Title: Long Under Tree
Author: Darkhorse
Rating: PG
Summary: Legolas is an elfling giving his ada headaches and heartache. The young life of Legolas 'long under tree'.
Feedback: yes please
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Legolas wiped his running nose on his shirt sleeve only to further smudge the dirt on his face. He had gone straight down the path several hours earlier feeling confident that he would soon be home until it had forked in three different directions.
The path he chose gradually became tangled with vines and small trees until Legolas was suddenly deep in the thicket and it had grown dark.
The Prince clung to the bark of some trees along his way asking them as only an elf can, where his home was and how could he get there. The trees could only shudder in response, they had never met this little elf before, and his home could be anywhere.
Legolas finally settled next to an Ash tree to rest in the great darkness as he sniffled, his feet burning from walking so long and far. The old Ash delivered what little comfort it could by releasing a bed of its leaves for the small elf to rest in. Legolas caressed the bark in thanks, trying to gulp down the terror that was rising in his chest. His ears echoed with the sounds of creatures in the dark.
A twig snapped near him, off in the distance he could hear hisses and rustling. He wanted to scream and call for his ada but if he screamed he thought that maybe one of the wild things would find him and eat him.
Legolas became increasingly frightened when the hissing sound came nearer still. Not needing further motivation, the Prince scrambled for the branches of the tree. He jumped to reach the lowest branch and with a little help from the Ash he climbed quickly from one branch to another, higher and higher until the limbs began to thin out and he couldn't climb further without the danger of falling. He nestled close to the trunk and panted breathlessly. His slim frame hot and trembling with fear as he cried weakly.
Before he could so much as catch his breath, a loud thrashing started beside him and a piercing sound followed it, Legolas turned his saucer wide eyes to see a flash in the darkness coming toward him screeching loudly and battering him. It was such a black dark in the forest he couldn't see it properly. Screaming, he retreated from the tree and the massive crabine protecting her nest as quickly as he could. Down from the tree and further into the dark forest.
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"Why were none of you watching him!" The King's voice thundered. "He is your Prince, your heir to the throne and you leave him unprotected! I can trust no one! Explain to me how he could come to be unguarded!" The King didn't leave a moment for answer, his face crimson with rage as he shouted at the elves standing before him.
"My only child! My Legolas has been stolen! Have you so little honor for your King that you would have him loose his only child, the only precious thing left to him! You! Calanon, my warrior, you explain to me how he could not be watched over, how he could be missing with not one of my people knowing what has become of him!" Thranduil panted, his hand resting firmly on the warrior's shoulder, dangerously close to his neck.
Calanon gulped at the ferocity in his King's eyes and stuttered out his answer with all of the bravery he could muster. "Mmmy King, Sire, just this morn you told us that we were all needed at the borders. Tha That there should be no one in the comfort of the palace grounds this day."
Slow realization reached Thranduil's eyes and the rage was replaced with painful truth. There had been a breach on his boarders reported only the day before, he had sent everyone, every single warrior and guard he had to protect it. He was wrong, he was wrong in the very worst way and now he had no idea what had happened to his child. He released his grip on the warrior and his arm dropped limply to his side.
Thranduil, having his father's stubborn pride and being the ruler of an entire Kingdom could not allow himself to be the one at fault. "I apologize Calanon, I should have known better. It is not MY people I cannot trust." Thranduil said with venom as he spun to glare at Elrond and his sons waiting nearby. "Get the horses ready, he is not near the palace. We must look beyond." The King commanded still staring menacingly at the Rivendell visitors.
As he mounted his horse, a heaviness consumed Thranduil. They had searched high and low in the fading dark for his little son, he had shouted his elfling's name over and over again and all he heard back was silence.
Terror gripped his heart with every passing second. He needed to find him, it was a climbing vine swiftly crawling over him and squeezing the life from his body. How could he have ever thought of sending his son with that irresponsible elf Lord! How could he accept help from a half elf! What use would any warrior that the Noldor sent be to him, he could not even raise worthy sons!
