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I Make a Grand Entrance
Lothlorien, home of the Galadhrim. This particular story begins there, in the dim of the evening, as I crossed the edge of the great forest, fair and feared. The canopies were green and golden; the trees, mighty and deep.
A guard crept silently from the cover of the woods and addressed me, with a voice both fair and lilting: "Hail, son of Thranduil. You have long kept your distance from our borders."
For this young guard obviously recognized his incoming guest. Being one of the Nine Walkers, a member of the Fellowship, cultivates your reputation. Once I could count on being fairly anonymous—even as the Elvenking's son—but apparently going on a mission to save the world can put a real damper on one's ability to fade into the background.
I answered his call sure and merrily. My heart was light from travel, and the sight of the great trees stirred my spirit. The young guard's obvious excitement at having been the one to greet me was contagious.
"It is a glad day when my duties lead me to your fair land," I answered and gave him a solemn elven salute.
A small grin tugged at the corners of the guard's mouth. "Will you be long with us?" he asked eagerly and swung down from his post on a low hanging tree branch and landed in front of the me.
"I cannot say for sure," I said. "The Lady Galadriel summoned me, and I cannot help but answer her call." No one, not even elven princes, ignored summons from Lady Galadriel, and even in my reticence to speak of it with the guard, I knew what this meeting entailed. I had not endured the worst argument with my father in two centuries for a whim. I meant to leave The Woodland Realm behind for the woods of Ithilien in Gondor and had asked for my father's blessing in this venture. He had been...less than enthusiastic. But in the end, even King Thranduil would not have his son deny the Lady Galadriel, who ruled Lothlorien from Caras Galadhon. She was ancient and wise, and above all things, a good and kindly ruler. Many of the elves, my own father included, speculated she would soon leave these shores now that Sauron the Great Deceiver had been thrown down.
Walking through the woods of the Galadhrim felt like coming home; my eyes drifted among the mallorn trees, enjoying their beauty and ancient grace. Too soon the guard's voice interrupted my quiet thoughts.
"I have heard the captain of the guards speak of you. He said you were one of the Nine Walkers and very skilled with the bow," the guard said and eyed me with a look bordering on near reverence. He chattered on, "I should very much like to see your skills, if Haldir spoke so well of you. For he is one of the greatest among the Galadhrim in that field."
"Yes," I smiled, "Haldir is not one to be overly generous with praise. That is a rare compliment from him."
The young guard nodded his head. "I would know about that more than you think," he said and added with a chuckle, "for Haldir is my uncle. My name is Farothin." He paused for a moment and glanced at me as we walked toward the center of the forest. "I know this is bold of me to say, but I would dearly love to see you and my uncle compete in a contest of archery."
I laughed out loud. "I? Compete against Haldir in a contest of arrows? Mark me, Farothin, when I say that I am honored, but I do not crave embarrassment, nor would I seek it."
"My lord," Farothin protested, "I meant no jest. It would surely be a diversion welcome among the Galadhrim."
"Perhaps, Farothin, if my duty to the Lady does not interfere, we will have our little game of arrows. Haldir's station makes him an expert and a worthy opponent in any game. I should dearly love to beat him." I said, winking at Farothin.
As Farothin and I neared Caras Galadhon, we came upon Cerin Amroth, the heart of the ancient realm. I paused to pick a cluster of niphredil, the pale blossom that grew in clusters around the ring of mallorns. I felt young again among such aged trees, and my heart remembered the last time I had been there, with the Fellowship. Such sorrow we had suffered. I thought of Frodo and his burden, hoping that the young hobbit had found peace again in the Shire. my thoughts drifted to Aragorn and Arwen, recalling that Cerin Amroth was home to their confessions of love.
"It is a magical place, is it not, Farothin? Full of memories..." I stated, not really asking for a reply. I tucked the nephredil in my pocket, and said, "Come, the Lady awaits."
