Chapter 7 – Pseudo Heroes
Legolas deeply inhaled then exhaled the cool morning air. The sun had only just rise and slowly began to warm the shaded forest. A blanket of cool mist covered the forest floor. Legolas wished to climb his favorite trees and whisper to them, before the winter air become too cold for his fingers, and the tree's voices grew too silent to hear.
Legolas anxiously walked through his father's gardens, making sure to stomp on any particularly crunchy leaf that crossed his path. So far it had been a good morning. His father had come to wake him up, instead of his nanny Lealle. Together they ate a private breakfast on this father's balcony, where he was told that he didn't have any lessons today! When Legolas had asked if he could play with Elladan and Elrohir, his father said he would not mind. Legolas was really excited. He rarely had anyone to play with. Maybe they could take him on a walk, or play tree tag with him. He had seen other elflings play tree tag and had wished to try the game out for himself.
Legolas made his way under a thick cluster of shady leaf barren trees. Legolas loved the trees. He enjoyed their company better then he enjoyed the company of other elflings. Whenever Legolas played with elflings they were either to intimidated by his status of prince and shied away from him, or they were overly nice to him, always letting him win games, which Legolas found even worse. He just wished to be treated normally. The other elflings did not understand that he did not mind losing games as long as they were played fairly. Legolas knew that Elrohir and Elladan would play games fairly.
Legolas' only problem was he could not find Elrohir and Elladan. He carefully peaked into their bedrooms and found that they were both empty. He searched the whole palace in hopes of coming across them, but to his disappointment found no sign of them. Dejected, Legolas decided to continue his search outside. The thought of them leaving crossed his mind, but he quickly pushed those worries away. Last night he had heard them say that they would stay, and they wouldn't leave without at least saying goodbye. At least, he hoped with all his heart they wouldn't.
Legolas pulled his cloak tightly around his small frame as he aimlessly wandered through the palace grounds, finding it strangely empty. Normally there were soldiers walking about. Where did everyone go? Where could Elrohir and Elladan have gone? Were they lying when he overheard them say that they would stay? His father had told him that lying was wrong, but then again so was eavesdropping. Legolas let out a loud sigh. He was bored. He had already stomped on all of the very crunchy looking leaves and jumped in two particularly large leaf piles.
Wandering around to the backside of the palace, Legolas heard what sounded like shouts and cheers. They appeared to be coming from the training grounds. Legolas wasn't allowed to go there alone, but he figured that since he heard a lot of noise coming from there, he wouldn't be alone, because that's where everyone was!
Skipping in earnest he made his way down the winding pathway through the trees towards the large clearing. The parameter of the clearing was lined with warriors all watching two elves fiercely clashing swords in the middle. Elves were cheering at the sight, shouting words of encouragement and jest.
Legolas couldn't see who the elves fighting were. Pushing his way through the large cluster of legs, Legolas gasped when he made it to the front. One of his father's patrol captains was fighting Elrohir. There was a look of fire in Elrohir's eyes as the two elves were deep in concentration. Only focusing at the task at hand, paying no attention to their surroundings.
Legolas looked upon the sight in a state of shock. Why are they fighting each other? What if one of them gets hurt? Elrohir is my friend. They shouldn't be fighting each other. His father had told him that warriors fought darkness; their job was to protect the forest. So why was this elf fighting Elrohir?
Legolas started running towards the elves. He had to tell them to stop and tell them that this was a misunderstanding. Elrohir was not evil. A pair of hands around his waist stopped Legolas in his tracks as he felt himself being lifted into the air. Legolas squirmed and struggled to be released. He had to stop the fighting. This was wrong.
Going unnoticed to Legolas, an audible sigh of relief could be heard from the parameter. All the spectators had witnessed the elfling running towards the fighting.
"Release me. Set me down," Legolas protested, flailing about like fish, his legs kicking the air.
"Hush Legolas, be calm." Legolas instantly stopped his struggles.
"Noron?" Legolas questioned, as he turned to face his capturer.
"What do you think you're doing running out there? If you got caught in the middle, you could have been seriously injured," his cousin chastised. Legolas cringed.
"But Noron, they're fighting each other. We have to stop them. Elrohir is not bad," Legolas pleaded.
"You must never run out like again, do you understand me?" Noron said, adjusting Legolas to a more comfortable position in his arms. "Oh Valar, if you got injured or worse, I don't even want to think of how your Father would react. Never do that again Legolas."
