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TaurielGurl: Thank you for reviewing! Mm, I'm sorry, but Tauriel is just, for me, a heresy to the Tolkien world, so I won't be writing about her anytime soon. Thanks again!

"You're dead." said Mallas triumphantly.

Legolas got up, rubbing his side. "I'm always dead." he muttered testily.

"That's because you always swing from the shoulder, Legolas, but-"

"It feels stronger that way." complained the Princeling, sticking the point of his wooden sword in the earth.

"It doesn't take a lot of strength. Living things are fragile creatures." said Mallas sweetly. "But it gives you more agility if you can swing from the arm, from the wrist. That's why I always win. I don't need strength, I need suppleness."

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Since when are you the Master Sword-Elf?"

"Since I started listening to Celegwen."

"Well, I don't like swords anyway." announced Legolas. "Bows, yes….knives, yes."

Mallas swung her sword around suddenly, the point to her brother's chest, and then dropped it. "These aren't very well balanced. When Adar lets us get real swords, they will be far better."

"Will they be?" asked a voice on the edge of the glade.
"Oh yes, they will be, Naneth." they assured Laurëlasse in unison.

Laurëlasse laughed and sat down on the leaf-covered floor. "Well, maybe. Do you two know what day it is?"

Legolas rubbed the back of his neck in puzzlement. "No?"

The Queen smiled, watching the light come in dappled patterns to play on her children's' faces. "Mallas? Any guesses?"

Mallas shrugged. "No."

"No one?" Laurëlasse spread her hands in despair. "What a hopeless pair you are! Thirty years to this day and neither of you know your begetting day."

"Oh." The two looked at each other. "Oh."

Laurëlasse stood up, brushing off her skirts. "Well? Do you want to come with me and see the gifts?"

Legolas tagged along after his mother. "But Naneth, why did we have to practice if it was a begetting day?"

"I had to get you out somehow to prepare everything." laughed the Queen.

"What is it?" asked Mallas eagerly.

"You'll have to see, little Leaf."