Hello, guys! So, I know things have been going pretty rough in my stories Rise or Fall and More Than Life for Legolas and his family. Here is a brand new story for you! I don't own LOTR or the Hobbit.
My fanfic I Will Always Watch Over You is complete. I think the thirtieth chapter Tickle Time was a good place to end it. But this is another one-shot in tune with that fic. When ideas like this come, I think I will give them their own little one-shot story now. Oh, and if you guys have more requests or ideas for me to write involving Thranduil and his kids, I would be happy to hear them!
Hope you enjoy. Reviews please!
Legolas is proud of his younger sister's dedication to her training he's teaching her. But there are times, when he wishes she wouldn't be quite so dedicated! Poor Leggi!
"My lady? You have been at this strenuous activity long enough! It's time you came back inside and prepared for the midday meal." Tatsu, the housekeeper and Alasse's personal nursemaid scolded from the patio.
"Just a bit longer, Tatsu." Alasse answered without facing her. Tatsu sighed and retreated back inside the palace. Alasse was not ready to come in. She wanted to have a go at this a bit longer.
Princess Alasse, daughter of King Thranduil, and sister to Prince Legolas, was a young adult but still adolescent by Elven standards. Ever since a visiting prince had threatened her and attempted to assassinate Thranduil a year ago, her big brother Legolas, fiercely devoted and protective of her, had been teaching and training her to defend herself. Legolas was the best warrior in Mirkwood, after his father. Alasse appreciated it very much. She'd hated the terrified, helpless feeling as an elfling when she'd been scared or in danger and not knowing what to do about it. Needless to say, Legolas had saved her life very many times. Now, with his mentoring, she there was something she could actually do about it if she found herself in an ugly mess again. Legolas was very stern and a tough drill instructor. Sometimes Alasse believed he exaggerated the exercises just to satisfy his impetuous brotherly teasing. But, she also loved him for it. He was very patient and knew exactly what he was doing.
Last year, Gandalf the Grey had paid a visit to Mirkwood and gifted Alasse with her own signature weapon: a staff! She'd been delighted and the tool had become her faithful companion, like Legolas and his bow, and his white knives.
At the moment, Alasse was practicing lethal blows with her bow staff. The sturdy wood felt solid and fully confident in her hand and it seemed to dance when she wielded it in deadly circles. She was so engrossed in her double-hand spin that even her Elvish hearing didn't warn her of the visitor behind her!
"Ai, quite the-" Legolas began until…KWOP! "GAAAHHH!" He hollered painfully.
Alasse jumped back at least four feet, with her hand covering her mouth. Legolas had started to compliment her on her tactics when she'd spun fluidly so fast that he wasn't warned, and…
Alasse's bluish-green eyes were wide with fear and worry. Legolas was on the ground, leaning on his side, gasping and holding the left side of his face. "Legolas! Are you okay?" Alasse asked anxiously. "Did I hit you? I'm sorry!"
"Ahh...gahh...that...smar-...ahh!" Legolas groaned and gasped from the stunning blow. Alasse nervously knelt in front of him.
"Let me see." She said, taking his hand. "Valar..." She shuddered. Legolas's left eye was a beautiful shade or raw red morphed with purple. And his-oh, please, Valar, no!-His poor ear! His left, pointy ear was a deep red, and swollen. He was gritting his teeth hard, hovering his hand protectively a couple inches just off his ear. "Ohh, Legolas, I'm sorry!" Alasse cried. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were there, honest!"
"Accident..." Legolas managed to say between his whispered curses and moanings. "Ada's hair, sister! You have dealt me a most painful blow! Why didn't you look where you were hitting?" He growled, fighting back tears. His sensitive ear was hurting so badly he wanted to throw himself on the ground and cry like a little elfling.
"I...I'm sorry. Oh, Leggi, I am so sorry!" Alasse sniffled. She felt so wretched. "Come on, you need to see Maerwen." She pulled at his elbow.
"Leave me alone! I'm perfectly capable of getting up on my own!" Legolas snapped, waving her hands off. "I'm not that helpless!" Alasse gazed at him tearfully. She felt an icy draft run down her spine as she imagined the pain his ear was in! She hurt her ear once, running into a tree. She remembered it vividly. She'd been little and hear ear had felt like it was on fire, plus it had throbbed horribly.
Alasse followed Legolas into the healing ward. Maerwen, the female healer, was currently tending another patient, an elfling boy who was groaning at the pains in his stomach from all the sweets he'd swiped then devoured from the royal kitchen. Malfortion was just sending one of the stable boys out with his arm in a sling. The chief healer cocked his head when he saw the prince and the princess. "Prince Legolas, Princess Alasse." He bowed respectfully. "What brings you here, this time?" He chuckled. Legolas scowled, but crinkling his brow made his eye hurt. "Ooo! Fetching shiner you've got there, my prince. A real work of art. What did you say this time to get on your sister's bad side that she resorted to true physical violence?" The healer teased.
"Could you just fix me up?" Legolas growled through clenched teeth.
"Certainly, Legolas." Malfortion nodded with a twisted grin.
