Chapter Thirteen: The Basics in War and Love

*“No, thank you. I couldn’t eat another bite. But thank you so much for your kind hospitality. And I know my friend will enjoy your cooking as well.” Serein beamed at the woman in front of her. Minder had taken her to see one of the elfin elders of the city. Though the woman was only fifty years older than herself, Serein still found the woman’s advice valuable.

Because the woman had lived in the village outside of the castle of Haze her whole life, she knew everyone and everything inside of the forest. Her knowledge proved helpful when Serein was trying to find a number of how many women and children elves she would need to hide during the or invasion. How many she needed to hide would affect where they could hide, how many guards would be posted around them, and how many supplies they would need for them.

The old woman also offered advice on the best healers and elfin mid-wives. This meant Serein knew where she could find healers for the injured after the invasion had ended.

To top it all off, even before the woman had found out she was Serein, the Queen of the kingdom, she had been polite and welcoming. It gave Serein hope that not all elves were afraid of outsiders. It also proved that there was, indeed, nothing like a home cooked meal. Of course she knew Legolas would be furious when he found out she had gotten a nice meal from an expert cook and he had gotten nothing, so she had asked the woman to pack her a bit of extra food for him. The woman had been honored and did so cheerfully.

As Serein and Minder continued their jaunt through the forest, he caught her up to date on everything that had come to pass both while she had been imprisoned and while she had been on her quest.

“No. He didn’t tear down that old tree! It was a landmark!” She cried in dismay as she learned more of the horrible things her brother had done.

“He did. Of course, we were all dismayed, but none of us wished to speak up against him. He was and still is a very influential man in our kingdom, regardless of his atrocities.”

“I know. I almost rebelled against him myself, remember? But he managed to turn everything in his favor, once again, and make it seem like I was the one at fault.”

“Such depressing thoughts. Tell me of your journeys my dear, for you are the only elf to have left Haze in centuries. Has the world changed much?”

“From the time of the First War of the Ring to now, much has changed and nothing has changed. Though the elves and dwarves are working towards peace agreements, humans are still human. Other elves live the same way we do, save they do not sleep as much and they eat more. But that is a natural difference when you are from places as different as ours.”

“But how was your journey? Or tell me of how you came upon Prince Legolas as an ally?”

“That is simple. Remember how I told you I came into company with two hobbits? One was the ring bearer, the one chosen by the Council of Elrond to take the ring to Mount Doom. Legolas had been one of the original Fellowship members, but after they went through Lothlorien, they were split up by a bunch of orcs. We all met once more on the path to Isengard. Legolas is the reason I lived to retrieve the Gemstone of Haze, and it is because of him I survived the Second War of the Ring.”

“He protected you?”

“In a manner of speaking. In Isengard, the tower was collapsing and I tripped over the edge of a crumbling staircase. He pulled me up. Then during the War, he shot an orc with an arrow as it was about to strike me. But I have saved him just as many times. I shielded him from the falling debris of Isengard, and then killed an orc that would have slain him in the War. So we are equals.”

“You are good friends, for not many outsiders would travel here of their own free will.”

“Elrond asked him to help me.” She blushed slightly. He noticed and went on.

“He did not have to accept.” She looked down and diverted her eyes as she answered him.

“No, he did not.”

“My Queen, dare I say you are taken by him?”

“Taken by him? In what sense?” She asked, very confused. “He has taken me no where, though I have dragged him everywhere it seems.” Minder laughed.

“That is not the meaning I meant, my Queen. But if you wish to remain ignorant, then I will leave the thought there. Tell me, how big is the orc army?”

“As far as I could tell, about two hundred still live. But there are always more than there appear to be, and they are strong. We are few and weak.”

“How will we ever fend them off? It would be better simply to hide and let them take what they will.” He sighed. She stopped him dead in his tracks and looked him in the eye.

“Running is a cowardly thing to do. If we let them simply ransack us as they did last time, they will think us to be an easy pick. We cannot let them see we are weak. We will triumph. Besides. Legolas once told me he could not battle an army.”

“And your response was?”

“With me he could.”

>>>)(<<<

Legolas sighed. This was the fifth time he had needed to tell Nero to stop his ranting. The King had been bothering him ever since Serein had left with silly complaints, problems of a personal nature, and in general annoying statements.

