Post by Admin on Jan 2, 2021 23:47:55 GMT
Author: Mirkwood Warrior
Summary: How must it have felt, knowing that someone you love had volunteered to help destroy the One Ring? As Celesté waits for Legolas to return, Thranduil senses that all is not well within his daughter’s heart. Something is troubling the princess and she is reluctant to share her burdens.
Rating: K
The Elvenking slowly walked long, silent corridors, his booted feet making no sound at all on the storm floor as his eyes searched for the one he sought out. But there was no sight of her within the stone walls of the palace.
Thranduil finally found his daughter on the Library balcony. Celesté was unaware of his presence behind her. The princess sat with her back to the king, her eyes wandering aimlessly over the trees. There was an air of great sadness about her.
The King stepped quietly and unnoticed out onto the huge, sweeping veranda that measured the length of the study hall and overlooked the forest beyond. He silently came upon his daughter, noticing her slumped shoulders and bent head.
Thranduil gently touched her shoulder, not wishing to startle Celesté.
But startled she was, whipping her head around and rising to her feet as she felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder. She immediately brought a hand up to block her ‘attacker’. A look of shock passed across her face as she registered that it was her father who stood before her. “Father, you surprised me. I did not hear you approach.” She let her hand drop to her side.
Thranduil chuckled lightly, but the laugher died as he noticed the look of weariness on his daughter’s face. “What troubles you so, my daughter?” he asked gently.
Celesté looked away. “Nothing, I am fine.” She sat down again and offered Thranduil a seat on the stone couch beside her.
Thranduil pinned the princess with hard look as he sat down, his robes trailing the ground elegantly. “Where have I heard that excuse before?” A small smile pulled at the corner of his lips. “I believe Legolas uses that one regularly.”
At the mention of her brother, Celesté closed her eyes and sighed deeply, trying to keep the swirling tide of emotions at bay. It was not easy. Her hands curled and uncurled into fists where they rested in her lap.
“You miss Legolas.” It was a statement, not a question. Thranduil could easily see the sorrow in her silver grey eyes. He tenderly took her hands in his, prying her fingers open. “Do not do that, for you will hurt yourself.” He brushed the tips of his long fingers across Celesté’s palm, feeling the slightly calloused skin from many years of archery.
“I miss him so much,” Celesté whispered, resting her head against her father’s shoulder. “Why him, of all people? Why did he have to go? He could have stayed....stayed and helped with the fighting here. Instead he left us.”
Thranduil reached up and cupped the side of his daughter’s face, running his finger through the lose strands of blond hair. “Celesté,” he began. “You know as well as I do how Legolas feels about the outside world. He could not sit back and watch. I did not want to see Legolas go any more than you did. I fear for him every day as I do for you every time I see you leave these walls. It pains my heart beyond anything to watch you leave, fearing that this day could be the day that I lose one of my most precious processions...my children.”
Celesté tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. “It all started when Aragorn brought that wretched creature here. If he had never brought that...Gollum...here in the first place, he would have never escaped and Legolas would have never would have volunteered to go and inform Lord Elrond.”
Thranduil sighed. “I wish I could agree, but Legolas had been growing restless. I suppose if we were to lay blame, we could always condemn Estel Elrondion, for it was he who first showed my son of the troubles of the outside world. Until then, Legolas had not travelled as much or had seen as much as he has now.”
Celeste smiled. “I doubt we can blame Aragorn, Adar. I hardly think he went out to take Legolas away from us.”
“I see you’ve fallen under his spell also,” Thranduil harrumphed lightly.
Celesté laughed. “And you have not?” Her eyes glinted with mischief as Thranduil fixed steely blue eyes on her. But then her face turned serious again. “Oh Ada, why did he have to go?”
Thranduil embraced his daughter, wrapping his strong arms around her smaller frame. “Because Legolas felt it was his responsibility and duty as prince to inform Lord Elrond of the creature’s escaped. I also think Legolas wanted to inform Aragorn personally. After all the ranger did spend several months hurting for the creature.” He sighed. “Legolas also felt that it was his fault that the creature escaped. It was the elves under his commanded that were guarding the creature on that fateful night.”
Thranduil paused as glanced down at his daughter. “But that is not all that troubles you. There is an air of weariness around you. You carry a heavy burden on your heart...will you not share it?”
Celesté pulled away from Thranduil and walked to the far side of the balcony, her back turned to the elder elf. She could not bear to let her father see her troubles. He already bore enough of his own. Leaning against the balustrade, she closed her eyes and listened to the whisper of the wind as it danced among the leaves.
Thranduil watched the princess. There was something she was hiding. “What is so terrible that my own daughter cannot tell me?” Thranduil stared at the princess’ hunched shoulders with growing alarm. It was unlike Celesté to react to anything like this. “Has something happened Celesté?” His fear mounted even as he asked the question.
When Celesté turned towards the Elvenking, tears were streaming down her face. “Ada, forgive me.”
Thranduil was on his feet in an instant. Rushing forward he pulled the younger elf against him. “Celesté...Tithenmir.” He used the name Legolas had always called his sister by. He had not done that in many, many, years. “There is nothing to forgive,” he whispered as Celesté buried her face against her father’s shoulder.
Thranduil held his daughter while she cried, brushing her hair away from her face, murmuring words of comfort into her ear. Finally Celesté’s sobs lessened and she pulled back from her father.
“Now,” Thranduil’s voice was gentle. “Tell me what happened, tell me why you are so overcome by sadness.”
Celesté inhaled deeply. “It was-is my fault that Gollum escaped and because of it, it is my fault Legolas had to travel to Rivendell with the news of my folly.”
Thranduil frowned at his daughter’s confession. “How is your fault Celesté?” he prompted gently. “Celesté?” he tipped her chin up so that she was forced to look into his eyes. “Tell me, how is it your fault?”
“Because I could have stopped it. I could have stopped the creature escaping but I didn’t.” Celesté rested her forehead against Thranduil’s chest. “I was guarding the outer perimeter of the trees, quite close to the one where Gollum was let climb. I sensed something was wrong but I shrugged it off, thinking my mind was playing tricks with me and I didn’t alert anyone to the possible threat. Then...the attack came. I heard a scream. I ran back towards the tree. When I got there, the fight was already underway.
Tears were falling down Celesté’s face. “And I could have prevented it. I could have told someone! But I didn’t. If only I had told someone then the whole thing would have ended differently and Legolas would still be here!”
“Hush Celesté, hush penneth,” Thranduil murmured, holding his daughter closer. “None of what happened was your fault. Nor was it anyone else’s fault.” He cupped the back of Celesté’s head and stroked her hair. “Raniean found you lying unconscious beside the tree after the fight. Legolas was nearly beside himself when they brought you home. He blamed himself for the creatures escape and your injuries.”
“He did?” Celesté looked up, tear stains on her cheeks and her eyes slightly red from crying.
Thranduil nodded. “He did and he never left your side until you awoke.”
Celesté sighed deeply and gazed out over the forest which was once again whole. “It was not his fault.”
“And it wasn’t your either Celesté.” Thranduil cut across her sharply. He held her by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. “I would tell you if it was your fault, but it is not. Do you understand me?”
Celesté nodded. “Yes father.” Her head tilted to the side as she observed her father. The king had a faraway look in his eye, as if in deep thought. Reaching up, she gently touched Thranduil’s cheek. “Ada, are you all right?” Her soft question could barely be heard over the sounds of the rushing river and the noises of the woods about them.
