Work Text:
excerpt from chapter 7 of "Reap What You Sow"
*There was no point in talking about it in front of Aragorn or Gimli. That was another source of frustration. Legolas wanted to speak privately to Faramir, but he knew it would be quite a long time before he would be allowed to do so. to Surprisingly it turned out that he didn’t have to wait long at all.
“Lamb, I can see that the two of you are dying to talk privately,” Gimli said. “and since I am feeling generous I will give you a few minutes to go down the next pool and commune with your partner in crime here. This is your one and only reprieve, mind you, and you are to come straight back without hesitation when I call you to do so. Is that clear?
“It is clear. Thank you Elvellon!”
“Really?”
Faramir was just as surprised as Legolas, and just as pleased if you judged by the smile on his face
“Aye really,” Gimli assured them. “Now get on with you.”
Legolas hurried to do so before Gimli could change his mind and he and Faramir headed a bit further down to a deeper but smaller pool. As he walked away he thought he heard Gimli whisper something to Aragorn about it being a relief for all of them, but then he couldn’t be sure. Aragorn and Gimli both laughed, though, so whatever he had said must have been amusing. Legolas could only bring himself to be very slightly offended, though, in his surprise and happiness at having time to talk to Faramir alone. *
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“Thank Mahal they are leaving,” Gimli whispered, “It is a relief to all of us!”
Aragorn chuckled as they watched their charges walk down the hill. Gimli was pleased to see that he was correct about the earlier visible handprint on Legolas’ rear end disappearing quickly. The elf’s entire body was a bit pink from the hot water, but nothing that he would consider embarrassing could be seen. He was glad of that since he had no desire to humiliate the boy.
“Has it been a bit crowded in your chambers over the last few days my friend?” Aragorn asked.
“In my chambers, at the wall, on the street. Aye, it has, but it is my own fault. I need to stop punishing myself when Legolas misbehaves.”
Aragorn’s laugh rang out this time
“What have you done?”
“I am afraid I have insisted upon something that is simply impossible for the lad,” Gimli admitted. “And now I don’t know how to undo it.”
“Oh?”
“I decreed that he must remain within arm’s reach until further notice, with dire penalties for forgetting. “
“Are you wishing your arms were longer?”
The dwarf did not deign to answer that snarky question.
“I was frustrated, Aragorn,” Gimli defended himself, ignoring the smirk on his friend’s face. “and angry, I’ll admit. I mean haven’t we just been through this? And the illegal event took place just outside the Shades, for Mahal’s sake, where I JUST told him he could not go. And jumping out the window…ai! But he literally cannot seem to remember, so I find myself constantly on edge watching him and waiting to grasp him before he goes beyond my reach and I have to adhere to meting out the promised penalties. It is completely ridiculous, but I don’t know how to undo it.”
“If you did not give an end time, could you not just undo it when they come back over here?” Aragorn suggested.
“He managed to break the rule three times in the hour between waking up and coming here,” Gimli said. “it would seem like I was rewarding his inattention.”
“I see,” Aragorn said. “That is quite a pickle, as Pippin would say. Maybe you could just admit it was a mistake?”
“Hmmm, now there is a thought,” Gimli said, warming to the idea. It was a relief that Aragorn believed this problem could be so easily solved. “Mam did tell me that I should be less concerned about being right and more concerned about being fair and remembering the child’s fragile adolescent feelings. It is a difficult time of life for anyone, and he’s having to endure it in a less than desirable environment. Perhaps you are right. Maybe I will tell him that staying within my sight is good enough. I’ll think about it anyway.”
“It seems to me that it would be better for both of your sanities.”
“That IS worth something.”
“Indeed it is,” Aragorn said. “Not that I have much room to advise you. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing either. Maybe we should invite Lady Vonild here to help us both out.”
“I’m sure she would be happy to give us her opinions,” Gimli laughed. “Though the first thing she would tell you is that you were far to hard on Faramir the other day, and I couldn't disagree with her on that. Was it really necessary to humiliate him in front of so many people? He’s only a lad after all and should have been given the same treatment as the other lads. You shouldn’t have singled him out like that.”
“I believe you are wrong about that,” Aragorn said thoughtfully. “At least I hope you are. I had my reasons for doing things they way I did.”
