Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's Note: Many thanks to everyone who reviewed and PMed… I read and appreciate each and every one. It's a stressful time at the moment… I was hoping to be able to see my parents and family in January (after not seeing them for over two years thanks to the pandemic) and now it's looking like the new variant may put paid to that plan.
So I guess I'll just sit and write fanfics?
Seriously, though… Omicron notwithstanding, I hope and trust that 2022 is going to be a better year for everyone. Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it, and if I don't update again next week (unlikely tbh) then a very happy and healthy 2022.
Part VI
"I confess I would be frightened to venture this far from the path alone," said Lord Armad, looking up at the trees as though they might eat him.
The King had elected not to accompany them. Legolas did not entirely believe his excuse of needing to review petitions. Perhaps he had simply wanted to avoid making his guests nervous, particularly if he had known how uncomfortable a perfectly normal forest would make them.
As a result, it had fallen to Legolas to ride at the head of the column, with Lord Armad and Brynn on either side of him. Half a dozen members of Lord Armad's court were strung out behind them, and two of the palace guard brought up the rear.
Legolas almost shrugged at Lord Armad; then he remembered himself and nodded politely. "The forest is welcoming to the Elves… and indeed it welcomes you now, as friends to our people. Outsiders sometimes have difficulty finding their way about; that is true."
"Nothing looks the same after we pass it as it does before," Brynn muttered. "I can quite believe we could get lost in this forest and spend days, or even months, walking about in circles. How do you find your way?"
"The trees might shift their boughs and roots. They cannot actually move," said Legolas, patting a trunk as he passed it. "Not from where they stand."
Brynn and even Lord Armad still seemed ill at east. He cast about in his mind for something to divert them.
Take them to see one of the sheltered glades, one of the trees suggested helpfully. Men like blossoms.
Even the poisonous ones, another tree chimed in. I have known Men to pick bunches of deadly nightshade to decorate their homes.
Ha! Said the first tree. You have never known any Men. You are only boasting –
I have heard of them, which is more than you can say, you overgrown weed.
Legolas left the trees to their argument. "Perhaps you would like to see some flowers?" he said. "There is a glade not far from here where the blooms are beautiful at all times of year, and especially now, in spring."
"We would appreciate that greatly," Lord Armad said. "Perhaps we might take some flowers to Aesa and Halla? And the Elven-queen?"
"I would not count on that," Brynn said. "Perhaps we will be violating the Elven-king's laws by taking flowers from his forest. Prince Legolas, will we find ourselves in the dungeons for the remainder of our natural lives?"
Legolas laughed. "We try not to harvest too much of anything, but three bunches of flowers will make no impression on the glades of Eryn Galen in spring."
He leaned forward to murmur in his horse's ear. She turned her head obediently, prancing off the path.
"Without even a saddle," Brynn said under his breath, obviously intending to be quiet but more than audible to an Elf.
Legolas allowed his eyes to narrow, since neither Brynn nor Lord Armad could see him. He was trying – truly he was – but it appeared that Brynn was determined to dislike him.
"Trust Legolas to get out of everything," Arahael grunted, eyeing the row of archers, from which Legolas was conspicuously absent.
The first and second archer classes were not combined for afternoon drills. Saeldur and Arahael, under Rochendilwen's eye, were shooting at small clay balls suspended from a frame. The air was very still, so it was no harder than shooting at a target. Arahael's shots still went wide each time. Saeldur had to admit, although he would never have said it aloud, that after a few nights of partnering Legolas, it took some effort not to cringe.
Arahael's problem was not a lack of skill, which Saeldur could have sympathized with. It was that, unlike most of the young Elves at training, he gave only half his attention to the drill. Arahael was learning to use the bow and the blade at his father's insistence, but he had little interest in either.
At the moment, he was far more focused on complaining.
"In fairness," Saeldur said, lining up his shot, "Legolas does not shirk training."
"I suppose not," Arahael said, "And if he were to do it, I doubt he would want to spend the afternoon with Men instead. Even Legolas must have better sense than that. A fair shot," he added, as Saeldur loosed his arrow and the ball exploded in a shower of dust. "My father things you will be the finest of Eryn Galen's archers."
Saeldur laughed. "Legolas will be that," he said.
"They only say that because he is the King's son," Arahael scoffed.
"Do you not know the weapons masters better than that? Especially Master Bainion? They say it because it is true." Arahael looked disbelieving. "I have seen enough of Legolas' skill over the past few days to know it," Saeldur insisted. "I am not being unduly modest, Arahael. I do not undervalue myself. I can shoot well. Very well. Were it not for Legolas, and perhaps Lord Thorontur, I might well be the finest of Eryn Galen's archers one day."
