So far Legolas has not asked any difficult questions, but it is only a matter of time before he begins to wonder at the number of guards that continue hovering around him. He did look questioningly at me when six Citadel guards flanked us all the way to the King's door, but I was able to keep the conversation going about what has happened in our months apart, and he seemed content to listen to my news.
He was not quite prepared to talk about his winter at home yet, telling me only that it was nice to be away for a while. I did not press for details, having already read King Thranduil's letter and knowing he would tell me about it when he was ready. I did have some regret knowing the reason that the season was so difficult was due in large part to his desire to please me and make a good impression on my family and my people. Of course I do not approve of how he chose to accomplish this, and he is fully aware of that fact, yet I wish things might have gone better at home, somehow; for his intentions were noble even if his actions were less than wise. Though I perfectly understand his father's point of view on the matter and appreciate his concerns, I cannot help feeling empathy for Legolas' situation and wish I could make sure he has a more pleasant spring than winter. I certainly do not relish the idea of telling him that things will not be much better here in the White City as far as freedom goes, at least until something can be discovered about the roots of the rumors and threats going about the city.
But I will not be able to keep this a secret for long. Before he even was welcomed by the Queen and King, he was already discussing plans to explore the city, chomping at the bit to do something of his "own choosing." I was saved from responding to that comment, for we had arrived and could see Aragorn and Arwen awaiting us and smiling broadly. Aragorn barely waited for Arod to stand still before dragging the elfling off the horse's back and pulling him into a brotherly embrace. There were warm greetings all around, though Lady Arwen blushed slightly as she caught my eye, perhaps remembering her less than ladylike language when last she saw me. She quickly regained her composure though and took Legolas by the hand, chatting pleasantly with him as we walked to our quarters.
Aragorn fell in behind and walked with me, asking me about our ride through the levels of the city and speaking quietly of some slur that had been shouted at one of the Queen's waiting maids as she was taking one of the Lady's gowns to be cleaned. Arwen had been quite rattled that her presence might be endangering her beloved ladies, and has been slightly less argumentative about the need for security since that time, though she still is not pleased by the loss of privacy. She is not happy about it, but does now understand the necessity of it, which is probably more than we will be able to say for the elfling now walking before us into the quarters we will be sharing over the next several months. No I do not savor the idea of explaining to him how things must be.
Aragorn and Arwen depart after we have agreed to join them for evening meal, leaving me alone with Legolas for the first time in half a year. I can see he wants to know what is going on, but before he can ask I encourage him to take some time to freshen up from his travels. I know I am only putting off the unavoidable, but our time together has been pleasant so far and I do not want to face the inevitable argument that will take place once it is made plain that he will not have as much freedom as he had hoped.
While he follows my suggestion, I spend a few moments penning a quick letter to King Thranduil reassuring him that his son has been delivered safely to me and that I will do all I can to keep him out of trouble and make his stay here successful. I am just blotting the ink, when he joins me again in the common room and sits in the chair across the small table from me.
Again I have the feeling that perhaps it is not quite proper how pleased I am to have him by my side again. Not so long ago, I would have never believed it possible that an elf could have such a hold on my heart, and my family's as well. But I shamelessly admit it is true and suddenly I want to know all that has happened in our time apart.
"So tell me Lad, what have you been up to over the last months? The King's letter said you found the winter season to be somewhat difficult."
Legolas' expression darkens as he mutters under his breath, "He must have been congratulating himself on his success."
"I didn't quite catch that, Elfling. Speak up."
"It is not important really," he sighs. "It is just that I have been afraid to smile since we left Erebor for fear it might be reported to my father that I was seen to be finding pleasure in something. I wouldn't want to force him to have to come up with some newly contrived assignment designed to "keep the prince out of trouble" and crush every morsel of enjoyment from my life."
"I do not think it was your father's mission to make your life miserable, Lad," I chuckle, " Perhaps you are exaggerating just a little bit."
