[Author's Note: Feel free to listen to the video as you read. It's relevant, you'll see. Happy reading!]
***
Immortality.
How it changes the way one sees the time.
I had been living amongst the elves for over fifty years now, and as I did so, time seemed as if they flew by so fast right before my eyes.
So fast, that I just realized how Asher and Caladwen, my two beautiful children, were now already able to run around the castle, spreading terror and laughter to poor inhabitants of Thranduil's kingdom.
Even now when my dashing little boy ran up to me as fast as his little feet allowed, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of mischief he had gotten into, and what his plan was.
That smirk couldn’t mean anything good.
“Nana, would you like to know a secret?” Asher asked me with his childlike voice, icy blue eyes glinted with mischief as if hinting that what he had up his sleeve was something very juicy.
I hope it’s not something literally juicy. Eww, boys, I thought rather amusedly, remembering that one time when Asher tricked me into putting a slimy, fat worm in my hand.
“If you pull my leg again, you’re going to be grounded for the rest of your life, young man,” I warned him playfully. I crouched to his eye level, pulling him to me and simply hugged him close. He chuckled adorably at this. I kissed his chubby cheek and proceeded to lightly squish the apple of his cheek. He pushed my hand away with his little, chubby fingers as if trying to remove the distraction. Asher wrapped his arms around my neck, pulling me to him to relay a secret message.
“I found a secret door, nana,” he whispered to my ear with much drama, “I think the door leads to infinite adventure!”
“You’re not exactly being subtle there, Ashy,” a soft, tinkling small voice that belonged to my daughter made my smile grew wider, “I can hear what you said from here.”
As Asher huffed, I took the time to also pull Caladwen closer to me and hugged her close to my right. I reveled on how gentle the dark haired little girl was as she returned my hug with one of hers and planted a wet kiss to my cheek. On my left, Asher snorted, “Well, you already know it so I don’t have to keep it secret from you,” he shrugged his little shoulders.
Silence filled the throne room as two elflings looked at me expectantly. I feigned an expression as if I was thinking about it before letting the tips of my lips pulled up into a smile.
“Alright. You got me interested,” I replied with a grin, “So what did you find behind your secret door?”
Asher's face fell a little. “We don’t know yet,” he answered sadly. “I wanted to enter, but Caladwen did not let me,” he mumbled, looking at his sister with a pout.
“It’s too dark behind the door, nana,” defended my lovely little girl, her beautiful baby face contorted into concern, “What if a balrog lives there, nan? I don’t want it to hurt us,” she pleaded her case.
“Balrog?” I questioned in surprise, “Where did you even hear about that?”
“Gandalf. He said he killed one. It is a dark creature that is so so big and lives in a dark, deep place, with body made of fire and horns like the devil!” Caladwen latched herself to me, holding me tight, “I’m scared.”
I ran my hand up and down her small back comfortingly. “It’s alright, baby. I got you,” I cooed soothingly. “Gandalf is too dramatic. Besides, grandpa’s wrath would scare a balrog to death. A balrog knows better than to provoke the king's anger. They’ll stay away.”
“But grandpa is never angry,” replied Caladwen in confusion.
“Yes, he’s never angry,” confirmed Asher confidently. “But you, on the other hand,” he turned to me with mischief in his icy blue eyes that he inherited from his ada, “We thought if you come with us and investigate, if there’s a balrog there he will be afraid of you.”
My mouth went O in astonishment. “How dare you–what are you implying–unbelievable!” I exclaimed rather dramatically myself, hovering between disbelief, shock and much amusement at the same time. My kids, however, saw right through me that they both laughed at my expression.
I pouted and folded my arms, pretending to be pissed. “You hurt my feelings. I’m sad. Get away from me,” I grumbled and huffed.
Again, they saw the jest through me, so instead both of my babies continued laughing and opted to tackle me with big hugs that almost made me topple over whilst begging me not to be angry. Unable to hide my amusement any longer, I let out a laugh giving in as I finally hugged them again.
When our laughter ceased and our faces turned red from too much giggles, I stood up and straightened my lavender dress, letting the airy, smooth material dropped down and trailed behind me as I took each of my children’s hands in mine.
“Now, lead the way. Let us investigate this mystery chamber.”
Asher and Caladwen weren’t kidding.
It was a secret door; one that even myself never noticed, nor Legolas or Thranduil ever mentioned about its existence. The wooden, carved door seamlessly blended with the wall that I wonder how my children even managed to find it. The door seemed old as it creaked open. In front of us, a stair went down towards a total blackness that I couldn’t see the end of it. I let go Asher's hand to take one of the lamp off of a nearby wall. With my hands holding both the lamp and Caladwen's delicate hand, I instructed Asher to hold on to the fabric of my dress and told him to stay close. He nodded obediently as we faced the long dark of the chamber of secrets.
