Chapter Seven: Guarded
As we had been instructed, Legolas and I went to the dining room to await our family. Since we found ourselves alone and with nothing to distract us from a wait so long we had begun to think we would see the dawning of the next age, we pulled out our chairs far enough so that when we were seated, we could swing our feet high enough to push the tablecloth in and out. Then, we tried going in opposite directions from each other. The slight strain on the cloth pulled it against the bottom of our boots and left a small smudge of dirt. Legolas sat up and grabbed it. "Oh no! We might have to wash it!"
I brushed at the stain briskly with my hand, but it would not come off. I sighed. "You are right. I do not want to have to spend tomorrow afternoon scrubbing boot stains out of your naneth’s tablecloth."
Legolas slumped heavily against the back of his chair and sighed deeply. "Daeron, do you think Erelas will be well?"
I turned to look at him. "The healers said he would." Legolas had been acting awfully strange about Erelas as of late. I knew he was always happy to have him home. But it seemed to me that he had been unusually watchful of Erelas’ every move since he had appeared with the warriors who had come for us. Legolas looked as if he had gone back to brooding over something I did not know or could not understand. "What is wrong, Legolas? Even before he was wounded, every time Erelas was out of your sight, you have acted as if he were going to turn into a turnip or something."
Legolas did not look at me. He shrugged his shoulders as if at a loss himself for what was bothering him. "I do not know. But when we were in the forest, I felt as if I could sense the movement of something dark and frightening. Could you feel it?"
I shook my head. I had been too worried about being whisked away from our home and families to notice anything other than my pounding heart and dry, rag-stuffed mouth. "How did it feel?" I asked.
"It is hard to say exactly," he answered. "It was as if a chill came over me that I had never known before. I think it was somewhat like when you are cold and another colder wind comes through the trees that makes you feel numb to the core. I felt a strange heaviness." He looked at me. "There was something about it that made me think of Erelas being in the forest everyday. And now he is hurt."
I thought this over for a few moments. "Your naneth seems to know such things. And our parents know if we are well. Seregon says the king can sense the well being of the forest, too. Did your naneth say anything about feeling something was wrong with Erelas? She did not seem to know about him when the dispatch came."
"I do not know. They would not tell me if they were worried."
"I do not know either, Legolas. Perhaps you can see things that might happen like your naneth. Or perhaps you can sense the presence of the shadow like your adar."
He looked as if he were giving this some consideration. "I wonder if Aldamir and Erelas can sense the shadow?"’
"I do not know. We should ask them."
"Do you think the men were touched by shadow?" he asked, his eye widened slightly by what I supposed was fear that we had come closer to this ominous darkness than we had realized.
Before we could come to any conclusions about any of this, the king came in the door, followed by our brothers and my nana. We stood as we waited until Thranduil seated my naneth and had taken his chair. Once we were all seated, the servants served our meal.
The conversation was as light as Legolas’ and my appetites. I kept waiting for Thranduil to tell us what had happened to Erelas, but he seemed willing to bide his time until the meal was completed, and Legolas and I had been prompted to eat a satisfactory portion.
"Ada?" Legolas said after we had finally eaten all the small dark peas on our plates. In my opinion, they tasted suspiciously like mud, but all at the table watched and waited until each one had been consumed. "Will you not tell us what happened to Erelas?"
Thranduil nodded. "Let us retire to the sitting room. It will be more comfortable."
Once we were in the sitting room, Seregon poured a goblet of wine and offered it to Uncle. He smiled his gratitude and took it. Seregon offered one to Nana, but she shook her head. "I will go and sit with Lalaith until Thranduil returns." She turned to Legolas and me. "I will return to help you both to bed." She kissed us lightly on our heads and went out. Seregon poured another goblet, gave one to Aldamir and then seated himself at our cousin’s side on a soft couch. I noticed then how exhausted they looked. Aldamir and Seregon both settled wearily into the back of the couch as they sipped their wine.
Uncle even looked unusually tired. He rubbed his eyes and then looked to us and smiled slightly. "I know you are concerned about Erelas. In time, he will be well again. He has taken a wound to his side that the healers say is deep. Fortunately, they were able to repair the damage. His right arm is broken. The healers tell me it is not a complete break. Even though the bone is only cracked, the healers will treat it just as they would any broken bone with splinting and rest. It will take some time for it to heal and before Erelas can use it as he did."
"Is he in much pain?" Legolas asked.
"Yes," Thranduil said. "But, he has been given something to make him comfortable. In a day or two, he will be much better."
"How did it happen?" I asked. "Who did this?"
