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 Nine – Brush with Destiny

Legolas, for probably the millionth time in his life, was listening to his brother and father argue about business of the realm over lunch. Thranduil, who was rather disturbed by the visitation of dwarves in Mirkwood, had ordered several searching parties out into the woods to find the treasure that could potentially be there and the dwarves themselves. This had left security around the Elvenking’s halls difficult to maintain, and Hérion, who was usually in charge of such things, was rather out of sorts over it all.

“Father, I cannot be in two places at once.” He protested, stabbing a bit of his pheasant.

“Hérion,” Thranduil said, swallowing some food, “You may be with one group while sending messengers to the other. It is not that difficult.”

“Messengers, yes, but I also need guards for those messengers. The forest is a dangerous place and there is no guarantee that if I send a messenger out, he will actually be able to deliver his message. It’s a waste of personnel.”

“I see no other way.” Thranduil replied.

Legolas glanced sideways at his brother and father, rather bored with this topic of conversation. Arthion noticed this, and broke his silence.

“I do.” He interjected.

Hérion and Thranduil turned their heads to the oldest son. “What say you, then?” Thranduil asked.

“Split Hérion’s guard into two, make Hérion’s division into a second outer defense, and give Legolas command of the remaining interior guard.” He answered simply. Of course, Arthion knew full well that Thranduil would not agree, but Arthion would not let this opportunity pass. He glanced at his youngest brother, whose eyes were wide and staring at him, asking the question; “do you know what you’re doing?”

“Out of the question.” Thranduil stated simply.

“It was not a question, Adar. It was a suggestion.” Arthion replied.

“And a good one at that.” Hérion interjected. “If we establish a second defense of our home, Arthion’s can move out farther and we can widen the range of safety in Mirkwood. It will make it easier to find the dwarves, or any other enemy we might espy in the woods.”

“You both forget the fact that your youngest brother has no military training.”

“To the contrary, Adar,” Legolas said quietly, “I’ve been reading extensively on it. I’ve memorized nearly all the scrolls in the library.”

Thranduil looked livid. He certainly did not want Legolas in any precarious situation at all, considering recent events. However, considering his sons’ ages, it was becoming increasingly difficult to justify his overprotection over his son. Even after the spider attack.

“I will not put Legolas in danger.” He spat.

“What danger, Ada?” Hérion asked. “The Interior Guard protects the caves! It is not as if he would be venturing out into the forest every day! His duties would be restricted to the immediate vicinity of our home. And he would be daily surrounded by skilled soldiers. It sounds just as, if not less, dangerous as sitting in the library all day.”

Legolas had never really seen his father turn that color before. Nor had he seen him so utterly frustrated or angry. The youngest prince kept his mouth shut, having no desire to anger his father further, but he desperately wanted this task. This was his chance – he knew that he was meant to live for something, and this could be the doorway to whatever the “something” was.

Thranduil looked over at his youngest. For some reason, at this moment in time, Thranduil’s mind brought him to think of what his wife used to look like when she was angry and disappointed. From there, his mind quickly traveled to what his son Arthion had once said:

“Do not punish Legolas for the death of Naneth.”

The Elvenking sighed. He knew and realized that if Almwen were still alive, he would probably not be so fussy over his youngest son, and if that his wife could see him now, she would surely have more than a lot to say regarding his over protection of Legolas.

“Legolas,” Thranduil said exasperatedly.

“Aye, Adar?”

“You will go with Hérion after lunch to learn about the duties of the Interior Guard.”

There was a loud clank of silverware falling on dishes as the shock hit Legolas like a wave and he dropped his fork. Hérion laughed while Arthion sat with his mouth agape.

“Hannon le, Adar.” Legolas said, his happiness positively dripping from his words.

“Do not thank me, Legolas. Someone far greater than I wills this.” Thranduil replied, excusing himself from the table.

The Elvenking’s sons all watched their father leave with puzzled looks as he evacuated the room. Legolas was the first to speak.

“What did he mean by that?” He asked.

Arthion chuckled. “I can only guess.”

