Author's note: Many thanks to my colleague flyingarrow for her fun yet hard work in creating Legolas. I should clarify that her work with Leggy will not end until much later because we have quite a few chapters (which I am still editing!).

Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own any of Tolkien's characters or places. Any comments on the Elvenking's appearance are likely my own and do not reflect Haldir's thoughts.


Chapter 9

Several days later, Glorfindel enters the throne room, appearing a bit disheveled. "Your royal Majesty King Thranduil, I have a request to make."

"Yes, Glorfindel?" he answers.

"Your Highness, Rivendell is under attack. We need your aid. Our people are dying as we speak."

His face hardens. "Give me more details."

"A large number of orcs attacked. They think something important is hidden there, and somehow they broke through our defense shields. I do not know much more, as I was sent here immediately. I do know these orcs are not killing, but rather they are taking as many captives as they can. Although many are dying in the battles and captivity as well."

He takes a deep breath. "Did Lord Elrond send you, or do you come on your own?"

"Lord Elrond sent me. He is desperate." His voice shakes a little.

The Elvenking's face hardens a bit more. "Did he ask for me specifically?"

"Yes."

"Give me a few minutes." He turns to his wife, who gives him a solemn look, dreading this discussion.

Glorfindel waits, looking worried and downcast. The guards give him a small smile and some refreshments while he sits in a chair just outside the throne room where he was directed, his left leg wiggling to a beat of around 120.

The elven Royals talk then summon him back in. "We have decided to come to your aid, with the requirement of free wine for a year."

"Given!" the Rivendell elf quickly agrees.

"I have ten score elves I will grant you. We shall ride with you as soon as everyone is ready."

"Thank you!" Glorfindel exits with Lord Fairion, who is instructed to see to the army and make sure all the provisions necessary are obtained.


Meanwhile….

I knock on Legolas' door. "Haldir again!"

"Come in!" he says, reading a book in bed. Blankets cover his lower half and he has on a shiny gold housecoat.

I enter. "Hi! How do you feel today? You look much better." My brothers stand behind me awkwardly.

He nods. "I feel better. What happened anyway?"

"You had a relapse from the spider bite."

Orophin steps forward to give him a package. "These are some special Lorien herbs. You make them into a tea and it should keep this from happening again."

He takes it. "Thank you."

I smile, as do my brothers, whom I have warned to be on their best behavior. "You're welcome. Do you feel up to a short walk with us?"

"Yes, if I can lean against one of you."

Smiling again, I motion to all three of us. "Of course! Take your pick."

He looks at me. "Help me?"

"Yes, I will." I offer my hand to him.

He takes it, standing up slowly and leaning heavily on my shoulder.

"Are you sure you're up to this? Maybe it's too soon..."

"I'll be fine." He leans against me, taking a few steps.

I help him into some light robes so he is presentable. My brothers and I then walk slowly towards the garden, Rumil carrying a basket. Legolas walks along with us, stumbling a few times but staying up thanks to my strong shoulder. "We're almost there," I assure him. "Then you will need to rest a while. We have a little surprise for you."

He nods, still quite weak from his illness. "Thank you."

"You are welcome!" My brothers get the blanket out once we arrive and lay it on the ground, then produce all kinds of food.

His eyes widen as he sits down to the small smorgasbord.

"Do you not like it?" I ask, unable to interpret the look on his face.

"I do!" He wonders if he is drooling or not.

An excited shriek can be heard likely halfway across the forest. "Legolas, Ionnîn!" Queen Arabesque screams as she hikes up her skirts and races towards us, smothering him in kisses as I resist the urge to gag.

"Naneth! What is going on?"

"I'm excited to see you! You're here, outside, looking so much better!"

King Thranduil majestically walks towards us, shaking his head and smiling, the sunlight causing his hair to shine like a stream of water over pale sand in the sunlight.

"Yes. Now please stop squeezing me! It hurts!" the Prince gasps, breathing hard.

She immediately releases him. "I'm sorry. You are feeling better, right?"

"I am."

She breathes a sigh of relief. "Good."

Then the Elvenking speaks up. "Are you all getting along better now?"

Legolas starts and gives me a worried look.

I decide to speak up. "Yes, I think we are." I give my once-enemy a look that says, "Well, you're their son! They'll believe you!"

He nods. "I agree."

They both smile. "Good. We have decided that due to the circumstances, Haldir may go whenever he wishes. I believe he has truly shown his repentance in the most meaningful way possible by saving your life." I just stare, dumbfounded.

"H...he what?" the Prince of Mirkwood stutters, as shocked as I am.

"You could have died from that relapse with the spider poison. Without his care, we likely would have lost you. So we have agreed he can go home to Lothlórien whenever he chooses."

I still cannot speak. Lothlórien. Home!

Legolas just gawks at me, speechless as well.

My brothers nudge me so I try to find my voice. "I promised to stay here a year and serve as Prince Legolas's assistant. I have not fulfilled that task yet, so I will stay until my year is up. Even if you still wish me to be the superior in the situation." I almost laugh to see the shocked look on Rumil and Orophin's faces.

The Elven royals smile their approval. "Yes, I do believe you need to be the one in charge if you insist on staying," King Thranduil remarks, then turns to their son.

He notices his father looks worried and sad about something. "Ada, what is wrong?" he asks, confused.

He gives his son a sad look. "Lord Elrond has requested my help to fight the orcs that have been attacking his kingdom. I leave with ten score of my army soon. However, I wish for you to stay here and rest."

"Elrond? Attacked?" he repeats.

"Yes. Orcs. You know how I dislike him, yet if he comes for me to aid I know it must be serious and it is my duty to help him."

Legolas nods. "I'll stay."

The Elvenking looks relieved.

I exchange a look with my brothers. "We are at your assistance, if you would like."

Giving a small smile, he turns to Legolas. "Haldir has bound himself to you. I think you should decide whether he stays or goes. Rumil and Orophin can decide for themselves."

"I want him here, if he does not mind."

"I will stay then," I agree.

My brothers decide to go, needing blood on their swords or something, and they leave with the Elvenking after he gives his love to his wife. I had to look away while they kissed each other goodbye, cringing as they made small moans of love and devotion; private moments have never been something I enjoy seeing in public, although I am sure they are fine when a couple is alone. Once everyone leaves, I settle down and begin on the food, not knowing what else to do. It is a good thing I recover rather quickly from all this romance in the air.

The Queen sits as well.

Legolas eats hungrily, finding himself famished.

The Elvenqueen smiles and pats Legolas's knee. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Ionnîn."

He nods and smiles back.


Note: I know this chapter is shorter! What do you think of Leggy & Haldir actually getting along? I have to admit I think Haldir is quite sweet & fits the definition of repaying evil with good. Leggy certainly didn't deserve all the care he got, especially not with Haldir recovering from his own injuries. (Thank goodness it's not too weird for authoresses to fangirl over their own characters...)