“I will be.” Thranduil’s deep voice held a weariness to it that echoed in the princess’s heart. Celesté leaned against her father and nodded in understanding. The past month had been hard. It was still difficult to believe that they had all made it out alive and she found herself at times surprised by the relief that flooded through him. It had affected them all.
“Ada?”
Thranduil hummed lightly in response. “What is it?”
“Will Legolas come back....alive?” Celesté tensed, not knowing what sort of a response her question would receive.
Thranduil started at the question. He blinked a few times, making sure he had truly heard what his daughter had asked him. “Why should you ask such a question?”
“I do not know,” Celesté whispered sadly. “It is one of those questions that slip into my mind in the darkness of night and never can I find an answer to them, despite as much as I try.”
Thranduil pulled Celesté against him. “I cannot answer that for you iell nin, as much as I dearly want to. I have no control over such matters. Only the Valar themselves can control such things. But I pray to them, that they will allow Legolas to return to us safely.”
Celesté rubbed her forehead against the soft material of the king’s robes. “I understand.”
Thranduil studied his daughter before him. He could tell there was something else, something else that worried the younger elf. “What other questions plague your dreams at night Celesté?”
Her fingers traced the intricate design embroidered onto the material, for she was unable to look up at her father. “If something happened to either me or Legolas...if-if one of us died...would you sail?” Celesté glanced up. “Would you leave me?”
“No Celesté, I could never leave you.” Thranduil took her face in his hands, brushing his thumb over her cheek bone. “I could never leave you or Legolas, never. If anything, Valar forbid, happen to you or your brother, I know that someday I would be reunited with you as I will be with your mother.”
Celeste closed her eyes, a single tear escaping from under her eyelid. “I know...I just wanted to be sure.” When she next spoke, Celesté’s voice was laced with sadness and hope. “When will he come home?”
Thranduil knew his daughter longed to see Legolas again. “I do not know. When he feels his duty is complete then he will return to us.”
Celesté sighed. “But it’s been a year and a half now.”
“I know Celesté, I know. But have patience Tithenmir, have patience. Legolas will come home.”
Together father and daughter stood on the balcony overlooking the wide sweeping forest of Mirkwood, at last free from the evil that had plagued it for many, many years.
Finally Thranduil pulled away. “I must return. There are many things to be done and overseen. I would rather not leave Galion in charge for too long.”
Celesté laughed, a joyous sound to Thranduil’s ears.
“I would have you laugh more, just so I could hear that sound,” Thranduil whispered, bending his head and bestowing a gently kiss on her forehead. “Do not hesitate to come to me anytime my daughter. I will always be here for you, no matter what.”
Celesté smiled and squeezed her father’s hand. “Thank you Ada.” She held his fingers for as long as she could until he had walked out of reach.
When she could no longer hear the king’s soft footfalls, Celesté once again turned her attention to the forest below her. As she stood there, her thoughts turned to her brother.
I stand here, looking out over the forest. Oh Legolas, if only you could see it now. For the evil is gone and new life is returned to the trees and together the elves and the forest can live as one once more in peace and harmony.
Legolas....I wonder where you are now? Word reached us that Aragorn has been crowned king of Gondor and Arnor. I know you were by his side for where else should you be. But now, my heart longs to see you again for it has been a little over a year ago that I last saw your face.
~S~
A fortnight had passed since Celesté and Thranduil’s conversation on the Library balcony. The princess threw herself into her duties to keep her mind off things. She busied herself with paper work, her own and Legolas’ for the prince had left an inordinate amount of work uncompleted. But Celesté did not mind. She worked in her brother’s study and allowed the faint sent of him that lingered there, to comfort her, assuring herself that Legolas would come home.
As the days wore on, Celesté began to do more and more. She led patrols, volunteered for border patrols, took part in scouting missions, for although the forest was clear of evil, many of the vile creatures such as the spiders and stray bands of orcs still roamed the ever lightening forest.
Raniean and Trelan became concerned for her, easily seeing the tiredness in her eyes when she spoke to them, but she could not be deterred from her duties. Finally Raniean could not stand watching Celesté exhaust herself and went to the king.
“She is waiting for her brother,” Thranduil told Raniean when the warrior asked.
Raniean bit his lip. “I understand hir nin, we are all waiting for Prince Legolas to return, but there is no need for Celesté to completely exhaust herself.”
The king sighed. “Celesté is trying to distract herself. She is missing Legolas.” He picked up his quill and started to write again, the ink flowing across the piece of parchment in Thranduil’s elegant hand.
Raniean knew this was the end to the conversation and bowed before leaving, closing the door gently behind him.
~S~
Legolas inhaled deeply, savouring the scent of pine needles and moist earth. Turning his face towards the sun, he looked up through a canopy of green leaves, painted golden by the morning sunlight streaming through them. The tree limbs under him and against his back cradled him comfortably, inviting the elf to linger in the sunny upper branches of the tall oak. Trailing his fingers absently across the rough tree bark, the prince indulged himself in the welcoming embrace for a few moments longer, before regretfully parting with the perch where he had spent the night.
Descending back down to the forest floor of Mirkwood after the beauty of the upper canopy had never a very pleasant experience, but now, the forest was green and whole again and it added to Legolas’ joy at being home. He had missed these woods very much. He had not walked through them and heard their song since he departed for Rivendell what seemed almost a life-age ago.
The prince kept a swift pace as he followed the winding forest road. It had taken him several weeks to reach Mirkwood and he intended to make it home by nightfall. He had travelled on foot since leaving the White City , but the prince didn’t mind. He would just as soon walk anyway. It wasn’t that he wished to delay his return home, but he did want to savour the trip there. He had missed these trees. Plus, it gave him time to consider what he was going to say to his father and his sister.
Aragorn had asked the prince if he could send word onto Thranduil but Legolas had resisted, wanting to inform his father in person. He had stayed on in Gondor for longer than he would have liked; mostly to make sure Estel was settling into his role as king and to see his friend marry Arwen. However, when it had come time to leave he had found his heart hesitant, even though he missed his father. Aragorn would have come with him if he asked, but the elf knew that the new king had more than enough to keep him occupied trying to rebuild the ruined city.
Legolas sighed. His life wound in and out of so many other lives now. It was hard to remember the days when he had made this forest his self-imposed prison, considering it the only place he was safe. It was ironic really, because in a way he had been right. Since he had met Aragorn and ventured out into the wide world he had encountered more pain and difficulty than could be comfortably recounted. Yet he had also found freedom, friendship, forgiveness and trust.
The sun was setting by the time Legolas finally approached the sealed gates that led to his home.
Legolas glanced up at the gates of the palace with a smile. It would have been easy to bid the portals open himself, but he had no wish to alarm the gate guards since they were by no means expecting him. The prince stopped and waited for the sentries to question his presence.
No question came however. Instead, the gates were summarily thrown open.
“Your Highness!” It was Raniean, on his way out himself, who had seen the prince from the guard station and now opened the palace gates. He beamed, squeezing his friend’s hand tightly in greeting. “It’s good to see you, mellon-nín, we worried for you... again,” he added pointedly.
Legolas smiled and shook his head as he greeted his old friend. “Sorry Ran, it really wasn’t my fault, I swear.”
“Is it ever? Tell that to your father,” Raniean chuckled, simply glad that his friend had returned well and whole.
Legolas winced ruefully. “Is he very upset then?”