“That I do not doubt.”
“It would have been worse for him if it were to get around that he was getting preferential treatment just because of his position as steward and once it becomes publicly known, as my son. I was only protecting his position.”
“He is still only seventeen years old,” Gimli insisted. “so taking him home to deal with him wouldn’t have been giving him special treatment. It would have been giving him the same treatment as every other minor involved. He should not have to be treated as an adult when he isn’t one.”
“He has adult responsibilities and must be seen as someone who can handle them. I think we may just have to agree to disagree on this, friend Gimli”
“Well I do disagree! He may have adult responsibilities, but he is not yet an adult. Childhood is fleeting after all .”
“Sadly, his has mostly already fled.”
Aragorn looked suddenly so sad that Gimli felt pity for the man and softened his words.
“I do not say this to criticize you, Brother. I know your intentions are good, and I see your point, I do! I believe both of our lads’ youth has already been sacrificed to darkness before we ever met them. But it would be a shame if we cannot at least attempt to let them enjoy what is left of their minority, even if they cannot get back what was lost.”
“I do agree with you there. It’s something I think about every day and most nights. I have lost many hours of sleep over the matter. I wonder if it is even possible…”
“Watching them enjoy the Harvest Festival with such abandon has convinced me that it is,” Gimli insisted. “Of course, they cannot unsee what they have seen, but I tell you there is still some childlike innocence there that I believe can be cultivated. Nay that MUST be cultivated. I refuse to believe otherwise and I intend to do so if I possibly can, and I am telling you now, you should do the same. It would be a travesty not to try!”
Gimli noticed that Aragorn looked both worried and hopeful, before he closed his eyes and sighed heavily.
“I have made so many mistakes!” Aragorn said.
“Haven’t we all? But a wise man once told me that mistakes can be unmade.”
Aragorn half smiled at that, but soon turned serious again.
“I’m not sure this one can. You see I’ve already gone along with it for far too long. It will be difficult to change things now.”
“Tell me,” Gimli encouraged, and Aragorn hesitantly began.
“I have always believed Faramir was too young to take on the responsibilities as Steward. In fact almost everyone feels the same way, which is why there are laws saying that a Steward below the age of twenty-five must have a regent until he comes of age.”
“A sensible law.”
“Indeed! And Faramir even had one at first. But while I was out of the city, he managed to stage a coup against his regent, saying he should be allowed to be considered of age since he knew the most about Denethor and Boromir’s plans for what to do if the city was overrun.. He even managed to convince the council members to agree by majority vote. I did try to discuss the matter with him, but he claims he has earned that right, and that he would be humiliated in front of all of Gondor if his regent is reinstated. He finds the idea reprehensible and insulting.”
Gimli couldn’t help chuckling at that, for by now he was used to such adolescent melodrama . It clearly no laughing matter to Aragorn, but he would need to learn to overlook so much hyperbole from his son. If Legolas was prone to such histrionics, Faramir was likely more so. Gimli had even noticed it himself and he was not in charge of the lad.
“Do you think he might be overstating things just a bit?” Gimli suggested.
“Probably,” Aragorn agreed, “But I agreed to it already. Then as soon as I found out he was my own son I regretted it terribly. What kind of person does that? I mean he is still a child, no matter if he is Denethor’s or Aragorn’s child. I do not understand what I was thinking.”
“You mustn’t be so hard on yourself, Lad. Faramir is a clever boy to be sure and convincing as well. After all he managed to convince quite a few Council members, and his regent that he should have his way. There is no doubt in my mind that you were just about to come to the conclusion that you have now come to even if you had continued to believe that he was Denethor’s son.”
“Perhaps you are right,” Aragorn said, looking slightly relieved.
“Of course I am right. Get used to it. And maybe he wouldn’t have to have a regent all the time. He could just have one in his absence plus many trusted assistants to delegate work to.
“He’ll just never be absent,” Aragorn said, “and he’d drive the assistants mad trying to micromanage their every move.”
“Perhaps he’ll have a set schedule of frequent absences that you decide and micromanaging the assistants means another day of being absent.”
“Admittedly that could encourage him to leave them alone,” Aragorn chuckled. “he won’t like it though.”
