So, I know this story completely disregards the proper timeline for Legolas' and Aragorn's lives but it was just a fluffy one shot I thought up. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated as this is my first complete story. If you like it, maybe I'll add more one shots to this. Review and tell me what you want me to write. Thanks for reading!
"Greetings, Thranduil!"
The ElvenKing turned from where he was giving his horse over to the grooms and smiled at his approaching friend.
"Greetings, Elrond", he replied, coming and grasping the dark-haired elf's shoulder. "It has been too long, mellon nin."
"Indeed", Elrond said with a laugh. "I am very happy you chose to come here for a few weeks. We have much discuss."
Suddenly a golden flash peeked out from behind Thranduil's cloak only to disappear behind the tall elf once again. Thranduil chuckled and turned to lift something up into his arms.
"Elrond, I would like for you to meet my son, Legolas."
Elrond smiled at the shy little elfling that clung tightly to Thranduil's neck.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my prince."
Legolas smiled shyly back but didn't attempt to release his hold on his father. Suddenly, Thranduil caught a glimpse of unruly dark curls peeking out from behind Elrond's robes.
"Estel, what have I told you about hiding from guests", Elrond sighed.
He reached behind himself as well and lifted up a small human boy in his arms.
"Thranduil, this is my son, Estel. His family was killed by orcs some time ago and he has come to live with us."
"It is good to meet you", Thranduil said, smiling at the child.
The young human smiled shyly back. Not unlike how his own son greeted strangers, Thranduil thought to himself.
"Well now, since we have all been introduced, let us go inside", Elrond said. "I am sure you are weary from your travels, Thranduil, and I had a cask of the best Dorwinian brought up for your arrival."
"You certainly have not forgotten my tastes, mellon nin", Thranduil laughed as he followed the peredhel inside.
A few hours later, Legolas was wandering around Imladris. He had enjoyed a glass of berry juice while his father and Elrond had their wine. He quickly grew tired of the adult conversations, however, and begged to explore this large, new place. Thranduil had been hesitant at first, but Elrond insisted the elfling be given reign to explore.
"Believe me, Thranduil, there is not a bit of trouble that your little one could get into that my twin terrors have not done a thousand times before", Elrond had chuckled. "Though I doubt he will get into any trouble at all. He is a very well-mannered elfling."
"Very well", Thranduil had agreed. "Legolas, you are to stay within the house or within sight of it at all times. Be back when the sun touches the horizon for dinner."
The elfling had readily agreed and skipped off to start exploring his new surroundings. Now he was already growing bored of the house. It wasn't long before he found a large balcony with a tree branch hanging over it. He giggled and jumped into the huge oak tree. The tree murmured in happiness at having the little one in its boughs, making Legolas giggle again. He nimbly jumped from branch to branch and tree to tree, happily playing in their limbs like he did in the gardens in Greenwood. He suddenly skidded to a stop and peered down at something he spotted on the forest floor below. Where there had been only leaves from past winters, there was suddenly a small garden with brightly colored flowers, stone paths, and a small creek running nearby. The elfling's eyes lit up at the pretty sight and he swung down out of the tree to investigate his discovery. He loved helping the gardeners in Greenwood and would spend hours in the flowerbeds or greenhouses, tending to the plants. He could tell that someone put a lot of love and care into this small garden. The plants were weeded, watered, and fertilized and the stone paths kept free of vines and dead leaves. He did see that many of the dead flowers had yet to be removed from the plants, so he set right to work trimming them back for whoever owned this garden.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
The shouted question startled Legolas and he whirled around just in time to see a mass of black curls tackle him roughly to the ground. The poor elfling was so surprised that the little attacker easily pinned him to the ground, breathing hard in anger. Legolas quickly saw that the boy was Estel, Lord Elrond's son.
"What are you doing here", the boy shouted again. "This my nana's garden. I made it just for her."
"I…I am sorry", Legolas whimpered. "I was just p…playing in the trees and saw it. I did not mean to hurt anything."
"Then why were you picking her flowers", Estel growled.
"I was not. I was just removing the dead ones."
Estel quickly looked up where Legolas had been kneeling and did only see dead flowers laying on the ground. He seemed to calm down a little then and let Legolas up from the ground. The elfling didn't hesitate to scramble away from the human and watch him with wary eyes. Estel brushed himself off and went to work finishing what Legolas had started, expecting the elfling to leave. Legolas however, simply sat with his back against a tree, watching the human work.
"Why do you not like others to see this place", Legolas asked after a long while. "Doesn't your nana like to show it to people?"
"She can't", Estel mumbled. "The orcs sent her and Ada to Mandos. I wanted to make this garden to remember her."
Legolas bit his lip against the tears that rose in his eyes, as he remembered his own nana who had recently been killed by orcs.
"They sent my nana there too", Legolas murmured.
Estel turned and regarded the sad elfling before him with eyes that reflected a similar pain.
"You lost your nana too", he asked softly.
Legolas nodded as the tears finally left his eyes. Estel stood and quietly padded over to Legolas. He sat beside the elfling and looked into his eyes.
"I am sorry", he said, gently.
"I am sorry for you too. And I am sorry I meddled in your garden."
"You didn't know and you were just trying to help", Estel said quickly. "I shouldn't have gotten so angry. I just never want this place hurt."
"I understand", Legolas said, smiling at the human. "Why did you want to plant a garden for her?"
"She loved gardens and plants. I would always help her. I liked making the plants grow. Do you have a garden for your nana?"