"That is one of the things I wish to talk to you two about," Uncle said. "We received word that more tracks had been sighted to the north. The men who took you were not alone. There was at least one more group. Erelas took his patrol and joined with some of the northern border guard to find them. They tracked them to a place near the border where we believe they were waiting to reunite with the group which had taken you. These men were quite skilled with their weapons, and our troops took some injury. Much to our relief, none of our warriors were lost."
"Why did they not battle from the trees like the warriors did when they came for us?’ Legolas asked.
Thranduil looked to Aldamir, and he answered. "We had hoped to take them without a fight. The opportunity to find out about these men was not available to us while they held you and Daeron. And, as you know, we were not able to take the one who survived that battle. The warriors surrounded the men, but they fought back. We had hoped to use surprise in our favor. Most of our warriors were on the ground, and some were too close to use their bows and had drawn their swords. The objective was to take all or as many as possible alive. They were a larger group than the one you saw."
"Erelas was wounded in this confrontation," Uncle told us.
"Did all the men die?" Legolas asked.
"No," Thranduil said as he leaned slightly forward. "Three were taken by our forces."
"Where are they now?" I asked.
"They are being detained so that we may question them," Uncle told us.
"But where? Where are you holding them?" Legolas asked.
"They are heavily guarded, Legolas," Uncle said. "They are being held in one of the caverns below."
"In the stronghold?" I yelped. "They are here in the palace?"
"What if they come for Daeron and me again?" Legolas cried.
"That will not happen, Legolas," his adar said. "There is no cause for you to worry. They will not come anywhere near you. They would die before they set foot out of the locked rooms below."
"We do not believe the ones who took you knew who you are," Aldamir said. "It was by chance that the two of you happened upon them. The men we have detained would have no reason to seek you out. Moreover, we do not know if the men we have even knew the other group had taken captives. As Adar said, we do believe, however, that the two groups had the intention of meeting, but that meeting was interrupted, of course. As far as we know, they had not communicated with each other. We believe the meeting was predetermined."
"Can we not go and stay with Daerada in the forest until they leave?" I asked. Our grandfather lives deep in the woods where no one would find us if Daerada did not want to be found. He can disappear like vapor in a strong wind. Come to think of it, most wood-Elves can blend into the forest as easily as a dry twig. Except Legolas and me; it turns out that we had been easier to track than a pack of charging wargs. Regardless of what my wood-Elf abilities are, the last place I had wanted to be at that moment was in the same place with any of these men.
Thranduil shook his head, but he did let a small smile grace his lips. "That will not be necessary. The men will not escape." Obviously, Uncle was far more confident than I was. I still thought it was an excellent time for Legolas and me to resume our disappearing Elf lessons with Daeradar.
Legolas cast a glance at me, and I could tell he was not convinced either. We had seen the stealth by which these humans could move. I would not have been surprised to find that they could vanish into thin air-- a feat that as a wood-Elf I should have obviously appreciated. I did not. Not to mention that I would not sleep a wink or even be able to go into my bathing chamber alone.
Thranduil seemed to sense our discomfort. He looked to Aldamir. "Post guards with both elflings until this matter is settled. They are not to be alone at any time. Have a warrior stand guard outside their bedchambers while they sleep." Aldamir nodded. Uncle looked to us. "Will this make you feel safer?"
Legolas and I nodded. I thought it did help, but my mind was racing with all sorts of possible ways the men could get past all the guards, ours included. The pictures I saw in my head were remarkably much like the aftermath of the short battle I had witnessed, only this time I saw bloodied Elves. "The men will not hurt the guards, will they?" I asked, my voice trembling despite the effort I was making to sound brave.
"No, Daeron. You know the guards will not let any harm come to you, and they will be alert. No harm will come to them," Uncle said. He turned back to Aldamir. "I would like you to post Ohtar and Sairin."
"But Ada, "Legolas protested, "they are of your guard! The Fifteen never guard anyone but you."
"It is their responsibility to guard not only me, but those of my family as well when needed. They will do as I bid, Legolas. I will be in palace also. There will be no conflict," Thranduil said.
"How will you know what these men wanted?" Legolas asked. "As far as I could tell, only two men from the group we were taken by could speak common tongue. How long will they be here? What will you do with them if they will not or cannot tell you what you want to know?"
"The three we have in custody speak common tongue fairly well," Uncle told us. "I do not know how long it will take for them to see reason and tell us their purpose for trespassing in my realm. As for what will happen to them? I do not know yet."
