Winter Tears

Chapter 7

“Glorfindel.” Elladan whined in protest as he reached the front steps of the courtyard, having finished re stinging his bow. The golden haired seneschal was reclining back on the bottom step, his face upturned into the morning sun. “It is not fair that we have to wait for him. We could have shot a thousand arrows already.” Haughtily Elladan folded his arms over his chest and glared down at where Glorfindel was seemingly ignoring him. “Glorfindel?” When no reply was forthcoming Elladan tried again but was cut short of continuing his tirade when Glorfindel sat up sharply and glared at his younger charge.

“Will you stop whining like an elfling barely passed his majority Elladan, you are giving me a headache.” At the stern chastise Elladan instantly shut up, and lowered his head to rest on his chest. Out of their two tutors, Glorfindel had always been the most patient and understanding with the twins but both elflings knew when they had pushed to far. While Glorfindel was their friend and protector, he was still the legendary balrog slayer of Gondolin, a warrior not to be annoyed. “Prince Legolas is our guest and you would do well to remember your manners when in such company.” Having chastised the elder of the two twins Glorfindel could not help himself as he glanced back cursively to the doors into the courtyard wondering when the prince would show. When Elrond had told him of Legolas’ wish to join their archery practise, Glorfindel had been dubious. The prince last night had looked hardly in health, and it was a wonder he could talk let alone sit all day watching archery.

“Yes and I wish you would stop exaggerating too brother, you have not the skill to shoot even ten arrows into their targets, let alone a thousand.” Elrohir smiled smugly at his twin from the tree under which he leant against, his bow clutched protectively against his chest as he surveyed the other students beginning to get restless. The restlessness of his students did not go missed by Glorfindel who with a final glance back at the doors into thertyartyard decided it was long enough. The prince had probably changed his mind about practice and Glorfindel had neither the time nor patients to be waiting for him. Rising from the steps Glorfindel slung his own bow and quiver over his shoulder and made towards the exit of the courtyard, his students following him.

The group had got no further than the path outside the courtyard however when Glorfindel heard his name being called, and he spun around to see the prince sprinting towards them from the open doors of the courtyard. Legolas looked almost as breathtaking as he had when Glorfindel had first met him at the ford the previous day, only now the warriors braids had been left undone and the long golden hair of the prince blew haphazardly about his face in the wind. Glorfindel did not miss the few gasps of surprise for his students as Legolas made his way to the head of the group, and came to a complete stand still in front of the lord.

“Do you not believe in punctuality in Mirkwood, youngling?” Glorfindel didn’t mean for his jest to sound as harsh at it had and he instantly regretted saying anything as Legolas looked guiltily up at him from where he was nervously playing with the clasps of his tunic.

“I am sorry my lord, I got lost there are so many corridors I did not know which one to take.” The prince paused and looked unsure of himself up at Glorfindel, who momentarily lost himself in the azure eyes of his charge. Misinterpreting the Lord’s silence as reproach, Legolas continued nervously. “And I came across Lord Erestor in one of the rooms, and he was asleep and I so wanted to thank him for taking care of me last night so I wrote him a note…”

“You entered Erestor’s study while he was asleep.” Legolas fell silent as he turned around at Elladan and Elrohir’s shocked gasps. The twin’s voices shook Glorfindel for his gaze and he too looked curiously shocked by what Leoglas had just admitted too. It was widely known that none not even Lord Elrond himself was allowed permission to enter Erestor’s study without him being consciously present, and even then invitations were rare.

“Aye, is that bad? I did not touch anything, save for the parchment and quill I used to scribe the note with. He will not be mad with me, will he? I meant only to say thank-you.” Turning from the still shocked gazes of his fellow students, Legolas turned pleadingly back to Lord Glorfindel who had a strange expression on his face, as he cocked his head to the side and silently appraised Legolas’ appearance. The prince had genuinely not understood his wrong doing and Glorfindel mused that perhaps not all of Arada had known of Erestor’s fiery temper, as the twins had often claimed.

