Out of Mirkwood
Scribbles-on-Parchment
June 27, 2020
Chapter 46 – Elrond's Choice
The elf and man continued to sit silently beside one another for several minutes. The cool breeze which blew down from the pass pulled at the strands of golden hair that had fallen out of Legolas's braids. The Sinda sighed and closed his eyes. He was no closer to figuring out what he had to do next and he could not sit here forever trying to formulate a plan.
If he were to be taken to Imladris how then would he be able to get out of that place? Would he be kept a prisoner there? There were so many unanswered questions. For once the young ellon longed for Êmand's wise counsel. The Silvan always seemed to know what to do in every situation. In fact, he could not remember a time where his mentor was at a loss of what to do or was frightened.
"Are you well mellon nín?"
Legolas's azure eyes opened and he looked over at the human who sat beside him. The man gazed back at him with a small smile on his face.
"I am fine. There is nothing you can help me with unless you know a way to get me back to the Greenwood," there was a brief look of confusion that passed over the man's face and the prince added, "I believe you call it Mirkwood, though I do not agree with the name."
Estel looked about to protest but the eldar continued,
"I also think that your brothers are getting tired of watching us."
The human spun around to look for the two dark-haired elves who the prince knew were at the top of the hill looking down at them.
"How did you know they were there? I did not hear them."
"That is because you have the hearing capability of an orch. You were also not listening for anyone coming up behind us."
Estel glared at the young elf before calling out a greeting to his brothers. Legolas knew that his time 'alone' was coming to a rapid close and quickly rose to his feet. He did not tell the human that he had only just realized the presence of the Noldor twins shortly before he had said anything. Had he been in the Greenwood the trees would have alerted him long before, but out here he blamed his delayed response on the great emptiness that surrounded them. However, he knew that he should have sensed the presence of the two elves even without the help of the trees.
"We find you at last toron," Elrohir punched Estel playfully in the arm as the twins came to meet them, "Why in the Valar did you decide it was a good idea to travel so far from the camp? And without a weapon no less."
Legolas ignored the brotherly banter between the three and began to stride up the hill. He knew they must have been watching them for quite some time and he had no desire to speak with anyone about his outburst at the camp. But also, the interaction between the brothers had painfully reminded him of Kélion.
"Wait penneth," Elladan strode to catch up with the fast gait of the Sinda, "Why do you seek to leave so quickly? I understand that you do not trust us but that is no reason to be uncomfortable around us. Have I said something to offend you?"
Why did they always assume he was offended?
"I just desired time to be alone and I can recognize when that time has ended. Is that such a bad thing?"
"No, but it is dangerous to be out here alone. There are evil things that linger out on these plains even in the daylight," Elladan kept pace with the prince as he strode through the long grass, "You must understand that after today you will have a target on your back."
This made Legolas stop abruptly in his tracks.
"What do you mean?"
The Noldor's concerned brown eyes board into the elfling,
"Even before your people were presumed dead there were many, both in Imladris and outside of it, who did not take kindly to your adar. When news reaches their ears that Thranduil is alive they will try to get to you so they then have a way to get to him."
Legolas raised a dark brow.
"It is King Thranduil to you for he still rules over the Greenwood."
Elladan's eyes flashed in frustration as the young Sinda pushed past him and strode back towards the camp.
Tamír stood watching the eldar make his way back to camp followed closely by all three of Elrond's sons. The elfling, Legolas, held his head high with no sign of fear or remorse in his eye. It was a look that greatly reminded the Silvan of Thranduil.
Another stab of pain shot through his heart at this thought. So many things had happened in the past several days that had turned his world completely upside down. First Hethion and now Thranduil. Who else would appear from the past that he had thought long dead? Part of him dared to hope that Narril might still be alive, but he shook his head refusing to let himself think of this. It was a fool's hope, but then again so had the thought that Thranduil and the Greenwood had somehow survived...
The thing that struck his heart the most was the fact that Thranduil had let him, his closest friend, believe that his home and people had been destroyed. Had the great Sinda even realized he had gone missing after the battle?
