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Feud	By : narcolinde Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 27149 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Feud
www.feud.shadowess.com
by erobey, robey61@yahoo.com
Beta'd by Sarah AK; all remaining errors are my fault.

Disclaimer: The recognised characters and settings used in this fiction were created by JRR Tolkien. The words, other characters, and ideas here surrounding them belong to erobey alone. No infringement is intended or monies earned through this work.

A/N: Sarah AK's story 'Return to Mirkwood' has an absolutely stunning chapter on her Legolas/Gimli bonding ceremony that involves a little meadow and a sapling similar to this, and I am as always inspired by her views. This is different, but the idea of a fresh start from a scene of great loss is the same.

A/N: MANY MANY THANKS TO TENAR! YOU ARE THE 5000TH Reader! There will be a chapter dedicated to you as soon as I figure out how to work in the number. Thank you to everyone who has been reading all this time, it means so much to me!

Mereth Bardolel (The Homecoming Party)

Now the snow was an unexpected obstacle to Fearfaron, Gladhadithen and Lindalcon, for they had not thought to have such bitterly frigid climatic conditions arrive so soon in the season. Their plans for Legolas' bonding party were severely impinged, for they had decided to use the old overgrown clearing that had been their friend's haunt in his young years to host the celebration.

Over the course of the new couple's romantic interlude, the healer and the Councillor's apprentice had been working diligently to clean up the little glade and make it festive and inviting. All the weedy, disordered shrubs and grasses had been trimmed back or removed. The gangly saplings had each been transplanted to other sites, since they were dormant for the winter anyway. All except the little oak that Legolas had graced with his touch. This one remained, for it was growing close to the stump of the ancient beech that had been so cruelly cut down in years past. For the Wood Elves, a stripling in such close conjunction to a lost elder of the weald was called the daughter of the fallen tree, regardless if the species was different, and none would seek to displace such rejuvenation.

Gladhadithen understood some of the vale's history and significance to the archer but did not realise what had ultimately transpired there. She only comprehended that this was one of the Tawarwaith's refuges and that more than any other place it had served for a home. Indeed, in one of the trees ringing the meadow's margins was a painfully cramped and simple talan, with absolutely no comforts of any kind other than a dilapidated awning that had disintegrated as soon as it was unfurled. The healer dragged Fearfaron to the spot and he absolutely cringed to see the poor quality of this abode's construction.

"This was before I taught him about wood and structure," he had asserted defensively, concerned Gladhadithen might imagine he had helped Legolas craft this deplorable bit of rotting, twisted branches bound together with rope and wedged within the crux of the tall tree's divided trunk.

The healer and Lindalcon had both laughed at that and were pleased to see the carpenter become interested in their efforts. The Spirit Hunter had been decidedly morose and taciturn ever since he found out that the two had arranged for Legolas and Erestor to spend four nights in the bonding talan. The three had argued stridently that first night, for Fearfaron had been awaiting Legolas' return, thinking the Noldo only wished to make peace with the Tawarwaith for contributing so greatly to his distress and anguish. Fearfaron was convinced his ion edwen (second son) was too vulnerable to exercise good judgement when deciding with whom to share his body while the foreign elf had already admitted he was unable to act honourably and refrain from satisfying his urges at Legolas' expense.

Gladhadithen countered that she had seen more of the seneschal's true nature than had the carpenter and disclosed the events that took place in the stables.

As far as Lindalcon was concerned, he was convinced this liaison was the perfect solution to Legolas' troubling dreams. He had been next to the archer when the Noldo stepped between them and Thranduil's wrath, and that action was enough to overrule any doubts he might have entertained. Only someone devoted to his heart-brother would court the King's rage so blatantly, especially when Erestor was already in a precarious position as a trespassing spy. Hearing of the sound punishment the Imladrian had administered to the deceitful guardsman underscored the young elf's decision to support Legolas' choice any way he could.

"We are going to provide Legolas this short reprieve from sorrow. Has he not earned it?" he defiantly interrupted the carpenter's ongoing tirade against the healer's lack of wisdom.

This had silenced Fearfaron momentarily. While he still had misgivings, what Lindalcon said was true and the youth's only desire was the same as his own: to accord Legolas some measure of happiness.

