First Meetings- Chapter 11

Okay, I actually overestimated the time I would have to write more on this. I had three more exams today...

This is actually the last chapter! I don't much like writing about the recovery- I am always nervous people will become bored. So that is the reason for the shift in time about a third of the way through. The sparring is described the way it is because I was bored of writing it normally, and wanted to try something different.

Disclaimer: see Chapter 1

Legolas grimaced as he shifted against the back of the tree. His wound was throbbing, and it had taken him quite a lot of willpower to work his way out of the window and into the gardens of Imladris when his father had left the room with Elladan and Elrohir, but overall, he felt good. He was no longer feverish, and his wounds were healing. He smiled as the tree he was leaning against rustled its leaves in a soothing murmur, voicing its concern for the wood elf.

Legolas chuckled slightly. "I am fine" he murmured, pressing one hand against the bark of the tree. The movement pulled at his stomach wound and he hissed, wrapping his uninjured arm around it protectively.

"Are you quite sure of that?" asked a voice. Legolas looked up in surprise as a tall blond elf walked through the gardens towards him. He was tall even for an elf, his bright golden hair falling over muscled shoulders. A sword swung at his hip.

Legolas made to stand up, but the elf held up his hand. "No, don't get up" he said, coming to sit in front of Legolas. "I helped stitch up your injures, I know how bad they were."

Legolas frowned. "Forgive me, my Lord, but I do not have the pleasure of knowing your name."

The elf laughed. "Thranduil certainly brought you up properly" he said with a grin. "I am Glorfindel, of the House of the Golden Flower of Gondolin."

Legolas started. "My Lord" he said. "I should thank you, then."

"What for?" asked Glorfindel, leaning back against a tree.

"Elladan and Elrohir told me it was you who rode out to Mirkwood to tell my father" said Legolas.

Glorfindel chuckled. "I did not think anyone else would" he said. "Your father has a reputation."

"I know" said Legolas. He chuckled, but it turned into a wince as it pulled at his wounds, and Glorfindel leant forwards, his face worried.

"Are you alright?" he asked. He stopped and looked at Legolas with piercing blue eyes. "Does your father know you are outside?" he asked.

Legolas looked up. "Not precisely" he said slowly.

"What about Elrond?"

"He doesn't know either" admitted Legolas. He sighed. "I have missed being outside. I have missed the trees. I am a wood elf; I cannot stay for long inside."

Glorfindel nodded. "I understand" he said. "But are you sure you are alright?"

Legolas nodded. "I expect my father will find me sooner or later" he murmured.

"That wasn't what I was speaking of."

Legolas sat upright. "What do you speak of then, my Lord?"

"You were gravely injured" said Glorfindel. "I know what effect that has on a mind. Are you alright?"

Legolas took longer to answer this time. "I am" he said slowly. "I may look young, but I have been injured many times before, fighting for my realm. I am used to it."

"To the pain?" asked Glorfindel.

"To the fighting" said Legolas. "To the acceptance that there will probably be pain, one way or another. I will keep fighting, no matter what."

"And do you think you can win?" asked Glorfindel quietly.

"I can try" replied Legolas. "I know how to fight, and I can fight well. It is what I will keep doing, my Lord." There was a steadfast conviction in his voice that made Glorfindel smile slightly.

"You will keep fighting?" he asked.

"I don't think you quite understand" said Legolas quietly. "I may look young, but I have killed far too many orcs to count. I have watched animals die, and orcs dies, and elves die, all fall to the ground. I am not young. You cannot be young and be a warrior in Mirkwood at the same time. You have to choose one or the other. I never had much of a choice."

Glorfindel frowned. "I never realised" he said slowly. "Just how dark Mirkwood was, until I arrived back here with your father, until I saw the light of Imladris in comparison. You have never known anything else, have you?"

"I do not want pity" said Legolas fiercely. "I love my home, and am willing to fight for it. Just because it is dark, it does not mean that it is not worth fighting for. I cannot arm myself with pity, Lord Glorfindel. My weapons have to do the best that they can do."

