Evaluating Wards
Legolas rode on the trail next to Haldir, the pair watching as Gilriant on Tindil bounced back and forth around the group. Literally as the deer was happily bounding along with graceful if energetic leaps. The young elf actually giggled as they dashed around. Looking more like an elfling then a newly of age adult. Fawkes riding on the deer’s antlers trilling encouragement. Hedwig had long decided Legolas was a much safer perch, occasionally giving a scolding trill to the trio when they came close. “So, overtired or a surfeit of energy from everything?”
Haldir considered the question, keeping a weather eye on the young elf. “I’m fairly certain in this case, it's both.” Amused, the greenwood’s prince continued to watch the antics. “So he’s going to keep it up until he’s forced to stop and relax?” The marchwarden inclined his head. “Precisely. Which is why I’m not stopping it now. Better that happens when we get back to the Halls than before.” Which seemed entirely sensible. With the experienced personal guard of the young prince being alert but also relaxed this seemed like a good course of action. Even when there was crashing sound on one side of the trail, and the trio reappearing with a cheerful, “We’re okay!”
“The good news is,” Haldir started conversationally, “This is an uncommon occurrence. Most of the time when he’s using his gifts it's on a much shorter duration of time and lower level.” At Legolas’ slightly dubious look he smiled. “Right now is the exception. Both things he felt needed doing right away were on a large scale so to speak. The benefit is it’s building his stamina in an environment surrounded by those that are protective, and mostly not overbearing.” The elven prince’s smile twitched into place. “Yes, well, Ada has his own ways of being protective. I think he’s also curious about what Gilriant can do.”
Haldir inclined his head in acknowledgement. “He’s not the only one. Part of why he came here is to be able to explore his limits without having his family around. They are understandably protective of him.” Considering that Legolas gave a slow nod. “As there is uncertainty about how he may react to things I can understand that. He did tell me about the orcs.” That was a grim reminder of the stark reality of life in Middle Earth. As much as there were pleasant things, there were also dangers.
“Which is why he won’t be successful arguing about having a personal guard. He may not like it, but Gilriant can’t have it both ways.” Haldir replied calmly, ignoring the crashing sound coming from the other side of the path now. “If he wants to go out and experience the unknown, without knowing how he’ll react to it, the guard is needed.” With a thoughtful look, Legolas offered, “It would likely go over better if you point out it's not just protection for him, it's protection for you. If you are tied up helping him, it could leave you vulnerable.” After a moment the marchwarden replied, “I’ll consider it, but that might backfire.”
The forest was incredibly peaceful to ride through. Aside from the antics of Gilriant. The light dappled down through the breaks in the trees. Overall making it a nice enough day for a ride back to the hall.
True to prediction, as soon as they got back to hall and were forced to stop, Gilriant started to waver. Haldir tucked into his side and guided the young elf towards their rooms. While his father was hardly likely to delay the Noldor prince’s rest, Legolas decided to help blunt some of the curiosity by reporting to him. Seeking him out in his office. While the Throne room was used for certain circumstances, it was also very public. The guard on the door let him in immediately.
“Ada,” he greeted his father when Tranduil looked over. “Legolas, I take it that Prince Gilriant is resting?” Not an unfounded assumption considering what had happened so far. “Yes, though I admit it was rather amusing to watch how he kept himself going until we arrived.” At the King’s raised eyebrow he grinned. “Overly energetic antics riding around the group.” “Yes, well I can imagine that being entertaining to watch.” While his father didn’t quite laugh, he did smile.
The smile was one of the many changes that had occurred since Gilriant entered their lives. Most of them small, but the cumulative effect was far more than Legolas would have thought. Oh his father was still stern and intense. Thranduil had not changed an extreme amount. More of a softening around the edges. Slowly sharing stories of his mother. For that alone the woodland prince was grateful to his friend.
“Now, tell me.” Knowing what his father wanted, Legolas went over the events. Strictly keeping to the facts of the points and sequencing of events to start. You needed the structure first, before you took on other details. Thranduil looked thoughtful as he took it in. “Your impressions?” With that question, the prince was quiet before finally responding. “Ada, I don’t even know where to start.”
Thranduil lifted his eyebrows. “Oh? Hmmm yes I don’t think you have ever experienced the Songsmiths before. There are few left in Middle Earth. I’ll admit I hadn’t considered the possibility that Prince Gilriant would be one.” Now that term Legolas did remember from his lessons. Elvish magic often did make use of songs and chants to channel power. Those were taught to those with the aptitude to wield them. While songsmiths could create new songs of power and chants, they didn’t necessarily rely on learned knowledge. When they mastered their gift they were capable of great feats. “I do not recall if any of them danced as well.”
