Resurrection 40

Resurrection

Part 40

Posted: January 26, 2007
Title: Resurrection
Author: Larien Elengasse

Summary: Gildor tries to come to grips with Legolas' bold statement, and the travelers return home.

*****

They returned to the camp as Anor began to wane. Legolas remained true to his word and spoke no more of how he felt. As they approached the others, Gildor could think of nothing but the slender hand held in his own and the profound and strange conversation with the prince. Was it possible that Legolas was in love with him? How could an elf of forty years know anything about romantic love? Yet it was impossible to deny how much he cared for this young Sinda, how protective he felt toward him, or how much the prince made him smile.

The evening passed with talk of moving Thranduil's folk to this new home, and of the excavation of the hillside. The Wood-elves of Greenwood had long been suspicious of Dwarves, owing to the betrayal and murder of Elu Thingol long ago, so unlike the building of Nargothrond and Menegroth the elves would be making this cave dwelling on their own. The Sindar and Silvan elves who dwelled under the rule of Thranduil were not accomplished metal and stone crafters like the Noldor, so the delving of the cave city would be an undertaking.

Gildor promised to stay at least until the project was well underway, and both Lindir and Thranduil expressed their thanks. They began their trip home at daybreak, walking during the day and resting at night. On the third and last night of their journey, a hard rain began to fall. Gildor and Thranduil both woke before the others.

Thranduil gently nudged Lindir. "Wake, my treasure," he murmured.

Lindir blinked sleepily as he returned from reverie, then noticed that they were soaked to the bone. "It rains hard," he mumbled groggily.

Thranduil nodded. "Aye, we must make for higher ground - we must climb into mountains."

Lindir nodded and disentangled himself from the wet bedding, and tried to wring some of the water from it before slinging it over his shoulder.

Gildor was rousing the warriors as he watched Thranduil lift his sleepy son from his soaked bedroll and carry him up the hill. Gildor retrieved the prince's bedroll, and followed the king and Lindir as they began to climb into the hills.

It was slow going for the ground was saturated and slippery; however, they soon reached an outcropping of rock and there were several sturdy shrubs nearby. Draping and stretching their wet bedrolls over bushes and between rocks, they were able to form shelters where they could get out of the rain, and the thick fir trees provided shelter from the wind.

As they climbed under the makeshift shelters, Gildor took a seat beside Lindir and wrung out his hair. Lindir was doing the same; his friend had a general look of displeasure upon his face.

"I am soaked," Lindir grumbled.

"It is raining," Gildor replied with a grin.

"Thank you for stating the obvious."

Gildor chuckled. "You have lived indoors too long, my friend."

"And I suppose you are accustomed to this sort of thing?"

"Actually, I am."

Legolas climbed in and took a seat between Lindir and Gildor, rubbing his damp face. "My boots are wet," he mumbled sleepily.

"Take them off and empty the water, then hang them upside down on that twig," Gildor replied, doing the same.

As Thranduil joined them, Lindir looked up at his lover. "Does it always rain so hard here?"

"Not often, though it seems as if the rain falls harder each year. It is both a blessing and a curse - it is good for the plants that grow here, but makes living outside unpleasant at times."

"What of the flets?" Lindir asked.

"My staff will have pulled the canopies over them, they should be dry when we return." He smiled and placed an arm around Lindir. "Do you miss the Last Homely House, my love?" he said softly into Lindir's ear.

Lindir smiled. "I only miss the baths, and my music room."

"Well, there are hot springs beneath the hills where we will build our new home, and I shall see that a music room is built to suit your desires."

Lindir snuggled against the king. "You are too kind to me, my lord."

"I am not nearly kind enough," Thranduil whispered into Lindir's ear.

Legolas yawned and wrapped his arms around Gildor's waist, leaning against the warrior. Somewhat reluctantly, Gildor placed a protective arm around the prince, then leaned back against a smooth rock and closed his eyes.

* * * *

The sound of birds singing roused them from their small, makeshift shelter, and they emerged into the soft morning light. Droplets of water still fell from the tall trees, but the soaking rain had passed, leaving the bushes and trees glistening in the early morning light. They wrung out their bedrolls once again, and shared a breakfast of Lembas and clear water, then made their way down from the mountains toward the glade where Thranduil's folk lived.

True to Thranduil's word, they arrived to find the small tree village functioning as it always did; the storm did not hinder these hardy wood-elves. The talans were draped with an oil-tanned cloth, which provided a waterproof shelter that formed a roof and soft walls.

