GREENLEAF'S DAY OUT
Approx. Third Age 250
The Woodland Realm, Greenwood the Great
Chapter 1 – Surprise in the Kitchens
Though it was barely past the hour of dawn, the palace kitchens serving the home of the Elvenking of Greenwood was already alive and bustling with activity. First priority on their agenda as usual would be serving breakfast to the Royal Family.
That day, the work of the kitchens was slightly lessened by the absence of the monarchs from the palace. King Thranduil was currently traveling around his kingdom, checking on certain villages and inspecting the sentry outposts at the borders. He was not to return until at least the next day. Queen Maereth on the other hand, was on a courtesy visit to Imladris, in acceptance of an invitation from some friends. She was expected back the palace by that evening.
This left the King's five sons, the princes of the realm, to be served. The princes always started early in the morning, as their father kept a full schedule for them each and every day. Unless their parents called for a family gathering, the young royals ate morning meals in their respective rooms.
Aradiel, one of the palace cooks, bent over a hot bread oven. She stuck her mitten-covered hands inside and was drawing out a freshly baked loaf when she felt a tugging at her skirts. Straightening up with the bread pan in her hands, she looked down to see a pair of huge blue eyes staring up at her.
"Your Highness!" she gasped, her surprise nearly causing her to drop the loaf on his shiny golden head. Fumbling with nervousness, she gave a quick curtsy to the elfling before walking briskly to the table and setting the bread down. "W-why have you come, my lord? Is there anything you need? Breakfast will be ready for serving in just a moment."
"That's good, because I'm starving!" the blond princeling announced cheerfully. Much to Aradiel's bewilderment, he pulled up a chair to the table and sat on it, his little legs dangling off the floor. A small hand reached for the newly-baked bread, but he withdrew it quickly with a wince.
"Careful, my lord," Aradiel said quickly. "It is still hot." She reached for another platter of bread at the fully laden table and set it before the prince. "Perhaps you would like this instead."
The child reached for the bread but wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Don't!"
"D-don't what my lord?" the young elf-maid stammered.
"Don't call me 'Lord'!" he said, his face breaking into an impish smile. "It makes me sound old! My name's Legolas." He stuck out his hand to the red-faced she-elf. "What's yours?"
"A-aradiel…my lord."
"Did you make this, Aradiel?" Legolas asked, as he pinched off another chunk of the loaf and filled his mouth with it. "It's delicious!"
Aradiel finally managed a relaxed smile. "Th-thank you, your Highness."
"Prince Legolas!'' Both maid and prince turned to the kitchen doorway at the sound of the cheery, booming voice. Elvomir, a palace butler that supervised the kitchens, walked to their table with his fists on his hips but a broad smile on his face.
"Out exploring already, and at so early an hour?" he asked, shaking his head. "Are you not supposed to be in bed still? And where is Ninniel?"
"I'm not sure," Legolas replied innocently. He bit off another piece of bread and swallowed it. "She was still sleeping when I woke up. I was hungry but I did not want to wake her, so I came here."
"Tsk, tsk. She is probably still tired from all the time she spent chasing you around last night," Elvomir said with a grin. He looked up and spoke to Aradiel. "It's all right, you can return to your chores. I shall be the one to attend to our royal guest here."
Before a half-hour was through, the little prince managed to finish the hefty breakfast of bread, cheese, eggs and sausages that Elvomir served him. After gulping down the last of his milk, Legolas wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and thanked the butler before sliding off the chair.
"But where are you off to now, young prince?" Elvomir called after him, as he headed for the door. "Perhaps I should escort you to your room…"
"You don't have to, Elvomir," Legolas replied, shaking his head merrily. "I'm sure I can find my way back. I know my way around the palace better than you think!"
Elvomir chuckled. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of." he said. "All right, off you go then! Back to Ninniel, and nowhere else before then, all right?"
"I promise!" Legolas called back, as his golden head disappeared through the door.
Just a short while after the youngest prince left, a pretty but harried looking maid-servant entered the kitchens.
"Good morning, Ninniel," Elvomir greeted her cheerfully. "If it is your charge that you seek, you just missed him. He's had his breakfast and left here but a few minutes ago.
"Oh dear! How can such a sweet little elfling have the energy and cunning of a rascal? Now I shall spend the entire morning trying to find him!" Ninniel cried, shaking her head. She sank into a nearby chair to rest and catch her breath. "And I still cannot believe I overslept! How I shall pay for that mistake now!"
"Surely you exaggerate!" Elvomir said, chuckling. "Don't you fret so much! I asked his Highness to go straight to his room and meet you. Surely you will still find him there if you go now."
Ninniel had to laugh at that. "I wish I shared your optimism, but I should know better. Legolas is a good lad, but he does have his naughty side. He does not enjoy having someone following him around, waiting on him hand and foot, so he would not let me catch up with him for as long as he can help it!"
She shook her head and sighed. "Part of me wishes to give him his freedom, but my duty to the Queen requires me keep a close watch on him to at least TRY to keep him out of trouble!"
At last the elf-maid took a deep breath and got to her feet once more. "Well, I suppose I should get to looking for him now, though I'm still doubtful of how much luck I could have."
She smiled ruefully at her own folly. "Clever little fellow certainly knew what he was doing when he snuck out on me this morning!"