"I will stay with Seregon until they are gone," I announced. I do not know why I thought this suggestion would sprout wings and fly, but it seemed like a good idea to me at the time.
Seregon looked startled but before he could say anything Uncle responded. "That will not be possible, little one. Seregon has duties to attend. But, I am certain he will be available to you as much as possible."
I looked pleadingly to my brother. It is possible I even looked a little horrified. Whichever, I was certainly willing to beg at that point. Seregon smiled gently at me. "Everything will be well, Daeron. I will not be far away. Nana will be with you, and a guard will keep watch. You will be safe." I could see that it was out of my hands. But I did not have to like it.
"There is little else I can tell you at this time," Uncle said. "I want the two of you to go about your daily routines." He smiled again at us. "I hope that by tomorrow, Erelas will be able to awaken enough for you to speak to him. In the meantime, I must go to him." He nodded to Aldamir. "Go and send for Ohtar and Sairin. Seregon, you stay with the elflings until your Naneth comes for them." Uncle set aside his goblet and stood. We all came to our feet. Uncle stepped to us and kissed us both lightly on the top of our heads. "Get some rest this night. All will be well." Uncle left us then, with Aldamir following closely behind.
Nana took both of us to my bathing chamber for us to get ready for bed. Legolas and I climbed into the large tub together and washed. Normally we would have been thrilled for such an opportunity to play, but on this evening, we were both nervous as gnats. Nana combed out our wet hair, saw us into our sleeping clothes and settled us in our sitting room to read. She read to us until a soft knock sounded on the door. When she opened it, Ohtar and Sairin bowed to her. "My lady," Ohtar said, "we have come to offer watch. I will stay with young Daeron, and Sairin will escort Legolas to his chambers."
Nana smiled and beckoned them in. The guards acknowledged Legolas and me with a slight nod of their heads. "Thank you both for coming," she said. "It is time for the elflings to go to bed. I will walk with Sairin and Legolas to see Legolas tucked in, then I will return." She smiled reassuringly at me. "I will be back momentarily to tuck you in, Daeron." I looked at Ohtar and saw he was watching me with rapt interest as if I might fly to pieces or cling to my nana’s skirts. Even after Nana had gone, we watched each other with a sideways scrutiny. I was not certain if I was more afraid of him or of the men. At any rate, I was sure he would not make for a good conversation.
I suppose Othar was not used to standing guard over elflings. And I was certainly not accustomed to having someone stand guard over only me. If this was not disconcerting enough, I felt as if I had stolen away one of the king’s guards because I was as nervous as a chipmunk caught out in the open. Thranduil said there was no conflict, but I suppose that depended on whose point of view he was considering. The king may have been completely comfortable, but I certainly felt guilty about bothering one of his guards to stand over me as if I were a panicked rodent. Since I had nothing to talk about and Othar’s sharp eyes were firmly trained on me, I merely sat on the couch and directed my attention to trying to intertwine my toes. Over and over I tried. I was doing fairly well at getting them interlaced when Nana returned.
"Ohtar, I do not know what specific order you were given. Are you to stand guard outside of our apartment in the corridor, or will you be required to stand guard at Daeron’s chamber door?"
"I will do as you wish, my lady," he replied.
Nana smiled. "Then, I would be most grateful if you take your station in the corridor. I do not think there is any need for you to stand guard in the sitting room."
"As you wish," he said as he bowed to her and went out the door.
When Ohtar had gone, Nana tucked me into bed and sat down next to me. "Would you like me to read to you for a while?"
"No, Nana," I said. "I will go to sleep. I am fine."
She kissed my forehead. "Then, I must take care of a few things for Lalaith before I retire for the night. Ohtar is in the corridor should you need anything."
"You are leaving?" I croaked, my breath catching in my throat as if I had swallowed a fat fly.
"I will not be gone long. Rest at peace, my sweet one."
"Very well, Nana. I will be fine." When she left, I berated myself for being such a baby. It did not do much good. No matter how hard I tried, I could not drift into sleep, so I lay in bed and glanced nervously about my room. The fire had burned low, throwing oddly shaped shadows around my chambers. I thought I saw movement in the corner, and my heart lurched. Another shadow wavered across the wall, rising up above the stone fireplace until I had visions of shadow and flame pouring up from the bowels of the caves below me to release some previously slumbering demon of the deep. I clutched my covers tightly all the way up to the top of nose and wondered for a brief moment if I should fear me suffocating myself more than anything that might steal into my chambers. At that point, I was willing to take my chances with smothering. I had been careful to not cover my eyes so that I would be free to watch these sneaky horrors that waited for me to drift off–or stop breathing, whichever came first. As if I did not have enough to worry about, suddenly from nowhere, it occurred to me that I could not believe I had not checked under my bed before Nana left! Then there was my wardrobe! It could fit a grown Elf into it-- two of the smaller strange men. I did not even think about what to do before I jumped from the bed and fled to the sitting room. The lamps were still lit, and the fire blazed warmly in the hearth. The busy crackling of the fire was the only sound I could hear. Well, the fire and my pounding heartbeat was all I could hear. And my breathing; it seemed awfully loud. Without warning, a log burned through and fell in the grate. I was out of the door and into the corridor before it had settled.
