Out of the corner of his eye, Legolas saw Celendaran raise his hand in a signal. Two fingers raised meant he was to move forward. Crouching low on the branch, Legolas moved forward silently. Smoothly, he drew an arrow from his quiver and nocked it to the string. On the fringes of his field of vision, he saw Celendaran keeping pace with him.
The small herd of deer pulled at the leaves of bushes, still unaware of their presence. The brothers kept their approach slow and smooth so no sudden movement alerted it. Large game was becoming increasingly rare near the kingdom. They didn't want to scare them away.
Legolas paused, allowing Celendaran to draw ahead a few paces so it would be easier to see his signals. He had to keep his eyes on one of the stags. Shifting his eyes around would only split his attention and create a higher chance of mistakes. He did want to make any mistakes.
Celendaran stopped, very close to the herd now. He crouched so the bushes hid him from view. Waiting to make sure the deer suspected nothing, he raised his hand again in a closed fist. Once again, Legolas saw it from the corner of his eye. Settling on the stag as his target, he waited for the signal to loose the arrow.
It came in a flash of movement as Celendaran flicked up one fingers. In one fluid movement, Legolas rose to his feet, drew back the arrow and loosed.
The arrow hit the stag behind the front leg. The beast bellowed and tried to flee but its legs folded underneath it. Throwing back its head, it fell, kicked twice and went still. All around it, the remainder of the herd flashed past, vanishing into the depths of the forest. The only exception was a second stag brought down by Celendaran. The thunder of hooves quickly faded and the forest returned to its usual quiet hum.
"A successful hunt" Celendaran said in satisfaction as he approached his kill. Although it wasn't moving, he was cautious just in case it suddenly kicked out. "Adar will be pleased."
"I'm sure he will praise you for leading the hunt" Legolas replied. He nudged his kill in the ribs with the end of his bow. There was no response.
"He will be pleased with both of us."
Legolas didn't respond, focusing on the stag.
"Legolas?"
"Yes?"
Whatever Celendaran was about to say was interrupted by Tauriel jumping down from the branches. Surprised by her sudden appearance, both princes just looked at her, failing to acknowledge her. Legolas wondered how she had managed to sneak up on the both of them, especially when she didn't seem to have been sneaking.
Tauriel was the first to speak. "The king wants you both back in the palace immediately."
"Did he say why?" Celendaran asked.
"No, he does not give reasons for his orders. At least not to me" Tauriel said, then added "But it seemed urgent."
Celendaran nodded. "Thank you, Tauriel. We'd best be hurrying back."
Legolas and Celendaran lifted up their kills and set off at a brisk pace back to the palace. Tauriel followed behind, feeling like she couldn't break into their conversation. She'd have to wait until later to talk to Legolas.
Later took a long time to come. Tauriel found herself pacing up and down the empty halls. All she had to do was fidget with her fingernails. What could be taking him so long? She couldn't think of a single thing, but obviously there was something. Maybe he had been distracted by one of the ladies of the court. That thought made her more impatient than ever.
With a noise of frustration, she turned to go in search of Legolas only to find herself face to face with the king. He raised an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to explain herself.
"Sorry, your majesty. I was looking for Legolas."
"Was he supposed to meet you here?"
"We had no particular plan to but…" Tauriel said but she trailed off. It felt foolish to admit to the king that she and Legolas frequently met up without any real plan to do so. She had no idea how he would interpret that information or what his reaction would be. Unfortunately for her, she had started the sentence and now Thranduil wanted the end.
"But what?" he asked, a certain coolness already coming into his voice.
Tauriel winced inwardly. It wasn't often his icy demeanour was turned against her, but every time it was, it felt like the first time all over again. She never knew how to navigate it.
"But I had hoped to find him here" she finished. She carefully avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the carving of the wood panels in front of her. The intricate image resembled ivy crawling and criss-crossing over a tree trunk. There was no particular pattern, at least not that she could see. Maybe if she stared at it long enough, she'd be able to find one in the apparent randomness.
"You appear very fascinated with that panel. Is speaking to me so unbearable?" Thranduil asked. His voice held a strange note. She couldn't tell whether it was amusement or something much more ominous.
"No, no, not at all. I was just…" she said, scrambling for an excuse but in the end, she had to give him the truth. "Looking for the pattern."
"The square rotates and reverses for each section. My wife found it while she was visiting here with her parents before we were married."