Thranduil used the anger to mask his fear and pain, his need to weep.
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Legolas thrashed through the forest sounding more like a heard of orliphants than a little elf should. All he could hear now was the pounding of blood in his ears and the whipping sounds as branches slashed at him. He tripped over fallen logs and protruding roots, falling and scrambling to his feet to run, run, run.
He ran until his tears stopped, until he was too out of breath to cry. He ran as if a balrog were chasing him and he began to feel strong. He was not trembling in the tree or lying fearfully in a pile of leaves, he was running!
'I am so fast nothing could ever catch me' Legolas thought childishly.
Unfortunately even elves cannot run forever and when the elfling tripped again, he found that he didn't have the strength to get up. Laying in the damp earth his lungs burning as he gulped mouthfuls of damp air.
When he could, Legolas sat up. Sore from many small cuts, covered in dirt and leaves, he reached to touch the tip of his tiny pointed ear that stung mightily. When he pulled back his hand he saw that his fingers were smeared with blood. He began to whimper quietly, feeling very sorry for his hurt ear when he realized that he could see the blood. There was a light around him.
Legolas could see through the trees. He was at the forests edge and a large moon was lighting the grass just beyond them. The Prince wiped his fingers on his leggings and slowly climbed to his feet, the tender pads of his feet burned and ached in his boots.
He limped slightly out of the woods into the tall grasses where the moon shined on him turning his golden hair silver. Off in the distance on a hill he could see a fire burning, it's light a beacon in the darkness. The elfling's eyes brightened and he ran toward the light.
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"Legolas!" Thranduil called into the dark of the forest, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice. "Legolas come out! Ada is here!" Unfortunately he could not keep his voice from cracking after every other shout.
Elrond had kept behind the King, slowing his horse when Thranduil's mount slowed, slightly afraid to approach him and feeling very responsible for the missing elfling and the loss of trust. Hearing Thranduil's broken cries was not helping the situation. He longed to apologize but words were not enough. He knew that they would have to find the elfling before Thranduil would be in any condition to be rational.
Slowly the King's horse came to a stop and Elrond waited behind him. Thranduil was slightly slumped over, his shoulders low and looking from that back as though a great weight was crushing him. Elrond made his decision after a few moments and road up beside him.
"Thranduil?" The Lord reached out setting his hand on the King's shoulder.
"I wish you had not come, what good have you done me." Thranduil sighed with heat as he stared at his horse's neck to avoid meeting the Noldor's eyes.
"Please Thranduil, don't let this ruin us, ruin the bonding of our realms. Middle earth grows dark, we will need each other." Elrond pleaded. "Please forgive my sons, they do not intend to be thoughtless, it is their age. Do you remember?"
Thranduil straightened. Brushing Elrond's hand off of his shoulder. "Your son's are beastly." The King started forward again while Elrond's heart dropped.
Turning slightly, Thranduil added. "You. You I may forgive if Legolas is unharmed and found this night." Starting forward again, the King ran a shaking hand over his face and mumbled. "You had better hope I find him this night Elrond. Else I will break all ties with you until the end of my days."
Elrond was at a loss, he knew Thranduil was being rash in his urgency to find his son, but the King was just stubborn enough to keep his word spoken in the heat of the moment.
"Legolas!!" Elrond shouted at the top of his lungs, adding his voice to the hundred others.
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Legolas flexed his fingers stiff with cold he could not feel, he was more eager for the fire's light than to warm his body. There was nothing worse than the dark to this elfling, and nothing better or more soothing than the light. It was the reason he loved to come to his ada in the night. His ada glowed, his warm light would bathe Legolas and chase away the shadows.
As he came closer to the fire he could see a large form next to it, he suddenly felt wary, and this form did not have the slender build of an elf. Legolas decided it would be best to approach with the utmost caution. Crouching low in the tall grass he crept further until he was close enough to see the creature huddled by the fire.
