***Disclaimer: I am well aware I do not own the idea of LOTR nor the
character, they belong to Mr. Tolkien.***
(Side note: I made up my own age system for elves, I don't know how it really is, but for the sake of my own story Legolas is 300 years old, about 5 in human years. The twins and Kai are 1000, about 15 in human years, and Sil is 800 about 13 in human)
They could all feel it that day. The change of seasons was upon them. Yet another winter would soon take hold of Mirkwood, and none could be more excited than a young golden haired elfling, whom was currently occupying himself by hiding in the tress away from those calling his name.
"Legolas, please come here." The young dark haired elf girl, looked to her male counterpart, a small smile on her face, "Why Kai, I do not know where Legolas could be."
Kaimelar smiled as well, "He certainly is a clever little elfling to be able to hide from us."
Legolas bit back his laughter, not wanting the sound to give him away to his brother and sister. For he knew if they found him, he would have to wash and change for dinner. He could never quite understand why they made him clean himself if he was just going to get dirty once more; his father often wondered if he was a magnet for filth. Since he was fairly certain that none of his other children were as messy as his youngest.
Kaimelar and his sister, Sildulin, stepped just below the tree their younger brother was hiding in.
"Well, I suppose he is gone forever! That is too bad because you know who is coming today, don't you Kai?"
Putting his hand to his forehead Kaimelar mocked thoughtfulness, giving a great sigh, " Hm, I think I have forgotten."
Up in the trees Legolas' ears perked up, forgetting himself who would be coming: there was a great amount of fun, interesting people who came to see his ada.
"How could you? Lord Elrond is bringing the twins for a visit! They should be here in time to join us for dinner." The two siblings looked to each other, mouthing the words, 'three, two, one,' and on cue a loud thump was heard as Legolas jumped from his branch, landing before his brother and sister.
"El'hir and Elld'n coming?" he asked, his words tumbling out muffled, lost in his excitement. Kaimelar scooped the young one up in his arms.
"Oh! Look who has fallen from the skies!" he teased, Legolas beamed.
"Not in sky Kai! Up in trees." Legolas pointed up to the branch he formally occupied, proud of his succession in fooling his elder siblings.
"In the tress. How smart you are, we never would have searched for you there," Sildulin replied, tickling Legolas. The child squealed in delight, as Kaimelar held him upside down; and when the two decided their little brother was sufficiently out of breath, Kaimelar flipped him right side up, studying Legolas face, finding in hard to keep a serious look at the sight of the little beaming face.
"What's wrong Kai?" Legolas asked suddenly concerned about his brother's somber expression.
"I was just wondering, exactly how long is it going to take to clean this mud out of your hair?" Sildulin grinned as she noticed what Kaimelar spoke of: the top of Legolas' blonde hair was matted down with a good coat of mud. Having forgotten what he done, Legolas' began to smile more at the proud memory of his great plan. His siblings prepared themselves for Legolas' explanation of his hair.
"I want hair like Kai and Sil!" As cute as the gesture was, Sildulin frowned, it would prove quite difficult to get the stuff out of his hair, much less, now, talk him into allowing them to clean it out. But an idea suddenly dawned on her.
"Well, little one, unfortunately I do not this Elladan or Elrohir will be able to recognize you looking like this," Sildulin said, Legolas looked horror struck, and words they never believed would escape Legolas' lips were spoken clearly.
"Legles wants bath! Please Sil, give Legles bath!" he pleaded. Kaimelar smiled at his sister, as Legolas squirmed from his arms into Sindulin's, in order to ingratiate himself to her, snuggling his mud- covered head into her shoulder.
"I suppose I could give you a bath, but you owe me."
Legolas' eyes grew wide, "Legles give you his blue stone."
Sildulin kissed him on the cheek, "A hug will do."
Before she could take a breath, Legolas squeezed his arms tightly around her neck, nearly cutting off her air supply. She glanced over to her other brother, who was going red in trying to keep from laughing. Wait till their father heard of this, even better wait till he told Elladan and Elrohir they were responsible for Legolas' want of a bath. He could already see their incredulous faces in his head. It was all too much and Kaimelar burst out laughing, Sildulin too followed suit. Legolas looked from his sister to his brother and though he was unawares of the joke he joined in the laughter all the same.
King Thranduil sat deep in thought behind a desk stacked with books and parchment. It had been a long day: the lists of grievances grew longer as they always did this time of year, even elves could grow apprehensive about the oncoming winter, unsure whether there was enough food and supplies in store if the winter proved longer and harsher than one had expected. Then there was the Winter Festival to organize, which needed to be prepared by the first snowfall, which was difficult since one could not predict when the snow would first fall. All that as well as keeping border patrols up, trade routes secure; among other tedious diplomatic duties which kept the king quite busy. He would be glad for winter when finally there would be a lull in activity within Mirkwood. He was abruptly broken from his thoughts by the voice of his daughter echoing in the hall, then the pitter patter of little feet run past his door. He rose and opened his door just in time to catch his daughter run by.