“So… Who’s going to enter the deep, dark hole first?” Asher questioned. I chuckled, but Caladwen, with both anxiety and determination in her russet eyes that resembled mine, answered diplomatically.
“Together.”
I smiled at her and gave her hand a soft squeeze. Then off we go.
The stairs were probably about only two story high, but in such darkness it felt like a long and deep journey down. Down the blood bond I shared with my son and daughter, I could easily felt their emotions. Asher’s giddiness; Caladwen's ever growing anxiety and fear. I tightened my hold on Caladwen's hand, sending her caress of comfort down our family bond. Her dark eyes glinted amber, reflecting the light in my hand as she looked up at me and sweetly gave me her thank you smile.
“Another door. Wow,” Asher commented, then he grinned with conspiracy at both me and his sister, “The Balrog must be behind this door!” he teased with a cheeky smirk, making me roll my eyes. Caladwen on the other hand, didn’t find her brother's teasing quite as amusing at the time.
This door didn’t quite open as easily as the first door. In fact, it was locked. Asher let out an exasperated groan and threw his head back in disappointment at this, even his sister seemed a little disappointed despite the obvious relief on her face.
“Fret not, darlings,” I cooed.
I lowered the lamp in my hand and carefully placed it on the ground. I took off my gorgeous bejeweled hair clip that hold my curls back, letting my hair loose. Bending the sharp part of the clip, I used it to pick the lock. It took me some time and effort, but boy, the view that greeted us behind that difficult door was just worth all that trouble.
An elvish, underground water garden laid beautifully before our eyes. I stood still as both elflings already left me to go touch the streaming, calming water. High above, the ceiling were made of glittering minerals on the dark bodied cave, making it look like the starry Mirkwood night sky. Despite being underground, the whole room was well lit by the sunlight pouring from the natural hole above the water spring, casting its soft yet mysterious light all around us.
It was almost magical.
Caladwen giggled happily as she and her brother knelt and dipped their little hands in the crystal like water. A smile of contentment made its way to my face as I watched my children laughing amongst the bountiful flowers and the crystal clear water spring.
My smile only grew when I felt a presence behind me. Slow, sensual hand gently swiped my hair aside, baring my neck to his sweet, loving lips. Then his warmth engulfing me as he captured me in his arms from behind.
“I see you three found adventure without me,” he teased huskily, his voice like honey in my ears. Legolas chuckled a bit as I felt him resting his chin on my shoulder. “It will be impossible to get them away from this place for a while now,” he said fondly, as he too watched our children playing together by the shallow water.
“Why have I never heard of this place before?” I asked softly, our noses almost touching as we locked eyes, each one of us savoring the feeling of each other’s presence.
“This was my naneth's private garden. Ada built it for her. We made many good memories here as a family. But since naneth sailed to Valinor, this place had served as a painful memory of her, especially for Ada. He rarely came here anymore and wished no one enter here any longer. So he covered the entrance, trying to erase this place from our memories.”
I turned around to looked at him, placing both my hands on his chest while his thumbs lazily caressing me as he rested his hands on my hips. “Goheno nin (I’m sorry), my Legolas,” I apologized sincerely, feeling sorry for both my husband and father in law. If there was anything that anyone always said about the late queen of Mirkwood, it was that she was kind, gentle and loved and adored by many. Her passing must be painful especially for Legolas and Thranduil. So painful that Thranduil had to close off such a magnificent secret place from the rest of the kingdom. “I didn’t know.”
Legolas' gaze softened at me. “Do not be,” he answered kindly as he looked at me lovingly.
“Should we go?” I asked my handsome husband, afraid of trespassing somehow even as the princess in the castle.
“Nay. Besides,” he drifted his gaze behind me, smiling fondly as his keen eyes watched over Asher and Caladwen play, “I do not think they will appreciate being dragged away from fun so soon.”
I followed his gaze and chuckled to myself when Caladwen was spraying her brother with water, making the boy laugh. Their childlike excitements as they play and bantered with each other warmed my heart. When I looked back at Legolas, I couldn’t help but felt my cheek heated up as I found him eyeing me with much reverence that I felt that I did not deserve.
“You’re such a gift, do you know that, melleth nin?” he wondered, his thumb gently stroking my reddened cheek, “You, and our children… complete me and more,” he sighed contentedly and rested his forehead on mine. “I cannot ask for a better gift in life. Thank you.”
I would have thought that I have completely melted and became a puddle on the ground had Legolas not held me in his arms. I leaned up and pressed my lips on his, tasting his sweet lips with a kiss.
