50th begetting day
“Now why am I not surprised to find you up a tree?” A very familiar voice pulled Gilriant out of his musing. He smiled at the sight of his friend settling next to his chosen perch. “Though I will admit this is a different tree than the one you favored before.” Gilriant shook his head slightly. “Well I have grown a bit since the last time you visited. This one is more comfortable to relax in.” He waved a hand at the ravens perched nearby. “Plus this is one of my friend’s favored trees which means that my nephews will not be able to set up a prank here. The raven next to him gave a croaking laugh. Legolas laughed, stretching out his legs mirroring the adolescent’s relaxed comfort in the tree.
“A good point, on both parts. Though I am looking forward to seeing how you like the trees of the Greenwood.” Gilriant smiled, “I am looking forward to that too. Though we may need to wait until I’m of age. No one in Imladris wants to have the Misty Mountains between myself and them even if I use the phoenix express. I only got away with going as far as Mithlond to visit with Cirdan because he’s Grandfather’s foster father, therefore, family.” Legolas tipped his head back to rest against the tree trunk. “I guess I see their point. But you do know that Ada is going to insist you come once you become of age, right?”
That made Gilriant laugh. “Yes, I’m quite aware. That was his response to the invitation after all. He seemed rather put out about having to come here.” He turned his head to look at Legolas. “He is here, isn’t he?” His friend nodded. “Of course, as much as he complains he also had no intention of letting anything stand in his way of coming.”
“Well that explains why Hedwig isn’t with us in the tree. He’s one of her favorite people. Though I am surprised no one came and got me.” Legolas waved a hand, “That would be my fault. I told them that I would come find you. Though I don’t know why they thought it would be difficult for me to do.” Gilriant hummed thoughtfully. “That would be because when I don’t want people to, the only person that can find me is Haldir. I’m afraid those guards of mine taught me the evasion game far too well.”
“Oh, were you not wanting people to find you?” The adolescent made a back and forth motion with his hand. “Sort of, mostly not those that are looking to make a fuss because of the party. Or in the case of Elladan and Elrohir playing a prank on me. Apparently they have a great begetting day surprise for me.” That got a soft laugh out of Legolas. “In that case I certainly understand. Though you do have your back up here to help.” He nodded at the ravens watching them.
“True, but they are also in a bit of trouble. Atar is not happy they taught me to swear in Khudzal. The dwarves are not happy that they taught me Khudzal at all.” Now Gilriant snickered. “You should have seen their faces, they didn’t know if they should be more upset at a ‘child’ swearing or the fact that it was an ‘supposed elf-child’ using their sacred language.” Now Legolas outright laughed. “I’m not sure my father would approve either of the swearing, though he would appreciate that you scandalized the dwarves. While we do trade with them, they are not a people he is eager to deal with.”
“Well they are here, they aren’t likely to stay much longer as they as a whole aren’t fond of elves. We have reached mildly acceptable levels. They like the blades Atar makes and for some reason they keep debating if I’m an actual elf or not.” The last part seemed to amuse Gilriant more than anything else. He long ago accepted that he was going to be different. With all those that accepted him as he was, and even encouraged it, he embraced those differences. “Technically you are only mostly elf, but I am sure that is not what they meant.”
“Haven’t exactly shared that part with them yet. Though I now have an invitation to come both to the smaller settlement in the Blue Mountains and Erebor at some point. So they may end up finding out anyway.” He gave a little shrug. Legolas knew from the letters they shared that Gilriant believed he would end up needing to interact as the Keeper with all the races of Middle Earth one day. Though he wanted a chance to get to know them a bit just as the elf first.
There may have been more conversation if not for the disgruntled call from the deer below them. Legolas looked down and smiled. “Tindil! I see you have antlers now.” Gilriant grinned. “Just four points, but he should go up to a full twelve by the time I am of age. Then will slowly gain more over time. He lost the baby spots, so now has antlers.” He started climbing down the tree. “Are you coming? He is complaining that he didn’t get a chance to say hello yet.” The prince followed him down.
