Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, places, or actors who play the characters. That would be great if I did, but I dont.
Elrond frowned slightly as he and his company neared Mirkwood. He had a funny feeling about Mirkwood, but he didnt know why. He hadnt seen Thranduil since the parting of his wife and wondered how he fared.
"Are you alright?" a quiet voice next to him asked. Elrond gave Haldir, Marchwarden of Lorien, a tired smile. "Yes, quite." he replied. Haldir frowned at him, but didnt press the matter. There was something odd about Mirkwood, despite it was one of the more evil places in Middle Earth. Haldir hadnt been to Greenwood since he was an elfling and didnt really remember it, except it was a lot different from Lorien. He and his brothers had been chosen to accompany Elrond, and Glorfindel to Mirkwood to settle a truce between the three relms. He was a representative for Celeborn and Galadrial and his brothers, Glorfindel, and a witness from Mirkwood would be present when the truce was signed, since they needed at least one witness from each relm. Haldir had brought Orophin as the witness since he had just become of age, but Rumil was still too young, but insisted on coming because he didnt want to be left out. Haldir rolled his eyes. Both brothers clinged to him as their guardian, but they were a handful sometimes. "Up ahead." Rumil said, pointing. The castle was close to ruin, a dark looming shadow seemed to descend over the building. Beside Haldir, Orophin shuddered.
They were greeted by a guard, leading them inside the castle. "King Thranduil said to see you were situated before any discussions." the guard said. But as they were lead through the great hall, Elrond, who was last, noticed a lone figure, bent in half, was scrubbing the floor for all it was worth. He couldnt tell if the figure was male or femalel; long golden hair that was quite dirty fell in it's face and its head was down.
"Dont pay him any heed." the guard said, gently taking Elrond's arm and pulling him through the door. "He is a slave, nothing more." at the sound of the guard's voice, the figure looked up and Elrond's breath caught in his throat. Under the soot and dirt on the slave's small, pale face shone brilliant blue eyes that held intelligence and pride. Elrond saw that he was no more then an elfling, possibly younger then his twin sons at home. He felt a surge of anger at Thranduil, taking the poor child and making him work like that. The elfing's clothes were tattered and filty, much like he himself. His leggings and leather jerkin were black; symbolizing his status as a slave and were in tatters. Elrond watched as the little slave lowered his head again, giving the floor another violent scrub before tossing the brush back in the bucket and slowly stood up, stretching his stiff muscles. Without another glance, the elfling picked up the bucket and half-carried-half-dragged it down the hall.
"Sire, please." the guard tugged his arm again and this time Elrond allowed him to pull him out of the hall. The guard showed him his room and told him his belongings would be brought up later before leaving. Elrond sat down on the bed, his mind in a whirlwind. This wasnt like Thranduil, who seemed to care about everyone. Never would Elrond believe he would keep a slave of ANY kind, much less a little elfling. The child couldnt even be a century!
A knock on the door brought him out of his musings. "Come in." Elrond said. Celeborn opened the door and, seeing the distressed look on his friend's face, said, "What troubles you, mellon?" he asked.
"Did you see him?" Elrond asked. "See who?"
"The elfing." Celeborn shook his head.
"No, I saw no elfling. Thranduil does not have any children that I know of." Celeborn frowned slightly.
"There was a small elfling, younger then the twins, scrubbing the floor in the great hall." Elrond said. "The guard told me he was a slave. Thranduil owning a slave? What is wrong with him!" "If this worries you so, mention it to him." Celeborn suggested. "Perhaps he has a good excuse." Elrond sighed, knowing there couldnt possibly be an excuse good enough for why the king of Mirkwood owned another living being, but he knew he owed it to Thranduil to give him the benefit of the doubt. "You are right. I will ask him." Elrond agreed. Just then Glorfindel appeared in the doorway.
"Is something amiss?" he asked.
"No Glorfindel." Elrond smiled slightly. "But I believe we should go see Thranduil."
"And now the three relms are now one." Thranduil finished signing the treaty and gave it to Celeborn. Elrond was surprised, he expected days of negotiation between the three kings, but it had taken less then twelve hours to reach an agreement.
"Yes, now that the matter is settled, I wanted to know something." Elrond took a deep breath. "Yes?" Thranduil asked. Elrond studied his friend for a moment. He didnt seem like the kind of person to be cruel enough to be a slave driver.
"I heard from one of the guards that slavery is legal here." Elrond said carefully. Thranduil nodded.