Ohtar looked down on me. "What is it, little one?"
I opened my mouth then shut it quickly. "I... I..." I stammered at a loss for an explanation that would not humiliate me. "I only came out...I wanted to ask you...How is Isilya?" I blurted out. I had serious doubts that even a warrior as quiet as he would purchase such a bad line as useful. Still, I could think of nothing else that we had in common that might prompt me to fly out the door as if a balrog were hot on my trail. I retained enough sanity–barely-- at that moment to know he would not believe a demon was really in my chambers.
I thought I saw the beginning of a smile, but Ohtar is too well trained a warrior to let such an unacceptable thing happen. His face quickly returned to a neutral and unreadable expression. "She is well," he answered.
"That is good," I said, in a feeble attempt to sound confident. I had started this line of conversation, and I knew I had to follow it–somehow. I felt as I were groping in the dark for anything to say. "I have not seen her in a while."
Ohtar nodded.
"She is very nice."
"Thank you," he answered, a bit formally, I thought.
I slid my bare feet around on the cool smooth stone. "I suppose I should get some rest." He nodded again. "Do you need anything?" I asked, hopefully. "A drink of water or something to read?"
Ohtar ran his hand over his mouth. "No, thank you, little one. I am fine."
"Very well then," I said, making no move toward the sitting room door. "If you need anything, all you have to do is ask."
"Thank you, Daeron. I will be fine," he said. I noted that he was pressing his jaws together as he looked steadily down at me. My Nana has always told me to not grind my teeth together. She says it is not good for them. I wondered if Ohtar knew this. But, I decided that it was probably not a good idea to tell him. Since I had exhausted all I could think of to discuss with Ohtar-- except his teeth-- and he probably had nothing better to say to me other than, go to bed, we merely stood in the corridor looking at one another.
"I should go to bed now," I said again, but still I could not find my heart to go back into my chambers alone.
Ohtar nodded. After another moment of me not fulfilling my own directives, his face softened, and a slight warm smile tilted his mouth. "Daeron...if you would like..."
He did not get to finish what he was about to say because at that moment Seregon came around the corner. "Daeron!" he said. "What are you doing up?"
Ohtar straightened, nodded to him formally and placed his hand over his heart in salute. Seregon returned the acknowledgment.
"I was only..." I said, once again trying to come up something plausible for me being out in the corridor. I saw a look pass between my brother and my guard. It was one of those looks adults give one another when they want to say something but cannot because you are there.
Seregon swept me up into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist and breathed a sigh of relief. He carried me back to my bed and tucked me in. Then he lay down next to me on top of the covers. I snuggled up next to him as he put his arm around me. "Go to sleep," he whispered.
"Seregon," I said softly, as if speaking too loudly would make him dissolve, and I would be alone again.
"Yes."
I wiggled my hand free from my covers and pointed to the highest shelf along the wall of my chambers where among the jumble of my toys and books sat one very ragged stuffed horse. "Would you get Ion for me?" I am pleased to say that he did not show any reaction to me wanting my old stuffed toy that I had put away a very long time ago. He simply slid from the bed, reached up and retrieved the battered horse. I took it from him, tucked it under the covers with me and held it tightly to my chest. Seregon took back up his place in my bed and once again hugged me close.
"I have always wondered why you named your horse Ion," he said.
I shrugged. "I do not know. I do not remember." And I did not. But I had thought that maybe I called the horse what Nana called me. I am her son, so the horse was mine. I suppose it made sense at the time.
Seregon smiled and kissed me on the head. "Good night, little brother."
"Seregon?" I whispered.
"Yes, Daeron," he sighed.
"Please do not tell anyone about Ion."
His arm tightened around me. "My lips are sealed," he promised.
When I woke the next morning, Seregon was gone, but Ion was still tucked under my arm. I scrambled quickly from the bed and tossed him back up on the shelf. I found Nana in the sitting room.
"Good morning, dear," she smiled. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine," I said, full of confidence now that it was daylight.
