Hey there! Another update. I have no idea what I should talk about on this note so let's skip to the reviews, ok?
Alison-Fire – Don't worry. Estel is eight years old, break things is his specialty ;)
Guest – The twins (and Elrond) thought Legolas was rude while dealing with Estel. Elrond and Thranduil don't get along in this story, which makes the hostility be extended to Legolas as well. And the twins follow their father's antiques.
Russian Moose – Here you go, another chapter. Glad you liked my cold Legolas and little Estel. They are super cute together, aren't they?
Aralas – I had to think really hard to give Legolas a 'nickname', there are so many out there. It's kind of cliché but I love it. About Legolas: people are always trying to find out more about celebrities and, when they can't, some get angry and start rumors. That's what happened to our archer here. And you'll have to keep reading to meet Narcissus.
Now on with the story!
Narcissus
Chapter 02 – Prince?
If Estel was stunned with the woods and the palace, he had no words to describe the gardens. Beautiful flowers seemed to dangle from every place, spreading colors and scents the boy had never felt before. The plants grew content here, organized yet free to twist and bend as they pleased. But most of all it was the peace that surrounded the entire area that made Estel take a deep breath, smiling content with himself.
And, of course, there was Legolas. So far the elf had just remained on his side, silently watching, but Estel could tell he was happy too. No one could be sad in such magnificent place.
Turning to the one he owned such view, the boy bowed.
"Hannon le."
Legolas admitted he would be surprised, if the child's behavior hadn't surprised him so much already.
"You have nothing to thank me for, tithen pen. The gardens were already here, you would have found them sooner or later." – the prince spoke in a calm voice.
"But your choose to show me." – Estel stared at the beautiful blue eyes for a moment before lowering his head again, this time in hopes to hide the heat taking over his face – "C-could we walk a little? I'd like to see more of this beautiful garden."
"The gardens are big, some parts close to the woods." – Legolas nodded solemnly. He was sure the spiders were not bold enough to enter the city. Yet. But one could never be too cautions. Especially with Elrond's younger son.
But Estel wasn't about to let his joy fade. Reaching out, he took the elf's hand on his, holding tight.
"Here. I won't leave your side. I promise." – the child said firmly, determination shinning on his gray eyes.
Legolas stared at those eyes for a moment before nodding, a barely perceptible smile on his lips.
You don't know the meaning of those words, do you, little Estel? – still the prince was pleased. He would accept the company his heart so desperately craved, for as long as he could.
"We shall begin then, tithen pen." – returning the hold he was receiving Legolas started to walk at a slow pace, taking his time to show the child every plant and flower, every color and smell.
By the time they had ended both Elrond and the twins were waiting impatiently for them, their faces marked by frowns.
"Ada, I'm fine! Truly!" – Estel repeated once again, hoping his father would believe him this time. Honestly, even the twins weren't this stubborn!
Elrond sighed. He spend long hours discussing with Thranduil about the problem at hand and even visited the house of healing in hopes to get more details. When the lord was finally left alone with his thoughts the twins came to him, worried they couldn't find Estel.
Now, a good half an hour later, Elrond still wasn't sure what surprised him more: the fact Estel was just in the gardens or the fact Legolas was with him.
"Ada?" – the boy called, seeing his father lost in thought – "Are you angry?"
"No, ion nin. I was merely worried since no one could find you."
Gray eyes stared at him, contemplating the situation for a moment until words finally came out of the younger's mouth.
"It wasn't Lelas' fault. I asked him to look around and he was kind enough to go with me."
"Something could happened." – the lord spoke, using his most fatherly voice – "Mirkwood is not-"
"Greenwood!" – little Estel corrected, crossing his arms – "Lelas said it's Greenwood. You should say it right, Ada!"
"Greenwood then." – the lord relented, afraid it would drag the discussion even more. He couldn't fail to notice the influence the prince seemed to have on his son – "But I still don't want you walking around without supervision."
"Lelas was with me." – Estel pointed, trying to understand why his father was so…confusing. Lelas could guide them in the forest and in the palace but not in the gardens? Why? What's the difference?
"Prince Legolas has better things to do than worry about you, ion nin." – And he hardly classifies as supervision. Not in my eyes.
"Prince?" – the boy squeaked, eyes incredibly wide. He couldn't believe it! All this time he was treating Lelas like he was some ordinary elf when he was a prince!
I was so rude and stupid! – Estel lowered his head in shame, wishing for nothing but dig a hole and never came out – I asked him to play with me and walk in the garden! I even held his hand! I was dirty and smelly from the trip and still held his hand! Lelas probably thinks I'm a pig!
Incapable to watch his son in such pain Elrond laid a comforting hand on the thin shoulder.
"Whatever you did I'm sure prince Legolas had not taken offence." – He'd better not. – "But he has duties so don't go following him around, ion nin."
Estel nodded but his head remained down, eyes still wide and fixed on the floor.
"Good. Now go bath and change before you miss dinner as well."
The boy hurried to follow his father's orders, already dreaming with a nice, hot meal. He and Lelas had skipped lunch, too absorbed in the garden to remember the time, and the elf had kindly offered him some fruits to quiet his stomach. Unfortunately none of those still remained on the boy's stomach to calm his hunger.
"You disappoint me, Legolas."
The prince stopped at those words, turning to see his father standing on his bedroom door. But even if the intrusion was unexpected his face betrayed nothing.
On the inside, Thranduil smiled. His son had learned well. Unfortunately, the rights of the past weren't enough to erase the wrongs of the present.
"You should have come back to the throne room after escorting the human. Instead you took it to a walk in the gardens, and a rather big one if I'm not mistaken." – the king spoke in a perfectly even and unemotional voice, as if he was dealing with anyone but his own son.
"I am a soldier, Ada, not a healer. My voice would have no meaning." – Legolas kept his face calm. No matter if he was uncomfortable or even angry, the outside is all that matters and it had to be ice.
"Still you are a prince. You are supposed to attend." – Thranduil stood his ground, the internal smile ebbing away at the defiance.
"Only to replace your presence."
"When I command as well!" – the king hissed low and angry.
"Then you should have commanded me before I left." – turning on his wheels the prince marched the few steps that separated him from the bath chambers and entered, closing and locking the door behind him for good measure.
Thranduil sighed, staring at the door as if he could see the elf inside. Times like those remind the king how stubborn his son could be. Although inheriting most of his mother's beauty, Legolas had his father's temper. A temper the younger would show freely when rightly pressed, slashing everyone unfortunate enough to stand on his way. When used with wisdom such fire could be a powerful weapon however, when it comes to family business and small fights like those, it could also be extremely infuriating.
It could also make the king regret some decisions.
But no matter what previous confrontations had taught him, Thranduil couldn't shake the feeling Legolas hadn't lashed out only for himself.
Elven dictionary:
Hannon le – thank you