Tauriel looked at him in surprise. She had never heard him mention his wife before. Not even when his sons were with them. In her surprise, she had no idea how to react or whether she should acknowledge it. It felt like prying. Thranduil was very opposed to his subjects prying into his private life – she had witnessed his anger at impertinent questions often enough – and his relationships with his wife was perhaps the thing he held most private and precious. The only option she had was to change the subject.
"Do you know where I might find Legolas, your majesty?"
"I believe he is on the balcony near his rooms. You may go" Thranduil said, giving a brief wave of the hand to indicate she was dismissed.
Giving him a polite bow of the head, Tauriel left as quickly as she could. He watched her go, his expression as stoic and serene as ever – but for one moment. For one brief moment, he closed his eyes to block out the sight of her leaving. By the time he opened them again, Tauriel was gone and he was alone.
Just as Thranduil had said, Legolas was on the balcony near his room, but he wasn't alone. Tauriel stopped abruptly, hanging back in the shadows when she noticed the second elf. Only a moment later, she recognised Celendaran.
She didn't want to be caught hovering and listening in on their conversation – even though she couldn't quite make out their words. Uncertain of what to do, Tauriel dithered and shifted her weight between leaving and continuing her approach. In the end, the decision was made for her.
Legolas looked up and right at her, as though he could feel her presence. He smiled slightly. "I know you're there, Tauriel. Why are you hiding in the shadows?"
When Celendaran voiced no opposition, she went forward to join them. As she approached, Celendaran rose to his feet and gave her his chair. "I have some things to see you. Remember what I've told you, Legolas" he said, and left before either of them could say anything more. He had a habit of doing that, much like his father.
"What were you talking about?" she asked as she sat down.
"Adar."
"Ah. I was talking to him before. He mentioned your mother."
"He seems to do that with everyone but me. Everyone I meet seems to have stories about or knowledge of her. I don't know why he doesn't talk about her to me."
"I don't know either" Tauriel admitted. "I don't think anyone could claim know the mind of the king."
"I'm sure my mother could."
Tauriel just managed to stop herself from reminding him that his mother wasn't around. He was very aware of the fact. She could tell just from the look on his face that he was thinking about it at that very moment.
"What did Celendaran want you to remember?"
Legolas was quiet a moment as he considered whether or not he wanted to answer. There was no reason not to trust Tauriel. She would never tell anyone. He was certain of that.
"He just wanted to remind me that even though he seems distant, Adar is still my father and will talk to me. If I ask him to."
"Are you going to ask him to?" Tauriel asked before she could remember it was probably too personal a question to ask the prince. But they were friends, weren't they? Surely she could ask him a simple question and it wouldn't be deemed inappropriate.
"I don't know yet. He doesn't seem overly fond of me. Celendaran claims it's because I'm too much like our mother."
Tauriel had no idea what to say in response. She simply sat, still and quiet. Little did she know, that was the best thing she could do for Legolas in that moment. It gave him plenty of time to just think about everything. He had spoken to Celendaran for a long time but all of it had been spent on the same point. Perhaps he should speak to his father, though he wasn't sure what they would even talk about.
As he thought, his gaze drifted over to Tauriel. She was looking out over the forest as it grew darker and darker. Her keen eyes could still make out plenty of details and she was absorbed in the flights of homeward bound birds and the movement of hunters back towards the palace. It wasn't too long ago that she was one of the hunters who spent most of the day in the forest. As captain of the guard, Tauriel spent most of her inside the palace these days. She missed it.
"What are you thinking about?" Legolas asked softly.
"Nothing really" she replied. "I was just looking at the forest. Sunsets look so different this time of year. The colours are different."
Legolas looked to the distant horizon treeline. Now that she had mentioned it, he could see the different. Instead of the usual rosy pinks and rich reds, the colours were more muted and tinged with the silver on oncoming winter. It looked much colder and distant.
He suddenly found himself thinking of Thranduil.
"What's wrong?" Tauriel asked, noticing the change of expression on his face.
"Nothing" he said with a sigh. "I have to go and speak to my father."
Tauriel nodded. "Of course. I'll go make myself busy."
"I'm sure I will see you later. Or tomorrow" he said, then started towards his father's rooms before he lost his nerve. It was all to easy to lose when it came to intruding on Thranduil's privacy.
Though, as it turned out, he didn't need to be worried. When he went into Thranduil's rooms, his father was nowhere to be found. His bed was untouched and the evening meal that was usually brought for him was missing. There were no signs that Thranduil had been in his rooms at all that evening.