“Nay, I am sure he will understand, but it would be well if you do not go in there again without his permission, Lord Erestor is very particular about his privacy.” Legolas nodded silently his worry replaced by a smile that seemed to melt Glorfindel from the inside out. Never had Glorfindel come across an elf that was as utterly adorable as the prince had become in his elder youth. “So come now we are late and the targets wait.” With an authoritative gesture Glorfindel turned and continued to lead the troop of students to the archery field. Purposefully Legolas dropped to the back of the group, idly trailing behind the other young elves. None made the effort to introduce themselves, and Legolas had yet to be offered to contribute to a conversation. Perhaps the elves of Imladris knew already of Thranduil’s dislike of Legolas’ friends.

It was only as they arrived at the large archery field and Legolas made to sit down beneath a tree that two identical twin brothers came to stand in front of him. Legolas recognised instantly the twin son’s of Elrond and although knowing their names had not really met them.

“I am Elladan and this is Elrohir.” Elladan smiled at Legolas he punched his younger brother in the arm, make Elrohir squeal like a she elf and causing Legolas to chuckle nervously to himself.

“It is nice to meet you. I am Legolas.” Legolas sat straighter as Elladan and Elrohir exchanged amused expressions before rolling their eyes at the prince.

“Like we don’t know who you are. Ada says you’ll be taking archery lessons with Glorfindel.” Elrohir drew an arrow from his quiver as Glorfindel called for the students to gather at the edge of the clearing, where he was setting up a make shift line. Legolas nodded in reply as Elrohir smiled and dashed off to join the other students leaving Elladan still standing next to the prince.

“We only take archery now in the autumn, while the patrols are less frequent; Glorfindel likes to keep us fit. We’ll come and sit with you during break.” With that Elladan dashed off to the gathering at the edge of the clearing and Legolas watched the young elves take their positions along the line. From where he was sitting Legolas had a perfect view of both the archers and their targets hung on the trees several yards across the other edge of the clearing. Legolas was highly interested in seeing the skill of the elves in Imladris, having himself bested most of Mirkwood’s archers twice his age.

The first volley of arrows randomly met their targets along with the grass and surrounding trees. Accuracy seemed a little lax and Legolas smirked silently to himself as he saw Elladan arguing with his brother, that it was in fact his arrow that had hit the target and not his own, which lay buried in the grass some meters short of it’s destination. Individually Glorfindel instructed his students on their techniques, correcting them where necessary before the second round of arrows were loosened. This time was better than the first; while nearly all of the arrows hit their targets most missed the inner circles by several loops. Again, and again Glorfindel re instructed his charges each of them improving with some measure until all arrows met the targets with each shoot. Legolas was impressed but had not seen outstanding talent amongst the students. The target, Legolas knew from experience was easily reached, and its clear view would have made it far too an easy challenge for Legolas had he been allowed to participate. His good hand itched to be grasping a bow and Legolas sighed heavily as he watched Glorfindel step up to the line himself, his own bow already notched with a beautifully red feathered arrow. The sight as Glorfindel lined up his shot and stretched his bow back took Legolas breath away, and the young prince stared with an open mouth as the high pitched hum of the arrow loosing for Glorfindel’s bow sung through the air. Reluctant to leave the image of Glorfindel still poised in arching position at the line Legolas drew his attention quickly down the clearing. The red feathered arrow stuck proudly in the centre of the target, only fractionally moving as it twanged to stop. When the arrow had finally stopped moving in its target, Glorfindel lowered his bow with a smile of pleasant satisfaction to his students who all clapped appreciatively.

“Now that is the arch you are aiming for. While ever the enemy is stationary at such a distance that arch should provide enough leverage to sail the arrow into the body and cause most injury.” Glorfindel paused in his speech, and turned back to his students who were muttering between themselves about their tutor’s technique. “Now we will take a short break before moving into some friendly competition I think.” With a wave of his hand the group of students dissipated about the clearing, most taking up positions under the shade of the trees while others chose to continue practising their skills. As promised the twins were quick to join Legolas beneath the shade of his tree, both of them dropping to the grass beside the prince.