~

Hérion could barely contain his laughter. It was as if Legolas was ten years old again, poking and peering at every new encounter. Currently, his brother was scouring maps of Mirkwood and their underground home that were housed in the Interior Guard’s headquarters, memorizing all of the tunnels and passageways that the Interior Guard used. Legolas was ecstatic to discover that there were tunnels that led to above-ground observatories where he could assign himself to guard duty.

“Father won’t even have to know!” Legolas said with a large smile on his face.

“No, he will not. But if he finds out, that spider will seem like nothing in the face of his anger.” Hérion chuckled.

“He won’t find out if no one tells him.” Legolas replied, eyeing his brother carefully.

“Legolas, far be it for me to tattle on you. I want you out of these caves and out of my hair! I will no longer have need to tell you all about the forest. You can find out for yourself.” His older brother laughed. Legolas smiled widely at him.

“Alas, it is late. Father will be expecting us for dinner shortly.” Hérion said, sighing. Suddenly, one of the guards came running into the room, sounding out of breath.

“My lords, Prince Arthion has returned from his search for the dwarves. His party found them in the woods and they now come before King Thranduil. The king wishes for you two to be there.” He reported.

“Thank you, Mardion. We’re on our way.” Hérion said, nodding his head. “Shall we go, Captain?” He asked his brother. Legolas beamed.

“Aye, Captain.”

When Legolas and Hérion arrived in their father’s hall, two of the guards were unbinding the very weathered-looking prisoners. Twelve dwarves there were standing before the king, and each looked as surly as the first that had entered their halls. Thranduil surveyed them carefully from his wooden throne. He was drumming his fingers against his oaken staff as if pondering what he was going to ask the dwarves. One of them saved him the thinking.

“Where is Thorin?” One asked meekly.

“That I will not reveal to you unless you first reveal to me your purpose here.” Thranduil replied.

“We are hungry and lost.” Replied yet another.

“That is apparent.” The Elvenking said, annoyed. “What brought you to Mirkwood?”

None spoke.

“What were you searching for?” Thranduil continued to press.

“Who said we were searching for anything at all?” The largest dwarf replied.

“What have we done, O king?” said one, who looked to be the oldest. “Is it a crime to be lost in the forest, to be hungry and thirsty, to be trapped by spiders? Are the spiders your tame beasts or your pets, if killing them makes you angry?” *

Legolas knew that the dwarf had stricken a nerve, considering his recent attack, and he saw Thranduil’s eyes flare with all the fury of a dragon.

“It is a crime to wander in my realm without leave.” He said furiously. “Do you forget that you were in my kingdom, using the road that my people made? Did you not three times pursue and trouble my people in the forest and rouse the spiders with your riot and clamour? After all the disturbance you have made I have a right to know what brings you here, and if you will not tell me now, I will keep you all in prison until you have learned sense and manners!” *

Thranduil turned to the guards who had unbound the dwarves. “Take them to separate cells so that they may not see one another. Give them food and drink, but do not let them beyond the doors of their prisons until they are willing to speak more openly about what I wish to know.” He ordered. Hérion turned to Legolas.

“These prisoners will be part of your duty.” He said quietly. “They will not need to be guarded all day, I think, but you will need to assign one elf to each cell to check in on them every once in a while and to deliver meals.”

Legolas nodded as he watched the dwarves being led away. The task seemed simple enough, Legolas thought. Little did he know, however, that there was one trespasser that they had missed who was lurking just behind him. The forgotten party was none other than Bilbo Baggins, wearing the One Ring of power and concealed by it. The Hobbit watched the dwarves file out one by one from behind Legolas’ legs, thinking sadly to himself about how he was going to get out of this mess. Not thinking, he let out a sigh.

Legolas turned and glanced behind him, looking for who had made that noise. Not seeing anyone, the youngest son of Thranduil shrugged and followed after the dwarves to see to his duties.

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* Marked passages were taken from The Hobbit; Barrels out of Bond, page 155 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 not claiming to own this dialogue or text, nor am I reproducing it for profit. I am using it to add explanation to Legolas’ missing history.