"Adar?" Legolas called, wondering if he was in one of the adjoining chambers. He wasn't quite bold enough to just walk into those rooms. They were so private that Legolas couldn't quite remember what they looked like.
There was no answer. Either Thranduil wasn't there or he wasn't in the mood to be disturbed. But some instinct told him it was the former, not the latter. Thranduil was elsewhere in the palace. It was just a matter of finding him.
Or maybe he didn't have to find him at all. Maybe this was a sign that he wasn't supposed to speak to Thranduil. It would be much easier to just walk back to his own rooms and wait for another day.
Once the thought came to his mind, he couldn't shake it. It certainly appealed to his more reluctant side.
The reluctant side won.
Sighing in defeat, Legolas left his father's rooms and went to his own. By the time he got there, dusk had determinedly set in and the only light in the room was offered by the dying fire. Even in the low light, he saw immediately that he wasn't alone in the room.
Thranduil's imposing silhouette stood in the window, his attention turned to the window, one hand raised near his lips. His eyes caught the slight shine of a silver chain between his fingers.
Was that the necklace he and Tauriel had found?
"Legolas" Thranduil said without turning around.
"Adar? What are you doing here?" Legolas said in surprise.
"I believe I have the right to walk anywhere in my own palace."
"Right. Of course."
Legolas wasn't sure what else to say or even how to react to Thranduil's presence. All he could think to do was to act as normal and go about his usual evening routine. He was all too aware that Thranduil was watching his every move as he took off his outer tunic and draped it over a chair.
"Shouldn't that be put in the wardrobe?" Thranduil said evenly, a slight hint of amusement echoing in his voice.
Legolas just bowed his head and did as he was told, really not sure how to deal with the current situation.
"Your mother always did that."
Legolas paused in his movements. "She did?"
"Yes. She didn't believe in putting clothing away the moment you took it off" Thranduil said. "That's what she claimed anyway. In reality, she was just lazy."
"Celendaran never described her as lazy."
"She wasn't when it came to you and him" Thranduil said, fidgeting absentmindedly with the pendant in his hand. Occasionally, he brushed it against his lips.
Legolas watched curiously, wondering if Thranduil had been carrying the necklace around ever since he and Tauriel found it. He hadn't seen him properly since the feast so he had no way of knowing.
Unless he asked.
In the back of his mind, Legolas heard Celendaran's voice urging him to just talk to their father. Everyone seemed to think that was all he needed to do. He just needed to talk to Thranduil.
"Adar?"
"Yes, Legolas?"
"Why is that necklace so important?"
"It belonged to your mother."
"I know" Legolas said. "But she owned many necklaces."
"This one was lost."
No other explanation was forthcoming so Legolas just shrugged and sat down. Once again, he heard Celendaran's voice in the back of his head gently urging him to make an effort to continue the conversation. Somehow the gentle urging was more persuasive than anything more forceful.
"How did she lose it?"
"You want to hear the story?" Thranduil asked, brows lifting slightly in surprise. He couldn't remember the last time Legolas had asked anything about his mother.
Legolas nodded. "I do."
"Very well" the king responded and sat down. Taking a moment to arrange his robes, he considered where best to begin the story. "Your mother always liked to wander when it was hot…"
Cullasil spread her arms out for balance as she walked along a low branch. Her silver necklace twisted about her fingers, the pendant catching the summer light and delighting her with the glittering. She didn't really need any help to remain balanced, but it was always more fun the way she did it. With her sleeves trailing behind her, it felt as though she could step into the air and fly.
The branch drooped low to the ground so Cullasil stepped down to the ground. There was a small opening in the ground in front of her.
"Where do you go?" she asked curiously, approaching it to see if she'd fit inside.
"Nowhere that you'll ever go."
Cullasil chuckled and turned to see Thranduil standing behind her. "How long have you been following me?"
"Since you passed the river. What are you doing all the way out here?" he asked. "I thought I told you to stay this side of the river for the next little while."
"You of all people should know that telling me not to do something is the perfect way to ensure I do it."
"Of course" Thranduil said. "I remember that now."
"Do you know what's in here?" she asked, pointing into the narrow split.
"Something dark, wet and underground. Now, come."
"Come where?"
"Back to the palace" Thranduil said, holding his hand out to her.
Cullasil paid him no attention, poking her head into the gap. "I can hear water."
"That's irrelevant. Come."
Cullasil threw him a grin over her shoulder and disappeared into the opening. The darkness swallowed her up almost immediately and she disappeared from Thranduil's sight. He sighed and looked around him to make sure no one else was watching.