"Not much," he grumbles, "but anyway, I am here now where there won't be someone monitoring my every move." He says this brightly while eyeing me hopefully and offering a charming smile. He is obviously counting on the fact that I have a certain weakness where he is concerned. I often find myself torn between two sides when it comes to my elven charge. I find it difficult to deny him anything that will make him happy, and I'll admit that I have been known to be persuaded by doe eyes or a sweet smile. On the other hand I have a strong sense of duty and I am not willing to compromise on my promise to do my best to keep him safe from harm whether from outside forces or from his own lack of wisdom and maturity. Those sides are warring inside me now, but I realize with the uncertainty of the climate in the city I will be better erring on the side of caution. I just do not want to have to break that news to him. Legolas can read me almost as well as I can read him, for he immediately senses my hesitation and insists that I quit stalling and tell him what is going on.
"I can see something is amiss, Elvellon. You will not be able to keep it from me forever, so you might as well be out with it."
I sigh and begin telling him all I know about what has taken place over the last several weeks and about the King's fear for the Queen's safety. His first reaction is to be indignant and concerned for Lady Arwen's sake. We must find the scoundrels who have threatened the Queen and make sure they are driven from the city or placed under the jailhouse. He will be happy to talk to Arwen about the necessity of cooperating with the guards who are just doing their duty. She would do well to act with prudence and accept the fact that she needs this extra protection until the menace is eliminated. He continues his rant while I wait silently for him to realize exactly what I am trying to tell him. He finally stops and looks at me suspiciously.
"Why did you not want me to hear about this?" He demands.
"I knew you would not like to hear that Aragorn and I feel that until we have a handle on this situation, you will need to be guarded as well." I look him straight in they eye and keep my expression even, but inwardly I am wincing as I watch his scowl grow to alarming proportions. The tirade is about to begin.
He is not a child.
"You treat me as if I am the merest elfling. I am not a child!"
Where have I heard that before? I wonder if the next point will be that he can take care of himself, or he is not afraid of the inferior abilities of some human bunch of criminals.
"I am a seasoned warrior, I do not need to be shielded from a gang of weak human rebels. I can take care of myself and have done so many times." Nice! He made both points in one breath. I have an answer for that one though.
" I know of your many skills and abilities. I also know you have almost gotten yourself killed from your own carelessness and on more than once occasion. You seem to forget that we have spent some time together."
He merely splutters at that and begins spouting a string of some of the foulest cursing I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. This situation is rapidly digressing, so I step in before it gets out of hand.
"Enough! That sort of language is not going to change anything except for how comfortable you are at dinner this evening. I am sorry things have to be this way, but I would be remiss in my duties to you if I were to ignore these dangers and let you run wild through the city. I know it is not an ideal situation, but I expect you will heed my counsel and do as you are told."
I do not believe he wanted to hear that, for he gets quickly to his feet and crosses the room, nearly knocking over the chair he had been occupying in the process. He turns toward me frowning fiercely and opens his mouth to speak, but then changes his mind when he sees my determined expression. His whole demeanor seems to wilt as reality sets in. He heaves a great sigh and the disappointment in his voice is palpable.
"I may as well have stayed home for all the difference it has made."
It do hate seeing him so let down, so I try to think of something to say to make things seem not quite so dire.
"Perhaps it will not be as bad as all that, Lad." I say walking toward him, " I will not give you false hope and say that you may explore the city on your own, but perhaps you will not need to be so heavily guarded as the Queen. You do not occupy the same high position in this city, after all and are not so well known by the populace. I will discuss it with Aragorn tonight and we will decide how this will be handled."
"Am I to have no say whatsoever?" he asks irritably.
"Not much," I answer honestly and pat his arm. "Now come, we do not want to be late for dinner with the King and Queen do we? We had best begin getting ready to go."
As I predicted our time together has not been dull yet. I believe dinner shall prove to be interesting as well.
XXXX
I yank my boot off and have an almost overwhelming desire to throw it against the closed door of my 'prison'.
How could I have been so stupid as to think that by coming south I would find more freedom? I snort in a most un-elf like manner and I do not care.
I want to shout and rail at cruel fate. What I have done to be so beset?
I am not a child!
