, but he only shrugged. "I am not being unkind, Legolas, only truthful. There is nobody to hear us. I am fond of Feredir, but he will never make a warrior. Master Bainion will be satisfied with you… If he is not, then he will never be satisfied with anyone. That would be tragic. But it is not something that need worry me. I doubt I will ever progress to Master Bainion."

"You will," Eredhion said. "As did Feredir. Everyone does, sooner or later." He looked up as a cloud drifted across the moon. "There is rain on the air. We may not have training tomorrow."

"If you think we will be let off training for something as simple as rain," Legolas said, "you truly have had too much wine."

"Perhaps if there is a thunderstorm," Voronwë suggested.

Legolas laughed. "I doubt there will be a thunderstorm. But I almost hope there is. The forest needs one… and I could do with a free day." He drained his cup and got to his feet, picking up his shoes. "Unlikely as that is, we should go to bed. I do not want to give Bregolien another reason to have me in for dawn drills."

They parted, Eredhion and Voronwë to go to their parents' cottages in the forest, Legolas to return to his room.

He was not the only one still awake. He nodded at several other Elves as he passed them, and carefully skirted a group carousing in a small clearing. He had no wish to be drawn in. It would be difficult to make his escape without rudeness.

As he neared the Queen's garden, he saw Saeldur and Arahael, evidently also returning from an evening of merriment – and, judging by their flushed cheeks and Saeldur's unsteady gait, more wine than Legolas would venture to drink with training the next day.

"Legolas!" Saeldur sounded genuinely pleased to see him. Legolas was only a little startled by that. "You were not at the singing."

"I was busy," Legolas said lightly. "I will be there next week."

"No." Saeldur lurched away from Arahael and slung an arm around Legolas' shoulders. "You will not. Bregolien is taking us all into the forest once the Men have left to improve our survival skills in the wilderness. I heard him telling Master Bainion. Are you going back? We will walk with you."

"Are you quite certain you can manage?" Legolas asked, amused.

"I told you that you should have stopped after the second cup," Arahael told Saeldur. "I am surprised you did not feel the need to drink more, Legolas."

"Oh?" Legolas said. He had long known not to bandy words with Arahael, who had inherited his father's distaste for Silvan Elves and, consequently, Legolas.

"After spending all day with the Men." Arahael's nose wrinkled in distaste. "I know some of us look at these things differently, but I would have hoped even you would…"

If Saeldur had not been leaning so heavily on him for support, Legolas would have found an excuse to leave. But he knew better than to let Arahael provoke him, so he only made a noncommittal noise and walked on. They would reach their destination soon.

"Is it true that the Lord of Dale and his brother have different mothers? And both still living?"

"You are well-informed, Arahael," Legolas said coolly. "But I do not think it is appropriate to discuss the private affairs of the King's guests."

"I honour your circumspection," Arahael said, smiling. "I doubt they are being as scrupulous. Indeed, I heard – it is only rumour, and I would certainly not vouch for its truth – that one of them – the brother of the Lord of Dale, I was told – is being far less… discreet. About members of the King's own family, shocking though that is. I do hope that my informant was mistaken."

Never had the walk from the river to his mother's garden seemed so long to Legolas.

"I heard," Arahael went on, not at all discouraged by Legolas' lack of response, "that Lord Armad's brother expressed some doubts… of a similar nature… about you."

Legolas thought back to who had been in earshot during his conversation with Brynn. Lady Celephindeth and Candnaur – but surely neither of them would have been indiscreet – Lord Norgalad had been somewhere nearby… but unpleasant though he was, Lord Norgalad did not gossip –

"How fortunate that you look enough like your father to dispel even a Man's doubts. An Elf, of course, knows that the very idea is unthinkable."

With relief, Legolas saw the stone arch that marked the entrance to the Queen's garden.

"I expect you want to find your own beds," he said, not caring how discourteous he sounded, shifting Saeldur's weight to Arahael. "Good night."

