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.
Also, at this point in the story line, we are coming up on the stories that are chronicled in “The Hobbit”. I make assumptions in this chapter about the Wood Elves’ feast in the forest that may not be true. I have not found any foundation for the feast detailed in any book that I have read thus far, so if I’m way off-base, PLEASE let me know.

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The Last Green Leaf
Chapter Eight – Visitors

Only days after the incident at night, Legolas was released from the Houses of Healing. The youngest son of Thranduil was ecstatic to be up and walking around again, even if he did have to move slower than usual. He did, however, miss his encounters with Anariel, so he arranged to meet her in the library whenever possible so they could continue their exploration of the world of men.

In only a matter of a month, the Feast of the Forest was upon them and the halls of the Elvenking bustled with activity to prepare. Extra precautions were taken so that Orcs would not intrude upon their merrymaking, and as this happened Legolas also received permission from Nestadriel and his father to participate in the festivities. He was all too excited to tell Anariel when he walked into the library that day.

Legolas found Anariel that day sitting near a window where the sun could come in, reading a scroll. Before he approached her, Legolas stopped and observed her for a moment. This elleth was a puzzle to the prince, and he had enchanted her somehow. Her playful nature and insatiable curiosity endeared her to him, while her strong will commanded his respect, which he happily gave. And, beyond that, Legolas could not dismiss that she was potentially the most beautiful elleth he had ever encountered. Especially when she sat in the sun.

Deciding that he would rather not get caught staring, Legolas pushed forward and came to greet Anariel.

“Good afternoon, Anariel.” He said cheerfully.

“Good day, my prince. How do you fare this afternoon?” She replied as she smiled at him up from her scroll.

“Excellent.” Legolas returned.

“And what makes this day so excellent?” Anariel asked as Legolas sat beside her. The prince looked at the maiden and smiled at her before replying.

“Would you go to the feast with me tonight?”

Anariel’s mouth opened in surprise, for she knew that Thranduil was not keen on letting his youngest son out after what had landed him in the Houses of Healing. After the initial surprise, Anariel smiled.

“I suppose I could go with you,” She said mockingly. “Though I will have to turn down many other handsome, eligible ellon to do so.” She sighed.

“Ha ha.” Legolas chortled sarcastically. “I hope you do not mind that there will most likely be a guard following me most of the night. Father did not expressly say that he would order such a thing, but I’m certain he will.”

Anariel shrugged her shoulders. “That just means that I have aide to keep you out of trouble.” She teased.

Legolas snorted slightly. “I’m glad you find this amusing.” He said. “Shall I meet you tonight at dusk?”

“You shall.” Anariel replied, smiling cheerfully.

~

That night after sunset, Legolas and Anariel joined the royal family at the head of the Feast of the Forest, which was a yearly celebration held in honor of Legolas’ departed grandfather, Oropher. Legolas had oft been told that King Oropher had thrown many a celebration in his day. When he passed, Thranduil instated a celebration to honor his accomplishments; among them being the establishment of Greenwood the Great, which was now Mirkwood. The main celebration took place where the royal family was seated, but many more small parties took to clearings nearby for a more personal fête.

Arthion and Hérion had both invited elleth to join them, and they sat in order of their birth along with Legolas at the right and left sides of Thranduil. All of the royal family wore traditional Wood-Elven crowns of leaves. The elleth accompanying them wore crowns of flowers. The long table was laid out in a semi-circle about the clearing in the forest. Many elves were seated watching some of the younger elves dance, sing, and play instruments in the circle created by the table.

“This is a splendid display!” Anariel remarked as she watched several couples of elleth and ellon dance about. She clapped along with the music as many of her table mates were.

“Aye, indeed it is!” Legolas said. The young prince couldn’t remember being this happy in a very long time. The days previous had been dark and trying, and the atmosphere was so merry about him that he couldn’t help but feel totally at ease. Even his father seemed to be far more relaxed than usual.

