Chapter Text
FIC: The Road to Ithilien P1
Authors: Beth & Minnie
Disclaimer: They do not belong to us, but we are working on it!
A/N: Another in our series of Gimli/Legolas POV stories this one set mainly in Ithilien as Legolas starts to set up his colony.
A light breeze causes the pennant that my standard bearer carries to flutter, showing off the new emblem of my house, nine green and silver ivy leaves on a white background.
I cannot help but smile at the sight, my own emblem, for my own demesne. Now I am a prince not only of Eryn Lasgalen but also a Prince of Ithilien, having accepted the title from King Elessar when he requested that the elves of Greenwood would help to heal the lands of the Moon where much damage has been done by Sauron and his minions.
When Aragorn had first requested our help, I had, had little thought that I would do anything more than offer to ask my father for his permission to stay in the south and supervise the work of renewal as my father’s representative. It came as a huge surprise when Aragorn announced he wished to offer the land to me for my own and also intended to show his appreciation for all my support in the war by making me a Prince of Gondor just as he had Faramir.
What was perhaps even more surprising was that my father had been in favour of what was being suggested for Aragorn had apparently written to the king to ask his opinion over his proposal long before he mentioned it to me. Thranduil, Aragorn told me, had decided it would be a good learning experience for his child as well as a suitable reward for my efforts during the quest and beyond. I was rather happier about the latter reason for acceptance than the former; I am rather tired of ‘learning’.
The area of land we will settle in is on the eastern side of the Anduin north of Cair Andros at the junction of the river near the field of Cormallen between Nindalf and Nonman-lands. From there we can strike out north or south, as we are needed to help heal the land. The forests still stand proudly here although much damage was done to them by the evil that seeped through the earth from Mordor.
The main settlement it was agreed would be north of Emyn Arnen, where Faramir and Eowyn are building their new house, a very beautiful manor of warm stone and slate roofs. I like what I have seen of their plans although I have very different ideas for my own new home. I am determined that no longer will elves be forced to live within stone walls, or even beneath the earth in the great fortress that is my father’s home. I have long yearned for a return to a simpler life, one that my Silvan mother had enjoyed. I envisage my new home being made up of Telain and flet set high up in the trees rather than the cottages and houses on or even under the ground that have been necessary through much of the Third Age to ensure our safety and survival.
One of the reasons I have chosen that particular site for my new home is the trees, great sturdy birches that have somehow weathered all that Sauron and the might of Mordor has thrown at them, birches that had hummed with contentment when first I stepped into the centre of the glade where they grew. Gimli has approved of the site as well, pointing out the close proximity to clean water and open grassland for the horses and even hopefully for some cultivation so that the colony will be almost fully self sufficient. Gimli has also taken great interest in the stone that litters the area. The remains of settlements that have been abandoned since Sauron settled in Mordor. It is good stone, my friend has pronounced, and well chosen by the builders of earlier ages. I was more interested in introducing myself to the trees at the time so just nodded idly, wondering anew just what it was that made the dwarf so excited about lifeless ‘stone’.
There are some things that even now I do not understand about my friend Gimli Gloinson one being his abiding love of rock and stone.
It has been some time since I have seen my friend for Gimli has been busy working on the Great Gates of the White City, and I have been caught up in plans for my new colony. Now I am on my way to meet with my friend and his mother and then to escort them on a visit to the area where my settlement in the forests of Ithilien will be built.
I look up as we pass through the remains of the forts that had guarded the Ramas Echor, which encircled the Pelennor Fields. In the distance just over four leagues or so Minas Tirith rises out of the plains, shimmering in the heat, looking very different now from my first sight of it during the battle of the Pelennor.
“Shall I send a messenger ahead to announce our arrival?” Galathil asks
I shake my head, “No, I do not wish to make myself look any more foolish than I already do. Why you thought it necessary to saddle me with an escort I will never know.”
Captain Galathil, my newly appointed guard captain merely smiles at this complaint. Having heard me repeat it for the last three days since I announced my intention of riding unaccompanied to the city of men and he pointed out very swiftly that my new position as Prince of Ithilien required me to accept a certain level of proper pomp and ceremony which included a ‘proper’ guard detail. The Mortals will expect it he had urged and not only that since we would be escorting Lord Gimli and Lady Vonild back to the new settlement a guard was a necessity for my foster mother’s safety would be my concern and my responsibility.
