Chapter 8: Warming Up
"Ada, can we talk with you for a second?"
Elrond looked up at his work, to see the twins enter into the room. That was strange, since the twins rarely came to him so discreetly and barely ask for help. He would have most expected Arwen, who constantly came for advice. "Of course penneths, what can I do for you?"
"We need to talk about Legolas, Ada," said Elladan sitting down as Elrohir did.
They faced each other and Elrond frowned. "What about Legolas, Elladan? Do you two not like him?"
"No, no, Ada!" exclaimed Elrohir for Elladan. "It has been good to have another friend about our age know, things get rather boring with only adults here and Arwen...although she barely counts because she's female and she's such a crybaby. Legolas is really nice too and he's fantastic with his bow and arrow! You should have seen the contest we held with him and Glorfindel."
"Then what is the problem about him?" asked Elrond.
"Ada, we don't know him," said Elladan after a brief sigh. "We do not mean it as an insult but..he is strange. I feel there is something he has been keeping from us, as if it were a mystery. I fear for him. Besides...it is as if there were a dark spirit in him, for sometimes I see him sad, calmly depressed, almost melancholic. I-It frightens me Ada, it even frightens Elrohir and all he can mostly think about is ham!"
"Hey!" snapped Elrohir whacking his twin's head, although it was pretty much true. Elrohir did like ham a lot.
Elrond sighed. "Legolas has suffered much more than anybody his age. He has lost more than most elves and he has done so many things that even the oldest elves would not dream of doing. Despite his young age, he has lived much more than some of the wisest elves. Yet in Mirkwood...there is nobody that took care of his feelings. You must understand that Mirkwood is a cold place, isolated in darkness and constantly showered with dangers. You cannot have feelings there, you must remain stronger than most to survive. That is why Legolas is so uneasy here, Elladan, Elrohir. He has been raised to be cold, unforgiving and strong, yet in the inside, he has feelings, he has warmth, he has a genuine personality that awaits to be nourished."
After a stunning silence, Elrond continued. "And let's admit it: Thranduil is not getting any kindness awards soon. Mirkwood and Imladris elves are very different, you two, and now you must understand why I wanted you to make him welcome."
"But Ada, surely not everybody in Mirkwood are like you described?" said Elrohir.
"Indeed, there must be elves who can help him. Like...his Nana, maybe?" asked Elladan.
Elrond stood looking at them gravely. "Indeed, there are other elves with emotions...frankly, all elves have emotions. However, Mirkwood is not a kingdom where they will allow such emotions to be open. Besides...he has no Naneth."
There was a silence and for a while, Elrond found himself drifting off into a distant memory of the past. Although it was not much of a memory, but a letter. He found himself drifting into the time where Mirkwood felt into a deep void of loneliness, anger, grief and depression...the time in which their queen had died and gone to the Halls of Mandos.
[BEGIN FLASHBACK]
Dear Lord Elrond,
You may not know of me, Lord Elrond, but my name is Thalos Thranduilion and I am the crown of prince of Mirkwood. I write to you, since there is nobody else for me to talk to and yet I have so many things to say. I appreciate your attention to this letter and that you have taken your precious time to read this.
For years, I had heard my father council with you, I have sat by his side and watched as he reported to you about our situation. Since I was not yet an elfling, I started to learn the ways of a king but now, it seems as if all those years were for nothing. You probably know of Mirkwood's situation...we are engulfed in great darkness Lord Elrond, a darkness far beyond what is imaginable. Every living breath means more fire and death is to come and we are constantly assaulted by the dangers who hide in our shadows.
When I was an elfling, I heard stories and was able to glimpse of what was once, Greenwood the Great. I was told stories of a place where the forests were rich and green, towering over fertile lands with life blooming everywhere. I was told of peace and of a paradise that I had long hoped to rule.
Yet as the years passed by and I was taught the ways of a king, I slowly saw as my homeland fell. It is painful, Lord Elrond, to see the only place you can call home, slowly fade away from it's glory, from it's great stories. I saw my people fade, corrupted by the darkness surrounding us...losing hope. I even glimpsed my father at times in the verge of giving up, overstressed by the responsibilities and the constant battles we failed to win. I saw my father at his weakest point, when I had been fed tales of great battle, bravery, power and glory about him. I have seen him, as nobody has and I know that truly, inside the hard shell of his, inside that emotionless cold facade, there was a different side to my father.
