Legolas stood in his room silently. He was all dressed and ready for the arrival of their guests. Looking out of the window, he looked out at the Woodlands. It was home, something he had failed to realise for a long while and now just as he had started to appreciate what he had been blessed with, it appeared to be in danger of being taken away from him. He did not know what had transpired between his parents and Commander Aradan but whatever it was, it was something of grave import. He had seen it from the lines of worry etched on his Ada's face. His Ada had wanted to send away Commander Aradan. It was his Nana who had stopped it. What wretched life was this that handed happiness to you on a platter and then mocked you about snatching it back anytime? For the first time, Legolas let his tears flow not for himself, but for his Ada. For he could understand why his Ada had always been so serious, so unable to be truly happy.
After a while, Legolas took in a deep breath as he looked at himself in the mirror. Elda had often told him how comely he was, the best of your Ada and Nana, she would say. Physically perhaps, but far as character went, he had a lot to learn from his parents. Perhaps, he would start today. He needed to see his Ada and Commander Aradan.
He wondered if his Ada would come to his room. He could if the soldiers informed him that he was here. That would not be right, would it? He ought to go to his Ada. Turning, Legolas left the room and made his way to the study. What if his Ada and Commander Aradan were both in the study? Oh, he would be so ashamed to face them together. Why, it had even been easier for him to face Azog in battle.
Legolas shook himself. He was being a coward. The soldier standing guard outside the study bowed and informed him that both King and Commander were indeed in the study and asked if he wished to be announced. Legolas hesitated. The study was a personal place of discussion for his Ada and his Commander. Since he had been a young elfling, he had just entered it without hesitation. Even now, he could if he chose to. If anything private was going on in the study, the guard would have informed him. Finally, Legolas nodded. He did not wish to interrupt anything.
When he entered the room seconds later, his Commander was looking at him in surprise. "You have never announced yourself, ionin." Legolas looked at his Commander and then at his Ada. The latter was kneeling before his Commander, helping him to wear his boots. "I will help, Ada," Legolas hurried forward to help his Commander.
"Oh, no, ionin. Don't. It's bad enough your Ada is insisting that I wear these as well. I would have asked one of the soldiers to help me had I known earlier."
Legolas grinned as he knelt down to help his Commander. "I don't think this was Ada's idea, Commander Aradan." He looked up to see his Ada giving his Commander a smug "I told you so" look. "Anything you do not wish to comply by, please explain to Erienne yourself, Aradan." His Commander did not reply, merely mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like "scary, powerful, troublesome elleths…"
As Legolas stood up, his Commander looked at him admiringly. "Why, ionin, your Nana appears to have outdone herself with your clothes. I dare say many elleths and maidens would cast their glances at you."
Legolas laughed, "Never at me when you are with me, Commander Aradan. An elf of fine features and sharp prowess yet kind in words to all but the enemy. Wherever I went, Commander, this was the praise I heard about you. None failed to accommodate me once they heard your name and Ada's."
"You jest, ionin," his Commander mumbled, changing the topic, "Did your Nana tell us to hurry, ionin? We are nearly done." His Commander's words had Legolas hesitating as he looked from his Ada to his Commander. His Ada smiled at him and Legolas realised that his Ada knew what he was here for.
Turning to Aradan, his Ada said, "I will be back in a minute, Aradan. I need to check something." The Commander raised his eyebrows questioningly when Legolas stopped him. "I'd rather you stayed, Ada."
"Nana is in the hall. She is helping Lady Lairiel with hanging the tapestry." Legolas swallowed. Why did that matter now?
Commander Aradan did not seem to mind. "Oh! She kept it a surprise from us. I am looking forward to seeing it." His Ada remained silent though he smiled in response. Legolas looked back at his Ada and realised that the latter was not smiling at him haughtily or even knowingly. In fact, his Ada had left the Commander's side and had come to stand beside him.
Feeling slightly stronger, Legolas turned to his Commander, "I came to apologise to you, Commander Aradan ... I had meant to apologise earlier but .. so much has happened." At the Commander's surprised look, Legolas paused before continuing, "what I did at the battlefield… raising my sword to Ada…to my King. And that too, in your presence. It was an insult to your training, to all that you had taught me." Legolas could feel his eyes stinging again. "Forgive me, Commander Aradan." With that Legolas bent to kneel down in front of his Commander, the elf who had taught him to string his bow, to sharpen his arrows, to fight and to lead a battle, the General who had taught him the art of war and demonstrated to him the meaning of loyalty.
But the Commander caught him, saying, "Legolas, ionin. You do not kneel before me. You are the son of my King, my Prince. I would take my orders from you too."