Raniean smiled with a mischievous glint in his eye, ushering Legolas inside and shutting the gates behind them. “Let’s just say that Trelan and I have been placing wagers over whether you’ll end up in the dungeons or just locked in your room...and that’s not counting Celesté.”
The gate guards returned to their normal posts, leaving the prince in Raniean’s care.
Legolas gave the other elf a light shove. “Oh, thank you so much, my friend.”
Raniean raised his hands, denying any responsibility. “Well now, Legolas, you did bring this on yourself. It’s not my fault you insisted on going off on that quest. Or that you promised both your father and sister you’d be home... oh... over a year and a half ago or so, and didn’t even send word.” A momentary flicker of hurt darted behind Raniean’s clear blue eyes before he quickly looked away. A slight bite had slipped into the other elf’s tone, although it was obvious Raniean had not intended for it to be so obvious.
Legolas sighed. “Things happened, Ran, I couldn’t help it. Really, I couldn’t.” He paused, catching the look his friend tried to hide. Raniean was upset with him and Legolas did not blame him. They must have all been hideously worried. Maybe, if he had told his father what he had planned to do, things would have been different. Maybe... but there was no use going down that road again. He and Aragorn had survived as had the rest of the Fellowship apart from Boromir, and that was what mattered. If he had erred, then he would simply have to live with the consequences of that mistake. He had certainly paid dearly enough. Past choices could not be re-made. Not would he want to remake them.
The prince’s voice turned soft. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you all worry. It’s a long story, one I should tell father first I’m sure...” Legolas sighed again. “But honestly, I had no choice Ran, you have to believe me. I did what I did for the good of Arda.”
“I know,” Raniean met his friend’s eyes again. Legolas was alright. At the moment, he could forgive him anything else, so long as he had indeed come back to them once more. “I don’t blame you Legolas, I am sure you had a very good reason and I can’t wait to hear your latest ‘long story’.” He smiled wryly. “I just... I was worried, Legolas. We almost lost you once already.”
Legolas squeezed Raniean’s shoulders tightly. He knew the other elf was still getting over his prince’s brush with death in the mountains after the warg attack on Rivendell; it had to have been hard to consider losing him again so soon. “But you didn’t,” he assured quietly.
Raniean nodded and squeezed Legolas back. “No, we didn’t, Valar be praised. Now, if only you survive your father, Trelan and I may have our trio for the spring games next moon after all.”
Legolas smiled. “Isn’t that a rather big ‘if’?”
Raniean clapped him on the back reassuringly as they reached the end of the walk leading up to the palace. “Miracles can happen.”
Legolas rolled his eyes. “Well then pray I find one. I’d better go talk to him.”
The prince entered the palace without fanfare, bounding easily up the steps leading into his home with just a smile and a nod to the guards on duty. At Raniean’s bidding no one was sent to fetch the King. It was better for Legolas to go to him himself.
The prince made his way swiftly down the familiar corridors and he smiled to himself. No matter how Thranduil reacted to his chronic tardiness this time, at the moment Legolas could feel little but joy at being home again. It seemed forever since he had walked these well-loved halls. Strange thoughts for an elf, but Legolas had long ago given up trying to reconcile the odd, disparate ways in which he seemed to measure time now. Aragorn had permanently ruined him, but he didn’t really mind.
Thranduil was in his study, just as Legolas knew he would be. The prince stood quietly in the doorway for a few moments, watching his father as Thranduil wrote on a long piece of parchment with swift, smooth strokes.
The king had not noticed his approach and the prince took the moment to watch his father and remember the countless times he had stood in this doorway and seen Thranduil sitting at that desk. It was a comfortable feeling, for it felt like home. He almost didn’t want to break the spell, didn’t want to spoil the moment by alerting Thranduil to his presence and having to weather whatever response that would garner. Yet at the same time he wanted his father to look up and see him. Wanted to be welcomed back...
Legolas sighed inwardly. He knew he was welcome, whether Thranduil was in a mood to acknowledge that right now or not. The prince didn’t even think he’d mind a little bit of house arrest for the time being, if only Thranduil wasn’t too hurt or upset with him over his broken promise. That was the only thing that would spoil his homecoming. Thranduil could be angry, he could say what he liked and punish him anyway he pleased. Just as long as he could tell Legolas he forgave him now rather than the prince having to wait for resolution indefinitely, as often happened. Then everything would be perfect.
Lightly, Legolas rapped his knuckles against the doorframe.
Thranduil looked up from his work. The distracted look on his face quickly bled away into shock and then joy and he rose swiftly from the chair, parchment forgotten.
“Legolas!” the Elvenking just stood there for a moment, trying to decide if what he saw was real. “When did you get back? Why wasn’t I told?”
Legolas shifted slightly, smiling a little hesitantly at his father. “Just now. I wanted to tell you myself.”
To the prince’s utter surprise, he saw his father’s strong eyes gloss over with unshed tears. “You didn’t come back. When the news came from Rivendell that you had joined the quest to destroy the ring... I feared...” The king was uncharacteristically lost for words. “You promised.”
Legolas could have choked on the lump in his throat. Of all the reactions he had imagined, this was not one of them. He saw for a moment in Thranduil’s eyes a sense of abandonment. “Ada... you have to believe me, I’m so sorry. I tried to come back as soon as I could. Honestly I did. I would never have broken a promise to you like that if lives had not depended on it...”
Thranduil crossed the distance between them quickly and surprised Legolas for the second time. The king pulled his son into a hug. “I don’t care. I don’t care, Legolas, just so you’re all right. Just so you’re really here,” he murmured.
The prince was stunned speechless for a moment, but readily melted into his father’s strong embrace. Thranduil almost never held him unless something was wrong, or when he was hurt. For the Elvenking to not want an exact accounting of his son’s reasons right up front was almost even more shocking. Maybe sometimes, some things could change, even if only a little.
Legolas hugged his father back tightly, resting his chin on Thranduil’s shoulder. He realized that tears were sliding down his cheeks, but he wasn’t ashamed of them. “I’m here, Ada. I’m here.”
Thranduil nodded, slowly bringing his emotions back under control. “Good, because you’re going to stay here for a good long time now young one, is that understood?” his soft, almost pleading tone belied any harsh cast of the phrasing.
Legolas nodded against his shoulder. “Yes, Father. I would like nothing better.”
“Legolas, I’m serious,” Thranduil whispered into his son’s hair as he held him a moment longer, before finally releasing the younger elf. “I need you here with me.”
Legolas hesitantly squeezed his father’s hand. “Then here I will be.”
Thranduil caught and held his son’s slimmer hand in his own. “Good,” he said softly, before a slight glint came back into his eyes. “Then I will tell Elrynd to take the locks off the outsides of your doors.”
Legolas wasn’t sure if his father was joking or serious. “Father, you didn’t...”
Thranduil just smiled and changed the subject. “It’s good to have you home, Legolas. Very good. I’m afraid dinner was a long time ago, it’s late... are you hungry? Shall I send for someone?”
Legolas shook his head. “No, thank you, I’ll be all right. Right now I just want to rest, if... if you’ve really forgiven me.” He knew he shouldn’t push things, but he really couldn’t help asking. It all seemed too easy for what he was accustomed to expecting.
“Legolas,” Thranduil pushed his son’s hair back behind his ear gently, letting his hand brush the younger elf’s cheek. “I forgave you before you ever came back. Just so long as you did come back. Although, you can expect that I will want the full tale once you’ve rested. And don’t you think to start leaving things out either. I know how you are. If I think you’re holding out on me I will make Lord Elrond send Strider out here to tell me the truth. Don’t think I won’t,” Thranduil remonstrated with good humour.
