"Rinion? If I know him at all, he will not be pleased, not at all," said Dunorel, his eyes lingering on the elf that brought up the rear, the warrior elf, the one he was now, thoroughly intrigued with and suddenly, the captain could not wait for the next day, and the meeting that would present Legolas as a warrior before his superiors.
He smirked to himself then, for 'meeting' was hardly the word for what the Inner Circle, Greenwood's captains, had in store for him.
Comfortable chairs and sofas decorated an ample balcony that looked out over the stunning Evergreen Wood, leaving the four elves with a breathtaking view beyond the fortress. Indeed Legolas had had no time at all to admire its beauty, explore it, even though he knew only the foresters were aloud inside.
The truth was it unnerved him, for there was an insistent call, one he could not answer, for if he did, there would be no telling what would happen. His ability was still changing, showing itself slowly but surely - Legolas could not risk a new facet manifesting itself before his own father and brothers, elves that still did not know his secret.
"Come, sit with me my sons.
Handir smiled sparingly, for while the tension between Legolas and Thranduil was tolerable, between Legolas and Rinion there were bolts of lighning, an almost unbearable tension that Handir must soon snap.
Thranduil was no fool of course, and he truly did not expect this first attempt to go well at all. It was necessary nonetheless.
"How are you, Handir?" asked Legolas as he accepted the glass of wine his father served him.
"Still weak, Legolas, but better. I never got to thank you - for saving my life," he said as he drank.
"You must tell us the story one day," said the king, "when the grief has passed," he added, taking his own goblet to his lips, his eyes travelling from one son to the other, wondering when the storm would break.
"Legolas," said Rinion, the name rolling off his tongue slowly, purposefully, the first time he had addressed his brother verbally.
"You are a forthright elf, yes?" he asked, "You favour sincerity over falsehood, am I right?" he asked.
Legolas held his brother's icy gaze before answering, obviously guessing at the tactic the Crown Prince would use.
"Yes, Rinion," he answered, his brother's name strange in his mouth.
"Then you already know that your presence does not sit well with me," he said challengingly, sitting back to wait for Legolas' reply.
"Well, our first 'meeting' in the Halls of Healing are consistent with that claim, Rinion," answered Legolas calmly, his green eyes returning the challenge Rinion had thrown at him.
"You are observant, that is good," replied the prince as he drank and smiled just a little at his own sarcasm.
"Father," began Legolas, tomorrow is the Commanders meeting, as you know," he said, but got no further, for Rinion was already speaking.
"Ah yes - the one in which you hope to be invested a Captain, at - eh, seven hundred and forty-four - that meeting, yes?" he asked.
"You have information I do not, it seems. Pray tell, Rinion, where you heard that?"
Thranduil stared into his goblet, listening and analysing and Handir, it seemed, did likewise, just as Erestor had taught him to do.
"Oh, from Glorfiindel himself! He recommends you for the rank of lieutenant and says you should study for captaincy," he smiled but there was a scowl upon his brow.
Legolas stared back at him in surprise for a moment. "Well, I am flattered," he said, and then popped a piece of cheese into his mouth, his eyes staring at his half brother.
Handir laughed out loud, his mouth open and Thranduil smirked as he helped himself to a stuffed mushroom.
"So your tac is to rile me," said Rinion drolly - "I warn you - it may work…"
Legolas said nothing, for he was not interested in pursuing this road. It was dangerous because Rinion indeed had a perchance for losing his temper, but then so did Legolas.
"It is important," continued Legolas, "that you hear what I have to say about an - an event that transpired during my stay in Imladris, it is of vital importance to whatever transpires tomorrow."
"Did you disgrace yourself?" asked Rinion in mock interest, but his comment went unchallenged.
"You may have heard," he continued, "that I am a listener."
Thranduil's attention was back fully on Legolas' words, forgetting the rather entertaining face off between his eldest and youngest. "Yes, I did hear, but tell me more."