Galathil knows better than to gloat but I know inwardly he is grinning since he knows I know he is right! There is a great deal more to think about now, than there was when I was just another Captain in my Adar’s warrior brigades, as I am just beginning to realize.
The sound of silver trumpets rings out as we approach the new gates, my own fanfare, one I entitled to as a Prince of Ithilien and liegeman of the King of Gondor. I wish I could just slip in quietly as I used to but that is now impossible since the guard on the gates has orders to sound the fanfare whenever I enter the city. I will have to try and come up with something equally as irritating for when Aragorn comes calling in Ithilien for I am sure he is responsible for all this foolishness.
I am likely to have some time to think of some way of getting my revenge since I am going to be staying in the city until Gimli has finished his work on the Great Gates and from what I can see of them as we ride through there is still some considerable work to be done on them.
Gimli is a perfectionist and rightly proud of his craft, he takes great care in all he does and has very strong opinions on what is necessary. I know that he and Aragorn disagreed over the amount and strength of the steel work needed for the gates. Gimli’s argument won the day of course, if he believes he is in the right and that what he proposes is for the best, he will not allow anyone to overrule his judgment, whoever they might be, which Aragorn found to his cost when he tried to get Gimli to make changes to his plans for the gate.
I can picture the dwarf now growling at Aragorn and poking him in the chest as he lectured him on his foolishness. ‘Now listen to me laddie, if I was foolish enough to allow you to persuade me to make the changes you are suggesting, and then some new evil arose and they broke through these gates because they were not strong enough, I couldn’a live with myself. What I do is for your benefit for your safety aye and that of your wife, and I willn’a allow you to put yourself or your kin at risk. You can be sure I know what is best, leave it to me.’
And so it seems he has for the amount of steelwork being prepared in the smithies on the first level and the sound of the hammers is testimony to our dwarf’s intentions. So, it seems my visit is likely to be a lengthy one, which I do not object to as it will be some time yet before the elves who are coming south from Eryn Lasgalen will reach Ithilien. I had a missive from my father only a week ago telling me he is sending supplies and equipment to help me in the founding of my new home. It will be several weeks I suspect before they get here for they will be moving slowly if wains and pack animals are being used. Ada did not specify what he was sending but I do not doubt that whatever he sends will be useful, we have little enough at the present time. Not that that is a problem, those of us already in Ithilien are accustomed to camp life, most of us having been warriors or foresters. I was initially dismayed that Adar insisted on sending a warrior patrol to me, but I can see the sense of it now, for although much of the evil spawned by Sauron has been cleansed, there are still pockets of resistance and a need for security while we build our new home.
This issue of comfort and security comes home to me as I am summoned after dinner to sit with Arwen. I can tell from her expression that she is less than pleased with me yet search my mind as I can, I can think of no reason for her to be. I arrived on time for dinner, appropriately dressed and have as far as I know not done anything as of yet to annoy my hosts or Gimli and his Naneth.
I throw a beseeching glance in Gimli’s direction; he and Aragorn are going off to look at some designs Gimli is drawing up for a house somewhere. I am not truth to tell all that interested in such things but I would sooner be with them than with a fractious Arwen. Gimli however waves me off telling me to go and keep the Queen company for awhile. There is no sign of his mother, whose kindness towards me I am sure would have led her to offer me support at this unexpected ordeal but Lady Vonild is off somewhere with Mistress Hild, a widow from Rohan who chose to remain in Gondor after the war. We met at dinner and it was plain she and my foster mother get on well together, for they are both plain talking and do not suffer fools gladly. Mistress Hild is going to live at Emyn Arnen with Faramir and Eowyn apparently but for now she is following Eowyn’s example and learning something of the healing arts.
“Tithen Las”
Arwen raises her hand and pats the space next to her on the couch and since there is nothing else for it I go and perch at her side.
She immediately begins to question me over the arrangements I have made to accommodate the visit to my new home of my foster mother. Truthfully, I have not really given much thought to it, an answer Arwen is not at all happy with.
“Well you should have done so. She is no elf,” She snaps at me rapping my knuckles with her fan.
