Part 23

Later that morning

Galathil showed King Thranduil—and his bodyguard—into the sitting room.

“Ada!” Legolas greeted his father joyfully. “I am so pleased to see you.”

“Yes, it has been all of ten hours,” said the Elvenking.

Legolas smiled. “This is such a strange time for me, Ada.” He gestured towards one of the chairs and Thranduil sat down. Thorkell bogsveigir took up his usual position, by the door.

“Eowyn and I have believed ourselves married for more than a year,” Legolas continued, taking the seat opposite his father’s. “So this ceremony,”—he shrugged—“it calls into question matters that we have already decided, and it asks us to make commitments that we have already made. It—as I said—it is strange.”

“In the longer term, Lassui,” said Thranduil, carefully arranging his elegant sash, “you will not regret having had these months to reflect and make absolutely sure that Eowyn—”

The door opened and the lady herself entered. Thorkell bogsveigir stepped aside to let her pass.

“What are you doing here?” asked the Elvenking, bluntly.

“I will not be staying, Ada—but Melannen has lost Niben.”

“That boy!” Thranduil sighed. “And could you not have sent a maid?”

Eowyn looked under one of the chairs. “Míriel would not have known where—ah, here he is.” She held up the cloth rabbit; then, grasping its tiny paw, she made it wave to her future father-in-law.

“Melmenya!” Laughing, Legolas rose and, wrapping an arm around her waist, escorted her to the door.

“Is there any news from Orodreth, Lassui?” she whispered, anxiously.

“No, not yet.”

“You will send for me, when he arrives?”

“Of course.”

“All this business with the child has deranged Eowyn,” said Thranduil, as the door closed behind her.

“She is good with the boy,” muttered Thorkell bogsveigir.

…

Berryn and Camthalion arrived at midday and were immediately brought before Legolas and his father.

Legolas sent for Eowyn.

“Is there any news?” she asked, rushing into the sitting room.

“My Lady.” Camthalion bowed. “Yes, we have found out who the boy’s parents are.”

“And?”

“Melmenya—here.” Legolas guided her to a chair. “Please go on, Camthalion.” He stood beside his love, resting one supportive hand on her shoulder.

“The boy disappeared on the afternoon of the eighteenth,” said the elf. “His parents immediately raised the alarm—”

“But have you brought them here?” asked Eowyn, desperately.

“We missed them, my Lady,” said Berryn, gently. He took a step towards her, stretching out his hand; then—realising that his sympathetic gesture was inappropriate—he let the hand fall, but Eowyn rewarded him with a lovely smile. “They are out with one of the search parties, ma’am, and no one knows exactly where.”

“Orodreth has ridden to Doro Lanthron,” said Camthalion.

“It is their most likely route,” Berryn explained. “Across the valley, through the rocks—either where you found the pass, my Lord, or further east—and then along the River Emlin—”

“Just a moment,” said Thranduil, imperiously. “Are you saying that there is a sizable elven settlement in that Forest?”

“Yes, your Majesty,” said Berryn, bowing awkwardly; he glanced at Legolas for permission before continuing. “I did not have time to see all of it, sire, but I would put the settlement at about fifty to sixty dwellings, which—at three to four persons per dwelling—would suggest a population of one hundred and fifty to two hundred elves. There was a central meeting hall, but no sign of a palace or of any other public building. We spoke with the edair—”

“Green elves,” said Thranduil.

“But we saw no sign of them, Ada,” said Legolas. “Three days ago, that Forest was empty, apart from the remains of Melannen’s house, and whatever made that terrible sound,”—he frowned—“and the Orc spoor—the house had certainly been attacked by Orcs at some time in the past—”

“But what about the note?” said Eowyn, suddenly. “‘Please look after this child,’ it said. Who put it in Melannen’s basket, Lassui—who wrote it—if not his parents?”

When Legolas could not answer, she looked to the others, one by one.

“The shining elf, perhaps,” said Thorkell bogsveigir.

All eyes were suddenly on the Beorning. “It is just something the boy told me,” he explained, sheepishly. “A tall, shining elf said that he was to wait for two nice people who would take care of him, his mother and father, and all his friends.” Thorkell cleared his throat. “At least, that is what he told me. When we were in the park. Er, making snowballs together.”