"I am glad to hear that. Now, hurry and get dressed. After morning meal, hopefully, you and Legolas will get to see Erelas for a few minutes."
"Is he better?" I asked, the pleasure of hearing we would be allowed to see Erelas obvious in my voice.
"He is better," Nana said, but I heard a hint of caution in her tone. "The healers say that he may be awake for a little while after morning meal."
I rushed through my morning washing routine, dressed quickly and followed Nana to the dining room. I smiled at Ohtar as I passed him, and he fell in behind us. He stopped outside at the door with Sairin, and the other guards who were normally posted nearby. Auntie and Legolas were already at the table when we arrived. Aldamir and Seregon came in soon after us and took their places. Seregon smiled brightly at me, but I could not help but wonder if he had slept at all the night before. He still looked terribly tired. When we were all seated, Auntie told us that Thranduil had stayed with Erelas until she had dined with us, and then she would return to Erelas so that Uncle could meet with his advisors.
After morning meal, Legolas and I trailed along behind Auntie and Nana to Erelas’ chambers. Ohtar and Sairin followed behind us. Auntie opened the door and motioned us in. Our guards stopped and stood on either side of the door in the corridor.
Erelas was still pale and lying nearly flat on his back. His head was propped up only enough for Thranduil to spoon a pallid-looking broth into his mouth. His right arm was splinted and lying on top of his jumbled covers. Erelas smiled weakly at us. "Legolas! Daeron! I am so glad you are here. Maybe Adar will stop trying to force this awful brew on me."
Thranduil smiled and placed the bowl on the bedside table. "It is only a short reprieve."
Legolas and I approached the bed. "How do you feel?" Legolas asked.
"I believe I will survive," Erelas smiled and then added, "if Adar and Naneth do not kill me with attention first." I knew exactly how he felt.
Thranduil snorted and leaned back into his chair. Lalaith chuckled lightly as she busied herself with straightening Erelas’ cover to her satisfaction.
"Do you see what I mean?" Erelas said. "An Elf cannot even wallow in his bed without it being put right."
Lalaith grabbed his chin and kissed him soundly on the cheek. "Careful, child. I will turn you over to the king." Thranduil nodded with satisfaction as if he would delight in taking in hand this one who had frightened him so badly.
I was pleased to see Erelas sounding much like he always did, but I could plainly see he was weak and uncomfortable. Just the small amount of time he had been awake and, I suppose, being fed this horrible broth seemed to have tired him. "Does it hurt very much?" I asked.
"Only when you make me laugh," Erelas smiled.
"Then I will not say anything funny," I said sincerely.
Then Erelas did chuckle, and as he did, his broken arm pressed slightly into his side as if the movement did indeed disturb the truce he had made with the pain. "You cannot help it, Daeron," he said. When he had settled softly back into an uneasy-looking peace with his wounds, he said, "Adar tells me that you have guards posted with you?"
Legolas and I nodded. "Sairin and Ohtar," Legolas told him.
"Two of the Fifteen," Erelas mused. "You two must indeed be someone special."
I swatted my hand through the air. "I do not know who is more frightening, our guard or the men."
Thranduil looked shocked. "You are afraid of Sairin and Ohtar?"
Lalaith laughed again. "I believe it is a healthy respect."
"Yes," I nodded in complete agreement. "I wish to stay healthy so I am respectful."
Thranduil smiled a little sideways and said, "That is good to know." Erelas tried to splint his side again as he fought back a laugh.
The healer came bustling in the door at that moment and stopped dead at the sight, I suppose, of a room full of people bothering his wounded charge. He was carrying a cup of something I knew I most likely would not like and felt sure Erelas would not like it either. Apparently Lalaith saw the healer’s chagrin, too. She placed a hand on Legolas and my shoulder and said, "Come, my little ones. Let us allow the healer to care for Erelas."
"I will see you later if you feel like it," Legolas said as he offered a small wave toward his brother.
"I hope you two will come back and save me from Adar’s broth and the healers’ potions soon," Erelas smiled. He looked terribly wan by then. We promised to come back and cheer him up.
We met Aldamir in the corridor. "Sairin will remain outside the door while you are in your lessons," he told us. "When you go to training, Ohtar will go with you and stay while you are at the laundry with Morwen. They will both return this night." He smiled at us. "You will be safe with the masters, and it will give the guards a moment to rest and see their families."
I turned to Ohtar and said, "Please give Isilya my greetings."
Ohtar bowed slightly. "I will do so, young Daeron."