Now Noron was almost yelling. Noron never yelled. Legolas' eyes filled with tears. Why was Noron was yelling at him for trying to save one of his friends?
"B-But," Legolas started.
"I do not want to hear your excuses. You should not be here, what are you even doing on the training grounds?"
Legolas responded with a sniffle, trying to contain his tears. He didn't want to cry with all of these warriors present. Even though he was an elfling, he was still their Crown Prince.
"Oh Elbereth, Legolas, don't start crying," Noron said, his tone softening, feeling guilty. As Legolas renewed his struggles to be released.
"If I set you down Legolas, you must not run back to the battle." Legolas nodded.
Once placed on the ground, Legolas ran back towards the crowd of elves. He had to find someone who would understand. He had to get his father. If his cousin, a prince of Mirkwood would not stop the fighting, he father, the King surely would. Wiping those unwanted tears away with his sleeve, not paying attention to where he was running, Legolas crashed into pair of legs. He would have fallen to the ground if a pair of hands had not steadied him.
"Are you all right little one?" a familiar voice asked.
Legolas looked up. "Elladan!" he exclaimed, hugging the elf around the legs. Elladan would understand!
"Elladan, we have to save Elrohir. Elrohir is not bad," Legolas explained, as he lifted his arms up, wanting to be held.
"Elrohir in not in danger penneth," he responded, accepting the frantic elfling into his arms.
"But they are fighting and Ada says warriors fight bad things."
"Aye, that is true. This is not a real fight. They are merely practicing with each other. Their weapons are blunt and will cause little harm when struck," Elladan explained. "Though if an elfling were to get caught in the middle, he would be grievously injured."
"Oh," Legolas said. "So Elrohir is safe?" he asked, still skeptical.
"Yes, he is safe," confirmed Noron, who had silently approached them and was now standing beside Elladan.
Still angry with Noron, Legolas turned away from his cousin, burying his face in Elladan's shoulder. Elladan shot Noron a sympathetic look before turning his attention back towards the elfling in his arms.
"Do not be upset with him," Elladan said. "Noron was only protecting you from harm."
"But he was mean to me," Legolas sniffled through Elladan's tunic.
"Aye, sometimes actions may appear unkind even when their intentions are not," Elladan explained, eyeing Elrohir.
Legolas nodded, still upset. He would not forgive Noron that easily.
Cheers could be heard, Legolas realizing he was missing something important, looked up from Elladan's shoulder and saw that Elrohir had emerged from the battle victorious. He had managed to subdue the other elf to the ground, and was now extending a hand to help him up. The pair approached the group smiling.
Noron turned towards Elladan. "You ready Peredhil?" he asked, accepting the sword offered to him by the other warrior.
"Are you ready?" Elladan replied, setting Legolas down, and taking Elrohir's sword.
Noron smiled wickedly. He was considered amongst one of the best of Thranduil's warriors.
Elladan would never back down from a challenge. If he was agreeing to stay in Mirkwood for as long as Elrohir needed to convince himself that he would not 'injure' him, the least he could do was keep from getting rusty, and put in some valuable training time.
When Elladan and his brother were out in the wild, they would often spar against each other in practice. Though it kept their muscles from weakening, Elladan grew bored of it. Practicing with Elrohir was too predictable, he knew his brother felt the same about him, the brothers new each other's moves inside and out. It made them the perfect team for fighting orcs, but in practice with each other it was too safe. You cannot improve your skill if you do not challenge yourself. Evenly matched, neither felt the other was a challenge.
As Elladan and Noron made their way to the center of the field, Legolas clasped tightly onto Elrohir's hand. Now that he understood the purpose of this fighting it excited him something within him. He watched the two warriors move as if they were in an intricately choreographed dance. Efficiently blocking the other's move.
"Elrohir?" Legolas suddenly asked.
"Hmm?" Elrohir responded, his eyes not leaving his brother's movements.
"What does Peredhil mean?"
"Half-Elven," Elrohir replied, still watching his brother. It looked as though Noron had the upper hand, but Elrohir knew his brother was only playing.
"Why did Noron call Elladan half-elven? How can some one be half an elf? He looks like a whole elf to me. Was Noron trying to insult Elladan, because it wasn't a very good one," Legolas said thoughtfully. "I could probably come up with better insults but Ada says I should not because it's not very nice. But sometimes Ada gets angry with his counselors and says their brains must be filled with leaves and inquires as to where their intelligence has gone," Legolas giggled. "Ada is funny!"