When I declared as much to Gimli he smirked, well it looked like a smirk to me and when I continued to remonstrate with him in what I personally believe was a very reasonable fashion, he threatened to wallop me and sent me off to dress for dinner as if I were the veriest elfling.
It is not to be borne; just because some idiots in the city have taken a dislike to their new Queen I am to be kept on a short leash and under the watchful eyes of the Citadel Guard. I would not mind, save I tried to be both sympathetic and understanding of Aragorn's wish to protect Arwen … I even offered to speak to her and show her the importance of her being extra vigilant only to find my words used against me.
I wish now I had not been so forbearing. Have Aragorn and Gimli forgotten that Arwen is a formidable warrior in her own right? She was taught how to handle a blade and a bow by no lesser personage than Glorfindel himself. In light of what happened to the Lady Celebrian both Elrond and Galadriel deemed it necessary for all their family to be taught how to defend themselves.
That bejeweled belt that she invariably wears is not there for mere decoration. It holds a dagger, which Arwen wields with great skill, it is sharp enough to kill and she would not hesitate to use it.
Aragorn will have to be careful, for if he thinks he can cocoon the Lady Arwen and treat her as some helpless female. He may find himself on the end of that dagger point.
I was present once when she threatened to geld her brothers if they did not desist from teasing her and believe me she meant it and Elladan and Elrohir knew it as well.
Still, that is of little concern to me at the moment I have my own troubles it seems.
Maybe between us Arwen and I can show that pair of mortal worrywarts that we are no more in need of protection than they are.
But commonsense tells me that Arwen is unlikely to take my side in the argument for she still has a tendency to treat me like the elfling I was when she first met me and she has always had a strong maternal streak which leads her to think I need to be watched over. She once described me to her father as a 'walking disaster' after a simple mishap that could have happened to anyone.
All this of course is to no purpose presently. Until I know exactly what the threat to Arwen entails I cannot come up with a strategy or argument that will prove to Gimli that I have no need to be cosseted and protected or if worse comes to worse a plan for evading any protection I am saddled with. After all how difficult will it be to lose a human escort in the city?
Clean clothes have been laid out for me on the bed and since I will not endear myself to my hosts or my minder by being late for dinner I take myself off to the bathing chamber. One of the things I liked when I came to Minas Tirith for the first time was the size of the baths in the Citadel. They are made of marble and sunk into the floor, the water heated by a copper boiler. The bath is so deep that there are steps to one side for those shorter than myself. I indulge in a little conjecture on how Gimli fares when he completes his ablutions. He certainly would not be able to put his feet to the floor without the water flowing over his hairy head … perhaps I should offer to get him a box!
I am still smiling at this absurdity when I join my friend and my hosts in what is their private family dining room and I do my best to maintain an easy discourse and exchange of family news while the servants are in the room. It is not until they have been dismissed and we are sitting back in the comfortably upholstered chairs a glass of good wine at our elbows and Gimli and Aragorn puffing away on their abominably smelling pipes that the conversation turns back to the situation in the city.
I do not seek to hide the fact that what Aragorn tells me is worrying. There is apparently a small group of men who disapprove of their king sullying their royal lineage by marrying one of elven kind.
Since I have spent far too many of my young years studying history I could tell these deluded idiots that they should be grateful to have someone of the House of Elrond Eärendilion prepared to ally herself to their king. Their own line is hardly full of great heroes is it?
Who was it who lost the ring in the first place?
Still I bite my lip and say nothing. It would do me little credit to point out such things to Aragorn. He knows the failings of his own house well enough.
I concede as well that here in the city there are more opportunities for those with a grudge to come into close contact with their Queen. The way Minas Tirith is laid out means that an attack from the level above the one you are traversing is more than a possibility and that someone walking unattended would be at risk, but Arwen is unlikely to ever walk alone. She always has her ladies and her personal guard with her when she is outside. I do think that having someone shadow her every movement while she is inside the Citadel is ridiculous and I can see why she is so angry over it.
I have to hide a smile when she announces that having walked Arda for more than 2000 years she does not need to have an escort when she goes to the privy.