He hurried away, not waiting to listen to anything Arahael might say. Once he was safely indoors and at the bottom of the stairs, he paused. He was neither blind nor stupid. He had noticed Saeldur making an effort to be friendly ever since Rochendilwen and Bregolien had decided to combine the first and second classes for night drills. He had not thought much of it. He and Saeldur had been friends once. There was no reason they should not be again.

But if Arahael had something to do with it…

Legolas put it from his mind and went up to bed.

Lord Arbellason sat at his desk, shuffling through the patrol rosters.

He was grateful, he always would be, that his work had, so far, proved far lighter than his predecessor's. He had been appointed Commander of the Army after Oropher's brother had fallen on the Dagorlad – as most of those who were now in senior positions had been; Master Bainion was the sole survivor of Oropher's War Council, and that was because he had been ordered to stay back and defend Eryn Galen if the worst came to pass.

Despite the losses the Woodland Realm had suffered, Arbellason knew the worst had not happened. Sadly diminished they might be, but they still had a home. The Third Age had brought its share of joys.

Someone knocked.

Arbellason put the papers down.

"Come," he called.

Norgalad entered the room, and sat, uninvited, opposite Arbellason at his desk.

"The Men want contests," he said, without preamble.

"Good morning, Norgalad," Arbellason said, unperturbed. He was accustomed to Norgalad's brusqueness. "Please have a seat. The Men can join in the games on any evening. It is nothing to do with me."

"I do not want them joining in the games, if by that you mean the public games. There is too much… merriment."

Arbellason raised his eyebrows. He knew what Norgalad meant, but he did not like him enough to make matters any easier for him.

"Do you not wantthe Men to enjoy themselves? I thought that was your purpose."

"I do want them to enjoy themselves. What I do not want is that they should be subjected to Wood-elven ideas of humour, which, as you know, can be unorthodox."

"The Men of Dale have always joined in the games… with Sindarin and Silvan Elves alike. It has never caused trouble."

"That may be. The particular situation of Lord Armad's brother Brynn is… unprecedented, in the experience of many here. Somehow the facts have become common knowledge."

"I am aware of their situation, but I fail to see what that has to do with archery contests."

"Brynn's skill with the bow is allthat he has left of what was once a noble position in his father's court. I would not take it from him… or have him endure the remarks of the impertinent. He has very little sense of humour. I cannot blame him for that."

Reflecting that it would be difficult for Brynn to have less sense of humour than Norgalad, Arbellason said, "Then perhaps Lord Armad would have done better to leave him at home."

"That is not in our control. He is here now."

"You have still not explained what you want from me."

"I thought the training fields might be a better place for the Men to engage in archery contests with Elves than the public green. Master Bainion can ensure that there are no bystanders."

Arbellason laughed. "You do not want to humiliate Lord Armad's brother, and so instead of allowing him to compete against half-drunken revellers you would pit him against the realm's finest archers?"

"Certainly not. I was thinking of the students of the first archery class."

"Were you? They are novices compared to Thorontur's archers, but they will still outshoot any Man."

"Brynn does not expect to win. I only want to keep him from losing face."

"Norgalad," Arbellason said, "do me the favour of not treating me like a fool, and tell me what exactly it is that you want. Do not pretend you are unaware that Legolas is in the first archery class."

"I do not intend to pretend anything of the kind. Surely everyone in the realm is anxiously following the progress of the King's son."

"So you want the Men to try themselves against Legolas?"

"He happens to be one of the archery students –"

"If you are, as you say, anxiously following Legolas' progress, then you know as well as I do that he shows fair promise to be the finest archer that Eryn Galen – and, indeed, all of Middle-earth – produces in this Age. I cannot imagine that you think Lord Armad's brother would do well in comparison."

"I know that. Legolas will outshoot any Mannish opponent, and for that matter most Elves."