"Not exactly." Thranduil replied. "I have, but one slave here." Elrond raised an eyebrow. Haldir, Rumil, and Orophin all looked shocked. Glorfindel and Celeborn kept their faces schooled, but Elrond could feel the anger radiating off Glorfindel. "But why?" Celeborn asked.
"It is hard to explain." Thranduil replied. "The slave is a servant in need of some reining in. He is rebellious, disobedient, and has a temper. He has a lot of pride and I am determined to force him to back down at any cost." "But he is, but a child!" Elrond argued. "Where is is parents?"
"He has none." was the only answer he got. Elrond felt frusterated. "Allow us to let the matter rest." Thranduil said before changing the subject to war tactics. Elrond only hoped the child was treated fairly and not abused. But all hope dispelled at dinner that night.
At dinner:
Elrond pushed the thought of the elfling from his mind for the moment, seeing there was nothing he could do about it for the moment, and was enjoying the meal, partaking in the lively discussions and laughter. But when one of the servants was walking by with a platter with drinks on it, he collided with the elfling slave, who was carrying his bucket. They both tripped, spilling the contents of their items.
"Look what you have done!" the servant struck the elfling full in the face, sending him back to the ground. A couple people at the table stood up, murmuring quietly. To everyone's surprise, the elfing jumped back to his feet, his eyes blazing with anger. He went over to where the servant was picking up the pieces of the broken wine glasses he was carrying and shoved him so the servant fell face first into the spilled wine. "Do not speak to me like that!" the elfling yelled, his voice breaking slightly. The servant seized him and shook him violently.
"You will do well to remember your place, slave!" the servant struck him once more, leaving another bruising mark on the elfling's fair skin before shoving him to the ground. But the elfling wasnt through; he struggled back to his feet, tears of pain and anger in his blue eyes but before he had another chance to do anything else, Thranduil had seized him by the back of his tattered tunic.
"ENOUGH!" the king shouted. The elfling flinched, but tilted his head back to keep eye contact with Thranduil. This angered the king and he also smacked the elfling. This seemed to get the child's attention and he glared at the ground, a single tear making a streak on his dirty face.
"Givelid! You should know not to allow this slave to get the better of you!" Thranduil turned to the servant, who flushed. "Yes sir. I apologize." he said quietly. He nodded his head before taking the platter with the broken glass back to the kitchens.
"And as for you!" Thranduil spun the elfling so he was facing him. The elfling had a hand on the handprint on his face, but his eyes held defiance and pride. "Yild, Ronslad." two guard came forward and took a hold of the elfling's arms. "Take him to the dungeons. Deal with him there." the guards nodded and started to drag the elfling out of the room. He seemed to be going quietly, until he got to the door where he yelled, "that was worth a lashing!" before he disappeared.
Elrond paled slightly at the words. He was hardly more then a baby! How could he handle a whipping? "Thranduil, I beg you. Do not whip that child!" Elrond pleaded. Thranduil's eyes darkened.
"That insolent bratling needs to be dealt with accordingly, Elrond." he said. "A good whipping should remind him of his place."
"But he is a child!" Elrond tried again. "There has to be another way!" Thranduil shook his head.
"Elrond, I would not harm him. I am not cruel." he said. Elrond felt sick at the words and hastily excused himself. He decided he would try to find the child, perhaps put an end to the punishment, so he followed the corridors that headed down until he heard the sound of someone screaming in pain behind a heavy metal door. Elrond pushed it open and what he saw made him almost wretch.
The elfling was tied to a post, his back bared and blood oozing down his back. The child had his head rested against his tied hands, tears flowing down his face.
"Had enough?" Ronslad asked, smacking the wooden handle of the leather whip against his hand. The slave whimpered slightly, seeming to have given in.
"Please! I cannot take it much longer!" he was crying softly. The guards exchanged satisfied looks and Ronslad gave him three more lashes for good measures. The elfling's body jerked with each blow, but he did not cry out again. The guards untied him, letting him slid to the ground, his head pressed against the post, his arms hiding his face while he body shuddered with silent sobs. Elrond stepped back into the shadows as the guards went past him and back upstairs. Once he was sure they were gone, Elrond slipped in the room where the elfling was sobbing as though his heart would break.
"Shhh." Elrond rested the tips of his fingers against the elfling's shoulder where there wasnt any gashes. The elfling bolted upright and whipped around to face Elrond.