“Legolas,” Hérion said, leaning close to his brother’s ear, “Take my advice and ask your lady to a dance, or risk loosing her to a better elf!” he teased.

“Brother, you are ceaseless.” Legolas sighed. Nonetheless, when the next jig started, he couldn’t keep himself in his seat.

“Lady, will you dance with me?”

“I suppose so…” Anariel said, feigning discontentment. Legolas laughed at her never-ending teasing. He stood and offered her his hand. Anariel put her hand in his and let Legolas pull her up and lead her to the dance floor. When they reached the circle of dancers, Legolas noticed that an elf dressed in the garb of a guard was speaking in Thranduil’s ear, and the Elvenking did not look pleased, but Legolas dismissed it as he took Anariel’s waist and led her in the jig.

“I hope, my prince, that you are well enough to dance this jig without injuring yourself. I have not the supplies to come to your rescue!” Anariel laughed as they danced about.

“I assure you, my lady, that I am well enough to dance without springing a leak in my side!” Legolas returned. Anariel made a face.

“That was vile.” She said.

“You asked!” Legolas laughed.

“That I did,” Anariel replied.

The two danced several dances together. It was not long before Legolas noticed his eldest brother, Arthion, on the dance floor with his partner, Elaneth. The youngest son of Thranduil had not spoken much with Arthion on the matter, but it was evident that the eldest of Thranduil’s sons was quite taken with Elaneth. They spent much time together, and their intimacy was displayed even now as they danced so closely. Legolas was so happy for his eldest brother.

Legolas thought of himself and Anariel as they danced and laughed together. He felt close to Anariel, as close as he had probably ever been with any other elf, including his brothers and father. Together they shared many secrets in the short time that they had known each other. The prince wondered if this intimacy was brought on by the absence of his mother, but he quickly shooed that thought away. Nestadriel the Healer had often been his maternal figure, if only from a distance. Anariel was someone different to him.

He looked in her bright eyes that shone with laughter as she looked at him. Her dark curls bounced about her face as they danced about and her freckled nose wrinkled in her giggles. He knew not why, or how, but Anariel had ensnared him, and he pulled her closer, noticing the smell of wildflowers about her. The elleth’s cheeks suddenly were slightly pink. The music grew loud in their ears, and they followed it as the beat accelerated, spinning and skipping as the dance form called for.

“I do say, my prince, that if you look into my eyes any more intently, you might just start catching glimpses of my thoughts.” Anariel said, a bit of laughter in her voice.

“Maybe that is my intent, my lady.”

Anariel’s eyes grew slightly larger and a look of wonder came over her face. Her lips parted as if to say something, but before her words could form, all of the music suddenly stopped and so did their dance.

Legolas and Anariel looked in the direction that all of their kinsfolk stared, at and the edge of the clearing to their surprise, stood a bewildered looking dwarf.

Abruptly, the ceremony ended and all returned instantly to the Elvenking’s halls.

~

Shortly afterwards, Legolas stood with his brothers and other dignitaries of Mirkwood in their father’s throne room listening to his interrogation of Thorin Oakenshield. Thranduil looked very stern as he sat on the wooden throne and peered down at the dwarf. Thorin himself looked rather flustered, angry, and rather hungry. Though, the perception of Thorin being hungry probably came more from his repeated words of being in such a state, rather than actually appearing to be starved.

“Why did you and your folk three times try to attack my people at their merrymaking?” asked Thranduil.

“We did not attack them,” Thorin replied indignantly, “we came to them because we were starving!”

“Where are your friends now, and what are they doing?” Thranduil continued.

“I don’t know, but I expect starving in the forest.” Thorin shot back. Thranduil was un-amused.

“What were you doing in the forest?”

“Looking for food and drink, because we were starving.” The dwarf replied matter-of-factly. Thranduil was far less amused at this.