When they hit the ground Legolas got his first really good look at his friend. To his surprise he found himself looking up to meet Gilriant’s gaze. “You have grown quite a bit.” A half smile was on the adolescent’s gaze. “Why do you think I needed a new tree?” He reached to scratch Tindil between the antlers as the deer nudged him with his nose.
“That and you also like confusing people,” Haldir called out. He followed Hallows who was pacing towards the pair. She first touched noses with Tindil before giving Legolas a sniff and then sat at Harry’s side. “Confusing people is a side benefit. Being comfortable in the tree is the primary reason,” Gilriant countered. “Well this tree should still suit you even if you do get a little taller, which you might.” The adolescent made a face at Haldir’s comment. “I’m already taller than you, as tall as Atar. If I get as tall as Elrond, fine, but I refuse to be taller than that.”
“I’m fairly certain it doesn’t work that way.” An amused Legolas commented. “With Gilriant, it might,” Haldir said. He moved forward reaching to clasp the elven prince by the forearm. When the gesture was returned the adolescent decided, “Nope, going to go with hugs here. I have proven that hugs are beneficial to everybody.” An advantage to getting tall, longer arms to haul both in for a hug. If either had resisted he would have of course let them go. Apparently though they both either expected it, or were just used to his antics as they allowed it with a laugh. “It is so weird being the tallest.” That got him another amused look.
“Your heritage from the House of Thingol perhaps. He was reputed to be nine feet tall.” Gilirant stared at Legolas when he said that. “I’m going to vote for no to that. Not going to be that tall.” It was odd enough having reached this height. When he looked in a mirror or compared to others it really reinforced the changes he had gone through. He still resembled who he was before, but there were clear differences, height being one of them. More like he was the refined elven cousin of himself.
The stamp of a hoof behind him reminded Harry just why they climbed down in the first place. “Yes, yes we are paying attention to you too.” He turned back around to run a hand over the top of the deer’s nose all the way up to the antlers and scratch around them. “All the people making you restless or is it something else hmmm?” Legolas stepped forward and put his hand under Tindil’s nose. “Sorry for the delay in greeting you my friend, is this better?” The deer dropped his nose into the woodland elf’s hand, nuzzling it for a moment before raising his head again and stepping back. Apparently satisfied by that.
Looking pensive, Gilriant gave the deer one last pat. “Why don’t you go find Prongs and Naurcunneth and take a good run around. That should help.” Tindil dipped his nose to touch it to Hallows’. Taking a few steps, he stopped to rub the side of his head against Haldir, careful of his antlers, before bounding off. “Could be all the people, could be something pushing, hard to say. Either way that should help.”
Turning back to the other too he added. “And now the downside of getting older, being expected to do official things.
***
Official things included welcoming guests, joining in the formal evening meals with everyone, and generally being visible. Which wasn’t entirely terrible. Especially since he typically had someone close by in support. Most often was Haldir, which was expected by most of Imladris at this point. In a few rare cases his Atar, though Maglor was better at being seen in public he still shied away from large gatherings. That is if Glorfindel hadn’t judged he needed more socializing and coaxed him out. Which could be equal parts hilarious our touching, depending on what method the captain chose. Of course Elrond had official roles in most of this, though one of the other family members was often at his side. Legolas too had taken to spending much of his time keeping him company after he arrived.
This particular greeting was for the family, as the Lothlorien contingent had arrived. As soon as their banners were spotted, everyone was notified and gathered in the courtyard. Hedwig’s comforting weight was on his shoulder, even as Fawkes settled on Maglor. It seemed the phoenixes wanted to make sure they were both okay as well. Elrond moved up to greet them as the group came to a stop. He saw Haldir in his peripheral vision move towards his brothers and smiled at that. Gilriant wanted to go greet them but rank and courtesy first.
