Chapter XXI (EXT): The Best of Sons (Part VIII/c)
“Not long after Aragorn left us, life returned to form. Aradúlin had given birth to a daughter much to the chagrin of Aranduil; now old enough to voice his thoughts rather loudly much to my amusement. Though I worried about Súlelenth as her time grew near, Êlúriel reassured everyone that she was in good spirits and stronger than expected. I saw otherwise in her eyes but said nothing to her as I went about my duties.
As I spoke with Fëaluin one day in the hall, I felt a tug on my robe. I looked down to see Aranduil—his eyes wide with curiosity.
“Yes,” I asked. “What is the matter, Aranduil?”
“Up,” he demanded. I looked at Fëaluin trying hard not to laugh. I bent down and picked Aranduil up.
“You are up,” I said. “Is there something the matter?”
“You cannot hear me down there,” he said. “You are taller than I am.”
Fëaluin started to laugh.
“Well, I can hear you quite well now,” I answered. “What is it you want to say?”
“Why are there so many girls,” he asked genuinely concerned. “There are too many girls.”
“I do not understand,” I said.
“Nana had a girl now uncle says there is another.”
“I do not understand, Aranduil,” I said. “Another girl?”
“Yes,” he said sternly. “Êlenuil said there is another one now.”
Fëaluin and I looked at each other—our faces racked with concern. Before we could say another word, Ëariâth arrived.
“There you are, Aranduil,” she said. “Why did you wonder off?”
He looked at me then looked at her defiantly.
“He is the king,” he said.
“Aranduil tells me there is another girl,” I said as Ëariâth took him from me.
“Súlelenth has given birth, yes?”
“Yes,” she said smiling. “She is faring rather well.”
“You have seen her,” Fëaluin asked.
“Of course. Someone must keep watch over Nenduîl and Tárimë—never mind this one.”
“Aranduil,” he said frowning. “I am Aranduil.”
“Yes, I know,” Ëariâth answered, flustered.
“Êlúriel is with her,” I asked.
“I was,” a voice said from behind us. Êlúriel walked toward me smiling.
“If you will pardon us,” Ëariâth said making a quick courtesy and going on her way.
“I shall see about Eldôr,” Fealuin said as he bowed and took his leave.
“How is Súlelenth,” I asked. “You are smiling. Shall I think her well?”
“You may,” Êlúriel said. “She is resting now. You may see her when she rises.”
“And the child,” I asked. “Aranduil has expressed his discontent on the arrival of another girl.”
“Did he,” she said, laughing. “He will have to accept that his new cousin is a darling little girl as his sister Auríel.”
“What will I call Súlelenth’s child?”
“Eärluin,” she answered. “She looks very much like her mother.”
“And you and Ëariâth say she is well,” I asked once more.
“As well as one can after such an ordeal.”
“Well, I know better than to presume what the fairer of us goes through,” I began. “I have been married long enough to know not to ask either.”
Êlúriel smiled at me.
“You have learned something after all these years,” she said.
“I share my chambers with you,” I began. “It is far more pleasant when I do not have to win a disagreement."
**** **** **** ****
It was nearing the end of Autumn—a few days short of Lasselanta—two years later that news would come from Rivendell. In my study, I sat alone reading when the doors opened. I did not see anyone enter, but I had my suspicions.
“Is that you, Eärluin,” I asked.
A small child appeared peeking around my table—a head full of earthen curls and green eyes. She made her way over to me for me to take her and set her on my lap. Since she had begun to walk, she seemed wander into my study often. I continued reading as Eärluin leaned into my chest observe. Just then, Fëaluin and Eldôr entered.
“A messenger just arrived from Rivendell,” Fëaluin said handing me a small note affixed with the seal of Rivendell. I opened it and began to read. When I was done, I put it down.
“Where is this messenger,” I asked. “Does he remain with us?”
“Yes,” Eldôr answered. “He awaits outside the doors.”
I nodded and Fëaluin waved to the guards. The doors opened and into the room came a familiar face.
“Your Majesty,” he said as he bowed to me. “It has been a long time.”
“Glorfindel,” I said. “It has been quite a long time.”
“I see you have been rather busy,” he said, referring to Eärluin sitting straight up on my lap and looking at Glorfindel with curiosity.
“You have word from Elrond,” I asked ignoring him. “It must be important if he sent it by you.”
“It is a matter of grave importance,” he said, his face falling. “You know of the awakening of evil once again in Mordor.”