For four days, we went about our daily routines with at least one guard in tow at all times. None of the other trainees said anything about our shadows, but they all eyed them suspiciously. I concluded that the Fifteen made everyone nervous. Except Morwen. She did not seem bothered at all by the silent presence who watched us haul wood and empty washing pots. The good news of these days was that Erelas was steadily improving. He could now sit up in bed for a short while and talk to us when we visited him. The bad news was that Borgil had gone back to being our dusty old tutor.
On the morning of the fifth day, Uncle called us into his office after morning meal. As Legolas and I went down the corridor to where the king waited for us, I whispered, "What have we done now?"
Legolas sighed. "I do not know, but it is rarely a good thing when Adar summons us to his office."
Aldamir and Seregon were present when we arrived. I breathed a sigh of relief when Uncle motioned us to chairs.
"I have asked you here this morning, little ones, because I wish to explain to you about the men," Thranduil told us. I let out the air I had been harboring in my chest in preparation for meeting yet another doom. Legolas looked equally relieved that all we had to face was talk about the men instead of consequences for something we did know what it could possibly have been.
"The men have told us most of what their mission was, we believe," Uncle went on, apparently having missed our nervous looks and sighs of relief. "The men come from a land far to our East. Some years ago a man came to them. He told their leader that much evil existed in our lands. Not only the Elves were not to be trusted, but all free folk of this region were thought to be preparing an attack on the far eastern lands."
"But that is not true," Legolas protested.
"No, it is not," Thranduil said, mildly.
"Who was this man who told them this?" I asked. Who would do such a thing? Was there not enough trouble to go around without someone traveling to far off places and stirring it up?
"We do not know for certain who this man is," Thranduil said. "He has called himself Carion. The leader of the Easterling people was not easily swayed by this man, but over a long period of time by men’s reckoning, he gained the ear of the leader. The leader finally consented to sending his warriors to see what they could discern about the Elves. One of the men we took captive said that The Hanu, as they call their leader, was not even certain he believed that the Elves existed. They had never heard of nor seen such as our kind until this man called Carion came to them. The Hanu requested an Elf be brought back with his warriors for him to see and learn of our kind."
"That is why they took us?" Legolas asked.
"Yes, though we still do not believe the men knew they had taken my son and my nephew," Thranduil said. "We did not tell them."
"Then they did not mean us harm?" Legolas asked.
Thranduil rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment before he spoke. "The purpose of their mission was to scout for our weaknesses and to take an Elf. From our position, that is meaning us harm. While they might have had some lingering doubt about this Carion’s claims, they were intent on realizing their mission."
"That is why they were in the forest, then," I said, trying to piece all the information together.
Thranduil nodded. "There were three groups of them. Two of the groups had reunited at the northern border to await the third when Erelas’ patrol found them. Of course, the third group was the group who had taken you, and that group had been charged with abducting an Elf."
"Did the Carion man know they were to abduct an Elf?" I asked. "Would he have not known that if the strange men took an Elf that you might send troops after them?"
"I think he knew that very well. The Easterling men had been told that if they needed assistance they could find aid at Dol Guldur. Apparently, none of the men sought such aid, and they did not go to this place they thought to look menacing. It is possible that Carion thought they would weaken our forces by forcing us into pursuing them, and then the shadow would be able to swarm from Dol Guldur to lay claim on more of the forest. It is also possible that the idea to abduct an Elf was Carion’s plan all along, and he merely convinced The Hanu that it was his bidding."
"But it did not work," Legolas said as if mulling over the failed strategy.
"No, it did not," Thranduil said. "The men found that Carion had not lied about the existence of Elves, but they were not prepared for us to defend ourselves and our borders as vigorously as we do. Carion had told them we were accomplished warriors, but these men had never seen any who could withstand their own skills. They did not know their enemy."
Legolas shifted as if this whole story did little to offer him comfort. I have to admit, the thought of these men being as well trained as they were and their leader still listening to Carion did not make me feel much better either. "Will they come again?" Legolas asked.
Thranduil shook his head. "I do not know what sort of influence Carion has on The Hanu. It is possible, but we hope to prevent it by revealing to this leader the lies of Carion. But I cannot say if he will believe what he is told."
"How, Adar? How will you tell this leader that he has been lied to?" Legolas asked.
"We have sent his surviving warriors back to him to tell him that they are all that live and what they found," Thranduil said.
"You let the men go?" I asked softly, or said. I am not certain if I was merely stating the obvious or inquiring to my understanding. No matter which it was, I was shocked and none too pleased to hear the men were free.
