Deck the Halls

[woodking]

Who: Thranduil and you!
What: Thranduil arrives! Kissmas shenanegins likely.
When: Now
Where: Floor 3
Rating: ... kissmas shenanegins likely. PG-13 to be safe?

When Thranduil had taken a step forward and found himself somewhere entirely different from where he had intended to be, the first thing he did was stop and examine his surroundings. Behind him was an open door of fine wood, behind that was an entirely unfamiliar hallway, in front of him was a room. It was furnished richly - too much so for his tastes, especially after having spent the past several thousand years becoming accustomed to the constraints and realities of living in Mirkwood, and even longer away from those whose business was crafting luxurious items that fulfilled no other purpose; the wood-elves made many beautiful things, but rarely anything so needlessly opulent. The sheer extravagance of his surroundings was in itself off-putting. Luxury was all well and good, but this....

Half because of the room and half because he should have been in a forest, and was beginning to wonder if the creatures he had come to attempt to dissuade from disturbing his people had somehow managed to reflect his magic back at him (but he was not asleep), Thranduil had turned and walked into the hall. It was nearly as rich as the room had been, gold and rich fabrics strewn everywhere, expensive woods and stones and glass as clear as water unfolding like a painting.

This was not home. This was nowhere familiar.

Exploring further was probably a good first step.

The door behind him had, in graceful script, his name on it, which was both thought-provoking and rather disquieting. It did, however, make him decide that it was as good a place as any to set down the bowl half-full of Dorwinion wine he was still holding, from the feast which he should still have been at; he had no real desire to carry it everywhere he went. Which left nothing to do but explore.

He both did and did not fit in with the grandeur of the castle - his robes were fine enough when the source was considered, but still rougher than what he was surrounded by, and there were a few dead leaves caught near the hem. He was crowned in leaves, with flowers braided through his hair, and although beautiful gems and gold and silver were winking at his belt and collar and fingers, they were not what lent him the aura of splendor that he carried with him. It was how he held himself which turned this all into a place where he could belong.

Comments

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Legolas bows his head slightly at the change in his father. This is a king in front of him now and he reacts appropriately. He wants to ask, now, what the last thing Thranduil recalls is, what's happened most recently that's memorable, but he's been asked a question himself. And it would be disrespectful to ask one in turn right now.

"After Mithrandir fell in Moria, we sought shelter in Lothlórien. It was the safest place for us as we fled from the orcs and we were given rest and supplies in Caras Galadhon."

He takes his bow and offers it to Thranduil. Not the bow he's always used in Mirkwood, but a bow used by the Galadhrim. Larger and with a greater draw weight, more accurate than his had been. And the wood, mallorn, is the most notable difference.

"This was her gift to me."

[woodking]

"Moria- What cause had you to be near Moria, let alone inside?" Thranduil is such a mixture of surprise and horror at those words that for a moment his composure slips. He feels like he is floundering, left to grasp at the formality which was supposed to encase him. "Mithrandir had some part in this?" It did not make sense. Legolas was adventurous, and could be reckless, but never to this extent. Never to the point of recklessly endangering himself, of flaunting the laws which Thranduil had laid down for the safety of his people. And although Mithrandir could be a meddling old fool, always insisting on sticking his long nose in places better left to themselves, it was not as far as Thranduil knew his habit to bring others with him, at least needlessly. To take his son to Moria, of all places - and the timelines simply did not make sense. There hadn't been the time in which Legolas was missing from his side to travel to Moria, to Lothlórien. Surely he could not have been as negligent as that; Legolas was not always at his side, but he had not just gone missing. That doesn't matter at the moment; he can always discover at which point Legolas took leave of his senses later. For now his power gathers around him and sweeps down like a train, and his eyes are filled with anger, and his manner is a King who will not be gainsaid, whose laws and edicts have been flaunted.

"Legolas. There are reasons for the commands which I give, and there are reasons that Dol Guldur and all the surrounding area is forbidden - I would have thought you the last who would need reminder of such. There is an evil in Moria which drove out the dwarves, one which those who are wise do not disturb. How dare you act in such a manner? You may have endangered more than yourself, but even one life lost to foolishness is far too heavy a cost."

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Legolas bows his head, staring hard at the floor. It's been a long time since he's been scolded in this way. He knows his kings laws, his commands, knows that it's always been for his safety and the safety of everyone in Mirkwood. Passing through Moria had not been his desire but that of the majority of the Fellowship. All other ways beyond were impossible or far more dangerous, Moria had been the only option.

He says none of this though, letting Thranduil lecture him. And then he gives the king a moment to calm, to let the words settle over them both. Legolas has always been faithful and obedient to his king, it was that loyalty which had inadvertently led him there.

"I did not wish to enter Moria. And it was Mithrandir who ensured that we all survived it." That's more than enough for the moment and Legolas takes a breath before raising his head to look to Thranduil.

"My king, what last do you recall before coming here?"

[woodking]

His eyes blaze - it's excuse enough, and moreover if Legolas had not wished to enter, then it was more Mithrandir's fault tan perhaps he had known. But the question, so nonsensical does it seem, is enough to delay anything further that he may say or do.

"For the third time had our feast been attacked - by a dwarf, or so it seemed. A spell of sleep had been cast upon it." As Legolas should well know.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

A dwarf. He can only remember one time that dwarves had invaded on their merry making. Three times especially. Thorin Oakenshield and his company. He does the math quickly, figuring how many years it's been. His brows furrow in thought before:

"That was more than fifty years ago."