“Well what do you think of our skills Legolas? Are we as good as those archers in Mirkwood?” Elrohir looked up expectantly from where he’d collapsed onto his back in the grass, daisies clinging to his tunic as he rolled over carelessly onto his front. Legolas knew better than to insult his hosts, even if the only talent he had seen had resided in a single blonde elf.

“Yes, you could compete with archers of Mirkwood although we do have some of the best, and they are rather hard to beat.” Legolas smiled warmly at Elrohir who huffed a cheeky chuckle as he threw several daisies at his brother.

“Then Elladan would not stand a chance, did you see his arrow fall at least several feet short of the target!” Elrohir chuckled heartily and although Legolas smiled in acknowledgement, did not make comment due to Elladan’s darkening glare at his brother.

“I am better with a sword Elrohir, or have you not noticed that when you were lying flat on your back, the point of my blade poised at your heart.” Elladan sat up from the grass angrily folding his arms across his chest as he glared smugly at his younger brother, who had ceased his teasing and was instead blushing furiously. “Besides they say Legolas is the best archer in all of Arada, and I am sure when he is well again will wipe the forest floor with you. Won’t you Legolas?” Elladan looked hopefully at the prince but Legolas looked sheepishly away from both twins, knowing better than to accept such flattery.

“Nay, I am not that good, I beg of you not to exaggerate my meagre talents.” Both Elladan and Elrohir scoffed heartily at Legolas’ blushing, causing the prince’s cheeks to inflame further. None in Mirkwood praised his archery skills, at least not directly to his face, even his tutors were reserved in their encouragement.

“Nonsense the rangers of the north say you are nothing short of having Gil Galahad’s skill, and that you brought down forty Orch in your first journey with the patrols.” Elrohir looked eagerly up at Legolas, waiting for hear if the rumours he’d heard in human settlement of Rohan were true.

“Elrohir! Have I not told you before about listening to such rumours?” The three elves jumped almost out of the skin as a tall shadow fell over them. Glorfindel stood staring down at the three elves, having seen the mischievous looks in the twin’s eyes, and the growing discomfort of the prince. “I am sure Prince Legolas has just as much skill as you or I at archery but there is no need for presumptuous tale telling.” Glorfindel raised a knowing eyebrow in Elrohir’s direction, the younger twin shamefully mumbling an apology in Quenya to his elder and Legolas. “Now you will both come along and join the group again, we are having a friendly competition and judging for Elladan’s woeful attempts at reaching the targets this morning, is in need of some more practice.” Groaning in protest the twins rose from the shady grass beside Legolas and disappeared into the group gathering again at the line at the edge of the clearing. Lord Glorfindel however lingered back and when both twins were out of hearing range smiled down at the prince warmly. “I hope you are enjoying the morning Leoglas? I admit my students are a little lax but they are getting tolerably better with more experience.” Legolas chuckled mildly at Glorfindel’s jest, hardly keeping his eyes on the warriors face as the blond idly massaged the neck of his bow as he spoke.

“Aye, I am thank-you for brining me along. My hands twitch to be able to take a bow again.” Glorfindel nodded understandingly as Leoglas flexed the long fingers of his good hand. Yes,Yes, I am eager myself to see your skill, your tutors speak highly of your talent but I could not bear the wrath of my Lord should I allow you to take a bow again before your arm has healed. You and I shall both have to be patient I’m afraid.” Legolas blushed a pretty shade of pink making Glorfindel chuckle to himself. “We will talk more of your lessons later, but for now come with me and make yourself useful. The twins will fight if I do not appoint an objective adjudicator in this competition, thus you must become the judge, less I never hear the last of its dubious end.” Lending his hand down to the young prince, Glorfindel helped Legolas to his feet and led the prince over to the group of archers ready for the afternoon of competition.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>