And I watch with huge amusement, as both Aragorn and Gimli turn red when she says that if they do not call off her watchdogs within the Citadel she will turn the tables on the pair of them and insist that they too are guarded at every inconvenient moment. She is magnificent when she is angry and very much her father's daughter and I am not surprised when Aragorn decides that perhaps there is no need for precautions within the walls of their home.
There is then a spirited disagreement between the trio over what might constitute a suitable compromise for Arwen's safety when she goes beyond the seventh level, for Arwen is determined to continue with her good works helping with the running of the orphanage and in the halls of healing.
I somehow manage to keep my tongue between my teeth while this argument rages between Arwen, Aragorn and Gimli.
I wait until there is a suitable lull in hostilities before offering my own solution to the issue of Arwen's safety when she goes beyond the Citadel.
It seems obvious to me, not to mention advantageous that the person best suited to offering discrete protection is myself!
Apparently the others do not see what to me are the obvious advantages to my acting as escort to the Queen as she goes about her daily tasks in the city.
Arwen tells me she has no need of being guarded by feckless elflings hardly old enough to braid their own hair thank you!
Now that is unkind. I have been wearing warrior braids for more than 400 years and have never needed anyone to tie them for me.
Worse is to follow. Gimli and Aragorn are scathing about my ability to keep Arwen safe.
"You?" Aragorn snorts, "You have only to walk outside your door to find trouble!"
That is so unfair!
"Aye that is true indeed;" Gimli puts in "the lad is a magnet for all kinds of discord. Don't mean to be hard on you Laddie but it is true and since you are going to be in need of protection yourself you can hardly be offering it to the queen."
This is all said in that tone of voice used by an elder for an erring elfling. My hands form fists beneath the dining table and I concentrate on the pain from my fingernails biting into my flesh to keep me from answering in kind.
Instead I preserve a dignified silence as they continue to chuckle and twit each other at my expense. Well, I will show them. If they have the temerity to saddle me with an escort I will give them the slip and go off on my own. That may indeed be the best way for me to find out at firsthand what is happening in the city rather than listening to rumor and conjecture. And if I do come up with information that proves of use in tracking down those against Arwen they will have to acknowledge that I am more than capable of going out and about without a minder.
I am recalled to the present by Gimli recommending me to stop sulking and to come out of the sullens. Really can they not see the difference between a fit of pique and deep thought?
Apparently not for Gimli announces that I might be better off in bed than glowering at the King and Queen.
That is the final insult, and I am now determined to show my minders that I am more than capable of taking care of myself without the need of supervision and be-damned to any consequences on my return.
XXXX
The air in the room is nearly electric with emotion and even though I know it is inappropriate, I have an uncanny desire to laugh. Legolas is pouting like an elfling who has been denied a treat, Arwen is glaring and postulating a warrior about to engage in battle and Aragorn cringes like a frightened cur every time his wife offers him one of her dagger-shooting looks. The situation in the city is serious. Or at least we fear it is serious, but the ludicrousness of how we would look to anyone who happened to walk in right now strikes me as hilarious. I take a sip of wine to hide my mirth and keep myself under control, but almost spew it across the room when Legolas offers to guard the Queen himself! Now there is a fabulous idea. The Lady is being threatened because of her elvish heritage, she has dozens of Ladies in waiting willing to follow her anywhere, we have hundreds of Citadel guards at our fingertips, but we should choose the only other elf in the whole city to guard her. It makes perfect sense!
I manage to swallow my amusement, but when Arwen declares she will not be guarded by an elfling who still needs help tying his braids, I can no longer control it. A snort escapes me, and then a chuckle. I glance at Legolas and see the scathing look he is giving me and instead of settling me as I had hoped, it makes me cackle even harder. It must be contagious for Aragorn starts to laugh along with me, and even Arwen stops glowering long enough to smile. Aragorn voices his doubts about the elfling's ability to step outside without attracting trouble and I have to agree with that for I have had first hand experience with his proclivity for getting into scrapes. The three of us continue smiling fondly, while Legolas glares determinedly down at the table. Aragorn's attempt at teasing him out of his foul mood fails miserably, so I try appealing to his sense of reason.