Glorfindel smiled. "You are more alike to your father than you realise" he said softly. "Though maybe without such a temper."

Legolas laughed. "Be careful" he said. "He may hear that."

Glorfindel shrugged, and was about to say something when Legolas groaned, his head falling back against the tree. He leant forwards in alarm. "Legolas, are you alright?"

Legolas cracked open one eye. "I can hear footsteps, and the trees are agitated" he said. "My father has found me."

Sure enough, Thranduil soon came around the corner and walked towards Legolas quickly. Legolas struggled to his feet, but as he came up he stumbled. Instantly Thranduil was at his side, steadying him. "Ion-nin?" he asked.

Legolas breathed deeply, wincing slightly. "I'm fine" he muttered. Thranduil raised one eyebrow.

"Of course you are" he said scathingly. "That is why there are bandages wrapped around most of you."

Glorfindel frowned slightly at that, but he suddenly saw the flash of worry in Thranduil's eyes as Legolas winced again, and he stopped, thinking.

Elladan and Elrohir came through the grounds, seeing Legolas and breaking into a run. Elladan laughed as he reached them. "Mellon-nin, what were you thinking?'

Legolas grinned. "Maybe I just decided I had had enough of your company" he said.

"I am wounded" said Elrohir. "Come, you should get back to the healing wards before our father finds out and drugs you, like he did to us."

Legolas laughed. With a glance at his father he walked away with Elladan and Elrohir, leaning on Elrohir's shoulder as he walked. Thranduil and Glorfindel watched them go.

Glorfindel got to his feet, and looked over at Thranduil. He could still see the little spark of worry in the Elvenking's eyes. "You know" he said softly. "I still believe what I said in Mirkwood."

Thranduil frowned, but Glorfindel spoke first. "I cannot pity you, my Lord Thranduil. You are lucky, far luckier than you realise."

"And why is that?" asked Thranduil. "Because those in the First Age suffered more than my realm is suffering now? Because you saw it all, my Lord?"

Glorfindel shook his head. "I saw how dark Mirkwood was, my Lord, when I was there. And I was the danger as well, the weapons constantly near hands skilled in wielding them. But I didn't see what I saw here, just now."

Thranduil sighed. "And what was that?" he asked.

Glorfindel smiled. "I never realised just what it is you fight for, Thranduil. I thought you kept moving forwards because you had no choice, because too much rested on your shoulders. I could understand that."

Thranduil nodded slowly. "But that is not why, not really" he said softly to Glorfindel. "You have guessed my main reason for fighting, have you not?"

"Aye," said Glorfindel. "I think I have."

0-o-0-o-0

The sunlight twisted through the canopy of the trees, dappling the ground of the clearing over which an intricate dance was being held.

A light lilting melody, flute-like, danced and wove around the two richer tunes, which were like the strumming of two harps. The two deep tunes converged on each other before springing out around the golden melody, but the flute seemed to laugh and simply skip out of the way.

The melodies swayed backwards and forth, sometimes the harps seeming to overwhelm the flute, smothering it in their power. But the quick melody always seemed to manage to dance out of the way just in time, spinning and twisting around the slower tunes. Their rhythms were hypnotic, the melodies enchanting, as they wove out their dance.

The richer, deeper tunes converged together and their power sprung forth, pushing back the golden dance of the flute backwards. The harps sped up, their richer power smothering the lilting melody, which, in a last desperate attempt to avoid defeat, danced faster, spinning in a flickering blur around the rich tunes.

The flute sprung forwards, its quick fluttering melody dancing lightly around the deeper harps. It sped up, spinning round and round, faster and faster, the golden light flickering as it began to rise up over the deeper harps. In one final blow it pushed the two deep tunes apart and down to the green grass. The melodies died down, the golden flute leaving behind a triumphant high note of triumph.