"Of course he has!" the carpenter retorted. "But have you figured out what we are to do when the Noldo leaves him, Lindalcon? Have you an answer for that?" Fearfaron could not help bring this, his greatest dread, to the fore.

"Nay, I do not," Lindalcon frowned as he spoke and sighed. "Yet perhaps that will not happen. The seneschal does not wear any rings on his hands, have you not noticed this? If he is bound to someone else then why does he not bear the proper signs?"

"Who can say? They are Noldor; I know not what customs are practised among them."

"Well Aragorn says his mates are not Noldor, they are silvan elves of the Galadhrim. They would demand such outward tokens of his fidelity."

"From what I have overheard between the Grey wizard and the Brown, the Noldo does not include this concept within his set of values."

"We cannot hope to judge his character prior to our meeting him here and observing his manner toward Legolas. In this I have no reservations; Erestor has put aside his interests to aid our Tawarwaith. It is likely he will even face banishment as a traitor to his Realm for what he does now. The situation with these other mates will have to be sorted out between the three of them later," Gladhadithen had interjected her thoughts.

"Sorted out?" Fearfaron nearly shouted.

"Aye, that is between Erestor and those Lorien elves to decide. We need not concern ourselves with that just now."

"Yet we all may guess how this will end for Legolas. Why would the seneschal abandon an arrangement he has found satisfactory for several centuries?"

"He may not have to do so. Mayhap they will not object."

"Mayhap! Perhaps! It is Legolas' feä that is in the balance with those tenuous hopes!" the furious father fumed.

"There is Mithrandir as well. He will not let Legolas succumb to grief; he has sworn it," Lindalcon reminded.

"Ai! The wizard's claim! Legolas has got tangled up in an unsolvable riddle," mourned Fearfaron.

"You are ranting over facts, mellon vrûn (old friend), and while your worries are understandable they do not serve to clarifying the archer's dilemma," the healer responded with compassion. She realised the carpenter only wished he had somehow been able to prevent the train of events that had brought his adopted child to such a convoluted impasse.

For several minutes the three were silent while Fearfaron assimilated these words. As he searched his heart he had to admit he was pleased that Legolas had freely chosen an elf, even if that selection was a foreign Lord of dubious reputation. This was a level of independence the carpenter had thought removed from his foster-son once Mithrandir's infusion of vital substance had been accomplished. Still, the wild warrior's predicament was definitely more irregular than any he had ever heard recounted.

"Why must it be so complex; Legolas needs stability and permanence, a lover who will be constant," he sighed.

"Fearfaron, you have given him stability and continuity; he needs a mate for something rather less abstract!" laughed Gladhadithen.

"Can they even bond under these conditions? They hardly know each other," he listed his second qualifying apprehension. "Legolas does not begin to understand what is involved in such things."

"Do not expect us to heed these ridiculous statements! He most certainly is aware of the traditions of our people, more than most in some respects," she railed back.

"Nay, he thinks he is bound to Malthen and even you cannot deny that!" Fearfaron's voice was raised and he turned from the healer, intending to leave the clearing and have no part of their plans. "This can only lead to more heartache for Legolas. You are both wrong to encourage it."

"I do refute it! He realises he does not belong to the corpsman. After the hearing closed, did he wish to speak with Maltahondo or even ask me what had happened to him? Nay, his eyes were for Erestor only," said Gladhadithen gently. "If he returns to us and senses your anger that will only serve to exacerbate the insecurity he must feel. Should he turn from the Noldo now, whence shall he go? To Mithrandir?"

That struck a sore spot, as the healer knew it would, and the carpenter halted, shaking his head, arms folded tightly around his chest.

"Legolas is willing to take this risk to his heart and after all it is his. There is nothing you can do to alter that. Will you support him or oppose him?" she pressed.

"Such a simple thing, Fearfaron, and it will give him so much joy! He wants Erestor and the Noldo cares for him; is this so terrible?" Lindalcon had heard enough of the bickering. "We are going to treat them as if they had spent a year in courtship, pretend the required gifts have been presented to one another, act as if Erestor formally petitioned you for the opportunity to win Legolas' heart. We will throw them the traditional Bardolel Mereth (Homecoming Party) when the bonding is done, and if you do not help it will hurt Legolas more than I care to think about!"