"A few days cannot be enough for you to be certain that Legolas is better."
"I have seen him before. Several times."
Arahael scowled. "Nobody is here to listen, Saeldur. There is no need to be so… tactful."
"Nobody has ever accused me of tact," Saeldur said, as they went to gather their arrows. "I am telling the truth, Arahael."
"Be careful," Arahael warned. "It is useful to be friendly with Legolas, I agree, but too much and you might find yourself…" He trailed off as one of the other students passed behind them.
"I might find myself what?" said Saeldur, once they were back at the shooting line.
"You might find yourself truly… well… liking Legolas. And that is dangerous. He is dangerous. He is not like us. He has too much of his mother in him."
"I do like Legolas." As soon as Saeldur said it, he knew it was true, though he had not realized it. "I was unfair to him earlier. I do not know how you accuse him of being dangerous. He is the very opposite."
"Weak, you mean."
"Legolas is not weak."
"Well, well. It appears you do like him," Arahael said, just lightly enough not to be accused of sneering. "I wonder what brought about the change."
Saeldur could not have answered that himself, so it was just as well that Arahael did not expect a response. Legolas was still reserved – and still clearly did not trust Saeldur –
"Do the two of you imagine you are here because it is a private place to talk?" Bregolien suddenly barked from behind them. "Let me see how you are doing. I hope it is better than what I saw from Brethil or the entire class will be here at dawn tomorrow."
Saeldur hurriedly put an arrow to his bow.
"How lovely," said Lindariel. Only someone who knew her very well would have known she was inwardly wondering why anybody would want to bring flowers from the forest and put them in a bowl of water. "It was very kind of you to think of me, Lord Armad."
"Prince Legolas was good enough to show us that part of the forest," said Lord Armad. Behind him, Brynn looked on sourly.
Ellaurë, stifling a smile, glanced in Legolas' direction. He looked back at her, face set in the impassivity that the presence of foreign visitors demanded, but eyes alive with mirth.
Ellaurë found herself looking forward to the inevitable day when Legolas sat on the King's Council. It would do much to relieve the present monotony of meetings.
As Aesa and Halla exclaimed over their flowers, flowers in general, and the beauty of the forest, Ellaurë stepped away from the queen and tilted her head at Legolas. With a glance at the Men, who were busy recounting their ride with what Ellaurë suspected were several embellishments, he came to join her at the side of the room.
"My lady?" Legolas murmured.
"You should know that Norgalad went to Arbellason this morning. Lord Armad and his companions will be joining archery training this evening – with the first class. You will be expected there. Norgalad has specifically requested your presence."
"The Men at archery training?" Legolas repeated, trying and failing to imagine what Bregolien's reaction would be. "Forgive me, my lady, but has… has Lord Arbellason… considered?"
"I hope he has," Ellaurë said.
There were footsteps behind them. Startled, she glanced over her shoulder, but it was only Candnaur.
"I trust I am not interrupting anything," Candnaur said with a smile, joining them at the window. "Legolas, I wanted to thank you. Lord Armad is delighted, and even Brynn is… well, he is not actually displeased, which, believe me, is unusual for him."
Legolas smiled. "I wish I could have helped more with Master Brynn. Unfortunately, he does not like me much."
"He might like all of us less after this evening," said Ellaurë. "Norgalad claims to know what he is doing. I hope he does. We will not say anything else aloud, even here among friends," she added with a smile at Candnaur. "Arbellason has asked Master Bainion to supervise the first class this evening. But we cannot prevent those who have legitimate business on the archery fields from being there."
"My lady, I do not know if that makes me worry less or more. Master Bainion is far more exacting."
"I am glad it is only the first class," Candnaur said.
"The Men will have a poor enough showing against them," said Ellaurë.
"That is not what I mean. It is what the members of the second class might do that worries me. But I will not trouble you with that. It is, after all, a tradition of Eryn Galen that we do not make unreasonable courtly demands of our warriors… though I think, Legolas," he added, smiling again, "that you will have to accustom yourself to being the exception to that rule. Consider it one of the privileges of being the King's son… a privilege I am certain you could do without, although you are too polite to say it."
He bowed to Ellaurë, gave Legolas a half-formal tilt of the head, and went back to the Men.
Ellaurë, instead of doing the same, studied Legolas.
"Whatever the matter is," she said suddenly, "tell me."
Legolas laughed ruefully. "I did not realize I was so obvious, my lady."
"Nor were you, except to those who know you well. A ride in the forest cannot have been unpleasant for you, even if you were forced to share it with uncongenial companions."
