DISCLAIMER: All characters, places and situations in this piece of fiction would not be in existence without the genius of J.R.R Tolkien. There is no money being made of this piece of imagination

TIMELINE: A long time ago...

SPOILERS: None

SYNOPSIS: Legolas' first visit to a kingdom ruled by men

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Please enjoy, thankyou all for your kind reviews, especially Beverly who I didn't get to respond to personally. Your thoughful review is very much appreciated!

Please and read and review :)

Chapter 2: Introductions and Pastries

Legolas had been warned by both his parents that he would be an object of curiosity within the kingdom of men; most especially since men had never seen an elf as young as he. As they travelled the plains of Rohan; stopping at small human settlements to rest their horses, Legolas had received many wide eyed stares from children and elders alike. But the discomfort he felt at being gawked at by old and young was nothing compared to meeting the ruling family of Rohan.

King Frea had been nothing like Legolas expected. The tall, bearded king was dressed as though ready for battle, his face was bright red and his grey eyes had a slightly glazed quality. He also did not appear to be at all concerned with protocol; choosing to greet them all without waiting for any formal introductions, and giving each one of their party hearty and oddly smelling embrace, before proudly presenting his son and heir, Prince Freawine.

Rohan's prince looked quite similar to his father; both had broad shoulders with low set cheekbones and grey eyes. However, Freawine's features were most certainly that of a boy still growing into manhood. He was clean shaven and his brown hair, unlike his father's was free from silver.

The prince's face was also not apple red.

Throughout the introductions, Legolas had felt the prince of Rohan's ill-concealed amusement as the woodland prince fumbled with exchanging pleasantries in the common tongue.

The lady of the house, Queen Dernwyn, a petite, slightly plump woman with auburn hair, had been more collected. She had greeted them all warmly but maintained her distance. Her distinct lack of boisterous enthusiasm and curiosity had led Legolas to like her best.

King Frea had concluded the introductions by informing their party that there would be a dinner and entertainment that evening in their honour before loudly demanding that his ushers escort them to their rooms.

They had just disappeared from King Frea's line of sight when Legolas felt a hand on his shoulder.

He looked up to see his mother smiling down at him, her deep blue eyes reassuring.

'You did well penneth'

Legolas flushed slightly at his mother's compliment and returned her smile reluctantly. He had felt incredibly foolish and uncomfortable standing there before the king and his family, fumbling with his words and trying to keep up with the conversation. He couldn't help but feel relieved when King Frea's men had led them to their rooms and left them to their privacy.

Legolas found himself standing in a large common room to be shared by himself and his family. Directly opposite the entrance was a large window looking out onto the gardens. The window was surrounded by heavy, red, velvet curtains held back by golden tassels. There were few a trees outside surrounded by an unkempt flower garden. To the right of the window there were two soft armchairs and a long sofa surrounding a fireplace. Like almost every other item in the palace, the fireplace had two wooden horse heads carved into the sides of mantel piece like sentinels.

Across from the fireplace were three doors. At first glance, Legolas was able to discern that the middle room was to be a shared bathing area and that the two other doors led into a bedroom.

Legolas watched his mother enter the room she would share with his father and wondered how long it would be until his father returned from seeing his twelve escorts to their lodgings.

He had no sooner though this, when the young princes' thoughts were interrupted by quiet, shuffling footsteps followed by polite knock on the door.

'Tolo' Legolas called.

When nothing happened, he remembered himself and groped for the words in the mannish tongue.

'Come in'

The large wooden door creaked open and a woman with silver-white hair and a face that was as gnarled and wrinkled as the oldest tree in Eryn Galen peered inside. Her eyes searched the room, until she had found the woodland prince who was standing close to the fireplace. She smiled and shuffled further into the room. It was only then that Legolas realised that she was pulling something along with her, it appeared to be a wooden cart. The prince quickly moved and held the heavy wooden door wider to allow her to pass.

The old woman smiled gratefully at him.

'Compliments of King Frea, your highness' she explained in a hoarse voice, gesturing to the wooden cart laden with pastries and tea. 'His majesty says if you need anything at all to simply call on me. My name is Hild'

'Thank you, my Lady Hild' Legolas replied, hoping he pronounced her name correctly.

The woman smiled at him, inclined her head in a short bow and took her leave.

Legolas turned to the wooden cart, the sweet smell of berries and sugar were proving to be most enticing. The young prince bit his lip perusing each temptation with his eyes. There were tarts filled with a white cream and topped with all kinds of fruit and snail shaped pastries with various fillings, all of them glazed with a bright coat of sugar.

Having decided to take a snail pastry, Legolas began to weigh the pro's and con's of raspberry and blueberry fillings.

'Dinner will be upon us shortly' a voice said, just as Legolas had decided he wanted raspberry.

He turned to see his mother standing at the door of her room, watching him with an amused expression.

Irritated at being the object of amusement for the second time within the same hour, Legolas decided that he would need both blueberry and raspberry filled pastries to improve his mood.

Please Review