"Sildulin, what is wrong?" She looked exasperated and disheveled. The bottom of her dress was damp, as well as some of her hair.
"It is Legolas. He has decided he is no longer an elf, but a wild horse, that I must catch!" she cried out. Thranduil looked at his daughter, his eyes a mixture of pity and amusement. She had been so pleased to have gotten Legolas willingly into his tub, but Thranduil had suspected it wouldn't remain quite so easy; it never was with his youngest. He certainly did have a wild spirit. He smiled as he noticed a white towel clutched in her hands; it certainly was going to give one of the servants quite a shock when the caught sight of the young prince running around naked, he noticed his daughter did not share his amusement.
"Adar, I have to get ready for Lord Elrond and his sons will be here shortly, and I am a mess!"
"I will search for Legolas if it will please you." The King offered. Sildulin sighed in relief and kissed her father on the cheek.
"Thank you ada and good luck."
The King laughed to himself, as his daughter turned and walked away; it shouldn't be that hard to find his son, he merely had to follow the trail of little wet footprints his elfling had left behind.
Legolas yawned; it was tiring being a wild horse. He slowed his pace, stopping when he reached the great wood doors of his father's bedroom. He knocked on the door and when received no answer, reached for the doorknob and turned it. Opening the door proved to be difficult as it outweighed him by several pounds, but nevertheless the young elf pushed the door open enough for his slight form to slip through.
No matter how often he visited this room, he would still stand in awe. It was much larger than his own room; everything in this room was larger. He quickly ran to his father's bed, pulled himself up and proceeded to jump. Yes, it was much more fun jumping on his ada's bed. It was much bigger and springier than his own; he could get much higher on this bed.
But quicker than he started, Legolas ceased as he heard his father's voice echo through the hall, calling his name. Legolas stifled a giggle as he crept silently beneath his father's heavy quilt and rolled into a tight ball. He heard his father's voice again, but he cared not, he was much too tired to care now. All that jumping and running finally hit the elfling, and underneath these nice warm sheets, on the big soft bed Legolas was finding it difficult to stay awake. Come to think of it, perhaps he was already asleep, cause last he remembered his father's bed was not a cloud. The little elf sighed and allowed himself to be carried off into the sky.
"Legolas, come now, enough play." Thranduil called again. As he approached the door, he noticed it was slightly open. He was completely certain he had closed it this morning. Upon closer inspection, it was opened just wide enough for a small elf to fit through. He quietly the door and peeked in. Much to his surprise he could not see his son, he expected him to at least be jumping on the bed, but then a small little lump under his sheets caught Thranduil's eyes. There he was, hiding under the quilt. Planning to surprise his son, Thranduil tip toed the bed and in one swift motion pulled the sheets off. . And there in the middle of the bed was his son cuddled up in a ball sound asleep. Draping the towel around his body, Thranduil lifted his son and carried him to his own room.
Well, Thranduil mused to himself, at least he'll be rested for the twin's and Elrond's arrival. After placing Legolas upon his own bed, Thranduil took up the task of finding Legolas an outfit for later that night. Something nice, but not too nice, for with the twin's there it was almost assured Legolas would be covered in filth in half the time it normally took. He heard a shuffling behind him.
"Ada?" he heard a little voice call. He turned around and looked at his son rubbing his eyes.
"What is it Legolas?"
"I thought I was dreaming."
"Oh? What did you think you were dreaming about?" A faraway smile formed on Legolas' face.
"I dreamt a cloud took me from your room and floated me right here." Legolas shook the sleep from his mind and Thranduil knew the excitement of the day was beginning to awaken in his son. Before Legolas had time to jump from the bed, Thranduil bounded to him with a tunic and leggings in his arms.
"Let's get some clothes on you little one." Legolas nodded his head vigorously. Once he was dressed, he would be able to go downstairs and help prepare for the guests arrival. Or at the least he could watch as everyone else prepared. Thranduil laughed as he was reminded of the last time Legolas tried to "help" in the kitchens. It took a good week to settle the cooks from the ordeal. He was never able to understand how such a tiny little thing could cause such trouble.
"Go downstairs?" Legolas asked once he was dressed.
"Not quite yet." Legolas furrowed his brows, trying to think of what could possibly be delaying his venture downstairs.
"Legles dressed." He stated, as though perhaps his father had overlooked this fact.