Moving towards the leaders of Lothlorien, Maglor a step behind him, he smoothly moved into place when Elrond stepped back. “Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, it is a pleasure to see you both.” Surprisingly, it was. While he didn’t expect to always get along with the pair, that he could remain calm was proof that everything he had worked on, was worth it. Gilriant inclined his head to both. “Prince Gilriant, thank you for extending the invitation,” Galadriel replied.
“Of course, and I think we have gotten to know each other enough as well as being distant kin that you can simply call me Gilriant.” With a smile Celeborn responded. “Only if you simply use our names in turn. You and your father.” The adolescent figured it was the ellon of the pair replying as he could see some tension in the elleth. Yet there was not a single sign of her pushing at anyone present, and that was enough for now. It was Maglor that replied for them. “We’d be honored to.”
***
Haldir’s brothers were hilarious. Oh most wouldn’t expect it from Rumil and Orophin. Yet the marchwardens all shared the same sly humor. When they insisted on meeting his raven friends he had a feeling there would be another series of pranks that the twins might get blamed on. Which was another form of a prank. Apparently they were enjoying taking advantage of the fact that no one in Imladris expected it of them. Haldir had still managed to conceal his mischievous side to most.
They were a little disappointed that he was currently out of targets that it was safe for Gilriant to practice archery on. The adolescent’s skill with that was only passable. Mostly due to the fact it was difficult to practice when everytime you focused too hard on the target it started to grow. Hopefully at some point he would be able to not do that. For now only frames of canvas and metal which lacked any kind of plant matter managed to be immune from that fun trick. Eventually the canvas got too punctured and new ones would need to be made. Thankfully they found it funny and were willing to share prank ideas with him instead.
***
Being older also meant needing much less sleep. Gilriant had been transitioning to more time with the waking dreams than actual sleep. In many ways it was much easier to deal with. He liked having that edge of awareness of what was going on around him. Sleep was nice, but the dreams that occasionally crept in, less so. Even with working through his past with his brother, other things started cropping up.
When he explained the dreams to his brother Elrond increased their practice at managing his sight. The occlumency book they worked through together helped, but they could not shut out everything. One of the so called benefits of the maia side of Gilirant, was a greater sensitivity and strength in the gift of Sight. His mind was most vulnerable when he was asleep. So yes, waking dreams were far more preferable to full on sleep. Especially when the gift unspooled in his dreams, sometimes of the past, sometimes warnings of potential futures. Once in a while a glimpse of a path he either completely diverted or at least changed. Those could be the most disturbing.
Sadly he could not completely get away with ditching the need for sleep. Even full adults need it at times, mostly due to injury, intense learning, emotional events or full on exhaustion. His was a combination of the fact he was still maturing, learning, and yes well the therapy with his brother. That may not be what Elrond called it, but that is what it was. Gilriant even needed to use sleep as a vehicle for his dream-walking, as well as recovery from it.
This particular last night was one he needed sleep, and the dreams that crept in were disturbing. With the increase in guests there was a greater need to process both emotions and energies around him. So he couldn’t avoid sleep as much as he might want to at times. Not unless he wanted a family member standing over him making sure he slept. Which typical was Atar with his musical or his brother with his own unique abilities. Last night’s dream was full of fighting against these horrid creatures, elves dying, a dark place and the battle was at night. He had the vague sense that he already had altered this path. That it was possible he might prevent it completely. It still showed him the might have been in full. Which included Haldir being cut down. Yeah he wasn’t going back to sleep now.
Getting out of bed he started to get ready for the day. He did feel Haldir’s concern and sent reassurance back to him as he moved about his room. Simple clothes to start the morning, braiding his hair back tightly. Gilriant also placed his circlet in the holder that had been created for it on his belt. While he should wear it later, it was early enough that he could go without it. Harry needed that practice without it, helping his control get even better.
When he exited his room, he was unsurprised to see Haldir there. Despite the reassurance Gilriant was still disturbed by the dream and he could pick up on that. Wordlessly the marchwarden wrapped up Harry in a hug. The adolescent relaxed into it, hugging his friend and teacher back. Letting the weight of the arms around him and the comfort offered ground his emotions and even him out. Hugs really were the best.
