Of Gifts and Overly-Excited Elflings
Queen Merilwen sighed in exasperation at her sons, telling them for the umpteenth time to cease their running around the room in circles. The princes had taken out all their toys and scattered them all over the nursery. She shook her head and returned her focus to the tunic she was making for Lasneth; the toddler was growing much too quickly for her liking. She glanced up through the corner of her right eye every so often to ensure both her sons still had their feet on the ground.
"Legolas! Bookshelves are not for climbing. Lasneth! Do not go after him!" Merilwen said sharply. Legolas gave his mother an apologetic look and clambered back down to the ground, his feet landing with a gentle thud on the soft blue rug. Lasneth squealed in glee and with outstretched arms, flung himself at his older brother.
"Las, catch!" Legolas barely had time to raise his arms before he collapsed to the floor with his younger brother lying on top of him, laughing hysterically and clapping his hands. Merilwen abandoned her needlework and scooped up the toddler into her arms.
"I think the two of you have caused enough mischief for today," Merilwen said wearily as she adjusted the over-excited child to rest on her hip. The sun was beginning to lower in the sky, sending rays of light orange and pink to mix with the blue. "Come now my sons, your father will be expecting you cleaned up in time for dinner."
Legolas dropped his toy soldiers and took his mother's hand. "Ada is back?" the elfling asked, his face filled with joy. Merilwen smiled and gently tugged her elder son out of the room.
"Yes he is on his way home again, my Leaf. Your father has not seen you for some time now, and you want to look your best for him, do you not?"
Legolas nodded eagerly and ran ahead of his mother, hurrying towards the chambers he shared with his younger brother. Merilwen had deemed the two boys to be too young to each have their separate chambers yet. Her eyes saddened as she thought of how fast they grew each day. Lasneth noticed the subtle change in his mother's demeanour and gently patted her cheek. The queen grinned at her youngest and entered her children's chambers, kindly asking a servant to prepare their baths. The sun had almost set. If they made haste, they would not be late for the evening meal.
Both princes had behaved extremely well and did not trouble the queen as she quickly dressed them. Both were greatly looking forward to seeing their father return home. Thranduil had travelled to Lothlorien to meet with his cousin, Lord Celeborn. News had reached Greenwood that the house of Elrond had a new addition to the family – a little girl by the name of Arwen, whose beauty was said to rival that of her ancestor Luthien. Elrond had taken his family to visit his in-laws in Lothlorien, and Celeborn had been eager to meet again with his Woodland cousin. Thranduil had hesitated at first; he did not wish to leave his wife and young children. Merilwen had eventually convinced him to take leave, insisting strongly that he needed the break and that she and the children would manage just fine. Assured that his family would be in safe hands, the Greenwood king had left with the promise to return as soon as he was able.
Satisfied that the two princes were presentable and with Legolas' hand in her left, and Lasneth's in her right, Merilwen lead them through the corridors of the palace down to the dining hall. The elves buzzed with excitement, smiles upon their faces. Thranduil was a stern but just king, and was greatly loved by his people.
The grand oak doors to the dining room opened to reveal the tall, proud figure of the king standing towards the front of the room, conversing quietly with the captain of the guard. Legolas beamed and Lasneth wriggled his hand from his mother's grasp, bolting forward with a cry.
"Ada!" Thranduil's face lit up and he caught the toddler in his grasp, swinging him around and placing a kiss on his chubby cheek. Legolas wrapped his arms around the king's legs and Thranduil knelt, still carrying Lasneth, and pulled the elder prince into his arms, kissing his brow. Thranduil raised his eyes and shared a warm smile with his wife, only breaking their eye contact when Lasneth began to tug firmly on the collar of the king's tunic.
"Yes, penneth?"
"Did you bring me a present, Ada?" Lasneth asked fervently, eyes wide and hopeful. The king and the captain of the guard laughed at the child's innocence and the king nodded his head.
"Indeed I did not forget to bring you a gift, my dear prince," Thranduil grinned as he set the toddler on the ground. He noted the shy expression on the elder prince's face and squeezed Legolas' shoulder. "Nor did I forget one for you, my brave warrior." Legolas beamed, his blue eyes shining in delight. "Would you like to see them now, my sons?"
Both princes gave a shout of agreement and bounced on their feet, keen on opening their gifts. Merilwen came to stand with Legolas and rested a hand on his shoulder as the captain of guard handed two items wrapped securely in cloth over to the king. Lasneth tugged on the king's tunic and Thranduil carefully unwrapped the fabric to reveal a small, emerald green velvet cloak. The cloak had intricate detailing of leaves and vines wrapping around the hood and down the centre. Lasneth began to jump and cry out in joy as he thanked his father, briefly controlling himself as Merilwen knelt to drape the cloak across his shoulders. Lasneth grinned and took off running around the room, fanning out his cloak and making soft whooshing noises as he went.
Thranduil smiled kindly at Legolas and slowly unwrapped the second gift to reveal a meticulously crafted bow and quiver of arrows, perfect for a young prince to begin training with. The elder prince's jaw dropped in awe and he nervously ran his fingers along the smooth wood, tracing his index finger over the engravings on the bow. He peered up at the king and threw his small arms around his father's waist.
"Hannon le, Ada. I promise I will use it wisely."
Thranduil's chest tightened at hearing the pure gratitude and love in the softly spoken words and returned Legolas' embrace. "You will make a fine warrior, Little Leaf," he said proudly. "The finest archer Middle-earth will ever see."
Legolas gazed up at the king, eyes round. "Will you teach me, Ada?" To the elder prince, no elf could match the strength and wisdom of the King of Greenwood. Thranduil nodded without hesitation and gestured to the captain standing beside him. "Girithron will help begin your training as of tomorrow morning, does that please you, ion nin?"
Legolas nodded in agreement and Captain Girithron chuckled at the elfling's willingness. "If you do not mind, my lord," the captain began, turning to Thranduil. "I was planning to begin tutoring my niece as well. Perhaps they can share the beginner's classes together?"
"Of course, mellon nin, Legolas would not mind the company, would you, my boy?"
Legolas, slightly perplexed at the notion of an elleth sharing his classes, gave a single nod. The captain noticed the elder prince's confusion and laughed gently.
"Her mother does not approve of my niece wanting to learn the art of archery," Girithron said, his tone turning solemn. "However the days begin to grow darker, and I would not have any elves know nothing of how to defend themselves. Everyone should at least know the basics."
Thranduil's expression turned grave and he patted the captain's shoulder in agreement. Silence descended upon the elves for a moment until the queen surreptitiously cleared her throat. "Dinner is about to be brought out, my lords. Shall we take our seats?"
Thranduil took her hand and led his wife, his children and Captain Girithron to the grand dining table. Lasneth swung his legs back and forth under his chair, squirming at the uneasiness he felt at the height. His eyes could barely see above the table. How small he felt! Legolas laughed at the pout on his younger brother's face and proceeded to distract him with the bow in his hands. Thranduil and Merilwen looked upon their children with a mixture of affection and anxiousness, for the days of the watchful peace were ending, and the shadow had begun to stir once more.
Translations:
Hannon le (thank you)
Ion nin (my son)
Mellon nin (my friend)
Elleth (she-elf)