"Don't mean to be hard on you Laddie but it is true and since you are going to be in need of protection yourself you can hardly be offering it to the queen."
The only response this elicits is more pouting which he manages to hang onto even when the Queen offers an apology for her earlier words and thanks him for his kind offer, explaining why it cannot work. He does not even acknowledge her words, so she just shrugs and mercifully changes the subject to the more pleasant topic of the plans for the upcoming celebration, speculating on when her brothers will be arriving along with to Hobbits. We have managed to polish off a bottle of wine and are debating about opening another, when I begin trying to catch Legolas' eye to indicate that it is time to stop moping and join in the conversation. He meticulously ignores my efforts so I finally say it out loud.
"It is about time you gave up sulking, Elfling and join the rest of us."
This does manage to get him to look my way, but I feel almost like ducking the dark glower he throws me. Perhaps we had better just leave. He does not appreciate my saying that he'd be better calling it an early night than to put so much effort in giving us all dirty looks, but he must hear me for he gets to his feet and briefly nods to our hosts before following me out into the corridor.
Our walk back is silent and I hate that our first evening together is ending like this, but I seem to be unable to stop the steady decline. Once we step inside, I do not hesitate to send him to bed, even though it is quite early and I know this will not endear me to him but I do not think further conversation will get us anywhere. I do not like where this evening is leading, and I think it better to end it now than to let it get progressively worse and end with me having to carry out my earlier threats. He must be having a moment of reasonableness himself, for he doesn't even complain when I pull him down and kiss his forehead before shooing him into the bedchamber. He goes without further discussion, and I consider turning in myself.
But as I stand at my window looking down at the city, I find I am too restless to sleep. Somewhere out there is the group of very stupid dissidents who have managed to ruin what should have been an enjoyable reunion. I find I am quite angry, thinking about it. Why should Legolas have to be kept miserable, under our smothering watch? Why should Lady Arwen have to fear for her life, and that of her ladies, every time she wishes to enjoy her gardens or work in her charities? Why should the King have to worry every time he lets his wife out of his sight or hears a strange sound within the very walls of his own home? By the time I turn back toward the room, I have made up my mind. Something must be done about this, and I am just the dwarf to do it!
It will take some planning, but I am used to that. Dwarves are the best planners after all, and I have plenty of time to figure this out. Now where to start? I won't find any information from inside the citadel. The first order of business is to go out into the city itself and open my ears. I know the best places to go to hear things. Where the ale flows, the tongue loosens. I shall begin by taking myself to the third level of the city, where there are several heavily frequented drinking establishments. Perhaps tomorrow night will do, but why wait? It is not as if I will be able to sleep for a long while this night anyway. I do not intend to tell Legolas where I am going, for fear he will insist on joining me and we will have to debate about that for a while. No I will just wait until I am certain he is asleep and then take my leave.
It does not take long for all to become quiet from inside his bedchamber. That is not unusual, for he is able to move silently when he wants to. But tonight in his temper, he was making more noise than I would usually expect. Still I must not take a chance, so I cautiously open the door and look in on him. Even though his eyes are open, it is clear he is asleep which is not surprising considering the long days of traveling he has had. I am counting on the fact that he will be very tired and likely will not wake up to find me missing. Just in case though, I briefly explain to the guard at the end of the corridor that I will need someone guarding our door to keep anyone who shouldn't be there out and anyone who shouldn't leave in and also to explain my absence should the elfling happen to wake up and look for me.
As quickly as I can I make my way down to the nearly empty streets. An occasional guard on horseback trots by and I see a few stragglers hurrying home but it is not until I have made my way down to the third level that I begin to see real signs of life. This is the part of the city where there is more activity after dark than during the day. The street is lined with drinking establishments and eateries, though the latter are all dark. The taverns are all lit though and one seems to be teeming with human revelers. I choose this one as the most likely source of information, so I walk through the swinging doors and march right up to the bar. I order a pint from the ruddy cheeked, perspiring bartender and make my way to a table near the center of the room. I take a pull from the mug, and decide that the brew is tolerable before taking in the sights and sounds around me.
