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Unseen to Elven Eyes
"Galthan was quite upset the last time I spoke to him," said King Thranduil. Legolas and Keldir stood before him in perfect posture.
"Forgive us, father, we did not mean for things to get out of hand," the prince answered with a serious tone.
"You always do not mean for things to get out of hand, especially when you two are together," Thranduil leaned toward them on his throne's armrest.
"But, Galthan also admits that the stables have not looked so clean in decades." A female voice interrupted the king's next words. Legolas and Keldir both turned to see who the voice belonged to.
Legolas saw a pair of blue eyes like his own, but softer, and smiled. "Good morning, mother."
"Your Majesty," Keldir bowed to his queen.
Queen Terulien smiled back at them with a slight nod and proceeded to sit next to her husband. Thranduil greeted her with a kiss on the hand then turned his attention back to his son and the captain. "These are dangerous times with the Orcs more persistent in trying to overrun our lands. Though Sauron has not shown himself for more than an Age, evil is always brewing in Dol Guldor."
"Yes, sire." They both responded.
"And, from your rigorous training you two have grown to be the best elven-warriors of this kingdom. Therefore, it should not be such a great task to learn how to prioritize duty from foolishness!"
The elven-king gave them each a stern look as if he was waiting for an individual answer. After a few moments of silence he finally gives them permission to leave. The two bowed and exited quietly, but quickly.
"Do not worry yourself so, my king." The queen laid her hand on top of his, "they are only enjoying their youth."
"Why do you always speak in their favor?" the elven-king finally slumped back into his throne.
"Because they were simply trying to make their punishment more bearable. Where is the harm in that?"
"Punishment for those two seem to fall as a second assignment upon my shoulders, if not Dalorien's. Legolas is nearly two-hundred-years-old," stated Thranduil, "he should be looking toward the future of this kingdom, not partaking in foolish activities."
"You act as if you were not young once yourself, Thranduil," the queen folded her arms. "If your son knew the things you had done in your youth, such a weapon he would have against you."
"Yes, well..." he cleared his throat, "my father was strict, as well, if not stricter, and my punishments were far worse than his. I admit I was quite like him at his age, running around, doing whatever I pleased. However, I also listened to my father who embedded the strength I have now of prioritizing duty above all else."
"Even love?" The queen questioned. "From what I remember, you went against your father's orders of attending council to come and pay your beloved a morning visit."
The king grinned and took her hand into his. "And how upset he was with me for we were preparing for battle. However, you cannot blame an elf for being in love." Thranduil looked into her eyes. "Love itself has its own set of rules that can cancel out even the most hot-tempered of fathers," he lightly chuckled.
"And hot-tempered he was," the queen laughed at the memories.
"Maybe so, but all my punishments were well worth it. I have a beautiful queen by my side and a strong warrior for a son. I simply hope for Legolas to focus on his royal duties and perhaps find a good bride within the next decade or so."
"My love, although most of our kin marry within a century, Legolas is not ready. He has made it clear on many occasions. And you know the outcome of those conversations. It is usually you or Legolas walking out of the room."
Thranduil sighed wearily at his son's stubbornness to take a wife. "I know what it is like to have your father constantly urging you to choose a maiden that you do not love, but I cannot stay in the Outer Lands forever."
Queen Terulien gave him a sympathetic smile. "We agreed when he was born that we would allow him to marry for love. Legolas's first love is still the forest where he seeks adventure. True, the prince is seen with many maidens, but none yet has captured his heart. And on Eru knows when one will. We raised our son to make wise decisions when it comes to our kingdom and I am confident that he will do what is best when that time comes."
Adjusting his position, Thranduil faced her directly. "You seem to know a great deal about our son, my love. Do tell who you get your information from?"
"Your son of course," she simply answered. "We have previously discussed this matter."
Thranduil noded his head. "Hmm, yes, he always did confide in you more than I."
"But, of course, my sweet." The queen kissed him on the cheek. "I am his mother."
"Yes, and I am nothing but a tyrant elven-king who is out to make his son's life miserable," he sarcastically replied.
"Legolas does listen, Thranduil, and takes your words to heart." Terulien brushed her hand against his cheek. "He knows you only seek what is best for him, and he does try to please you. But, you must also give him some freedom to do what his heart desires," she said softly. "When his time comes to rule, the Underground Kingdom will flourish and become even greater than what it is now."
"I can only hope what you say is true."
