17 – Target Sighted
Early the following morning, the sons of Elrond invited the visiting leaders to hunt with them above the valley. Thranduil was happy to accept, shedding the last of his royal obligations, which were already relaxed in Lord Elrond's home, to enjoy the sport in a team of equals. Celeborn and his grandsons knew the area well. Thranduil and Amroth were just as pleased to hunt as to explore the trees around the rich dale.
Elladan spotted the fallow herd first, soon after they set out, having tracked it along the side of a quiet stream. They allowed Amroth the first attempt at taking down the largest buck. Though they said nothing, none of them were particularly eager to put an end to their hunt so quickly, so Celeborn threw a stone to scatter the deer. After everyone's laughter died down, they decided to bathe in the stream before resuming their tracking. Once they found the herd again, it was courteously agreed that Amroth should get another chance at making the shot, and the younger Elvenking quickly brought down the impressive buck with an arrow through its heart.
They circled around to take a different route back toward the valley as the sun approached the zenith. The route had them cross at the ford of the Loudwater River. For Thranduil, the sound of the rushing water brought back memories of the previous evening, when he had been tormented in his mind before Elluin had pulled him from his despair. He found himself wondering what she was doing, and was surprised at himself. Why should a king wonder how servants occupied their time? Yet even servants had respite from their duties, and more frequently than kings.
He indulged in his wandering thoughts, distracting himself from the icy water flowing fervently about his knees as they forded the river. Would Elluin even now be in the same garden, caressing the roses with her steady hands and gentle fingertips? Would she be clambering up the waterfalls around the valley in search of new blooms, droplets of mist clinging to her golden hair? Would she be joking with the Elves in the healing rooms, lifting their hearts while their bodies mended?
As much as Thranduil was enjoying the hunt, he found that he was eager to see Elluin's face again. While the question of what he could feel for her remained, he could not deny that her company was a type of balm for him that he had not previously experienced. It was a sensation that he hoped would be repeated.
Berenil managed to keep the curiosity from his face as he sat down to the midday meal with his king. After spending a refreshing morning in the library, he had wanted to hear how the hunt went. Celeborn and his grandsons had joined the noble ladies of Rivendell and Greenwood in Celebrian's favored gardens while Amroth, as was his custom, cleaned his prey himself in preparation for the evening feast. This left Lord Elrond to attend to correspondence and Berenil to dine with Thranduil.
Observing his king while he recounted the events on the hunt, Berenil concluded that it must have been quite an invigorating experience, for Thranduil had not appeared this content since his youth. His manner was relaxed, his appetite hearty, his voice light. However, Berenil was familiar enough with the positive effects of a stint in nature in a realm as protected as Rivendell to know that there was an additional reason behind his sovereign's mood, especially today.
Lady Anarrima had spoken to him that morning of the dinner with the Elven leaders the previous night. She did not provide details of what was discussed, but did ask Berenil to encourage Thranduil against hopelessness. The lady revealed only that Elvendom was expected to diminish even further in the coming age, not excepting Greenwood the Great. Observing Thranduil now, however, Berenil could see none of the despair Anarrima had predicted.
What piqued Berenil's curiosity most was that Thranduil's eyes seemed to soften with contemplative admiration whenever he looked at Elluin, who was attending to them. Had the king reached some epiphany regarding the value of his servants? Not likely; Thranduil had always regarded his staff with appreciation. Had some sudden change come over the maiden that she would draw the king's attention in this new way? He noticed nothing new after a cursory glance.
Berenil asked a casual question about the types of trees growing around the valley, successfully keeping Thranduil distracted by conversation while the advisor took the chance to study the servant, his family friend, more carefully. Elluin looked as she always did, and she was executing her duties with the same efficiency and patience he expected. Since she had started employment at the palace, Berenil noticed that whenever Elluin waited on the king or when Thranduil would come up in conversation when their families met, she would become slightly nervous — no, it was something more joyful, he amended. He had seen the like in other servants before, though it usually wore off after a few years. With Elluin, it had only grown over time.