I resist the urge to sigh at this comment; of course I know Vonild is not an elf! She is a dwarven matron and a formidable one at that and would not thank us for suggesting she was not capable of dealing with a few minor inconveniences. I would have done better to hold my tongue of course but could not resist pointing out that Lady Vonild seemed very happy travelling with us to Aglarond last year for Dorbryn’s wedding and that she never complained.
Arwen snorts derisively, “Of course she did not, for you were travelling and she was not a lone female. She had her daughter with her and Lord Gloin and Gimli. When she goes with you to Ithilien, she will be on her own, you told me yourself that as of yet only a very few of your kin have come south and not an elleth amongst them I suspect, am I correct?”
I shrug but am given no opportunity to reply because Arwen is well into her stride now
“What is more the nights in Ithilien at this season can be very cold, and the days wet, while such inconveniences may have little effect on you, Vonild will prefer proper shelter from the elements and some privacy as well. You cannot have been expecting her to bathe in the river surely?”
She can tell from my expression that I had been thinking just that, and I find myself turning red under Arwen’s exasperated scrutiny. It is another reminder to me that there is a great deal to be thought of in my new position as leader of the colony in Ithilien. I am not happy about the fact that I am showing my inexperience so badly and do not react well when Arwen snaps at me.
“Ai, males, you never see anything that is not at the end of your noses, and sometimes not even then. Lady Vonild is a redoubtable female, and she will make no criticism of you or your lack of thoughtfulness I suspect for she is entirely too fond of you. But it will not do Thranduilion. Fortunately for you, I have thought about what would be needful, and have made arrangements for my own travelling pavilion to be placed at Vonild’s disposal. Mistress Hild has indicated that she is happy to accompany Vonild to Ithilien and offer her company and support if you will undertake to escort her in turn to Emyn Arnen at the end of the visit.”
“Thank you” I mumble I hesitate to add more, for I am grateful for this help but dismayed at the need for it. I know I should have thought of these things and I am angry with myself that I did not.
Arwen unaware of my thoughts pats my hand and smiles “Do not look so dismayed Tithen Las, no one expects you to think of everything this is a time of learning for you, and remember that there are others who will be more than willing to help you. You only need ask.”
But that is what I do not want to have to do; I want to prove to them and myself that I am capable of doing this task.
xxxx
One month more. That is the time I estimate it will take for the Great Gate to be complete and then I will move on for a time, leaving others to work on repairing the other gates on all the other levels of the city. The White City has been designed to withstand an invasion with a gate on each of the seven levels of the city, all staggered to make capture by enemy forces more difficult. They all have some degree of damage, but nothing like the destruction of the Great Gate. The main gate faces eastward toward Pelennor Fields and the Anduin and the old gate was all but completely annihilated during the war. My crews have been working from dawn til dusk for months on replacing the old iron and steel gate with a brand new one made entirely of steel and mithril. Aragorn believes it an unnecessary extravagance to use mithril in the gate, as it is a priceless commodity since the Kingdom of Khazad-dûm was destroyed, cutting off all new production of the metal.
He is right, it is extravagant and yet I have reminded him that having placed me in charge of this project, I will see it done right. Mithril is stronger even than the tempered steel we are also using in the construction of the new gates. I am satisfied that no unknown evil that may arise in future will be able to break through this gate. Of course it is a boon that it will be beautiful as well as being impenetrable, for mithril when finished correctly will gleam just like polished glass. Three weeks should have the structure finished, and then the detail work of polishing and smoothing will take one more week beyond that, and then I will be ready to move on to my next project of helping Legolas get started in his new home.
Faramir has already been given the Princedom of Ithilien and installed himself and his household in the hills of Emyn-Arnen where Eowyn has begun her campaign to restore Ithilien back to its former beauty. Aragorn has very generously offered Legolas a portion of the land there and he has agreed in turn to welcome a colony of elves from Eryn Lasgalen, who will over time build gardens and tend the trees there and return this place back to its former glory, for it was once called the Garden of Gondor, and was known far and wide as one the most beautiful places in Middle Earth. I have seen the site he has chosen to settle and build, and I am very satisfied, for even now after so much destruction has been wreaked across the area, there are great groves of ash, bay, cedar, juniper and even olive trees. The very air itself is still fragrant with the scent of hyacinths and wild roses and bunches of marjoram, parsley, sage, and thyme can be found all about. Plus the stone leftover from past settlements is abundant and of good quality and will make fine material to get the new building work underway.