"They were not uncongenial, my lady." Ellaurë only looked at Legolas. He shrugged and said, "I fear I cannot be of assistance to Lord Norgalad as he hopes. Master Brynn is determined to dislike me."
"Norgalad thinks this evening will make a difference," Ellaurë said. "Let us see."
"I can only hope we are not showing too poorly against the archers of the Elven-king," Brynn said. "I wonder now whether we were wise to take the challenge… but who could possibly have given up such an opportunity?"
"We are honoured by your company," Legolas replied politely.
Meluial, on Brynn's other side, was ignoring him utterly. Legolas could not blame her; Brynn had begun the evening by making several pointed remarks about how Elves saw the necessity of allowing their womenfolk to learn warcraft. But it did mean that he had the benefit of Brynn's undivided attention – which, he was finding, was as unpleasant in as Bregolien's.
"Begin," Master Bainion said.
Legolas relaxed and pulled an arrow from his quiver. At least, while Brynn's focus was on his bow, he would not expect Legolas to talk.
The volley was over all too soon, despite the slower pace of the visitors. Lady Aesa, standing at the target line, called out the results – mainly for the benefit of her kinsmen, since the Elves could see how everyone had done. Brynn had indeed outperformed all the other Men, but he had come nowhere near the pinpoint precision Master Bainion expected of even his newest students, and he had been slower than Voronwë.
At the public contest this might have invited some good-natured humour, but Master Bainion's archery classes were too disciplined to do anything other than stand and wait for his next order. Brynn, who had not had the advantage of Master Bainion's training, said, "It appears that your reputation is well earned, Prince Legolas."
It should have been a compliment, but his tone warned Legolas to be wary. Casting about for something to say that could not be misconstrued, he settled at last on, "As is yours, Master Brynn. Your sister spoke to me of your skill."
"Aesa is a fond sister," Brynn said, with the first hint of warmth that Legolas had yet heard from him. "Alas, I fear she overstated my talent. It must appear a poor showing to an Elf. You need not work so hard to conceal your true opinion."
"Indeed," said Bregolien from the fence, loudly enough that Legolas knew he meant to be overheard. "Against such paltry opponents even these children will grow overconfident. It will be left to me to drill the complacency out of them."
Somebody hushed him, but Brynn had heard, and he understood Sindarin. His eyes narrowed.
"Next!" Master Bainion barked, saving Legolas from having to come up with a remark.
As Legolas drew his bow, he heard more footsteps behind him. Half-turning, he saw that the archers of the Second Class had finished for the evening – no doubt on Bregolien's instructions. Legolas suppressed a groan. The last thing he needed, in addition to Bregolien's commentary and however he intended to drill the complacency out of his students, was that Arahael and Saeldur should stand at the fence behind him and listen to everything Brynn said.
He shook himself. It would be worse if he allowed himself to lose focus.
He managed a good enough second volley, though he knew he was slower than he would normally have been – too much of his mind was on trying to follow the conversation from the archers now standing at the fence.
"Legolas!" Bregoien barked, "I will see you for dawn practice again if that performance continues."
Since Legolas' placement had been perfect, and he had still finished long before Brynn, this elicited a scowl from his companion.
"It appears," Brynn said coldly, "that even when you attempt to let me win, I cannot match the standards of the Elves."
Legolas could think of no response that would not give offence, so he offered to go and fetch Brynn's arrows along with his own.
"Truly?" Brynn said, voice rising. "The son – the trueborn son – of the Elven-king will do the work of a page? Elves are extraordinary."
"Brynn," Lord Armad said from Legolas' other side, "we must not embarrass our hosts."
"Of course, my lord."
Legolas fled to fetch the arrows.
"I know the darkness is nothing to Elven eyes," the Man beside Legolas said in what he evidently considered a whisper, "but if I had not known who stood beside me, I might have mistaken you for your father. I am only a mortal, after all."
As darkness had fallen, the Men's performance had steadily deteriorated. Lord Bainion had suggested calling a halt, but although the leader of the Men had seemed willing, the one beside Legolas insisted on going on despite losing the light.
Most of the Men were still in good spirits, laughing with their Elven companions. The one called Brynn was the sole exception. He had been sniping unremittingly at Legolas, rebuffing every attempt at friendly conversation. Saeldur suspected that Bregolien was part of the reason: every time he snapped at Legolas to do better, or muttered audibly about what he would have to do with his students the next day, Brynn seemed to take it as an insult to the entire race of Men.
"It is fortunate that you do look like your father," Brynn went on. Then he paused, obviously waiting for a response from Legolas.
