King Thranduil studied the city as his ship entered the wide harbor nestled into the surrounding forest. The sea-wall and every roof were decorated with colorful flags which fluttered in the breeze to celebrate his arrival in Aman. Eldar lined the streets and balconies to watch his ship make port. Archers and soldiers wore their highly polished golden armor, while the people dressed in clothing with the green hues matching the trees of the forest.
Was this where Tauriel had been spending her time?
He often wondered if once Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond arrived Tauriel would turn to them for guidance, if not outright leadership, but this port was not marked by the people of the Golden Woods or Rivendell. The banners over the city were entirely Thranduil's own.
Carving a seaport for the Woodland Elves out of wild, virgin forest land was a massive undertaking to have completed in even a century's time, but if anyone could surprise him with such a feat, it was Tauriel.
Far from a punishment, her years in exile taught her more than any book lessons could, and the solitude made her confident in herself and her choices.
What had a journey such as this done for her? Would he find a complete stranger where the child fostered in his court now stood?
Cheers erupted from the gathered spectators as soon as his boots hit the wooden boards. He glanced up at them and nodded regally to his people.
A group approached him, Legolas and Tauriel leading them alongside a dark haired individual Thranduil did not recognize. When they reached him, Legolas and Tauriel went to one knee at Thranduil's feet, and all those behind them followed suit until the only person standing was King Thranduil.
The first to rise was the stranger, and he greeted Thranduil formally, "Mae g'ovannen, Lord Thranduil. Gi nathlam hi." His behavior told Thranduil he was the master of this city, before he confirmed it by adding, "I am Lindir, and I've had the honor of preparing the city for your arrival."
Thranduil nodded, "Le athae." He gestured for Legolas and Tauriel to rise, as well. "How does this city come to be under my banner? A port this far south was not listed on the map Lord Ulmo gave me a few hours ago."
"Our people built this city, my Lord," Tauriel explained. "We were beyond fortunate to meet up with Lindir in the Grey Havens. His training and experience in Rivendell with Lord Elrond proved valuable beyond measure. He volunteered to lead the building efforts, and since the building and stone-work was completed, he has been readying the homes and Halls for the arrival of our people."
"When we met him, Lindir was an overworked apprentice," Legolas told the King with a grin. "I think he found Tauriel a more demanding taskmaster than any Elf-Lord."
The King looked from Legolas to Tauriel, and she smirked, "It is wise to plan for the future, but the credit for building the belongs to Lindir in all things."
The Elda who greeted him threw Tauriel an uncomfortable look, and his cheeks flushed pink under Thranduil's scrutiny. "Tauriel is much too modest, my Lord."
Legolas added, "They had been building for nearly two decades, and the construction was all but finished, when I arrived."
Thranduil considered this, impressed in spite of himself, "The High King mentioned only thirty six years have passed since your arrival. It appears you put every year to good use."
"I am pleased with your gift," he told his people in a raised voice to carry on the breeze. "I've brought wine and gifts from your kin who have missed you greatly. Tonight, we shall celebrate your achievements." A collective sigh of relief from the crowd, and then they stood and gave another rousing cheer for their King's arrival.
"Would you like a tour, my Lord?" Tauriel asked him.
"Yes. I think I would. Tell me something," the King directed at Lindir, "Does this city have a name?"
Lindir shook his head, "No official name, my Lord, but Tauriel and I thought to call the city... Laiqualondë."
"Green Harbor," Thranduil translated, considering. "More precisely, the Harbor of the Green-elves."
Tauriel rescued Lindir, "The city is yours to decide what you will have it called, my Lord. We waited for you to come in person and make a final decision."
"Laiqualondë is an excellent name for this impressive port. I see no reason why it should not be called thus," Thranduil told them, and some of the tension eased in Lindir's shoulders.
His nervousness amused Thranduil, and he had a feeling he was going to enjoy putting Elrond's former apprentice through his standard tests of trustworthiness.
Legolas must have seen the gleam in his father's eye, because he stepped slightly between Lindir and the King. "Lindir has been an excellent steward, my Lord, and everything is in order for you and your Court to settle here and make this your home until your Halls are built."
Thranduil tilted his head, catching the implication that Legolas and Tauriel would be elsewhere. "You do not live here?"
"This is the third settlement of the Woodland elves," Lindir rushed to explain. "The largest of the three, to be sure, but you will find a thriving fishing village and a mountain city in the forest a short journey north of here where most of your Woodland elves settled decades ago. Only the workers and artisans are residing here, now, and they will soon return to their homes."
