Chapter 1: The Teacher
Legolas sighed in defeat. Yet again he had lost an argument with his father. He had been cooped up inside the palace for a whole month learning his new responsibilities as a prince. Legolas would turn 1000 years old next year and he would be expected to act completely like an elf Prince of Mirkwood should. His father, King Thranduil, had called a temporary break to his "prince training" so that Legolas could be taught how to act for the upcoming ball. The argument that he had just lost was that Legolas was hoping to spend the day hunting and having fun with his friends before continuing the never ending lessons. But King Thranduil's argument against it was too strong.
*START FLASHBACK*
Legolas was getting desperate, if he didn't have some time alone soon he was going to go insane.
"Please ada (father), just one more time, I promise I'll be careful!" Legolas pleaded.
King Thranduil sighed. "The answer is still no! Do you remember the last time you went hunting before a ball? You broke your arm and had major scratches all over your body. You missed all your lessons about the manners and behavioural standards that were expected of you and at the ball, you decided to drink too much mead and completely embarrassed yourself as well as me and everyone else in Mirkwood!"
"But ada . " Legolas started to whine.
"N'UMA LEGOLAS (NO LEGOLAS)! Please, must we always fight like this? Things would be much easier if you submitted to the fact that as a prince you have certain obligations. I am tired, please go to the dining hall; I have finally found a responsible, elegant elf to teach you some manners. Quel re (Good day)." The finality in his tone left no room for argument so Legolas silently left the room.
*END FLASHBACK*
Sighing once again, Legolas set out for the dining hall and his next lesson. This new teacher must be very brave; the last elf that tried to teach Legolas any table manners had fled from the palace crying his eyes out. Last that Legolas had heard of his old teacher, he was living alone in the deserted caves in the west of Mirkwood.
As Legolas pushed open the large doors leading into the dining hall, he spotted his new teacher sitting on one side of a long table with two places set up. She stood up as he entered the room. She was tall and slim, her fine brown hair flowed down to her waist and she wore a simple blue dress. If it had not been for the fact that she would most likely be thrice his age, Legolas might have found her quite attractive.
"Vedui, Taren'nin (Greetings, my Prince)." She curtseyed to him. "essa'nin Artina. Saesa omentien lle (My name is Artina. Pleasure meeting you)." Artina said in a soft, angelic voice.
"Hello Artina. Please, call me Legolas." the male elf replied using the common tongue to check if she knew the language.
"Forgive me for pointing out a flaw in manners to a royal elf, my prince, but from that short speech, I have discovered that you are uneducated in your manners and you believe that you are equal to all other elves." She pointed out, her brown eyes flashing.
"Aren't I?" Legolas asked seriously confused.
"No, you are not, your highness. You are a prince and sole heir to the throne of Mirkwood. You are not some low-level servant. You are of noble and royal birth. Your first lesson will be to act your status. Your second lesson will be to learn to speak in a way that suits your station. You do not mutter silly responses like 'aren't I?' A prince and eventual king should never respond in that ridiculously confused tone. A prince and eventual king should never respond to a statement or enquiry with two words. Always respond with at least a dozen words as it makes the person or people you are conversing with feel like you are listening and are actively interested in the topic you are discussing. Also, never abbreviate your words. Understand?" She stated seriously while pacing in front of Legolas.
"Yes" Legolas replied in a childish tone. After a very threatening look from Artina he adjusted his reply. "Yes Lady Artina. I understand your statements and I shall ensure that I apply those lessons when in formal company." Legolas couldn't believe the babble he had just said; maybe he could learn how to behave like his father expected him to.
"Much better your majesty. There is hope for you yet." She smiled kindly, leading him over to the set-up table.
*This is going to be a long day* Legolas thought to himself as Artina began to teach him the proper way to greet people from different stations.
Legolas sighed in defeat. Yet again he had lost an argument with his father. He had been cooped up inside the palace for a whole month learning his new responsibilities as a prince. Legolas would turn 1000 years old next year and he would be expected to act completely like an elf Prince of Mirkwood should. His father, King Thranduil, had called a temporary break to his "prince training" so that Legolas could be taught how to act for the upcoming ball. The argument that he had just lost was that Legolas was hoping to spend the day hunting and having fun with his friends before continuing the never ending lessons. But King Thranduil's argument against it was too strong.
*START FLASHBACK*
Legolas was getting desperate, if he didn't have some time alone soon he was going to go insane.
"Please ada (father), just one more time, I promise I'll be careful!" Legolas pleaded.
King Thranduil sighed. "The answer is still no! Do you remember the last time you went hunting before a ball? You broke your arm and had major scratches all over your body. You missed all your lessons about the manners and behavioural standards that were expected of you and at the ball, you decided to drink too much mead and completely embarrassed yourself as well as me and everyone else in Mirkwood!"
"But ada . " Legolas started to whine.
"N'UMA LEGOLAS (NO LEGOLAS)! Please, must we always fight like this? Things would be much easier if you submitted to the fact that as a prince you have certain obligations. I am tired, please go to the dining hall; I have finally found a responsible, elegant elf to teach you some manners. Quel re (Good day)." The finality in his tone left no room for argument so Legolas silently left the room.
*END FLASHBACK*
Sighing once again, Legolas set out for the dining hall and his next lesson. This new teacher must be very brave; the last elf that tried to teach Legolas any table manners had fled from the palace crying his eyes out. Last that Legolas had heard of his old teacher, he was living alone in the deserted caves in the west of Mirkwood.
As Legolas pushed open the large doors leading into the dining hall, he spotted his new teacher sitting on one side of a long table with two places set up. She stood up as he entered the room. She was tall and slim, her fine brown hair flowed down to her waist and she wore a simple blue dress. If it had not been for the fact that she would most likely be thrice his age, Legolas might have found her quite attractive.
"Vedui, Taren'nin (Greetings, my Prince)." She curtseyed to him. "essa'nin Artina. Saesa omentien lle (My name is Artina. Pleasure meeting you)." Artina said in a soft, angelic voice.
"Hello Artina. Please, call me Legolas." the male elf replied using the common tongue to check if she knew the language.
"Forgive me for pointing out a flaw in manners to a royal elf, my prince, but from that short speech, I have discovered that you are uneducated in your manners and you believe that you are equal to all other elves." She pointed out, her brown eyes flashing.
"Aren't I?" Legolas asked seriously confused.
"No, you are not, your highness. You are a prince and sole heir to the throne of Mirkwood. You are not some low-level servant. You are of noble and royal birth. Your first lesson will be to act your status. Your second lesson will be to learn to speak in a way that suits your station. You do not mutter silly responses like 'aren't I?' A prince and eventual king should never respond in that ridiculously confused tone. A prince and eventual king should never respond to a statement or enquiry with two words. Always respond with at least a dozen words as it makes the person or people you are conversing with feel like you are listening and are actively interested in the topic you are discussing. Also, never abbreviate your words. Understand?" She stated seriously while pacing in front of Legolas.
"Yes" Legolas replied in a childish tone. After a very threatening look from Artina he adjusted his reply. "Yes Lady Artina. I understand your statements and I shall ensure that I apply those lessons when in formal company." Legolas couldn't believe the babble he had just said; maybe he could learn how to behave like his father expected him to.
"Much better your majesty. There is hope for you yet." She smiled kindly, leading him over to the set-up table.
*This is going to be a long day* Legolas thought to himself as Artina began to teach him the proper way to greet people from different stations.