Thranduil found himself alone at the midday meal, which he had been lucky enough to even attend today. Since before dawn, he'd been morbidly stuck with paperwork and several council meetings. The quiet was most welcoming, as was the wine! "Galion? Where might my children be?" Thranduil asked curiously when the butler returned.
"I'm sorry. I haven't the faintest notion, my lord." Galion shook his head.
"Humph. Most likely chasing each other around the forest, no doubt." Thranduil shrugged. There was a knock at the door. "Enter." Thranduil said. Maerwen curtsied.
"I beg your pardon for interrupting your meal, my lord." Maerwen said meekly.
"What has happened?" Thranduil asked sternly.
"Nothing to be alarmed at, I assure you, my lord. I only came to let you know that Prince Legolas had a slight accident and needs some rest." Maerwen smiled.
"Did he now?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes. "What kind of accident?" Thranduil rose to his feet.
"Nothing serious, my lord. Just a very sore ear, and a beautiful black eye." Maerwen said.
"What?" Thranduil frowned. "Who gave it to him?"
"I shall let Malfortion tell you that." Maerwen grinned. Thranduil was totally curious now. And his son had been hurt! He strode passed her to the healing wards.
"Malfortion! What has happened to Legolas?" Thranduil demanded when he reached the hospital.
"My lord, it appears that your daughter beat him to a pulp!" Malfortion answered gleefully. Thranduil gaped in disbelief.
"She did what?" He huffed. The healer snorted in amusement.
"I am sorry, Thranduil. Not really. Seems though that she did put him in his place, enough that he will need a few hours of taking it easy." Malfortion smirked.
"Did she really?" Thranduil sputtered.
"Ai, she did." Malfortion nodded, and led him to Legolas. Thranduil's confusion and anger instantly evaporated the moment he saw Legolas. His grown son, the regal prince, the daredevil warrior was lying cross-legged on a hospital bed, arms crossed in a huff, and sulking like a pouting elfling. And then Thranduil saw his injuries. The shiner was a beauty. And Legolas's left ear was wrapped in bandages with a cold compress.
Thranduil let out a hearty laugh before he could stop himself. Legolas looked at least 11-years-old, and as morbidly unhappy as he could make himself look. Legolas glared darkly at his father. "Ahahahaha! I'm...I am sorry, Legolas!" Thranduil laughed. "Truly, I...am. But, if you could just see the look on your face right now..."
"I look like a fool." Legolas scowled.
"No, you don't. You look like my little leaf when he was still not old enough to join the archery tournament." Thranduil grinned.
"Ouch! Ada, really. Did you have to bring that up? You are a horrible comforter." Legolas whined. Thranduil touched his shoulder. "It's not funny." Legolas hissed.
"I'm sorry, little leaf." Thranduil chuckled. "Tell me, how did this happen that you find yourself in such a fix?"
"It wasn't my fault." Legolas muttered. "Alasse hit me." And she's an elleth, not a fellow. So in this case, I cannot hit her back! I would be labeled 'kinslayer'!
"I see." Thranduil smiled.
"No, I did not provoke her!" Legolas spoke up quickly.
"That is good to know. Does it hurt badly?"
"Not as badly and painful as my pride." Legolas shook his head. "I have been bruised!" He exclaimed dramatically. Thranduil kissed his head.
"Well, the pain should dull soon. Get some rest, Legolas." Thranduil said. "I wish I could bear it for you. Ear afflictions are most dreadful."
"Must you remind me?" Legolas looked up at his all too amused dad in exasperation. Yes, Malfortion had given him a remedy to kill the pain, but his ear still dully throbbed and hurt like the dickens!
"Apologies." Thranduil patted his head. Legolas rolled his eyes and looked away. "Just how did this happen?" Thranduil asked the healer curiously.
"A mere accident in self-defense." Malfortion shook his head.
Alasse was in her father's library, gazing out the window. She felt just horrible for having hurt Legolas like that, especially regarding his ear. How that must have hurt! Legolas would probably hold that one against her for ages! "It is wise to acknowledge and face your king when he addresses you." Thranduil said darkly behind her. Alasse started and turned to face him. He looked very displeased.
I'm a goner! Alasse thought anxiously. "Yes, Ada." She said timidly.
"What possessed you to attack your brother in that way?" Thranduil asked coldly.
"I didn't attack him, Ada!" Alasse blurted out. "It was an accident! I didn't even know he was there! I was practicing with my bow staff, and while performing a spin, I whirled, and...he was in the line of fire and...I hit him, by accident."
"Indeed?" Thranduil sneered, trying not to smirk. "A likely story. People do not come by injuries like those by pure accident and bad luck. I am very disappointed in you, Alasse." Thranduil narrowed his eyes.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to. Poor Legolas. I feel so bad about his ear!"
"And not his eye?" Thranduil feigned offense.
"Of course I do, Ada!" Alasse exclaimed.
"I cannot believe you would wield such a wild tale." Thranduil shook his head skeptically. Alasse swallowed hard and tears fell down her face. Thranduil's face fell. He'd expected her to pick up on his teasing. She usually did. "Oh, Alasse, don't cry!" He smiled sadly, wrapping her in his arms. "I was only teasing you! I understand, iel nin, that you didn't mean to bash him around."
