Part Seventeen

"Father, I do not know what do," Legolas said miserably.

Thranduil and his son sat in the bathing pool. It was late, and the engagement party had just ended. Legolas had dutifully escorted Arwen back to her talan, but before they left he had begged his father to meet him here for private council. Thranduil, of course, had agreed.

He itched to know where Celeborn was and why he did not attend the banquet, but he got no straight answer from anyone. Galadriel simply told him that her lord was tied up, and for some reason he had the idea that she meant more literally than figuratively. Thranduil had drunk a great deal of wine, but not nearly enough. Elrond had moved his cup away at some point. The Lord of Imladris looked just as unhappy as he did, but he kept telling Thranduil to keep his voice down and that they would discuss it later.

That was beginning to pique Thranduil. He loved Elrond, he truly did, but he despised being told what to do. Only his great sense of protocol and the fact that he had been sharply reminded – by the fact that Celeborn had nearly made a sex slave of his son and that he himself had been easily drugged – that he was not in Mirkwood any more. He could not wait to go home, and now they were told that they must pass the next month, until Legolas and Arwen's nuptials, in Lothlórien.

Thranduil had promised to meet Elrond back at the talan they were sharing as soon as he spoke with Legolas, and Elrond had looked wary about this, but agreed. What else could he do, really?

The Elvenking was already in the water when Legolas arrived. The pool was deserted, which was just as well. Thranduil had been sitting there, admiring one low dip in the riverbank and thinking of how convenient that might be for bending Elrond over and… well, then again, Elrond had proved the more forceful in their relationship, so it was more likely for Elrond to be bending him over and… Well, best not to think of that while the boy was around. He could bring it up to Elrond later.

Legolas took off the garments that Galadriel had made for him for the engagement banquet and dropped them in a crumpled heap on the ground beside the pool. It was a shame to leave the lovely outfit in such a state, but Thranduil did not admonish him for it. He had to admit that his son looked quite the young king in white and gold robes, so richly embroidered to match the gown that Arwen had been wearing.

He had really grown up. He was no longer a youth to be sheltered and protected. He needed responsibilities, and duties. Thranduil remembered him as a slender Elfling, proudly bringing home a half-grown spider tied up in Elven rope and telling Thranduil he wanted it for a pet. And then there had been a brief preoccupation with toads… and the summer when he had thought that shooting his bow inside the palace was amusing. Thank the Valar that had passed quickly.

Grown up now, but still a child, still in need of fatherly advice.

"The Lady Galadriel promised me that she would see to your happiness," Thranduil said slowly, remembering. "Mayhap she knows what the future holds more clearly than you or I do. Do you dislike Arwen Undómiel so deeply?"

"I do not dislike her at all," Legolas said. "She is fair, and she goes into this match with as much trepidation as I do… but she has her own agenda."

Thranduil frowned. "What do you mean?"

Legolas bit his lip and blushed slightly. "It is difficult to speak of such matters with you."

"Matters of the heart?"

"Not just the heart."

"Lust, you mean?" Thranduil was amused as his son colored a even deeper shade of crimson and made a squeaking sound that he took for agreement. "Legolas, we are both adults, and there is no reason that we cannot speak of such things together. I love you, and I accept that you will make your own choices."

"How much loyalty is owed a lover?" Legolas asked. "How much is owed a wife?"

Thranduil considered his answer carefully. "That depends on how you feel about them, I suppose. I would have you know that I never touched another while your mother resided in Mirkwood. It was long after she was gone that I allowed myself bed sport. Now, I have had a nice selection of beautiful young elves of both genders in my bed--"

"Like Silindë," Legolas mumbled, still red in the cheeks and ears.

"Like Silindë, of whom I was very fond. But to those lovers, I gave no part of my heart, nor did any of them expect it."

"And what of your relations with Lord Elrond?"