"Elbereth!" He gasped under his breath. The beast was enormous and from what he could see emerging from the blackness of the creature's hood, it was covered with gray shaggy fur. It was making low rumbling sounds and as the creature turned he could see smoke billow out from its furry mouth.
Legolas stared wide eyed , studying its every move. He had never seen such a creature, not even in his picture books. He had seen drawings of balrogs, trolls and many other frightening beasts in the great library but never anything quite so peculiar as this. A fire breathing creature at that!
The monster had a rabbit cooking on a spit over the flames of his fire, Legolas' belly rumbled loudly. He had not realized his hunger and now he was certain that the loud gurgling had given him away.
The beast turned swiftly in his direction, startled by the noise, and stood to peer into the tall grasses.
Legolas panicked. It was coming toward him holding a massive stick and poking it into the grass. He couldn't wait anymore, the monster was nearly on top of him now. Maybe he could run fast enough to escape it if only he could make his legs stop shaking enough to run.
The stick parted the grass where Legolas lay crouched and the great tall creature looked dead upon him. The Prince looked up in terror and was able to scramble to his feet, his heart beating like a jackrabbit as he turned to run away.
If Legolas had known that the bee line he was making through the grass could be so clearly seen like ribbon in the moonlight maybe he would have saved his energy.
The beast caught him with ease slinging an arm around Legolas' waist and pulling him tight to its body.
Legolas kicked back and clawed at the arm that was wrapped tightly around his belly. He tried and tried to scream but every time he tried it only came out as a strangled noise through his fear tightened throat.
"Shh shh little one, calm." The creature rumbled in his ear.
And Legolas did calm, slowly, the beast spoke to him and he did not sound frightening. There was something warm and gentle in its voice. The elfling was exhausted and he stopped his struggles hanging limply in the strong grip.
"That's it now." The beast turned Legolas around to lift him and look at him properly.
"Are you gonna eat meeee?" The elfling peeped.
The big chest thundered with laughter. "Fear not, wizards don't eat elflings."
Legolas peered skeptically into the hood and saw kind gray eyes and a smiling mouth underneath the fur.
"A real withard?!" Legolas gasped, his mouth open in awe.
Mithrandir couldn't help his laughter, the filthy little elfling's eyes were huge and blue on his dirty face. Little pointed ears peaking through messy golden hair. Beaming with barely restrained excitement and showing the gap where front teeth should have been. He weighed no more than a feather as he was held out at arms length. "Whoever lost you must be beside themselves!" The wizard exclaimed with a chuckle.
"Lets go by the fire, little elf and get you cleaned up shall we?" Mithrandir pulled the elfling close to make his way through the grasses. Legolas was more than happy to get off of his sore feet and clutched onto the wizard's beard as they traversed the short distance.
Legolas lay on his back on the cloak where the wizard had put him, watching intently every move Mithrandir made as he poured water from a skin into a shallow bowl and brought it over to him, dipping a cloth into the bowl to gently wash away the dirt on his face. "There is an elfling under here after all!" Mithrandir smiled at the sleepy boy.
"What is your name elfling, I am Mithrandir."
"Mith-an-neer? My name ith 'Las, I want to go home now."
"Your nana and ada must be looking all over for you how ever did you get all the way out here?" The wizard asked. He was carefully trying to clean the small cuts on the elflings face. When he moved to clean the wound on the elfling's ear Legolas jammed his thumb in his mouth sucking greedily around his whimpers.
"Well, it would be a terrible cruelty to let your family worry any longer than they need to wouldn't it Las? We'll get you home this night. To Greenwood I assume and not Lothlorien?" Mithrandir tried to soothe the elfling as he cleaned the cut.
Legolas nodded his head smiling around his thumb. His ada never let him suck his thumb but he desperately needed the comfort. Despite the pain, Legolas was so grateful to be found and taken care of that he wanted to repay this kindness so he contented himself with stroking the wizard's 'fur' while he was tended to.