"Yes, Legolas is dressed, but ada think Legolas needs his hair brushed." His son frowned, but got up and begrudgingly brought his brush to his father. However, Legolas hesitated giving the brush up, Thranduil raised and eyebrow at the obviously distressed youth.
"Yes, Legolas?" Legolas pursed his lips together and took his father in with a scrutinizing stare. Thranduil tried not to show his amusement for the sake of the young one's pride.
"After brushing, we go downstairs?" Thranduil felt as though he had left his son's room and was now in his council room before some very insistent negotiator.
"After brushing, yes, then we go downstairs." This answer seemed to satisfy his golden haired child and Legolas relinquished the brush to his father. And after a few minutes of struggle with some unruly knots, Legolas' brush became smooth and straight, softly resting on his shoulders. Thranduil looked as his son, when clean he certainly was a regal elf to behold. Legolas stood still, waiting for some sign of approval from his father. Finally his father rose sweeping Legolas into his arms, the child giggled gleefully, Ada could be such fun, he thought.
Faster than either Kaimelar or Sildulin could carry him, Thranduil ran through the halls and down the stairs, forgetting his noble composure as King. Some of the servants watched in delight at the sight and sound of their king and young prince flew down the halls.
"Adar!" called the voice of his elder son. The King stopped, Legolas eyes lit up at the sound of his brother's voice.
"What is it Kaimelar?" Thranduil asked.
"We have word from the scouts that Lord Elrond and his party will be here shortly." The king nodded.
"Well I am glad to hear they've made it here in one piece," Kaimelar grinned, feeling like Legolas, who was presently squirming in his father's arms. Kaimelar's restlessness did not go unnoticed by his father, "Anything else, Kaimelar?"
"Actually ada, I was wondering if perhaps you wouldn't mind if I."
The King cut in, aware of what his son's inquiry was, "You go on. I'm certain they'll be pleased to see you so soon." There was a twinkle of mischief in the King's eye," You can make sure they don't get lost."
Kaimelar's cheeks reddened at the last comment, he weakly smiled at his father and turned to leave.
"Ell'hir and Ell'dan not get lost." Legolas proclaimed, still attempting to get to the ground, Thranduil tightened his grip, aware that once Legolas' feet touched the ground he would be out the door to find the twins who he so desperately adored and admired.
"No, they will not get lost." But, the King thought, it is not to say they never were. It was the year Legolas was born and Elrond was bringing his twin's for the first time, and since the weather was bad, Thranduil thought it best if there was someone who knew the forest there to guide them through it. Since Kaimelar had just turned of age, his father allowed him to take the task after much insisting. It was two days later and many leagues away when a search party was able to find them. The weather, along with his extreme nerves for his first "official duty" disoriented Kaimelar enough for him to loose all direction and guide the twins and Elrond in the complete opposite intended direction. And though it was three hundred years later, Kaimelar would still be teased ceaseless about it.
"Ada, I go down. I stay clean, promise!"
"Oh, yes, I'm certain you would. Be patient little one our guests will be here soon."
"Kai go, so Legles go." His son's logic could be baffling.
"Kai is older than you." Legolas stuck out his lower lip, his blue eyes becoming big and round. This was his tactic with his siblings and nursemaid, and it always seemed to get him what he wanted, so at times, he would try it on his father. And just like all the other times it seemed to fail. Thranduil liked to believe his lack of susceptibility to Legolas' "face" was due to all his years in diplomacy, but he could never say for certain.
"Well, look what we have here! Adar you certainly did s commendable job with this little elfling." Sildulin said as she entered her father's throne room, where the two had ended up when interrupted by Kaimelar. Legolas outstretched his arms to his sister, Thranduil allowed him to go to her.
"Sil beautiful." Sildulin beamed. If not for her dark hair, Thranduil could have sworn he was looking at his wife. Sometimes he forgot how old his children were getting. Sildulin had a become a beautiful elf maiden right before his eyes and he just noticed it now, as she stood their with her little brother in her arms. Since her mother, his wife, died Sildulin filled her role without complaint and without a second thought. She was the only thing close to being a real mother to Legolas, and he seemed to gravitated to her the way a child does to his mother. She was mature beyond her years, and had become a caregiver to them all; she even made sure her ada was looked after.
"You certainly look handsome Prince Legolas/" But Legolas had become too preoccupied with playing with Sildulin's necklace to pay heed to her compliment she looked over to her father.
"Where is Kai?"
"He is going to meet up with Lord Elrond and company, and ride with them up here."
Sildulin began to laugh, "Are you sure that is wise?"
"He has matured since then, and has proven himself to be an apt scout and warrior, I think it's best for him if we all tried to forget that incident."
"Perhaps I could allow it to slip my mind, but try convincing the twins of that." She and her father shared a look of a amusement at her poor brother's expense, "Ouch, Legolas, don't pull." Sildulin began to try to pry her necklace from the hands of her brother.