"If you are trying to make trouble for Legolas –"

"Really, Arbellason," Norgalad said severely. "What could I hope to gain by that? It appears to me that Brynn has little respect for someone whom he sees simply as a member of the King's court, who gained his position by virtue of his birth. I know that he has respect for warriors and anyone who fancies archery must end with respect for Legolas."

"Very well. I will inform Master Bainion. But remember, Norgalad, that if you make trouble for Legolas, the King will have something to say about it."

"I cannot tell you how grateful I am," the Elven-queen said. "Although you pretend otherwise to allay my guilt, I know free mornings are rare for you."

Ellaurë smiled. "It is no sacrifice to spend this one in the forest, I promise you."

"If that were the extent of it… but it must be some sacrifice to spend your free time helping me amuse our visitors."

"From all I have heard, Lord Armad's sister is a sensible woman. I expect I will enjoy making her acquaintance."

"Lord Armad's sister is delightful. It is her cousin whom I am uncertain of being able to entertain. She is very young. Only sixteen. I believe this is the first time she has left Dale. So far she has shown no enthusiasm for anything but dancing – and that only when Legolas asked her."

That made Ellaurë laugh outright. "Norgalad must be agonizing over it. Is Legolas' ability to make a friend of anyone strong enough to outweigh the natural distaste a man will feel for a stranger who turns his young cousin's head? But I hear Lord Armad made no objection to Legolas' dancing with his own sister."

"Lady Aesa is young, by our reckoning, but she knows something of life. She has three children of her own, though they are not yet old enough to undertake the journey. Her husband died of an illness a few years ago, shortly after the birth of her youngest child."

Ellaurë's face grew grave. "So recently. I admire her spirit that she can be so merry."

"A few years… that is not a short time for Men. Lady Aesa mourns her husband, but she also finds joy in her children, and in the aid she can give her brother's people. Perhaps that is something Elves can learn from Men… particularly Sindar," Lindariel added, with a teasing glance at Ellaurë.

Ellaurë, whose temper was as sunny as her hair, laughed again, but there was no time to say anything. Lord Armad's kinswomen, along with the three ladies who had accompanied them, came outside.

"Forgive me, I hope we have not kept you waiting," said Lady Aesa.

"Not at all," said Lindariel. "But we should not waste any more of this beautiful day. Let us walk. We are fortunate that Lady Ellaurë has been able to join us today," she added, smiling. "I know you wish to watch some of the competitions that your brothers will participate in. Lady Ellaurë is a warrior herself. She can explain them far better than I."

Lady Aesa's young cousin turned to Ellaurë with very wide eyes. "You understand warcraft, my lady?"

"Lady Ellaurë commands the Home Guard," Lindariel explained. "She is responsible for the security of the area of the forest surrounding the capital. Her mastery of the blade is unrivalled."

Ellaurë laughed. "I can think of several Elves who would take exception to that last. But I will be glad to tell you anything you wish."

Legolas went to replace his practice sword in the rack.

It was fortunate, he reflected, that the morning was devoted to sword drills. Lord Maeglad kept the first and second classes firmly separated. There was no chance of seeing Arahael. He, along with Saeldur, was in tactics classes.

He expected that both Arahael and Saeldur would avoid being anywhere near the Mannish visitors in the evening.

Of course, there was no avoiding Saeldur entirely, not while Rochendilwen was determined that they should partner each other for archery lessons. He supposed he could see her point, and he had nothing particularly against Saeldur… although he thought it would have been easier to partner someone he did not know at all. Saeldur had been his friend once, and while they had not quarrelled, and Legolas could not truly fault him for anything –

He shook his head. There was no point dwelling on it. Saeldur seemed to be trying to be friendly. If nothing else, it indicated a willingness to make the best of a situation that had been thrust on them. The least Legolas could do was meet him halfway, at least as long as they had to train together. After that…

Legolas pushed the sword into the rack hard enough to make the others clatter.

