Alasse could hardly concentrate on anything else for the rest of the day but their new 'guest'. She almost didn't eat any dinner that night, asking if she could go eat with Fluffy and make sure he had food. Legolas assured her the healers wouldn't let him starve, but as soon as they were excused from the dinner table, Alasse was off to the healing wards. She brought a bowl of cheese, and bread, and meat to the invalid cub. He happily scarfed down the luscious meal.
Thranduil had finally gotten firm with Alasse and told her that she wouldn't be allowed to say goodnight to Fluffy before bed, if she didn't stop bothering the healers. Alasse was disheartened, and nearly in tears. Thranduil hated being so stern, and almost relented. Alasse promised she wouldn't go back to the healing rooms again till it was time to say goodnight.
The elf troops reported that they'd tracked the trap back to Laketown by an engraving on the metal, indicating the smith who'd made it. They'd ventured to Laketown and asked around til they found a man tanning furs, and he admitted to buying the trap. When the elves implied, very sternly, that he had trespassed into the Mirkwood realm, the man named Ben began panicking and blurted out that Alfrid, the Master of Laketown's henchman had paid him to go find some decent food for the Master besides the putrid fish. Alfrid had threatened to have Ben arrested if he refused. Bard the bargeman happened to be in the plaza when the elves were confronting Ben. He offered to pay for any creatures Ben may have captured and tanned. The elves were not pleased that a baby wolf had been hurt by the human's carelessness. Bard spoke up for Ben, asking the elves not to arrest his neighbor, that in such dire living conditions, it would've been difficult for him to refuse Alfrid, especially with the horrid little man threatening him when Ben had a family, and also that Ben was not as familiar with the regulations regarding the Mirkwood forest as Bard himself was. The elves reluctantly did not arrest poor Ben, but gave him a cold warning not to do it again. Bard suggested they take it up with the Master of Laketown and Alfrid themselves. The elves did so, which ended up with Alfrid blaming everything on Ben and being the coward he was, didn't admit that he had any negative part in it.
Legolas took Alasse to the healing room to say goodnight to Fluffy. Maerwen smiled when she saw them. "You are beginning to become a regular around here, Your Highness's. I mean, more than usual." She teased.
"How is our little friend?" Legolas asked.
"Resting. We're giving him herbs to ease the pain and help him sleep."
"Alasse wanted to check on him before bed." Legolas explained.
"Aww. That is alright." Maerwen said.
"Leggi, can I sleep in here with Fluffy? Please?" Alasse begged.
"Why?" Legolas asked.
"He's all alone. He should have a friend to help him through the night. Please?" Alasse pleaded. Legolas shook his head in amusement.
"Alasse, I assure you he'll be just fine." Legolas said. "One of the healers will be here to look after him. If he needs medicine or company in the middle of the night, someone will be on hand to help him."
"That's right, my lady." Maerwen nodded. Alasse looked disappointed.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Ai." Maerwen nodded.
"You promise?"
"We promise."
Alasse patted Fluffy's head. "Sleep well, Fluffy. You're safe here. I'll see you in the morning." Alasse told him. Fluffy looked up at her with sad eyes. "You need rest so you can get better." She gently kissed the top of his head.
The Royal family was retired for the night, but Alasse could not fall asleep. How could she wander into Elven dreams at a time like this? Finally, after three hours of tossing and turning, she slid off her bed, grabbing her special blanket and silently stepped out into the halls to Legolas's room. He was sprawled across the bed, contently sleeping. Alasse stood at the edge of his bed and shook his arm. "Legolas. Legolas?" She spoke worriedly. Legolas grunted and shifted onto his other side with his back to her. "Leggi." Alasse whined. Legolas sighed.
"What's...the matter, Tithen pen?" He asked groggily.
"I'm worried." Alasse said.
"Worried...about what?"
"Fluffy. What if he's crying? What if he's lonely?"
Legolas chuckled. "Oh, Alasse. He's okay. He's probably sleeping...which you should be doing." He exhaled heavily, starting to drift off again.
"But, Leggi..."
"Alasse, stop worrying. You need to go to sleep." Legolas said firmly.
"But, Fluffy's Nana isn't here. What if he misses her?" Alasse asked sadly. Legolas paused. He wasn't expecting that painful question. "If you were him, wouldn't you miss your Nana?"
"Yes." Legolas nodded in a whisper. "Listen, darling. Fluffy's hurt, so he's been given strong medicine which will put him into a heavy sleep. I'm sure he's fine."
"I don't. I think he's lonely."