“I won’t take all the credit myself. We both made a good team. It takes two of us to make them,” I teased him. He chuckled.
“Indeed. And I enjoyed every second of it,” he responded cheekily.
“Of course you do. After two children I think I can honestly say that I’m pretty good at making them,” I replied smugly and winked at him.
His eyes darkened. “Of course you do,” he chuckled, “Would you prove that statement to me tonight?”
I purred. “If you let me be creative with the elvish rope–“
I didn’t get to finish my sentence as Legolas stole a heated kiss from me, one that I eagerly return. His archer hands began to roam all over my back as I pressed myself towards his warmth, drowning in his passionate kiss and the daydream of me being creative with the rope–
Legolas and I broke apart from each other’s kiss as both Asher and Caladwen ran away shrieking in laughter after spraying us with water from the spring.
“Not cool!” I exclaimed, placing both hands on my hips, though my smile seemed as if it was permanently etched across my face. I turned to my beautiful husband who had mild amusement gracing his face as he looked at our children. “Alternatively, we can use the rope to tie the two of them up instead?” I offered.
Legolas chuckled at my suggestion as he took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles. “Well,” Legolas hummed, his thumb still gently brushing against my hand in his, “Now that our children are distracted, let me show you something.”
My dirty mind immediately perked up, and my gaze immediately went south–
An amused chuckle rang pleasantly in my ears and I brought my eyes up from my husband’s crotch area. Legolas watched me with mirth in his eyes. “Not that, my hungry wife.”
After a glance towards Asher and Caladwen, making sure they fine alright, I followed my husband past a path that was almost hidden in the shadow. Walking past the ever green foliage and trees, as scent of champaca flower hits my nose and I inhaled the sweet aroma deeply. Immediately I imagined how lovely Thranduil's late wife must be. I imagine her personality just like the flower grown at the cave– sweet, warm, divine, mysterious and fiery when she wanted to.
Legolas smiled at me knowingly. “Champaca was my mother’s signature flower. I wish you could meet her. Like you, she loved scented things so much. Oils, soap, candles. She detested being dirty as well,” he reminisced.
“I like her already. I think I would love her.”
“She would love you too, especially if she finds out that you share the same hobby as her.“
I gasped. My mind didn’t comprehend what it truly was until Legolas unveiled the white, wooden piano covered under a silken black cover. Joy burst out of me and I giggled, giddily making my way in front of the piano to study the beauty.
“Don’t tell me this masterpiece is also sitting down here, unplayed, unloved for centuries! My, that should be a crime!”
Legolas chuckled at my blabbering. I ignored him and instead ran my hand on the smooth, polished wooden surface. It was crafted so well by the elves. I let my fingers bushed against the complicated yet elegant leaves and roots of Mirkwood engraved on the wide surface of the piano. Gently, I opened the cap that covered the keys, noticing how they were made with white and black granites.
“So beautiful,” I murmured, turning my appreciative eyes back to my husband.
He smiled benevolently at me, his eyes almost trapping yet I was happily ensnared in his gaze. “I agree,” he said intently, then tilted his head, “Would you mind playing for me, melleth nin?”
“Clair de Lune?” I offered, knowing that it was one of his favorite piece. His smile was bright, sending warmth down my soul as he nodded enthusiastically.
I took my seat, and him next to me. I bit my lip in anticipation to playing again. But after only a few notes, I faltered, noticing a leather bound book on top of the piano. I took it out of curiosity and looked at Legolas for permission which he gladly gave me.
“That was my mother’s. She created music of her own on her free time,” Legolas mused as I gently flip the old skin pages, “Unfortunately, not many people could wield such a complicated instrument, nor understand the symbolism used for it.”
“These are musical notes,” I told him.
“You can read it?”
“I can translate it for you.”
I felt like I should be wearing a latex hand gloves as I handled such a delicate, ancient yet precious book of musical notes. For a split second I realized that had there was no elf magic protecting this book, it would have been destroyed by time and the beautiful handwritten notes on it lost many many years ago.
My eyes caught one that was titled “Thranduil” in Sindarin, and out of curiosity, I choose to try to play that piece of music. Keeping my eyes to the book, I began to closely follow the notes and the rhythm suggested in the notes. My fingers moved at their own accord. As the music began to flow, I was surrounded by a warm feeling with the ebb and the flow of the sweet tunes. I found myself experiencing every feeling that Lassiel went through since the first time she laid eyes on Thranduil. I was carried away by the ebb and the flow of her love for Thranduil, the highs and the dives that both making me feel so alive yet sad at the same time. The piece of music ended with such a melancholy tone as if Lassiel knew that she had to eventually said goodbye to the love of her life and her beloved son.