Apparently he would require more contact than most elves even as he got older. Something about the nature of his gifts could leave him unbalanced without it. Thankfully he would always have Haldir with him to make sure he got it.
Of course that didn’t preclude the rest of his family getting in on it and he felt the arms of his nephews as they joined in the hug. “I really didn’t mean to wake anyone.” Gilriant protested softly, not wanting to alarm any other family members. “We were already awake,” Elrohir countered softly. “Plus we like hugs too,” Elladan added. Harry gave a small huff of laughter and further relaxed. Finally he pulled away.
“Well I’m not going back to rest, I thought I would head to the kitchens.” The twins brightened, “
Ooh you make the best treats, can we come help?” They enjoyed doing so especially since they got to taste test and a few extras of whatever he prepared immediately. However, “You know the rules, no switching ingredients around on anyone and no pranks in the kitchen at all.” Gilriant gave his nephews a stern look even as they adopted innocent expressions. “We would never!” He just gave them a look. “Tell that to someone that doesn’t know you well.”
“Sorry Haldir, you are still banned after the last incident but I’ll bring you back a treat.”
***
He was working out on the pells with a new set of practice weapons when much to his surprise Thranduil stepped into the salle. The elven king was wearing the least fancy set of clothes he’d ever seen the ellon in. Gilriant immediately grounded the tip of the bladed weapon in his right hand on the ground. “King Thranduil, good to see you today.” He inclined his head as Hedwig trilled a greeting from the fence. “Just Thranduil from you is fine, as long as we are not in a formal setting.” Which was a bit surprising of an offer. “You are my son’s good friend after all.” Slightly more understandable but not completely. “Just Gilriant then.” The elven king’s gaze moved to the weapons in the adolescent's hands. “Unusual choice in the odd blade and a metal rod there.”
“That is because they are meant to be two parts of a whole. Or perhaps two out of three, we are still working out what is best. The head of the glaive, and the staff. As that seems to be a weapon I favor, Atar decided to see if he could come up with something new. Either as a complete whole, or as the bladed end in one hand and a rod in the other for more close quarters fighting.” There was not quite a sniff at that. “Feanorians, never content with what something is, always have to make it better. Even the bard out of the lot of them so to speak. Well then, come show me.” Not quite an insult which was better than father or son expected from him.
When Thranduil picked up a practice blade, it was clear he meant for Gilriant to spar with him. “I haven’t completely worked out the style yet. Part of why I was practicing against the pells so Atar could watch how I moved with them.” The elven didn’t sigh but he did look skyward. “I would imagine that working even better facing an actual opponent instead of an unmoving object.” Much better than the pair expected. The adolescent looked at Maglor, and with the nod moved towards the king before dropping into a ready stance. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the unmistakable form of Shiny moving to stand next to his father. Good, someone to support him, and another one of his trainers as well. Content with that he turned his full focus on his opponent.
It was both very helpful and surprisingly fun. Thranduil was right that having a living opponent that could help him work out the moves was best. Atar could keep watching how he was using the weapons while the king corrected the moves. He was surprisingly patient about the process. Never showing any additional signs of impatience at the repetition. Harry could also appreciate a caustic sense of humor just fine. As long as it wasn’t aimed towards Maglor.
Of course Thranduil was barely acknowledging he was there, but that was better than an outright snub. Or trying to insist that he needed to leave. Instead he was at least peripherally assisting Maglor and giving feedback. They had made definite progress, as well as acquired a bit of a crowd by the time they decided there needed to be some adjustments to the grips on them. “Alright, let me see how you are with the full sized version then.”
Handing over the prototypes to Maglor, Gilriant asked, “one on one or melee training?” There was a light of interest in Thranduil’s eyes at the question. “Both.” Well this should be fun. He took up the practice glaive and settled in the ready position. “Very well, one on one then we call the crowd in.” He very much doubted he would hold his own for long against a king with millennia of experience but that wasn’t the point.