[woodking]

Thranduil is taken aback - not exactly calm yet, after all, fifty years or more either way nonwithstanding, those areas were still forbidden. But it would, perhaps, be wise to address it. The statement is genuinely confusing.

"What do you mean?"

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

"Seventy-eight years, if I were to be exact. That was when Thorin and his company of dwarves last walked through Mirkwood and disturbed us."

This isn't something he'd lie about and, though he speaks confusingly, he clearly tries to hide nothing. He doesn't want Thranduil so angry with him but he's not going to make excuses. The truth is enough.

"Less than a year ago, Aragorn brought a creature to us. Gollum. When he escaped, you sent me to Rivendell."

[woodking]

"Thorin?" Thranduil had thought that he would have been dead, as were his father and grandfather. Apparently not. Though that did lead to unsettling questions of what he'd been doing in Mirkwood, if it had been him. Still, those questions could wait.

"If you went to Rivendell because of this creature's escape, how did you come to Moria and Lothlórien?"

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

This would be the 'fun' part. He had barely ensured that would reach his father about what he'd volunteered himself for, the quest he'd undertaken. And he knew that he'd be very displeased to hear about it.

"I must tell you something that you will not wish to hear."

That's as close as he's getting to saying: brace yourself and please don't yell at me.

"While in Rivendell, I represented our realm in a council. Details of it I am not sure I should say," Even if details will reach him regardless. "but I offered my skills in the protection of another. Our path took over over Caradhras but we could not traverse it safely. Gandalf chose to take us through Moria as an alternative."

[woodking]

Thranduil said nothing for a long minute, only stared down at his son. Finally he spoke.

"The journey was truly in need of one such as you?" He trusted Legolas, but he'd have preferred not to have him thrown into the wolf's jaws.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

"They would have died several times over had I not gone with them."

It's funny how literally that can be taken. How it had been a very real chance in the earlier days of the journey when the wargs had been attacking them. Perhaps another could have gone though, in his stead, but his had been the better eye, the better skill with a bow.

[woodking]

Yes, then. They needed him. Thranduil briefly closes his eyes and attempts to resign himself, steady himself against what this would mean.

"You know I trust you."

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

For all the seriousness of the topic, Legolas grins and tries to lighten the mood around them. He knows that his father trusts him and that's why he's confident in his choice.

"My friends will keep me safe as I do for them. And I will come home to tell you all."

[woodking]

"Then I shall pray that they be so noble as you, and nearly so dangerous. And I shall look forward to your stories when you return home to me."

It wasn't something he'd expect if he knew where Legolas was headed, the fact that he'd be home, but that he was going to Mordor was still unimaginable.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

"You would like them, I think."

Well. One of them. He might have a little trouble with Gimli at first but the dwarf is much better than his father had been. And that is speaking only of those he had been with before arriving.

[woodking]

"Then perhaps you shall introduce us, when you are able." It's a funny thing to say; he knows some of the company already, but of course is not aware that he does. Or he will know some of the company - the Dúnadan has not wandered so far as he shall, in Thranduil's time.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

"I will be glad to." At least, by then, Legolas will have several people to vouch for how trustworthy Gimli is. And that he's elf-friend, that will help a great deal. Especially if the castle ever thinks to take the dwarf as well.

[woodking]

There's a pause as he considers his son - he's heard enough that hasn't been spoken, he knows him well enough for that.

"There is nothing more you can tell me?"

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

"I am not sure how much of the future I should share."

Unless he means about his friends. That he is definitely trying to avoid explaining. After all, how do you mention that your friend is the son of one of the dwarfs that kept disturbing their parties.

[woodking]

"I did not ask for details, ionneg. But if there is nothing else, then I shall have to be content."

He was being strangely reticent, but in matters such as these, Thranduil was not going to force him to say anything. And it makes sense, but still, he wishes there was more he might know.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

"I know and if there comes a time when I think it best to share with you what I know, I will do so without a moments hesitation."

He wouldn't mention the Balrog, the death or Boromir or what it was, who it was, that he protected. That would cause more concern when none is needed.

[woodking]

There he would disagree, saying that all three of these were perfectly valid reasons for concern. But Legolas said nothing of any of them, so after a moment of looking at him, judging what he said and what he meant, Thranduil turned to continue down the hall.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Well, no cause for concern yet. At least for Thranduil. And Legolas had survived the encounters so far, he was determined to do so and to return home.

He didn't like not telling his father everything but he would. Eventually. For now though, he was content to was with him and out of the castle to the fresh air.

[woodking]

There was no return from Mordor, not really. But ignorance was, at least for the moment, bliss.

They'd been caught by two sprigs, but did not know what they were looking for, an in stepping through the doorway were caught by a third. Thranduil was becoming slightly used to the sensation, though that thought alone made him grind his teeth. He moved again towards Legolas, lips brushing against his cheek this time, before casting a slightly baleful glance over his shoulder.

"I begin to wonder if certain doorways are not the problem."

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Legolas frowned slightly as he felt the mistletoe take hold of them both. At least they can take comfort that, each time, it only compels them into harmless kisses.

"I wonder the same. It shall take us much longer to leave if we keep encountering this problem."