"I love Lord Elrond," Thranduil confessed. "More deeply than I have cared for anyone since your mother. I did not expect this. Were we to keep each other's company constantly, I would not give myself to another. Yet, both he and I know that eventually I will go back to Mirkwood and he to Imladris. When that happens, I will not ask him to bind himself to me. I would not wish him to be lonely."

"And you will take other lovers?"

"I cannot say, Legolas. Right now…I desire no other. But that does not make it wrong. You should not suffer guilt for your desire for Arwen or even for Elladan. It does not mean you do not love Haldir."

"Haldir seems to think so," Legolas said sadly. "He will forsake me if I wed Arwen… and I think he will forsake me if I even think about Elladan."

"How do you feel about that?"

"I am torn. I want more than anything to give myself fully to Haldir, but I have duties he does not understand!"

"Did you ever consider, Legolas, that he too has duties that you may not understand?"

Legolas fell silent, considering his father's words. Finally he nodded. "He has duties to his family, and to the Lord and Lady. But what does this mean, Father? Am I to marry Arwen and forget my heart?"

"I know you spoke with Arwen today. What did she say to you?"

"She said we will wed to please our fathers and the Lord and Lady, but vow between us to love where we like. She has other desires as well, including Haldir, but Haldir does not want her. He will not lie with her in order to keep me. He is far more noble than I am."

"The very fact that you question the wisdom of this young lady's plan shows your nobility, Legolas."

Legolas looked at him hopefully for a moment, then looked crestfallen. "And yet I would consider such a plan before giving up Haldir. I love him. Too much."

"How do you feel about Arwen?"

"I do not dislike her, but I do not love her either."

"Could you ever?"

"Knowing that she would always desire others? No."

"And what of Elladan?"

"I suffer lust for Elladan, but I will gladly put that aside for the love of Haldir."

"Then it is settled. The marriage will not go forward."

Legolas' blue eyes grew round. "How can we change the Lady's will?"

"By whatever course it takes," Thranduil vowed. "Haldir will have a place in Mirkwood if he desires it, or you are free to stay in Lórien, if Galadriel permits it."

"Thank you," Legolas whispered. "Yet I do not think it will be solved so easily."

"You are right, of course. And yet we have a month to untangle this web. Go to him, Legolas. Go to your Haldir, and make your vows to him. You have my blessing, for what I desire above all is your happiness."

Legolas thanked him. He dashed out of the pool, slipped on his clothing, and Thranduil smiled as he watched him disappear into the night. A moment later Elrond stepped out of the trees. Thranduil's grin widened as he saw that his lover was fully unclothed. Elrond slipped into the pool and went immediately to Thranduil, taking him into his arms.

"You are a good father," he said.

"How long have you been standing there listening to us?" Thranduil asked.

"Long enough. I will speak to Arwen. She seems to be misguided in her own sense of duty. Perhaps this is my fault."

"Perhaps it is the fault of her grand-parents."

"Do not speak ill of the Lord and Lady. Galadriel always has reasons behind her actions."

"And Celeborn?"

"Thranduil—"

"Never mind. It is agreed between us that this marriage will not take place, is it not?"

"I did not agree to that."

"I have promised Legolas—"

"Perhaps that was foolish."

Thranduil felt stung. He pushed Elrond away. "I will sacrifice whatever I must for the sake of my son."

Elrond grabbed his hands. "You will not sacrifice me. I will not desert you over this. You should know that by now. Listen, Thranduil, it is not just as easy as our will. No, this marriage should not go forward, but Galadriel—"

"Galadriel will not break Legolas' heart!"

"Thranduil, my love, calm down." Elrond pressed Thranduil against the riverbank. Thranduil melted against him, agitated as he was. "I will speak to Arwen at first light. I will speak to Galadriel. Leave this in my hands."

"Give me your word that this marriage will not take place."

Elrond sighed. "Very well. Since you have already given yours to Legolas and sent him off to Haldir. You have my word… but the price for both of us may be high."