He had asked how long Legolas had been sharing his sister’s bed, which had not only upset Legolas at the suggestion that Serein would do such a thing, but upset the people he was working with as well. It had taken him a good twenty minutes to convince them all that he and their sweet and innocent Queen were merely friends. Though in his heart he could not deny he wished they were more. Still, Nero was driving him to his breaking point.

“Prince Legolas! The wood and metal you asked for are here, as well as the tools.” An elf came up to him.

“Good. Then this is what we’re going to do. Split those planks in half, and bolt them to the walls, covering the windows. Then take the strips of iron and place them on the sides of each window and in the center of the window, bolting them into the wooden planks. That should help to reinforce the windows. The orcs won’t be able to break through as easily.”

“Then why are there going to be slits in the boards?”

“For the archers to aim arrows out of.” Legolas explained. A light went on in the elf’s head, and suddenly it seemed he understood what they were trying to accomplish.

“Alright! I want Ecran and Doven working on this window, and…” Legolas grabbed an elf nearby and began working on another window while the other elf instructed the others. As he helped hold a board across the window, the elf began to speak to him.

“So you’re the Prince of Mirkwood?”

“Yes, but Legolas is my name.”

“Well then, Legolas. Tell me how you met my aunt Serein.” Legolas nearly dropped the wooden plank and watched as the other elf grinned like mad.

“Serein is your cousin?”

“Yes, though she doesn’t know it. I’m one of Nero’s illegitimate sons.”

“One of them?” Legolas asked in wonder.

“Yes. There are four of us. Or there were. Two of them are dead, killed in the orc raid. The other one is the one you were just speaking to, the one ordering everyone around now. His name is Lathner. I am Lakner. Our mothers were both courtesans until Nero found out they harbored his children. Then they were shipped away. But he could not deny us work, so he has made us laborers instead. Our mothers used to speak of Serein when we were young to us, telling us things would be different if she were still alive.”

“But she is still alive. Are things different?”

“This is different. I have never seen people so willing to help before. Most people just let the orcs come the first raid. They didn’t even defend themselves. But now people care. Serein has made them care with a simple speech.”

“From what you’ve seen of your cousin, do you like her?”

“Very much. But I wish to get to know her better before she knows I am her cousin. She may treat me differently otherwise.”

“She will not. On my honor as the Prince of Mirkwood, I swear she will not treat you any different, save maybe to care to get to know you better.”

“You truly believe that?”

“I have seen her do it before, and have no doubt she will do it again.” Legolas nodded as he helped Lakner hoist a new plank of wood up to the window.

“You seem to know her well. Was what Nero said truly the truth, or was he just blowing hot air once more?” Legolas blushed.

“Your cousin Serein has a great deal of honor. She would never consider such a thing, I assure you.”

“But you would?” Lakner nudged him. Legolas’ blush deepened.

“She is my friend.”

“And you wish for more, yet she does not know it.” Lakner laughed hard at Legolas’ position. “Do not worry. I have the same problem!” Legolas’ uncomfortable feeling flew away when he heard the young elf had the same problem. He too smiled and began grinning.

“It’s a horrible position to be in, is it not?” Legolas said through his laughter.

“Indeed! I’ve known the girl I love for all my life, and only recently did I begin to love her. But she does not know it. I don’t know how to tell her.”

“If I could help you, I would. Yet I cannot even solve my own problems!” They laughed harder.

“Women!” Lakner shook his head.

“And what of them?” A voice called from next to them. The two elves stopped their laughing to see Serein and Minder had returned.

“Nothing. We were merely speaking is all.” Legolas covered. He shifted weight under the heavy board he held up as Lakner bolted it to the wall.

“Well then. I suppose you don’t really want this…” She took the food the elfin woman had given to her for Legolas and waved it before his face. “Because it was made by a woman, and since you seem to think we are such inept creatures…” She smirked. Legolas’ eyes were fixed on the plate of food, and she could see his mouth watering.

“Legolas,” Lakner began smoothly. “I’ve finished bolting this particular plank down. You can let go if you need to for any reason…” The two elves looked at each other and grinned.

“Many thanks to you, Lakner. I believe I will.” Legolas dropped his hold and advanced on Serein, who had backed herself into a corner.

“Now Legolas” she started. “Don’t be too rough with me. I did bring you the food after all!” She pleaded.

“But you teased a man about food. A man who has not eaten in three days because someone ate almost the entire rabbit he hunted for the both of them…”

“You surely cannot still be too mad about that little incident, can you?” She continued.