I ascended to the talan and the great chamber of the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. The platform hung among the mallorn trees like the deck of a vast and powerful ship, open to the air and the hush and whispers of the trees.
Here, Galadriel and Celeborn reigned supreme. They were as ancient as the trees themselves, and their eyes held the wisdom and sorrow of many ages.
"Welcome, son of Thranduil. Too long has it been since we saw you last at the courts of Gondor," said Celeborn, warmly beckoning me to his chair.
I approached the Lord and Lady, bowing before them.
"I am here at your command, my lady." I glanced around the chamber. Many elves had gathered in the hall, which shone with the brightness of their raiment and complexion. I felt slightly unnerved at their interest and wished to discover for myself the purpose of my visit.
I steeled myself to meet the Lady Galadriel's eyes, and she held my gaze.
"You wish to leave the Woodland Realm, son of Thranduil?"
"Yes," I nodded solemnly. "With my father's blessing, I would travel to Ithilien and create a new kingdom of elves in its fair forest." I broke my eyes away from Galadriel's to look at Celeborn. "My father has given his consent in this matter."
Galadriel turned her eyes to me once more. "We know, for I sent word of this matter himself. Prince Legolas, you are still young yet and have much love for Middle-Earth and its peoples. It is not wrong for you to want to stay, but many of the firstborn are leaving these shores."
I nodded. I had seen many depart from my own land, seeking the light of Valinor on western seas.
"My own time has come for me to depart. Soon I will make way to Imladris to meet Elrond and ride on to the Havens. The power of Nenya is failing, and Lorien will become a shade of what it once was."
I could see twilight in her eyes. "My lady, what would you have of me?" I asked softly.
"If you are willing, the Lord Celeborn and I would have you lead some of our people with you. We have many young elves among the Galadhrim. They are not yet weary of this world, as I am. They would be a credit to you."
"I am honored by your words." I could not hold back my smile, or my excitement. "I would welcome any of the Galadhrim in Ithilien. May the Valar bless this new chapter in the history of our peoples." I bowed before the two, barely able to stop grinning before Celeborn motioned for me to rise and present myself before the rest of the court.
The lady and lord arose from their seats, and Celeborn spoke to the court, saying "We give our blessing to Prince Legolas, son of Thranduil, to lead some of our brave young hearts to a new realm where they may find their own courage and place in Middle Earth under his guidance."
Many of the elves, young and old, looked at the me with expressions of disbelief, murmuring amongst themselves. I could only hear snatches of words, "he is too young... what does a Mirkwood elf know of the Galadhrim? Who will go with him? Wasn't he one of the Fellowship? How exciting...where is he going?"
I felt the scrutiny of their eyes and the heat of their gaze. My heart was wild in my chest for approval from these elves who might be my future subjects. As my eyes scanned the hall, I saw Farothin grinning widely, and I almost started to smile in spite of my nerves until I saw the grim look on the face of the elf maiden standing next to him.
She met my gaze and did not look away; her eyes were full of contempt, and a tinge of self-doubt prodded my heart. Instead of looking away, I smiled at her and lifted my chin. She arched an eyebrow, turned, and left the hall, leaving a bevy of golden curls chasing behind her.
Well. My goodness. Usually my smiles worked better on elf maidens. I wondered if I had something stuck in my teeth and wished in vain for a mirror when Lord Celeborn interrupted my thoughts.
"Come, son of Thranduil. We have prepared a banquet in honor of your visit. You will have many questions to answer, I am sure."
I followed, my heart full with just as many questions. I had been brought up for this, trained for this moment all my life. Leadership. Responsibility. And honestly?
The thought of it all made me absolutely sick to my stomach.
Author's note: Eep! Legolas is starting off on his own adventure! Please Review, Follow, and Favorite! Your votes will give him the confidence he needs to succeed!
You know, Thranduil is strutting around the palace giving his son a hard time about the fact that his story Kingsfoil had more reviews than BOTH of my Legolas stories combined. And you know how competitive Legolas is! LOL. Help him out! ;)