However, I am here to bring you the gravest news...news that will not make you happy and something that has brought nothing but more sadness to us.
My Naneth, Queen Miluneth of the wood-elves has died.
It has brought us deeper, into the void that has been sinking us in and we are slowly losing hope. I have been forced to take over my father's throne and forced to rule slightly while he locks himself in solace and grief. But despite the kingdom slightly crumbling down, I have hope. For those stories remain in me and I believe that one day, I will rule in Greenwood the Great.
However, this is not what is worrying me the most.
There is somebody who witnessed my Nana dying, [Elrond had found a splatter in between the words, probably from a tear?] and I fear that person is fading deeper. He has grown so quickly in such a matter of time and seems so depressed despite the little time that has past. I want him back, I beg you Lord Elrond.
Could you please help us, Lord Elrond? I write to you not as an ally but as the son of a friend. The son of a grieving one and one who is grieving inside as well.
Please send Lord Glorfindel, that is all I ask, for he will understand what and who I mean. It is not that I do not trust you Lord Elrond, but I fear that you have more important issues in your kingdom to manage than another silly kingdom weeping for their loss. But if you choose to come as well, we would be honored to receive you.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Prince Thalos Thranduilion, prince of the wood-elves and of Greenwood the Great
[END FLASHBACK]
"But father, why can't you help him?" asked Elladan.
Lord Elrond smiled a thin grin, he saw Celebrian's kind and gentle demeanor in him, for they could tease and joke with people a lot but in the end...they were truly the most caring and loyal sons he could have. Then his face twitched into a somber frown. "I am afraid that such darkness edges deep inside him that even I, cannot cure. It must depend on you two and Arwen."
The twins looked shocked. "US? ARWEN?"
"Yes."
Elrohir finally sighed, looking straight into his father's eyes. "Then...what must we do father?"
Elrond smiled. He could see more and more of Celebrian in his sons and that was good-for the most part. He put one hand in each of his sons' shoulders, a sign of affection and pride. He trailed off. "It's very simple, really..."
"Be his friend."
O-O-O
The twins had told Legolas they had to sort something out and told Legolas they would be a few minutes without him. He had taken it easy on them and shrugged, a few minute of solitude would do him some good.
Raised in Mirkwood, he had been taught (mostly by Thalos) that every single spark of nature and life had to be cherished. It had to be saved and protected like you protected your own kin, your own land. Although he could not talk to them as he could to the trees, animals did always seem to be fond of Legolas. Well...frankly, everybody seemed fond of Legolas, especially the elven maidens. Legolas rolled his eyes as he thought about it, elven maidens. What else was there to say?
Anyways, animals had always loved Legolas and the feeling was mutual with him. So since he had heard that Imladris had the fairest of all steeds, he decided to go to the stables to see those rumors true.
The stables were beautiful, with white carved marble and stone along with smooth light brown wooden structures. For a place where horses were kept, it seemed immaculately neat, all nice, peaceful and clean. Legolas opened the door and took a few steps forward in awe. There were so many horses! Big and small, fat and thin, young and old...oh, the colors! They were bright and dark at the same time yet the variety was stunning.
He took a few step forwards to pet the horses, their nuzzles wet and snorting with delight, the pleased cackling of horse hooves evident. He stroked them cautiously and slowly when he suddenly heard a voice.
"Oh, good morning Legolas! It's a surprise having you here."
He jumped, turning around aiming his bow and suddenly, he saw a very frightened looking Arwen holding a bucket in one hand and a bag of food in another. He put the bow down in it's place and sighed in relief, as did she.
She looked beautiful, even in a stable, with a light blue dress and her hair tied up in a neat, slightly messy but simple black bun. Her delicate features shone nicely in the pale sunshine of the morning and she smiled, "Oh...I'm terribly sorry! Did I frighten you?"
"No, Lady Arwen," he said smiling one of his sheepish smiles which she thought were terribly charming, charming until it became quite ridiculous. "You only caught me by surprise, I did not know that a lady like you would enjoy being in the stables."
"Well, I suppose I must be quite honored," she mused although she was absolutely terrified as she continued to walk on to a nearby horse, "to catch the great prince of Mirkwood off guard."
