Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
A/N: This is a sequel to "Old Warriors Never Say Die" but even if you haven't read it you should still be able to follow this story
Young Warriors Feel No Fear
Chapter 1. The Aftermath
There was much merrymaking under the trees of Mirkwood that night in honour of the two warriors. Everyone agreed that Galadriel calling the contest between Elrond and Thranduil a draw was the best outcome. The singing and dancing had lasted until dawn and nearly everyone had retired exhausted but in good spirits. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir had spent the evening discussing their fathers' prowess with the sword, still amazed by what they had seen. There was also the unresolved issue of the wager. Galadriel's decision to declare a draw meant that no one had won, so Elrohir suggested they turn the bet into a bargain,
"We are agreed then," he said to Legolas. "You will try and teach Arwen how to shoot and we will try to convince Thranduil to permit you to come on our next orc hunting trip."
" Yes, I certainly have the easier part of this arrangement," he commented.
"Don't be too sure, my friend" laughed Elladan "she can be a very difficult student and even my father cannot make her do anything she does not wish to."
"I think you will find my father is of a similarly stubborn nature," he warned with a smile. " Anyway, you two can sit here discussing this all you want, but I am ready to retire" he said with a yawn.
Legolas took his leave and made his way back to the palace. As he passed by his father's chamber he heard Thranduil moving about so he decided to make sure he was well,
"Enter" Thranduil said in response to the quiet knock on the door. "Ah, Legolas still awake, I see, what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to see how you were feeling," he said indicating the bandage around the king's forearm, a wound from the contest.
"It is nothing, just a flesh wound and, although I would not admit this to anyone else" he said with a wink, " my body aches all over. It has been many years since I fought such a formidable opponent."
"You were equally as skilled and fearsome," Legolas said. " I hope you know that I am very proud to be the son of such a great warrior."
"Thank you, I am pleased to hear that," said Thranduil as he embraced his son in a rare display of affection, "I think it best if I try to get some rest now, it is but a few hours before the Council meeting."
Meanwhile in the palace guest quarters, the twins were speaking with their father.
"What I find hard to believe" Elladan was saying "is that you actually agreed to fight Thranduil in the first place." Elrond smiled, there were many things his sons had yet to learn about him.
"I made the challenge, it was Thranduil who agreed," he stated. "Why?" asked an astonished Elrohir. Elrond had no intention of discussing the reason for the animosity between himself and the King of Mirkwood with his sons but he felt some explanation was in order,
"As much as I hate to admit it, Thranduil was correct in saying that I have not used a sword for many centuries. He is a highly skilled swordsman and in truth, more than a match for me" he raised his hand to silence their protest " I wanted to see how well I would do against him. There are dark times coming and it will take all the skills I possess to defend our people."
"In that case, we will be well defended," said Elladan with a bow of respect towards his father.
"Thank you. Now tell me, what were the stakes of your wager with Legolas?" he laughed at the look of surprised guilt on his son's faces. "Don't look so surprised, I knew you would not let such an opportunity for a wager pass you by. "
"You do know us too well," Elrohir said with a twinkle in his eye. "Legolas has agreed to teach Arwen the bow, Elladan and I must convince Thranduil to let him join our next hunt."
"I seem to recall that I have already asked you two to teach your sister," he said. They both nodded in confirmation hoping they had not angered him,
"Arwen is impossible!" complained Elladan "she is always late for her lesson, she refuses to listen to instructions and she has very little talent."
"Is that all?" asked Elrond unable to hide the amusement in his voice. "I admit your sister can be difficult and I suppose she may pay more heed to Legolas, if only out of
courtesy to his title."
"Exactly" agreed Elrohir "and he is a far better archer than either of us."
"Very well. Just a word of warning in regards to your task, it will be next to impossible," he said. " Thranduil is very stubborn and very protective towards his son and his wits are as sharp as his sword! I wish you good luck" As the twins left their father's room Elrond smiled at Elladan's whispered words to his brother,
"I think we will need it!"
