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 Twelve – Like Father Like Son

Shortly after Thranduil’s, Arthion’s, and Hérion’s departure for Lake-Town about two days ago, it started to rain in Mirkwood. Thunder rolled ceaselessly throughout the day and night, and only seldom did the storm lift for a day or two. The terrible weather was doing nothing for Legolas’ dismal mood, or for anyone’s mood for that matter. There was a cloud of foreboding lingering heavily in the air all around the Elvenking’s home.

“How long will this storm last?” Elaneth wondered aloud as she and Legolas were sitting in their family’s common room together.

“I know not.” Legolas replied, putting down the reports of the Realm that he had been reading. How he hated politics. He glanced over at Elaneth, who was stitching something that he could not discern. She had a sad look in her eyes.

“I’m sure they will return soon,” Legolas assured her, “They took enough elves with them to build enough temporary shelters in a short amount of time. Arthion will be home before you know it.” He said. Elaneth looked up and smiled at him.

“Thank you, Legolas.” She said quietly and quickly returned to her stitching.

Legolas wondered to himself why he ever worried about Arthion being betrothed or married to Elaneth. Her presence was calming, whereas sometimes Legolas could find his siblings to be frustrating and his father unnerving. The young prince found that Elaneth could potentially change the whole family dynamic for the better. Anariel had said to him hardly a day ago: “I scarce can find a reason for you to fear her entering your family, Legolas. The Valar knows that your family has lived without an elleth to keep the household running properly for long enough!”. Anariel had certainly been right.

Suddenly, one of Thranduil’s advisors popped into the room, looking distressed. “Your highnesses,” He addressed them. Elaneth looked confused momentarily, as she had been since being betrothed to Arthion. Her new title hadn’t really sunk in yet.

“Gelladar, is there something wrong?” Legolas asked, standing.

“There is someone here to see you on urgent business of the Realm. Or so he says.” Gelladar said. Legolas’ brow arched. “Just come and see, My Lord.” The advisor urged. Legolas looked to Elaneth, who shrugged.

“Alright, Gelladar. I am coming. I shall return soon, Elaneth.” Legolas said, rising from his chair. Elaneth nodded and smiled as the prince lifted a hand to say goodbye.

Legolas followed Gelladar to the Elvenking’s study where several of his father’s advisors had gathered, which the prince found to be odd. They were all huddled in small groups, whispering to each other. Legolas cast confused glances around as Gelladar opened the door to Thranduil’s study.

Though Legolas had never had any direct dealings with him, he knew immediately who stood there, poking around Thranduil’s desk.

“Mithrandir!” He shouted in surprise. Gandalf looked up in surprise.

“Goodness,” The grey wizard exclaimed quietly. “They days must be growing darker, indeed, if Thranduil has left his throne in the hands of his youngest son to protect him more easily.”

“You read my mind.” Legolas said.

“Oh no, no… just more perceptive than most believe.” Gandalf said, winking at Legolas, who smiled.

“What brings you to the Woodland Realm, Mithrandir?” Legolas asked. Simultaneously, he moved over to where his father kept a wine flask and poured wine for himself and his guest and bade Gandalf sit down in one of the chairs, and he did so.

“Why, the Woodland Realm, of course!” Mithrandir laughed, taking the goblet of wine that Legolas handed him. “However, specifically, my role today will unfortunately be the bearer of bad news.”

“What news?” Legolas asked.

“News from the South. Not long ago, myself and the other members of the White Council realized that Dol Guldur was under the power of Sauron.” Mithrandir said, his tone suddenly grim.

“Sauron?!” Legolas exclaimed.

“Yes… though, after much lollygagging on the council’s part, we decided to attack. It is apparent that Sauron has fled Mirkwood, but I do not believe that the evil in the south of your forest is safe yet. There are not many places in Middle-Earth that are anymore, I’m afraid.” The grey wizard continued to explain. “However, there is a problem at present that you must see to,” he said.

“Problem?” asked Legolas.

“I daresay, yes. I expect that you and your people encountered a party of dwarves and a hobbit not long ago that has continued on through your forest and on to the Lonely Mountain?” He explained. Legolas looked a little shocked, and confused.

“A hobbit, sir?”

“You did not encounter a hobbit, then? Well, I’m sure they’re all together, at any rate. They have most likely made it to the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug the Golden has been ousted and most likely causing all sorts of havoc, and your father has gone to inspect with a garrison, am I right?”

Legolas nodded, speechless after Mithrandir’s accurate description of events.

“Did he take any healers with him when he left?” Gandalf then asked.