"Handir is aware of what I will say now, he was there, but was not at liberty to discuss the subject until I could broach it with you personally."
"So you give orders to a Prince of this Realm now?" asked Rinion in mock interest.
"Not orders, Rinion. It was a respectful request - that is when you ask someone to…"
"Yes yes, I know what it is, Legolas."
"The point being, I had had several episodes of particularly strong - connections - with the forest, so strong they wrought - physical changes…"
Thranduil scowled and Handir listened quietly, and as for Rinion, he had fallen silent.
"What - physical changes?" asked the king.
With a deep breath, Legolas bolstered his courage, because he knew this would be hard to believe.
"My eyes - they - they glow," he said, immediately reaching for his wine and taking a long draught.
Scandalous laughter erupted at the table, and Rinion threw his head back, his entire body shaking in genuine mirth now.
"You fool, Rinion - tis true - I have seen it, Elrond and Glorfindel too," said Handir indignantly.
"So it is true, you are half orc!" he chuckled, but the sudden scrape of a chair was the only warning he had before Legolas stood before Rinion's chair, too close and the Crown Prince stood, unable to step back for the table was behind him.
"You dare compare me to an orc, Rinion - one more time and Crown Prince or no I will curb your tongue!"
"Enough!" said Thranduil, standing and sending a warning glare to the feuding brothers.
"Sit down, both of you."
Moments later, both were sitting once more, and Handir shared a worried glance with his father.
"Now, where were we?" said the king.
"The glowing eyes, father," said Rinion, a smirk on his face.
Legolas breathed deeply, for to lose his concentration when talking about this subject was disheartening, it was difficult enough as it was, and in truth he understood Rinion, in spite of his mockery.
"These episodes had been increasing, both in frequency and strength and Lord Elrond took it upon himself to help me with - whatever it was. His suggestion was to provoke an incident so that he may observe it."
"Thranduil swallowed his wine but his eyes did not leave those of his youngest son.
"We - we took a walk in the gardens of Imladris; me, Elrond, Glorfindel and - something happened…"
"Well? don't leave us hanging, Legolas, tell us the story," said Rinion, his tone sarcastic, but he had given himself away for there had been a note of interest he had failed to disguise.
"I saw - the past, the future."
Silence descended over the small family, save for Legolas' slightly heavier breathing. He was anxious and there was nothing he could do to hide it.
"So this - ability - you are not a listener…?" guessed Thranduil, leaning forward until his blue eyes bored disbelievingly into this son's green eyes.
"No, not a listener…" he said slowly, his own eyes lifting to his father now, for what he had to say.
"I am a Protege…"
Silence reigned once more, until Rinion broke it. "What is a Protege?" he asked.
It was Handir who answered, for Thranduil had been struck dumb.
"A Protege, is an elf chosen - by the Valar," he whispered.
Legolas' eyes were fixed on the table now, as if he anticipated anger.
"Who?" asked Thranduil, "who chose you?" he asked, his eyes bright as they danced over his son's face.
Lifting hi
s face to meet his father's, he revealed his secret for the first time. "Yavanna; Kementari."
Thranduil's eyes widened and then he sat back, silent and shocked.
"How did you find out? Did Elrond tell you?" asked Thranduil, as if dazed.
"No. I was summoned into the forest. The knowledge came to me there…"
"He was," began Handir, knowing how difficult it was for his brother to speak of this. "He was away for days and we waited for him, until he finally emerged - changed physically by - whatever it was that happened in there. His glow was brighter, his hair longer…"
Thranduil blew out a long, steadying breath and Rinion, surprisingly, held his peace, simply sitting and drinking.
"So," began Thranduil. "You were summoned and then told you had been chosen - chosen for what?"
And there it was, the point Legolas had wanted to reach.
"To carry out her bidding, father. I am to protect the forests, and the people within."