Legolas laughed. “I promise I will tell you everything tomorrow, Father.”
Thranduil accepted that. “All right then. I have kept your rooms prepared in readiness for you. Rest well, ion-nín. I will see you at breakfast?”
The prince smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”But as he was about to leave, he turned back towards his father. “Where is Celesté?”
Thranduil smiled sadly. “Your sister is working in your study.” At Legolas’ surprised look he continued. “She has taken to working in there when she is not on patrol. Legolas....your sister missed you very much. She had tried to hide it from me, but over these last few weeks she has taken on more and more duties. She has been working herself very hard, near the point of exhaustion.”
Legolas frowned. “Why is she doing that?”
“She is trying to distract herself Legolas,” Thranduil eyed his son, wondering if now was the time to tell him or not. He decided to tell him. “Celesté also thinks it is her fault that Gollum escaped. She feels it was her lack of attention that allowed the orcs to get so close without anyone noticing them. Your sister has been struggling with these beliefs since you have left. She said it was because of her own folly that you were forced to go to Rivendell. ”
Legolas spun on his heel and left the study. “I will find her and talk to her,” he called back over his shoulder as he walked away.
Thranduil raised one eyebrow at the retreating form of his son. His thoughts wondered to what sort of a reaction Legolas would receive from Celesté. His daughter would be shocked to see Legolas, then ager would take its place until finally the princess would forgive her brother, or so the king hoped.
~S~
Inside the prince’s study, Celesté sat behind the desk, a pile of papers in front of her and another pile, checked and signed were on the floor. There was a frown between her eyes as she concentrated on the document in her hand and her teeth worried her lower lip constantly.
So far in the last hour, Celesté had been interrupted no less than three times with someone knocking on the door and demanding her attention. First it had been Raniean searching for some missing patrol reports that Celesté had no idea about. The second time it had been one of her father’s advisors asking about the new trade agreements that King Thranduil had drawn up. The princess had told the elf that she knew nothing about them and he would be better of addressing his problem to the king. The last time had been Trelan who had stuck his nose in complaining about the lack of order in the guard house.
That was the final straw. Celesté had slammed her fist down on the table and yelled for Trelan to get out and leave her alone. Now, thankfully she had not been interrupted for a while.
Celesté looked up with a growl as someone knocked on the door. She waited, glaring at the door, mentally willing the person to leave her alone. But the knocking continued.
“What now?!” Pushing the chair back with such force that it banged off the wall behind, Celesté stormed over to the door, her furry building. “For Valar’s sake can I not be left alone in peace for one afternoon?! I have been disturbed no less than three times and this really is the last straw altogether!” She yanked open the door in anger. “What-?” She snapped, but her words died on her lips when she saw the person standing in front of her.
Legolas smiled at the sight of his sister’s shocked face. “Celesté,” he murmured quietly. His eyes drank in the sight of her, his heart singing to see her again.
Celesté just stood there, hardly daring to believe what she was seeing, that Legolas, her brother stood in front of her. After all this time, here he was.
“Celesté,” Legolas spoke again, stepping forward and taking her hands in his larger ones. He immediately noticed the roughness of the skin beneath his fingers and gently turned her hands over, inspecting the palms. “What have you been doing with yourself?”
The shock wore off and Celesté yanked her hands from Legolas. The next moment the prince’s head snapped to the side as Celesté’s hand collided with his cheek. “How could you?” She hissed. “How could you?”
Legolas took a step backwards, reaching up to touch his stinging cheek. “Celesté I do not understand. What have I done to displease you? I thought you would be happy to see me?”
Celesté’s eyes glinted dangerously and for a moment Legolas was reminded of his father.
“Not a word Legolas. Not one word. Nothing.” Celesté looked at her brother with eyes filled with hurt and pain. “For weeks we were worried that something ill had befallen you until the messenger came from Rivendell to inform us of your decision to join the Fellowship. How do you think everyone felt? How Ada felt? How I felt?”
Legolas let his eyes drop from his sister’s face, unable to bear the look of hurt and betrayal he saw there. “Celesté,” he held out his hand in a gesture of peace. “Please can we talk? Let me explain....please?”
With a curt nod, Celesté stepped back and allowed Legolas to enter the study, his study. Legolas’ gaze wandered around, taking in the stacks of parchment on the smooth polished surface of the desk, the chair and the floor beneath the desk and the piles of weapons dumped on the floor over the far side of the room. Clearly Celesté had been using this room for a while now.
Legolas turned to face his sister. “Celesté I am sorry for not writing. I wanted to, in this I am honest. But I feared what our father would do. He would not let me. He would have ordered me back. That I could not do. I could not sit by idly and watch others suffer when we are part of this world....Please believe me.”
Celesté turned away from him, her arms wrapped around herself as her breath hitched. All the pain, all the worry she had felt over the past year and a half washed over her in a torrent, crashing down upon her with force. She sensed rather than heard Legolas come up behind her.
The prince lightly rested his hands upon his sister’s shoulders. “I never meant to hurt you. I could never hurt you, my dear sweet sister,” he whispered, his voice soft. “You are more precious to me than anything else. Forgive me please, for my actions have caused you much heartache.” His arms wrapped around her slim frame.
Celesté turned in his arms, her fingers brushing across the red welt on his cheek, the result of her striking him. “I am sorry too. I let my emotions control me.”
A low chuckle escaped Legolas’ lips. “I think I deserved that one.”
The corners of Celesté’s lips pulled upwards and she let her head fall forward to rest on Legolas’ chest. “I missed you.”
Legolas tightened his arms around his sister. “And I missed you, oh I missed you so much Celesté. There were nights where I would gaze up at the stars and wish I was back here in the forest with you.” There was a pause before the prince spoke again. “I should have told you, should have let you know that I was well. I just feared.....rejection, from both you and father for leaving you like I did, in the middle of everything.”
Celesté clutched at the collar of Legolas’ tunic as tears fell unbidden from her eyes. “I missed you so much. Every waking moment I feared that I would never see you again, that you would be lost to us.” She chocked slightly on her words, her eyes squeezed shut. “Every day I waited for your return.”
“And here I am,” Legolas tilted her chin up so she was forced to look into his eyes. “I am here Tithenmir,” His thumb brushed over her cheek, wiping away her tears. “I am here,” he whispered. Reaching out with one hand, her cupped the back of Celesté’s head and lowering his own he gently brought their foreheads together in a simple, affectionate gesture. “Do you remember what I told you the night before I left?”
Celesté nodded. “Yes. You told me you would always be here.” She touched her heart. “No matter what.”
“I did,” Legolas smiled and cupped her face with both his hands. “And here I am, so no more tears...alright. As long as it is in my power, I will always return to you.”
Celesté dipped her head in acknowledgment and hastily swiped at her eyes before embracing her brother with all her strength. The two elves stayed like that until Legolas spoke. “Now what is this I hear that you are blaming yourself for the escape of Gollum?”
Celesté pulled away and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re here and that’s the most important thing.”
Legolas fixed her with a hard gaze. He didn’t truly believe his sister, but one look at the pleading eyes of Celesté urged him to leave it. He stored it away in the back of his mind, deciding to ask his father about it later. The long period of waiting was over and right now, the prince was happy to be home, once again among those he loved and cared about.
