Chapter Text
Aerendyll stood still before the window in her private study, looking out over the dark forest. It had been dying long before she came to be, but it still made her heart ache. Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine it as it was a millenia ago. When the darkness had not yet reached its branches and they were teeming with light and life. For a fleeting moment, she was able to see it.
But as soon as she opened her eyes, she faced the harsh reality that dreams and imagining would not change anything.
She knew that there was work for her to attend to. All manner of correspondence and documents to oversee before taking them before the king. As the largest of the elven kingdoms, there were many things that demanded the king’s attention. And as one of his advisors, all of these things passed through Aerendyll first.
Namely for today, she would need to go over the items requested from the master of Laketown so that the rest of the council could finalize the list before their emissaries arrived in a few days time. Aerendyll hoped that it was not the loathed man himself. She always felt the need to bathe for a week after meeting with him.
Though the first thing in order was to welcome home Legolas from his latest patrol of the southern borders.
“My lady.”
Aerendyll turned, seeing a servant had entered her rooms and dropped into a graceful curtsy.
“The King requests your presence,” the servant said.
“Very well,” Aerendyll said, moving to follow her and knowing the king did not wish to be kept waiting, by anyone.
While many in the kingdom saw King Thranduil as stoic and cold, she knew differently. While it was out of respect for her parents, who had long been his trusted advisors and friends before they were killed, that he took her under his charge, it was out of genuine affection that he raised her as his own alongside his son, the prince.
Once she was old enough, Thranduil saw her keen mind and talent with words and allowed her to continue her studies alongside Legolas, even training in warcraft, though she left the fighting to the prince. Aerendyll preferred negotiation and “honeyed words” as Legolas called it. For she thought that many a quarrel could be solved before it came to blows.
She continued through the grand halls of the king until she was being led into the king’s study where he held smaller meetings with his council, saving the throne room for events of public importance.
“My King,” Aerendyll said as she dropped into a bow before him.
Thranduil stood from his great desk, sending the servant away with a wave with his hand. Once it was just the two of them, a warm smile came across his face as he walked towards her.
“Please, it is only us,” he said as Aerendyll rose and met his eyes. “No need for formalities.”
“He will be here soon?” she asked, happiness filling her.
The Halls were certainly quiet whenever the prince was away and she was in sore need of some entertainment to break the monotony of her days.
“Yes, that is what the scout who rode ahead said,” the king replied, walking over to a large table and looking over a large map spread out there. “Hopefully with good news that the darkness that haunts these woods is receding.”
Aerendyll walked over, looking down at the map as well, but then chanced raising her gaze, studying the king. In the privacy of his study with only his ward to see, there was a flicker of concern. A small crack in his normally perfect facade.
“We were once a great kingdom and had rule over this entire forest. How it angers me that we should be forced to hide in such a small portion of what once was ours,” he said, a subtle fury in his words.
“It is a great kingdom still, my lord,” Aerendyll said calmly. “We are not helpless. Not by far. And should our enemies think that we are, then it will be their undoing.”
He met her eyes and a small smile came across his face as he reached out and caressed her cheek for a moment.
“You always seem to know exactly what it is I need to hear,” he replied, looking back to the map. “Very much like your father.”
“Ah, so he too possessed a silver tongue, as Legolas is apt to call it,” she said, a hint of lightness entering her voice.
“You and Legolas are complementary in that aspect. You, dear Aerendyll, understand the importance of words, where my son understands the finer details of warfare should words fail,” Thranduil stated. “Should the time come, I do not worry about leaving my kingdom in your most capable hands together.”
“Let us hope that time does not come and that you rule for many, many more years to come,” Aerendyll said, a slight bit of discomfort slithering into her stomach at the king’s insinuations.
Thranduil looked back at her, an indecipherable look coming over his face. He then sighed and appeared as though he was to say something more, his lips beginning to part. Before he could speak, a knock sounded upon the door and Thranduil looked towards it, his smile fading as he called out for whoever it was to enter, once again donning his kingly persona.
A servant opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Legolas and the captain of the guard, Tauriel, to walk in. Both bowed before the king, nodding towards Aerendyll. While they were disheveled from the journey, they appeared uninjured to Aerendyll’s eyes, which she was grateful for. It always made her nervous whenever the guard would go anywhere close to the southern regions of the forest.
“What news do you bring?” Thranduil asked sternly.
“It is more than we feared. The spiders have created far more nests along the southern borders,” Legolas said solemnly.
“I believe your orders were to clear them out,” Thranduil said, his eyes narrowing slightly, though it was the only indication of the anger he was likely feeling.
Aerendyll took a deep breath, already preparing herself to step in should it be necessary.
“There is only so much we can do, Father,” Legolas said, his own eyes narrowing. “We clear one and two more spring up. The only way to truly be rid of them is to strike them in their strong-”
“And that lies beyond our lands,” Thranduil said, cutting him off. “We can barely defend our own borders, I will not send the guard where they will likely fail and needlessly sacrifice them on little more than a hope.”
Aerendyll looked back and forth between father and son, clearly seeing that Legolas was sorely close to losing his temper.