Elrohir looked down towards the elfling who was now swinging from his arm.
"Whoa!" Legolas exclaimed, taking notice to the battle again. "They're moving so fast! Who do you think will win Elrohir?"
"Most likely Elladan."
"How can you tell?" Legolas curiously asked.
"Princeling, have you ever seen a sword fight before?"
"Ada says I am not big enough to watch, but I really want to learn. Ada says an elfling's job is to play, not practice for war, but its not fun playing alone."
"Hmm, then I shall explain their movements to you," Elrohir said, as he lifted Legolas into his arms.
"But do not tell your Father, it will be our little secret, okay?" Elrohir whispered into Legolas' ear. It would not bode well to bear the wrath of Thranduil for teaching his son something he was deemed too young to know.
"I promise!" the elfling whispered back through giggles.
Legolas listened intently as Elrohir articulately explained their actions. His eyes widened and his interest for the art grew. Legolas cheered with everyone else, as, like Elrohir had predicted, Elladan emerged victorious. Legolas' awe and respect of the twins only grew. Not only did he still think them of as magical, but they were strong warriors too.
Legolas walked handing in hand with Elrohir and Elladan, a brother on either side of him. It took some convincing and a bit of persuasion with that one look he knew could give him anything he wanted, and he had managed to claim their attention for the rest of the day. It was a look Legolas had long ago perfected on his father, and only pulled out in emergency situations.
The musical sound of Legolas' laughter filled the gloomy Mirkwood air as they made their way northeast passing tree after tree. Every once in a while the brothers would swing Legolas up in the air between them. The elfling would laugh and laugh in delight, shouting, 'Again, Again!' until they relented.
Elladan had been reluctant to leave the training grounds, but found himself unable to refuse the elfling's request. So here he was, carrying a pack full of lunches, on his way to some meadow that was apparently filled with, as Legolas described, 'the reddest and the brightest flowers you will ever see'.
Along the way Legolas would point out his favorite plants, telling them which trees had the strongest branches for climbing or sang the most harmonious of songs. The voices of Yavanna's creations were wonders completely unknown to the brothers. Being only half-elven they shared a unique mix of both human and elven characteristics. They weren't completely elves but not humankind either; because of this they were not afforded some of the most desired of elven abilities. As elflings it often troubled them, but as adults they had learned to accept that they were different.
As much as Elladan was growing to enjoy Legolas' company, in his heart he desired to be out hunting orcs. Elladan had never known anything as ill as hatred before, but he was sure that is he what he felt for the orcs. He could not peacefully rest until Arda was scoured, free from their vile stench. He could never forget what their kind had done to his family, to his mother. They had not yet found the orcs responsible for harming his mother. With them they took a token, her star-shaped pendant. He would relish the moment when he finally came across those orcs. Elladan had plans he would make them suffer. But as much as Elladan hated orcs and yearned to seek revenge, his love for his brother was stronger. Elrohir had wished to stay in Mirkwood. He could not deny his brother a short moments peace, if that was what Elrohir's heart had desired.
Elladan glanced over towards Elrohir, seeing the look of peaceful content on his face had driven away any grievances Elladan formally had about the loss of a day's practice. He decided the elfling could take them anywhere he wished as long as Elrohir held that peaceful expression.
Elladan had been worried about Elrohir's state after the vision he had suffered last night. But when they awoke in the morning Elrohir seemed fine, almost unfazed by it. Elladan knew Elrohir better then that though. He knew Elrohir was still deeply troubled by the torment he had ruthlessly endured. The whole vision seemed absurd to Elladan, there is nothing Elrohir could possibly do to push him into fading. His brother was the anchor holding him down, not the current of grief threatening to sweep him away.
"Elladan, Elrohir, are you as good with the bow as you are with the sword?" Legolas suddenly asked. His bright blue eyes looked up curiously at the brothers, darting back and forth between them.
"Aye, we are. Though we both prefer the sword to a bow," replied Elrohir. "Why do you ask, princeling?"
"I like the bow," Legolas told them, his eyes sparkling. "Sometimes at sunrise Ada will take wake me up and take me to the archery ranges, and help me practice archery!" The excitement could not be missed from his voice. "But we haven't been able to practice together lately because Ada's always so busy," he said solemnly, "but its okay because Noron promised to practice with me soon!"