"W..who are you?" he whispered. Elrond took a handkerchief out of his pocket and cleaned the elfling's face with it.
"I am Elrond of Imladris." Elrond replied softly. "I am a healer and I can help you." the elfling shook his head.
"No, you cannot." he said. Elrond slipped a hand under the elfling's arm, helping him to his feet. The elfling hissed in pain as the gashes became taunt, but relaxed against the hand holding him up.
"Yes, I can." Elrond replied as they went up the stairs. Elrond believed the guards expected the elfling to be out of commission at least until the next day, so he wouldnt be missed. Once they got to Elrond's room, Elrond laid the elfling down on his stomach on the bed and went to fetch help.
"Glorfindel! Glorfindel, I need your help." Elrond practically pounded on his door. Glorfindel opened the door, seeming to have just gotten out of the bath, wearing only his leggings.
"What is wrong?" Glorfindel asked, following Elrond back to his room. Once they got there, Glorfindel cussed in a low voice.
"Who dared...?" he started angrily, but Elrond cut him off.
"Please get me some clean clothes, and a basin of water." Elrond said. The elfling was still crying softly into the sheets and Elrond felt his heart rip in two. "Hurry!" he called over his shoulder, rubbing the elfling's head comfortingly.
Glorfindel returned in a matter of seconds carrying an armload of clean towels and a large basin of water perched percariously on top.
"Anything else you need?" Glorfindel asked, not taking his eyes of the elfling.
"Yes, get me the emergency kit." Elrond soaked a towel the basin. His closed his eyes as he pressed the towel against the elfling's torn back, knowing it was going to pain him. Sure enough, the elflig cried out and tried to bolt, but Elrond kept a firm hand against his shoulder. "Hold on, little one." Elrond murmured. Glorfindel got the emergency kit out of Elrond's bags and brought it to him.
"While I prepare a healing draught, I need you to clean his back." Elrond said. Glorfindel gulped. He hated to put anyone in pain, even when he knew it would help. But he wrung out the bloodied towel and tossed it on a chair, soaking a fresh one, laying it on the child's back, putting gently pressure on it. The elfling hissed in pain, but seemed to know he was trying to help.
By the time Elrond prepared the healing draught, Glorfindel had cleaned the excess blood off the elfling's back, revealing the ugly angry welts and gashes. Glorfindel layed another towel on his back, rubbing it gently while he smooth the back of the elfling's head. The elfling murmured sleepily, Glorfindel's gently hands on his back making him drousey.
"He could pass as mine." he commented quietly to Elrond, who smiled.
"Aye. He could, couldnt he?" Elrond gently pushed the elfling onto his back, patting the side of his still-bruised face to wake him back up. "That feels good." he murmured softly.
"I know, son. Please sit up so you can drink this." Elrond held the mug to the elfling's mouth, allowing him to take tiny sips until it was gone. "Thank you for helping me." he muttered.
"It was nothing." Glorfindel pushed his hair off his forehead. "What is your name?"
"Legolas." the elfling said, closing his eyes. Elrond frowned. It was unusual for elves to sleep with their eyes close; only when they were unconscious or in a great deal of pain.
A few minutes later, Legolas muttered, "it does not hurt anymore." Elrond smiled. The healing draught worked and Legolas would be on his way to recovery.
"Stay with him." Elrond muttered to Glorfindel. Elrond needed to speak with Thranduil immediately.
"Enter." Thranduil called lazily. Elrond stalked into his study. "Ah, what can I do for you?" Thranduil asked.
"It is about the performance your slave and servant put on at dinner." Elrond said. Thranduil massaged his forehead.
"I apologize for that. I do not know what to do with that boy. Whipping him does not seem to work. He believes he is high of status and is forever strutting through the castle, his head high and his eyes defiant."
"I have an idea." Elrond said. "Perhaps sending him with me would work. The elves of Rivendell would not stand for such insolence and he would be forever stopped short should he get out of hand." Thranduil was looking at him thoughtfully, so Elrond quickly said, "of the elven armies, Rivendell's is the most effecient. The most disciplined." Elrond held his breath as Thranduil said.
"Perhaps you are right. Very well, I shall send him with you. Perhaps you can snap him out of this." Elrond's shoulders sagged with relief.
"Thank you. You will not regret it." Elrond forced himself to walk back to his chamber, fighting the urge to whoop like an elfling. But once he was safely behind the door, he allowed a huge grin to grace him face.
