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.

This chapter was mostly written under the inspiration of the song “The Story”, by Brandi Carlile. It doesn’t necessarily have a lot to do with this chapter (save for the end), but I used the lyrics of the song for this chapter’s title, in honor of this beautiful song that broke my writer’s block. (Aren’t you all lucky?)

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The Last Green Leaf
Chapter Eleven – Words That Don’t Come Out


So it came to pass that Elaneth and Arthion were to become betrothed to one another. As per the customs of the Eldar, there was to be a ceremony binding them together for a period of a year before their marriage.(1) Legolas had heard seldom times in his life that Thranduil had, sort of, skipped the betrothal part of the process of marriage, which greatly amused the young prince. Thranduil was a by-the-book sort of elf, and the idea of his father breaking all the rules to marry his mother was in fact rather satisfying.

In the last days of autumn, the families of Arthion and Elaneth gathered in the dining hall that Thranduil usually used for meals with visiting dignitaries for a feast and then to the throne room for the betrothal ceremony. Shortly before they were to gather, Legolas had just finished dressing and arranging the traditional crown of leaves on his head when he left his room to find Hérion outside their elder brother’s chamber door, sniggering.

“What amuses you so?” Legolas asked his brother.

“Shh!” Hérion said, batting the air with his hand and not bothering to look away from Arthion’s half-open door. The younger of the two tilted his head in curiosity and then joined his older brother. He could see Arthion inside his bedroom, pacing nervously and reciting something to himself. Occasionally, he would make a mistake, twitch or jump up and down, and swear to himself. After regaining his composure, he resumed his pacing and recitations.

“RHAICH!” (2) He yelled suddenly in a very angry voice. Legolas couldn’t contain his snort of laughter, which immediately alerted Thranduil’s oldest to his eavesdropping brothers.

“Brothers, you mock me even now?” He asked exasperatedly.

“Arthion, you should know well enough that the mockery of you will be ceaseless.” Hérion said, entering the room and patting his elder brother on the back. Legolas followed his brother.

“I was rather hoping you would desist on the day of my betrothal. It would certainly make life easier at the moment.” Arthion replied.

“Alas, there is only one day that I will cease, and that is your wedding day. And as that is a year away from now, you must wait, I fear.” Hérion teased.

“Certainly you are the most awful brother one could have.” Arthion said, joking.

“I love you too, brother.” Hérion smiled, patting his brother on the back again.

“What troubled you so earlier?” Legolas piped in.

“My vows. I knew them all an hour ago, but now they seem lost in the murk that is my mind.” His eldest brother answered.

“You’re nervous,” Legolas noticed with a smile.

“I am certainly not!” Arthion declared, ever the proud one.

“Well, in the case that you were, I was going to offer you some advice.” Legolas continued on, still smiling. “Relax, Arthion. Today is to be one of the happiest days of all our lives. Our joy for you is beyond measure, and nothing will detract from that.”

Arthion’s shoulders seemed to relax and he breathed deeply. He returned Legolas’ wide smile.

“And besides,” Hérion added, “Even if you do forget your vows, Elaneth loves you far too much to hold it against you.”

Their eldest brother chuckled and moved in between his younger siblings, putting one arm over each brother’s shoulders. He cast a wide and happy smile at both of his brothers, silently giving his love and thanks.

“What would I be without you two?” He asked.

“Irrevocably inconsolable.” Legolas said instantly.

“And very bored. We are such an amusing pair, Legolas and I.” Hérion mused. Arthion burst out into laughter, and with that, his younger brother raised his brow and said to Legolas;

“We’d better get this one off to get betrothed. If Elaneth sees him in this right state she might not want him anymore!”

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As Legolas thought, Arthion had known his vows far better than he himself believed and recited them perfectly with Elaneth. He watched his brother carefully as the happy couple exchanged rings. Thranduil watched them from his wooden throne, the couple standing between the throne and the rest of their families. The Court of Mirkwood was also present, standing on either side of the hall observing.

“With this ring of silver, I promise my heart, my soul, and my love to thee.” Arthion said softly as he lifted Elaneth’s pale hand and slipped a silver ring onto her finger. Legolas’ lip curled on one side when he saw Elaneth blush.

“And I, with this ring of silver, promise my heart, my soul, and my love to thee.” She replied, slid a matching silver ring onto Arthion’s finger. The two gazed into each other’s eyes and simultaneously smiled.

“Now the betrothal is complete.” Thranduil said, standing up from his seat. “As our customs dictate, you are bound to each other for a year hence. If, after the year is up, and you wish to do so, you have the right to revoke your promise. But for now I see that you are happy, and that all is right. As king of the Woodland Realm, I pronounce you to be betrothed.”

Arthion and Elaneth leaned closely to one another and kissed shortly and sweetly. With their foreheads touching, they looked into each other’s eyes and smiled. Elaneth giggled.