"Three cities." Thranduil repeated, finding himself at a loss for words.
"We started our lives in Aman in a place we call Eryn Essë," Tauriel explained. "The bay was not large enough for more than a few small fishing vessels, so this land selected as home for our main port."
The twins finally approached Thranduil as Tauriel led them down the pier to the start of the cobblestone market area. They bowed to their grandfather. "Welcome to Aman, my Lord. It is good that you have come," Eryniel said, with the bright smile the King remembered well.
Legoliôn was quick to agree, "Father said you would not be long in sailing."
A pale haired boy hesitated before the King, green eyes intensely curious, but at the same time wary. When he said nothing, Thranduil prompted him gently, "Who are you, boy?"
"I am Tharanden, my Lord, second son of Legolas Thranduilion. Someday, I will be a great archer and warrior like my father, and I will serve my King with honor, as he does," Tharanden stated, quite boldly.
This made the corners of Thranduil's lips turn up, an expression of amusement he noted was shared by the boy's parents. "I see. Come here and let me look at you."
The King examined his thirty-five year old grandson from boots to pale hair in braids at his temples like his father. His youngest grandchild showed remarkable patience and a calm which he held fast to even in the face of meeting the imposing figure of the King for the first time.
"I have many legions of archers and warriors who serve me," Thranduil told him. "Precious few have the natural born skill shown by your father when it comes to handling a bow."
Tharanden was still young enough to be considered a child. Though all too soon, Thranduil knew, his grandson would follow his siblings and begin the climb up the slope to maturity. "With hard work, you may yet prove a great archer, indeed, and you would do well to follow the examples of both your parents in their service to me and the people of the Woodland Realm."
"Still... do you know what I should like more than more guards and warriors in this new land, boy?" King Thranduil pulled himself up to this full height and straightened his shoulders. "It would not be an easy position to fill, and it is much less exciting than hunting giant spiders or slaying Orcs, but a few others have found it rewarding enough."
Tharanden swallowed hard, grimacing just a little.
The King continued, "I have arrived in Aman today to find my grandson Legoliôn grown nearly to adulthood, and far too serious for someone not yet one century old. Little Eryniel has blossomed into a Lady to rival the most beautiful in all of Arda. When they left, I missed the chaos they wrought within my Halls. I find I have great need of a new grandchild to add to my family, perhaps one with pale hair who brings to mind my son Legolas when he was a boy." His fingers lightly brushed one of the silver locks of the boy's hair. "What do you have to say for yourself, Tharanden? Will you take up the discarded mantle of your older siblings and continue the youthful laughter and troublemaking which I have so missed since they departed?"
Tharanden blinked in surprise at the request, and then he grinned, "Yes, my Lord."
Thranduil saw the first glimpses of Tauriel in the boy's eager smile and felt his eyes burning with the weight of his emotions, the greatest of which was joy at being reunited with his family, and he quickly covered his loss of composure by pulling the boy into his arms and embracing him.
A sniffle from Tauriel drew his attention, and he sighed, "Now, I suppose I will be forced to hug everyone to be considered fair." He did just that, starting with the twins. When he came to Tauriel, he paused to press a kiss to her brow. "I have given you all you asked of me, Daughter of the Forest. This city will be the landing point of many ships filled with our people in the next decade, but I hope you do not think this means you will get your way in all things, from now on, for I am still very much the King."
"Of course, my Lord," Tauriel responded, glowing with pure elation. "I would never dream of expecting to get my way in 'all' things."
"Good. I believe we have an understanding. Now, why don't you show me all you have accomplished during your decades in Aman beyond giving me a handsome, well mannered namesake to go with my twins."
Legolas coughed into his hand to hide a chuckle, and Thranduil gave him a quelling look. "You and Tauriel do plan to give me even more grandchildren in the future, do you not?" The pair looked at each other and raised their eyebrows in surprise. The smirks that followed were enough of a confirmation for Thranduil. "I look forward to them, so do not keep me waiting too long."
As pleased as Thranduil was with Laiqualondë, he felt instantly why Eryn Ess was the place Legolas and Tauriel considered their home in Aman. They built a Royal Suite for their King in both cities, and Thranduil was appreciative for the freedom of movement it offered him. He meant it when he told Tharanden he missed them.
Two tall forms huddled together by the fire, enjoying the night air and the stars, and it was an unusual setting for such a somber conversation which is what drew Thranduil's attention. "Are you in love with my sister?" His grandson queried of Lindir.