"I can't believe she's making me do this" he muttered and then followed her underground.
The darkness was so complete, it took his eyes a long time before he could even differentiate between different shades of black. Thranduil opened his eyes wider in an attempt to gather more light but it didn't work. He held his hands out to avoid colliding with any walls. Thinking about his current position, he was very glad it was too dark even for elves to see. He had to look completely ridiculous.
"Cullasil? Cullasil, where are you?"
"I found the water. My feet are wet."
"Who's fault is that?" Thranduil said, moving towards the sound of her voice. "Say something else so I can find you."
"I suppose you're claiming it's my fault?"
"Of course I am, because that's the truth."
"It is only the truth from your perspective" Cullasil said. She sensed him getting closer and saw the shift of his shadow. "Be careful, Thranduil. It's slick right there-"
Her warning came just a moment too late. Thranduil placed his foot in just the wrong spot. It slid out from under him, and he found himself pitched down the small slope with a slight yelp.
"Thranduil?" Cullasil asked, a little bit worried.
He didn't have time to reply before he toppled right into her. She exclaimed sharply when she felt the sudden weight and stumbled. It was too much sudden weight and movement for her to manage in that moment. Not that she didn't try. Cullasil tried to keep balance for both of them but the stone was slick under her feet as well. In a tangle of limbs, hair and exclamations of pain, they ended up in the shallow creek at the bottom of the cave.
Thranduil groaned and lifted himself up. The cold water seeped through half of his tunic, effectively ruining his day. "Are you hurt, meleth nin?"
"I'm fine. You?" Cullasil responded. "Now get off me."
Thranduil did as she asked and helped her up. "We're going back to the palace. I'm not walking around in wet clothing."
"If you insist."
"I do insist" he said, taking her hand firmly and leading her back towards the last crack of light visible. For once, Cullasil didn't try to argue and simply followed him. She could see sense when it was really sensible. She was all wet as well. That was never pleasant.
They had almost reached the palace when Cullasil suddenly gasped and stopped.
"What is it?" Thranduil asked.
"My necklace! It must have fallen off in that cave. We have to go back and get it" she said, starting back into the forest.
"No, Cullasil."
"That necklace was a gift from you" she said.
"Oh I know. You will be hearing about that later" he said with a dry chuckle and continued leading her inside.
Legolas found himself smiling as Thranduil finished the story. He knew it had to be a true story. Thranduil would never make up a story where he looked clumsy or foolish.
"And you forgot to go back and find the necklace?" he asked.
"I suppose we did. I had forgotten all about the necklace until Tauriel happened to be wearing it. I'm sure your mother would have remembered but it wasn't long after that she was expecting Celendaran. Her time was rather occupied after that."
"I can see why the necklace is special then" Legolas said.
"Very special" Thranduil said thoughtfully, looking at the chain trailing over his fingers. The pendant felt warm against his palm. It had been resting there for days, the same way it had rested against Cullasil's palm. She had determinedly worn it on her hand despite that fact that it was a necklace. It was a connection to her.
The necklace had been lost, just like Cullasil had been. At least the necklace had come back. It was enough to remember some new things and a way to feel close to her.
Thranduil looked at Legolas, who was gazing into the newly stoked fire. Many people said Legolas was the son who favoured him in looks, with Celendaran being the one to look like Cullasil, but he disagreed. To his eyes, Legolas looked like Cullasil. He had the same thoughtful gaze, the same determined clench of the jaw and a rebellious streak a mile wide. It was a pity that he was the one who had no memories of her. He had only been a baby when Cullasil was lost.
Thranduil closed his fingers over the pendant again, trying to make a decision. The last thing he wanted to do was give up the necklace again but he felt something telling him he needed to. Strangely enough, he was certain the voice prompting him was that belonging to Cullasil. Trust her to manage to tell him off after a thousand years of being gone.
He sighed and touched the pendant to his lips one last time before unwinding it from around his fingers.
"Here" he said, holding it out to Legolas. "Take it."
Legolas hesitated and considered refusing before simply doing as he was told. The pendant fell into his hand, the chain catching the firelight. The silver and grey of the necklace reflected back the reds of the fire, almost changing the colours entirely. He smiled, closing his fingers over the pendant and feeling the shape press into his palm. It was a memory of his mother, no matter how small.
Seeing that he had accepted the necklace, Thranduil got to his feet and swept past him, disappearing before anything more could be said.
There was nothing more that needed to be said.