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The Protege IV: Lord of the Forests	By : alpham31 Category: +Third Age > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 2097 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is the sole creation of JRR Tolkien. The characters in this story are, therefore, not mine, with the exception of OCs. I make no money with my writing, it is purely for pleasure.

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The Protégé IV: Lord of the Forest

CHAPTER THREE: Visitation

The noise was becoming louder by the hour. Two days had passed since the message, and he had suffered intermittent episodes of what he could only describe as extra-corporeal sensation. His mind would wander somewhere else, and that somewhere else would become the here and now. It happened to him anywhere, in bed, at breakfast… Of course, he would startle those he was with, for his eyes would change and he would become unresponsive. The episodes were short, but when he came back to himself, he would sometimes startle, for he would be holding something or be mid-stride in the garden.

And then the incessant noise. It would not stop. Sometimes it would be a low murmur but others the crescendo would make him cringe. It was fraying his nerves, making him testy and impossible to be with.

Glorfindel watched as the prince frowned into the distance. He was worried about him, and was unsure if his turns were a part and parcel of what was to come, whatever that was. He had even sought the council of Galadriel and Elrond. Both had coincided in that this was probably a natural occurrence – his communication with nature becoming more enhanced, exposing him to new sensations he still had to come to terms with. He came back to himself as he realized Legolas watched him.

“You are worried”.

“Yes, I admit I am uncomfortable not knowing if this can be considered normal, given the circumstances – I mean”, he said, flapping his arms around, “there is nothing normal about this.” Even Glorfindel, it seemed, was suffering from the frustration of being powerless.

“I believe it is, love. I think perhaps my ability is changing, heightening or even becoming something else I yet have to comprehend. What I do know, Findel, is that I am being summoned into the forest - I suspect I should be there, and then perhaps this infernal cacophony will stop.”

“You would go alone? You know it is dangerous, orcs have attacked you twice now.”

“Peace! Yes, I remember, yet I think that will not be an issue for long. The powers at work are too strong for orcs to be a problem within the boundaries of Elrond’s protected realm.”

Glorfindel picked up on the word ‘protected’ and wondered how he had known, for nobody had told him of the ring that his lord wielded.

“I will not be alone, Glorfindel, for I also believe that I should take you and the others with me, for whatever is to happen, it will happen there, in the forest, today, or maybe tomorrow.”

Glorfindel was stunned that at this turn of events, today or tomorrow? So quick, hardly any time to digest what had happened.

“Finally! When do we leave?”

Legolas smiled tenderly then. “Today, after lunch. I should speak to the lords of course.”

“Then come, prince. Let us do this thing.” He said almost joyously. To Glorfindel’s mind, there was nothing to benefit from avoiding the unavoidable. He also wanted to minimize the time that Legolas had to stew on the matter, thinking perhaps it was indeed better for him to follow his instincts on this matter, because it really was all they had.

…………………………………………………………………………………..

After breakfast, Legolas and Glorfindel went to the library where they had arranged to meet all those concerned.

Arriving, they found Elrond and Erestor talking quietly to each other.

“Ah, Legolas, we await the lords of Lorien and Mithrandir – come,” said Elrond, ushering the pair over to the semi-circle of chairs in front of a low table, a steaming pot of tea awaiting them.

Elrond visibly fidgeted, although he did try to camouflage it, although not entirely successfully, as Erestor smiled slyly at Glorfindel.

The lords arrived then, followed by Mithrandir, an expectant look on his weathered face.

As Erestor poured the tea as silence descended upon the group, and it was not until everyone had finally been served, that Legolas began his exposition.

“I have requested your presence here this morning, my lady and lords, because I believe I now know the way forward.

“Ah, at last we are rid of this damned impasse, exclaimed Celeborn, ever an elf of action.

“At first I was plagued with finding a path, trying to understand what was required of me, reading between the lines of what had already come to pass, yet that road was fruitless. It was yesterday however, after a simple, childish gesture, but that was clearer to me than if it had been said in voice - it all fell into place when Melvenion handed me a single white blossom.”

