Thranduil paced up and down his room anxiously, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes on the grandfather clock. Ten minutes late. That was understandable. Little elflings sometimes were distracted. Twenty minutes late. Legolas surely must be on his way home now. Thirty minutes late. Thranduil's heart ached with worry. Forty minutes late. Thranduil panicked and dispatched half a dozen scouts to find his son. Thirty five minutes ticked by.

The door creaked open. A small face rimmed by blond hair peeked in. Thranduil sprang from his chair. "Legolas! Thank the valar! Are you injured?"

Legolas inched into the room, sneaking a glance at the clock. Oh! He was an hour and fifteen minutes late! Ada would be furious. He shifted uncomfortably, dreading the punishment he was sure would come.

"No, ada," Legolas said in a small voice. Thoughts of a whipping floated through his mind unbidden. His gaze drifted to the belt hung over the back of Thranduil's armchair. It had a huge silver buckle on it. "Am I—am I to be punished?"

Thranduil followed Legolas's gaze with a sinking heart. His eyes too fell on the belt. The belt had belonged to Oropher but it was his now. He never wore it. It evoked painful memories. Thranduil looked back at his young son. He sat down on his bed with his feet on the floor and said, "Legolas, come here. I have a story to tell you."

Legolas sat down at his father's feet, glad the punishment had been put off for now. He rested his head on Thranduil's knees. Thranduil's gentle fingers stroked his hair as he told an otherwise brutal tale.


Thranduil slipped into the meeting room, his footsteps quiet on the wooden floor. He was more then late to the meeting and he knew it. Oropher looked at him coldly from the head of the round table. "I see you finally decided to join us, Thranduil. The meeting is almost over. Please come up to my room after the meeting is done."

"Yes, my lord," Thranduil said, slipping into his seat with his head bowed.

After the meeting finished, Thranduil dragged his unwilling feet up to Oropher's bedroom. Dread filled his stomach and sickened his heart. He drew in a deep breath and knocked on the solid oak door of his King's room. Oropher would scold him. He hated it when Oropher yelled at him; he felt small and afraid.

"Come in."

Thranduil turned the doorknob and entered the room. Oropher turned toward him from the dressing table.

"You missed most of the meeting, Thranduil," Oropher said with icy sternness.

Thranduil kept his head bowed. "Goheno nin, my lord. I did not pay attention to the time while I read. It will not happen again."

"I know it will not happen again and this will help you remember. Hold out your hand."

Thranduil obeyed.

Oropher brought the doubled over belt down repeatedly on Thranduil's hand. Thranduil cried out but stood there in shock. Oropher had never hit him before.

"Now the other hand," Oropher said.

Hesitantly, Thranduil held out his second, trembling hand. Oropher brought the belt down even harder, leaving behind cruel red marks. This time tears slid down Thranduil's cheeks.

"Go to your room and do not be late to dinner or your punishment will be worst," Oropher said.

Thranduil walked out of the room. His hands burned. Out of his father's sight, he fled to Harune's room and buried himself in the elf's arms.

"Are you hurt, Thranduil?" Harune asked, pressing the shaking elfling to his chest.

Thranduil sobbed, clinging to Harune's shirt. He held up his abused hands for Harune to see. Harune drew in a sharp breath.

"How did this happen?" Harune asked, rubbing ointment into the red marks.

"O-O-Oropher punished me for missing the meeting," Thranduil stammered, tears slurring his words. "He whipped them with his belt."

Harune frowned. "I see. Have no fear, Thranduil, I will make sure he does not strike you again."

Thranduil nodded. He loved Harune with all his heart and trusted his words of reassurance and guidance.


Thranduil ended the story and looked down at Legolas. "What have you learned, Legolas? Have you learned something?"

Legolas nodded, the color gone from his cheeks. "Yes, ada."

"What have you learned?" Thranduil asked, his voice soft. "Do not be afraid to tell me."


I wonder what Legolas could have learned?

Short first chapter, I know, but I thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the precious time you took to read this.