"Glorfindel! He agreed to send Legolas with us!" Elrond lowered his voice, noting the said elfling was fast asleep.
"How?" Glorfindel whispered, shocked.
"He believes we will 'not stand of his insolence' and break him of his stubbornness." Elrond shook his head. "But there is something I do not understand. Who are his parents?"
"I do not know, but I am glad we will not have to leave him here to the king's tender mercies." Glorfindel's fair face was darkened with anger. Elrond understood Glorfindel had a weakness for children of any race, much like himself. "Elladan and Elrohir will love a playmate." Glorfindel continued. Elrond gave him a sly look.
"You mean YOU would like a playmate." Elrond smirked. Glorfindel, for his credit, shrugged.
"But we cant let on about what we are planning with him." Glorfindel said. Elrond agreed.
Elrond let the elfling sleep in his chambers, but when he awoke the next day, he was gone and so was the bloodied towels.
Elrond wished he could tell Legolas what he was planning, but he could tell the elfling had no control over his mouth and might accidentally let slip in anger and Thranduil would reconsider. Elrond couldnt risk that, so for the remainder of the visit, he avoided Legolas the best he could, though ever fatherly fiber of his being wanted to scoop the elfling up and tell him he would be safe.
Legolas, to his credit, managed to somehow keep out of trouble for the rest of the visit. Everytime Elrond saw him, he had his head down, dutifully applying himself to his chores. The day for their leave, Thranduil summoned Legolas, who sauntered in, his head held high, staring the king directly in the eyes.
"Phelile, Frandise, see to the slave that he is prepared for travel." the two elves seized Legolas and dragged him to the dungeons, where the tied him to the whipping post.
"Whatever you are doing, I would not dare if I was you!" Legolas yelled at them. The elves ignored him while they filled a large basin with water and soap. Phelile untied Legolas and threw him in the basin. Legolas yelped in surprise; the water was icy and the dungeon was cold as it was. He tried to get back out, but the elves held him in the water, scrubbing violently at him hair. "At least allow me to undress first!" Legolas cried. The two allowed him to do such, ignoring his shivering. Soon they had him washed and dried and dressed in fresh leggings and tunic; black. He was still a slave, even if he wasnt going to be in the kingdom any longer. They dragged Legolas back upstairs and shoved him through the door of the throneroom where the king and the travelers were waiting for him.
Legolas climbed to his feet, tossing his long, WET, hair out of his face with a flourish. He glared at the king, earning him a smack to the face. "Have a safe journey and dont let that brat get the better of you." Thranduil told them. "We wont, dont worry." Elrond replied, his voice cold as he observed Legolas. Legolas felt a surge of anger and hatred. He had been set up! Thranduil caught Legolas by the arm as he went to follow the others outside and hissed, "just remember who you are, SLAVE!" he gave him a shove. Legolas met up with the others in the courtyard, still peeved from his 'bath'.
"Are you ok?" Orophin asked, peering at Legolas' face as he mounted the horse he was going to ride. "Yes. I am fine!" Legolas snapped back. Rumil looked taken back.
"Ok, fine. Sorry." Orophin held his hands in surrender. "I was only concerned."
"You look wet." Rumil said blantenly. Orophin glared at him.
"I AM wet!" Legolas hissed back between clenched teeth. He tapped the flanks of the horse to move himself up away from the brothers.
"For a slave, he isnt very submissive." Legolas heard Rumil whisper. Then he heard the sound of a hand connecting to a head and Haldir hissing, "he shouldnt have to be. He is a living being, just like you, just like me." Legolas smirked satisfied. When they stopped for the night, Legolas sat away from the fire, glaring at others. He was confused. Were they allies or enemies? Were they going to treat him like Thranduil or were they going to help him? Was all this a trick or were they genuine?
Elrond went over to him, holding his hand out. Legolas stared at him before hissing, "if this is some sort of plot you and King Thranduil have thought up to psych me out or something, I am not fooled." Elrond looked at him, seeming to be stunned.
"No, I want to help you." Elrond tried to say, but Legolas was getting worked up and was warming to his theme.
"That is it, isnt it? All of you, trying to break me." Legolas got up and was pacing now, gaining the attention of everyone. "You are especially sneaky. You help me when I was injured, saw me weak. You helped me so I would trust you, and then you betrayed me!" Legolas was shouting now. "The Mirkwood elves didnt care; none of you care! I am just a lowly slave to you! If you believe you can bring me down, think AGAIN!" Legolas was so caught up in yelling at Elrond he didnt notice Glorfindel coming up behind him and landing a smart smack to his behind. Legolas jumped and whipped around.