Again Thranduil was patient, clearly testing his skill level. Difficult to tell if he surprised the king at all. He kept the same calm watchful expression the entire time. When he nodded and stepped back, Gilriant grounded the tip of his weapon on the ground. He didn’t need to look to know Haldir had joined him. “Alright, who wants in for melee opponents?” The adolescent pointed in the direction he knew some of his family was standing. “Not you Shiny, Atar or brother, not quite up to that level yet.”
Thranduil raised an eyebrow at that, the second joining in the first when the twins slipped into the salle along with two of Gilriant’s personal guard and one additional of the Imladris guard. He refrained from commenting, simply settling in with the group. He couldn’t quite hide his surprise when the pair working together engaged the melee. Then he understood the size of the group.
The elven king’s skill tipped the balance in favor of the melee group. At least until the duo became a trio. Legolas had volunteered himself and settled in on Gilriant’s other side. The younger prince shot a look at Haldir, who simply inclined his head. Then the adolescent grinned. It wasn’t the same instant connection and teamwork that he had with the marchwarden. However the prince of the Greenwood did manage to blend his skills in with the other two. The melee group was eventually constrained by the size of the salle from adding more.
Later Thranduil sat back in their rooms looking thoughtful. “Legolas, the bond between the marchwarden and the prince, what do you know of it?” With a faint look of surprise his son settled near him. “You did read the report correct? It’s fairly common knowledge in Imladris that Haldir serves as both an anchor to Gilriant’s gifts and a teacher. Gilriant describes it as having an extra big brother and built in best friend that will always be with him.” Cocking his head to the side, the elven king considered that. “Yes, I remember that. That one of the two companions he has claimed that one. And the speculation is that he may eventually have another anchor chosen by the other piece of his magic.”
“Slightly more complicated than that, but yes. The agreement is that nothing more is going to be possible until Gilriant is of age.” Legolas explained. “Well then we will plan on Haldir accompanying him when Prince Gilriant finally visits the Greenwood.”
***
The banquet was set up in a similar style to his first begetting day celebration in Imladris. Gilriant had really liked how there were all different kinds of foods. He also liked that people were encouraged to circulate rather than be stuck in one place all the time. Though the leaders of each area tended to stick to ‘their’ section. It was definitely holding court type of atmosphere with King Thranduil, but he really didn’t expect anything less.
Right now he was seated with Cirdan and the Mithlond group. As the elven lord was in the group of those that were still taller than him it let him blend in a little bit more. Not really but he could pretend for a bit. The added bonus is that Gilriant was being regaled with stories about Gil-Galad growing up. One of the reasons he loved spending time with the shipwright. It helped him feel closer to the first elf that he had connected with and taken care of him. The most recent story was coming to an end as an excited stir was spreading out from the Imladris section.
Looking over, Gilriant realized the dessert course was being set out. “Oh, you are going to love this. Wait, I'll be right back.” Excitedly he swiftly made his way to the dessert trays, procuring one and enduring the server’s laughs as he carried it off to Cirdan’s table. They long ago learned he often would circumvent protocols he found too stuffy and learned to let go of his antics. The sweet smell that followed him stirred interest as he moved to set the tray down in the middle of the table by Cirdan. The old elf leaned in with interest.
“So, these I believe are entirely new treats made with something called chocolate. Cake you have had before but not chocolate cake. The cookies have small pieces of chocolate in them called chocolate chips, and the other brown item is a brownie.” He grinned, each of the desserts was deliberately made small for more than one reason. First he had a limited amount of supplies to work with. As many didn’t appreciate an overly large amount of sweet treats outside of fruit, a small serving of each treat was more than enough. These were elves, not hobbits after all. It allowed him to make enough of each treat to have three different kinds for everyone to try with leftovers of the cocoa and chocolate to keep for later.