Today, however, Berenil sensed that there was more excitement in her manner. He even noticed her glance a few times at the king's face directly. He hid a smile. He strongly suspected that Elluin had something to say to the king, and that Thranduil would be inclined to listen.
Berenil returned his concentration to Thranduil again as he concluded his comments on the blooming heather they traveled through above the valley. They had by now finished their meal. Berenil drained his cup and set it markedly down on the table.
"That reminds me, sire," the advisor said, "This morning, I spotted a book in Lord Elrond's library regarding the different plants that could be harvested to feed livestock. Heather was one example presented as an alternative to hay."
"I see," Thranduil said with one brow slightly raised, much more interested in the aesthetics of the experience than the practical applications.
"Since heather is a flowering plant, perhaps our Elluin could provide some additional insights?" Berenil said, turning to where the elleth stood a small distance away.
She looked up with mild surprise and stepped forward. "My lord?"
"I know we do not have much livestock in our kingdom, but what do you think of harvesting heather, Elluin?" Berenil hid his amusement at Thranduil's perplexed expression, knowing that pulling a king and a servant into a casual conversation was wildly unorthodox.
"There is not much grazing to be had for our sheep beneath the trees, my lords, but our small herds are usually content when we supplement their feed with shives left over from breaking and scutching the flax we use for making linen," Elluin answered dutifully. "Heather itself does not grow in the forest, but the plant recovers well from damage and winters well. If it is good for feed as the book suggests, it could certainly be harvested from the grasslands and brought back. We could perhaps then expand the herds, if the king wishes, or reduce the amount of land we dedicate to hay planting."
"Ah, very good," Berenil said. "It would be wise to think of how to expand the herds in the near future. We will need more wool and meat as Greenwood's population grows."
Thranduil was openly smiling, pleased both by Elluin's obviously extensive knowledge and Berenil's optimism.
"Since Elluin finds it a viable idea, I believe I shall go and continue investigating the topic," Berenil said. "With my king's permission?"
"Yes, go," Thranduil said. "It seems you think of Greenwood's success even while we are away."
"It is my duty and privilege, sire," said the advisor as he rose. He left with a bow.
The silence between Elluin and Thranduil was unmistakable since the conversation ended. Not realizing that this was Berenil's intent, Thranduil started to think of what would be appropriate to say to Elluin while she quickly cleared Berenil's empty wine goblet from the table and returned.
Elluin surprised him by speaking first. "Sire, may I speak freely?" She kept her eyes lowered.
"Yes, Elluin. Please," he invited.
Her name from his lips was like a caress to her senses and she gathered courage from it. She grasped the back of Berenil's vacant seat and took a fortifying breath.
"Sire, I know you perceived my heart last night in the garden, but I will not leave the words unspoken," Elluin said. "For both our sakes, my king, I would have you know it unequivocally." She met his steady gaze with sparkling eyes. "I am in love with you."
Thranduil simply smiled at her. "I know." He added sincerely, "I am grateful to have your love. It is a great help to me."
She returned his smile before dropping her gaze once more. "Will there be anything else, sire?"
"No, thank you, Elluin. You may go."
Elluin hardly felt her feet on the pave stones as she made her way back to her room. She had at last overcome her cowardice and declared her feelings. She could not have hoped for a better reaction from Thranduil—he did not send her away or make light of her proclamation. She would be allowed to remain close to the king, in service to him. It was true that he may change his mind in the future and wish her elsewhere, or that he would find a different bond-mate. In the meantime, however, Elluin was elated.
She reached the room she shared with Turiel. Finding it empty, she indulged in a squeal into her pillow. She would have good news to share with Maethon and her parents upon her return to Greenwood!