Everyone in the room smiled as Thranduil said “Go, now, and be merry!” to end the ceremony. The room slowly began to ignite with conversations and congratulatory remarks. Thranduil came down from his throne to shake his eldest son’s hand and kiss his daughter-in-law-to-be on the cheek, and then to turn to Elaneth’s parents to speak with them. Legolas made his way up to his brother and his betrothed.

“Congratulations to you both. Elaneth, I am most pleased to have you join our family, you will be a most welcome change from these two!” Legolas joked, pointing to his brothers. Arthion gave a disapproving look.

“Oh now, come off it Legolas.” He said.

“I am happy to appease, your highness!” Elaneth laughed and bowed, her dark hair falling in her grey eyes.

“Please, Elaneth, you must call me Legolas from now on. We are family. I would not have you address me so formally.” He said, a warm smile on his face. Arthion looked immeasurably happy to have Legolas say kind words of welcome to his beloved.

“I’ll do that then… Legolas.” Elaneth said, hesitating to retrain herself to address him without his title. Legolas smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

“Welcome, Elaneth.” He said.

When he looked up, he saw his father standing with Hérion just beyond them signaling to Legolas and Arthion with his hand. He looked concerned. The two siblings exchanged confused looks.

“My father is summoning us, love.” Arthion said to Elaneth. “I’ll return momentarily.” He finished, giving her another kiss. Elaneth smiled and nodded, not seeming the least bit slighted.

Legolas and Arthion approached their father and Hérion. “What news, Adar?” Legolas asked.

“Urgent business calls us to duty, my sons. I must go meet with my advisors in my study, and I expect you there within the hour. I’m sorry, Arthion.” The Elvenking said, looking truly apologetic. Arthion nodded, not meeting his father’s eyes. “I’ll see you in an hour.” He said, and then he was off.

Arthion sighed, but without speaking to his brothers quickly returned to Elaneth to explain. Legolas turned to Hérion.

“What has happened?” He asked.

“I did not hear the entire report for I was not standing near enough to hear. But I believe there has been some disaster at Lake-Town, word has reached us from our patrols near the eastern border. Though, it must be a pretty sizeable disaster if Adar is concerned over it.”

“Aye.” Legolas said, nodding. “What terrible timing, as well.” He added, not knowing how true his words were.

~

When the three sons of Thranduil walked into the Elvenking’s study, they were surprised to see Bregol, the top-most ranking soldier in Mirkwood, standing there among the advisors.

“Bregol!” Arthion said “We haven’t seen you since - ” he cut himself short.

“Since a very long time ago.” Bregol finished for him, understanding. (3)

Legolas glanced between the two, confused. He himself had seen Bregol once or twice in passing, and he was sure Arthion and Hérion had as well, but he dismissed his confusion rather quickly when his father began to speak.

“My sons, Lake-Town is destroyed.” He said.

“Destroyed?” Arthion asked.

“By Smaug the dragon. Though we do not know what provoked the attack.” Bregol continued. “I was leading the patrols in the eastern woods when the trees and birds carried the message to us. Winter is coming on fast, and with the entire town’s shelters gone they will need our help in rebuilding.”

“Yes. Arthion and Hérion, you will assemble a division of your troops first thing in the morning. I will march with you to Lake-Town in the morning.” Thranduil said. His three sons did not reply at first, but merely stood there gaping at him. It was Hérion who spoke first.

“You cannot be serious… Adar,” He started.

“I am very serious, Hérion. Lake-Town has ever been our ally. We need to be there to protect Lake-Town and its assets. With Smaug the Golden gone, it is likely that many will rush the place to pillage his treasure.”

“Including yourself?” Hérion bravely said. Thranduil regarded him carefully before answering.

“We will do what is necessary.” He said simply.

“But Adar, what of Arthion? He is newly betrothed. It is cruel to send him away,” Legolas said.

“Legolas,” Arthion said softly, but firmly. He gave his youngest brother a cautioning glare.

“Send me instead!” Legolas cried, disregarding his brother’s warning.

“You will have your own duty to tend to, Legolas.” Thranduil said. “It is likely,” he started as he walked out from behind his desk, “That what caused Smaug to leave his lair and attack the village was the party of dwarves, which I seem to remember escaping from our halls under your care. No, Legolas, I think that you will stay behind and be in attendance in the court in my stead.”

“Adar, Arthion should take your place, he is eldest!” Legolas argued. Legolas did not like court, nor did he believe that his father was being very fair to the heir to the throne of Mirkwood.

“Arthion will do as he is commanded, as will you!” Thranduil said, raising his voice as he stepped in front of his youngest and looked down angrily at him. Legolas straightened his shoulders in a feeble attempt to look taller and more intimidating. The pair stood eye to eye for a moment before Legolas sighed through his nose and broke the staring contest.

“As you wish, Adar.” Legolas muttered as he fled from the room.