Legolas grinned at the astounded faces of Elladan and Elrohir. He removed the sparring knives from Elrohir's neck and Elladan's chest, before straightening up. He turned his back, breathing heavily.

A movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention, and immediately Legolas' knives were at Elrohir's neck, his grey eyes narrowing slightly.

Elrohir, paused in the middle of getting up, let out an exasperated sigh. "Ai Valar, Legolas" he muttered. "Am I not allowed to get up?"

"In a battle, unless you know the enemy is dead, you do not let it get up off the ground" said Legolas.

"Yes" said Elrohir. "But last time I checked I definitely wasn't an orc, so I would quite like to get up now, of you don't mind."

Legolas laughed, the light sound spreading through the clearing, and extended his hand. He pulled Elrohir to his feet, followed by Elladan. The three elves, all of them panting with exertion, made their way over to the seated elves underneath the trees.

Legolas bowed theatrically to his father, Elrond, Celebrian and Arwen. "My Lord Elrond, my Lady Celebrian, may I present your sons? They have been suitably humiliated, I assure you." His eyes twinkled mischievously as he stepped back.

Elladan and Elrohir glared at Legolas as they moved past him and flopped to the grass, both reaching for waterskins. "Alright, alright" muttered Elladan. "We get it. You beat us."

"Through trickery and deceit" muttered Elrohir.

Legolas laughed as he lay gracefully down on the grass in between his father Thranduil and Arwen. "Through the amazing talents of the wood elves, mellyn-nin" he retorted. "It is not my fault if you are simply slower than me." He paused momentarily to gulp down some cold water. "And I have been injured."

"You 'were' injured" muttered Elrohir. "It has been over a month now. You are fine."

"We will have to leave soon" said Legolas. "I believe my father will be leaving in the next day or so, with half of the guards he brought. I will follow two days later." At the twin's identical frowns, he laughed and elaborated. "My father and I cannot travel together" Legolas said. "In case we are attacked. We always travel in different groups, and with long journeys, he travels a day or so before me." He sighed. "One of us has to be safe if the other is attacked."

Elladan smiled slightly. "So, we have two days where your father is not here, but you are?' he asked.

Elrohir grinned. "I can see what you are thinking, brother" he said. "How much can we fit in within that time? Another sparring match, maybe? Then we can beat you, Legolas."

Legolas laughed, the sound bright and merry within the grounds of Imladris. Thranduil turned and watched him out of the corner of his eye. Turning away again, he caught Elrond's eye.

Thranduil smiled. Both of their grins widened, threatening to burst open in bubbles of laughter. The King, lying elegantly, almost like a cat on the grass, watched his son again. He was pleased so see no sign of pain, only the faint scars left from his ordeal. The light glittered merrily in his eyes as he laughed.

Thranduil was glad. He had seen too many of his people, too many of his kin fall to shadows and darkness. He would never let his son fall. Though, he thought absent-mindedly, maybe, if, Valar forbid, the darkness threatened his son, maybe here he would find healing more readily than in the gloom of Mirkwood. He smiled again as Legolas joked with the twins. He would keep that in mind.

Legolas, still chuckling, turned to Arwen as Elrond, Celebrian and Thranduil began to talk, fondly reminiscing about the forests of the Eldar days. "Did you enjoy that, Arwen?"

Arwen chuckled. "You mean did I enjoy watching my brothers being completely humiliated?" she said sweetly, ignoring the glares she was receiving from Elladan and Elrohir. "Aye I did, Legolas. Although, you will have to be careful from now on. They will be out for revenge."

"Aye!" said Elladan, butting into the conversation. "You will have to be careful, Legolas. We will beat you one day."

"Ignore them" murmured Arwen softly. "They are just jealous. Here, only Glorfindel has ever managed to beat them recently when they are together, and only just. They are just embarrassed that you managed it so easily."

"It wasn't easy" murmured Legolas, raising one eyebrow as more glares were sent his way, threatening to send Arwen into a fit of giggles. Once he had recovered enough to be able to stay awake for long periods of time, Legolas had become much closer to Arwen, spending time with her when Elladan and Elrohir, curiously, had been absent for long periods of time. After only a month they already saw each other as close friends. As for Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas was now certain that they were the closest friends he had.