"Ohh!" Alasse groaned. At least Thranduil wasn't really angry, but this just wasn't the right time for teasing. She felt bad enough already.
"There now, sweetling. Do stop crying." Thranduil shook his head, wiping her eyes.
"I feel terrible." Alasse said.
"You feel terrible? Imagine how your brother feels!" Thranduil went off again. Alasse looked up at him hurtfully. Okay, this was not helping after all. "Alright." Thranduil sobered up. "I'm sorry. I'll stop." He wiped at her eyes again. "I didn't know you could produce pain like that!"
"Neither did I!" Alasse bit her lip.
"Well, then Legolas should take this as a compliment to his mentoring tactics." Thranduil said. "Though I don't think he was expecting a compliment right in the face!"
Alasse giggled. "You think Legolas will forgive me for this one?" Alasse smiled timidly through her red, tear-stained face.
"Of course, my love." Thranduil nodded. "When and how is the big question."
"I know!" Alasse gulped. "That is what I am afraid of!"
Alasse wasn't sure how to make Legolas feel better, and she knew words wouldn't do much good. So, after he'd left the healing wards and she didn't see him for the rest of the day, Alasse left a surprise from the kitchen on his bed when he returned that night. His favorite treat.
"You feeling better?" Alasse asked him timidly the next morning.
"Not by much, but I'll survive." Legolas sighed. Alasse faced the floor. "Don't look so petrified of me, sister. I'm not going to bite you!"
"Do you forgive me?"
"Of course." Legolas smiled warmly. "I'd better tell the other ellyn to look out for their heads when you are out and about with such a lethal weapon!" Alasse giggled. "I didn't know you could bash heads around like that!"
"Well, did you really expect any less? After all, you taught me how to use it to my advantage." Alasse nudged him in the ribs.
"I did teach you well, didn't I?" Legolas smirked cockily. "Though I never expected to be your full-blown first breathing target!"
Alasse was relieved, Legolas had forgiven her. At least...she'd thought so at first. Until one spring morning, she couldn't find her staff. She searched all over for it, afraid she'd mislaid it but it did not turn up. It wasn't until it had been missing for four days that she just knew Legolas had hidden it on her! She tried spying on him, but wouldn't stop moving! He was always leaping through the trees, racing through the terraces, always moving!
Her staff had been missing for over a week now, and she was worried Legolas might never return it. So, he hadn't truly forgiven her after all. "My lady!" Feren called to Alasse. "I believe we have retrieved your weapon. It is outside the armory. Must have been put there by accident." Feren smiled.
"Oh, thank you, Feren!" Alasse beamed and ran for the armory.
As she approached the shop at the top of the stairs, she breathed in relief. Sure enough, there was her beloved bow staff! "There you are, my old friend." She smiled and ran to grab it.
She'd just barely made it when something lanky grabbed her legs and tackled her to the stone floor. Alasse landed on her side and her jaw dropped. "Legolas!" She sputtered.
"You didn't really think I was going to let you off so easily for that one, did you now?" He asked cheekily as he sat on top of her.
"Oh, good grief." Alasse shook her head. "But you said-"
"I know. And I have forgiven you. However," he reached down, grabbing her wrists and flipped her over so she was on her back. "I did not say I wouldn't punish you."
"Legolas, what are-"
"Thou shalt not bruise thy arms master." Legolas narrowed his eyes.
"Alright. And I don't intend to again." Alasse groaned. Then she realized how Legolas had her positioned. Oh no! He's not…"What are you doing?" She demanded.
"Your 'signs of affection' made me the laughing stock of the entire guard." Legolas growled. Then he smiled evilly. "I thought it only fair to get a laugh from this mess myself."
"Legolas..." Alasse tried to wriggle away, but Legolas mercilessly tickled her sides, keeping her hands clasped in his other one. "Oho! No! Leg-Legolas!" She giggled hysterically.
"Do you have the faintest concept of just how many laughs and jeering your skills got me?" Legolas scolded playfully, skittering his deft fingers over her ribs.
"N-n-no! I doOONN'TT!" Alasse laughed. Legolas briefly stopped.
"More than I would like, that's what." He frowned. "And since rhetorical actions would be considered non-chivalrous, I felt that this method would be just as effective, if not more. And without any bumps and bruises."
"Okay. Point taken." Alasse rolled her eyes. "I think I've learned my lesson."
"Oh, I don't think so." Legolas grinned. He resumed his tickling, making her squirm and giggle like a little elfling. "Had enough?" Legolas asked smugly, tickling his fingers on her stomach, making her yelp with laughter.
"If you don't want a rematch with full force throttling..." Alasse warned him, trying to reach for her staff.
"Excuse me? You asked for it!" And he got her again one last time, this time really good!
"You're mean." Alasse narrowed her eyes up at him when he finally gave up on his torture.
"Well, my dear, if I am to live with you, now that you are becoming a full-fledged staff-blow master," Legolas cocked his head, "Then I must resort to effective ways of protecting myself. Wouldn't you agree?" He poked her side.
"You'd better look out then." Alasse growled smugly.