I could not be more pleased for my friend, for he will be quite happy in such a rich land and if he is willing to accept help and advice from those with some experience, he will certainly thrive there as well. It is a fitting reward for all he has done over many, many years fighting the shadow that encroached on all of us. He is still considered quite young by the standards of his people, something that is easy to see when you get to know him as I have, and there were many times during the war that I felt a great deal of sadness over the fact that dark times required such like ones to fight before their time. But now I can be wholly joyful, for those times are behind us for good and we can look forward to peace and security. This land and this project will be a real balm to my elfling and will serve as a distraction from the sea longing that I realize he has been afflicted with. After telling me about it initially, he has never spoken of it again, but I am aware that it is not something that will go away. I am selfish enough to hope he will choose to sail when I am nearly ready to leave this world, though of course I would never ask it of him.
I must turn my mind away from such dark thoughts and instead think about the nearer future, when I will reveal the plans I have spent my evenings and spare moments drawing out for the home that we will begin construction on when we return to Ithilien. It is designed to take advantage of the materials that are readily available and that can be a hauled into the area and offers every possible convenience anyone could want including grand tubs that can be filled with heated water, and an irrigation system that can be operated with one hand for all three of the sizable courtyard gardens. I look forward to his reaction, though I will keep it as a surprise for when we arrive. I have not kept them entirely to myself, for my mother is with me and she has made it her business to know what has kept me so occupied that I have not been able, as she says, to show her around the city properly.
Having made the trip from Erebor to Eryn Las Galen and the Glittering Caves, my mother now considers herself a seasoned traveler, never mind that until now it has been unheard of for dwarven womenfolk to be seen outside unless for absolutely necessary reasons. Truth be told, I think Lady Vonild enjoys scandalizing folks with her new found modern ways. Having already shocked everyone by breaking with tradition and publicly declaring Legolas as not only dwarf kin, but as a sworn son to her own clan, she now considers herself quite the trendsetter. And I say why shouldn’t she enjoy herself in her old age? As she says we are in a new age now and we must keep up with the times.
She insisted on seeing the White City and Ithilien, when she heard of my plans to travel there and truthfully it has been mostly pleasant having her along, except that she became a bit perturbed that I hadn’t shown her the sights of Minas Tirith. When I explained the reasons I had been busy in the evenings, she frowned and warned me that I mustn’t make too many plans without talking with the elfling first and muttered to herself about the presumptuousness of the male species. It was then that I decided she needed someone other than myself to keep her company. The Queen suggested Mistress Hild, a widow from Rohan, and they have hit it off famously, spending their days shopping and sightseeing and their evenings gossiping and drinking ale or wine in Mam’s chambers or even sometimes with the Queen herself.
My only concern about having my mother along is that I knew when we arrived in Ithilien living arrangements would be less than ideal and we would be living in primitive conditions for an extended period of time. Though I am certain she wouldn’t complain, she isn’t used to dealing with the elements and she’s not as young as she used to be, and her being the lone female in our company created a few challenges as well.
When I told Arwen of my concerns, she pointed out that Legolas, as our host, should have made some sort of arrangement for her. She became quite incensed at the thought that he most likely hadn’t even thought of it. Probably she is right, but as I told her, if he hadn’t thought of such, it wasn’t because he was unconcerned or uncaring, but just that he was inexperienced in such matters. Instead of placating her, this seemed to irritate her even more and she declared that she would make sure he gained experience in a hurry for she intended to see that he fully understood what is required of him as a host for he will undoubtedly come across such situations again as he is sure to have plenty of guests in future. So the poor lad is about to be thrown in at the deep end it seems, and he is already in the Queen’s black books before even setting foot in the city.