~The End~
Summary: How must it have felt, knowing that someone you love had volunteered to help destroy the One Ring? As Celesté waits for Legolas to return, Thranduil senses that all is not well within his daughter’s heart. Something is troubling the princess and she is reluctant to share her burdens.
Rating: K
The Elvenking slowly walked long, silent corridors, his booted feet making no sound at all on the storm floor as his eyes searched for the one he sought out. But there was no sight of her within the stone walls of the palace.
Thranduil finally found his daughter on the Library balcony. Celesté was unaware of his presence behind her. The princess sat with her back to the king, her eyes wandering aimlessly over the trees. There was an air of great sadness about her.
The King stepped quietly and unnoticed out onto the huge, sweeping veranda that measured the length of the study hall and overlooked the forest beyond. He silently came upon his daughter, noticing her slumped shoulders and bent head.
Thranduil gently touched her shoulder, not wishing to startle Celesté.
But startled she was, whipping her head around and rising to her feet as she felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder. She immediately brought a hand up to block her ‘attacker’. A look of shock passed across her face as she registered that it was her father who stood before her. “Father, you surprised me. I did not hear you approach.” She let her hand drop to her side.
Thranduil chuckled lightly, but the laugher died as he noticed the look of weariness on his daughter’s face. “What troubles you so, my daughter?” he asked gently.
Celesté looked away. “Nothing, I am fine.” She sat down again and offered Thranduil a seat on the stone couch beside her.
Thranduil pinned the princess with hard look as he sat down, his robes trailing the ground elegantly. “Where have I heard that excuse before?” A small smile pulled at the corner of his lips. “I believe Legolas uses that one regularly.”
At the mention of her brother, Celesté closed her eyes and sighed deeply, trying to keep the swirling tide of emotions at bay. It was not easy. Her hands curled and uncurled into fists where they rested in her lap.
“You miss Legolas.” It was a statement, not a question. Thranduil could easily see the sorrow in her silver grey eyes. He tenderly took her hands in his, prying her fingers open. “Do not do that, for you will hurt yourself.” He brushed the tips of his long fingers across Celesté’s palm, feeling the slightly calloused skin from many years of archery.
“I miss him so much,” Celesté whispered, resting her head against her father’s shoulder. “Why him, of all people? Why did he have to go? He could have stayed....stayed and helped with the fighting here. Instead he left us.”
Thranduil reached up and cupped the side of his daughter’s face, running his finger through the lose strands of blond hair. “Celesté,” he began. “You know as well as I do how Legolas feels about the outside world. He could not sit back and watch. I did not want to see Legolas go any more than you did. I fear for him every day as I do for you every time I see you leave these walls. It pains my heart beyond anything to watch you leave, fearing that this day could be the day that I lose one of my most precious processions...my children.”
Celesté tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. “It all started when Aragorn brought that wretched creature here. If he had never brought that...Gollum...here in the first place, he would have never escaped and Legolas would have never would have volunteered to go and inform Lord Elrond.”
Thranduil sighed. “I wish I could agree, but Legolas had been growing restless. I suppose if we were to lay blame, we could always condemn Estel Elrondion, for it was he who first showed my son of the troubles of the outside world. Until then, Legolas had not travelled as much or had seen as much as he has now.”
Celeste smiled. “I doubt we can blame Aragorn, Adar. I hardly think he went out to take Legolas away from us.”
“I see you’ve fallen under his spell also,” Thranduil harrumphed lightly.
Celesté laughed. “And you have not?” Her eyes glinted with mischief as Thranduil fixed steely blue eyes on her. But then her face turned serious again. “Oh Ada, why did he have to go?”
Thranduil embraced his daughter, wrapping his strong arms around her smaller frame. “Because Legolas felt it was his responsibility and duty as prince to inform Lord Elrond of the creature’s escaped. I also think Legolas wanted to inform Aragorn personally. After all the ranger did spend several months hurting for the creature.” He sighed. “Legolas also felt that it was his fault that the creature escaped. It was the elves under his commanded that were guarding the creature on that fateful night.”
Thranduil paused as glanced down at his daughter. “But that is not all that troubles you. There is an air of weariness around you. You carry a heavy burden on your heart...will you not share it?”
Celesté pulled away from Thranduil and walked to the far side of the balcony, her back turned to the elder elf. She could not bear to let her father see her troubles. He already bore enough of his own. Leaning against the balustrade, she closed her eyes and listened to the whisper of the wind as it danced among the leaves.
Thranduil watched the princess. There was something she was hiding. “What is so terrible that my own daughter cannot tell me?” Thranduil stared at the princess’ hunched shoulders with growing alarm. It was unlike Celesté to react to anything like this. “Has something happened Celesté?” His fear mounted even as he asked the question.
When Celesté turned towards the Elvenking, tears were streaming down her face. “Ada, forgive me.”
Thranduil was on his feet in an instant. Rushing forward he pulled the younger elf against him. “Celesté...Tithenmir.” He used the name Legolas had always called his sister by. He had not done that in many, many, years. “There is nothing to forgive,” he whispered as Celesté buried her face against her father’s shoulder.
Thranduil held his daughter while she cried, brushing her hair away from her face, murmuring words of comfort into her ear. Finally Celesté’s sobs lessened and she pulled back from her father.
“Now,” Thranduil’s voice was gentle. “Tell me what happened, tell me why you are so overcome by sadness.”
Celesté inhaled deeply. “It was-is my fault that Gollum escaped and because of it, it is my fault Legolas had to travel to Rivendell with the news of my folly.”
Thranduil frowned at his daughter’s confession. “How is your fault Celesté?” he prompted gently. “Celesté?” he tipped her chin up so that she was forced to look into his eyes. “Tell me, how is it your fault?”
“Because I could have stopped it. I could have stopped the creature escaping but I didn’t.” Celesté rested her forehead against Thranduil’s chest. “I was guarding the outer perimeter of the trees, quite close to the one where Gollum was let climb. I sensed something was wrong but I shrugged it off, thinking my mind was playing tricks with me and I didn’t alert anyone to the possible threat. Then...the attack came. I heard a scream. I ran back towards the tree. When I got there, the fight was already underway.
Tears were falling down Celesté’s face. “And I could have prevented it. I could have told someone! But I didn’t. If only I had told someone then the whole thing would have ended differently and Legolas would still be here!”
“Hush Celesté, hush penneth,” Thranduil murmured, holding his daughter closer. “None of what happened was your fault. Nor was it anyone else’s fault.” He cupped the back of Celesté’s head and stroked her hair. “Raniean found you lying unconscious beside the tree after the fight. Legolas was nearly beside himself when they brought you home. He blamed himself for the creatures escape and your injuries.”
“He did?” Celesté looked up, tear stains on her cheeks and her eyes slightly red from crying.
Thranduil nodded. “He did and he never left your side until you awoke.”
Celesté sighed deeply and gazed out over the forest which was once again whole. “It was not his fault.”
“And it wasn’t your either Celesté.” Thranduil cut across her sharply. He held her by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. “I would tell you if it was your fault, but it is not. Do you understand me?”
Celesté nodded. “Yes father.” Her head tilted to the side as she observed her father. The king had a faraway look in his eye, as if in deep thought. Reaching up, she gently touched Thranduil’s cheek. “Ada, are you all right?” Her soft question could barely be heard over the sounds of the rushing river and the noises of the woods about them.