“But what brought you into the forest at all?” He asked angrily. Thorin pursed his lips and refused to answer.

Legolas watched the staring contest taking place between Elven and Dwarven lords uneasily. The young prince was entirely certain that Thranduil would not let Thorin get away with not explaining himself, but he often had read about the stubbornness of dwarves, and was uncertain about Thorin caving in to the Elvenking’s requests. After five minutes of complete silence, Thranduil spoke again.

“Very well!” said Thranduil, “Take him away and keep him safe, until he feels inclined to tell the truth, even if he waits a hundred years.” *

Thorin growled and looked angrily upon Thranduil as two guards moved forward to put him in bonds and lead him to their prison. The dwarf grumbled quite angrily as he was led away, complaining about being innocent of any crime but hunger.

“You are imprisoning him for being starving, Adar?” Arthion asked once Thorin had been whisked away and Thranduil had stood from his throne. The second eldest of Thranduil’s sons gave his father a confused face. Thranduil regarded his sons for a moment before answering.

“Nay, Hérion. I am imprisoning him for lying before the Elvenking.” Thranduil said.

“Father, I do not believe that you can prove that he is not hungry…” Legolas began.

“No, I am sure that it is not a lie. However, refusing to speak on his matter of business in Mirkwood is a lie of omission before the King, and I will not have it.” His father interrupted.

“But Adar, why is it a matter of such importance to you?” Hérion asked. Thranduil shot his son a look that spoke of frustration and anger.

“Because he is a dwarf, need I remind you that we have not had good dealings with dwarves in nearly an age?” Thranduil replied. “That aside, there is only one reason a dwarf would leave his cave: treasure. And if there is treasure to be found in Mirkwood, it does not belong to the dwarves, it belongs to the elves who live and defend their home here. Arthion,” Thranduil said, turning to his eldest.

“Adar?”

“Assemble a group of scouts and search the forest for his friends at first light tomorrow. I wish to discover their intentions here as soon as possible.”

“As you command, Adar.” Arthion replied. And with a nod of his head, Thranduil left his three sons, no longer wishing to converse on the subject.

“Certainly, we must find that treasure, for there is not nearly enough in the vaults of Mirkwood.” Hérion said sarcastically. Truly, the treasures of Mirkwood were a sight to behold and the Woodland Realm was not poor.

“He is right, though.” Legolas defended his father. “If there is some hidden treasure within the borders of Mirkwood, it belongs to those of us who live here, not those who wish to take it away from the Realm.”

“Despite the fact that there is far more gold and silver in the vaults than will ever be needed here?” Hérion replied.

“No, Hérion. This is much more than just treasure hunting.” Arthion returned. “This is politics and political assets. Adar is defending what rightfully belongs to the elves of Mirkwood.”

“Ah, politics. A messy business, I say.” Hérion noted.

“Aye, indeed.” Legolas laughed as he turned to leave the throne room to return to his bedchambers and mull over the evening in his head. When he arrived at his room, he changed into his bed clothes and flopped rather un-gracefully down on his bed with a sigh. He stared at the ceiling for a long while trying to clear his mind before he went to sleep.

What would have happened between himself and Anariel if Thorin Oakenshield hadn’t walked in on the Feast of the Forest? The thought made Legolas compulsively turn on his side, as if to move away from thinking about it. Not because he was horrified, but rather, he was confused. Legolas had never felt his stomach all aflutter before, or his head so foggy, just at the thought of one elleth. What was happening to him, he wondered?

It was a long while before the youngest son of Thranduil managed to drift off to sleep and dreams of dancing and the scent of wildflowers.

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* The dialogue from the interrogation of Thorin Oakenshield was taken directly from The Hobbit, “Flies and Spiders”, page 153 of the Houghton Mifflin Company publication. Please note that I did add characterizing elements extra-text that do not appear in the original excerpt. I am in no way claiming to own this dialogue, but am using it to fulfill this story as a history of Legolas.