That last notion had been the critical element for Fearfaron. He would approve no activity that would cause his adopted child pain if he could knowingly prevent it. And there was likewise nothing he would not attempt if its accomplishment would lessen Legolas' burden of grief and grant instead peaceful contentment. The carpenter heaved a deep lungful of disconsolation and blew back out a rather noisy capitulating sough, adding a curt nod of his head in the healer's direction.

"That has to go," he stated, vision locking on the crude shelter high in the branches above them.

Lindalcon flashed Gladhadithen a smile, the healer gave the carpenter's arm an encouraging squeeze, and the trio set to work on the lowly thicket that moment under the faltering twinkle of the cloud-hazed stars.

By the following dawn, Fearfaron had enlisted the aid of two elves in building a suitable domicile for Legolas and as soon as word spread that the Tawarwaith would be settling in the glen with his new mate, donations of all sorts of materials and supplies began to accumulate. Everything, from linens and bedding to dishes and a wrought iron brazier for warmth, was brought forth by smiling elves eager to do what they could to make life easier for the former outcast. Furs and rugs, netting for steamy summer nights and rich silk velvet curtains to enclose the bed during winter's onslaught, tables and seats, a diminutive settee upholstered in red satin and embroidered with forest scenes in gold, pillows and pots.

Indeed, any item required to ensure a proper domestic environment found its way to the weedy meadow. Every bit of it came from someone's home or workroom and the generosity of the silvans was overwhelming. It was clear none of the folk of the woods believed their Tirno should endure further hardship or banishment.

Of course as excitement over the activity grew news of the goings on reached Aragorn, Aiwendil, and Mithrandir. Just past midday the three had marched down to the coomb, easily finding the locale due to the virtually continuous flow of elves coming and going, carrying and fetching. There they had stared at the spectacle of Gladhadithen ordering the renovation's progress more like a captain of the guard than a healer as Lindalcon directed the deployment of the ever-increasing stash of goods and resources. As soon as he had sighted the human and the wizards, he called out hoping to enlist their aid.

"Aragorn! What took you three so long? We have little time and much to do," he laughed at their mystified expressions as they looked around at the bustling bodies, busy hands, and laughing faces of the elves employed in the labour.

"What is all this? A day ago the Wood Elves openly condemned Legolas for his 'indiscretions' with foreign elves and now everyone wants to behave as though none of that unpleasantness transpired," fussed Gandalf gruffly as his fiery eyes nearly disappeared beneath his furrowed brows.

Each and every elf ceased what they were doing and turned to the Istar, their eyes serious and remorseful as they regarded him.

"We were wrong to doubt Legolas," one elleth spoke up contritely.

"And some of us never did," another elf added firmly.

"Consider this undertaking our attempt at restitution, meagre though it may be," a Sinda warrior added quietly.

"Meagre indeed," mumbled the Grey Pilgrim, as he sent a smouldering glare at the carpenter high in the boughs above their heads. "You approve of this farce, Fearfaron?"

"Our intent is not false!" sang out a petite silvan inu before the carpenter could reply. She wiped her soil-grimed hands against her apron, converged upon the wizard's position, and stared up into his menacing glower with cool resolve. It was none other than Ben'waith, Meril's confidante on the palace staff. "We are here to offer whatever assistance we can to ensure a cosy sanctuary for Legolas and his mate. It is not enough to undo the wrongs of the past, but it is a start."

"Absolutely appropriate and I heartily agree with you!" exclaimed Radagast and rubbed his hands together gleefully. "What do you need us to do?"

With that endorsement the work details resumed their tasks and the dale filled with the murmur of voices, the slice of scythes cutting grass and trimming shrubs, the dull concussion of spades digging under roots. From the limbs above the rasping grate of saws and planes shaping wood blended with the clackering thump of hammers and the soft singing of the Spirit Hunter. The Brown Wizard took from Ben'waith a list of items known to be dear to Legolas that had been packed away upon his exile. Aiwendil scuttled off to the stronghold to retrieve these objects, calling for Mithrandir and the mortal to join him.