"No, I never thought about it before. Maybe when Ada and I go home, I can make her one."
"I have an idea", Estel said suddenly. "Stay here, I'll be right back!"
With that, Estel ran off into the woods. Legolas cocked his head in curiosity when the boy returned minutes later with a cart full of rocks, dirt, and bulbs.
"Can you help me build another bed over here", Estel asked, pointing to a spot a little separate from the main garden.
Legolas nodded and together they arranged the rocks carefully in a circle. They built it up about two feet high and stuffed soft clay in the cracks to make it sturdy.
"What was your nana's favorite color", Estel asked when they finished filling the bed with dirt.
"She always said green like the leaves and blue like mine and Ada's eyes."
Estel nodded and then picked out four bulbs that had already started sprouting a bit.
"Here", he said, handing them to Legolas. "This is your spot in our garden now. These will grow into big leafy plants and light blue flowers. You can take care of them when you're here and I'll take care of them for you when you're not."
Legolas stared at the offered plants for a long while, not moving an inch.
"But, this is your nana's garden", he finally whispered.
"I know. But you lost your nana too. I think my nana would like it if we shared this special place together."
Legolas' eyes teared yet again and he leaned forward to hug Estel gently.
"Hannon le, mellon nin", he whispered through choked sobs.
"Glassen, mellon nin", Estel replied, hugging the elfling back.
They both carefully planted the flowers in the new bed and then Legolas helped Estel trim back the remaining plants in his section of the garden. By the time they finished, the sun was just beginning to touch the horizon.
"We should go", Estel said finally. "It is almost time for dinner and Ada gets mad at me when I'm late."
Legolas nodded and together he and Estel headed out into the trees and back toward Imladris.
"Estel, I know that is your secret garden, but could we show my ada tomorrow. I know he would love to see Nana's spot."
"I suppose. My ada knows and so do my brothers. As long as he doesn't tell anyone it would fine."
"He will not if we ask him not to", Legolas assured him.
Just then, they rounded a corner and bumped directly into Thranduil and Elrond as they both were looking for their children.
"Legolas Thranduilion! What in Arda have you been doing?! You are absolutely filthy!"
Legolas looked down and gulped when he saw the mud and grass stains on his clothes and the caked dirt on his hands. He also looked back and saw he had left muddy prints from his boots all over the floor.
"I'm sorry, Ada", he murmured.
Elrond chuckled from where he had picked up Estel to stop the trail of mud from his own son.
"Well I suppose dinner will just have to wait a while, mellon nin. I believe our children are in dire need of a bath."
"Most certainly! Come along now, Legolas."
Thranduil scooped Legolas up in his arms as well and swept him off to their private bathing chambers.
"Ion nin, I simply cannot imagine what you have been doing to become so incredibly filthy", Thranduil exclaimed as he scrubbed the dirt from Legolas' hair.
"Are you angry with me, Ada", Legolas asked, sorrow clear in his voice.
"Of course not, ion nin! But I do wish you would tell me what exactly you were getting into."
"Can I show you instead?"
"Yes, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. As soon as you are clean, we must meet Lord Elrond for dinner."
Soon the elfling was clean and dressed in proper clothes. The meal was delicious and they enjoyed their time with their friends. Thranduil and Elrond were shocked at how close their two children seemed to be already. It was like they had known each other for years, not hours. All too soon for Legolas' and Estel's liking, it was time for bed.
"Tomorrow Ada has promised to go look at our garden", Legolas whispered to Estel.
"Let's do it after breakfast then. That way we can spend all day in the garden."
The elfling readily agreed and they bade each other good night. Legolas slept wonderfully that night. His elven dreams were filled with wonderful visions of tending beautiful flowers with his naneth. The next morning, Legolas was more than excited. He hurried through his breakfast along with Estel and then waited impatiently for Thranduil to finish his own. Finally, they headed out to Estel's secret garden. They stepped in the little glade and Thranduil survey the small garden with high regard. He was impressed that the human had done such a good job on it.
"This is very beautiful, Estel! You have done a wonderful job caring for these plants."
"Hannon le", Estel said shyly.
"Here is what I wanted you to see, Ada", Legolas said pulling his father over to the small circle. "Estel and I made this yesterday. He planted this garden for his nana and he let me plant flowers here for my nana too."
Thranduil felt his throat constrict at the mention of his wife and he knelt next to the small garden, gently fingering the tender green shoots that barely poked above the ground.
"Ada, do you like it", Legolas asked hesitantly.
Thranduil turned and embraced his elfling closely. "I love it, ion nin. It is such a beautiful thing to do for your nana."
Legolas smiled and hugged his father back.
"Estel, I know how much this garden means to you", Elrond said with a smile. "I am very proud of your generosity and kindness toward Legolas in giving him a part of it."
"Aye, thank you so much, Estel", Thranduil echoed, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "It very beautiful. Rest assured that you secret will safe with me. I shall only come here with Legolas. No others."
"Hannon le, aran nin."
Thranduil smiled again at the human and turned back to the small garden.
"You would be so proud with your son, meleth nin", he thought.
And Thranduil would swear to this day that in that moment his dear wife was right there with him in the beautiful garden so carefully planted in her honor.
The End
Elvish terms:
Ada - Dad
Nana - Mom
Hannon le – Thank you
Mellon nin – My friend
Glassen – You're welcome
Meleth nin – My love
Aran nin – My king