There was a small polite laugh between her and Legolas, when suddenly, Legolas returning to his manners quickly moved forward. "Let me help you with that, my lady, it seems quite heavy."
Arwen blushed as he took the horse food bag from her hand and lifted it. In truth, it was quite heavy and she felt like her hand was going to fall off but truly, she was already used to it, since she had spent most of her free time in the stables. Although he made the bag seem as light as a feather, dumping the contents into the feeding trough easily. "Oh, thank you, but you really didn't need to. I didn't want to bother you with the load and-"
"It's all right, Lady Arwen," he smiled one of his half-genuine and half-suspicious smiles. He was being courteous, Arwen knew, but could she really spark friendship with him? "It wasn't nothing for me, I'm used to heavier things. Now tell me...why would a highborn, daughter of Lord Elrond be here feeding horses in the stables?"
"Please," she smiled as they walked on and Legolas helped her fill the remaining troughs, "please don't call me Lady Arwen, it's just Arwen."
Legolas bowed down. "As you say, 'Just Arwen.'"
Arwen laughed. She couldn't quite know if his joke was genuine or not but still, Legolas had to be one of the most pleasant elves she had ever been with. "Anyways, back to your question, Legolas...why would a highborn prince of Mirkwood be here stroking horses? Can you talk to them as you can to trees?"
Legolas chuckled. "Oh no, I do not talk to them as I do to trees but they are fond of me as I am with them. I find peace in animals, they're tiny miracles of life, don't you think La-I mean, Arwen?"
She nodded. "Indeed, I feel their company satisfying as well. I've never really been into sewing and cooking and such...I prefer horseback riding. It's much more pleasant although I am absolutely horrible at weapon wielding. I can barely lift a sword."
Legolas thought about it. It was queer to find in Mirkwood, an elven maiden of Arwen's age who could not at least wield a knife or a sword decently. Even the highest of ladies had to know how to fight in the Mirkwood court...that was life there but he supposed it was different with the elves here. "I see, so tell me Arwen, which horse do you ride the most?"
"Oh, I've rode on them all," she exclaimed. "And they're all delightful, really. But there is one horse that I adore riding..."
She pulled Legolas into another door into another set of stables where he found himself facing a beautiful horse. He had wise black eyes and a white mane that spiralled down loosely. It's hooves were steady, strong and as black as the steed's eyes but Legolas could feel it's true, remarkable strength. The horse was as white as the fresh snow lingering outside and he stroked it, "It's truly amazing."
Arwen nodded, smiling in pride. "Well, he's actually Glorfindel's horse but he lets me ride him most of the time. His name is Asfaloth."
"Sunlit foam," said Legolas immediately translating. "What an interesting name."
She smiled. "Indeed, but Glorfindel is equally interesting so there is naught to say about that."
They smiled at each other and sat in the haystacks telling each other about the horses. However, it had led into another conversation of retelling stories of their homes and just when Elladan and Elrohir came in to look for Legolas, they found him patiently listening to an overly excited Arwen about one of the twins' despicable jokes on Glorfindel.
Yes, it involved fish, porcupines, honey, nails, stairs, a bucket and of course, as long as Elrohir was part of the prank, there was a lot of ham. Indeed...we don't want any details of it, don't we?
O-O-O
AN: Aww! I really think that Legolas finally starts to start warming up to the twins and Arwen! Anyways, here is the response for your awesome reviews that always keep me going!
ALSO! (Change of topic) Please make sure to check out my interactive Hunger Games fanfiction and submit a character! I would so appreciate it! :)
BlackMinx17: Haha! XD LOL, I can tell you really love cliffies! (Sarcasm over there) And by the way, you have a summer assignment too? I do admit I'm only halfway done, since I'm writing so much.
Eraman: Why thank you! :)
Guest: Thank you! I'm glad you like Legolas so much! And yes, Thranduil might look cold and strict, but he's actually very fatherly in the inside. Remember, he has been through a lot...
Luin: OMG! Thank you! That's such a big compliment! I'm not very sure if my stories are as good as you say they are, but thank you for the support! :D And about Thranduil...my Thranduil is kind of half and half: half cold, serious and 'evil' while the other half is warm, fatherly and caring. And haha...nope, the twins has something else planned...