“He doesn’t have to like it,” Gimli shrugged. “You’re never going to just talk him around to the idea, Laddie. You’ll have to put your foot down on this issue. Now all there is to do is have another vote on the matter. I believe the King’s one vote is still considered majority vote in this land is it not?”
“It is but…”
“But nothing, Boy. You have that right as Faramir’s King, but also as his father. You decide what is best for him. Your greater age and experience trumps his opinion in this case. Hear him out, of course, but the decision is up to you. You are not required to listen to his arguments over and over or get into endless discussions about it. He owes you his obedience, just as we have all had to obey our parents at times when we did not want to.”
“As easy as that eh?”
“I believe so.”
“Well Brother you have certainly given me food for thought. If I decide to go with your suggestion may I send Faramir to stay with you for a while immediately after I tell him?”
“Certainly. Faramir is welcome anytime and I can easily ignore sighing and eye rolling. I have plenty of practice at that.”
“Lord Elrond would say It is a good thing you are used to such things,” Aragorn said. “It is a sign that Legolas feels safe with you that he is willing to display a less than perfect attitude in front of you.”
“Ah well, I have a thick enough skin not to worry over such things,” Gimli said. “I try not to over direct everything the lad does so when I do make a rule or decree I expect him to comply, but it’s asking a bit too much to demand a good attitude about it as well if he doesn’t agree. After all who wants to be told what to do or not to do, especially when they don’t agree with it? I don’t know how Mam kept from strangling me when my cousins went off on a quest I wasn’t allowed to go on. I was like a bear with a sore head for months over that, but she just carried on without comment. It would be hypocritical of me not to have the same grace towards my lad.”
“My Adar was pretty tolerant in that way as well, as long as I was reasonably polite, but I do not think Legolas has had the same experience we have had with our parents. It is very unlikely he would dare to roll his eyes or grumble about anything in front of his father.”
Gimli felt his heart sink at that. There had been a few clues that Legolas’ home-life might not have been the warm, cozy life with two loving parents at home that his own life had been as a child. Of course he already knew that the Lad’s mother had died so long ago that he had no real memories of her at all. He also knew that Legolas got unreasonably upset with himself if he made even a very small mistake in battle or in arms practice, and that quest for perfection even extended beyond those things to less important things like playing games or accidentally knocking over a cup of tea. During the Fellowship’s stay in Lothlorien, Legolas had accidentally dropped Gimli’s decorative axe and chipped the blade, and Gimli had had to reassure him many times that he was not angry or upset. It had seemed a little strange at the time.
It had niggled at the back of his mind and worried him that life might have been difficult at home for Legolas, but Gimli did not want to pry into such a delicate matter, so he only knew the bits that Legolas had voluntarily shared with him and much of that had been by accident when the lad hadn’t realized that his experiences would seem strange to his dwarven guardian, such as his idea that he had little worth outside of his role as a warrior. It had been a shock that Legolas had not realized that a person could make a study of art or make it a vocation even though he was unusually talented at it, but Gimli had tried to hide his dismay at the time. He could not hide it now from Aragorn. Why would anyone be afraid to show their true feelings in front of their own parent? There was only one thing he could think of.
“You do not mean he is being mistreated at home do you?”
Gimli felt a bit sick when Aragorn hesitated to answer.
“I would not go so far as to say he has been physically abused or neglected, though I could not completely rule that out either. What I could say for certain is that Thranduil is a very cold, rigid and calculating person, on the verge of being ruthless even. Some might argue that he has had to be considering that he has had to fight the encroaching darkness without a ring of power, but even if he has good reason for the way he is, it does not make for good parent/child relationships. Thranduil himself would not deny that Legolas was born for political purposes, and he has never attempted to hide that fact from his son, a son born to encourage the denizens of the the Greenwood.”
“A mascot for the people,” Gimli said. “Ai the poor lad. It is no wonder he feels as if he has outlived his purpose as he told us before. I didn’t quite understand what he meant at the time. He seemed quite surprised that I enjoyed his company whether he was doing anything “useful” or not. He had no idea what it was like to be loved just for his own sake and not for what skills or deeds he could offer. It is tragic what war does to children.”
