Part Twenty-Three

"You look so nervous, Silindë," Erestor said in a soothing tone. They sat in the great hall eating breakfast. Silindë had gone to fetch plates of quail's eggs, apples and toasted bread with honey for his new lover. He still could not believe that he was free of Thranduil at last, that the King would not call him back to his bed and tear them apart.

Erestor would leave him if Thranduil took him again. He knew that.

He smiled at Erestor. "I am tired…"

Erestor smiled back wryly. "As am I, my young pup, yet it is not exhaustion I see in your eyes. There is fear. There is worry."

Thranduil and Elrond entered the dining hall together then, and Silindë's face betrayed him, though the two Elf lords greeted them and sat together at another table.

"Thranduil…"

"Do you miss him?"

"No. I simply dread him calling me back."

"Is not the King of Mirkwood an elf of his word?"

"Of course he is!"

"Then why would he break it to take a lover who does not want him? Unless, of course, you do still want him."

"No!"

"I can see why you would," Erestor sighed. "Never have I seen such a beautiful golden body. I almost cannot blame Lord Elrond for strapping him to the bed."

This made Silindë laugh in remembering. He had to admit he had taken some satisfaction in seeing the King bound in the position he himself had been forced to assume so many times. He had been even more shocked that Thranduil had not seemed angry. He had given them his blessing, then stalked out of his room after Lord Elrond.

"Never has there been a more unlikely pair of lovers," Silindë said. He looked over at Thranduil and Elrond, who were already arguing heatedly and it was barely dawn.

"I dare say it will do them both some good. Elrond has been extraordinarily tense lately. And forgive my impertinence, but Thranduil seemed to need very much to be left… where we found him."

"That may be true," said Silindë. He reached across the table and took Erestor's hand. "I do not want him, or any other elf, Erestor. I have made my choice and I am happy with it."

Erestor smiled at him, but still he questioned as his gaze fell on the door of the hall. "No other?"

Legolas had entered the room with Haldir. The Prince looked tired, but content, Silindë thought, much like his father had before he had begun arguing with Elrond. The elf of Lórien appeared to be his usual smug self. In a jealous flash Silindë wondered if anything had passed between them, then decided he did not care. He leveled his gaze on Erestor.

"Only you," he said.

The hall began to fill. The sons of Elrond came in together, looking badly worn, as if the grape had an ill effect on them. Haldir's brothers looked even worse. Elrond gave them all a foul look, though Thranduil chuckled over their appearance. Lord Glorfindel arrived whistling merrily and swinging his sword around dangerously in the dining hall.

"He is too excited," Erestor said, shaking his head. "I would not be surprised if this was his idea. All the way here he spoke of nothing but killing giant spiders."

"We have orcs, too."

"That will bore the poor fellow, most likely." Erestor sighed. "In truth, I wish to be excused from this venture. I am no warrior."

"I would not have you in danger, but I may not expect to be excused myself."

Thranduil stood up, then, and cleared his throat. Within seconds a silence fell on the hall and all eyes turned towards the stately monarch. He looked around at all of them, seeming pleased.

"Good morning, my dear subjects. As you know, today begins our attempt to sweep out the spiders in the East corner of the Mirkwood. Their population has grown rampant lately and the time comes for action. Once this project is finished, we will begin on the orcs. I have every confidence that with the assistance of Lord Elrond and his sons as well as the visiting elves of Lothlórien we will accomplish both of these tasks in a short matter of weeks."

He paused and looked around. There was a small murmur of approval. Silindë knew that Thranduil wanted to make the wood safer for all of them, and he found that admirable. He was ready to help.

"Unfortunately spiders are best hunted in smaller bands. We all know that if they sense too many of us, they will hide and become more crafty. I intend to accomplish this task with no loss of Elven life. I will lead the hunting party myself, accompanied by only nine others: my son Legolas, Lord Elrond and his two sons, Lord Glorfindel, Haldir, Rúmil, and Orophin of Lórien, and my most trusted kinsman, Saelbeth."

Saelbeth? Saelbeth was not even here yet. Thranduil paused again and Silindë stared at Erestor in shock. They were both being left behind? He felt his cheeks color. He knew Erestor did not want to go and Elrond was probably aware of that, but his own exclusion spoke volumes. The King must be truly angry with him. Erestor reached across the table and took his hand, squeezing it lightly. Thranduil went on.

"We will be gone from the palace for some time, and in my absence and the absence of Legolas I will expect you to look to Silindë as your leader. Councilor Erestor, I would be much obliged if you would offer Silindë your wisdom and guidance."

Thranduil smiled at the pair of them and Silindë nearly fell off the bench upon which he was seated. The elves that filled the room all applauded their approval and Silindë rose to his feet.

"This is a great honor indeed, King Thranduil. I will devote myself to the task and keep the palace running smoothly for you."

He bowed to the King and Thranduil inclined his head.

"I have every confidence in you, Silindë. My thanks to you, Councilor Erestor, as well."

Erestor nodded, smiling slightly. Silindë sat back down.

"As soon as breakfast is finished, we shall depart," Thranduil finished, he went to sit down, but then he frowned. "Where is Saelbeth?"

Nobody seemed to know. Finally Thranduil sent Legolas to find him. Haldir tried to accompany him, but Thranduil stopped him, not wanting any more of the party to wind up missing. It was half an hour before the Prince returned with Saelbeth. They both looked rather strained.

Something had happened, Silindë guessed, but he was unlikely ever to know what. He still cared deeply for the Prince, who had ever been a good friend to him, but as the group departed and he and Erestor stood side by side to see them off, he felt more joy than he had in his entire life.

At last there was peace in the heart of Silindë of Mirkwood.