As they climbed up the ladder and into the talan, Lindir smiled. It was like a cozy tent in the trees, providing a private haven. Thranduil grinned as he saw Lindir's reaction. The Noldo was clearly more at home in an enclosed space than an open one.

"Is this more to your liking, my love?"

Lindir turned and smiled at his lover. "Forgive me, I am not used to living under the stars. I have lived in cities all of my life."

Thranduil cupped his lover's cheek. "Whatever makes you happy, my love, I am more than willing to give."

Lindir wrapped his arms around Thranduil's waist. "What I would like best right now is a bath and some warm, dry clothes."

Thranduil drew his lover closer. "Then I shall see that you have it, my treasure."

Lindir titled his head and closed his eyes as the king nuzzled his neck. "Mmm... perhaps some more of this as well." Thranduil chuckled and it tickled his neck.

"I must meet with my advisers to discuss moving our city, but after that, I will do anything you ask of me."

Lindir took Thranduil's face in his hands. "Oh good, I will hold you to that offer." He kissed his lover then released him. "Now, go. The sooner you conduct your business, the sooner you can come back to me."

Thranduil winked and released Lindir, changing into dry, clean clothes before departing the talan.

* * * *

Lindir sat on a smooth rock, overlooking the small creek that provided water to Thranduil's folk. He listened to the sound of the water as it splashed over the rocky streambed and softly hummed to himself. He had not written a piece of music in weeks, but he had been composing without pause in his mind. He wondered what the wedding of his lord and lady had been like, and whether they had returned to Imladris yet.

It had been three months since he and Gildor had left Lindon with Thranduil's party, and it suddenly occurred to him that he had not thought about Glorfindel in all that time. What once had occupied his every waking thought now seemed like a distant memory. He conjured the image of the golden warrior in his mind and he did feel a pang of loss in his heart. However, what he realized was that he had fallen out of love long ago, starting that day when he realized that Glorfindel really did love Erestor. He had first lived a dream, then lived a habit: he knew now that he had hung on to what no longer existed because being alone was too frightening.

Was running from Glorfindel to Thranduil a mistake? Was he only with the king because he did not want to be alone? All of his life, he had someone to lean on: first his parents, then his friends, now Thranduil. He could not deny that what he felt for the king was powerful. There was a burning passion between them, and a deep, profound affection. He looked into Thranduil's eyes and saw what he had always hoped to see when he looked at Glorfindel. When he looked into his king's eyes, he saw unwavering love. Thranduil loved him and him only, and with a profound recognition, he realized he felt the same way about the Sinda King.

Then there was Gildor; kind, generous Gildor who always gave more of himself than he accepted in return. Erestor would never have left him, and it was clear that the councilor loved him, yet Gildor walked away into an uncertain future just so Erestor could be with the one he loved above all others. How selfless an act. He offered a silent prayer to the Valar that Gildor would one day have a love that was worthy of his generous and kind spirit.

"Lindir?"

He turned and saw the prince standing off apace. "Yes, my liege?"

"Do you wish to be alone?"

"No, no," Lindir answered, sliding over and patting the rock beside him. "Come, join me."

Legolas climbed onto the rock and sat beside the minstrel. "You and Gildor are going to be with us for awhile, yes?"

"Yes, I think so. Gildor has promised your father he would help with the excavation of the caves."

Legolas smiled. "I am glad that the two of you have come here to be with us. My father is happier now than he has been since the war, and I think that is because you are here."

Lindir placed an arm around Legolas. "Thank you, my prince. It gives me comfort to know you feel that way."

"Lindir?"

"Yes?"

"Would you teach me to sing?"

"Of course. Would you like to learn how to play the harp as well?"

Legolas beamed. "Yes! I would like that very much."

"Once we are settled into our new home, I will make you a harp. What type of songs would you like to learn? Heroic odes, tributes to nature?"

"Love songs."

Lindir grinned. "Ah, yes. Love songs are always good to know. Is there an elleth or ellon you wish to serenade?"

Legolas smiled. "Aye, an ellon. He is older than I am, but I would like to impress him with my voice. He has been a good friend and I wish to give him something that will make him happy."

"Very well. Shall we begin now?"

Legolas nodded enthusiastically. "Aye! I would like that very much."

"Hmm... well I know of a romantic tune that I think would be fitting." Lindir began to softly sing a song he composed himself, long ago when he first fell in love with Glorfindel.

*****

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