"Tamír," Elrond's voice made its way through his thoughts, "Be calm. It will do neither of you any good if he comes back to see you standing here with such anger in your posture. I know you are upset but now is not the time to let these emotions loose."
The ellon immediately relaxed his posture and unclenched his fists. He had not realized his thoughts had created such strong feelings in him.
"What are you going to say to him when he returns? He will not trust you. Not if he thinks you have caused all of this."
Tamír glanced over at the elf lord who was standing beside him. He was genuinely curious about what his friend was planning on doing when the Sinda came back, for they now had a prince in their midst. And not just any prince, this elfling was the son of an elf many thought long dead and many had despised. He knew painfully well that several of those elves who did not harbor good feelings for the elven king were here in the camp with them.
"Do you intend to let him return back to Mirkwood or will you take him with us to Imladris?" The Silvan watched as Legolas reached the first tents, a scowl clearly visible on his face, "Either way you will have to make your decision soon. There will be unhappiness no matter what you choose, it just depends on what side you are willing to anger."
Elrond was in turmoil. Usually he knew the best course of action; usually he knew the right advice to give. But in this situation he was at a loss. There seemed to be no way to make a good decision. Either he could seek for the prince to accompany them back to Imladris or he could let him return to Mirkwood.
If Legolas should return to Rivendell with them, he would be able to get things in order and learn more about what had happened to the Greenwood before taking the elfling home; but in doing this he risked angering the Sinda and solidifying the thought that he was a hostage. On the other hand, he could let the prince return on his own free will to Mirkwood. He could be provided with a horse and weapons, even an escort, yet this would anger many elves in the camp. And if he chose this path, then he might never get his questions answered, for once Legolas disappeared into the tangled forest he might never be seen again. Thranduil was a master of deception and disguise so he doubted he would ever be able to find the elven kingdom on his own.
These thoughts crowded his mind as he watched the Sinda stride into camp towards them. However, as the young elf reached them Elrond's mind landed on one thought that made up the Noldo's mind for him.
"Mae govannen," Elrond greeted Legolas and his sons, "I trust that you had the chance to clear your mind. I understand that the stress of this situation is as great for you as it is for me."
The Sinda simply crossed his arms over his chest causing the elf lord to sigh internally. This was going to be harder than he had hoped.
"You have brought many things to light that I had not ever dreamed to be possible. For many millennia I was under the impression that the Greenwood and its people had been destroyed by the yrch. You must believe me when I say that I am greatly relieved to hear that this is not the case."
Elrond paused for a moment to cast a glance at Elladan who had come to stand beside the prince.
"I had half the mind to take you with me to Imladris so I can prepare to accompany you to the Greenwood, for I am afraid that I have other duties I must attend to."
Legolas visibly stiffened and looked about to protest but the Noldo quickly continued,
"However, I cannot bring myself to take you somewhere you do not wish to go. Therefore, tomorrow I will supply you with an escort to take you back to your home. I know what it feels like to miss someone greatly and I would not wish that on your parents. I am sure that your adar and naneth miss you greatly and I will not stand in the way of you returning to them. But I would beg of you, Prince Legolas, to convince Thranduil to open up his kingdom and people to the outside world. Many things have changed and we would be wise not to keep old grudges between us."
Elrond looked away from Legolas's startled blue eyes. He did not want to see the reaction the elfling had to his words, instead he turned to leave. The prince would be safe enough with his sons.
"Daro," Elrond stopped in his tracks at the Sinda's soft voice, "Why are you doing this? Why are you letting me go? I do not understand, I thought you hated my adar."
The elf lord turned back,
"I never hated your adar penneth. I am letting you return to him because no parent should ever be without their child."
Elvish Translations:
mellon nín – my friend
orch - orc
toron – brother (Noldorin)
penneth – young one
adar – father
mae govannen – greetings
yrch - orcs
naneth – mother
daro – wait (halt)