“I do,” I answered. “Am I to guess that Aragorn told you of that hideous creature Gollum that escaped from my dungeons.”
“Not particularly,” he said. “But it is what that creature seeks that Sauron wants again he once lost.”
“I got nothing from Gollum of any worth,” I said. “If Elrond wants from me knowledge of what either of them seeks, your journey was for nought.”
“You read his letter,” he said.
“Yes.”
“Then you know what was asked of you,” he said.
“Yes.”
“Your answer is no,” he asked.
“My answer is not mine to give,” I said. “It will fall upon Legolas to decide.”
There was a painful silence that befell my study. The doors opened and Legolas entered with Mîráre.
“Ada, have you seen,” he began. “There she is.”
The two of them came to me and Mîráre took Eärluin from me. I stood up.
“Legolas, stay,” I said, motioning to Mîráre to leave. She could tell something was wrong and left quickly.
“What is it,” Legolas answered.
“Elrond has asked me to send someone to Rivendell,” I said. “He has asked me to give to a quest a prince of the realm. That would be you.”
Legolas seemed taken aback for a moment. He looked around the room curiously—looking at Glorfindel.
“Me,” he asked. “You would allow me to leave for such a quest?”
“I am afraid it is not up to me,” I said. “You are of age, Legolas. The decision must be yours to make.”
Legolas nodded, bowed and took his leave quickly.
“Rest, Glorfindel,” I said. “You will have your answer shortly. I know my son.”
He bowed and followed Fëaluin out the doors.
I sat down and turned my gaze to the thunderous falls beyond my balcony. “He wants to do this, Thranduil,” Eldôr said. “As he has always done before.”
“I know,” I said softly. “I will not keep him from it and neither will his mother. She spoke of his destiny long ago. It is his time now.”
**** **** **** ****
The morning Legolas would leave, every memory I had rose to the surface and flowed through me with great emotion. On this day, Êlúriel and I would stand before the gates of Mirkwood to say farewell to our son.
The walk to the gates seemed far too long and too quick. When I stepped into the first light of day, I could see Legolas with Elenadar, Elenatar, Tarthôn and Aruilos. They would escort Legolas to Rivendell and Tarthôn would return on his brother’s horse. When Legolas saw me, he ran to me. I could see the little boy he had been behind the elven prince he had become. His life was his own to live beyond what I had given him.
“I am ready, Father. Mother,” he said.
“I am not, I am afraid,” I said. “But you are no longer a child.”
“I remember many things,” Legolas said. “But none so wonderful as being your son.”
I could not say anything. I was aged, yet youth had not left my face or my stature diminished. It would be the same for most of the elves of Arda. Looking into the face of my son, I could see many things. I saw the newborn in my arms and now I was sending a man into a world that had yet to find itself at peace.
“I have done many things in my life, Legolas,” I began. “There are things I long to remember and things I wish to forget. I was given many things in my life. Born to a king, I became one. I loved the most beautiful of creatures and she gave me my greatest treasure. You. I have not always been the best of fathers, but I was given the best of sons. I am the King of Mirkwood, but I am first and always your father. That is my crowning glory. Return to us, Legolas.”
He embraced me and smiled. I knew I was crying. I knew that behind me on this day stood an kingdom watching the heir to its throne leave for Rivendell. I did not care what anyone thought--I was once again losing a part of my heart to this world that had taken from me so much.
“I will return, Ada,” he said smiling. “Nothing will keep me from you.”
I was taken by those words as they were what I had said once a long time ago to Êlúriel the night before I left for war. It was a promise I kept.
Êlúriel embraced him as tears rolled down her face.
“I am proud of you, my little Greenleaf,” she said.
Isílriel was next to embrace her brother.
“What will I do without you,” she asked.
“If I know my sister, you will get on without me for awhile,” he said. “Look after our family, Isílriel. Especially Tarthôn. Do not tell him I said that.”
She laughed and as she released Legolas and we watched him walk away.
I smiled. Fëaluin looked at me curiously.
“Why do you look at me, Fëaluin,” I asked. “Do I amuse you?"
“You have become the king your father always knew you would be.”
Legolas mounted his horse. Elenadan and Elenatar would escort him to Rivendell. I watched my son ride away until I saw him no more. As the dusk began to fall upon Mirkwood, I knew that Legolas would return and my kingdom and all of Arda would be changed forever.”––TKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil (EXT. VER.) by J. Marie Miller 12-08-17
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