Thranduil leaned slightly forward to catch my eye and then made certain he had Legolas’ attention. "They are gone. They have been escorted to our borders after having been given a warning that should they or any of their people ever return, there will be no mercy. We have granted them their lives so that they may take the message of the man Carion’s deceit back to their master. What The Hanu does with that knowledge will be up to him. We will not tolerate them again."
Legolas slid from his chair and went to his adar. He slipped between his adar’s knees and placed one hand on Thranduil’s shoulder and the other on his chest. Uncle covered Legolas’ hand with his own. "Would you take the word of your warriors, Adar? Do you think their leader will listen?" Legolas asked.
Thranduil nodded his head. "Of course, I would listen to what my scouts told me. That is their job. I must be able to trust them, or they would not be appointed such a task. I do not know if The Hanu will listen, but if he is as wise as the men think he is, then he will heed the warning." I understood that Uncle could not know this for certain. Perhaps the same men would not come back, but we had no way of knowing if the men would make it back to their homeland to deliver the message or if the message would be received in the manner the king desired. None of us had the foresight to know what would come in the distant future. Not even the queen knew all ends. I suppose what he was telling us was that we had to believe that the men would chose the right course. It was all we had, I thought. The king spared their lives, and we could only hope that we would not meet them in the future on a battlefield where no one would win, and we would all suffer the defeat that war brings to all, even to the ones who find themselves with banners still flying. It was not beyond my ability to understand protecting ourselves; I lost my adar to our defense, but I did not think I would ever understand war. Sauron must indeed have a smooth tongue to be able to convince his followers of such lies when in the end, if he did prevail, he would be the only one to benefit. I felt sorry for these men. They were the prey just as much as we were. I hoped their leader would cast the man Carion out of his land. I even managed a small inward smile; I even hoped this deceitful man would land on his rear end!
Uncle motioned for me to come to him. I leaned against his other knee and he hugged us both closely. "You need not worry further about this. The men are gone, and you are safe. We are all safer now." He smiled as he released us. "Go now and be children of this forest. Take joy in her as we take joy in you."
There was nothing I could do about what might happen in the future. Legolas and I smiled at each other. At that moment, I truly felt the return of joy.
Erelas got better daily. He was still confined to his bed most of the day, but by this time, he was being allowed to sit in a chair when he ate. We tried to visit him as much as we were allowed, and I could see the Erelas we knew resurfacing more each time we saw him. His color was better, and his humor was as biting as ever. His barbs were not so much directed at Legolas and me. But since he was not serving under our brothers' command during his recovery, he fell back into simply being a brother. It was Aldamir and Seregon who were his main targets. Though they protested and gave as much as they got, they both seemed pleased to hear Erelas’ laughter and took his teasing, I think, as a matter of good course. I suppose there was much for all of us to be happy about. And I admit, I loved watching Erelas’ quick wit cut his bossy older kinsmen down to size.
Laundry duty had not been all bad. It was hard, dirty work, but just as Erelas had told us, Morwen was a kind gentle Elf. Each day we looked forward to hearing her stories. Over our remaining time with her, she told us more about the early years of our families coming to these woods. This forest is our home, and I felt a connection to it that ran as deep as the oldest oak’s roots and as clean and clear as the waters that ran throughout her borders. We did not merely live here; we were a part of this land.
I learned to hear the deeper meanings of the tales she told. The forest in its time before the shadow came alive to me as it never had before. As the darkness claimed more and more of the woodland beauty, I felt the cries of the trees and the anguish of all living creatures that have long made this land their home. The trees bent and darkened under the weight of the shadow, black squirrels usurped the homes of the small gentle grey squirrel, spiders twisted their sticky rope webs around branches, choking life and light away from everything in its way, and the shadow that fell from Dol Guldur grew longer as time passed. Only by the strength of their will do Thranduil and the people of this realm keep the shadow from laying its claim from border to border. I felt proud to be a small part of it.
As I listened to Morwen, I wondered often why we did not have her teach us our lessons instead of boring old Borgil. He was about as entertaining as watching dew dry. Morwen, on the other hand, told stories in such a way that the listener was transported into the world she wove with words and the tone of her voice.
I was almost sorry when our last day with her came. I was not sorry to leave behind hauling firewood or dipping out vats of dirty water, but I was most sorry to leave her daily company. She promised us that it was fine for us to come and visit whenever we wanted, but I was not sure if she meant it or if she was merely being polite. So as to not become a nuisance, Legolas and I agreed we would limit the number of times we went to just once week until we knew how well we would be received. We would miss her.