“That I have no knowledge of either. At least not to that extent. Which it is possible would only strengthen what he can do.” That was another consideration for Thranduil to add to the pile. “It is a rather unique blend of gifts. Which, considering he is only just of age, is likely only to grow.” Why now was such an elf coming to age in Middle Earth? What did that say about what may yet come to be? “A powerful ally, and a very dangerous enemy.”
“Gilriant would never turn against us.” Slightly amused Thranduil nodded. “But he would use it against the forces of the Enemy.” The king paused before continuing. “I would not see us be pulled into another war.” At Legolas’ baffled look he continued. “We have not needed such gifts in a long time my son. So why is one appearing now? My responsibilities as King is to preserve the lives of our people.”
“To restore the land and cleanse it of corruption. At least, that is what Gilriant has talked about.” Thranduil inclined his head. “Yes, but to do that, you must also remove the source. I fear his attempts may escalate things.” Legolas frowned, “But he’s done nothing but try to protect. If anything he does not want to draw attention to himself. You heard what I did.” The vision from shortly after the young prince’s arrival. Which spoke of a he that must not learn of the young elf’s existence. “Which is why it is wise he has acted within boundaries so far. And why I am going to assign more patrols to the south, to prevent the new protection from being discovered if at all possible. How long though, before he acts outside such boundaries?”
Even knowing that the protection that had been put in place was not the final form, Thranduil could feel the power of it. When Gilriant woke they would need to have a conversation about what it would and could do. As well as discuss what the long term plan was. Perhaps it was a good thing that the prince grew up under a ward designed to obscure the presence of Imladris and hide it from the Enemy.
At Legolas’ silence, he returned to the original topic at hand. “So, what was your impressions of his music then?” Thranduil watched his son’s reactions as his thoughts moved back to what he recently experienced. “Powerful. They were using me as a focus to tie into the forest and lay the protections. Being the center of it was to be wrapped up in the song and all the impressions which changed for each point.” A faint smile formed on the princes’ face. “There was also such, joy. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.” Seeing the slightly dazed expression on his son’s face, Thranduil knew he wasn’t likely to get anything more defined. It also bore watching to see what Legolas’ reactions over time to the young prince were. And possibly tease him about it.
While it was true he used a great deal of energy Gilriant had not fully exhausted himself. So when he woke, it was quite early still. He could feel it, brimming at the edge of his senses. The energy and flow of the protection he wove over the forest. If he opened himself fully, the young elf was sure he’d get a flood of information, not all of it really necessary. Sorting through it should be fun. It would help him figure out how to move forward. “I can feel that mind of yours going to work.” The amused voice of Haldir broke into his thoughts. “I take it you have rested enough.”
His very warm and very comfortable pillow was of course already awake. While Gilriant had anchored on the older elf, and he had been using energy to monitor everything, he also needed far less rest. “Mhmm, but I’ll need to meditate soon.” One of the bonuses of their connection, he didn’t need to go into overt detail for the marchwarden to understand.
“Do you need me to help sort the information?” Sliding out of the bed the younger elf stretched before wandering over to the side table. “Just monitoring, I think, in case I get stuck on something.” Which could be a concern as this was different from other things he had done so far. But he wanted to try at least to parse out the information himself. “Plus it could help when Thranduil wants answers. You know how my brain works best.” Snatching an apple from the bowl on the table, he tossed one in Haldir’s direction after the marchwarden got up. “I am rather experienced in translating your thoughts into something actually comprehensible.” Easily catching the apple he waited to make sure Gilriant was picking up his own before biting into it. “Not my fault if people can’t understand my brilliance.” The playful banter continued as they got ready for the day. A quick pause when the bard decided to take up his handpan in its special carry case and slung it over his back.
While Haldir wasn’t as sensitive as Gilriant, he often went barefoot as well. It helped his connection to nature in order to best monitor the younger elf. So when Harry moved to head outside, neither were shod. Either rumor, or Legolas, had prepared the people of the Greenwood for this as so far no one had so much as blinked at that. Too late to be considered true night but too early for dawn, they quietly made their way down the hall to the doors to the forest.
There was, however, a brief pause at the doors. While the guards were reluctant to let them out, Gilriant made it clear that one way or another they were going into the forest. When they tried to send guards along with them, the young prince laughed, “You are welcome to try, I wish you luck in keeping up.” Waiting just outside were the white wolf and the black deer. The pair mounted and quickly vanished between the trees.
“I’m sure King Thranduil will have something to say about this later.” Haldir was more amused than worried. They weren’t going far in, they had Hallows and Tindil to guard them, and Gilriant needed at least some separation from the halls to get the cleanest read possible. “Oh probably. But with what I put up he would know instantly if there was anything corrupt nearby. He and everyone else is going to have to get used to my independent streak.” The marchwarden tilted his head. “True, but he’s not going to be used to the fact the wards will warn him yet.”