"I no pull. Promise, I hold nice now."
"Promise?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously, he nodded his head with a sheepish smiled on his face.
"It's pretty like my blue stone," he pointed out, Sildulin took it as a compliment, for Legolas' blue stone was his most prized possession, being a gift from the much loved wizard, Mithrandir. Legolas treated the stone as if it were made of spun glass, and when the wizard returned a few years later, Legolas was able to show him how pristinely he kept it. And for this, Mithrandir kept him wide-awake all night with stories of all his adventures. That gift was even more prized then the stone, and often he would attempt to retell his siblings some of the tales, making sure they were all aware Legolas could not share the secret stores of the wizard cause only Legolas was trusted with such scary, adventurous stories.
"Legolas, can you do me a favor?" Legolas' eyes grew wide. He felt important when asked to do favors, so was delighted to hear those words.
"I do favor for Sil."
"There is a book in my room, on my bed. Could you please get it for me." Legolas nodded, Sildulin placed him on the floor and he zipped off at first contact.
"What is it, Sildulin?" Thranduil asked, aware of her ploy.
"I overheard something father." Thranduil raised an eyebrow, imploring her to go on. After a moment of hesitation she continued, "Ada, I heard Verya speaking of spider sightings not to far from these very walls. Is that true?"
"It is."
It wasn't the response she wanted, the answer she expected, but she would have preferred some elaboration.
"What does it mean? Are we safe? Just this afternoon we allowed Legolas to play in the trees alone. What if something happened to him, could something have happened?"
"Calm down, my child. I understand you concerns, fear not, they are the same concerns I have. But for now we are safe, they were but a few estranged spiders that happened too close to our city walls. If I thought anything ill would befall Legolas or Kaimelar or yourself, I would not allow you out of my sights or at least the sight of at least half Mirkwood's troops." Thranduil took hold of Sildulin's shoulders and kissed her reassuringly on the forehead. No, he would not allow the same fate of his wife befall his children. He had learned from his mistakes and he would be more prepared, more cautious this time round.
"Got it Sil! I got it." Legolas' voice yelled from the hall. He burst into the room, out of breath, clearly he had run the whole way, back and forth. He held the book up to Sildulin, and when noticed her arms occupied with that object, ran to his father to be held by him. "Did you see ada? Legles carried the big book here all by himself!"
"What a strong elf you are." Thranduil eyed his daughter who was looking over the book concerned. "Something the matter with."
Before he could finish, Sildulin stored the book behind her back, "No, there is nothing. I just wanted to see, I mean, well, thank you Legolas for doing that for me." That was peculiar, Thranduil thought. He had never seen her act so flustered, and over a book. Maybe it was just the spiders, perhaps she was still upset about that. Thranduil suddenly felt a sticky small hand on his face.
"Adar, you are not listening," Legolas said. The King focused on his son, unaware the child had said anything at all. After one last glance at his daughter's reddening face, he brought his full attention to Legolas.
"I'm sorry, please tell your ada what you were saying."
Before Legolas could start again, their was a knock from outside, followed by the entrance of Verya, captain of Mirkwood's troop and trusted friend of the King.
"Verya, come in." Thranduil voiced.
"Ver!" Legolas exclaimed, excited to see the elder warrior. Sometimes, when Legolas was very well behaved, Verya would allow him to come and watch the troops train at the archery range. Legolas never was so entranced by anything as he was with the archers, except perhaps Mithrandir's magic.
"Hello my Prince, Princess Sildulin," he bowed his head. Sildulin, still embarrassed, merely nodded with a weak smile; Verya was concerned she was sick, but Thranduil's amused expression subsided his worries.
"What news do you bring my friend?"
"Well, your majesty, Lord Elrond and company should be here in mere moments, pending our young Prince Kaimelar manages to keep a cool head, hopefully he shall not trot by the palace without noticing he has passed it."
"Aye, indeed."
"Ada, we got to door. Sil, Ver we must go to door! Ell'dan and El'hir and Lord 'Lron' here!" Legolas squealed, somehow managing to squirm from his fathers' hold and bolted down the hall to the main entrance.
"I suppose we should follow him, my lord."
"Well, since you are my captain, I delegate you the task to keep that child from running outside to find out arriving guests."
"I accept the challenge sire!" Verya saluted, then exited the room in a quick pace to catch up with Legolas. Thranduil began to follow when he noticed that Sildulin was not moving.
"Are you coming?"
Sildulin looked up from the floor, "Ada, promise me you will not laugh."
"I promise."
"I suppose you were bound to find out sooner or later." She paused examining the book in her hands, "This is a gift."