"Go to sleep, Alasse. I promise we'll check on him in the morning." Legolas told her. "Goodnight." Alasse glared at him and quickly marched out, closing the door loudly on her way out.
Alasse crept through the winding paths of her father's halls down to the healing rooms. It was quiet, and there were only two healers around, but they were occupied with mixing and grinding herbs together with a mortar and pestle. They didn't seem to detect her presence.
Good, thought Alasse. She found Fluffy lying on his side on the bed of towels they'd made for him. Alasse crouched next to him. "Hello, mellon. I came to be with you, so you won't be lonely." She whispered in Elvish. Fluffy glanced at her and thumped his small tail. "Shh. You can go to sleep now. I'll stay with you." Alasse curled next to the pup, cuddling inside her blanket. She reached out her small arm and rubbed Fluffy's side. Soon, they were both asleep.
The two healers were coming around the corner to check on the baby wolf. They stopped in their tracks when they saw the heartwarming sight before them. "Should we inform the king?" One of them asked.
"Nay." His partner smiled.
Thranduil rose early to get some of his paperwork done ahead of time so he could have some spare moments to himself before the tedious tasks he had later. He noticed Tatsu, Alasse's nursemaid frantically scurrying through the halls. "Tatsu." He addressed her.
"Y-Your Majesty." Tatsu gulped, giving a slight curtsy.
"You look frazzled. What is wrong?" Thranduil asked.
"N-nothing. I only..." Tatsu panted. She didn't want to worry her king needlessly, but even more, she didn't want to anger him in thinking she'd been irresponsible regarding his daughter's whereabouts or it would be heck to pay. Even though she'd been with the family since before Alasse was born, she still feared Thranduil's temper.
"Tatsu, I asked you a question." Thranduil said coldly.
"I, I was searching for the princess, my lord. I went this morning to dress her as I always do, and...she was not in her bed." Tatsu explained, slightly trembling. "I checked the prince's quarters-sometimes she likes to sleep with him during the night-, but..."
"I am sure she is around somewhere. Elflings are very curious." Thranduil said calmly.
"I realize that. But I am not sure where to find her at this hour." Tatsu said nervously. Thranduil gazed at her pensively. He sensed the root of her sudden timidity and smirked. "Go and find a suitable garment for Alasse. You shall help her into it once she returns to her room." Tatsu sighed in extreme relief.
"Yes, my lord." She bowed and hurried away. Thranduil shook his head as he watched her leave. He would never get rid of the faithful maiden, she was the closest thing to a mother that Alasse could remember. But apparently, his reputation of being cold and at times unreasonable still hovered over his palace.
Poor Tatsu, Thranduil thought. "Now where could my little princess possibly be?" He considered hard what was so unusual about today. It wasn't anywhere close to Yuletide or anyone's begetting days. So it must be something else. Then he remembered their unexpected 'guest'.
Sure enough, Thranduil checked in the healing rooms and couldn't help smiling when he found Alasse and Fluffy sleeping peacefully on the floor. "Your Majesty!" Malfortion gasped when he saw the king and quickly bowed. "I wasn't expecting you. Is something wrong?"
"No, my friend. I was only searching for a little lost mouse." Thranduil replied.
"A mouse-ahh." The healer nodded, smiling."Ai, I found them there this morning when I came in to check supplies. They seemed so at peace, I didn't have the heart to break it up."
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it." Thranduil said. He stooped down and picked up Alasse in his arms. Fluffy cocked his head and whimpered in protest. Thranduil frowned. "Oh, for Valar's sake." He muttered. "What am I to do with you?"
"If I may make a suggestion, my lord?" Malfortion spoke up.
"Well, what is it?" Thranduil retorted.
"I do not believe you will be able to separate the two from here on out." The healer smirked.
Thranduil sighed. "Thank you for that most obvious piece of advice." He rolled his eyes and carried Alasse away back to her chambers. She was so light and tiny in his long arms. She stirred and gripped his robe in her puny hand and hummed contentedly. Thranduil shook his head and lightly kissed her head.
To Thranduil's chagrin, it was clear that Fluffy was not going to be leaving the Woodland Realm to fend on his own. Alasse was devoted to him, and even Legolas had grown quite attached to him. And the other elflings in the kingdom were crazy about him! Thranduil knew he would never talk his way out of this one: no matter what kingly excuses he could come up with about the 'impractical' implications of having a pet wolf, everyone would immediately christen him the bad guy if he got rid of the wolf now! Normally, he didn't let such ridiculous reactions get to him, but when he saw the children's smiles and heard their laughs while playing with Fluffy, he couldn't find it in himself to send the animal away.