“And doubly tragic in this case, for elves do not generally have children in dark times. Youngsters are so treasured in elven culture that couples put off having children when things are less than stable so that their offspring do not have to suffer. Unfortunately Greenwood’s King did not think that way. He needed a son to sacrifice so that he could ask others to do the same, and he needed an heir. He didn’t have an adult son, so his only other option was to have a child to fill both rolls. That is why Legolas is the youngest elf in Middle Earth by over a thousand years.”
Gimli had known that, but hadn’t really thought about how tragic it really was until recently. His empathy for the boy had centered around his motherlessness and the loss of his childhood to evil. He had never considered how lonely he would have been growing up without companions. He thought about his own youth and the exciting times he’d had playing with his friends and cousins. Some of their adventure together had been foolish and had lead them to getting into trouble with their parents, but he didn’t regret them, even now. They were some of the most treasured memories he had. Those experiences had lead to the greatest friendships of his life and had made him the dwarf he was today.
“Ai poor lad. No wonder he likes getting into so much mischief with young Faramir. It’s his first time getting to behave like a normal boy. He’s never had the chance to experience such things before.”
“And he probably will never have the chance again if he returns home,” Aragorn frankly pointed out. “There are still no other elflings in Greenwood. And I’m pretty sure Thranduil wants him gone now that his training has little use and Tlhranduil is unlikely to need an heir. He would consider him more of a hindrance than a help at this point.”
“Surely not!” Gimli objected. “How could he not want a son who is exactly what he trained him to be? That elfling is an elven warrior without peer who has sacrificed his entire life for the folks of the greenwood, aye and for all of Middle Earth for that matter. He is highly skilled, extremely intelligent, and loyal to a fault and in spite of what he has been through, he is still thoughtful and kind. What more could he want in a son? I can barely stand the thought of parting with the lad when the time comes for it and you are telling me that his natural father wants to get rid of him? I can’t believe that. It makes no sense!”
“I know it, friend Gimli,” Aragorn said. “And I am not saying he is not proud of what Legolas has accomplished. In fact he has written to me and demanded a reward, a colony Legolas can settle. He says Legolas deserves it, which is true, but the truth is with his son out of Greenwood Thranduil has no need to worry about him eventually desiring the throne himself. He is very beloved among his folks and would be able to find plenty of followers once he reaches his majority if he ever decided to overthrow the king.”
“He would never! The lad is much too loyal for such treachery”
“Of course he wouldn’t,” Aragorn agreed. “We who know his heart know that. But with him gone Thranduil has one less worry. Not just about him possibly trying to usurp the throne either. With Legolas out of sight, Thanduil will not have to see him and feel guilty for how he’s used him, and he doesn’t have to be reminded of the circumstances of his birth. He doesn’t have to think about how he may eventually need to explain to Legolas’ mother how poorly he treated her beloved child that she died for.”
“Did she die in childbirth?”
“Her pregnancy was difficult, likely because of the encroaching darkness, but Thranduil was too proud to call for outside aid. Ada Elrond could have helped her most likely but he wasn’t called until she was too far gone. By the time he got the message and made the long journey, the poor lady could only be given a promise that her infant would live, and medication to ease her passing. My father said that Thranduil sat by his wife’s side as she was dying and even long after she was gone, but he never once even glanced at the premature infant. It was Ada who stayed for weeks to care for him until he felt a nurse could safely take over. It wasn’t until years later that my brothers traveled to Greenwood and got a glimpse of Thranduil’s son. He was still just a little child, but already he could wield a small knife with amazing precision, at an age when normal parents would still be keeping sharp objects out of their child’s reach. Elladan and Elrohir were shocked.”
“Understandably!” Gimli was shocked too, and horrified. He could hardly stand the thought of not seeing Legolas on a daily basis, but he had soothed himself by remembering that the lad would be going home and would be able to finally have a normal happy life returning to studies or enjoying whatever young elves normally enjoyed. Now he wasn’t certain at all. The thought that Legolas would not be openly welcomed made his heart ache.
“Surely there is something we can do,” Gimli said. “I cannot stand the thought of sending the lad home where he is unwanted.”
“I do have a suggestion,” Aragorn said. “Something that will both satisfy Thranduil and benefit Legolas, but I wanted to discuss it first with you before mentioning it to him. If you are willing to help me that is.”