"You have been speaking with Erthoron," came the sarcastic comment from Rinion. "He has convinced you to spurt this nonsense to bolster his claim on you - it stinks of Silvan superstition.
Legolas closed his eyes in exasperation.
"Rinion, hold your tongue," barked Thranduil.
"I know nothing of Erthoron, have not seen him since before the journey to Imladris, Rinion."
"Rinion," said Handir. "This is what Mithrandir and Glorfindel have withheld from you. I know they reported to you yesterday, and I know they would have said nothing until Legolas had had the chance to tell you personally, indeed that was the plan. There can be no denying the facts father, Rinion. We were all there, we all saw it, Mithrandir knows this is true."
"And I cannot doubt it - but others will," said Thranduil, unable to resist a fleeting glance at Rinion.
"I am not impaired, father. I will not gainsay these claims, but you are right. This will complicate everything. This mission - you have a plan, of course," said Rinion, and for the first time, Legolas saw sincerity in his brothers' eyes, keen interest.
"Yes, I have a plan, Rinion. I must have a measure of freedom to do this- I cannot ride under the complete orders of another, not if the forest requests my presence."
"Hence the need for a command," deduced Rinion.
"Yes," said Legolas. And yet, I know I am not ready for that, not completely. I have been preparing for it since I was a child but still, I need experience in the field."
"Preparing since you were a child? But you only just found out," said Thranduil.
"Yes, but my ambition, has always been the same. To be a Captain," he smiled in fond remembrance. "And to that end I have leaned, I have read books, I have trained, I have done everything I could to be the best version of myself I could possibly be."
"Well you do love yourself," murmured Rinion.
Legolas stood once more, his patience spent. "Someone has to…" he said, before bowing to the king, and leaving the room, his patience finally spent, his exhaustion and grief coming to the fore once more.
He walked and walked until he was outside, aware that Dorhinen followed him but he did not stop until he was at the gates. Nodding at the guard who stood before an open doorway, he walked through it. He was outside now and the air was different - here he was understood and he in turn understood. Soon he was making for the treeline, his hands itching to touch the green leaves, the rough barks, his mind tingling. He sought comfort, in the only source he knew it lay, unconditionally.
'Come, come, lay down and rest…'
And he did.
Back at the fortress, Thranduil sat in the living area of his rooms, his two sons sitting on the sofas, waiting for him to speak for he would, and he would not be pleased.
'Well you do love yourself…'
'Someone has to…'
"Why Rinion - why are so infantile?"
"It is my way, father, you know that."
"Have you ever considered changing it?" he asked in irritation. "You know, your selfishness does not go unmarked, Rinion. The child was nervous enough as it was, without your sarcasm."
"You ask much, father. You ask me to welcome your bastard child into our family as if he had nothing to do with my mother's departure. On top of that I am to hear he is ready to study as a captain, that he is a Protege!"
"You cannot change the facts, Rinion," began Handir, "just because you want to. Legolas is what he is, he never meant to hurt you intentionally. Can you not see the elf standing before you? Must you see only the consequences of someone else's folly?"
Thranduil turned to Handir in respect, before turning back to Rinion. "Well?" he prompted.
"It seems I must," he said. "I will not embrace him as a brother, this I have already made clear. He will find no help or support from me. Having said that I can, grudgingly, agree to not purposefully hurt him."
After a short silence, Handir spoke, a soft smile on his face.
"You know, you may hate me for saying this, brother, but your really have met your match…"
"What do you mean?" scowled Rinion.
"You are two sides of the same coin. You are both volatile, bold, unpredictable, vulnerable…"
Thranduil was even more impressed now, because Handir was right, they were so similar. Yet Legolas had a capacity that Rinion did not and he wondered if it was the Silvan side of him, for he was humble and disciplined, and where Rinion had failed, Legolas would succeed.
Glorfindel walked in blessed silence. He had shed his warrior attire and wore only a light blue tunic, his loose hair flowing around his shoulders as the forest breeze toyed with it playfully.