“No. But I can be hungry about it!” With that, he lunged for the plate and stole it from her unsuspecting hands.

“Pig!” She huffed. Minder and Lakner stood laughing at their antics all the while.

“I do believe she’s taken with him.” Minder whispered to Lakner.

“I have no doubts he is with her… for he himself only just admitted it to me. That is what we were laughing over. But he is worried over her pride.”

“Pride?”

“He does not want to ruin her to her people.”

“Indeed. This could be interesting to watch. Tell me, does she know you are…”

“No. But I intend to tell her.”

“Tell me of what?” Serein asked. As the two men had spoken, their voices had risen so she could hear them.

“My Queen. I am your nephew.” Lakner stepped forward.

“My… nephew?” She asked in surprise.

“He is your brother’s illegitimate son.” Minder completed for him. Serein nodded.

“What is your name then?” She asked.

“Lakner. And your other nephew stands over there giving orders. He is Lathner. You had two more, but they were killed in the last orc raid.”

“It is too bad I never got the chance to meet them.” She frowned. Tossing a fleeting look towards Legolas, he nodded back, knowing what she was going to do.

“Come with me Lakner. I wish to hear all about you. You and Legolas can laugh over ‘women’ later.” She winked at him. “And Legolas. Do not think you have gotten away with stealing that food from me just yet. I will return the favor one way or another.” She promised.

“I look forward to seeing you try it Serein.” He laughed and continued eating. She rolled her eyes and dragged Lakner off. When they had reached the corridor outside of the giant hall they had just been in, she began asking questions of him. Who was his mother, what sort of food did he like, his favorite color. They walked on and she asked about normal things such as which weapon he was the best with and did he like horses. Serein also asked him strange things, like what was his favorite type of tree and what sort of animal would he be if he was one. They laughed and spoke together as old friends might. By the time they were finished with their conversation, they were back at the entrance to the hall, and he was sure she knew everything possible about him.

“Serein, Legolas was right.”

“About?”

“I told him I did not want you to treat me differently because I was your cousin. He told me you would not, and you have not, save wanting to get to know me better.”

“Oh? He told you that did he?” She asked skeptically.

“He did.” They entered the hall again, and were shocked at the difference. The room was dark. All of the windows had been boarded up, and there was little light in the room. That wasn’t a good thing. It was time for her to take charge.

“I’m sorry Lakner, but I need to get to work now… men. The did not think to put lights in so one could see what they were doing.” She smirked.

“I understand.”

“There is still more I need to learn about you, both you and your half brother. But it will need to wait. Be careful.” She nodded a goodbye and took off. She had never been good at goodbyes.

“Serein! We’ve finished.” Legolas greeted her.

“So I see. Or so I do not see. Legolas. Did it ever occur to you that it got dark in here rather quickly?”

“No.” He furrowed his eyes.

“Trust me then. It’s so dark in here I can’t see. We need some lamps. And did we find a…”

“Yes, we did find a suitable hiding place for all of the women and children.” Legolas was slightly hesitant to volunteer this information, and Serein shifted seeing it.

“Really? Where?”

“ We decided to put them below, in the dungeons, and bar the doors. Did you not say the orc had a tough time breaking through your cell door to get to you? Then the others will have a hard time trying to get through the cell doors as well.” Minder finished.

“But you cannot place women and children down there! I’ve been down there, I know. It is dirty and far too dark! The young ones will not be able to handle it!” She cried in dismay.

“Serein.” Legolas pulled her aside and sat her down on a makeshift chair. Kneeling before her, he looked into her eyes. “Serein. It may be tough on them. But it is the safest place for them to be. You know that. I know that. We all know it. Do not deny them their safety. I believe they would rather stay down in those dungeons than have a higher risk of death elsewhere.”

“But Legolas, I barely survived down there! How will they when they? At least before I was put down there I had seen some horrible things. I was somewhat prepared! They are pure and innocent!”

“You are more innocent than you think. Serein, I give you my word, it is the safest place for them during the invasion. And it will not be very long, only a few days at the longest.”

“You give me your word Legolas?” She asked, taking his hands in hers and holding them tightly to her.

“My word.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them to seal the oath.

“Very well. I trust you.” She gave him a small but sad smile. Her eyes caught his in a gaze that held intensely for a few moments. Then he broke the connection, afraid she would see what was hidden in his eyes for her.

“Come. Let’s see what we can do with those lights? And you mentioned something about a training camp for those less experienced in weapons handling?” He led her away. *