“Perhaps… it is something to think upon, but a decision is not yet needed,” she said calmly. Thranduil looked at her, quirking an elegant eyebrow. “Legolas can brief me on the intricacies of what they have discovered and if it seems plausible, perhaps we can revisit a battle plan later.”
Thranduil studied her a few more moments before turning away, walking back to his desk.
“Very well. I trust your judgement on this matter,” he replied. “You are dismissed, Legolas. Though I will remind you that your presence is required at tonight’s feast.”
Aerendyll looked back at Legolas, offering him a small smile. He bent his head forward slightly, but did not appear too pleased.
“Of course,” he replied. He then turned and started to leave.
“I trust that you will escort Lady Aerendyll,” Thranduil then said. Legolas stopped and glanced over his shoulder.
“Yes, Father,” he said before leaving, Tauriel following without saying a word.
Aerendyll turned back to the king, watching as he sat behind his desk and picked up a few pieces of parchment.
“If I may make a suggestion, my lord,” Aerendyll said, her mind moving quickly though her words were measured.
She thought there was merit in Legolas’ suggestion. But at the same time, she knew all too well as Thranduil did that their army was likely not large enough to take on the foul creatures beyond their borders.
They were rumored to have settled close to Dol Guldur, which was a place of darkness that no one dared go if they wished to keep their life. Not alone, that is. The rumors of that place had long been whispered across the kingdom and Arda.
“A way to make amends with my son?” he asked, a slight smile on his face.
Aerendyll returned it but shook her head gracefully as she glided towards him.
“No, but… it is true that if we could strike the spiders where they are strongest, defeat them there, we may rid ourselves of them once and for all,” she said, her voice strong, though she was nervous. Thranduil did not speak, only watched her. “And yes, I do question whether our forces are strong enough on their own. But… perhaps if we sent for aid. Surely the armies of Lorien and Imladris could spare some of their numbers to assist-”
“I will not seek aid from The Golden Wood or Imladris,” he said dryly, cutting her off as he returned his attention to his parchments. “For I am sure they will not send it.”
“Yes, of course, my lord,” Aerendyll said. Though she knew it had more to do with his pride. Surely Lady Galadriel would come to their aid should they need it. Though she did wonder what it might take to convince Lord Elrond. She would need to ponder upon that longer. “If you’ll excuse me, I should start preparing for the feast.”
He waved his hand and Aerendyll bowed before turning and walking towards the door. She then stopped and looked back at him.
“My lord,” she called out. He looked up at her. “We are still strong. But sometimes it would not hurt to be stronger.”
His eyebrows rose at that, but Aerendyll turned and quickly left, not wishing to risk gaining his ire. It took much maneuvering to convince the King of Mirkwood to change his mind. Much careful maneuvering. And now was likely not the time.
Aerendyll stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out her dress when the knock came.
“Come in,” she called out as she stepped away and walked into her sitting room.
Legolas walked in and made straight for the table where a carafe of wine and two goblets were already waiting, quickly pouring himself a portion and drinking it.
“Has your time away from these Halls made you forget your manners?” Aerendyll asked as she picked up the carafe and poured her own, a slender eyebrow raised.
“You know well how I detest these things,” he replied, frowning slightly.
“Ah, yes. Then it is your good fortune that you will sit at my side this night,” Aerendyll replied lightly before taking a more tempered sip. “And that I had the maid bring in your favorite wine in preparation for your arrival.”
Legolas sighed and fell into the nearest chair. Aerendyll sat in the one next to him with a bit more grace. It was always the same. Thranduil would upset his son. Legolas would then retire to her rooms where he would lament over several pitchers of wine. Though as they had to attend the feast that night, she knew they did not have long. But he would still need fortification and would likely remain for a few hours more once they could politely excuse themselves from the evening’s festivities with more lamentations.
None of the servants spoke of such happenings to the King, though they could very well be a thing of gossip. Many in these Halls knew that the two only saw each other as brother and sister.
“How am I to truly learn to be the great leader he hopes me to someday be if he does not heed my words?” Legolas asked, looking up at her. “And do not offer yet again to speak on my behalf, Ari. For what prince must rely on another to make his will known?”
“A wise one if he knows his counterpart well enough,” Aerendyll replied, a smirk on her face. Legolas only huffed in response. “For what it’s worth, I do think your reasoning has validity. Though I do also agree that our forces are not quite enough for the task.”
Legolas studied her for a few moments, his expression unreadable. Aerendyll could not help but find father and son far more alike than either thought.
“And just what is it you propose?” he then asked, sitting up.
“First, you tell me just what it is we might be facing,” she replied smoothly, reaching for the carafe and pouring him more wine.
“There were many nests. Far more than we were expecting. Enough that we dared not engage with just the small force that we had,” he admitted, frowning. “And… they are moving closer.”
Aerendyll’s eyebrows rose as she considered this. Their guard was kept busy as it was fighting off those that ventured close to their Halls. Keeping the vermin from taking more of their lands. This did not bode well. She looked away, her brow furrowed as she considered what Legolas had said.
“It is as I feared. We will not expel this darkness from our lands on our own,” she murmured.
“If we cannot, then there is no hope,” Legolas said. She looked at him.