Now the question remained of how she could show more of her heart and mind to Thranduil, for there could be no way for him to decide whether or not he loved her in return unless he knew her better. Elluin gave it only a moment's fruitless consideration before abandoning the question. She simply was not in a position to make demands on the king. Once more she was resigned to waiting upon his wishes. Her own wish, at the moment, was to enjoy her final days in Rivendell.
"Peniadir, I will admit, the views are magnificent here." Turiel sat on a boulder in the cliff side looking out over the valley. "But there are even more spectacular scenes in my home."
The ellon looked devastated but said nothing. His silence caught Turiel's attention and she realized his distress. "What does my opinion of Rivendell matter, anyway?" she asked. "I am happy to love Greenwood better."
Peniadir suddenly looked very uncomfortable and stammered before finding the words. "No, you are right, it is good for you to love your home."
"Do you know, Peniadir, you are very odd." Turiel decided. She stood and stretched. "Come with me to the kitchens. I believe I smell bread baking. I do love warm bread."
Her companion smiled and followed. "In this, at least, we are in agreement."
Elluin knelt in the grass beside a cluster of water avens, distracted from the book in her lap by their simple beauty. Her mind wandered irrevocably from the text as she considered the blooms, half-closed and oriented toward the ground. She could not help but feel that they were avoiding her. The idea was, of course, preposterous — just a period in their life cycle. Soon, the leaves would spread and each blossom would turn upward, allowing the sunlight to fall, full and golden, onto all its outstretched petals.
She longed for that vigorous springtime, wryly recognizing the meaning of Thranduil's name in her wish. She embraced the idea solemnly. Let me see you, she thought. Allow the light to disperse the darkness you hide within.
"Such beautiful blooms," a rich voice broke through her thoughts, causing Elluin's head to shoot up. Kind, sparkling blue eyes met her own, and an elleth whose silvery-gold hair cascaded in long, glowing waves down her body came to kneel close by.
"Lady Galadriel," Elluin stammered in a rushed greeting, awkwardly bowing from her position on the ground.
"Be at ease, young Elluin," came the lady's sonorous reply. Her piercing eyes traveled over the flowers before them. Elluin was too struck by the beauty of the elleth by her side and the power radiating from her, and could only stare as Galadriel spoke again. "Berenil tells me you have a garden," she said easily. "I also enjoy growing flowers. I planted these when Elladan and Elrohir were children."
Elluin managed to nod her acknowledgment, finally drawing her eyes from the lady to scan the garden.
"In fact, I have seeds for a tree with silver bark that produces golden blooms. I intend to plant them in Lorinand, when we next go, with Amroth's permission. They came from Valinor. Perhaps, once they are grown, you would like to see them?"
The servant's eyes lit up with hope and surprise. Why was this powerful, ancient elleth addressing her so familiarly?
"I would be honored, my lady," Elluin managed to say, ignoring her own question.
A soft chime sounded from beside the river, indicating the start of preparations for the evening meal.
"Forgive me, my lady," Elluin muttered, regret tinging her voice. "I must attend to my duties."
Galadriel gave a nod in permission. "Until we meet again," she said with a soft smile.
Elluin curtsied when she rose and quickly vacated the garden. Galadriel looked after her for a while, until a faint rustle, first in a branch of a tree high above, then in the grass beside her, caught her attention.
"Well, Artanis, what do you think?" As usual, Glorfindel's eyes held a joyful glitter as he looked at her serenely from his casual pose on the ground.
Galadriel smirked in response to her companion's sudden arrival. "What is it that you know, Glorfindel? Your foresight is greater than mine."
"Have you not guessed?" he chided.
The elleth hummed in acknowledgment, looking thoughtfully back toward the dwellings for a long moment. "She will leave her mark on Middle Earth."
Glorfindel huffed through his smile. "Just say it, Artanis," he prodded.
Galadriel rose, casting a teasing glance at the Elf lord beside her. "Not aloud. Especially not for your benefit."
Merry laughter followed the lady out of the garden.