The dark haired Elda sighed, "I am, yes."
"How do you know?"
Thranduil continued to eavesdrop, as he was interested in the answer to that particular question, as well.
"When your sister is far away, I feel diminished by her absence. Like cloudy day as opposed to a clear blue one, I miss her sunshine." A few moments later, he added, "I don't think she sees just how deep my feelings for her run. That is a good thing. I don't want her to feel pressured to return my feelings. Eryniel is a Princess and she will have her choice of all the ellyn in Aman when she comes of age. It is possible she will devote herself to her healing studies and have few thoughts of marriage for a thousand years or more. Why do you ask, Legoliôn? I hope you know you do not need to protect your sister from me. I have no intention of making my feelings clear until she is much, much older."
He skillfully turned the question back on the younger Elda and Legoliôn hunched his broad shoulders as he did when he was worried about something, as if making himself less imposing would also make his worries smaller. "Amariel is a Princess, too."
"Yes, of course, she is. Being half-elven doesn't change her status among the Eldar. As a grandchild of both Lords Elrond and Celeborn, many will see a marriage to Amariel as an astute political move."
"I wouldn't marry for political alliances," the copper-haired Prince pronounced, firmly. "When someone marries, it should be for love."
Lindir nodded, "A good attitude to have, and one sure to facilitate a happy union."
The King smirked at Lindir's choice of words, and the desired effect they had on his grandson, drawing the feelings he didn't want to discuss out into the open.
"You loved Amariel's mother... didn't you?"
"Yes, mellon, I loved Arwen very much, but sometimes love cannot be returned and the person you think would be your ideal match gives their heart to someone else."
The Prince nodded, "Or the one you love dies, as with my mother and her Dwarf Prince."
"Love can be painful, but I don't believe, as some do, we are only meant to find love once in our lives. Such a limit on joy and contentment would be very sad indeed."
Thranduil agreed.
He left them to stargazing and discussing ellith, and the King was surprised to stumble upon Lady Galadriel further down the long balcony, also enjoying the stars. Though, to be fair, Thranduil had already encountered an aging Dwarf and a pair of chatty middle aged Hobbits in Eryn Essë, so Galadriel sharing their preference for a quiet life in the forest should not have been a stretch of his imagination.
"This forest radiates calm," he told her.
"It does," Galadriel agreed. "The bustle and crowds of city life rarely suit my people... or yours."
This was the first time he had seen her since his arrival yesterday. "Do you live here, as well?"
Galadriel smiled and lowered her lashes, "No, though I visit in the spring and summer each year. Celebrian and Elrond have chosen to live in Eryn Essë, at least for this decade. They are drawn to your abundance of young people. It is one of their regrets they did not beget another child, or two."
"Silvan elves do not hold with the belief of limiting the number of children in a family to one or two."
This made her eyes crinkle at the corners with amusement, "The difference has been noticed, and I think you will find the Eldar of Aman are ripe for change, especially in this. It was for the best most of those who travelled with Tauriel were young married couples and those too young to marry."
The statement puzzled Thranduil and he told her as much, to which she chuckled, "You'll see." It was a cryptic response, but he had come to expect nothing less from Lady Galadriel.
"Tell me about this Lindir who built me three cities and loves my granddaughter."
The High Elven lady gave him a dramatic sigh, "Lindir didn't build the cities because he loves Eryniel. He built them because he has come to feel at home with the Woodland elves and shares the uncomplicated joy they find in all the things others take for granted." To this, and in defense of Lindir, she added, "Elrond was dismayed when we arrived at the defection of his most treasured student to the cause of our intrepid Woodland cousins."
"Defection, is it?" The word implied Lindir intended to stay. That was something Thranduil would need to consider moving forward.
"Absolutely. And now Lindir has had his heart captured by a lovely Woodland Princess, and Elrond cannot hope to persuade his prodigy to the drudgery of life as a humble acolyte. Still, we are proud of the leader he has become."
Thranduil nodded, "Everyone from Legolas to a group of my former guards, of whom many seem determined to take up lives of fishing and sailing, sing Lindir's praises. They trust him and value his leadership in this Council he and Tauriel created." He held a small amount of disdain for the idea of a Council, but the King could not deny their successes, the lack of strife and the idea of a life with the tiresome Court intrigues held great appeal.
This was something he would ponder.
"Different points of view are important, especially when the situation requires growth and evolution," Galadriel said. "You are going to need to construct Halls for yourself, and may find it a relief to leave things as they are in the cities until you can give them more of your time and attention."