"Oh?" Legolas said warily.
"Well, of course… it may not be the same for an Elf, but any Mannish woman longs for her children to look like her husband, so that there can be no doubt of… I am certain you understand me."
Even in the darkness, Saeldur could see the colour rise in Legolas' face.
"Why does he say nothing?" Arahael muttered next to Saeldur. "If any Man were speaking to me like that, he would know better in a moment. I may not be the finest archer of Eryn Galen, but at least I am not afraid of unpleasantness."
Saeldur wanted to protest, but had he not made that same observation, if couched in politer terms, to Candnaur? He felt a little ashamed of himself now.
Master Bainion called the next volley. As he had at that early morning archery practice, Legolas seemed, despite everything, despite Bregolien and Brynn, to be finding his focus. His shots were clean and quick.
"It is admirable," Brynn sneered, far too loudly, at the end, "that you work so hard at your archery." Saeldur wondered if he were drunk. "Some might say – it is unthinkable, of course, but some people are foolish – some might say that you have gained much by virtue of your birth. I admire your ability to work so hard to prove them wrong… in this at least."
Saeldur saw Legolas' fist tighten around his bow, although he made no response, and suddenly it was too much.
"Leave him alone," Saeldur snapped.
There was instant silence.
Master Bainion stopped barking orders. Lord Norgalad stared at Saeldur with a mixture of horror and distaste. Candnaur made hushing motions. Bregolien, for some reason, looked amused.
None of that mattered. Brynn's sneer was almost too much to bear.
"Saeldur," Legolas said, "there is no need –"
Saeldur ignored him as well.
"Legolas has been nothing but courteous to you this entire evening," he snarled at the Man, "and, if I know anything of him, for the entire duration of your stay in Eryn Galen. He has not deserved your bile and I will not stand for it!"
The Man looked at Saeldur with a satisfied smirk. "I believe we have not been introduced."
Saeldur glanced at Candnaur, who seemed to have lost his voice. Before the silence could grow awkward, Legolas said, "Forgive the omission, Master Brynn. Lord Saeldur is my friend, and Lord Candnaur's brother."
Saeldur was startled enough at Legolas' use of his formal title that Brynn was able to get in first with, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Saeldur. I assure you, I meant no offence."
"Saeldur," Candnaur hissed, finally recovering, "that will do." He turned to the Man. "I do not endorse my brother's tone, but if you do not want to make an enemy of the King, I would advise you to –"
"To defer to the Elven-prince," Brynn said, "by right of his blood?"
"To treat Legolas with as much respect as you give – and I have seen you give – to any of your own warriors. Lord Norgalad, perhaps that is enough for tonight."
"It certainly is," Armad said, before Norgalad could say anything. "Brynn… I will not ask you to apologize, because I know I cannot expect it. But I do apologize, Prince Legolas, unreservedly, on my brother's behalf."
Legolas managed a smile. "It is forgotten, Lord Armad."
"I hope… I know I have no right to ask it of you, but I hope it will not… prejudice… our discussions with the King tomorrow."
"How could I tell him what I have forgotten?"
Armad, with an awkward attempt at a smile and nod, left, followed by the rest of the Men, most of whom would not look Legolas in the eye. Brynn did, though, long enough to make Saeldur tense, before he turned and went after his companions.
Norgalad stalked over to them from where he had been standing at the other end of the field. Before he could do more than open his mouth, Saeldur said, "It was not Legolas' fault, and you cannot pretend it was. The Man was spoiling for a fight."
"So he was," said Norgalad. "And you gave him one, Saeldur. I can see why you think you would do badly in court."
"I think we have had enough for the evening," Master Bainion said. "Gather the arrows. Then everyone can go home. There are no night drills."
Instead of accompanying Arahael or Candnaur, Saeldur waited until Legolas finished. It took several minutes for Legolas to gather the last of his arrows; Saeldur suspected he was giving everyone else time to get well away first. He certainly seemed startled when he turned back to the fence and saw Saeldur still there.
"I thought I would walk back with you," Saeldur said. "But if you want me to leave, I will."
"Of course not," said Legolas. He hesitated a moment before he added. "Thank you. For… thank you."
"I may only have made matters more difficult," Saeldur said.
Legolas shrugged. "Perhaps, but… it has been difficult dealing with Brynn. It is… it was…"
"You mean nobody else had the courage to defend you," Saeldur said bluntly. "Not Norgalad – and apparently not even Candnaur."
"I do not think it is a question of lacking courage. It is only that… well, as a member of a King's court, there are expectations of maintaining good relations with representatives of our allies."
"Then it is just as well that I am not a member of the King's court."
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