The History of Legolas - The Last Green Leaf

The History Of Legolas – Part III
The Last Green Leaf
By Vendie

Author’s Note: The Lord of the Rings and all associated characters belong to Tolkien and his estate. I am not making any profit off of this story, save the enjoyment I had making it.

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The Last Green Leaf
Chapter Ten – A Busy Morning


Hardly three weeks later, Legolas was standing in front of his father in the very spot where he had nearly stepped on Bilbo Baggins when the party of dwarves had come before Thranduil for the first time. However, this time it was Thranduil’s own son he was reprimanding, rather than dwarves. The young prince felt absolutely ridiculous standing there in front of his father. It had barely been three weeks and he had already botched his first major responsibility. This was not going to go well.

“How did they escape?” Thranduil asked gravely.

“We know not. Those who were guarding stole away to the wine cellars last night and apparently had much to drink, they fell asleep and sometime shortly thereafter, the chief guard’s keys were stolen. They may not come or go through the main doors… we assume that they escaped through the water passageway used to transport goods to Lake-town.” Legolas reported.

Thranduil looked angrily at his son for several minutes. As far as the Elvenking was concerned, this was ground for him to remove his son from duty so he could stop fretting over him. However, he knew that if Legolas were any other elf in charge of the Interior Guard, the result of this meeting would be only dignity lost and a stern warning, and his other sons would most certainly call him on it.

“What efforts have been made to recover them?” Thranduil sighed, pushing his thoughts away to finish business first.

“Arthion and Hérion’s troops have been alerted; there are parties searching on both sides of the river as we speak.” Legolas replied.

“Good.” Thranduil said, not revealing any emotion. He looked away momentarily to gather his thoughts again.

“Adar…” Legolas said, looking down at his feet and breathing in deeply. Thranduil cast his glance back on his son. “I’m sorry.” Legolas finished.

“While I am inclined to blame you for it, Legolas, this is not entirely your fault. See that those who were lax in their job are punished. Return to your duties and we shall discuss this later.” Thranduil said tiredly. He needed time to consider what he wanted to do.

Legolas nodded and left the hall with his eyes on his feet. Never in his life had he felt as embarrassed as this. As he was leaving his father’s throne, he saw Arthion approaching. His eldest brother had a look on his face that Legolas had never seen before. He looked ill, but not entirely, and he looked nervous and excited. The air around Arthion was pulsating twitchy and nervous energy.

“Arthion,” Legolas said, “do you fare well?”

“I think so.” Arthion replied, slowing his pace down to speak with his brother for a moment.

“You think so?” Legolas laughed a little.

“Legolas, I…” Arthion paused to look around. He saw that the elves nearby were enthralled in other business so he then leaned in close to speak in a low voice. “… I want to marry Elaneth.”

Legolas pulled away in a moment of shock and shook his head violently. “What?!” He nearly shouted.

“SHH!” Arthion scolded giving his brother no less than a glare of death. The two brothers quickly glanced around to see a few of the elves in the vicinity look in their direction and then turn away again.

“Marry Elaneth?” Legolas asked again in a hushed voice.

“Yes, but I need to ask Adar first for his approval. I wish not to cause problems in our family. ... I adore her very much, Legolas. And with the days growing darker as they have been…” Arthion’s voice trailed away, but both understood the unspoken sentiment.

“Arthion, Adar will be happy of this news as I am. We all know how you care for her, despite what you do not say to us, it is apparent in your gazes towards her. Go, speak to Adar and brighten his day.” Legolas said with a smile. Arthion grinned back at him and put his hand on Legolas’ shoulder.

“Hannon le, brother.”

Legolas nodded and stepped away from Arthion, gesturing for him to enter the throne room. Arthion nodded and strode forward and Legolas watched him go, beaming with pride for his older brother, while secretly thanking whichever of the Valar may have been smiling down on him that day, for now Thranduil would certainly not be thinking about dwarves at dinner.

However, at the same time, Legolas was slightly perplexed. If Arthion were to marry, then Elaneth would be his sister. And then Arthion would have elflings. Legolas had never felt comfortable around elflings, they always get themselves into things they shouldn’t and are far to curious for their own good. And when would Legolas spend time with his brother after he married? Lately, they had hardly spent any time together at all in the past few weeks, the idea of rarely seeing his eldest brother at all bothered him more and more. His smile turned upside down as he headed down the hallway.

“My lord?” A familiar voice inquired from the nearest wall. Legolas stopped and turned to see Anariel peering up at him from a bench.

“Lady Anariel, how do you fare?” Legolas asked, suddenly smiling again.

“Certainly better than you do, it appears. Tell me, has a rain cloud set itself above your head to cause that look upon your face?” She asked as she stood and walked over to her prince, observing him with concerned eyes.

“No, I…” Legolas stopped when he saw Anariel’s expression. She was smirking at him with a look that told of her disbelief. The young prince cast a glance around, seeing that no one was near to hear him speak. “I will tell you because I believe you are unlikely to spread this gossip as other elleth would,” He began.

“I am happy that you hold me in such high regard, my lord!” Anariel giggled.

“Arthion wishes to be married to Elaneth.” Legolas said softly. Immediately, Anariel’s giggles desisted, but her smile continued.

“This is wonderful news!” She exclaimed quietly. “Elaneth will be so happy, she speaks of nothing but your brother these days…” Anariel’s voice trailed off when she saw the smile fading faster from Legolas’ face. “Why does this bother you so?”

“I am happy for Arthion, truly, I am. But to be forthright, I fear this change.” Legolas replied. “I wonder if I will lose my brother.”

Anariel smiled kindly at him in a sort of amused way. “You will certainly not lose your brother. Prince Arthion is far too devoted to you to abandon you in any capacity. You have an uncommon bond with your brothers, Legolas. You are living proof of your mother’s last wishes in the world, and I do not think that either of your brothers would abandon you so easily. In you, they see their mother every day.” She assured him.

Legolas suddenly felt tears forming in his eyes that he couldn’t explain. Something about the mention of his mother, his brothers, and devotion made him feel emotional. However, rather than give in, he smiled and cast a glanced at the ceiling while he blinked his tears away.

“How is it that you erase all rain with sun?” He asked, laughing a little.

“I know not, but they named me for it. So alas, I am doomed to chase away every rain cloud!” She joked, making a shooing motion with her hands.

Suddenly, without any explanation or any provocation Legolas pulled her into his arms and hugged her. Anariel was so stunned that her arms hung suspended in the air at his sides for a moment before she returned the embrace.

“Legolas?” She asked quietly.

“Hannon le,” He said simply.

“Im Gelir na thaed.” Anariel replied with quiet confusion.


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Notes:

*When Anariel says: “I know not, but they named me for it.” She’s referring to the meaning of her name – “of the sun”.

* “Hannon le” – “Thank you”

* “Im gelir na thaed.” – “I’m happy to help.”