"Celeborn and I discussed plans for sharing the lands of Avathar," he told her. "And your husband asked me to pass a message on to you."
Galadriel smirked, "I imagine he did."
"Celeborn misses you."
Her smile made Thranduil reevaluate some of the assumptions he had regarding their relationship. He could see the longing in her eyes as she said, "As I miss him, as well."
"He'll be along shortly. We were having some trouble convincing the people of East Lorien to leave their new homes."
"I shall find ways to content myself until then."
Thranduil nodded, then asked, "Are you helping Legoliôn with his gift of Sight? My wife's kin carried the gift strongly in their blood."
"We speak of him coming to Valmar, for a time, to learn from me. He has shown fair amount of healing ability, as well. Not as strongly as Eryniel, but he will find training of use to him."
Thranduil doubted Tauriel would welcome Lady Galadriel spiriting away both her twins for fostering and education in Valmar. She only just put her family back together. "Will you ask to take them both?"
"Eryniel is a great beauty. There is no need for her to be subjected to the ways of Court life until she is older and less likely to be hurt by some careless word or deed. Elrond is working with her on her healing skills, now, and he will continue until Legolas and Tauriel think their daughter is emotionally matured enough to become the object of much attention, wanted or unwanted." As an afterthought, Galadriel added, "If we are speaking candidly, Eryniel could make many worse matches than Lindir. His heart is kind and his manner gentle. He showed little interest in swords or bows as a youngster, having witnessed his parents die in war, but his keen intellect made him stand apart from the others as one who could follow Elrond as Lord of a city such as Rivendell."
"I see. And as we are speaking candidly, one leader to another, you arrived in Aman shortly after my people, so you are the best one to give me insights into how Tauriel faired in the task I set for her. I told her she had my blessing to make herself a Queen in her own right, and yet she did not even name herself as the leader."
Galadriel glanced at him and raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Tauriel needs no crown for people to follow her. She has the knack of inspiring others, drawing out the best in them and helping that potential manifest all great leaders find and cultivate within themselves. The best thing you could have done for her was to let her leave your Halls and find her own way after her heart was broken."
"You think I did the right thing banishing her?" He had a hard time believing Lady Galadriel approved of his harsh methods.
Had the High Elven lady not given Tauriel a wedding dress when she sent her off to Rivendell to seek a reunion with Legolas, even having guessed Thranduil would never approve of the match?
"We both know you never really let your fledgling get very far from your nest."
There was an underlying meaning to her words that Thranduil caught, and he winced inwardly at being caught out. "Sometimes, I wonder if she could have been mine. A part of Tauriel loved me."
Galadriel patted his shoulder, a gesture of sympathy for paths she knew he could not walk, "That part of her does yet love you, but it would never be enough, her love for Legolas eclipses all else, leaving your part of her heart in shadow. Content yourself to see her and your son happily reunited and whole once more."
"The twins... Tharanden... They could have been mine." Too much of him ached for more children of his own, and now he found others like Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian plagued with a similiar longing.
"No. They would not be the precious gems they are, if you were their father, and such a precarious match would cost you the love of your firstborn in the bargain. Your grandchildren need Legolas as their sire and you as their King." At his crestfallen expression, Galadriel lifted his chin, "You are not too old find a suitable wife in Aman to give you another child."
The very idea gave Thranduil pause. Had she really just suggested he search for a wife? "I do not think..."
Galadriel laughed, like the happy chiming of bells in the breeze. She read him easily, "You will not have to look for High Elven ellith who want children. They are going to descend on your new Woodland Realm in sweetly scent, highly polished legions to lay claim to all your unmarried males. If I were you, I would make my permanent Halls someplace remote, difficult to reach."
"I should have remained in Middle Earth," Thranduil grumbled.
"I imagine Tauriel and Legolas will hide you," Galadriel teased him. "Should drastic measures become necessary."
The idea of being pursued sent a chill through the normally stoic King, but he could not tell if it was dread or excitement.
"My grandson has taken an interest in Arwen's daughter."
Galadriel sighed, "Sometimes it doesn't take long. One can only hope it takes Elrond and his sons a while longer to see it for themselves. Neither of them are grown to the age of consent."
Thranduil told her, "Plans can be drawn anywhere. The first ships are months from arriving, yet. I think I'll stay for a while and soak in the quiet here."
"As you should."
Galadriel took his hand in hers and they walked under the stars, discussing the past, present and futures of their respective peoples.