***That's it for right now, and please if you do review this, keep it nice, constructive criticism is welcome, mean comments are not. Thank you!!!***
(Side note: I made up my own age system for elves, I don't know how it really is, but for the sake of my own story Legolas is 300 years old, about 5 in human years. The twins and Kai are 1000, about 15 in human years, and Sil is 800 about 13 in human)
They could all feel it that day. The change of seasons was upon them. Yet another winter would soon take hold of Mirkwood, and none could be more excited than a young golden haired elfling, whom was currently occupying himself by hiding in the tress away from those calling his name.
"Legolas, please come here." The young dark haired elf girl, looked to her male counterpart, a small smile on her face, "Why Kai, I do not know where Legolas could be."
Kaimelar smiled as well, "He certainly is a clever little elfling to be able to hide from us."
Legolas bit back his laughter, not wanting the sound to give him away to his brother and sister. For he knew if they found him, he would have to wash and change for dinner. He could never quite understand why they made him clean himself if he was just going to get dirty once more; his father often wondered if he was a magnet for filth. Since he was fairly certain that none of his other children were as messy as his youngest.
Kaimelar and his sister, Sildulin, stepped just below the tree their younger brother was hiding in.
"Well, I suppose he is gone forever! That is too bad because you know who is coming today, don't you Kai?"
Putting his hand to his forehead Kaimelar mocked thoughtfulness, giving a great sigh, " Hm, I think I have forgotten."
Up in the trees Legolas' ears perked up, forgetting himself who would be coming: there was a great amount of fun, interesting people who came to see his ada.
"How could you? Lord Elrond is bringing the twins for a visit! They should be here in time to join us for dinner." The two siblings looked to each other, mouthing the words, 'three, two, one,' and on cue a loud thump was heard as Legolas jumped from his branch, landing before his brother and sister.
"El'hir and Elld'n coming?" he asked, his words tumbling out muffled, lost in his excitement. Kaimelar scooped the young one up in his arms.
"Oh! Look who has fallen from the skies!" he teased, Legolas beamed.
"Not in sky Kai! Up in trees." Legolas pointed up to the branch he formally occupied, proud of his succession in fooling his elder siblings.
"In the tress. How smart you are, we never would have searched for you there," Sildulin replied, tickling Legolas. The child squealed in delight, as Kaimelar held him upside down; and when the two decided their little brother was sufficiently out of breath, Kaimelar flipped him right side up, studying Legolas face, finding in hard to keep a serious look at the sight of the little beaming face.
"What's wrong Kai?" Legolas asked suddenly concerned about his brother's somber expression.
"I was just wondering, exactly how long is it going to take to clean this mud out of your hair?" Sildulin grinned as she noticed what Kaimelar spoke of: the top of Legolas' blonde hair was matted down with a good coat of mud. Having forgotten what he done, Legolas' began to smile more at the proud memory of his great plan. His siblings prepared themselves for Legolas' explanation of his hair.
"I want hair like Kai and Sil!" As cute as the gesture was, Sildulin frowned, it would prove quite difficult to get the stuff out of his hair, much less, now, talk him into allowing them to clean it out. But an idea suddenly dawned on her.
"Well, little one, unfortunately I do not this Elladan or Elrohir will be able to recognize you looking like this," Sildulin said, Legolas looked horror struck, and words they never believed would escape Legolas' lips were spoken clearly.
"Legles wants bath! Please Sil, give Legles bath!" he pleaded. Kaimelar smiled at his sister, as Legolas squirmed from his arms into Sindulin's, in order to ingratiate himself to her, snuggling his mud- covered head into her shoulder.
"I suppose I could give you a bath, but you owe me."
Legolas' eyes grew wide, "Legles give you his blue stone."
Sildulin kissed him on the cheek, "A hug will do."
Before she could take a breath, Legolas squeezed his arms tightly around her neck, nearly cutting off her air supply. She glanced over to her other brother, who was going red in trying to keep from laughing. Wait till their father heard of this, even better wait till he told Elladan and Elrohir they were responsible for Legolas' want of a bath. He could already see their incredulous faces in his head. It was all too much and Kaimelar burst out laughing, Sildulin too followed suit. Legolas looked from his sister to his brother and though he was unawares of the joke he joined in the laughter all the same.
King Thranduil sat deep in thought behind a desk stacked with books and parchment. It had been a long day: the lists of grievances grew longer as they always did this time of year, even elves could grow apprehensive about the oncoming winter, unsure whether there was enough food and supplies in store if the winter proved longer and harsher than one had expected. Then there was the Winter Festival to organize, which needed to be prepared by the first snowfall, which was difficult since one could not predict when the snow would first fall. All that as well as keeping border patrols up, trade routes secure; among other tedious diplomatic duties which kept the king quite busy. He would be glad for winter when finally there would be a lull in activity within Mirkwood. He was abruptly broken from his thoughts by the voice of his daughter echoing in the hall, then the pitter patter of little feet run past his door. He rose and opened his door just in time to catch his daughter run by.
