Wrath and ruin

It was company that Legolas craved the most. Not just any company, but someone who might understand. Not the company of Lord Elrond, or of his father, or the councillors, many of whom still saw him as a young child, despite the Prince having lived more than six times the lives of men. He had many friends with whom he could jest and train with in the practice yards, but they could not help with his duties as Regent, and he now found it awkward to be in their company when away from the yard. Was this how it felt to be a great lord and leader? Did all feel so completely alone?

Fine what needs to be done first, and do that, first. Lord Elrond's advice rung in his ears, but as Legolas sat at the desk in his solar, he had no idea where to begin. With the lists for the winter from the cellarer? Or the letter from the King of Gondor? Or the contract that had come from the men of Laketown? Legolas sighed and put his head in his hands. How did his father manage? How did any of them manage? Why did he have no idea as to what to do? Why did his father have to get hurt? Why did he feel so lonely?

"You look as if you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Legolas looked up quickly, an unexpected visitor standing in the doorway.

"Upon my arrival mere minutes ago, I asked for Lord Elrond," she said, stepping into the solar, looking like something from a dream, "But they told me he was with your father, and he was not to be disturbed. So I asked for you. They told me that you were busy. I told them that in that case, you would welcome an interruption. They asked me who I was, expecting to be allowed have free range of the Halls of the Woodland Realm. I told them…"

"Arwen Undómiel," Legolas said, cutting her off, a rue smile appearing on his face. He stood up and walked around the desk. He took her hand and kissed it. "You are most welcome."

Arwen smiled. "I hear they had no choice but to put you in charge," she teased.

Legolas wondered if she knew how lonely he had felt and how perfect her timing was. "Thankfully that also means I have rule over the kitchens. Would you like refreshments?"

"Please," Arwen said.

Legolas quickly ducked out of his solar and gave an order that cakes and drink were to be brought up for himself and Lady Arwen, and that Lord Elrond was to be informed of his daughter's arrival, if he had not been already. Legolas returned and they went and sat at the smaller table by the window. At least it was not strewn with paperwork. "You have left Rivendell in good hands, I presume," the Prince said.

"My father's steward Lindir takes command when my father is away," Arwen said, "My brothers are there also. Rivendell is much smaller than the Woodland Realm, and is in more than capable hands."

"But no less important in its role as the Last Homely House."

"Are you in need of respite?" Arwen asked, furrowing her brow ever so slightly.

"I know not what I need," Legolas sighed heavily. "I hardly know of what I do," he confessed and gave a small shake of his head.

"Everything looks to be in order from what I have seen," Arwen said kindly.

"You have been here for a whole ten minutes, if that," Legolas forced a small smile, but still felt the weight of his responsibilities on weigh on his heart.

"Yes," Arwen smiled, "And everything seems to be in order."

A jug of water, a jug of wine, goblets and a collection of sweet and savory pastries arrived. The pair ate and drank, and Legolas forced him mind away from his worries. If the Prince had ever wished for a sibling, it would have been the Lady Arwen. The two were relatively close in age for elves, and loved each other dearly, but only as siblings. If their feelings toward one another had been stronger, they would have mad a perfect match, but neither of their families had forced them into anything they did not wish. They soon fell into a pattern of light-hearted teasing and laughter as the food disappeared from the plates and the wine from the jug. An hour or more passed before Lord Elrond entered the solar.

"What a pleasant surprise," he said.

"Ada!" Arwen smiled and jumped up, embracing her father.

Lord Elrond smiled, then stepped back and looked at his daughter, still in her riding clothes with hair tangled from the wind. "You should go and bath and change, Arwen," he said, "I am sure there will be someone nearby to show you to your room."

"I can do so," Legolas offered, standing up.

"I shall be fine," Arwen said, "I have been here before, Ada."

"Very well," Elrond smiled. Arwen turned and shot Legolas a smile before disappearing from the room. "I have not seen you look as happy as you do just now as I have since I returned with your father."

"I had little reason to feel so happy, my Lord," Legolas replied. "Lady Arwen, she…"

"Understands what it is to be the child of a great Lord, and the responsibilities that come with that?"

"Did you send for her?" Legolas asked, slightly suspicious of Arwen's perfect timing.

"No. We had always planned that she would leave Rivendell four days past, and meet me either on the return journey, here in the Woodland Realm, or in the field, should we still be there."

Legolas nodded. As he did, he caught sight of the table full of papers, and felt its weight return.

"Do not let it trouble you," Lord Elrond said, noticing the sudden yet subtle change in the Prince's posture.

"But it does," Legolas admitted. "I know not how my father managed when he took the throne."

"The world was a very different place then, Legolas, and your father was almost two millennia older than you are now," Lord Elrond said. "Your father was a great captain amongst the elvish ranks. It was a tragedy that he saw his father get cut down in front of him, unable to break through the lines to get to his father's aid. Thranduil knew as he watched his father fall that he was now the King, and what that meant for his way of life. It was terribly hard on him, Legolas. After Sauron was destroyed and the orcs vanquished, there much feasting and celebration. It hurt me to see your father draw himself away from such festivities which he had so much enjoyed, in order to be alone with his grief. It took him some years to come to terms with what he had seen on the battlefield, and I do believe that your birth helped him enormously. You were something good in a world that had shown him so much bad, as you still are. In a few more weeks, you shall be able to hand back the responsibilities of the Realm."

"I still know not what…"

"There is nothing on your desk that cannot wait," Lord Elrond said, "Delegate. That it was the councillors are for. Give them something to do; do not carry it all yourself."

"I want only to do what is best, but I know not what..."

"Let not it all worry you know. Go and find Lady Arwen and her companions and your friends. Tonight, eat and be merry. Go."

"I no longer wish to be some silly, frivolous young princeling. That is how they see me."

"Who? Why?" Lord Elrond asked. "Is that how you see yourself?"

Legolas looked at the ground and did not respond.

"No one throws a party or feast quite like your father, Legolas, and none would dare call him frivolous. Go, and give yourself a night off. The Realm will still be standing in the morning."

Legolas sighed and nodded. Lord Elrond was right, as always. In a few more days, no doubt, Legolas would be able to consult his father on matters of the Realm. That thought made his feel a little better. This would not be forever, for it was not his destiny to be King, and he had a feeling that Lord Elrond knew that too. "How is my father?" he asked.

"You saw him but this morning," Lord Elrond said kindly, "You know he is much improved, but still very weak. His appetite is returning, but he still sleeps for long hours. Worry not yourself on your father now. Go. Let me not say it again!"

Legolas smiled. "I shall be in to see my father in the morning."

"Very good. But now…"

"I'm gone!" Legolas smiled as he ran from the solar.