When I finished, I catch Legolas sitting stiff next to me, his face unreadable yet the light in his eyes were dimmed and stormed over with emotion. I felt his grieve through the bond that we shared and I couldn’t stop myself from pulling him into my embrace, intending on chasing his pain away.
***
[THIRD PERSON'S POV]
For a moment, Thranduil's soul was raging like the firestorm that once burned him with much hatred and agony.
He swore to Valar that he heard his sweet wife Lassiel calling him. For once, the thread of the bond that was now dead at the other side seemed as if it was being gently tugged by her. He could almost imagine her clean eyes, inviting him to her warm embrace as she sang to him.
As if she never left.
As if he had never been broken.
He followed her song, of him, and found himself in her private garden once again. Ignoring the little elflings by the spring, he went straight to the source of the sweet music with much rage and agony.
Oh Lassiel. How dare you leave me then call me again with your song?
But Eru, he was weak. Despite how angry and angonized he was at hearing her music of him, he was also comforted. He knew he was loved in a way that he never deserved. Expecting to see Lassiel's delicate form sitting by her piano, instead Thranduil found both his son, and his daughter in law, who played the instrument just the way Lassiel would.
The elf king felt the tangible presence of his wife, as if she was here with him as the music played the strings of his heart. Afraid of losing her again, he froze there from afar, listening as the music unfold.
And if Lassiel was listening, or if Valar had mercy on him, he prayed that they would tell her how much he loved her and missed her every single day of his life.
If Thranduil thought that the sweet music itself was a torture, then knowing that it had ended absolutely destroyed him.
The elven king turned away just as the music ended to nurse his brokenheart. He could not bear seeing that instrument any longer and the way Legolas sitting at that same spot where he would be when he was an elfling next to his nana as she entertained him with her music. Thranduil closed his eyes tight, willing the pain to ebb away.
“Grandpa?” a soft, child voice that belonged to his precious grandson made him look down.
Asher and Caladwen were staring up at him with worry on their beautiful, adorable faces. Their eyes wide with genuine concern.
“Are you in pain? Why do you cry?” asked Caladwen with a shaky voice, the small elfling, just like her brother, was on the verge of tears just seeing their grandpa looking so sad.
Thranduil's heart was shattered to pieces, and he was paralyzed with grieve. Yet his determination to move on gave him the strength to flash the two elflings his warm smile. The king crouched down to his grandchildren eye level.
“Do not fret little ones,” he gently took both of their small hands in his big ones. “I am not crying. I am not in pain,” he reassured them, before adding, “But… I might need a hug,” he admitted with a falter at the end.
The two elflings, wanting nothing more but make their grandpa happy again, obediently obliged and both went to hug him. Thranduil accepted them with open arms, smiling wistfully at the comfort that came from someone so little, yet ever so thankful for them.
When they finally pulled away, Thranduil was already feeling soothed somehow. Appreciatively, he kissed both elflings gently on their temple.
“I love you both, more than my own life,” he told them softly, icy blue eyes kind and fond.
Convinced that their grandpa was well again, Asher decided to break the silence with one of his naughty remarks. “More than Dorwinion wine?” the young boy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Unbeknownst to himself, by habit, Thranduil lifted his own brow, wondering how this particular elfling could even think about teasing him, his grandpa, at such moment?
“I apologize, little one, I’m afraid I still love my wine a little bit more than I love you,” Thranduil teased him back, making Caladwen giggled cutely, knowing that her grandpa was jesting her brother back.
“What about ada and nana?” asked Caladwen. “Do you also love them a little less than wine?” she teased.
With a straight face, Thranduil answered. “I love my wine first, you both second, and them third. But don’t tell them I said that I love you both more.”
Both elflings grinned with their grandpa and nodded happily before throwing themselves at Thranduil's embrace again. This time, the elf warrior king lifted both children at the same time in his strong arms.
“Let’s go to the spring, shall we? There’s another secret door hidden near it if you want another adventure.”
“Yes!!! Onward to adventure!”
The sounds of their excited chatter gradually faded away in Leane's ears as she and Legolas sat there by the piano, hearing their exchange silently from a distance. The couple linked their fingers together, loving gazes and wistful smiles were exchanged.
Asher and Caladwen had the king and his whole kingdom wrapped in their little fingers. Both husband and wife knew not what the future holds for them, but one thing they knew for sure: their beloved children would grow up to be such loving individuals, and that they would be loved in return.
***
[Author's Muse’s Note: 1 shot of floofy chappy keep corono away. (CORONA U SUCC U HEAR ME) Review? Thamk u hooman gheheheheh]