Turning his head, he followed his instincts, and soon enough, he came upon the one he sought - Legolas.
"I thought I may find you here," he said. "I saw Handir earlier, and Dorhinen was a little, unnerved that you managed to give him the slip," he smiled kindly.
"May I?" he asked, gesturing to a rock at Legolas' side.
"Of course," came the far away voice.
"Your first royal drink?"
"Yes," came the same, absent voice.
"It did not go well…" deduced the Noldo
"It went better than I expected, in some ways," came the longer answer and Legolas finally turned his head to look at his friend.
"Did you tell them?"
"That I am a Protege, yes. But I could not explain my plans, for Rinion's sarcasm got the best of me."
"Rinion, yes. He is problematic, yet it seems it is not just you, Legolas, if that is any consolation."
Glorfindel was met with silence, for Legolas was not entirely with him he knew. He had wanted to ask of how things had gone with Thranduil, but he knew that now was not the time.
"You think of the meeting tomorrow," said Glorfindel knowingly.
"Yes. I have not been able to fully brief the king of my intentions." He did not mention the fact that Rinion had spoken of Glorfindel's recommendations.
"I have been invited," said Glorfindel. I have many friends here that remember me still. They trust me," he said meaningfully.
"Glorfindel. You must not intervene in this. I must do this - alone."
Glorfindel studied him closely for a while before answering. "Are you sure? You will stand before every single commander that matters. They are fierce, Legolas. Strong, bold, disciplined like few others - they are almost entirely Sindar, proud of the glory days of old, when Oropher still rode in these forests. They will attack you from every flank, put you to the test until you can take no more, test the limits of your discipline, of your sense of duty, the extent of your service. If you can win that battle Legolas, Handir and the King will do the rest, but if the military does not accept you - you will have no chance of fulfilling Yavanna's will here in the Greenwood.
"Yes - that is the short of it," he said. "And that is why you must not intervene, Glorfindel. I must do this, I must gain their respect - nay I must ensure their help. This is not only about me submitting to their will - I must find a way to show t
hem what it is I must do and then find a way to make it possible. You must not help me, and neither must the king, Mithrandir, or anyone else."
"You are sure? You cannot risk them turning against you, Legolas. You need all the help you can get."
"No, Glorfindel. In this I am right, and however difficult it is - it must be done and if I cannot convince them, then I must find another way."
"What other way? There is no other way…"
"Yes there is, Glorfindel. I can show them…"
Glorfindel stared back at Legolas, understanding shining in his eyes. "Have a care, Legolas. Guard yourself against those that would accuse you of dark arts…"
"I know - I have already been called a spawn of Morgoth," he laughed mirthlessly.
Glorfindel smiled, but his worry was still there, stronger than it had ever been.
"I just wanted to make sure you know this meeting is not a mere formality, Legolas. They do not summon you to discuss my report, or Elrond's. They summon you to judge you, and to decide what must be done with you for right now, you are a liability to this realm. Your presence causes unrest and that - is what they are determined to put an end to."
"I understand. And what I must do is show them that I am not a liability - I am an asset. I have no enemies here - I am not the problem - they are…" he said and for a moment, Glorfindel thought his green eyes shone brighter, more translucent.
"You are bolder than I thought if you are going to walk in there and tell them that," he said, his anxiety rising dangerously now.
"I have no choice, Glorfindel. That is my mission, my duty to Yavanna, I never thought it would be easy."
If Glorfiindel had thought to ease Legolas' mind he had ended up doing the opposite, and with it he had found a way to worry himself sleepless. The Silvan seemed to have everything so clear in his mind, and yet Glorfindel knew these warriors, knew this army better than many and for all Legolas' confident words, he was not at all sure he really understood just how cruel the commanders could be - not for cruelty's sake, but in the defence of the realm they were charged with protecting - in that they would stop at nothing.
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