It's been a few monotonous days. The forest elves were never disturbed by anyone, and finally, the detachment approached the underground palace. One more turn - and the majestic gates of the main entrance will open. And they are home! At home! At home!
Thranduil was moving to close, and in front of the gate slightly backward. Laurenaro was anxiously looking at his son-in-law. And he had bitter thoughts in his head: "Yes, we returned home... But Ellerian was not returned... And she will never come back... Never! How so?! Suddenly, something exploded in my chest, tears flooded with a stream of tears, absolutely irresistible. Trandyl rushed into the woods without taking apart the road, just to hide from everyone, to be alone! Just for a moment! He tripped over the root and fell face down in a pile of fallen leaves, buried himself deep, and threw his cloak over his head.
Estannen looked back and only noticed Lorinor turning into the forest. He ordered the detachment to carry the royal heir to the palace as soon as possible, and he himself headed for Noldo. Came across him after a few steps, but Lorinor did not let the advisor further, holding his hand. Here only Istannen saw the king.
- Do not touch him! - Noldo whispered quietly to his advisor - let him cry! He needs it now. At least somehow to relieve nervous tension. You better go, I'll look after him, and then I'll take him to the palace.
It took a long time before Trandyl rose, gently wiped off the face of his hollow cloak, shaken off the dry foliage... And then I saw Laurenaro. Proud Sinda got tense, waiting for the reproach for his weakness. But I heard very different words:
- My brother! You are not angry with me for the sharpness on the road. You should have come... Do you think I don't understand how much it hurts? I don't feel any better: you lost your wife and I lost my sister... And I still have to tell Ellie's mother that she didn't have a daughter... - Noldo rubbed his forehead with a cramped fist and shook his head. Then he glanced at his compressed fingers and made them straighten up. - But now it is time to go to the palace - the forest people are waiting for their king. Duty is a duty. Let's go!
Thranduil silently stepped to the brother-in-law. Also, in silence, touching each other's shoulders, they went to the gate. Two Eldar from different nations who did not love each other, two brothers... Trandil's marriage gave birth to them officially, but the common grief brought them closer together...
Chapter 8. Next - How?
During the King's absence, there were many cases that required immediate resolution. Only in the late evening did Tranduel finally get up to his quarters. Having refused the help of his servants, he shut the heavy doors and stood for a long time, pressing his back against the wall.
Life in the underground palace was boiling. Not all the wounds inflicted by the war of the Last Union have healed yet. A lot of things have been done... He returned home. And he needs to start living somehow. To step over the threshold, to step over yourself... The rooms were warm, the hearths were well warmed up for the king's return. A small round table served a light dinner. On one ... It is necessary to let the fact that Ellerian will not come back. Never. And live with it. And how?!
Trandil still went into the room, carelessly threw a cloak in the chair. Slowly, as if through force, approached the carved nut doors leading to half the queen. He opened them open and froze again, tightly clamped. Since Ellerian's secret departure, he had barely looked here. The resentment and anger at his wife's prank seemed to overshadow the good and bright things that had happened to them. And now it was time to remember everything... Only the memory remained... "If you hadn't escaped... If I hadn't gone on this stupid trip! If I had agreed to accompany you myself!
Thranduil swallowed a lump in his throat and made himself come in. A lot of things changed in the rooms - the cradle and children's things were taken away, the young prince was placed in another place in peace, under the supervision of a nanny. But Ellerian's personal belongings remained intact. There was forgotten needlework in the fireplace chair. The king approached and carefully raised the sewing. It was an unfinished children's cap, embroidered with golden flowers...
"You're my golden flower...", Tranduel whispered, pressing a thing against his lips. Suddenly, the king took his hand away from his face and looked carefully at the needlework: on the edge of the cap, among the confusion of gold threads elegantly, almost imperceptibly to the eyes was woven runic ligature - "Laurelothion". "The son of the Golden Flower... Thranduil laughed silently: "Insistent... I never wanted to give up my Noldor roots! Still, quietly, in her own way, she turned..." He dropped a baby thing and hid his face in the palms of his hands.