“I will be.” Thranduil’s deep voice held a weariness to it that echoed in the princess’s heart. Celesté leaned against her father and nodded in understanding. The past month had been hard. It was still difficult to believe that they had all made it out alive and she found herself at times surprised by the relief that flooded through him. It had affected them all.
“Ada?”
Thranduil hummed lightly in response. “What is it?”
“Will Legolas come back....alive?” Celesté tensed, not knowing what sort of a response her question would receive.
Thranduil started at the question. He blinked a few times, making sure he had truly heard what his daughter had asked him. “Why should you ask such a question?”
“I do not know,” Celesté whispered sadly. “It is one of those questions that slip into my mind in the darkness of night and never can I find an answer to them, despite as much as I try.”
Thranduil pulled Celesté against him. “I cannot answer that for you iell nin, as much as I dearly want to. I have no control over such matters. Only the Valar themselves can control such things. But I pray to them, that they will allow Legolas to return to us safely.”
Celesté rubbed her forehead against the soft material of the king’s robes. “I understand.”
Thranduil studied his daughter before him. He could tell there was something else, something else that worried the younger elf. “What other questions plague your dreams at night Celesté?”
Her fingers traced the intricate design embroidered onto the material, for she was unable to look up at her father. “If something happened to either me or Legolas...if-if one of us died...would you sail?” Celesté glanced up. “Would you leave me?”
“No Celesté, I could never leave you.” Thranduil took her face in his hands, brushing his thumb over her cheek bone. “I could never leave you or Legolas, never. If anything, Valar forbid, happen to you or your brother, I know that someday I would be reunited with you as I will be with your mother.”
Celeste closed her eyes, a single tear escaping from under her eyelid. “I know...I just wanted to be sure.” When she next spoke, Celesté’s voice was laced with sadness and hope. “When will he come home?”
Thranduil knew his daughter longed to see Legolas again. “I do not know. When he feels his duty is complete then he will return to us.”
Celesté sighed. “But it’s been a year and a half now.”
“I know Celesté, I know. But have patience Tithenmir, have patience. Legolas will come home.”
Together father and daughter stood on the balcony overlooking the wide sweeping forest of Mirkwood, at last free from the evil that had plagued it for many, many years.
Finally Thranduil pulled away. “I must return. There are many things to be done and overseen. I would rather not leave Galion in charge for too long.”
Celesté laughed, a joyous sound to Thranduil’s ears.
“I would have you laugh more, just so I could hear that sound,” Thranduil whispered, bending his head and bestowing a gently kiss on her forehead. “Do not hesitate to come to me anytime my daughter. I will always be here for you, no matter what.”
Celesté smiled and squeezed her father’s hand. “Thank you Ada.” She held his fingers for as long as she could until he had walked out of reach.
When she could no longer hear the king’s soft footfalls, Celesté once again turned her attention to the forest below her. As she stood there, her thoughts turned to her brother.
I stand here, looking out over the forest. Oh Legolas, if only you could see it now. For the evil is gone and new life is returned to the trees and together the elves and the forest can live as one once more in peace and harmony.
Legolas....I wonder where you are now? Word reached us that Aragorn has been crowned king of Gondor and Arnor. I know you were by his side for where else should you be. But now, my heart longs to see you again for it has been a little over a year ago that I last saw your face.
~S~
A fortnight had passed since Celesté and Thranduil’s conversation on the Library balcony. The princess threw herself into her duties to keep her mind off things. She busied herself with paper work, her own and Legolas’ for the prince had left an inordinate amount of work uncompleted. But Celesté did not mind. She worked in her brother’s study and allowed the faint sent of him that lingered there, to comfort her, assuring herself that Legolas would come home.
As the days wore on, Celesté began to do more and more. She led patrols, volunteered for border patrols, took part in scouting missions, for although the forest was clear of evil, many of the vile creatures such as the spiders and stray bands of orcs still roamed the ever lightening forest.
Raniean and Trelan became concerned for her, easily seeing the tiredness in her eyes when she spoke to them, but she could not be deterred from her duties. Finally Raniean could not stand watching Celesté exhaust herself and went to the king.
“She is waiting for her brother,” Thranduil told Raniean when the warrior asked.
Raniean bit his lip. “I understand hir nin, we are all waiting for Prince Legolas to return, but there is no need for Celesté to completely exhaust herself.”
The king sighed. “Celesté is trying to distract herself. She is missing Legolas.” He picked up his quill and started to write again, the ink flowing across the piece of parchment in Thranduil’s elegant hand.
Raniean knew this was the end to the conversation and bowed before leaving, closing the door gently behind him.
~S~
Legolas inhaled deeply, savouring the scent of pine needles and moist earth. Turning his face towards the sun, he looked up through a canopy of green leaves, painted golden by the morning sunlight streaming through them. The tree limbs under him and against his back cradled him comfortably, inviting the elf to linger in the sunny upper branches of the tall oak. Trailing his fingers absently across the rough tree bark, the prince indulged himself in the welcoming embrace for a few moments longer, before regretfully parting with the perch where he had spent the night.
Descending back down to the forest floor of Mirkwood after the beauty of the upper canopy had never a very pleasant experience, but now, the forest was green and whole again and it added to Legolas’ joy at being home. He had missed these woods very much. He had not walked through them and heard their song since he departed for Rivendell what seemed almost a life-age ago.
The prince kept a swift pace as he followed the winding forest road. It had taken him several weeks to reach Mirkwood and he intended to make it home by nightfall. He had travelled on foot since leaving the White City , but the prince didn’t mind. He would just as soon walk anyway. It wasn’t that he wished to delay his return home, but he did want to savour the trip there. He had missed these trees. Plus, it gave him time to consider what he was going to say to his father and his sister.
Aragorn had asked the prince if he could send word onto Thranduil but Legolas had resisted, wanting to inform his father in person. He had stayed on in Gondor for longer than he would have liked; mostly to make sure Estel was settling into his role as king and to see his friend marry Arwen. However, when it had come time to leave he had found his heart hesitant, even though he missed his father. Aragorn would have come with him if he asked, but the elf knew that the new king had more than enough to keep him occupied trying to rebuild the ruined city.
Legolas sighed. His life wound in and out of so many other lives now. It was hard to remember the days when he had made this forest his self-imposed prison, considering it the only place he was safe. It was ironic really, because in a way he had been right. Since he had met Aragorn and ventured out into the wide world he had encountered more pain and difficulty than could be comfortably recounted. Yet he had also found freedom, friendship, forgiveness and trust.
The sun was setting by the time Legolas finally approached the sealed gates that led to his home.
Legolas glanced up at the gates of the palace with a smile. It would have been easy to bid the portals open himself, but he had no wish to alarm the gate guards since they were by no means expecting him. The prince stopped and waited for the sentries to question his presence.
No question came however. Instead, the gates were summarily thrown open.
“Your Highness!” It was Raniean, on his way out himself, who had seen the prince from the guard station and now opened the palace gates. He beamed, squeezing his friend’s hand tightly in greeting. “It’s good to see you, mellon-nín, we worried for you... again,” he added pointedly.
Legolas smiled and shook his head as he greeted his old friend. “Sorry Ran, it really wasn’t my fault, I swear.”
“Is it ever? Tell that to your father,” Raniean chuckled, simply glad that his friend had returned well and whole.
Legolas winced ruefully. “Is he very upset then?”