Gandalf and Aragorn exchanged gloomy glances, feeling it was perhaps premature to plan such festivities with the Judgement yet to be rescinded, but then the Man shrugged and allowed the jubilant atmosphere to sink into his soul as a smile broke out on his features.

"I think it is useless to defy them, Gandalf; we may as well do our part." He gave the wizard an encouraging slap on the back and followed Radagast out of the croft.

The Istar sighed and peered one last time into Gladhadithen's challenging countenance before relenting. Really, he had little to complain of other than the fickleness of the forest citizens.

During the first night of the Tawarwaith's bonding, the wizard had faced his hidden attraction for the archer and admitted to Aiwendil that his motives for assisting Legolas had in part involved the desire to create a reciprocal attachment in the outcast elf. Aragorn and Radagast had pointed out the selfishness of the Maia's designs and the necessity for concealing these unrequited cravings from Legolas' discovery. Neither of his friends, however, had been aware of how far across the boundaries of decency the wizard had gone, for he had used his link with Legolas to invade the privacy of the nascent couple's most intimate moments early in the night. Gandalf had taken himself to the base of the oak tree that held the lovers' nest and there indulged his newly awakened lust.

Erestor's efforts to lift Legolas from his state of grief and despair, to free him from the hold of Maltahondo's false love, had thoroughly shamed the Istar. Though both the human and the wizard had harboured strong reservations concerning Erestor's fitness as a mate for the Tawarwaith, Mithrandir could not doubt the seneschal's sincerity any longer. When the pair had lapsed into exhausted sleep midway through the evening, the wizard had closed his connection to the wild elf's mind, ensuring the sacramental secrecy of the moment of bonding, and determined never to abuse the archer's trust again.
And I shall have to instruct Legolas in the means to prevent others from voyeurism of this nature.

His thinking had been of Elrond, gifted in mind-speak, learning of the outcast's new talent and manipulating it for his own pleasure. But the disturbing remnant of a salty sea breeze had wafted through the wizard's consciousness almost the next instant. Mithrandir did not like how easily he had gained admittance to the wild elf's brain. It was obvious the Tawarwaith's affinity with the Spirit of the Greenwood gave him a natural ability in this area of which he was not even aware. Additionally, it had probably never occurred to Legolas that anyone would be interested in exploring what went on in his mind. Nor had that idea entered my thoughts until now.

Resolved to address the issue at the first opportunity, the Maia had gathered his wits, cleaned himself up, and returned to the stronghold and the consolation of non-judgemental succour from his friends. He had explained to the Man and the Maia what Erestor was attempting to do and they had both pledged to back the seneschal's efforts unfailingly, even to the point of convincing Legolas to leave the Greenwood and abide in Lorien if the Judgement was lifted. None of them had considered that the Wood Elves would turn out to be so considerate or willing to try and make the wild elf feel welcome among them.

With a bemused shake of his head, Gandalf's features had at last creased up in a pleased smile as he had exited the glen to assist Aragorn and his fellow wizard in their assigned chore. That had been sunrise of the day Elladan and Elrohir, Orophin and Dambethnîn had left Lorien for Imladris.

By the frosty dawn of the fourth day, as Celeborn and his entourage galloped toward the Forest Gate, while the twins were overcome with sick despair for the depth of their father's obsession, in the Greenwood all was ready for the Tawarwaith and his soul's companion to commence their eternally united futures. Lindalcon, the healer, and the carpenter stood at the entrance to the reclaimed dell, wrapped up in thick fur-lined cloaks to keep the snow from saturating them in sub-zero dampness.

"Bloody Vairë!" hissed Lindalcon.

"I am rather tired of folks blaming her for every single thing that goes wrong," grumped Gladhadithen. "What has fate to do with the weather? Has it never occurred to you that just as Mithrandir was sent here to aid us, so some of Melkor's lesser disciples remain to plague Arda in things both great and small?"

"Indeed, I had never thought of it quite that way," admitted Fearfaron with a sharp laugh.

