Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to the great and mighty J.R.R. Tolkien. Alfhild belongs to a good friend and I am using her with her permission. Alkin is the only thing I own.
Chapter 1: Great and Terrible Memories
Thranduil the Elven King of Mirkwood put his head in his hand. He sat in a small room adjoining his quarters surrounded by crates and carriers of all sorts. He was searching for an old document of importance to send to Lord Celeborn of Lorien. And this was where he had put every piece of parchment he had ever signed.
Thranduil hefted a box out of a corner and opened the top. Inside were a number of hand drawn pictures, and a few small books, along with several notes of resignation he had ignored for years. He took out one of the notes and laughed as he skimmed it. He continued reading it as he brought the box into his main room. He sat in a chair and rifled through the papers occasionally talking one out for closer inspection. Eventually he heard a soft knock at his door.
"Enter." He said trying to regain composer from the last fit of laughter. The door opened and in walked his son, Legolas, and his friend Alkin. They had come to say farewell for they were off today with a small colony of elves to the land of Ithillen in Gondor. "Ah." Said Thranduil trying to keep his face expressionless. "I was just wondering when you two would get here." In truth he had been laughing at them. "Alkin, would you run to the training grounds and fetch Captain Alfhild?" he asked politely.
"Oh course Sire." Alkin said bowing slightly as she left the room leaving Legolas and Thranduil alone.
"What do you want the Captain for Adar?" Legolas asked "Surly nothing is amiss?"
"No all is well." Thranduil answered "But I have something to show you and I will need Alfhild to tell the whole tale." Legolas ran his hand through his hair usually when the grim and silent Captain of Mirkwood was involved with anything there was bound to be trouble.
Alkin dashed through the halls of the palace. Nodding to all she passed. As she reached the magic gates of the king she slowed to a stop and let them open for her. And out she ran into the forest. The training fields of Greenwood were not actual fields like in Rivendell or the kingdoms of Men. It was a place in the forest where the trees where thinner and there was light enough to see and room to move and train. She found Alfhild there correcting the aim of a young solider. Alkin saluted the cadet in the way of the elves and bowed to Alfhild.
"Captain," she stated "the King has need of your services." Alfhild cocked an eyebrow
"For what?" she asked suspiciously
"Of that I know not." Alkin said shrugging her shoulders "he simply asked me to come fetch you." Alfhild nodded and dismissed the Cadet
"Lead on then Lieutenant." Alfhild said Alkin led the way back to the King's quarters.
Once the pair returned to the door Alkin knocked and was granted entrance. She and Alfhild entered.
"Please sit." Thranduil said gesturing to two chairs. Alkin sat to the right of the already seated Legolas and Alfhild sat on her right. "Now then," Thranduil turned in his own chair and produced the box of drawings from behind it. He opened it and pulled out three things. To Legolas he gave what looked to be a picture of three Elves one tall and two short. Crudely drawn by a young child. To Alkin he gave a worn book labeled "Word References". And lastly to Alfhild he handed her a note of resignation. Alfhild visibly paled at the sight of the paper. She knew what was coming.
Thranduil looked as the two younger elves stared blankly at the objects in their laps and Alfhild looked disgustedly at the object in hers.
"I see Alfhild remembers what these are." Thranduil said barley succeeding in concealing his laughter "But you two I notice don't." He said looking at the young Prince and Lieutenant.
"No," said Alkin flipping through the book "I don't."
"Nor do I." Said Legolas turning the drawing over trying to figure out it's subject
"Why Legolas!" His father said in mock astonishment "You drew that picture on the very first day you met your nurserymaid."
"But the grown Elf in this picture has a sword." Legolas said confused
"Yes I know." Said Thranduil and Alkin sniggered Thranduil turned his eye on her "And that Alkin was your favorite story book." Alkin immediately stopped laughing but Legolas kept the laughter alive.
"You would think you would have a larger vocabulary then you do with a dictionary as a story book Alkin." He choked out through his laughter.
Alkin glared at him
"At least I didn't draw with my feet!" she retorted Legolas's laughter subsided and he shook his head "What does Alfhild have?" asked Alkin changing the subject.
"That," Thranduil chuckled "That is her very first letter of resignation."
"What?" Legolas asked shocked "Alfhild you never told me during all those years of training that you tried to resign."
"Not from the Army." Alfhild whispered like she was speaking of some long forgotten evil. "But from taking care of two orclings." Legolas and Alkin just stared confused.
"Well now." Thranduil said, "I called you all here so I could tell you a tale. So let me begin. This is a tale about two orcs called Laslego and Kinal. More wildly known as Legolas and Alkin and of their ever vigilant nursemaid Captain Alfhild.." Legolas and Alkin burst out laughing.
A/N: Poor Alfhild. If you want me to continue please review. Flames will be used to feed the fire of my imagination and there will be more nonsense thrown at you shortly if there are many. Come one reviewing only takes up about 10 seconds where as reading that took up 5 minutes
Valar Bless
NikerymArda