“We can ask for aid. I told the King so myself just after you left us,” she said quickly. Legolas snorted in response, a very princely action.
“And I assume he did not take such advice well,” he replied before taking another drink, an amused smile on his face. “We both know my father well.”
“Yes, but do not underestimate me, Legolas. You know too how that fares,” Aerendyll said.
“Of course, but there are things even you are not capable of, dear Ari,” Legolas said. “And convincing the king to ask for aid is one of them.”
Aerendyll sighed, leaning back in her chair, her brow still furrowed.
“But it is the only way. I feel that something else is coming. That something far darker than spiders and orcs lurks in the lands near our borders. Something that will require all of Middle Earth to overcome,” she said.
“Have you seen this?” Legolas asked.
Aerendyll looked at him, her tempered facade falling slightly. While she did not possess the gift of foresight that some of their kin did, she could feel it. A darkness on the edges of her mind. It haunted her in her sleep. But yet, she could not explain what it was or what was to come.
“What is it? What have you seen?” Legolas asked, suddenly becoming altogether more serious.
“I have seen nothing. Only a feeling,” she replied, lifting her goblet to her lips. “I sense a great change is coming…”
Before either could remark, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Aerendyll called out, straightening up in her chair.
A servant walked in and bowed.
“The feast begins,” he said.
“Ah, yes,” Legolas said before finishing his goblet of wine and putting it down on the table. He then stood and held his hand out to Aerendyll. “Shall we?”
She mustered a smile, accepting his hand as she gracefully stood.
“We shall.”
Aerendyll smiled demurely though she truly wished to yawn. Feasts at the King’s table could get rather tedious with many an elf attempting to steer the conversation towards matters that they wished to bring before him but had not otherwise been granted an audience. For that, she felt sadness for Thranduil, knowing that he did not wish to discuss manners of state all of his time.
She looked to Legolas who appeared just as thrilled as she was, though only she could detect it. He offered her a small smile before his eyes wandered elsewhere, stopping on a few tables that contained members of his guard towards the back of the hall, who were laughing heartily and enjoying the feast far more than he likely was. She could see his longing to join them just under the surface. Truthfully, she felt the same.
But an elleth of her standing did not spend her time with the guard outside of the occasional training that Legolas would oversee. Or the occasional dance that she would allow, but never too long as the watchful eyes of the King were always upon her. In the absence of her mother and father, he took it upon himself to make sure that she and others knew her position in his court. Even if she herself could care less whether her dance partner was Silvan or Sindarin.
“Lady Aerendyll, I must say you look more like your mother with every passing year,” another of Thranduil’s advisors - Bialaer said boisterously. Likely from the Dorwinian wine that he was heartily partaking of.
A feast at the King’s table was likely the only chance many had to partake of it.
“You are too kind, my lord,” Aerendyll replied softly as she lifted her own goblet to her lips, taking a small sip though she wished to take more. She glanced at Legolas, who winked before adopting a more blase expression.
“An elleth of great beauty,” Bialaer continued.
“And great wisdom,” Thranduil added, glancing sideways at the ellon in question.
“Yes, of course,” Bialaer replied. “A wisdom the Lady Arendyll, herself, has inherited.”
“Among other things,” Legolas breathed, causing Aerendyll to shoot him a look that thankfully went unnoticed by the others.
“Ah, what luck. The dancing has started,” Aerendyll said before another could speak. “My prince, would you oblige me with a dance?”
“Whatever the lady wishes,” Legolas replied with a smirk.
Aerendyll only raised an eyebrow in return as he offered his hand and then led her to the dancefloor, though not from the prying eyes of Thranduil’s court.
“I believe gratitude is in order,” Legolas replied.
“You very much are a greedy prince,” Aerendyll said in jest. “I was the one who asked you.”
“Ah, but I agreed, did I not? And as I know that I will never gain your heart, I will take what I can get,” he said airily, causing Aerendyll to chuckle.
“If it’s my heart you are after, dear prince, then you are not trying so very hard,” she said.
“And my father laments that every day, I should think,” he said.
Aerendyll managed a glance towards the King, seeing that he was watching the two avidly, a small smile on his face.
“He seems hopeful this night,” she said as they continued to dance.
“As he is every night. And yet, every morn brings more disappointment,” Legolas said.
“Pray tell, just what is it about me that makes me so detestable? Lord Bialaer seems agreeable to me,” she said lightly.
“Bialaer would be agreeable to a toad,” came the quick response.
“You think me so lowly?” Aerendyll replied, a smile upon her face.
“No. Rather I think you far too good,” Legolas said.
“But yet, not good enough for a prince,” Aerendyll said with a sigh. “Whatever shall I do with myself? The great Prince of Mirkwood denies my advances.”
“The Great Prince of Mirkwood knows better,” Legolas said, a grin firmly planted on his face.
“Do not appear so amused. Or you will further feed the King’s false hope,” Aerendyll then said.
“Whether I smile or not, I would be feeding my father’s hopes. Let us retire this talk and try to enjoy the night, Ari,” Legolas quipped. Aerendyll chuckled.
“Yes… let’s…”