Building Ithilien [Legolas] LOTR

Calm Before the Storm

A week passed since the day of the race and tournament. The Galadhrim busied themselves before parting their separate ways. The prince gloried in the work to be done, grateful for any task to divert his mind from the events that had transpired in the garden. He sat sprawled in a desk chair near the window of his room, sifting through lists of supplies, stock, weaponry, and names of elves journeying with him to Ithilien.

His mind hardly met the job at hand; instead he dreamed of the open road before him, the new challenges ahead, and the bittersweet reality of leaving his family behind in Mirkwood. His father had not wished him to go, yet Thranduil recognized the same independent streak in Legolas as his own. He remembered in vivid detail the heated discussions he had endured with the king on the point of Ithilien.

"You are my son," Thranduil had raged, "and it is your position, no—duty, to stay and serve Mirkwood."

Legolas knew to be adamant. "My brother had already taken over most of your duties, Ada. I am not needed in court, as my absence has well proved. Mirkwood still stands, does it not?"

"I do not understand why you would openly embrace leadership in Gondor when such things are so tiresome to you here," Thranduil argued.

Legolas could tell his father grew angry. He lowered his voice. "I do not wish do dwell in Oromer's shadow, Ada."

"Nor have you since the War, my son. You have won great fame for yourself among men and the Eldar," Thranduil said proudly.

"I do not wish to settle for second place, my father. I cannot. I will not," Legolas said firmly.

"So this is my beloved Legolas' future? To live among men?" Thranduil mused sadly, "and leave his family behind?"

Legolas silently begged, 'Please do not make me feel guilty, Ada,' and then spoke up, "Please understand, my father. I beg leave, not because of less love for my family, but I desire to build a new life..."

Thranduil interrupted, "Was your old one so horrible to you, son?"

"No...but I had grown too complacent in these woods, easy in my position, letting Middle Earth roll by..." Legolas paused and remembered the day he had left Rivendell with the Fellowship. "When Lord Elrond chose me for the Fellowship, I felt needed, depended on—and not just for my title. I saw more of the world than I ever had before... I will not stay in Mirkwood and be an object for the people here, doing nothing, changing nothing, helping no one—I want so much more." Legolas took a deep breath. Never had he been so candid or persistent with his father.

"You have changed, my son. You stand before me, and I see myself in your eyes. I rejoice in your strength and will, even though this joy will be dearly bought." Thranduil rose from his throne to embrace his son. "When you are lord over Ithilien, kindly remember that your Ada loves you very much."

Legolas stood there, stunned by the words and deeds of his father. He would make his Ada proud once more.

So much had come to pass since that fateful day. Legolas peered thoughtfully through his window to the golden mallorn leaves fluttering in the breeze. In a few days' time he would see his king, his father, once more. They were to meet on the edge of Mirkwood before his departed with both his Mirkwood and Lothlorien parties for Ithilien. Saying goodbye would not prove easy, especially with his younger sisters, Celeril and Idrian. He had cherished them since the day of their births, especially Celeril.

When she was an elfling, she had looked to her older brother to make everything right. She confided in him, and he, in her. If Thranduil had been too strict, Oromer too bossy, or she had fought with Idrian, she knew Legolas would understand. When she had her first kiss, he was the first she told, and when dark dreams plagued his nights after his return, she alone knew and brought him comfort. He would miss her dearly, but perhaps it was for the best. She was still very young. His time with the Fellowship had forced him to face reality, and he knew that he could no longer join her in silly pranks or wild escapades. Still, saying goodbye would not come easy.