As we ambled back to the palace after our last day with the laundress, we spied a small green frog on the path. He must have liked the damp river banks, not to mention that Legolas and I had sloshed enough water over the course of the last two weeks to created several good frog ponds behind the laundry hut. He eyed us curiously, but did not seem alarmed by our presence. Legolas bent down and spoke to him. "Mae govannen, little hopper. The nights are getting colder. Should you not be in your burrow?"
"Where do frogs sleep?" I asked as I bent down to greet the little green fellow.
"I do not know for certain," Legolas replied as he gently stroked the tiny head. "I would have to ask."
I snorted. "Let us not ask Borgil. Such a question would surely turn into a month long frog house study."
Legolas picked him up and stood. "We can ask Morwen the next time we go to visit her." He continued to stroke the head of the frog and surprisingly enough, the frog seemed to like it.
"It is becoming colder. I wonder if he has a place to stay warm?" I pondered innocently.
"Perhaps we should take him in for the night," Legolas said. "I do not want him to get cold."
"Me either," I agreed.
Legolas slipped him into his tunic, and we went home to bathe for evening meal.
When we entered the palace, there was more scurrying about than normal. The guard stopped us at the door. "The Queen and Lady Noreth have requested that, when you returned this eve, you are to go straightway to your baths, and then go the Great Hall for evening meal. There are visitors from Esgaroth, and the meal will be served there."
Legolas and I both smiled. Perhaps the son of the leader would be with them. I hoped that the strange red pox on his face was better.
I found my clothes had been laid out on my bed for this evening. Legolas and I were not required to wear formal robes, but we were required to wear formal tunics and leggings. My naneth had laid out a deep blue velvet tunic with gold embroidery adorning the collar and cuffs. Matching leggings were there, too. I felt itchy just looking at them, but there was little I could do to change this arrangement, so I simply bathed and dressed.
I found Legolas already in the Hall when I skidded in the door. Seregon saw me and came to collect me to see me to Naneth. On our way, I greeted the men whom I had met before and even those we came across whom I had not met before. My good manners were pulled out and dusted off. Seregon smiled down at me, obviously pleased I had not embarrassed the entire realm. It was not until we were seated that I saw the son of the leader. He was seated directly across from Legolas and me. I was sorry to see his face was still afflicted. I wondered if our healers did not have some salve or potion that would heal these strange red bumps. I would have to ask Nana.
As soon as everyone was seated, Thranduil rose to welcome our guests. He looked regal in robes of deep forest green trimmed in small leaves stitched in mithril thread. A crown of autumn leaves and berries adorned his head. I had never noticed before how much Legolas did truly look like his adar. It was not just the color of Uncle’s hair that was the same, but also the curve of his cheek bones, and the faint dimple in his chin; both were evident in his youngest son. I would have liked to have known Legolas’ grandparents, too. I would have especially liked to have seen his daernaneth best Oropher in archery. I wondered if one day Legolas would be able to defeat his own adar with a bow. I have seen Thranduil shoot, and he is impressive. It would be quite a challenge.
As Thranduil completed his welcome, he offered up a toast, and everyone raised their goblets in salute as he talked about good will between our peoples. I put my hand on my goblet and turned to look at Legolas. He was wearing colors much like those of his adar, and I noted that Aldamir was also in variations of the same colors. Lalaith was wearing a gown of a soft green that shimmered like morning dew on the underside of new leaves. This color was also seen the formal robes of her older son and in the tunic of her youngest. They looked like a family. My nana and Seregon were in the same blues as those I wore. We were a family, too.
I leaned in closer to Legolas. "Where is the frog?" I whispered.
He grinned and pointed to his tunic. That was good, I thought; it would be warm there.
However, the question had barely left my mouth when Legolas got a strange look on his face and began to wiggle slightly. I suppose the frog had decided to join the festivities. I saw it as it bounded out from under the edge of Legolas’ tunic onto his leg. He grabbed for the frog, but it was too fast. With one mighty leap, it was on the table. Legolas jumped to his feet and made a play for it, but it hopped happily across the table toward the boy from Esgaroth. Men and Elves were snickering as politely as possible while seated at the king’s table. I meant to help, but when I grabbed for it, I knocked over my goblet and cider splashed everywhere. The boy from Esgaroth quickly snatched the frog from the table and placed his hands in his lap. Feeling helpless and stricken, Legolas and I both then turned our eyes to the very silent king still standing at the head of the table. His face was impassive, but in the depth of storm-cloud grey eyes, there was lightning flashing. A vein throbbed on the side of his neck. "Oh no!" I moaned softly. "We are in serious trouble."
The End