Thranduil's face suddenly shriveled, two big tears slipping down his cheeks.
- I know I have to take care of my son! I understand everything! But if I can't do it anymore?! I can't?! Give me something to swallow! Come on, please!
Lorinor rushed somewhere, but then came back with a jug, put it in the hands of the king:
- Drink!
Thranduil greedily took a few sips - there was water, clean and very cold. The king lowered the jug, trying to breathe. The sweaty pot slipped out of the shaking fingers, and the icy water flooded her knees.
- Bloody hell..." Thranduil shuddered and cried.
- That's what you need for your stupid and cowardly words! - Lorinor picked up a jug - not even enough!
And suddenly, he poured the rest of the water right on the head of his foolish parent.
- Ow! What are you doing?! - He shouted, finally waking up.
- I try to make you come to your senses," Noldo smiled. - You can't, can you? Yes, you can! You can! What, do you think you're the only one in Arda who knew the pain of loss? Your son also lost it! And me and Ellie's mother! And many, many more in this sad world! But that doesn't mean you can dwell on your suffering, betraying those who need you. You have something to live for, someone to live for! Look deeper into your heart and you will see the answer! Love is not in vain! Estelle put the One Age into our souls. And as long as there is hope in our hearts, life goes on.
Thranduil sat for a long time, lowering his head, digesting these words. He understood that the parent was right. Lorinor's words did not make the pain any less, but they gave birth to some strength in his soul, helping him to endure. The king suddenly realized that even with this burden in the soul can live. It is necessary to live.
Chapter 9. To try. But not to escape.
And he lived. He was engaged in the everyday affairs of the forest kingdom. I tried to play with my son. But this often caused Trandyll too much pain - the boy was constantly talking about his mother. One of the little prince's nannies was still a young girl. She loved her wards madly, desperately sorry, trying not to deny him anything. In response to the persistent questions of the baby girl in a semi-fairytale form painted him Valinor and Chertogi Mandos, where the feast of the dead to find peace, the imagination of the nanny worked hard. She told the boy that his mother was always looking at him from Chertogov, and the child clung to this idea.
Once the king and his son were studying in the training hall. The boy showed his father how he learned to shoot with archers. Having caught an arrow in the middle of the target, the young archer shouted joyfully:
- Father, do you see?! See how I can do it?! My mother also sees it! She is looking at you and me now from Mandos. Do you think my mother is very proud of me?
Trandyl couldn't hide his feelings. He quickly jumped out of the room, leaving Legolas in bewilderment and fright, hiding in his quarters, and staying there most of the day. After that, the king tried to avoid close contact with his son. He knew he was wrong, but he couldn't help himself. Sometimes Lorinor tried to set his son-in-law on the right path, but for some time now Noldo took over the protection of the borders of the kingdom. With a detachment of scouts, he wandered all over Zelenolesie, weeks without showing himself in the palace, watching how life develops beyond the edge of the forest. There was little time left to talk to Trandyil.
After a two-week trip through the southern forests, Lorinor and his companions fell into the palace just in time for dinner. They quickly cleaned themselves up and headed to the refectory. Here Lorinor noticed that the place at the head of the table was empty.
- And where is the king? - In whispering, he asked Ystannen.
- Locked himself in his rooms with his favorite companion," the advisor also replied quietly. His voice was a mixture of annoyance and pain.
- Ugh, you! - Noldo grabbed the cup and headed for the royal chambers.
Without ceremony, Lorinor threw a thin dagger over the slot. Thranduil sat still in front of the fireplace, like a statue, looking into the fire through a crystal cup with wine.
- Greetings to the Lord of Great Greenwood! You again, huh?!
The king turned around, his eyes sparkled with joyful sparks:
- Lorinor! Back at last! How is it in the south, all calm?
- In the south it's quiet," Noldo dragged the second chair to the fireplace and sat down, tired of stretching out his legs, "and you got drunk again without me?
- What kind of insanity are you talking about? Everything is fine with me. I just didn't want to have dinner in a big, noisy society.
- Where is dinner then?
- Now they will bring it! - The king rang the silver bell.
- As long as they are carrying me, mold me out of the way," Lorinor held out his cup.
Thranduil poured a parent of wine, and he made sure that the king's hands were not shaking, the movements were fast and accurate. So he wasn't really drunk! Noldo sipped a sip, soaked it up - the wine was not very strong, but the bouquet was delicious... This is not used to get drunk.