The King's Hope

Chapter 18

Thranduil

Air, fresh, clean, sweet air. Annoneth and I break the surface and I taste the crisp air again. Harthor surfaces behind us, coughing up water.

"There is an outcropping over there," Annoneth says, pointing. I nod and start paddling over to it, but my feet are still tied.

"Harthor, hand me your knife. My feet are still tied to the bottom," I order. He gives me the knife hilt first and starts swimming toward the rocks Annoneth pointed out.

"Thranduil, why don't you let me do that?" Annoneth offers, holding out her hand.

"I can cut myself loose, mellon, just a moment." She nods and turns to follow Harthor. The shapeshifter took knives to my arms and legs, but oddly did not cause anything that could have become fatal. She did take my tunic and now the cuts are easily visible and still bleeding slowly. They do not matter; all that I want now is to get back to Rhovanel.

I take a breath and dip under the water to set my feet free. The clear water makes it easy to cut the ropes and swim to my friends.

"My lord, there is wonderful news from Greenwood," Annoneth beams.

"Is Rhovanel awake? Is she alright?"

"She is perfectly healthy. So is your son." I cannot even breathe at that news. I have a healthy soon-to-be-wife and son, no, two sons that I must return to immediately.

"Does he have a name yet?"

"No, Rhovanel wanted to include you in that decision," Harthor answers, a smile across his lips. "He is a handsome prince, Thranduil. He gets it from his mother of course," Harthor boasts jokingly. I cannot help but sigh in peace and happiness. It is long time to go home.

"We are ready to leave whenever you like, my friend."

"Now. We should go now, before anything else decides to delay my reunion," I respond quickly, standing up to leave. Harthor and Annoneth jump to their feet too, then Harthor hands me his cloak.

"You should at least dry off a bit, sir. it may be summer, but it is still cold in the mountains." I nod gratefully, wrap the cloak around my shoulders, and start climbing over the rocks toward the waterfall. I watched the shapeshifter leave this way, so I know there are no pitfalls or treacherous pathways.

We manage to travel through the mountains and forest without any delays. I finally feel grounded when I can see the front gates and the bridge.

"Thranduil, this belongs to you," Harthor says, pulling my crown out of his bag. "I found it while searching for you and thought you might want it when returning to your kingdom."

"Thank you, Harthor. I will carry it in, but it will fall away, forgotten, when we meet with your sister." He nods and hands me the crown of branches and red autumn leaves. It does not belong on my head right now.

"Open the gates! King Thranduil has returned!" Annoneth calls to the guards at the gate. "I shall run ahead and let the lady know you are back," Annoneth says in a normal volume.

"No, she will hear from someone else that I am back. Just keep her in her room, I do not want her to strain herself." Annoneth nods and sprints ahead. The guards kneel as I pass, respect in their eyes when they look up. This is true of every elf I pass on the path to Rhovanel's room and of my captain when I arrive. Harthor even stops beside her, head lowered in salute.

"Thank you, my friends. Please give me some time alone with her, for I fear a serious tongue lashing is ahead." They both smile and nod in agreement then walk away together, talking about something along the lines of baby names.

"Melamin?" I say softly. Opening the door slightly is making me anxious.

"Thranduil Oropherion, come in here like I know you want to," Rhovanel calls from the room. She knows me too well. I throw the door open and run right to the bed where she is sitting with the baby. She smiles up at me and says, "he needs a name. One that both of his parents could agree on." Tears begin to form as she stands up and places him in my arms.

"How does Hireadon sound?" I suggest, knowing that it does not sound right the moment I say it. Rhovanel obviously agrees with me because I can see her scrunch her nose the moment I seem to stop looking.

"I was thinking Arthon. I sounds nobler to me."

"I think so too. So he shall be forever more known as Arthon, Prince of Greenwood. Where is Legolas? He should meet his brother."

"Legolas has met his brother, though not as Arthon. I will find him." Then she leaves with a smile and a kiss on my cheek. Arthon, noble son. He does take after his mother as Harthor said.

He had been sleeping up until I started moving around the room, but now he is opening his eyes and staring at me. Not crying, just watching, his eyes a deep shade of blue like his mother's. The small patch of hair is a shade darker than platinum, like mine. Arthon's features are soft now, but I can tell that when he grows out of his baby-skin, he will have delicate features like his mother and grandfather.

"Ada! I knew you were alive!" Legolas squeals, running into the room. Arthur tries to turn his head to look at the source of this noise, but does not seem bothered by it.

"Legolas, this is your baby brother, Arthon," I say, kneeling so Legolas can see without climbing on me.

"He looks more like nana than you, Ada," Legolas laughs, touching Arthon's pudgy cheek. "Please do not leave again, Ada. I missed you so much," Legolas begs, hugging me in the side opposite Arthon. Rhovanel looks at me the same way, eyes big and pleading and a slightly quivering lower lip.

"Of course, ion nin. I am not leaving for a long time."