The young prince was furious. Actually, when he thought about it, Legolas was sure he was beyond furious. His father was relentless in his pursuit to see Legolas never leave the caves again. Thranduil would even steal Arthion from his fiancée for the prize of Legolas’ bondage. It was cruel. It was ridiculous. It wasn’t fair.

Legolas broke into a sprint. He wasn’t even sure to where he was running. He heard the confused voices of the elves he passed in the hallways. At one point, the prince was sure that he had heard his name, but he disregarded the call and continued until he suddenly found himself climbing the staircase to one of the observatories near the peak of his father’s halls. Somehow Legolas knew it would be unguarded this night. The upper-most observatories were only used during the darkest of times, which Thranduil insisted that they were not in yet. When he reached the top, he threw open the wooden door and stepped out into the cool night air.

Finally, he thought to himself. How he needed to be outside. His underground home had not the room to house his anger. Immediately the trees in the vicinity inquired of him when they sensed his anger. Trees did not appreciate antagonism, they were peaceful beings, Legolas had observed, and anger only reminded them of Orcs and fell creatures.

Fear me not, for I am your friend. Forgive my state. He communicated, bowing his head slightly.

A breeze fluttered through his hair, upon which the trees whispered calming words past his ears. Legolas drew a deep breath and sat down on the protective railing facing the trees. Quietly he listened to the trees as they resumed their ancient song. The young prince closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind.

The door behind him opened.

“Legolas?”

He turned around to see Anariel standing there with a concerned and confused look upon her face.

“How did you find me here?” Legolas asked. Anariel did not break her gaze as she walked closer to where he was seated.

“I was just leaving the Houses of Healing when I saw you run past, I called your name but you did not hear, or you didn’t care to hear. I followed you, though I have to admit when you turned round the last corner, I did not know that you came up here. It took me some time before I could discover your hiding place.” She said.

“I am sorry, Anariel. I… I lost myself in frustration at my father.” He sighed.

“What has he done now?” She asked him, looking up into his eyes as she leaned forward and rested her arms on the railing. Legolas drew another deep breath and recounted his tale and Anariel listened empathetically. When he was finished, Anariel took a moment before she replied.

“Though I’m not sure I agree with your father, Legolas, you do realize that he is trying to protect you, do you not?” She asked him, daring to look into his eyes. Legolas turned away.

“Protect me from everything. Including a normal life.” He retorted.

“Because he loves you.” Anariel added.

“This does not completely speak of love to me, Anariel.”

“My lord, if I may be forthright, I do not believe that you are looking at everything in perspective,” Anariel said, raising her voice a little. Legolas looked at her.

“Oh?”

“Yes, ‘oh’. Have you not heard the stories of your birth?” She asked him. Legolas did not answer, he only looked away again. “I have, and they are a sad and anguishing tale. Of how your father watched your own mother die after giving birth to you and then riding through the forest, alone, with the burden of his only love’s death tailing him the whole way. Legolas, these circumstances must count for something! Your father is afraid to lose you!”

Legolas continued to be silent. Inside his heart, a storm was raging. At this moment, he wished not to think of his mother, or of her sacrifices. He wanted to brood. He wanted to be alone. He did not want to think that his father had a good reason for all of this ridiculousness.

“It is still cruel to Arthion,” Legolas protested softly.

“I may wager that Prince Arthion is old enough to care for himself and that you should let him fight his own battles.” Anariel said wisely.

Legolas chuckled softly and smiled, but did not respond. Anariel understood his smile to mean that he was no longer furious and gently let the subject drop. She turned her thoughts to the trees and their song. For several moments, the two merely listened to the songs of the night.

“Sometimes they speak of her,” Legolas suddenly spoke, his voice still soft. Anariel gave him an inquiring look. “My mother,” he said, responding to her unasked question.

“What do they tell you?” She asked barely above a whisper.

“Too many things to recount. They speak of her love and her devotion, and of her strength. Sometimes, if I linger long enough, they will sing to me the songs she used to sing among them.”

Anariel didn’t know what to say, but Legolas saved her the trouble.

“I wish I knew her.” He said in a pained whisper. Immediately he looked down and away from Anariel to hide his feelings. Anariel felt her heart cry out for her dearest friend. It was not often that Legolas spoke of his mother, much less expressed a desire to remember, or know what she was like. Queen Almwen was remembered in revered silence among Thranduil’s sons, for the pain of her death was still a sting. Anariel was sure that Legolas was the most affected of the family, considering the circumstances of his birth.

“Oh, Legolas,” she said quietly. She put one of her hands on his and the other on his shoulder and rested her head on his shoulder as well, knowing that no words could comfort this pain.

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NOTES

1 – The information regarding marriage and betrothal came from Laws and Customs of the Eldar, Morgoth’s Ring.
2 – “Rhaich!” – Elvish for “Curses!”
3 – Regarding Bregol: The last time that either Arthion or Hérion spent much time with Bregol, it was when their mother died.