2nd place winner of fourth MC Mellyn Fanfic Contest

Title: Cook's apprentice

Summary: Legolas 'helps' in the kitchen.

Rating: K

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Author's Note: Legolas is roughly 5 in human years.

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"Right Legolas. Let me help you put that on and then we'll get started shall we?"

Giggling madly, the young elfling let Rithil tie up his apron which was patterned with beautiful interflowing leaves of the richest greens and shining gold's.

After Legolas had hurt himself last week whilst trying to prepare a meal single-handedly, Elrond had decided that maybe it would be a prudent idea for Legolas to have cookery lessons. None of them wanted a repeat performance of Legolas previous disaster in the kitchen and Legolas truly did enjoy helping the cooks anyway. And, Elrond knew that Rithil, the head cook, and all of the other cooking staff, absolutely loved having Legolas help them. He seemed to bring laughter and happiness wherever he went with his beautiful laugh and his sunny disposition.

Straightening up, Rithil led Legolas over to the counter, lifting him up onto the small stool that had been placed there so that Legolas could actually see over the top of the counter.

"Now, I have been asked by Lord Elrond to make strawberry pastries for desert and I thought that they would be perfect for you to start your lessons with. Do you agree?"

Bobbing his head elatedly, the young prince replied excitedly, "Strawberry pastries are my favourite! I love strawberry pastries! Can I really help make them? Really?"

Smiling broadly, Rithil chuckled, "Of course you can penneth! Now let's get to work shall we?"

For the rest of the afternoon, Legolas, Rithil and the rest of the kitchen staff, enjoyed a joyous afternoon making dishes upon dishes of strawberry pastries. After several failed attempts, one of which actually blew up in Rithil's face, they finally made two edible dishes full of the sweet delicacy.

Looking at the smiling prince before him, Rithil couldn't help but laugh as he tried to find his young apprentice underneath all the flour that seemed to cover his small being. How the child had managed to get in this much of a mess he had no idea!

Legolas was absolutely covered from head to toe in the powdery ingredient, not one bit of green or gold could be seen upon his apron, and his usually golden-blond hair, was now a flour-ery white.

"I think we should get you cleaned up before you go to dinner. I do not believe Lord Elrond would be very happy to see this little snow-elf eating at his table." Grabbing Legolas around his small waist, the cook flung the elfling over his shoulder, causing Legolas to shriek with joy, and carried him up to his room.

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Straightening the creases in his tunic with one hand and trying to balance the tray full of his day's work with the other, Legolas fidgeted as he stood outside the door to the hall where he and the peredhels usually ate their meals.

Watching the tray wobble precariously, Rithil stood beside his young apprentice-for-the-day, wishing to himself that Elrond would hurry up and ask them in before Legolas got anymore agitated.

When he finally heard the curt, "Bring in the deserts!" Rithil breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Pushing the doors open, the head cook watched happily as Legolas almost ran to the table, virtually tripping over himself to get there. The elfling had to stand on his tiptoes to get the tray actually onto the table, but in the end he managed it.

"Take one! I made them myself! Take one!" Legolas babbled impatiently, watching with wide eyes as both Elladan and Elrohir leant forward and each grabbed one of the pastries.

"After you muindor," smiled Elladan.

"No, no, no. After you," replied Elrohir.

"Together! Both eat it together!" rushed Legolas, clearly exasperated at the fact that the twins were taking so long to sample his pastries.

Grinning from ear to ear, the twins both bit into their pastries.

Legolas watched his hands clasped together tightly, waiting for the verdict.

"Well?" he whispered, a little unsure at the looks on the twins' faces.

Swallowing their mouthfuls, they looked at each other and then both said,

"Exquisite!"

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