Second Chances

Part 5

Posted: March 2004
Author: Larien Elengasse

*****

Legolas slid from his horse's back in the courtyard of the Last Homely House. Imladris and Master Elrond's haven was unlike anything he had seen in his life. Everything was different from his own home, the trees, the rivers, the long rolling valleys. Even the air was different, crisp and clear, carrying the scent of snow from the peaks of Hithaeglir. The Last Homely House was built into the side of a terraced cliff with pathways winding up the sides and different structures on each level. His travels to this haven had been uneventful; he had been in the company of Master Elrond's herald and two of his own kinsmen from Mirkwood.

He turned to see a tall and stately elf with hair as dark as pitch looking at him with large gray eyes. Next to him stood the most astounding creature he had ever seen, taller than the darker elf, with thick golden hair that hung past his chest and elaborate braids holding the fall of gold back from his face. His face, it seemed familiar, yet he could not place it. Large azure eyes that were filled with wisdom, finely crafted cheekbones and an aristocratic nose, and lips, lips of the softest pink, lips that he could barely keep from staring at.

He approached the two elves and stopped before them, bowing his head and covering his heart with his hand. "Mae Govannen," he began a bit nervously, "I am Legolas Thranduilion, from the realm of Mirkwood. My father has sent me with an urgent message for Mithrandir and to attend the council in his stead."

The dark elf raised one eyebrow and addressed the Prince. "Mae Govannen, Prince Legolas. I am Erestor, Chief Advisor to Master Elrond," the elf motioned to the taller one beside him, "and this is Glorfindel, Master Elrond's Seneschal and Captain of his Guard. You say you have an urgent message for Mithrandir?"

Legolas nodded. "Yes, it pertains to the creature Gollum." Legolas took note of the change in the elves' expression. "I also have a message for Master Elrond, from my father."

The dark elf nodded and motioned to Legolas to walk with him up the path. "Come, I will take you to Mithrandir, then to Master Elrond."

Legolas nodded and answered, "Hannon chen, Lord Erestor." He followed the Noldo up the path as the taller elf followed them. The fair one did not speak, but Legolas could feel his eyes upon him as they climbed the path. He also felt a brief spark of recognition from Fëanor, and inwardly searched his constant companion for the meat of it. Fëanor revealed only that the elf seemed familiar, but he was not able to understand how or why.

As they traversed the pathway, he took note that the residents of the Last Homely House came in all kindred, though they appeared to be primarily Noldor. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw a pair of identical twins speaking with one who appeared to be their sister, as she was very like in appearance to them. He recognized them as the twin sons of Elrond, which meant the maid was the Lady Arwen Undómiel. The deeds of the sons of Elrond were spoken of far and wide, and tales of their errantry had even reached the wilds of Mirkwood, as had tales of the Arwen the fair; her beauty was known amongst all elves.

They climbed the steps to the Last Homely House and still Legolas felt the eyes of the fairer elf upon him, yet the seneschal said nothing. As Legolas waited in a large library for Mithrandir, the fair elf stood near the door, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed over the balcony and into the gardens.

Legolas approached tentatively and softly addressed the elf, "Glorfindel? Are you the same Glorfindel I have heard tales of since I was an elfling?"

The elf nodded and replied quietly, "Aye, I would guess I am one in the same. I suppose you have been regaled by stories of my slaying a Balrog."

Legolas flushed and looked at the floor, suddenly feeling foolish for asking such a question. "Yes," he answered quietly. He felt the elf's eyes upon him and looked up to meet his piercing azure gaze.

"Events have a way of becoming more than they were through the telling," Glorfindel said evenly. "I would take what I hear for no more than it is, fantastical tales passed down from one generation to another."

Legolas swallowed and answered, "Forgive me if I have committed an offense, my Lord."

Glorfindel gently shook his head and put up his hand. "No offense taken, meldir. I merely did not want you to have a false impression of me. I am a warrior, I do my duty, just as you do, nothing more."

Legolas nodded and smiled shyly. Their moment was interrupted as Mithrandir entered the library, and when Legolas turned to greet him, the fair elf nodded to the Maia and quietly left the room.

Mithrandir smiled at the Sinda Prince and bowed his head. "Legolas, ‘tis good to see you once again."

Legolas smiled and bowed his head as well. "Mithrandir, we have missed you in our wood."

The wizard patted the young elf on the shoulder and bid him walk with him toward a small sitting area. "I shall return when I am able, my friend. Now, Erestor tells me you have something urgent to tell me."

They sat in two overstuffed chairs near the terrace. Legolas sat back in the chair, his hands coming to rest upon its arms. "My father sent me to tell you the creature called Gollum has escaped our keeping."

Mithrandir's eyes widened. "How did this happen, Legolas?"

Legolas felt himself flush slightly, shame and a sense of failure causing the blood to rise in his cheeks. "We came under attack, and in the confusion, this Gollum creature escaped, we know not how."

Mithrandir leaned forward, speaking softly, "And your father, Legolas? Is the King well?"

Legolas swallowed, finding it difficult to look into the wizard's eyes. "No, but he will be. He was gravely wounded in the attack, that is why he sent me rather than come himself."

Mithrandir looked into the Sinda Prince's eyes, he sensed something but was unable to discern what it was. He smiled gently and patted Legolas on the knee. "Do not feel shame for what has happened, Legolas. You and your father have long defended your realm against the Dark Lord's evil without assistance. No one will hold you responsible for this. Gollum has some part to play in all this, though I know not what it may be."