He paused then, giving his friends the chance to ask for clarification, yet he was met with expectant silence, and so he continued.

First, I believe I must enter the outlying forests and await whatever destiny has in store for me, today after lunch.”

Elrond was the first to break the surprised silence.

“Why?” was all he could manage, however.

“I think I am being summoned, that is why the noise will not stop. I think I am meant to be there, and not here, hence those strange turns when it actually seemed I was being physically transported – I just did not understand the significance of the sensation.”

“Can you fathom its meaning, Legolas? Can you tell what they say?” asked the lady.

“Nay, at least not entirely. I capture the underlying emotion of it though. This seems to be the way it will be – for the messages I receive are through sensation, emotion, not language. What I do know is that it is a summons, I have no doubt. They call to me and … to you”, he finished, casting his eyes over all of them.

Mithrandir nodded then, seemingly agreeing with the prince, for he had said as much before. The Valar did not show themselves on a whim, if they had all been present when the message was received, they were meant to be present now, it made perfect sense and he said as much.

“Then we are all meant to witness this, it seems, for your reasoning is sound, Legolas. It is logical to assume that whatever is to happen, it must be contrasted and seconded in order to have any credence for the rest of Elvendom.”

“Indeed, yet it seems so unlikely that I should be included in this lordly pilgrimage. The lords of Imladris and Lorien, Glorfindel as representative of his house, Mithrandir as the Valar’s witness, yet me? Who am I to be chosen? What have I ever done to merit this honor?” pleaded Erestor, for he truly did not understand – he was humbled yet perplexed.

“That, Erestor, is easy”, began Galadriel. “For you see, for our prince to see this through, not only in his new capacity and responsibilities, but the fulfillment of his ultimate destiny, he will need his friends, need the calm, solid presence of this loved ones, their comfort, support, their love”, she stressed, holding Erestor’s gaze steadily. Our band of brotherhood is based on lordship, yes, for we are the representatives of the principal elven realms, with the exception of Mithlond, of course. But it is also founded on empathy, a shared desire to aid our prince in his task, and by default the Valar - that evil may be finally vanquished, this is our joint task, with Legolas at the fore.”

“And we will be there - I believe I speak for all of us?” queried Mithrandir. He did not need to ask, his question was rhetorical, but Galadriel had made a rallying speech of it, one that required a pledge to form a part of this most noble of feats.

“Aye you do, Mithrandir, for I would not miss it for the world”, added Glorfindel, the others nodding in agreement, a gleam of anticipation in their ancient eyes, and in the case of Erestor, just a hint of moisture.

“Wait, you implied there was something more”, prodded Celeborn.

“Yes. After whatever is to happen in the forests, I believe I must show myself publically, manifest my ability.”

“Wha, how?” asked Glorfindel, intrigued at the possibilities.

“I will make a gift, a gift to the lord of the house and his family”, he said, holding Elrond’s intrigued expression.

“What gift”, whispered Erestor.

“That, is a surprise,” he said, smiling mischievously.

……………………………………………………..

He had been right. As soon as he settled himself in the boughs of a tree, the unbearable cacophony had ceased. He had managed to clear his mind and was now enjoying his first moments of silence for days. He closed his eyes and relaxed his body, thinking on what was to come. He had the drift of it, but it was the details, strangely, that worried him.

The lords had set themselves down a distance away. Legolas had asked them to give him solitude for now, he had insisted that whatever they may hear or see, they should not enter the glade he had chosen for himself, and no matter how much they had insisted he tell them more, he would not - and so they had set up their makeshift camp and heeded his wishes. No one spoke however, for each was lost in his own musings, and the tension and apprehension of the unknown was palpable, their racing hearts in stark contrast with the peace of the place.