"Sildulin, what is wrong?" She looked exasperated and disheveled. The bottom of her dress was damp, as well as some of her hair.
"It is Legolas. He has decided he is no longer an elf, but a wild horse, that I must catch!" she cried out. Thranduil looked at his daughter, his eyes a mixture of pity and amusement. She had been so pleased to have gotten Legolas willingly into his tub, but Thranduil had suspected it wouldn't remain quite so easy; it never was with his youngest. He certainly did have a wild spirit. He smiled as he noticed a white towel clutched in her hands; it certainly was going to give one of the servants quite a shock when the caught sight of the young prince running around naked, he noticed his daughter did not share his amusement.
"Adar, I have to get ready for Lord Elrond and his sons will be here shortly, and I am a mess!"
"I will search for Legolas if it will please you." The King offered. Sildulin sighed in relief and kissed her father on the cheek.
"Thank you ada and good luck."
The King laughed to himself, as his daughter turned and walked away; it shouldn't be that hard to find his son, he merely had to follow the trail of little wet footprints his elfling had left behind.
Legolas yawned; it was tiring being a wild horse. He slowed his pace, stopping when he reached the great wood doors of his father's bedroom. He knocked on the door and when received no answer, reached for the doorknob and turned it. Opening the door proved to be difficult as it outweighed him by several pounds, but nevertheless the young elf pushed the door open enough for his slight form to slip through.
No matter how often he visited this room, he would still stand in awe. It was much larger than his own room; everything in this room was larger. He quickly ran to his father's bed, pulled himself up and proceeded to jump. Yes, it was much more fun jumping on his ada's bed. It was much bigger and springier than his own; he could get much higher on this bed.
But quicker than he started, Legolas ceased as he heard his father's voice echo through the hall, calling his name. Legolas stifled a giggle as he crept silently beneath his father's heavy quilt and rolled into a tight ball. He heard his father's voice again, but he cared not, he was much too tired to care now. All that jumping and running finally hit the elfling, and underneath these nice warm sheets, on the big soft bed Legolas was finding it difficult to stay awake. Come to think of it, perhaps he was already asleep, cause last he remembered his father's bed was not a cloud. The little elf sighed and allowed himself to be carried off into the sky.
"Legolas, come now, enough play." Thranduil called again. As he approached the door, he noticed it was slightly open. He was completely certain he had closed it this morning. Upon closer inspection, it was opened just wide enough for a small elf to fit through. He quietly the door and peeked in. Much to his surprise he could not see his son, he expected him to at least be jumping on the bed, but then a small little lump under his sheets caught Thranduil's eyes. There he was, hiding under the quilt. Planning to surprise his son, Thranduil tip toed the bed and in one swift motion pulled the sheets off. . And there in the middle of the bed was his son cuddled up in a ball sound asleep. Draping the towel around his body, Thranduil lifted his son and carried him to his own room.
Well, Thranduil mused to himself, at least he'll be rested for the twin's and Elrond's arrival. After placing Legolas upon his own bed, Thranduil took up the task of finding Legolas an outfit for later that night. Something nice, but not too nice, for with the twin's there it was almost assured Legolas would be covered in filth in half the time it normally took. He heard a shuffling behind him.
"Ada?" he heard a little voice call. He turned around and looked at his son rubbing his eyes.
"What is it Legolas?"
"I thought I was dreaming."
"Oh? What did you think you were dreaming about?" A faraway smile formed on Legolas' face.
"I dreamt a cloud took me from your room and floated me right here." Legolas shook the sleep from his mind and Thranduil knew the excitement of the day was beginning to awaken in his son. Before Legolas had time to jump from the bed, Thranduil bounded to him with a tunic and leggings in his arms.
"Let's get some clothes on you little one." Legolas nodded his head vigorously. Once he was dressed, he would be able to go downstairs and help prepare for the guests arrival. Or at the least he could watch as everyone else prepared. Thranduil laughed as he was reminded of the last time Legolas tried to "help" in the kitchens. It took a good week to settle the cooks from the ordeal. He was never able to understand how such a tiny little thing could cause such trouble.
"Go downstairs?" Legolas asked once he was dressed.
"Not quite yet." Legolas furrowed his brows, trying to think of what could possibly be delaying his venture downstairs.
"Legles dressed." He stated, as though perhaps his father had overlooked this fact.
"Yes, Legolas is dressed, but ada think Legolas needs his hair brushed." His son frowned, but got up and begrudgingly brought his brush to his father. However, Legolas hesitated giving the brush up, Thranduil raised and eyebrow at the obviously distressed youth.