"Well, then, Angband take the devils perverting the works of Ulmo and Manwë this day!" the young elf amended his curse.

"Never mind, we can yet salvage the festivities," encouraged the carpenter. "Lindalcon, you make sure that our newly bonded couple is distracted. I will see Legolas first and then while he is headed back to the nest, you will escort the Noldo to me. No doubt they are both stewing over what I will say to Erestor," Fearfaron chuckled smugly.

Lindalcon's mouth split in a huge grin. "Ah, that might present a problem. You see, I discovered Legolas' clothes at the bottom of the tree and…"

"You were in the maze?" Gladhadithen sounded appalled.

"His clothes? All of them?" parroted the carpenter, smiling as his scandalised mind presented vivid images of why and how the garments were discarded.

"And the seneschal's boots, too," Lindalcon shrugged as he chortled over his prank. "I have everything stowed away safe and snug in the trunk up there." He pointed to the talan, secure from the elements beneath its watertight awnings and closely drawn curtains.

"Why leave the boots?" wondered Gladhadithen aloud.

"It is of no concern; we can embarrass them by insisting on an explanation once everyone has arrived and the party is going well," Fearfaron answered. "This joke of yours will neatly fit into our plans. I am confident Legolas will leave the nest first in order to forage for clothing from his room in my talan. I will keep him busy so you can take the seneschal something to wear and a cloak and guide him out of the maze," he appointed this duty to the young councillor in training.

"Gladhadithen, you are to intercept our Tawarwaith on his way back and while I make the Noldo squirm for a few minutes, you explain to Legolas that Lindalcon will bring his mate along in due time. Encourage him to bathe and relax, and make sure there is sufficient heat at the baths!"

"Right, and that they are unoccupied as well," she giggled, "for, if our pair are like other new couples, the lovers may require more than one dousing!"

"While they are both getting all freshened up, Mithrandir, Aiwendil, and Aragorn can light bonfires to ward off the cold here," continued the carpenter.

"Fearfaron and I will put up some canopies to keep the snow out of the food," Lindalcon volunteered.

"And then Ben'waith and I will begin setting out the banquet," the healer concluded their plotting.

"Excellent! Actually, this will not be so bad at all; the snow is rather lovely," beamed the delighted foster-father. Once he had got over his worries for Legolas' wellbeing and decided to make the best of it, he found he was quite enjoying the role of the proud parent again. Not since Annaldír's bonding over two thousand years ago had he partaken in such an enjoyable enterprise. He gazed wistfully at the talan he had rushed to build. "You do not suppose he suspects any of this, do you? And is the home large enough for them?"

"How would he ever imagine all this was going on?" the healer reassured and gave the Spirit Hunter a quick hug.

"Aye, and Legolas is a warrior, not one for elaborate dwellings," reminded Lindalcon. "That is more space than he is used to now, I am certain. And there are just the two of them anyway; how much room do they need?"

Fearfaron sighed blissfully and smiled at his cohorts. In silent accord they parted to attend their various jobs, leaving the glade to be transformed in the quiet of the falling snow.

Continued.

Reviews:

Ash: thank you for the review! Yes all the little details need to be hammered out between these two. Really has not been that long that they have known each other.

Tenar: Oh this is great! I am so happy the 5000th reader does not mind being recognised! And thank you also for the kind comments, especially regarding Legolas' little brother and sister. The story took a definite turn there, as did Legolas.

Shifty: thank you for all these kind praises! And I do apologise for the slower updates lately. I am trying to get back up to speed but it is difficult. I think now that whatever Legolas must endure before the end, his relationship with Erestor will carry him through. This will be the stability he has needed all his life, and the love he has never had. Now, all you ideas are wonderful but I cannot promise any of that LOL!

Except the massive showdown, that looms upon the horizon like a great storm front. Meril will squirm, but don't forget anything that happens to her will affect the little ones adversely. At this age they need her for strength to grow. And as a mother she is not all bad, Lindalcon turned out ok. Elrond is going to suffer and yet he will still try to shift blame and take what is not his, and he will be punished but finally have an opportunity to redeem himself when all is said and done. Thank you so much for putting all this in the review!
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Feud