I I I
"I wonder what will be in store this coming day." Keldir pondered in the hallways. "Double patrolling shifts...no meal for a day...us as target practice." He started thinking of their next punishment. "Wait, no, you already had that punishment," the captain smirked to himself.
Legolas rolled his eyes with an undetectable smile. "Dalorien truly does know how to make an elf's punishment be quite...interesting," he softly laughed. "Luckily, young Etelur has a good aim for if not, I would have been wearing an arrow for a crown."
"Yes, I remember that one well," Keldir chuckled. "You standing underneath the target during archery practice hoping to not be shot by elven-children, I must say, was priceless!"
"Priceless? Have you already forgotten that you, as well, almost shared that punishment with me?" reminded the prince.
"I do not know what you speak of?" The captain gave him a blank expression, "That arrow was leagues away from my vicinity."
"Of course it was," he snickered.
One of the elven-children who admired Keldir as a warrior got so nervous around him that he accidentally lost his hold on the arrow, making it fly within two feet of the guard's rear end. Legolas was laughing for weeks.
"Back again so soon?" Dalorien said as they entered her kitchen. She was gathering more vegetables for a new recipe.
The two elves stopped their conversation and turned to the cook. "We cannot get enough of your creative punishments that is why we are back!" Legolas exaggerated his greeting with a hug.
"Very amusing," she sardonically replied, "I only punish you so you learn your lesson of how I like to keep my kitchens."
"And, how is that, dear lady?" Keldir asked. "As you can see we have not yet learned this lesson for we keep returning to your wonderful and gracious reprimands." He also exaggerated his actions with a low bow.
"Flattering." Dalorien placed her hands on her hips. "Until I walk in the Halls of Mandos, I expect to have my kitchens clean, organized, fully stocked with food and ingredients, and most of all...free of pests."
"Pests?" Legolas asked with a bewildered look on his face.
"Yes, meaning you and you," she pointed at them, "for you elves are like mice, always taking bits and pieces of food from my trays and pantries!"
"But, dear Dalorien, if not for our small meals from time to time we might not be able to perform our duties in protecting the kingdom," explained Keldir. "You do not want elven-warriors trying to fight the giant spiders and Orcs on an empty stomach do you?"
"No, I do not. But with your two appetites combined, I would have to make a separate feast for the rest of the other guards." She threw her hands up in defeat. Keldir and Legolas laughed quietly at the cook's words as she exited through another door.
"Prince Legolas, I have been instructed to deliver this to you," a messenger entered after their mirth has died. Legolas thanked him and broke the seal then began reading the letter silently to himself.
"Well? What does it say?" Keldir asked curiously.
A small smile appeared on the prince's lips. "Tis a letter from Lady Varien Redbrich requesting to have a meeting with me in my mother's garden this evening," he said.
"A persistent maiden she is," grinned the captain. "So, will you meet with her?"
"Yes, of course. It would be quite rude of me if I did not respond to the request, would you not agree?" Legolas replied with a smirk.
"So…does this mean then that I will not see you for the morning patrol again?"
The elf-prince smiled and took his time in answering. "We shall see. Come, let us go now. I have not yet been to practice and would very much like to be out in the open forest before then."
Keldir nodded and followed him out. Once in the corridor that led to the outside, Legolas examined the piece of paper in his hand once more then placed it in his inner tunic. "What is the matter?" Keldir asked, wondering why he stopped walking.
"I changed my mind."
"Changed your mind?"
"Yes. Expect me at dawn's first light."
Back in the kitchen where they had just left, an elven female slowly poked her head out of the tapestry that was against the wall to see if the room was empty. When it was safe to come out of hiding, she quietly pushed the stone open, just enough for her to get through to the other side.
Le'ariel stepped out and dusted her apron with her hands. The chambermaid stayed hidden in one of the secret passageways a little after they arrived, a shortcut she often took from the courtyard to the kitchens. She wasn't one to eavesdrop on conversations, especially the prince's, but how would she explain come out of the secret corridors meant only for emergencies?
Regardless of what her mother previously told her about the 'good side' of the prince and what she witnessed, it would now take much effort on his part to convince Le'ariel that he truly had more depth to him than a mere prince who was easily lured into offers. Since that ill day when she accidentally walked in on Legolas and Lady Varien, she had not set foot in his chambers, just as she had promised herself.
With her irritation clouding her mind, little did Le'ariel know that the prince wouldn't be giving in to any requests tonight, but to simply meet the maiden for a stroll in his mother's garden then say goodnight.