"Now, I believe that is quite enough of that." Glorfindel said calmly. His cool voice made Legolas even angrier and he swung at Glorfindel, who easily caught his arm, pushing it down. He put his hand on Legolas' head, holding him at bay. He allowed the elfling to swing at him, never coming close to actually hitting him. Rumil and Orophin watched, horrified. "Wow, if that had been us, we would not sit for a week!" Rumil whispered to Orophin, who nodded.
Glorfindel let Legolas swing at him until he was exausted and just leaned wearily against the hand holding him up. He was red in the face and his voice hoarse from screaming profanity at the warrior. Now all he wanted to do was sleep. But Glorfindel wasnt going to let him off that easily.
"Are you finished?" he asked lightly. Legolas blew out an irritated breath. "tired now? Are you going to listen?" Legolas immediately began yelling at Glorfindel again, trying to hit him. Glorfindel sighed. This was going to take a while. About an hour later, Legolas had completely lost his voice and was so tired Glorfindel was the only thing between Legolas and the ground.
"Now you are going to listen and listen well, little one." Glorfindel said. Legolas shook his head, but didnt try to fight anymore. "You have a problem with authority. I understand that it is unfair that way you have been treated. But your behavior to your elders is completely unacceptable and if you were one of the elflings under my care, you would be sleeping on your stomach tonight. As it is, I will let you off with a warning of a very warm bottom if you EVER do this again, is that understood?" he didnt wait for the answer that was never going to come and continued. "We are trying to help you, but honestly, would King Thranduil really let you come with us if he thought we wouldnt be rough with you?" Legolas felt limp against his hand. The sound of Glorfindel's deep voice was draining Legolas of his anger and he felt like crying. "I promise you, you will not get treated like you were in Mirkwood, regardless of what you do. But you will have consequences. I am not being unfair, littlest one." Legolas, for the first time, looked up and met Glorfindel's eyes. "Ask Rumil or Orophin if they have ever gotten away with anything close to the little performance you have put on tonight. You can make this easy or you can make this hard. Either way, once you are a warrior, you will thank us for giving you boundaries and administering discipline." There was a pause while Glorfindel allowed his words to sink in. "May I go to bed now?" Legolas asked in a small voice. Glorfindel was inwardly relieved, but all he did was nod and moved his hand away from Legolas' forehead so he could go past him to lay out a bedroll.
Elrond smiled once Legolas laid down and was facing away from the others. "He is testing you." he said quietly. He knew Legolas was defying Glorfindel by laying with his back to him, like he was ignoring him. "Aye. I know. But I think he got the message, it is just taking it a while to sink in. He does not trust us yet, so he behavior can be excused for the moment." Glorfindel crossed his arms and sighed. "but once we get to Imladris, he is going to get a wake-up call he cannot ignore." Elrond smirked at that. He could tell Glorfindel and Legolas were going to be butting heads quite a lot, but he also knew it was probably going to be good for them both. Elladan and Elrohir were already brought up right, despite their mischief and never earned more then a few smacks to the bottom. Legolas, it seemed, was very wild and very stubborn. He was almost looking forward to watching their power struggle.
After everyone was in bed, Rumil tapped Legolas on the shoulder, making him roll over.
"What?" he hissed, but without any real venom. He was tired and Glorfindel's scolding still shocked him.
"I just thought I'd warn you; I would listen to Elrond and obey Glorfindel if I was you." Rumil said. "what you did tonight was foolish and dangerous. If I ever did something like that, not only would Haldir light me up, but I'd most likely feel Celeborn's belt as well." Legolas rolled his eyes. Typical elfling, he thought.
"I'd been beaten so badly I couldnt stand up. I have scars from horsewhips and other things you couldnt even dream up. I am not afraid of Glorfindel nor Elrond. They should be afraid of me." Legolas said. Rumil's jaw dropped. "Shh, you do not want anyone to hear you." Rumil put a finger to his lips and gave a cautious look around the campsite. "I'm not going to envy you if you disrespect either of them again." Rumil rolled over, still shaking his head. I'll show them, Legolas thought. I'll show them I will not be beaten, not this time! Smiling contently, Legolas fell asleep.