He was debating whether to go to the dining hall for lunch, or do his duty by the realm and join the Men, when Voronwë nudged him.

"I beg your pardon," Legolas said, startled. "Did you say something?"

Voronwë jerked his head in the direction of the fence that separated the practice fields from the hall the weapons masters used for lessons in the theory of warcraft. Saeldur was standing there, looking awkwardly in their direction.

Legolas bit his lip to hold back a sigh. He had hoped not to see Saeldur until they could both decently pretend that the previous night had never happened –

"Well, go on," Eredhion said from Voronwë's other side. "I doubt he is here to talk to either of us."

"Yes, I know. I will… see what he wants. Then I suppose I must entertain our visitors," Legoals said.

"It would be as well, if we do not want Lord Norgalad to come here and make a fuss," Eredhion said cheerfully. "Night drills have been cancelled for the rest of the week, so we will see you tomorrow."

"Night drills have been cancelled? I had not heard that."

"I had it from Rochendilwen earlier," Voronwë said. "I have no idea why. But let us be grateful. It is a rare enough occurrence. Legolas, go and see what Saeldur wants. He looks so anxious that I begin to feel uncomfortable."

Legolas laughed and crossed the field to the fence.

"Are you here for me?" he asked Saeldur, trying to sound cheerful, but knowing he was falling short.

"May I speak to you? Somewhere else."

Not seeing an option, Legolas said, "Shall we walk into the woods? There is little privacy to be had indoors, with so many guests."

Saeldur nodded. Legolas bowed to Lord Maeglad, who waved a hand to dismiss him, and vaulted over the fence. He skirted the fields and went into the forest, Saeldur following. Legolas walked until they were out of hearing of the practice fields.

"Is anyone nearby?" Legolas said aloud.

Not near enough to hear you, responded one of the trees.

Legolas turned to Saeldur. "We are away from curious ears. What is it?"

"I do not remember much of what happened after we… Arahael and I… met you last night," Saeldur said. "But… I am not stupid, and you have been avoiding me all morning –"

"I have had sword training with Lord Maeglad," Legolas protested. "And you have written fifteen pages of notes about some battle in the Second Age, if I know anything about tactics lessons."

"It is not every day that you go around the far side of the hall to the practice field instead of across the path," said Saeldur.

Legolas hesitated. He could not entirely deny that he had been avoiding Saeldur, but –

"Legolas," Saeldur said into the silence, "I… last night, I… however drunk I was, that is no excuse. I would never want to make you uncomfortable. I would not do that to anyone, and we… well, we were friends –"

"Were we?"

"Legolas, I –"

"Forgive me," Legolas said quickly. "That was uncalled for. Saeldur, you have no need to apologize to me for last night. It was not your fault."

"Legolas, no. I am not saying – you have a right to be angry, if you are."

"We will not dispute that," Legolas said, managing a smile. "It would hardly be fair, since you remember nothing. But I certainly do not have the freedom to begin unnecessary arguments. If you are here to apologize, there is no need. I am sorry I made you feel I was… avoiding you."

"Legolas, I did not mean…" Saeldur trailed off, looking helpless. "This is not how I intended this conversation to go. I know you do not trust me – no," he said, when Legolas would have interrupted. "If you did, you would feel free to argue. I will not pretend not to understand why. But you did trust me once."

"I did," Legolas said quietly.

"Is there… nothing I can do?"

"I do not know what to tell you, Saeldur. It is different now. Everything is different."

"Perhaps it is. But you should not have to put up with discourtesy. I am sorry for my part in it."

"You were not discourteous," Legolas said. "Only drunk."

"Then you will not refuse to be my partner at training?"

Despite himself, Legolas almost laughed.

"Did I not just say that I ought not begin unnecessary arguments? I should certainly not begin one with Rochendilwen, which would be the inevitable result of my refusing her training arrangements."

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