“Healers?” Legolas inquired, shaking his head of it’s stupor. “I do not think so… why should he have taken healers?”

“The time is short, then. Prince Legolas, you must assemble a small force of elves to protect all of the healers you can spare from your father’s halls and lead them to Lake-town. I fear the need will be dire very shortly.”

“I must… Mithrandir, my father will have my head if I leave my post! You know him well enough to be aware of that. And what need does my father have of healers? They have gone to repair the damage that Smaug has done to Lake-town, not do battle with the beast.”

“Not with that beast, no.” Gandalf replied. “But we must be prepared for what is in store, my young prince. And do not worry over your father’s anger for you. I will have words with him once we are there, but now you must go and assemble healers and some of the guard to protect us on our way. Hurry! I will meet you in the stables.” He said as he rose from his chair and left the room. Thranduil’s advisors rushed in like water released from a dam to speak with Legolas, barraging him with questions.

“Please, quiet yourselves!” Legolas said angrily. The roar of questions ceased.

“I will have no questions from you, but I will have action. See to it that a small division of elves is prepared to leave for Esgaroth within the hour, and that all the healers that may be spared are there with them.” Legolas ordered.

“Why, your highness? What need does Mithrandir have of them?”

“Who will see to the business of the Realm?”

“Prince Legolas, what is going on?”

All of the questions started immediately after he had given his orders. Angrily, this time, Legolas said, “Do as I have commanded and do not worry over the rest! The business of the Realm can wait. Something evil has befallen Mirkwood.” And with that, Legolas left.

Knowing that whatever Mithrandir had foreseen was probably for the worst, he went straight to the Houses of Healing to see Nestadriel, who looked very surprised to see him indeed in her office.

“My Prince, what brings you here today?” She asked.

“Momentarily, advisors of the King will be swooping into the Houses of Healing asking for those healers who can leave to go with me to Lake-town.” He explained. “Mithrandir has foreseen something and I fear it is something evil. We will need your most skilled healers, but if it is within your power, please see to it that Anariel does not come with us.”

Nestadriel tilted her head. “Anariel is certainly one of my most skilled healers, my Lord. Are you certain you would not want her among those you take with you?”

“I wish not to place her in danger.” Legolas replied in a quiet voice.

Nestadriel nodded slowly. “I will see to it, Prince Legolas, if you see to it that none of my healers are injured.”

“I promise, I will do my best.” He said. With a short bow, Legolas ran off to ready himself for the trip to Lake-town.

~

Esgaroth was a two-day nonstop ride for the elves. By the end of the day of their departure, they were nearing the end of the forest, and most happily, the rain. Though, the day continued to look cloudy and dismal.

“What say you, Prince Legolas? Should we stop for the evening?” Mithrandir asked Legolas, who rode at the head of the group with him.

“Nay, the Healers may sleep on their horses if they wish, you said my father’s need was dire. The sooner we arrive in Esgaroth, the better I think.” Legolas replied.

“Well said.” Gandalf replied. “You have your most skilled healers with you, then?” he asked, trying to make conversation.

“I believe all but one,” Legolas returned, his thoughts turning to Anariel. Mithrandir saw this and smiled.

“Nay, for she is with you!” A slightly angry voice called from behind them. Legolas was so startled that both he and his horse twitched and turned around to face the voice, though Legolas knew it without seeing her face. Surely enough, there was Anariel, riding behind them with her cloak’s hood up around her face.

“What are you doing here?” Legolas asked, sounding angry and concerned.

“Nestadriel told me that I was to stay behind because this mission is a dangerous one. But how am I to stay behind when so many of my friends are out risking their necks to aid our ellon? I will not have it, Prince Legolas. I will help.” She said firmly.

Legolas’ eyes flared with anger. “I left instructions for you to stay behind because I do not wish to see you hurt! You should return to my father’s halls immediately!” he said.

“I cannot do such a thing, my Lord, and you know I will not.”

“It is true, Prince Legolas, that you cannot send her back unaccompanied in dark times like these. And we cannot spare any of the party to see her back.” Mithrandir said, amused. Legolas let out an angry sort of growl.

“Then stay you must.” He admitted angrily. In a frustrated manner, he redirected his horse to begin the trudge ahead again. Of all of the people he wished not to worry over on this trip, Anariel was foremost of them. He did not want to see her hurt.

“Such a fierce need to protect,” Mithrandir mused, his eyes twinkling again. “which seems to run in the family.”

Immediately, Legolas got red in the face. Whether or not it was from frustration or embarrassment, he knew not which. Nor did he really think it mattered much.