"Yes, Legolas?" Legolas pursed his lips together and took his father in with a scrutinizing stare. Thranduil tried not to show his amusement for the sake of the young one's pride.
"After brushing, we go downstairs?" Thranduil felt as though he had left his son's room and was now in his council room before some very insistent negotiator.
"After brushing, yes, then we go downstairs." This answer seemed to satisfy his golden haired child and Legolas relinquished the brush to his father. And after a few minutes of struggle with some unruly knots, Legolas' brush became smooth and straight, softly resting on his shoulders. Thranduil looked as his son, when clean he certainly was a regal elf to behold. Legolas stood still, waiting for some sign of approval from his father. Finally his father rose sweeping Legolas into his arms, the child giggled gleefully, Ada could be such fun, he thought.
Faster than either Kaimelar or Sildulin could carry him, Thranduil ran through the halls and down the stairs, forgetting his noble composure as King. Some of the servants watched in delight at the sight and sound of their king and young prince flew down the halls.
"Adar!" called the voice of his elder son. The King stopped, Legolas eyes lit up at the sound of his brother's voice.
"What is it Kaimelar?" Thranduil asked.
"We have word from the scouts that Lord Elrond and his party will be here shortly." The king nodded.
"Well I am glad to hear they've made it here in one piece," Kaimelar grinned, feeling like Legolas, who was presently squirming in his father's arms. Kaimelar's restlessness did not go unnoticed by his father, "Anything else, Kaimelar?"
"Actually ada, I was wondering if perhaps you wouldn't mind if I."
The King cut in, aware of what his son's inquiry was, "You go on. I'm certain they'll be pleased to see you so soon." There was a twinkle of mischief in the King's eye," You can make sure they don't get lost."
Kaimelar's cheeks reddened at the last comment, he weakly smiled at his father and turned to leave.
"Ell'hir and Ell'dan not get lost." Legolas proclaimed, still attempting to get to the ground, Thranduil tightened his grip, aware that once Legolas' feet touched the ground he would be out the door to find the twins who he so desperately adored and admired.
"No, they will not get lost." But, the King thought, it is not to say they never were. It was the year Legolas was born and Elrond was bringing his twin's for the first time, and since the weather was bad, Thranduil thought it best if there was someone who knew the forest there to guide them through it. Since Kaimelar had just turned of age, his father allowed him to take the task after much insisting. It was two days later and many leagues away when a search party was able to find them. The weather, along with his extreme nerves for his first "official duty" disoriented Kaimelar enough for him to loose all direction and guide the twins and Elrond in the complete opposite intended direction. And though it was three hundred years later, Kaimelar would still be teased ceaseless about it.
"Ada, I go down. I stay clean, promise!"
"Oh, yes, I'm certain you would. Be patient little one our guests will be here soon."
"Kai go, so Legles go." His son's logic could be baffling.
"Kai is older than you." Legolas stuck out his lower lip, his blue eyes becoming big and round. This was his tactic with his siblings and nursemaid, and it always seemed to get him what he wanted, so at times, he would try it on his father. And just like all the other times it seemed to fail. Thranduil liked to believe his lack of susceptibility to Legolas' "face" was due to all his years in diplomacy, but he could never say for certain.
"Well, look what we have here! Adar you certainly did s commendable job with this little elfling." Sildulin said as she entered her father's throne room, where the two had ended up when interrupted by Kaimelar. Legolas outstretched his arms to his sister, Thranduil allowed him to go to her.
"Sil beautiful." Sildulin beamed. If not for her dark hair, Thranduil could have sworn he was looking at his wife. Sometimes he forgot how old his children were getting. Sildulin had a become a beautiful elf maiden right before his eyes and he just noticed it now, as she stood their with her little brother in her arms. Since her mother, his wife, died Sildulin filled her role without complaint and without a second thought. She was the only thing close to being a real mother to Legolas, and he seemed to gravitated to her the way a child does to his mother. She was mature beyond her years, and had become a caregiver to them all; she even made sure her ada was looked after.
"You certainly look handsome Prince Legolas/" But Legolas had become too preoccupied with playing with Sildulin's necklace to pay heed to her compliment she looked over to her father.
"Where is Kai?"
"He is going to meet up with Lord Elrond and company, and ride with them up here."
Sildulin began to laugh, "Are you sure that is wise?"
"He has matured since then, and has proven himself to be an apt scout and warrior, I think it's best for him if we all tried to forget that incident."
"Perhaps I could allow it to slip my mind, but try convincing the twins of that." She and her father shared a look of a amusement at her poor brother's expense, "Ouch, Legolas, don't pull." Sildulin began to try to pry her necklace from the hands of her brother.