Raniean smiled with a mischievous glint in his eye, ushering Legolas inside and shutting the gates behind them. “Let’s just say that Trelan and I have been placing wagers over whether you’ll end up in the dungeons or just locked in your room...and that’s not counting Celesté.”
The gate guards returned to their normal posts, leaving the prince in Raniean’s care.
Legolas gave the other elf a light shove. “Oh, thank you so much, my friend.”
Raniean raised his hands, denying any responsibility. “Well now, Legolas, you did bring this on yourself. It’s not my fault you insisted on going off on that quest. Or that you promised both your father and sister you’d be home... oh... over a year and a half ago or so, and didn’t even send word.” A momentary flicker of hurt darted behind Raniean’s clear blue eyes before he quickly looked away. A slight bite had slipped into the other elf’s tone, although it was obvious Raniean had not intended for it to be so obvious.
Legolas sighed. “Things happened, Ran, I couldn’t help it. Really, I couldn’t.” He paused, catching the look his friend tried to hide. Raniean was upset with him and Legolas did not blame him. They must have all been hideously worried. Maybe, if he had told his father what he had planned to do, things would have been different. Maybe... but there was no use going down that road again. He and Aragorn had survived as had the rest of the Fellowship apart from Boromir, and that was what mattered. If he had erred, then he would simply have to live with the consequences of that mistake. He had certainly paid dearly enough. Past choices could not be re-made. Not would he want to remake them.
The prince’s voice turned soft. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you all worry. It’s a long story, one I should tell father first I’m sure...” Legolas sighed again. “But honestly, I had no choice Ran, you have to believe me. I did what I did for the good of Arda.”
“I know,” Raniean met his friend’s eyes again. Legolas was alright. At the moment, he could forgive him anything else, so long as he had indeed come back to them once more. “I don’t blame you Legolas, I am sure you had a very good reason and I can’t wait to hear your latest ‘long story’.” He smiled wryly. “I just... I was worried, Legolas. We almost lost you once already.”
Legolas squeezed Raniean’s shoulders tightly. He knew the other elf was still getting over his prince’s brush with death in the mountains after the warg attack on Rivendell; it had to have been hard to consider losing him again so soon. “But you didn’t,” he assured quietly.
Raniean nodded and squeezed Legolas back. “No, we didn’t, Valar be praised. Now, if only you survive your father, Trelan and I may have our trio for the spring games next moon after all.”
Legolas smiled. “Isn’t that a rather big ‘if’?”
Raniean clapped him on the back reassuringly as they reached the end of the walk leading up to the palace. “Miracles can happen.”
Legolas rolled his eyes. “Well then pray I find one. I’d better go talk to him.”
The prince entered the palace without fanfare, bounding easily up the steps leading into his home with just a smile and a nod to the guards on duty. At Raniean’s bidding no one was sent to fetch the King. It was better for Legolas to go to him himself.
The prince made his way swiftly down the familiar corridors and he smiled to himself. No matter how Thranduil reacted to his chronic tardiness this time, at the moment Legolas could feel little but joy at being home again. It seemed forever since he had walked these well-loved halls. Strange thoughts for an elf, but Legolas had long ago given up trying to reconcile the odd, disparate ways in which he seemed to measure time now. Aragorn had permanently ruined him, but he didn’t really mind.
Thranduil was in his study, just as Legolas knew he would be. The prince stood quietly in the doorway for a few moments, watching his father as Thranduil wrote on a long piece of parchment with swift, smooth strokes.
The king had not noticed his approach and the prince took the moment to watch his father and remember the countless times he had stood in this doorway and seen Thranduil sitting at that desk. It was a comfortable feeling, for it felt like home. He almost didn’t want to break the spell, didn’t want to spoil the moment by alerting Thranduil to his presence and having to weather whatever response that would garner. Yet at the same time he wanted his father to look up and see him. Wanted to be welcomed back...
Legolas sighed inwardly. He knew he was welcome, whether Thranduil was in a mood to acknowledge that right now or not. The prince didn’t even think he’d mind a little bit of house arrest for the time being, if only Thranduil wasn’t too hurt or upset with him over his broken promise. That was the only thing that would spoil his homecoming. Thranduil could be angry, he could say what he liked and punish him anyway he pleased. Just as long as he could tell Legolas he forgave him now rather than the prince having to wait for resolution indefinitely, as often happened. Then everything would be perfect.
Lightly, Legolas rapped his knuckles against the doorframe.
Thranduil looked up from his work. The distracted look on his face quickly bled away into shock and then joy and he rose swiftly from the chair, parchment forgotten.
“Legolas!” the Elvenking just stood there for a moment, trying to decide if what he saw was real. “When did you get back? Why wasn’t I told?”
Legolas shifted slightly, smiling a little hesitantly at his father. “Just now. I wanted to tell you myself.”
To the prince’s utter surprise, he saw his father’s strong eyes gloss over with unshed tears. “You didn’t come back. When the news came from Rivendell that you had joined the quest to destroy the ring... I feared...” The king was uncharacteristically lost for words. “You promised.”
Legolas could have choked on the lump in his throat. Of all the reactions he had imagined, this was not one of them. He saw for a moment in Thranduil’s eyes a sense of abandonment. “Ada... you have to believe me, I’m so sorry. I tried to come back as soon as I could. Honestly I did. I would never have broken a promise to you like that if lives had not depended on it...”
Thranduil crossed the distance between them quickly and surprised Legolas for the second time. The king pulled his son into a hug. “I don’t care. I don’t care, Legolas, just so you’re all right. Just so you’re really here,” he murmured.
The prince was stunned speechless for a moment, but readily melted into his father’s strong embrace. Thranduil almost never held him unless something was wrong, or when he was hurt. For the Elvenking to not want an exact accounting of his son’s reasons right up front was almost even more shocking. Maybe sometimes, some things could change, even if only a little.
Legolas hugged his father back tightly, resting his chin on Thranduil’s shoulder. He realized that tears were sliding down his cheeks, but he wasn’t ashamed of them. “I’m here, Ada. I’m here.”
Thranduil nodded, slowly bringing his emotions back under control. “Good, because you’re going to stay here for a good long time now young one, is that understood?” his soft, almost pleading tone belied any harsh cast of the phrasing.
Legolas nodded against his shoulder. “Yes, Father. I would like nothing better.”
“Legolas, I’m serious,” Thranduil whispered into his son’s hair as he held him a moment longer, before finally releasing the younger elf. “I need you here with me.”
Legolas hesitantly squeezed his father’s hand. “Then here I will be.”
Thranduil caught and held his son’s slimmer hand in his own. “Good,” he said softly, before a slight glint came back into his eyes. “Then I will tell Elrynd to take the locks off the outsides of your doors.”
Legolas wasn’t sure if his father was joking or serious. “Father, you didn’t...”
Thranduil just smiled and changed the subject. “It’s good to have you home, Legolas. Very good. I’m afraid dinner was a long time ago, it’s late... are you hungry? Shall I send for someone?”
Legolas shook his head. “No, thank you, I’ll be all right. Right now I just want to rest, if... if you’ve really forgiven me.” He knew he shouldn’t push things, but he really couldn’t help asking. It all seemed too easy for what he was accustomed to expecting.
“Legolas,” Thranduil pushed his son’s hair back behind his ear gently, letting his hand brush the younger elf’s cheek. “I forgave you before you ever came back. Just so long as you did come back. Although, you can expect that I will want the full tale once you’ve rested. And don’t you think to start leaving things out either. I know how you are. If I think you’re holding out on me I will make Lord Elrond send Strider out here to tell me the truth. Don’t think I won’t,” Thranduil remonstrated with good humour.