The hush that spread out as each table was served and trying the desserts was more than enough of a thanks for him. Gilirant grinned watching people’s expressions. When Cirdan re-opened his eyes after sampling the desserts he leveled a look at the adolescent elf. “Just where does this chocolate come from? I’ve never heard of it before.” Settling back in his seat Harry kept grinning.
“Remember those crates that were sent over in that boat from Valinor that were sent on to me?” Cirdan lifted an eyebrow. Of course he remembered that. There had been quite the stir when the ship arrived. The crates were of interest of course, but what had been highly prized were the letters that accompanied them. From loved ones in the West. To be sent out to all of the elf havens. Somehow he had a feeling Gilriant was behind it but now he was getting more proof.
“Sooo, I sort of convinced Yavanna to try growing a tree that exists in the world I came from.” There was a harsh choking sound from somewhere down the table. Whoops. While Cirdan was used to him talking about working with the Ainur, most of Mithlond had yet to have that experience. He’d have to apologize to his great-grandfather later if he broke any of the elves. “Had to do it in her gardens to start with as it requires a very warm environment with plenty of rain to thrive. So I needed to make sure it would work, and it was worth creating large buildings made of glass to trap the heat inside for them. The crates were the harvested beans and saplings.” He gave a satisfied look at the treats.
“I think I have proven it, and most of the difficult part of the development of the tree was already done in Yavanna’s garden. There is going to be some trimming needed for keeping them in a greenhouse but I think the work is worth it.” The chuckling coming from the ‘Imladris’ section of the room had him looking up and realizing that he had the attention of all the elves present. “We already started working on your greenhouse little brother,” Elrond started. “We knew that if you said it was worth it it would be. Plus the ability to more easily grow green food in the winter alone made it a worthwhile venture.”
Gilriant could feel the tips of his ears start to turn red at the compliment and increased regard the rest of the room was giving him after that comment. “Greenhouse?” Harry dipped his head in a nod. “That is what they are called. A metal frame fitted with panes of glass. The glass traps the heat within the structure so that while it could be snowy outside, inside it's as warm as a summer’s day. Using nothing more than the heat and light of the sun to make it possible. No magic needed. You only need a flat enough spot to build that gets plenty of direct light during the day.” He tilted his head in consideration. “Though if you are open to a little meddling on my part and my Atar’s, we could make it work with only a small amount of direct light.”
Maglor considered the issue and nodded slowly. “Yes, runework could be incorporated into the metal frame to assist with light collection, good idea hinya.” At the slight murmur that started at that information Gilriant tried to keep his smile from turning smug. “Atar is the one who really worked out the design. Even beehives that can be kept within the greenhouse for pollination and a source of honey. I am certain that he’s willing to assist others that are respectful with their requests.”
He was fairly certain that the only reason Maglor had any degree of comfort with the amount of regard he was getting now was those next to him. Elrond on one side and Glorfindel on the other gave him enough that even with the increased scrutiny he didn’t try to withdraw, at least yet. Gilriant got it, even positive attention could be unsettling when you had too many experiences where any large scale attention could turn nasty quickly.
Much to his surprise he heard a snort next to him, which led to a full on belly laugh from Cirdan. Those that were used to Gilriant or Cirdan took the reaction in stride. Others seemed to stare at the silver-haired elven lord. The ship-wright slung an arm around the adolescent’s shoulders. “You, great-grandson, are full of surprises. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with as you age.” There seemed to be a general sound of agreement from the rest of the room at his statement. It caused the flush on Harry’s ears to spread downward and across his face.
“This new treat is excellent though I think the greenhouses alone will be a boon. I think your hobbit friends may enjoy them as well, though they would need our help in creating these greenhouses. I am looking forward to seeing how your dwarven friends react to this chocolate.” While most looked a little dubious at the mention of dwarves, there were also quite a few thoughtful looks to go with it. That made Gilriant happy. The more races that got along, the easier life would be for everyone.
He had to make sure not to forget to give the Dunedain some of the chocolate as well. He was sure the rangers would love it.