A/N: This is a sequel to "Old Warriors Never Say Die" but even if you haven't read it you should still be able to follow this story
Young Warriors Feel No Fear
Chapter 1. The Aftermath
There was much merrymaking under the trees of Mirkwood that night in honour of the two warriors. Everyone agreed that Galadriel calling the contest between Elrond and Thranduil a draw was the best outcome. The singing and dancing had lasted until dawn and nearly everyone had retired exhausted but in good spirits. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir had spent the evening discussing their fathers' prowess with the sword, still amazed by what they had seen. There was also the unresolved issue of the wager. Galadriel's decision to declare a draw meant that no one had won, so Elrohir suggested they turn the bet into a bargain,
"We are agreed then," he said to Legolas. "You will try and teach Arwen how to shoot and we will try to convince Thranduil to permit you to come on our next orc hunting trip."
" Yes, I certainly have the easier part of this arrangement," he commented.
"Don't be too sure, my friend" laughed Elladan "she can be a very difficult student and even my father cannot make her do anything she does not wish to."
"I think you will find my father is of a similarly stubborn nature," he warned with a smile. " Anyway, you two can sit here discussing this all you want, but I am ready to retire" he said with a yawn.
Legolas took his leave and made his way back to the palace. As he passed by his father's chamber he heard Thranduil moving about so he decided to make sure he was well,
"Enter" Thranduil said in response to the quiet knock on the door. "Ah, Legolas still awake, I see, what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to see how you were feeling," he said indicating the bandage around the king's forearm, a wound from the contest.
"It is nothing, just a flesh wound and, although I would not admit this to anyone else" he said with a wink, " my body aches all over. It has been many years since I fought such a formidable opponent."
"You were equally as skilled and fearsome," Legolas said. " I hope you know that I am very proud to be the son of such a great warrior."
"Thank you, I am pleased to hear that," said Thranduil as he embraced his son in a rare display of affection, "I think it best if I try to get some rest now, it is but a few hours before the Council meeting."
Meanwhile in the palace guest quarters, the twins were speaking with their father.
"What I find hard to believe" Elladan was saying "is that you actually agreed to fight Thranduil in the first place." Elrond smiled, there were many things his sons had yet to learn about him.
"I made the challenge, it was Thranduil who agreed," he stated. "Why?" asked an astonished Elrohir. Elrond had no intention of discussing the reason for the animosity between himself and the King of Mirkwood with his sons but he felt some explanation was in order,
"As much as I hate to admit it, Thranduil was correct in saying that I have not used a sword for many centuries. He is a highly skilled swordsman and in truth, more than a match for me" he raised his hand to silence their protest " I wanted to see how well I would do against him. There are dark times coming and it will take all the skills I possess to defend our people."
"In that case, we will be well defended," said Elladan with a bow of respect towards his father.
"Thank you. Now tell me, what were the stakes of your wager with Legolas?" he laughed at the look of surprised guilt on his son's faces. "Don't look so surprised, I knew you would not let such an opportunity for a wager pass you by. "
"You do know us too well," Elrohir said with a twinkle in his eye. "Legolas has agreed to teach Arwen the bow, Elladan and I must convince Thranduil to let him join our next hunt."
"I seem to recall that I have already asked you two to teach your sister," he said. They both nodded in confirmation hoping they had not angered him,
"Arwen is impossible!" complained Elladan "she is always late for her lesson, she refuses to listen to instructions and she has very little talent."
"Is that all?" asked Elrond unable to hide the amusement in his voice. "I admit your sister can be difficult and I suppose she may pay more heed to Legolas, if only out of
courtesy to his title."
"Exactly" agreed Elrohir "and he is a far better archer than either of us."
"Very well. Just a word of warning in regards to your task, it will be next to impossible," he said. " Thranduil is very stubborn and very protective towards his son and his wits are as sharp as his sword! I wish you good luck" As the twins left their father's room Elrond smiled at Elladan's whispered words to his brother,
"I think we will need it!"