Glorfindel bit into an apple and contemplated the beauty surrounding him, the crunch of it seeming overly loud to him. He was surprised at how many varieties of flowers sprang from the ground, the vibrant colours of tree and bush, shining brighter than usual to his eyes. There was a background chatter of mammals, insects and birds – the forest was teeming with the sounds of life, large and small, feathered and furry. And then he detected an underlying hum, deep and vibrating, pulsating. He wondered at that, for it unnerved him. One look around him confirmed that the others were thinking very much along the same lines, for Galadriel was looking around her in wonder, as Elrond inspected the ground and the many living things sprouting from it.

“This is – abnormal to my eye”, began Glorfindel. The variety of plant and animal species seems far outbalanced for this time of year – do you not agree?” he said hesitantly. He was not well-versed in the natural world, over and above what experience had taught him, of course, yet even he could see this was an unnatural occurrence.

“You are right, my friend. This, for example”, he said, brushing his fingers over a wild flower, “this species blooms much later, and yet this glade is blanketed in it, and this plant you see here, this grows further south and has considerable healing properties, we use it to calm irritated or burnt skin, I am almost tempted to collect it for the halls, for it is hard to come by.”

“Wait, Elrond. Do not. I am not sure we should stem the life of anything growing here. Perhaps after events have unraveled themselves. ‘Tis truly beautiful, this early garden of misplaced species, almost as if they have sprung up at our coming…” she whispered reverently, for it had been so, this woodland clearing was becoming a garden, coming to life the longer they stayed within its boundaries.

Afternoon grew into evening, and although the sounds of nature never ceased, they did change, signaling the onset of dusk, and so Glorfindel and Erestor set about lighting a small fire and collecting water, while Mithrandir wandered off and sat beneath a large tree, lighting his pipe and puffing out a cloud of heavy smoke in the shape of a perfect oak tree, smiling as it slowly dissipated.

The moon was full tonight, her blue light filtered through the boughs, dappling the floor with an unearthly collage of twinkling light. As they gathered around the comforting fire, Glorfindel produced the results of his foraging. Rabbits, already prepared for the pot, succulent white roots, herbs, nuts and berries. Erestor set about preparing the stew they would feast on, for he had a reputation as an excellent field cook.

“Do you think Legolas will join us for the repast?” asked Erestor while Glorfindel fussed over the nascent fire.

“I do not know, I hope he does, for he has been alone in there for many hours, I wonder what he does in there, alone in the dark with his thoughts”, mused Glorfindel.

“Be at peace, Glorfindel. We would know if there were ought wrong. He is well”, assured Galadriel.

Elrond looked at her – he knew she would sense it if anything went awry. And so he relaxed as much as he could under the circumstances, although he could tell Glorfindel was not at all convinced.

Thus past the time, as the meal was prepared and consumed, the elves engaging in stilted conversation. No one was concentrating, too tuned in to the events on the other side of the tree line, for something transcendental was about to happen. And so it was, that during a lull in the conversation, Elrond sat up straight of a sudden, eyes cast down to the right, listening for a repeat of what he thought he had heard.

“What was that?” he whispered.

“What was what?” asked Erestor.

“Shh, listen closely.”

And sure enough, they slowly but unequivocally began to register laughter, of children? Or maidens, perhaps. Elrond looked at Galadriel and then at the wizard, seeking confirmation that they too had heard it. They all had, for they had stopped all movement, training their sensitive ears on the source of the sounds.

As the hours passed, the laughter became louder, sometimes a childish giggling, others a deeper chuckle. A lone singer gave voice to the most stunning aria they had ever heard, bringing a tear to their eyes for the beauty of it. Later, women spoke or sang, although they could not make out the words. They even heard soft sighs and gasps, including a moan of delight which had the lords sharing a surprised glance at each other. It could have been many things, but it had sounded like someone in the throes of ecstasy. Glorfindel was reminded of the words Yavanna had said to Legolas when she had sent him the message. ‘You will make me jealous’ she had said. He wondered then, if the Vala would take her pleasure with her chosen one. Just the thought of it was getting his blood up, for to imagine his prince with Yavanna – it was simply too much, and so he put it out of his mind, storing the information for a more opportune moment, yet ask he would.