Standing upright at his Commander's behest, Legolas shook his head, "Not orders, Commander Aradan. You will always be the first-in-command after the Elven King. Opinions, perhaps. That too, if I might have something worthy to add." When he turned to his Ada, Legolas could feel the tears pricking his eyes, "I am so sorry, Ada. For my insolence and my foolishness. I had acted without knowing the full truth of what had happened, that in itself, is against what you had taught me. I had not realised what Tauriel did before I saw her, saw you. Yet, that is no excuse. All this time, when I had been outside Mirkwood, I saw many a village and kingdom. Some peaceful and prosperous. Many suffering from ill-rule, vice and greed. Many innocents killed from raiders and Orcs. Others living in constant fear. Able is he who rules for the shared joy of all in his realm. You have always been the able ruler, Ada, always doing what was best for the Woodlands. And that was what you had done when you decided to leave Dale. I should have been there to help you with our injured, with our fallen. But, I abandoned you and our elves in times of need."
Before Legolas could fall to his knees, his Ada held him up. His gaze was proud but Legolas could see his Ada's eyes shine with tears. "Legolas, many have praised you for your skill and courage. But, both are in vain without wisdom and caution. Ionin, you have assured me today that I have not failed your mother in my upbringing of you."
Legolas looked at his Ada and his Commander, at their faces tinged with pride. The weight that had been in his chest had finally gone. Feeling much better, Legolas was about to take his leave when he saw what his Commander was wearing on a chain, it was shaped much like the …Silmaril… . He turned to his Ada, who was wearing a very similar chain. Blinking, Legolas looked from his Ada to his Commander. Like most elves, Legolas knew of the Silmaril and the fall of Doriath. He knew his Nana was from Doriath, she might have made a jewel to remind her of her home.
"Not to remind her of Doriath, ionin," his Ada looked at him, "'tis is to remind us of the dangers of greed, jealousy and disunity. 'Twas why your Nana gave us this."
Legolas nodded as he looked at his Ada. Ada and Commander Aradan. He knew about their friendship but … his Nana had said she loved a Silvan elf, hadn't she? Perhaps not as a mate but he remembered how his Nana had cried when the Commander lay injured, the way the Commander had whispered to her.
And his Ada. She stood by his Ada, defended him fiercely, bowed to him, when she far outpowered him. And loved him. He knew his Nana loved his Ada. He could see it in the way she reached for him, sought his approval and above all, in her respect for him. It was not respect out of fear. His Nana did not fear his Ada at all. No, her respect was out of her love for his Ada.
Yet, even in the few days, he had known his Nana, Legolas knew where her priorities were. She would look out for him first, he was her child, her blood and he would come first. Then, it would be Commander Aradan, wouldn't it? His Ada did not mind?
"Legolas," his Ada had come up to him, "Ionin, there are many things about your Nana that you do not know yet. Perhaps, in time, you will understand. Just know, ionin, that your Nana gives her love full and true and you will always be dearest to her."
"You do not mind, Ada?" As his Ada looked at him, both knew that Legolas was not asking about his Nana loving Legolas more. No, he was asking about his Nana loving Commander Aradan more. Aradan looked at Thranduil hesitantly as the latter put his hand on Legolas' shoulders. "There is nothing to mind, ionin. 'Tis a mother's nature to look out for the weaker of her own. You will not understand now. There are reasons why your Nana considers your Commander to be more deserving of her attention."
To take the seriousness out of the situation, Thranduil smiled, "Never fear, ionin. Even your Commander comes second when it is about you."
"Are you upset, ionin?" his Commander looked concerned.
"Why would I be, Commander Aradan? I might be an only child but I know how to share," Legolas grinned, attempting to lighten the situation. He did not know what had happened between his Ada, Nana and Commander Aradan in the past. But, he did know that right then, that the three were bound by a love and friendship that he had yet to experience. Something had happened that was not privy to even their own flesh and blood. But it did not bother Legolas though it did humble him.
"I will take my leave now, Ada,
Commander." About to leave with a bow, Legolas stopped and turned back to them, "Ada, Commander, I told someone this just a few days back. If I can become half of what you are, Ada, I would be very proud of myself."
"Aye, ionin, you are right there," his Commander grinned though, for probably the first time, his Ada looked embarrassed. Legolas did not know why, on impulse, he put his arms around his Ada, hugging him. "I love you, Ada." He did not expect his Ada to reply though he was surprised to find his Ada's arms going around him. When they broke apart, minutes later, his Ada merely looked at him, "Legolas, ionin," his Ada stopped midway, looking at him, but appeared to be lost for words. As expected, it was the Commander who spoke for them as had been the case since the days he had been a wee elfling. "Be safe, ionin."
With a smile and a bow, Legolas left. His Ada would probably never tell him that he loved him. But it did not matter anymore. Some things did not have to be told.