Star-Touched
Chapter I_ Adar

(Five Years Later)

A small Elfling played with her ball in the halls of the Woodland Realm. Her long whitish-blonde hair shone and was braided. Her braid started at the scalp and went down. Her eyes were pure shiny silver. Her skin was fair. She was smaller than other Elflings her age. That's why she was always teased and bullied despite the fact that she was the Elvenking's daughter.

"Silrien," Legolas, her older brother, called her. "Come here for a minute."

Silrien smiled and ran to him and hugged his leg, "Legolas!"

Legolas let Silrien hug him, but he didn't smile. "Silrien, would you mind telling me why you you were in a fight this morning with other Elflings?"

Silrien's smile disappeared. She looked up at her brother, "You saw?"

"Yes, I saw." Legolas answered.

Silrien grabbed her brother's hand. She swallowed hard and started shaking. "You told ada." It wasn't a question. Silrien saw it through her power to read souls with mere touch of her hand. She didn't know how she had such a power or where it came from, but it was helpful when she needed to know something.

"Yes, I told Adar," Legolas stated. Silrien let him take her into his arms. "He wants to see you."

Silrien hugged Legolas around the neck with a whimper.

o 0 o

Legolas entered Thranduil's study with Silrien in his arms. He sat the Elfling down. Thranduil looked at Silrien. She hid behind Legolas's leg with tears in her eyes. Thranduil told Legolas to leave; that he wanted to talk to Silrien alone. Legolas bowed and left.

Thranduil stood and looked at Silrien before pouring wine into his glass. "Tell me, Silrien" he took a sip of his wine "Do you know why Legolas brought you to me?"

"Because you wanted to talk to me, ada," Silrien answered.

"And do you know what it is I want to speak to you about?" Thranduil looked at her again.

Silrien swallowed before answering, "About me getting into a fight."

"Yes," Thranduil said.

"Ada, I'm sorry," Silrien sobbed. "Please don't punish me. I won't do it again."

Thranduil put down his wine glass and went to his daughter. "I'm not going to punish you, pen tithen." He kneeled down in front of her. "Are you afraid of me, Silrien?"

Silrien nodded, "Yes, ada." She was scared more of his temper than Thranduil himself. Silrien had seen Thranduil's temper before and she did not want to see it again.

Thranduil caressed her cheek. "You don't have to be afraid of me, Silrien; I would never hurt you. Understand?"

"I understand, ada," Silrien said. Thranduil pulled her into a hug then took her in his arm and stood up.

Silrien wrapped her arms around her father's neck and buried her face into his hair. "I know why you got into a fight with the other Elflings." Thranduil sat in the window seat. He sat Silrien in his lap and held her close. "They were making fun of you again, correct?"

"Yes, ada," Silrien sniffled.

"Silrien, I want you to ignore them when they make fun of you because there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, ada," Silrien said.

"Good girl." Thranduil petted her hair then kissed the crown of her head. Silrien buried herself up against her father's chest. She loved the sound of his heartbeat. They sat there for a while then Thranduil realized that Silrien had fallen asleep in his arms.

To Be Continued...

pen tithen = little one

Adar = Father

Ada = dad/daddy (in this story the term will be used for daddy)