At a booth behind me, four drunken men are casting lots over a pile of silver coins, each one trying to out shout the others with accusations of foul play. A 'working' girl, with bare shoulders and an ample bosom spilling over the top of her scarlet dress, sits at the bar, trying unsuccessfully to peddle her wares. Near the entrance, a smiling man plays a lively but out of tune lute while a middle aged female sings discordantly along and looks as if she'd rather be somewhere else. Several couples dance to the music and others sit in pairs or in groups, laughing and gambling and eating and drinking. And while I am able to pick up several bits of conversations, nothing of interest comes up for a long while. I am about to give up and move to another establishment when I finally hit pay dirt!
There is a dismayed shriek and a clicking of heels as a scantily dressed red haired female comes stomping down the stairs from the rooms above the tavern. Frowning she huffs her way across the room where she flops roughly down on the bar stool next to her friend and fellow 'working girl." I tune in to their conversation and am soon rewarded fro my patience.
"What is the matter Maellenn? Did Hador fall asleep outside your doorway again?"
"The filthy maggot didn't have enough coinage to pay my price. I already had my bodice unlaced before he asked if I would work on credit! Imagine the nerve of him. I have not sunk so low as that! Why I've half a mind to turn him in to the authorities."
"I hardly think the authorities would be interested in hearing your story of time wasted unlacing bodices."
"I do not mean that. I am talking about what is supposed to go down at the race. Hador and his idiot friends are planning to frighten the Queen enough to drive her from the city. I hope their plan is a dismal failure!"
"Then I hope so too, for your sake, but we dare not get involved with trying to prevent anything. We are better off keeping ourselves well away from anything to do with the law."
With that they begin discussing possible clients in the room and I know I must make my move before they become further occupied. I stand up and walk over to them bringing from my pocket a handful of silver coins. They both stop and put on a sultry smile meant to entice me to purchase their what they are selling. The one called Maellenn smiles seductively and her friend suggests that they work well as a team if I am interested and have the funds. I feel my face heat up, but I manage to walk over until I am standing next to them.
"You misunderstand my intention, madam, it is only information I seek."
"We are happy to be of service, Sir." Maellenn says reaching for the silver coins. I place them in her hand and ask her to tell me all she knows about this man Hador and his plans to terrorize the queen. She does not know much, but is able to tell me that the small group he is working with, have caused trouble in the past and that they often meet right at this very establishment during the day, since it is the only tavern that opens before dark. That is all she can tell me, but it is a start. I will be returning here tomorrow afternoon in hopes of finding out something more. Before I can leave she wishes me luck on my endeavors.
"I hope you are able to prevent any trouble to the Queen, My Lord. I spent half my childhood in the orphanage that she spends so much time helping with. I am certain my life might have been different had someone of influence taken an interest in the place back then."
I promise to do my best, and then head back toward the citadel and my quarters. To my relief I find Legolas still sleeping soundly and I go to bed satisfied that I will have more answers by tomorrow.
I awaken eager to get started on the day. First I have a meeting with my engineers about designs and methods for repairing the main gates, after that I will find my way back to the tavern from last night and see what relevant information I can find. The first order of business will be to make arrangements for Legolas before I leave. I am not looking forward to that task, especially after the fiasco from dinner yesterday evening, but I find upon leaving my bedchamber, he is much more cooperative than he was last night.
I am always a little suspicious of sudden cooperation, but I can hardly question and scold over good behavior can I? He is perfectly pleasant this morning, even pouring my tea and sitting with me as I drink it. I want to put all this sweetness down to feeling rested and refreshed. I still wonder if he has an ulterior motive, but I can find no reason to accuse him of anything since I know he has done nothing wrong as of yet anyway.
His only request is that he not be required to spend the entire day inside our rooms and I am quick to assure him that he may go wherever he likes as long as he remains with the assigned escort who are likely already waiting outside our door for him.
"Oh and stay away from the southwestern side of the third level of the city. There is nothing but trouble to be had there, and it is not a fitting place for you to be." And I do not wish to run into you while I am spying about, I add in my head.
Much later I realized I should have known that forbidding my elfling from doing something was the same thing as putting out bait to catch a rabbit.