They could not sleep during what they would all later come to call their ‘silent forest vigil’, for the events that had taken place thus far were the most magical and mysterious most would ever see, and even though they had not seen with their own eyes, the experience was enough to change them forever, bond them together in eternal friendship and collusion.

It was almost dawn when the sounds changed. The laughter and singing stopped, the sounds of nature had stopped, the lack of sound was in itself an unnatural occurrence – something was happening.

Mithrandir stood then, followed by Galadriel and the others, all peering into the trees, straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of who they supposed would be Legolas. It was then that the shining began, for the background forest was lit up of a sudden, the silver-blue light growing until the trunks could no longer be distinguished. From the light, three silhouetted figures appeared.

Olorin smiled tenderly as he looked on, for he knew he was in the presence of a Vala. Galadriel stared wide-eyed, for she was beginning to make out the figure of the tall lady, Kelementari she knew - Yavanna walked the Earth.

Elrond’s eyes were round and wide, full of moisture, for the sight before him was so utterly moving, so painfully beautiful even though her face could not be fully distinguished. Glorfindel however, even in the face of the most spectacular of spiritual events, only had eyes for his prince, for the change that had come about him was nothing short of shocking.

As the prince finally materialized before them, still a distance away, the other two silhouettes hovered at the tree line. The tallest held out her arm, hailing the one moving away from her, as if handing over her king to Elvendom, into their care. They finally disappeared into the background of light, as the new lord slowly moved forwards, his figure becoming clearer, more defined.

Glorfindel’s eyes focused upon the figure of the Forest Lord. His tall, strong body, almost naked save for the ankle-length skirt he wore, had been painted green, blue, purple and white, in the patterns of the forest. He shone with unearthly brilliance, and all manner of leaves, blossoms and fruits had been weaved into his abnormally long, thick hair, creating a crown of sorts, but that was indistinguishable from his exotically twisted and braided hair. There were so many details, he had been decorated in so many ways, describing it all, seeing it all, would take days, yet the overall effect had almost brought them to their knees, and had stunned the most ancient lords upon Arda. He was beauty to behold, light that hurt the eyes, a paradigm of atavistic fertility, strength and utter other-worldliness.

Coming closer, skirt flowing behind him, Legolas watched them all, waited for he knew not, all he knew is that he was so very weary… yet no one said a word, the silence a testimony to their awe.

“Let us sit by the fire that I may speak with you.”

They silently acquiesced, moving slowly as if in a daze, sitting themselves before the crackling light, expectant, awe-struck faces trained on that of the prince.

“It is done, and I am changed”, he murmured.

“Tell us, lord”, prompted Celeborn.

“I do not know where to begin, for so much has happened, so much has been said and done, given and taken. I am now King, yet I feel no different, save for the life experience of this night. There is much to tell, ‘tis true, yet I would wait to tell you of it, for I must get it all into perspective, and allow myself to rest, for I am so very tired”, he said quietly, pleading almost.

Glorfindel held out his arms then, and Legolas did not hesitate, moving into them and allowing himself to be pulled back against his warrior’s strong chest. Glorfindel held him tight, as the others watched on, still unable to take their eyes of the newly crowned king. Elrond and Erestor moved forward, surrounding the half-reclining lord, now reaching out to touch his resplendent skin, his woven hair, his painted chest.

Relaxing into his lovers’ embrace and allowing their tentative touches to comfort him, his eyes began to wander. The world was becoming hazy, too many emotions, too much exertion, his senses overloaded – he needed calm and silence, the loving embrace of friends and lovers.

Glorfindel stroked his arms, his sides, he longed to rake his fingers through the strangely long, thick hair, yet that was impossible, it had been too intricately decorated with leaves, feathers, cones, acorns, berries, flowers and blossoms, twisted and braided into a woodland crown the likes of which they had never seen. He felt the prince relax then, allowing his body to lose its tension and sleep, anchored to the world by his three lovers. Galadriel and Celeborn silently witnessed the display of love, friendship and comfort, as they kept silent vigil over the four lords.
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The Protege IV: Lord of the Forests