Legolas laughed. “I promise I will tell you everything tomorrow, Father.”
Thranduil accepted that. “All right then. I have kept your rooms prepared in readiness for you. Rest well, ion-nín. I will see you at breakfast?”
The prince smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”But as he was about to leave, he turned back towards his father. “Where is Celesté?”
Thranduil smiled sadly. “Your sister is working in your study.” At Legolas’ surprised look he continued. “She has taken to working in there when she is not on patrol. Legolas....your sister missed you very much. She had tried to hide it from me, but over these last few weeks she has taken on more and more duties. She has been working herself very hard, near the point of exhaustion.”
Legolas frowned. “Why is she doing that?”
“She is trying to distract herself Legolas,” Thranduil eyed his son, wondering if now was the time to tell him or not. He decided to tell him. “Celesté also thinks it is her fault that Gollum escaped. She feels it was her lack of attention that allowed the orcs to get so close without anyone noticing them. Your sister has been struggling with these beliefs since you have left. She said it was because of her own folly that you were forced to go to Rivendell. ”
Legolas spun on his heel and left the study. “I will find her and talk to her,” he called back over his shoulder as he walked away.
Thranduil raised one eyebrow at the retreating form of his son. His thoughts wondered to what sort of a reaction Legolas would receive from Celesté. His daughter would be shocked to see Legolas, then ager would take its place until finally the princess would forgive her brother, or so the king hoped.
~S~
Inside the prince’s study, Celesté sat behind the desk, a pile of papers in front of her and another pile, checked and signed were on the floor. There was a frown between her eyes as she concentrated on the document in her hand and her teeth worried her lower lip constantly.
So far in the last hour, Celesté had been interrupted no less than three times with someone knocking on the door and demanding her attention. First it had been Raniean searching for some missing patrol reports that Celesté had no idea about. The second time it had been one of her father’s advisors asking about the new trade agreements that King Thranduil had drawn up. The princess had told the elf that she knew nothing about them and he would be better of addressing his problem to the king. The last time had been Trelan who had stuck his nose in complaining about the lack of order in the guard house.
That was the final straw. Celesté had slammed her fist down on the table and yelled for Trelan to get out and leave her alone. Now, thankfully she had not been interrupted for a while.
Celesté looked up with a growl as someone knocked on the door. She waited, glaring at the door, mentally willing the person to leave her alone. But the knocking continued.
“What now?!” Pushing the chair back with such force that it banged off the wall behind, Celesté stormed over to the door, her furry building. “For Valar’s sake can I not be left alone in peace for one afternoon?! I have been disturbed no less than three times and this really is the last straw altogether!” She yanked open the door in anger. “What-?” She snapped, but her words died on her lips when she saw the person standing in front of her.
Legolas smiled at the sight of his sister’s shocked face. “Celesté,” he murmured quietly. His eyes drank in the sight of her, his heart singing to see her again.
Celesté just stood there, hardly daring to believe what she was seeing, that Legolas, her brother stood in front of her. After all this time, here he was.
“Celesté,” Legolas spoke again, stepping forward and taking her hands in his larger ones. He immediately noticed the roughness of the skin beneath his fingers and gently turned her hands over, inspecting the palms. “What have you been doing with yourself?”
The shock wore off and Celesté yanked her hands from Legolas. The next moment the prince’s head snapped to the side as Celesté’s hand collided with his cheek. “How could you?” She hissed. “How could you?”
Legolas took a step backwards, reaching up to touch his stinging cheek. “Celesté I do not understand. What have I done to displease you? I thought you would be happy to see me?”
Celesté’s eyes glinted dangerously and for a moment Legolas was reminded of his father.
“Not a word Legolas. Not one word. Nothing.” Celesté looked at her brother with eyes filled with hurt and pain. “For weeks we were worried that something ill had befallen you until the messenger came from Rivendell to inform us of your decision to join the Fellowship. How do you think everyone felt? How Ada felt? How I felt?”
Legolas let his eyes drop from his sister’s face, unable to bear the look of hurt and betrayal he saw there. “Celesté,” he held out his hand in a gesture of peace. “Please can we talk? Let me explain....please?”
With a curt nod, Celesté stepped back and allowed Legolas to enter the study, his study. Legolas’ gaze wandered around, taking in the stacks of parchment on the smooth polished surface of the desk, the chair and the floor beneath the desk and the piles of weapons dumped on the floor over the far side of the room. Clearly Celesté had been using this room for a while now.
Legolas turned to face his sister. “Celesté I am sorry for not writing. I wanted to, in this I am honest. But I feared what our father would do. He would not let me. He would have ordered me back. That I could not do. I could not sit by idly and watch others suffer when we are part of this world....Please believe me.”
Celesté turned away from him, her arms wrapped around herself as her breath hitched. All the pain, all the worry she had felt over the past year and a half washed over her in a torrent, crashing down upon her with force. She sensed rather than heard Legolas come up behind her.
The prince lightly rested his hands upon his sister’s shoulders. “I never meant to hurt you. I could never hurt you, my dear sweet sister,” he whispered, his voice soft. “You are more precious to me than anything else. Forgive me please, for my actions have caused you much heartache.” His arms wrapped around her slim frame.
Celesté turned in his arms, her fingers brushing across the red welt on his cheek, the result of her striking him. “I am sorry too. I let my emotions control me.”
A low chuckle escaped Legolas’ lips. “I think I deserved that one.”
The corners of Celesté’s lips pulled upwards and she let her head fall forward to rest on Legolas’ chest. “I missed you.”
Legolas tightened his arms around his sister. “And I missed you, oh I missed you so much Celesté. There were nights where I would gaze up at the stars and wish I was back here in the forest with you.” There was a pause before the prince spoke again. “I should have told you, should have let you know that I was well. I just feared.....rejection, from both you and father for leaving you like I did, in the middle of everything.”
Celesté clutched at the collar of Legolas’ tunic as tears fell unbidden from her eyes. “I missed you so much. Every waking moment I feared that I would never see you again, that you would be lost to us.” She chocked slightly on her words, her eyes squeezed shut. “Every day I waited for your return.”
“And here I am,” Legolas tilted her chin up so she was forced to look into his eyes. “I am here Tithenmir,” His thumb brushed over her cheek, wiping away her tears. “I am here,” he whispered. Reaching out with one hand, her cupped the back of Celesté’s head and lowering his own he gently brought their foreheads together in a simple, affectionate gesture. “Do you remember what I told you the night before I left?”
Celesté nodded. “Yes. You told me you would always be here.” She touched her heart. “No matter what.”
“I did,” Legolas smiled and cupped her face with both his hands. “And here I am, so no more tears...alright. As long as it is in my power, I will always return to you.”
Celesté dipped her head in acknowledgment and hastily swiped at her eyes before embracing her brother with all her strength. The two elves stayed like that until Legolas spoke. “Now what is this I hear that you are blaming yourself for the escape of Gollum?”
Celesté pulled away and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. You’re here and that’s the most important thing.”
Legolas fixed her with a hard gaze. He didn’t truly believe his sister, but one look at the pleading eyes of Celesté urged him to leave it. He stored it away in the back of his mind, deciding to ask his father about it later. The long period of waiting was over and right now, the prince was happy to be home, once again among those he loved and cared about.
~The End~