And so we come to almost the end. One more chapter after this one and its done, I will be nice and post both chapters today too so that those of you who ae still with me can finally have closure.
Quick thanks go to everyone reading still and especially to LegolasLover2003 and DaHybridQueen for being the only two to review the last chapter.
So without further ado, I will hit the button and post...
Chapter 55
"You will not go." Thranduil stares at his son as the carefully measured words leave his mouth noticing the slight stiffening of shoulders that is the only outward indication that they have been heard. "No, you will not go, I can not let you go."
Legolas' eyes widen slightly as he hears the slight hitch in the mellifluous voice and his heart skips a beat as a small ray of hope sparks inside his chest.
"Hir nin? He stares intently into the pale blue eyes opposite him and almost thinks he sees the glimmer of a tear but knows this can not be. His father never cries. It must be a trick of the light, or a wishful mirage from an overwrought mind. His mouth opens to protest but words seem unwilling to form and the question in the honorific hangs in the air.
"No, none shall go." Thranduil collects himself and his regal persona takes over once more, his voice now becoming sure and commanding, his eyes dry and clear. "The risk is too great. The shadow grows around Dol Guldur again I fear." A brief flash of pain crosses his face and his eyes momentarily close as if trying to shut out the remembrance of his fathers death and the sight of his beloved forests corruption. "And anyway," he continues crisply. "Whoever this shadowy conspirator is will know we are warned of his plans and will be on our guard. He may be long gone by now."
"But sire, the threat to you should not go un punished, we need," one of the advisors steps forward from the group to remonstrate but is cut off mid sentence by an irritated wave of the kings hand.
"We need to think of our people." Thranduils voice brooks no argument. "I will have none give their life needlessly in useless acts of revenge." He glowers around the room. "This plot did not succeed and we must learn from it. I would have the perimeter moved back towards the halls, we stretch ourselves too thin with patrols that are covering unimportant areas."
"Hir nin!" Doronors face mirrors the surprise and disbelief shown in those of the rest of the company. "Needs must for us to fight this dark and free our forest from the grip of the foul creatures who would otherwise over run it, and if we do not protect those living within the forest who will?"
"To some extent yes, Lieutentant, I agree," The king nods slightly. "Yet I fear it is our people who we must choose to save now. Parts of the great forest are already lost, we must decide now how much more we are prepared to relinquish in order to consolidate our position. Those outside our borders must learn to take care of themselves." He pauses for a moment to allow his words to sink in. "In order to protect ourselves and make sure none can make such an attempt again we will also close our borders to all strangers and passage will be strictly regulated, permission to enter or leave must be granted by myself alone, whoever places the request." With this his gaze rakes over the brothers, lingering slightly upon Estel before moving on to land on Legolas who has remained silent, an expression of dismay speading over his face throughout the kings speech.
"As you wish, Hir nin," the apparent new spokesman for the advisors bows before continuing, "we will call for the captains to discuss the new arrangements." He looks over to where Legolas stands and gives a nervous smile. "Talking of captains, there is one more thing we need to decide sire."
Thranduil raises an eyebrow yet does not speak and the wood elf shuffles his feet before clearing his throat nervously.
"It regards the er.." he gulps unsure how to continue but Thranduil stands stony faced, giving no clues. "Your er .."
"My son?" Thranduil finally takes pity on the struggling elf and offers a lifeline.
"Yes, your son, hir nin." The advisor grabs the lifeline and runs with it gladly, words rushing from his mouth as if eager to escape its confines. "If we are to accept all that has been said it would seem it draws into question the guilty verdict passed upon the prince and therefore the decree of banishment arising from that judgement."
Estels ears prick up at the advisors use of the honorific, for him to name Legolas prince must mean that he is ready to accept his innocence. He scans the group of advisors with hopeful eyes. Now Orchalon is out of the room surely the others will be more tolerant and ready to believe his friend had no malicious intent but was, in fact, driven to a course of action not of his own choice but purely by anothers deeds.
"I see." Thranduils voice is icily cold yet his eyes bore into the elf as if to sear him with fire. "And what would be your suggestion as to our actions regarding this?"