"Your Father allows you to use a bow?" Elladan asked bewildered. It was almost unheard of for an elfling so young to be taught to yield a weapon of any sort, other than toy swords for play. Thranduil came off as a tad bit too overprotective, Elladan was surprised Thranduil would allow his son to even hold a weapon, let alone practice using one.
"Ada made me a bow that's just for my size," Legolas chimed excitedly. "You must keep it a secret," he confided. "Ada says that if other elflings found out then they'll want one too. Ada doesn't want to deal with their angry parents. So promise you won't tell other elflings, okay?"
Elrohir grinned, "Yes Princeling, we promise we won't tell other elflings."
"Maybe we can practice together sometime with Noron," Legolas suggested. "I still need help pulling the string to full draw, Ada says my arms are not strong enough for it yet. Unless the target is really close, the arrow just bounces off it," Legolas rambled on. "But Ada says that's okay and I shouldn't be upset or cry, because I still hit the target from far away, even if the arrow doesn't go in it."
"Practicing together would be a nice idea," Elladan said. If Legolas' words were true, Elladan wondered what Legolas would be capable of when he was older. He could be a formidable warrior one day. For an elfling of Legolas age and size to even be able to hit a target from some distance was a huge feat.
"I'm going to practice really hard, so I can be a really strong warrior like Ada when I grow up," Legolas continued. "I want to protect the forest, and travel to villages and save people from orcs like you guys do!"
Both brothers stopped midstride. Elladan's face paled, his breath hitched. A look from Elrohir told him, his brother was thinking the exact same thing.
"Why are you guys stopping? We are almost there," Legolas said, tugging their hands forward. "Look, the flowers are just past those trees!"
Elrohir was first to recover. "You think we travel, saving villages from orcs?" he asked. From where did the elfling draw up this conclusion? Legolas couldn't seriously think that they willingly travelled to human villages to save humans from orcs?
"Yes!" Legolas exclaimed. "That's how you ended up in Mirkwood, right? You said so Elrohir; you were tracking a band of orcs that slaughtered a human settlement in the North. I heard you say it," he claimed. "I want to be a hero like you guys! I do not wish for anyone to lose their Nana like I did. When I grow up I will protect everyone like you do!"
Elladan felt as if he just received a blow to his gut. He couldn't breath.
Not waiting for a reply, Legolas dropped their hands upon seeing the meadow. He ran with glee towards the flowers. He had to find the perfect place for them to sit!
A cold breeze tore through the air, sending chills down Elrohir's spine.
Elladan was barely aware of his surroundings. He felt cold, his chest heavy. A battle of conflicting emotion raged through his head, tearing at his sanity. He could feel Elrohir's hand grasping is arm, but couldn't register why. He could hear a distinct ringing in his ears; he saw Elrohir's lips moving but could not make out what he was saying. He felt Elrohir pull him close, wrapping his arms firmly around him as he trembled. He could feel his brother's warmth, the contact slowly calming him, filling the dark emptiness.
"I am here," he finally heard Elrohir say, pulling him back to reality. "He is just a child, he does not understand. Do not be troubled."
No, you are wrong dear brother, Elladan thought to himself as Elrohir took his hand, leading him on, into the meadow.
Could I have been wrong about everything this whole time? Elladan questioned to himself. But he remembered that look in his mother's eyes, when had they first found her, lying in that dark cave, tormented, broken, and hopeless. No, I am right. Revenge is the only way my heart will settle, revenge may not heal her, but her captors deserve nothing less.
Elladan felt so lost so confused. He felt as though everything he knew, he thought, had been blown out of proportion. He saw his grief as a weakness, motivating him to revenge. He wanted retribution for his mother's suffering. Legolas was the complete opposite. Legolas' grief over his mother's loss was his strength, fueling his desire to protect others, so they would not suffer as he had.
"He is so innocent, his heart is so pure," Elladan whispered as they watched Legolas run through the meadow.
Legolas stopped as a spot at near the center of the flowers. He waved them over, smiling brightly.
"Ayes, he is noble, truly worthy of the title, Prince," Elrohir agreed, as he gently led his brother towards the little elfling, through the meadow of endless red flowers, poppies.
Elrohir continuously shot Elladan concerned glances. Aye, Elladan is more fragile then I thought. Since their mother's departure he could see Elladan slowly spiraling downwards, helpless to stop it.
Elrohir found sweet fragrance of the poppies to be soothing, hoping it would further calm his brother. He could feel Elladan tremble beneath his grasp. What he would give to know what his brother was feeling and thinking. So badly he wished to help his brother, to his dismay he started to realize, he could not do it alone.
