Disclaimer, Summary and Warning could be found in 1st chapter.
Beta: Aranel
Chapter 12: Rules, or else…
Mirkwood
Thranduil watched the boy as they spoke. The child was observant and readily curious; he certainly had great potential. In some way, Estel reminded him of his son.
"You have a capable boy here," Thranduil told Elrond. "Young though he be, he seems discerning beyond his years. Is there anything I should concern myself over?"
Elrond shook his head. "I do not think that you would have to worry. But the boy is our hope and we need to keep him alive for as long as we can," Elrond said to his long-term friend.
"I will do my best, though as you are aware, there is much danger in this land. I shall need your aid. The boy seems to trust you and I shall have to impose some rules upon him."
"I will do what I can," Elrond said. "But I believe the boy would soon have trust in you as well."
Thranduil nodded and then he motioned to the boy to approach.
"As Elrond said, you will live here with me and the guards, but you must obey the rules here. If you do not follow them, you might die. Do you understand, little one?" Thranduil asked.
Estel nodded, and as once again his curiosity got the better of him, he asked, "What kind of danger is there, my king?"
"Orcs, lots of them. There are also goblins and spiders. And they aren't small," Thranduil replied. He did not wish to frighten the boy but he had to impress upon him the importance of adhering to their instructions.
"What if I want to play outside?" Estel asked glancing between the king and the elf-lord.
"Let me know, and I will send some guards with you," Thranduil replied.
Estel seemed to consider that for a moment. "Where will be my room?" he asked.
"Let's go find out, shall we?" Thranduil smiled and led them toward the hallway.
Estel stopped as they passed by one of the rooms. There was a ornate set of bow and arrows, glistening in the sunlight.
"May I have them?" Estel asked.
"No, you may not, but I can make you a new set," Thranduil replied.
"Why?" he asked curiously.
"Because, my boy, this belongs to my son, and I promised him that no one will touch any of his things," Thranduil explained.
"No entering this room?" Estel concluded.
"No." Thranduil confirmed.
"Are they any rooms I can enter?" Estel asked.
"Of course, follow me," Thranduil continued down the hallway. "We'll have you here, at this room closest to mine, so if you should need my aid, I will come quickly to help you."
At Hogwarts…
"There is one rule that you must obey when you return to your homes during vacations," Dumbledore said and looking right at the elf, he continued, "You must not use any magic outside of Hogwarts; it is strictly forbidden and you shall be banned from the school."
Legolas grinned, however. That seemed like a perfect way to get out of this strange place, and away from those hobbits that were already grating on him. At least some of them had the same hair color as he did but he could see nothing else in common. And he was not the least bit interested to find out.
"Until then, welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore finished his speech.
A year. There was still a year before he could get himself banned. There had to be something else he could do! 'Why Me?' Legolas thought in sheer despair.
End of Chapter 12.