“By all means,” Gimli exclaimed feeling that he would cut off his own right arm if it would do the lad any good. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help my lad.”
“I will not hold you to your word, for you do not yet know the enormity of the task, nor how much it will affect you personally.”
“I care not. I do not know how it happened, but the child is as a son to me now and I would do anything for him.”
“It is no small thing, Friend Gimli. You should hear me out first before agreeing to anything you might regret.”
“Big or small, it does not matter!” Gimli insisted. “Of course I will do whatever is best for him no matter the cost to myself.”
Aragorn nodded and half smiled, his eyes twinkling mischievously as if he knew some hilarious secret, but he still did not say what his suggestion was.
“What are you smirking about?” Gimli demanded, wishing with all his heart that Aragorn would get to the point.
“I knew you would say that,” Aragorn said. “That’s why I have already written to Thranduil asking his thoughts on the matter. We have his permission already, so it is only a matter of ironing out the details.”
“Iron out the details to what, you insufferable human?” Gimli said.
Aragorn had an annoying way of beating around the bush for dramatic effect. He was quite elf -like in that way, always using too many words to say what could be said in a few.
“Just spit it out, Man!”
Aragorn only laughed provocatively, but when Gimli growled and moved as though to get up, Aragorn raised a hand.
“Peace, Gimli. I will tell you! I have written to him offering Legolas a region of Ithilien, just a little south of Emyn Arnen where he can bring a contingent of elves and beautify it. The area has been devastated by the war, but I think with Legolas’ artistic eye, he could revive it to it’s former glory. It would satisfy Thranduil by honoring his son while at the same time giving Legolas a purpose, thus killing two birds with one stone.”
“Indeed it would, but it is a lot to put on the shoulders of a youngster. He’s already had enough and too much put on him as is.”
“Which is why you would serve as his regent.”
“His regent?”
“Only until he comes of age.”
Gimli didn’t know what he expected Aragorn to say, but that wasn’t it.
“Will a contingent of Greenwood elves accept me as their regent?” he asked.
“They will if their King says so,” Aragorn assured him. “Besides Legolas will come of age in thirty years. That is a blink of an eye to them. They will no doubt learn not only to accept, but to appreciate you, especially when they see how well you care for their prince. Besides, Legolas is very intelligent and a quick learner. He’ll manage very well with your guidance even before he comes of age. And we will be sure he has a good, capable second in command to be in charge while he is away, because you will both need to split your time between Ithilien and Aglarond. It will be up to you to decide how that time will be divided.”
“I will need to make more permanent accommodations for him if he is to spend extended time in Aglarond,” Gimli mused. The lad couldn’t always sleep on two mattresses tied together. He should be made as comfortable as possible, especially since he would be away from everything familiar to him.”
Aragorn seemed to be thinking something similar.
“Will your folks accept him?” He asked. “It isn’t as if your people have been the best of friends in the past.”
“That they will.” Gimli was certain of that, for if they did not they would be asked to leave. “there are some benefits to being Lord.”
“Indeed there are a few perks at that! When do you think we should tell him?”
“Give me a few days to think it over,” Gimli said. “Not so I can make up my mind about it, for that is done, but I would like a few days to figure out how to present the idea. I would not like the lad to believe that his own father wishes to send him away, even if it is true.”
“He has likely already thought of it,” Aragorn pointed out. “He surely understands his role and how the destruction of the one ring will have changed that. He knows his usefulness in Greenwood has expired in his father’s eyes.”
“Well we will not be stating such a thing so baldly!” Gimli insisted. “It is humiliating and hurtful enough to know such a thing, but to know others are also aware is even worse. No we will present it as an honor he has earned, and one that his Adar is proud for him to accept.. I shall also tell him that I am delighted with the honor of continuing as his guardian until he reaches his majority and that I am glad to divide my time between Aglarond and Ithilien in the meantime. All of these things are true, if not the full truth. I also insist he agrees fully with me acting as his guardian and regent and fully understands everything that means. I will not be party to anyone trying to force anything on him. He must agree freely.”
“Agreed,” Aragorn said. “Shall we meet in three days time to work out how we will present the idea to him?”
Gimli nodded, satisfied with that.