"Elrohir! Elladan! I found the perfect spot for us se-" the elfling's expression fell at Elladan's state. "What's wrong Elladan?" he asked, reaching to clasp Elladan's hand. "Are your injuries still hurting you?" he asked, his expression serious.
"Worry not, Princeling," Elrohir answered for him. "Elladan will be fine." I hope.
Elrohir forced his brother down, onto the bed of flowers. He pulled Elladan close, so his brother's head was resting on his lap.
"Are you hungry little one?" Elrohir asked, rummaging through Elladan's satchel. Before pulling out an apple.
Legolas nodded as he picked a red flower, twirling it between his tiny fingers before handing it to Elladan. "Here," he offered. "Rudiel says poppies are used for taking away pain."
Elladan weakly smiled, accepting the gift. "Thank you."
Elladan closed his eyes lulled by the faint smell of the poppy field as Elrohir softly stroked his hair.
"I am so happy you guys are here!" Legolas said through bites of his apple, letting the sweet juices dribble down his chin onto his tunic. "Tomorrow is the Festival of Elbereth, the longest night of the year. Ada says its going to be very special be cause we will have a day moon. Ada says that means whole night will only be filled with stars! I know you will feel better tomorrow because the festival makes everyone happy! And Ada says I am big enough to stay up all night this year!"
"Is that so?" Elrohir answered thoughtfully. So it is the Winter Solstice already. That means it has been nearly 9 years.
"Is Elladan alright?" Legolas asked concerned. "Why are his eyes closed?"
"It is because we are Peredhil."
"But you are not half of an elf. You are a whole elf!"
Elrohir chuckled, "Legolas, if you know the story of Thingol and Melian, then surely you know of their daughter Lúthien."
"She fell in love with a human!"
" Yes, same with Idril Celebrindal. From those two separate lineages came Elwing and Eärendil our Father's parents. Peredhil is a term referring to our human lineage."
"So you're humans too!" Legolas exclaimed. Elladan and Elrohir were almost too good to be true; they were both of Maia, elf-kind, and humankind.
"Are you also a Dwarf?"
Elrohir smiled, "I do not know of any stories of a Dwarf becoming enamored with an Elf!"
"When I am big and go on adventures I will find you one!" Legolas joked through a fit of musical giggles.
"I am sure you will elfling! And what a good story that would be!"
Legolas gave the rest of his apple to a rabbit that had come to visit as he slid closer to Elrohir. Elrohir put an arm around the elfling as Legolas leaned into him; his small fingers stroked Elladan's soft hair.
"Elrohir can you tell me a story of when you and Elladan were elflings?"
"Sure, but first I must ask you, have you seen a waterfall before?"
"No"
"Well then, I must first describe them to you for this tale to make sense…"
Thranduil sat in his office, slowly messaging his brow. Word had just come in from the birds, the Peredhil's orcs had been found. The large band had been seen south of his borders, past Enchanted River. They were to close for comfort but to far away to be a cause of alarm just yet.
With tomorrow night's festival Thranduil did not want to cause his people to worry. After all, Thranduil had brought in several large kegs of Dorwinion wine just for occasion. The festival of Elbereth was the most sought after time of the year. Thranduil decided he would allow his people this night's peace before he called together a military council.
The calm before the storm…
"So it begins"
The wind was blowing viciously, chilling Elladan. The brothers had agreed it was time to head back to Thranduil's Halls. Elrohir gently picked up the sleepy Legolas. He decided he would rather carry an elfling, than hold onto a sticky hand. Legolas was okay with it, it was a long walk back, and he was feeling tired. Resting his head on Elrohir's shoulder, the soft motion of Elrohir walking slowly eased Legolas into a peaceful sleep.
TBC
A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed this instalment!
Here are a couple definitions:
Concerning the chapter title the word Pseudo can mean pretended, not genuine, false, or fake.
Concerning poppies, or more specifically opium derived poppies, have been used medically mainly for pain relief and sedation. This is usually done by smoking or eating the opium. Opium is a governmentally controlled substance and is illegal (in North America anyway - I don't know about other countries). It is commonly used in types of morphine. There is a specific way that opium contained within the poppy seeds have to be cultivated in order to be potent. As a disclaimer - DO NOT go around eating poppies, you'll just get sick and look like an idiot. Anyways opium poppies are not commercially sold.
The Next chapter is tentatively called Chapter 8 - The Calm.