Prompt #2: Pet

The Queen looked up from the heavy tome in her hand at the sound of the light pitter-patter of a child's feet. She smiled at the hunched intruder, beckoning him in. Not requiring anymore encouragement, the elfling launched himself towards his mother and burrowed his face in her lap.

Carefully, the Queen removed the book from under him. If Legolas was apathetic enough to jump over a book, then matters must have turned real bad.

"What is the matter, little one?" The only response she received was a whimper and the prince trying to curl himself into a tighter ball. Running her fingers through his head, she prodded once more. "Legolas?'

Not that she was unaware of the cause of Legolas' misery. The bond she shared with her only child (which was currently receiving a torrent of sorrow) was enough to clue her to the events that lead to the little prince's distress.

"He. . . He denied again. He shouted at me to go away and not bother him with my foolish demands."

"I see."

The sniffles turned to full blown sobbing as she hugged him. It was going on for a few months. Legolas wanted a pet, but his father kept on refusing continuously. And now, both the concerned parties had snapped.

Legolas cried himself to sleep as MerenĂ­l rocked him in her arms. She rose as his breathing evened out and deposited him safely in her bed, calling for one of the maids to watch over him as she resolved the crisis in hand.

oOoOo

"Enter."

Her hand fell to her sides as she received the invitation before even knocking. Opening the door, she glanced at the impeccably neat study, with the King pouring over some paperwork.

He looked at her and sighed.

"You. . . "

She moved to stand by him.

"Why are you denying such a simple request of a child, Thranduil?"

"Pets die."

She stilled. Her eyes widened as she felt the whirlpool of emotions in him, rising like a storm.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she said, "These are dark times, my love. Would you rather he first encounter death in a combat? Are you sure that will be good for him?" He opened his mouth, but she continued. "No, this is Arda Marred. Heartaches will happen. If we do not stand strong, how shall we face the future threats?" Feeling her husband freeze at that, she murmured, "You truly believe that Sauron is gone?"

The King gathered her in an embrace as he stood. "Your arguments are solid, but I. . . I just wanted to. . . "

She nodded, "I know."

oOoOo

"Eeeek!"

Legolas had woken up to find a wet snout pressed on to his nose. As he scrambled to the far side of the bed, he heard his father's deep laughter. He gawked at the baby moose, grunting for his attention, then his father's laughing face and then to his mother, smiling from the doorway.

Gathering the new companion, he threw himself at his parents, fully trusting them to catch him.

Life was good.

oOoOo

Err, this went 22 words up the limit, but oh well.

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TolkienScribe
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