Though I do not envy him his meeting with Arwen, I will say that I am quite anxious for Legolas’ arrival, as it has been nearly a year since we were together last, and I admit I have missed him sorely. There was a time when I would never have admitted to such a thing, but now there is no use hiding it, for our friendship has become widely known ever since the war ended. For a long time we received curious stares everywhere we were seen together but now, for the most part, folks don’t even bat an eye. Of course there are those among our people on both sides who find it offensive that we choose to keep company with one another, but here in this city of men there are few who care one way or another and if any of the dwarves among my workers have an issue with it, then none are foolish enough or brave enough to make mention of it in front of me. Not that I care what folks think anyway. I am not my mother’s son for nothing.
So while I am occupied all day with the various tasks that go along with supervising the work crews, one part of my mind is focused on watching for my friend’s arrival. I have to laugh, though when he does finally arrive in the early afternoon for my watching was entirely unnecessary since there is no way I could have missed his arrival. Silver trumpets blast causing all those working in the area to stop and stare as the temporary main gate is opened wide for the company of elves to enter the city. The King has quite a twisted sense of humor, for I suspect this fanfare was arranged by him for the sole purpose of galling his friend, as he knows that Legolas is irritated by all things formal or done for propriety’s sake. If that is the case, he can congratulate himself on his success, for when I do spot the lad, I can see he is scowling rather darkly, though the Guard Captain who rides next to him is smothering a smile.
My heart skips a beat, for that last time he entered this city with that same look on his face, we ran into trouble that nearly ended in tragedy. I remind myself that the situation is entirely different now, yet I have learned to be only cautiously optimistic when it comes to my charge, for he has a penchant for getting into scrapes. He may not like to be reminded of it, but he will still find himself in my charge, never mind that he has a whole contingent of guards traveling with him. This responsibility has not been lifted from me and I have made an oath to his father to watch out for him when we are together. Of course I will not point this out, unless it becomes necessary. For now I just watch with the crowd and wait for him to see me.
It only takes a moment for him to do so, and his face immediately clears as he forgets all proper decorum and leaps down from the back of his beast to greet me. My workers exchange amused glances as he all but throws himself at me, causing me to drop the stack of parchments I am carrying. I laugh and enfold him into a firm embrace.
“Have a care, Laddie,” I chuckle, “those plans took months to draw! We’ll never finish this gate if I have to begin all over again.”
“Sorry, Elvellon,” he says, kneeling to pick up the parchments. Stacking them neatly, he hands them back to me with a smile. “I am just happy to see you again.”
“As I am you,” I tell him, “It has been too long.”
He is a bit disappointed when I tell him I won’t be able to follow him back to the Citadel right away, for there is much I must do today if we are to finish this work by the deadline I have chosen. Still I will see him at dinner tonight and Lady Vonild will certainly be thrilled to have a chance to fuss over him without my being around. I also let him know that he is welcome to stay with me in the apartments we lived in together when we were in the city before, though I will have to be sure to hide the plans I have drawn up for the house I will propose to build for him, not that he would be curious enough about such a thing to ask what it was.
Dinner turns out to be a pleasant affair, though as soon as my mother and her new friend are off to some event or other, Arwen begins giving Aragorn and I pointed looks to indicate that we should make ourselves scarce so she can talk privately to Legolas. The King quickly asks me to show him those plans I had been telling him about and as we rise to leave Legolas throws me a pleading look. He must realize he’s in for it with the queen, but when I open my mouth in an attempt to rescue him, Arwen shoots me such a dark glare that I wave him off instead. She will have her say one way or another so he might as well have it over and there is no need for me to invoke her wrath and have her on my case as well.
It is late evening before he seeks me out again. I quickly shove the sketches I am making into a nearby drawer as he enters the room. I can read in his face that his meeting with the queen was as I expected it to be. Clearly she has made plain his errors in lack of planning, but I cannot resist asking.
“How went your talk with the queen?” I ask as innocently as I can. “Is all well?”
“Everything is fine,” he states, “I was just finalizing plans for accommodations for Lady Vonild’s visit to Ithilien.”
“Thank you, Lad,” I say seriously, “I’m certain she will appreciate your forethought.”
“Of course,” he says, “I mean the nights are cold and damp there this time of year, and she can hardly be expected to bathe in the river can she? But never fear. I have arranged everything.”
“That is very good of you,” I smile, “ I’m glad you thought of it.”
“Indeed,” he says, “you can count on me.”