Legolas cocked his head and questioned, "In all of what, Mithrandir? I do not understand."

The wizard smiled kindly and rose from his chair. "Nor do I, Legolas, nor do I."

* * * *

"Are you sure, mellonen?" Erestor asked quietly.

"Yes, I am sure," Glorfindel answered, his gaze never leaving the form of the Prince as he stood on the balcony high above them.

"Did he recognize you?" Erestor asked.

Glorfindel shook his head slowly. "No, and he would not. All that passed before he came to Middle Earth has left his memory. Only I was sent back with those memories intact."

Erestor sighed and placed his hand upon his friend's back, following his gaze to where the Prince stood. "What are you going to do, Glorfindel?" he asked quietly.

The Elda answered softly, "I know not, Erestor. I cannot reveal what I know. I must reach him some other way." He turned and looked into his friend's large gray eyes. "I must woo him anew."

Erestor clasped his friend's elbow. "But what if it fails? What if you cannot touch his heart?"

Glorfindel smiled sadly. "Then I am destined to live out my life without the one I love."

Erestor shook his head. "That will not do, mellonen. Tell me what I can do to help you."

Glorfindel pressed his forehead against his friend's. "You are already doing it, Erestor. Be my friend, you need do no more."

* * * *

Legolas turned to see Master Elrond enter the library and he bowed his head and covered his heart with his hand. "My Lord," he said softly.

Elrond smiled and followed suit, bowing his head and covering his heart with his hand. "Prince Legolas, welcome to my home."

Legolas replied, "Hannon chen, Master Elrond. It is an honor to be here and serve in my father's stead."

Elrond smiled and invited him to sit down again. "Mithrandir tells me you bear a message for me from your father."

Legolas reached inside his doublet and produced a folded and sealed piece of parchment. "I do, my Lord," he answered. He handed the parchment to Elrond.

The Lord of Imladris broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, quietly reading what was written upon it. He masked his shock upon reading the words upon the paper and folded it again, placing it in his waist pocket. He looked at the Prince and leaned forward. "Do you know the nature of the letter your father wrote to me, Legolas?"

Legolas shook his head gently. "Nay, my Lord. I do not."

Elrond motioned to his assistant to leave them and close the door behind him. Legolas watched the young elf depart and heard the door latch shut. Elrond then spoke softly as to not be overheard, "Tell me of Fëanor, Legolas."

Legolas' eyes widened and he sat back in his chair, a small gasp escaping him. "How… how did you know?" he whispered. "My father, he told you in his letter."

Elrond nodded and answered, "Yes, Legolas, he told me. However, I sensed something before I read the letter, though I knew not what it was. You have nothing to fear, pen-neth, what you tell me will go no further than this room."

Legolas' felt trapped, he felt betrayed by his father, fearful of what must be running through Elrond's mind; he was sure that the Lord of Imladris must think him mad. "Do you believe him, my Lord? Do you believe what you have read in the letter?"

Elrond sat back and placed his hands upon the arms of the chair. "I know that there are more things that are possible than one can imagine, Legolas. I know that your father tells me this because he worries for you and he loves you. As a father, I can sense his pain and his concern. He wants me to help you."

Legolas narrowed his eyes. "Did he tell you about Fëandro in that letter? Did he tell you that they were lovers before he came to be here?"

Elrond swallowed, masking the shock he felt at Legolas' words. "No, he did not. But that does not change his love for you, Legolas. It does not change the fact that he worries for you. The two of you cannot continue to exist in the same body…"

Legolas interrupted Elrond, "I do not need your help, Master Elrond. Fëandro is as much a part of me as my own fëa. He has saved me, he has taught me what it is to be a warrior."

Elrond steeled his expression and answered, "You do not know all there is to know about him, Legolas. You know not what he was or the sorrow he caused among my people."

Legolas quickly rose from his chair and answered, "I do know, Master Elrond. It is you that does not know the sorrow he has endured as a result of all he has done! He suffers day by day; he yearns for the opportunity to atone for his rash deeds. If he were as evil as you think, surely Mandos would not have allowed him to leave his halls." He began to pace the floor in front of the balcony. "Did it not occur to you that perhaps that is why he was sent here? That through me he has the opportunity to pay for his rash acts?"

Elrond put up his hands and spoke calmly to the Prince. "Legolas, I mean no harm to you."

Legolas turned and looked at him. "Then leave me be. Leave me as I am, for this is how I was meant to be."

Elrond nodded and replied quietly, "I will, if that is what you desire. But should you change your mind, should you seek to ease this burden that you carry, then seek me out and I will help you." He rose from his chair and bowed his head, quietly leaving the Prince alone with his thoughts.

Legolas listened to the door close behind him and he sighed.

**Perhaps he is right, Greenleaf,** Fëanor's voice echoed in his head. **I am not meant to be here, I am a burden.**

"No," Legolas whispered. "You are not a burden, you are part of me, Fëandro. I can no more be without you than be without my eyes. No more talk of this, mellonen, please."

**Very well, Greenleaf,** Fëanor answered.

Legolas turned and made his way toward his guest quarters.

Hannon chen = Thank you
Meldir = Friend
Mellonen = My friend
Pen-neth = Young one

previous | Chapter Index | next

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Larien Elengasse