"I no pull. Promise, I hold nice now."
"Promise?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously, he nodded his head with a sheepish smiled on his face.
"It's pretty like my blue stone," he pointed out, Sildulin took it as a compliment, for Legolas' blue stone was his most prized possession, being a gift from the much loved wizard, Mithrandir. Legolas treated the stone as if it were made of spun glass, and when the wizard returned a few years later, Legolas was able to show him how pristinely he kept it. And for this, Mithrandir kept him wide-awake all night with stories of all his adventures. That gift was even more prized then the stone, and often he would attempt to retell his siblings some of the tales, making sure they were all aware Legolas could not share the secret stores of the wizard cause only Legolas was trusted with such scary, adventurous stories.
"Legolas, can you do me a favor?" Legolas' eyes grew wide. He felt important when asked to do favors, so was delighted to hear those words.
"I do favor for Sil."
"There is a book in my room, on my bed. Could you please get it for me." Legolas nodded, Sildulin placed him on the floor and he zipped off at first contact.
"What is it, Sildulin?" Thranduil asked, aware of her ploy.
"I overheard something father." Thranduil raised an eyebrow, imploring her to go on. After a moment of hesitation she continued, "Ada, I heard Verya speaking of spider sightings not to far from these very walls. Is that true?"
"It is."
It wasn't the response she wanted, the answer she expected, but she would have preferred some elaboration.
"What does it mean? Are we safe? Just this afternoon we allowed Legolas to play in the trees alone. What if something happened to him, could something have happened?"
"Calm down, my child. I understand you concerns, fear not, they are the same concerns I have. But for now we are safe, they were but a few estranged spiders that happened too close to our city walls. If I thought anything ill would befall Legolas or Kaimelar or yourself, I would not allow you out of my sights or at least the sight of at least half Mirkwood's troops." Thranduil took hold of Sildulin's shoulders and kissed her reassuringly on the forehead. No, he would not allow the same fate of his wife befall his children. He had learned from his mistakes and he would be more prepared, more cautious this time round.
"Got it Sil! I got it." Legolas' voice yelled from the hall. He burst into the room, out of breath, clearly he had run the whole way, back and forth. He held the book up to Sildulin, and when noticed her arms occupied with that object, ran to his father to be held by him. "Did you see ada? Legles carried the big book here all by himself!"
"What a strong elf you are." Thranduil eyed his daughter who was looking over the book concerned. "Something the matter with."
Before he could finish, Sildulin stored the book behind her back, "No, there is nothing. I just wanted to see, I mean, well, thank you Legolas for doing that for me." That was peculiar, Thranduil thought. He had never seen her act so flustered, and over a book. Maybe it was just the spiders, perhaps she was still upset about that. Thranduil suddenly felt a sticky small hand on his face.
"Adar, you are not listening," Legolas said. The King focused on his son, unaware the child had said anything at all. After one last glance at his daughter's reddening face, he brought his full attention to Legolas.
"I'm sorry, please tell your ada what you were saying."
Before Legolas could start again, their was a knock from outside, followed by the entrance of Verya, captain of Mirkwood's troop and trusted friend of the King.
"Verya, come in." Thranduil voiced.
"Ver!" Legolas exclaimed, excited to see the elder warrior. Sometimes, when Legolas was very well behaved, Verya would allow him to come and watch the troops train at the archery range. Legolas never was so entranced by anything as he was with the archers, except perhaps Mithrandir's magic.
"Hello my Prince, Princess Sildulin," he bowed his head. Sildulin, still embarrassed, merely nodded with a weak smile; Verya was concerned she was sick, but Thranduil's amused expression subsided his worries.
"What news do you bring my friend?"
"Well, your majesty, Lord Elrond and company should be here in mere moments, pending our young Prince Kaimelar manages to keep a cool head, hopefully he shall not trot by the palace without noticing he has passed it."
"Aye, indeed."
"Ada, we got to door. Sil, Ver we must go to door! Ell'dan and El'hir and Lord 'Lron' here!" Legolas squealed, somehow managing to squirm from his fathers' hold and bolted down the hall to the main entrance.
"I suppose we should follow him, my lord."
"Well, since you are my captain, I delegate you the task to keep that child from running outside to find out arriving guests."
"I accept the challenge sire!" Verya saluted, then exited the room in a quick pace to catch up with Legolas. Thranduil began to follow when he noticed that Sildulin was not moving.
"Are you coming?"
Sildulin looked up from the floor, "Ada, promise me you will not laugh."
"I promise."
"I suppose you were bound to find out sooner or later." She paused examining the book in her hands, "This is a gift."
***That's it for right now, and please if you do review this, keep it nice, constructive criticism is welcome, mean comments are not. Thank you!!!***