It didn’t take Gilriant too long to find what he was looking for. One of the natural breaks that made a small clearing in the forest. For this first part he only needed what he could feel. So the carrying case was set to the side as the pair settled crosslegged on the ground facing each other. Hallows stood guard at Haldir’s back, and Tindil at the younger elf’s.
Strictly speaking, Gilriant didn’t necessarily need Haldir to anchor him for something this simple. He was fully capable and had many times in the past done it completely solo. Given the option though, they preferred this. The calm quiet moment with nothing truly pressing or to be concerned with. It nurtured the bond between them to connect this way. It also afforded a sense of protection and freedom for Harry to spread his awareness. With the lightest of touches, he first filtered first through nature, then into the ward in its current configuration.
By the time they had made their way back to the front gates the sun had already started its path across the sky. There was a slightly exasperated Maethel with those waiting to greet them there. “My Prince, is there a reason you decided to enter the forest without your guard?” While the tone was respectful, Gilriant raised an eyebrow. Perhaps this would be a good exercise for them both. “Multiple. Including the fact we were in little to no danger. While I am aware I can be impulsive, I have no intention of taking needless risks.” At Haldir’s cleared throat he did his best not to roll his eyes. “I am aware that I am still getting a feel for what that is, but this morning was not.” He was not an elfling dammit. The marchwarden really was never going to let him forget his initial arrival incident.
After a moment he softened. “I do appreciate your concern Maethel. I was not trying to cause anyone stress.” Sadly Gilriant was aware that it was likely going to be an unfortunate side-effect of his bid to establish his own status as an adult. If they were going to insist on giving him a title, they were going to have to get used to him making his own decisions. Even the ones they don’t like.
Aware that Haldir was comfortably letting him take the lead, he looked to the others waiting. “Does the King wishing to see us?” Gilriant kept his expression serene. “He did request your presence as soon as it became available.” The young elf was pretty sure it wasn’t phrased as a request. Still, “Then after we make a brief stop at our rooms, I would appreciate you guiding us to him.” While they likely could find him on their own, it seemed a bit politic to allow this. Of course after he made his own point.
One of the staff split off to head down the hall, the other trailed behind them as they headed towards their rooms. Haldir remained quiet until they reached the privacy of their rooms. While Gilriant had no intention of putting on shoes, he would dress a little more formally and headed to the wardrobe. “I see you are modeling some of your behavior on your brother?” Opening up to look at his clothes selection he replied. “Some, though apparently I’m not going to be mimicking his fashion choices.”
While yes, some of what he brought was there, apparently his clothing section had magically expanded. When Hedwig landed on the box that held the pieces of jewelry his uncles sent with a cheerful trill Gilriant eyed her. “Am I to understand you helped then?” The responding cheerful chirps and trills made it clear she approved of everything. “Fine, then you are helping me pick everything out.” Within reason of course. He wasn’t going to give her complete control over his choices.
When Hedwig flew over to land on the wardrobe door, Haldir moved over to the box to flip it open. "Which do you want, since the King did say it was to go with these pieces.” Considering the matter Gilriant looked through the clothes that had been added. “Well, I would like to visit with their musicians later, so armbands I think, to go with the sleeveless tunics.” At the ice phoenix’s trill the young elf rolled his eyes. “No, I am not trying to show off. If I play different instruments later, the extra freedom of movement will help. I don’t intend to change my clothes five times a day.”
Between the blacksmithing lessons and the weapons practice, Gilriant did manage to build some muscle. Elves after all were naturally strong, so it was more that the repetition of both practices made him more defined. Nothing bulky and nothing terribly impressive. He supposed if you compared him to someone that didn’t do any type of activities that would strengthen the arms he might look better. He didn’t consider it anything of note. Picking through the clothes he laid out what he wanted as Haldir set the armbands by it. Well what Hedwig wanted anyways.
With a thoughtful look he also grabbed the circlet his Atar made him. Considering how much he wore the one for control growing up he’d gotten fairly used to them. With wearing something of his Sindarian roots, he wanted to make it clear he was from a differing culture as well. Not that anyone was likely to forget. It just made Gilriant feel better to have something from his father’s hands.
“We’ll need to find the practice salle later, and I’d like to find the forges as well.” He called after Haldir as the other elf moved to give his clothing a slight upgrade. As well as get shoes. Gilriant would need them for those two places but otherwise he was going to stay barefoot. While he would never be a smith on the level of his Grandfather or cousins, he did plan on keeping with it. As an elf he had a very long time to learn and improve. Plus the idea of making things for family members appealed to him. Harry’s main ‘craft’ would be as a musician. He would leave his instruments here until after the meeting.
Finally ready they left the room and let the member of the household staff guide them to Thranduil. As expected when they entered his study, he looked less than pleased. “So,” the king started in a clipped tone, “You left my halls early, unarmed, and went into the forest without any guards accompanying you. Is there a reason you decided to take such a risk?” Gilriant remained composed as he answered.