"How about the bow?" asked Arwen.

"Nay!" cried Elladan and Elrohir together. Elrond, Celebrian and Thranduil broke off their conversation at the heartfelt cry, their faces puzzled.

Arwen looked over at the three adults. "I simply suggested an archery competition" she murmured innocently.

Elrond and Celebrian exchanged slightly puzzled glances, whilst Thranduil simply laughed, his eyes alight with mirth. Arwen looked back at the twins' stricken faces, then back to Thranduil. "What is it?"

Elladan snorted. "We have seen Legolas shoot, muindiel-nin. I do not want to be in an archery competition with him."

"Besides" said Legolas, his eyes downcast as he stared at the grass. "I don't have a bow anymore. It was broken in the High Pass, remember?"

Aye, thought Arwen, she did remember Legolas' face when Glorfindel had reverently handed over the broken splinters of his bow, found in the mountains. Legolas, recovered enough to stand for short periods of time, had stared at his once beautiful weapon, his eyes misting over. Just before Elladan had pulled her away she had seen a lonely tear trickle down the blond elf's face, before Thranduil had pulled him into a comforting embrace.

Legolas continued to gaze down at the grass, apparently lost in thought. Arwen, looking up momentarily, saw Elladan, Elrohir and Thranduil exchange glances. Thranduil rose silently, squeezed Legolas' shoulder reassuringly, and left the clearing.

Legolas looked up, watching him go. "Is this something I should know about?" he asked. "Elladan? Elrohir? Does it have anything to do with the reason you kept sneaking off?" He grinned at their slightly surprised faces. "I may have been injured, but that doesn't mean I didn't notice anything, mellyn-nin."

Elrohir shook his head slowly. "I don't know what you are talking about, Legolas." It was about then that Thranduil returned, moving silently with a wrapped package in his hand. He gave it carefully to Elladan, who in turn, handed it to Legolas.

Legolas frowned as he looked at his friends. He slowly unwrapped the package, Thranduil sitting behind him with a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.

The young blond elf couldn't help but gasp as the soft fabric fell away, revealing what the package was. Elladan and Elrohir's faces were plastered with grins, whilst Elrond, Celebrian and Arwen, who had not known of this, looked on with amazement.

Legolas slowly lifted the bow from his lap, running his hands over it in amazement. It was longer than the normal bows of Mirkwood, which were designed for shooting in the trees. The bow was a deep rich brown, a pattern of golden leaves entwined around the handle. It flexed, the sunlight splintering into a thousand facets off the shining wood as Legolas pulled back the bow, testing it.

He turned to Elrohir and Elladan, his mouth open. Thranduil chuckled at his expression. "We made it for you, ion-nin, after we found out about your broken bow. I helped Elladan and Elrohir carve it and embellish it, but they did most of the work. After all, it was their idea."

"Hannon le, mellyn-nin" Legolas murmured, looking up at Elladan and Elrohir. "This means…well, it means a lot."

Elladan chuckled. "You do not need to thank us" he said. "For that is what friends do."

Legolas looked up. "What?" he said innocently, though his eyes were sparkling. "Give me a bow so I can beat you in an archery competition?"

All of the elves laughed, the lilting light tunes of the Sindarin mixing with the richer accented melody of the Noldor, as the music rose around the clearing.

The End

I was deliberating adding another scene, but I think that is a nice place to end. Thank you to all of those who have stuck with the story and reviewed- it really does make me very happy.

Next up will be a oneshot or two to fill the gap whilst I finalise my next long story. It may be a few days before anything new is published, be it oneshot or a first chapter. I am actually running out of saved stories on my laptop- I have been publishing faster than I can write them! It doesn't help I am spending a lot of time revising right now.

Thanks again to everyone who has read this, whether you have reviewed or not.