Mithrandir smiled fondly down on him. Of all the children of middle earth elf children were the easiest to love. An elf child was ever joyful and kind, prone to mischievous behavior but tender hearted and pure to the last. Best of all because they aged so slowly he could go away for a century and come back to a nearly unchanged child.
The wizard set the elfling onto his horse's back and climbed behind him. Gathering Legolas securely in his arms he made for the old passes of Greenwood. He had been heading there to begin with but didn't want to arrive in the middle of the night. Now he had a good excuse for a warm bed and a hot meal.
Mithrandir cuddled the elfling closer, Legolas had buried himself underneath the wizard's beard and had made himself very comfortable sucking away at his thumb and twirling clumps of beard with his other hand until sleep overcame him.
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"Thranduil, the warriors have found nothing in the East woods. Have you sent word to Lothlorien?" Elrond asked.
The King was clearly losing what was left of his restraint. "Who would I send Elrond?! All of my people are occupied cleaning up the mess you've made! I would send you to Lothlorien, believe me I wouldn't suffer to miss your company as long as you took your two elf brats with you!"
Elrond held up his hands in a peaceful gesture. He wasn't going to try and calm the King, at this point he would be happy just to walk away with all of his limbs intact.
As he was backing away, a nervous looking guard came toward them. "My Lord." He gestured to Elrond before bowing to his King. "Sire, Mithrandir approaches the gate, the tower guards have seen that it is him."
Thranduil let out a frustrated sigh. "That wizard has the worst timing, I will go and greet him. I pray he can be of some help, seeing that the present company is useless!" With that he turned his back on Elrond storming to the gate.
By the time he had arrived at the gates Thranduil was terribly impatient, every minute he had to wait for that wizard to arrive was more time taken away from looking for his child. 'Never here when I need him, where was he when this trouble began, when my wife passed? Unreliable like everyone else in middle earth.' He grumbled.
When the wizard's mare was close enough Thranduil went forward to greet him, his features stern and as weathered as an ageless being can look.
"By your behavior I think I could guess the problem Thranduil. Missing something?" Mithrandir pulled aside his beard to show the elfling pressed up against him.
"Legolas." Thranduil whispered, his throat tight as tears pricked the back of his eyes. "My son." He said haltingly as he reached forward and snatched Legolas from the wizard.
Mithrandir new that any elfling missing would have caused an uproar, he did not know however that 'Las was the Prince. Therefore his shock was met with a self chastisement to stop smoking so much pipeweed. Perhaps he would have realized that the only elfling born to the elves this late was the King's own son.
Legolas awoke with a start when he was pulled away from the wizard's side. His alarm quickly changed to joy when he realized that he was once more in his ada's arms. "Ada! Ada I mitht you!"
Thranduil couldn't speak, every word that he wanted to utter was choked off in his tremendous relief so instead he held Legolas tightly to him and tried to control his composure. All of the fear left his face and it was all he could do to look gratefully upon his elflings rescuer.
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The night ended with much relief to all of Greenwood and a small celebration was held in the dining hall for Mithrandir to be welcomed and fed along with the warriors and guards who had spent the night looking for a lost Prince.
This celebration was held without the King and Prince as Legolas was too sleepy to stay awake and the King couldn't be parted from him for another moment.
Legolas awoke the next morning on his own little bed in his ada's warm embrace. Seeing his ada awake the Prince began to describe in great detail his adventures the night before.
Thranduil's eyes sparkled and he was unable to take his eyes off of his child through the story telling. Well, unable to move much at all as he had spent the night cramped on an elfling's bed.
After his story was told and it was quiet for a moment Legolas got a gleam in his eye. "Ada you are in my bed, what will the other elves say?"
"Let them say what they will, I care not. You'll be lucky if your ada ever lets u out of his sight again!" Thranduil said with fire.
In that moment, as young as he was, Legolas knew just how fiercely his ada loved him. Would forever love him.
tbc