A Tale of Orcan Elflings
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to the great and mighty J.R.R. Tolkien. Alfhild belongs to a good friend and I am using her with her permission. Alkin is the only thing I own.
Chapter Two: A Council of Elflings
Thranduil the high king of Mirkwood sat on a high-backed chair at the head of a long table in the great hall of the palace in Mirkwood. There were emissaries from each of the elven realms of Middle Earth as well as the Lords Celeborn and Elrond and the Lady Galadriel. They were discussing the fate of the elves and the end of their time in Arda. All in all it was a solemn and important meeting that should have been left uninterrupted.
Alfhild was speaking now. As Captain she was there to inform the council of the doings of Mirkwood's armed forces. Now she was telling of the increasing spider population and how it might soon pose a threat to the elven nation. Alfhild was speaking with increasing vigor.
"We must guard our boarders before we have to defend them with our backs to the city walls and we shall.." She was cut off by a loud bang as a side door to the council room flew open and smacked against the stone wall. The room was silent as a small blonde elf clad in green nightclothes that covered his feet climbed into Thranduil's lap with a book titled 10001 ways to cook lembas.
Thranduil looked down at the small elfling in his lap. The elfling looked at him with wide eyes and held out the cookbook.
"Will you read me a story ada?" he asked
Thranduil looked up at the staring elves. He cleared his throat
"This is my son Legolas." He said to the table and he looked back down at the elfling "Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" he asked Legolas shook his head,
"Well yes Ada but Alkin and I can't read."
"Oh and she has gone to bed like a good elfling I expect?" Thranduil questioned but too late. Another small blonde elf ran in clad in the same type of nightwear as Legolas but red, and this one was a she elf. "So you haven't." Thranduil said to her "But you two really should go to bed." He smiled at the council apologetically.
But Legolas didn't listen to his father instead he saw that Alfhild had sat down now bearing an open lap that might wield a story if sat on. Alfhild stiffened as Legolas put the book on the table and clambered up onto the captain's lap. He sat there waiting patiently for Alfhild to begin while Alkin tottered over and sat on her foot.
"I think I must agree with your father young Prince." Alfhild said trying not to grimace "It is far past the time when elves such as you and your friend should be asleep." Instantly both elflings decided to unleash a weapon that only children their age posess. They both widened their eyes, bottom lips trembling slightly as Legolas asked, yet again, "Alfhild will you pppllleeeaassseeee read me a story?"
Alfhild looked at the wide-eyed children and then at the assembled council and lastly to Thranduil. How could she deny those elflings with faces like that?
"M'Lord if you would excuse me I would take your son and his friend to their beds." Alfhild said she saw Thranduil nearly choking with laughter.
"Yes Alfhild you may go. And By the Valar read them a story!" he managed to chuckle out
Alfhild left with the elflings and the cookbook the later in her hand and the two elf children riding on her legs. Then, unsurprisingly, the elven king began to plot.
"I believe my son needs a new nursemaid." The king thought to himself. Thranduil feigned a relived look and bid them continue with the discussion. But his mind was not on this council but on the best way to let Alfhild know of her promotion to Royal Babysitter.
The next morning a messenger abruptly awaked Alfhild. The King wanted her immediately. Alfhild suppressed a groan. The elflings had made her read 10001 ways to cook lembas in its entirety. And of course she had had to make up a story because it was a recipe book! Alfhild grudgingly thanked the messenger and made her way to Thranduil's throne room where he would be. She bowed low at the foot of his throne,
"What news M'Lord?" she asked Thranduil looked at her sternly
"You're new as of last night has proved true. The spiders are indeed coming upon our city. I need you to go out and rid us of them." Alfhild bowed and took her leave. When she was gone Thranduil jumped up and strided to his son's room. He looked in on the two elflings there. Legolas was asleep in his small bed and Alkin lay on a pallet at his side. Alkin's parents were gone. Her father was dead and her mother had sought the havens soon after. So Thranduil had allowed her to bunk with his son. But they were fast friends and usually didn't bother him and the arrangement worked. Alkin sat up as he came in,
"Legolas." She cried "Legolas your Ada is here!" Legolas woke up and looked over at his father.
"Ada!" he cried echoing Alkin and he ran over and hugged him.
"Good Morning Legolas, Alkin." He said to them "I have a surprise for you." Alkin scrambled over and looked up, eager to hear.
"What?" she asked Thranduil smiled and bent down.
Alfhild staggered into the throne room three days later. The spiders were vanquished, for now. An she was exhausted and hungry. Thranduil smiled as she came in.
"Welcome back Alfhild!" he said, "You have done well. I feel that for this you deserve a reward. I think a promotion is in order." Alfhild stood shocked,
"My King," she mumbled "I am honored." Thranduil smiled again and motioned for the doors to be opened. Alfhild looked over to see two blurs, one in brown and one in green, coming at her. Alfhild looked at the two elflings clinging to her legs as they looked up at her. "Legolas and Alkin!" she fumed in her head. "Thranduil what is the meaning of this?" she asked all politeness gone.
"Your new assignment." He said simply "Alfhild I now promote you to Nursemaid Royal."
A/N: As of now A Tale of Orcan Elflings is being Co-written with Alfhild's creator…Silverdragon. Please review they really make my day brighter. NikerymArda puts on her own pair of elvish footie pajamas and makes big eyes and quivers her lip at her readers