Riding With the Elves // Legolas x OC

62. Home to Greenwood

All in all, the last part of their journey had been trying and all Thranduil wanted now was to be home in the stillness of his palace, to sleep in his own bed and have access to his wardrobe, his bathroom and his wine cellar.

Soon, he told himself. Just one more stop on the way – and a very pleasant location to visit, at that; Lothlórien was a stunningly beautiful forest. And it would be good to see his friend again.

Celeborn came to meet them personally when they pulled their vessels ashore. He was easy to discern among the accompanying elves, standing half a head taller than anyone else. He even beat Thranduil by a few inches, of which he was slightly jealous but never would admit to anyone.

The Lord of Lothlórien greeted them formally and welcomed them to his city. There they were served a delicious dinner – along with real wine, thank the Valar! – during which Thranduil recounted most of what had happened on their quest. He also told them about the Emyn Muil orcs and the peace treaty.

The Lórien elves took this news better than he had expected; after what orcs had done to Celeborn's daughter in the past he would have believed him unwilling to forgive that race. But perhaps he too realized it was time to put centuries old grudges aside.

After their meal, Celeborn beckoned to him. "Come, my friend and walk with me, for I much desire to speak with you." He was even worse than Thranduil when it came to eloquent speaking. Only in public, though, in private he took on a much more informal approach.

"You look well, Tharan!" he said when they were alone, putting his arm around Thranduil's shoulder to give him a half-hug. "I told you traveling would do you good."

"Thank you. How did my kingdom fare in my absence?"

"Splendidly, but let us not talk of work now. It is such a fine evening."

They had come to Galadriel's garden and sat on one of the stone benches. Thranduil regarded the smooth, silvery trunks of the surrounding mallorn trees, admiring their exquisite beauty and elegance. The air was calm, with only a faint breeze to rustle the leaves above. A small, black bat fluttered between the trees, restlessly darting this way and that in its hunt for moths.

He removed his circlet. The thing chafed even worse than his crown back home. Something he would also never admit.

"I was hoping your son would have benefited from the journey as well but I noticed you two still are not speaking much." There was concern in Cel's voice.

"Oh, he did benefit from it, and we are closer now than we have ever been. But lately we had a... disagreement." He twirled the circlet between his fingers.

"Elaborate."

Thranduil didn't reply immediately. Should he tell his friend everything? Celeborn was very wise; his advice could be helpful, but lately he had become somewhat meddlesome. Not with a hidden agenda like Wynne's horrible mother, he did it out of affection, but nevertheless.

He chose to answer with a question of his own, one that had nagged on his mind for a while. "Why did you insist I went on this mission? Anyone could have cleared those lands of orcs. Why me?"

"Because you needed it." He looked grave. "Ever since you lost your wife you have been troubled. Shutting yourself up in your dwelling, brooding over the past. It took me ever so long to coax you even to come here."

Thranduil found it hard to meet his gaze. Instead he regarded the empty stone basin Galadriel had used as a mirror. "Are you angry with her? For leaving you."

"Aye."

His eyebrows rose. He hadn't expected Celeborn to admit it so readily.

"You are not the only ellon who did not always get along with their spouse." He smiled weakly. "Galadriel and I lived apart for long periods as you know, but she always returned to me eventually. At least before she sailed to Aman with the other ring-bearers."