"Well," it takes all of the wood elfs control not to flinch under the kings stare, the only sign of nervous tension being the slight hitch of indrawn breath before he speaks. "I would suggest that as the prince so obviously acted in self defence and in view of the malevolent power both he and Lhosson were unaware was manipulating them, the verdict be quashed and the decree rescinded."
Silence hits the room like a hammer and the advisors words hang in the air, suspended as if awaiting the stone walls of comprehension to be broken down. Each face is etched with almost palpable emotion, shock, relief, love, a range of feelings that roots them all to the spot within their own thoughts. The sudden imperative thudding of hearts becomes so loud in astonished ears that no other sound can penetrate. For a brief moment in time even the air seems to close in around them.
This is what the king has been waiting for. He dare not, nay could not force the issue, the decision must be made on merit alone. None should be able to cast doubt by suggesting he has warped justice to his own ends. From the moment he revealed Legolas' presence by his folly all he has wanted to do is show him his true feelings, clutch him to his chest like an elfling, but has had to hold back in fear that he would jeopardise any hope of reconciliation.
"Oh, Ion nin" Thranduil can stand it no longer. Rising swiftly he is around the table in two strides and gathers the startled young elf into his arms. "Legolas." He breathes the name out on a sigh and his hold on the archer tightens as if he is afraid he may fly away if he lets go.
"A.. ada?" The utterance sounds small and bewildered even to his own ears as the archer tries to take in what is happening. Deep blue eyes flicker uncertainly around the room, almost pleading for someone to tell him this is real. Dare he believe these are his fathers strong arms around him? Dare he hope that after all this his father could still love him? His eyes finally fix upon a pair of silver grey filled with joy and his heart sings as he reads the truth in his best friends eyes. "Ada." He leans into his fathers crushing embrace as the word he never thought to be able to speak aloud again leaves his trembling lips.
The two stand entwined, all else in the room forgotten until a slight shuffling of feet reminds Thranduil that they are not alone. Relaxing his grip on the young archer he places a chaste kiss on the top of his head then steps back to gaze into his eyes. Blue on blue, a torrent of emotion pouring between them in a few short moments. No need for explanation, no need for apology, the love between them still shines brightly and that is enough for now. At last Thranduil turns his attention to the remaining occupants of the room, his glance first alighting on the brothers and Doronor sending a signal of joy and thanks then changing to a daring challenge as he beholds the remainder of the group of advisors standing like statues watching the loving display.
The reduced group share a moment of meaningful glances then step forward their faces appearing grim and forbidding to Legolas and he feels a wave of despair begin to wash over him once more. He knows that if he loses his father again he will not be able to withstand the blow and waits for the words that will shatter his world and consign him to Mandos.
"Hir nin."
Legolas is not sure which one it is that speaks. His eyes can no longer see through the blur of unshed tears.
"You have our agreement and full support in the matter."
The anonymous voice sounds further away and the young prince can feel icy tendrils begin to spread out from his heart, so wrapped up in fear and anguish the words have become a meaningless noise to his ears. He barely feels his father place a hand upon his shoulder nor sees the gentle nod of his head in reply to the advisor.
"You will overturn the verdict and rescind the decree?"
It is as if the very room itself holds its breath. No sound, no movement breaks the moment as the king stands gazing down on the son he thought he may never see again, his fea crying out in agony at where that would have led. The reply wells up into his throat and leaves his mouth without conscious thought in a choked whisper.
"With all my heart."
The room erupts into a wild cacophany of joyful sound as all the occupants burst into voice together and Legolas stands in its midst, staring around in dazed confusion, trying to make sense of the bewildering array of faces and noise that threaten to overwhelm him. Then his eyes fix upon one gaze and the love and affection in the bright silver blue eyes act as an anchor and he grabs it, holding on for dear life as the sea of emotions surrounding him threaten to pull him under to drown in its intensity. 'Ada' The name runs through his mind like a prayer and he feels the chills in his being begin to disappear as his mind registers at last the words his father has just spoken.