“I would hardly call it a risk, if it was one at all it would have been a calculated one.” The elven king narrowed his eyes. “For one, we had both Hallows and Tindil with us. Which are more than sufficient defenders if the unlikelihood of us encountering anything dangerous occurred the distance we were to your gates.” At that Gilriant raised an eyebrow and Thranduil inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Additionally the wards that have been established would have warned me if anything of malign intent entered the Greenwood. If for some reason they do not, I have a marked sensitivity to orcs and goblins. While I have learned to manage it, it is unmistakable. If you completely disregard that, with being open to examine the wards, I know every living thing that is around me. Even if something could block me, it would show up as a void which would be very obvious. Finally,” here the young elf flashed a grin, “If I am in nature, I am never without some form of defense.” He did have one last point to make. “So I don’t appreciate being spoken to like an errant elfling.”
Legolas had slipped in during his explanation and Thranduil looked over to him. “I see he’s going to be just as much of a headache as you were when you came of age.” His son smiled. “Ada, I was just doing my best to take after you.” At that the King sighed and indulged in pinching the bridge of his nose. “Eru help me, you’ve corrupted my son into talking back.” At the woodland prince’s amused look Gilriant decided not to take offense. “That was hardly talking back. Though I’m sure if I try really hard I can teach him that.” At the baleful look that was aimed in his direction Haldir hid a laugh with a cough.
There was no real heat in the gaze. Nothing that indicated the King was truly angry with any of them. In some ways it had the air of being tested to see if he had sound reasoning. Perhaps also if he would stand up for himself. If this had been before the healing, Thranduil might have had a more ill-tempered reaction, but not now. Instead he waved a hand. “Sit, we need to discuss these wards of yours.”
The King waited long enough for them to settle and then asked, “You said they would warn of malign intent?” Looking thoughtful, Gilriant considered his reply. “I am the one that set them, so it's going to be easier for me to interpret the information. While you are both keyed to the wards, I would recommend meditation while connecting to them to better understand. Most of the time it should not be at the forefront of your attention.” Legolas leaned forward. “So I’ll be able to sense things as well.” Harry nodded, “Yes, the three of us are keyed to them. They are currently temporary which means they are not as strong as they could be. While they are in this state I recommend at least one of us be inside them at all times to hold them.” Thranduil waved off that concern.
“What can they do now as a temporary measure and how would more permanent ones differ?” A good question and one that Gilriant was prepared for. “These ones are currently more information gathering and an early warning system. The stronger version is going to vary depending on the terrain and what can be influenced there. I’m going to need to ride where the edges are for a good look at everything. With my wolves having worked at cleansing any corruption for as many decades as they have, we have a good base of energy to fuel them. However everything has a cost. It’s going to take me more than a day to give you a complete answer.”
“Could they prevent someone else’s magic from interfering with the Greenwood?” Gilriant took his time answering that one. “They could possibly disrupt someone magically looking in, but that would make it obvious they are there. You cannot hide the forest’s entire presence, these are very broad wards. If I was to make it a smaller area it would be stronger.” Which would also leave large areas of the Greenwood vulnerable was unnecessary to say out loud.
“There is time to decide. The earliest I could start on the stronger version would be spring. As I follow balance and the natural cycles, that is the time for beginnings. Ideally I would use the days of balance for spring, summer, fall and winter.” Gilriant smiled slightly. “I’m not a vala, so I wouldn’t be able to make orcs explode for example, but I could likely make it uncomfortable for them. Be a strong deterrent for lesser creatures that are corrupted.”
“I could take them on scouting patrols,” Legolas offered. “That should help.” Gilriant’s eyes lit up at that. “I want to learn tree running.” Looking amused Thranduil replied. “Considering how often you are found up a tree, that does not surprise me.” He shifted his gaze to his son. “Very well, I do believe it would do Prince Gilriant some good to learn our fighting styles.”
“There is much I want to learn and explore. Though I will be going home from time to time. Thankfully Hedwig and Fawkes are helpful for that.” Haldir’s voice was dry as he added to Harry’s comments. “It’s go and check in, or have the Greenwood invaded by much of Imladris since they know we are here.” Gilriant sighed, “They are going to be overprotective for a while.”
‘I do believe you are underestimating that my friend. Give them a millennia or two and they might relax. Might.” Legolas cheerfully offered. “Or I will just find something to distract them with.”
The thoughtful expression on his face sent a vague sense of alarm on the rest of them. “Oh don’t worry, I’m sure it will be fine.” Haldir raised an eyebrow. “Just remember you are the one that wanted us to visit my brothers. Too much chaos and it will take longer to achieve that.” Thranduil made a mental note to make sure their healing halls were overstocked on supplies. Just in case.