Thranduil was watching from his balcony as Legolas walked to the training fields with Fluffy at his side. Legolas had treats inside his pockets and was teaching the wolf tricks as they went along.
"Ada!" Alasse hollered as she ran to him. He slightly turned his head. "Ada, where is Fluffy? I can't find him! Do you think he's run away?" She asked in a panic.
"No, no, little one." Thranduil replied calmly. "He's alright. He decided to accompany your brother to the training fields. Perhaps they are planning to spar together." He looked on as Legolas scratched Fluffy's belly as a reward for whatever trick he had mastered. Alasse peeked through the railing on the balcony.
"I thought he was lost or something!" She gasped. "Thank goodness. Ada?"
"Yes?"
"Fluffy is going to stay now, right? He's better and we're his family now. Right?"
"I suppose. What choice do I have?" Thranduil grumbled. Then he narrowed his eyes down at his daughter."Come here, you!" Thranduil growled playfully, grabbing her around the waist, throwing her over his shoulder then into his arms and tickling her.
"Ada! Stop!" Alasse squealed, kicking her legs.
"You sly little chipmunk." Thranduil said darkly. "Dragging in a new family member without my consent, and adopting him at first sight on top of that!"
"A-Ada..."
"Quite the operator, you are. Both you and your brother." Thranduil squinted, grinning. "I ought to have you both tortured by the Tickle Monster til you go mad!"
"Ada!" Alasse laughed, squirming, struggling to keep his big fingers at bay from attacking her stomach.
"I'll teach you to go behind my back and force me into expanding the Thranduilion name!" Thranduil threatened, curling his fingers into her middle. He stopped as Alasse shook in his arms, giggling, and hugging her tummy.
"Are...are you mad, Ada?" She asked.
"Yes, I am." Thranduil said coldly. But his face grew into a fond smile and he kissed her whole face. "No, I am not mad, Iell nin. I am glad you and Legolas have found a new companion to amuse you both, and that you have a playmate when Legolas has other tasks to perform. No, I didn't see it coming! It was rather unsettling. But it has all worked out for the good of everyone concerned. So, how can I be displeased?"
"I'm glad you like him, Ada." Alasse smiled, as he shifted her up to his shoulders.
"I have a question for you, though." Thranduil poked her nose.
"What is it?"
"Do you love that bag of bones and fur, more than your dear old Ada?" Thranduil 'pouted'.
"Oh, no, Ada!" Alasse protested. "I love Fluffy, and Legolas, and you all the same!"
"You sure about that?"
"Oh, yes."
"I am not convinced." Thranduil glared. "How are you going to change my mind?" Alasse threw her arms around his neck and squeezed very hard. Thranduil actually choked, trying to get air. "Alright...alright..." He squeaked. "You...you've convinced me. Let me go!" He pried her arms from his windpipe and panted.
"Are you okay, Ada?" Alasse asked worriedly.
"I think so." Thranduil nodded. Then he poked her in the belly. She shrieked and hugged her middle. "That was for nearly strangling your king to death!"
Fluffy adored the children whose parents were servants in Thranduil's palace and kept a sharp eye on them. But, he did make a bad habit of sneaking down into the kitchens and 'borrowing' some pick-me-ups from the cooks.
Thranduil was settling nicely into the steaming bath in the bathing room. He leaned back with his shoulders on the cement, letting the steam and hot water massage his wracked nerves from the crazy day he'd had. He'd been waiting for this moment all day. He arched his head back and hummed deeply with his eyes closed. This was absolutely heavenly!
Suddenly, he felt something warm and wet stroking his face. "Ugh..." He sputtered. A cold, drippy nose smeared his cheek and the sticky tongue kept lapping up his face then down to his neck. "Stop that." Thranduil scolded. Fluffy stopped and stared at the king, wagging his tail. Thranduil glowered at him.
"Well? What do you want?" He huffed. Fluffy sat and barked. "If you are searching for a tidbit, you are in the wrong place." Fluffy stood and barked eagerly. "Go away." Thranduil frowned at the canine. Fluffy was not the least bit deterred. He stepped toward Thranduil and licked the Elven king's face. "Ohff, stop it. Stop it!" Thranduil protested.
He heard laughing at the other end of the corridor. He whipped his head around and saw a blonde head quickly flee, his long hair flapping in the air after him. He knew that laugh!
"Legolas!" He bellowed.
While Thranduil could be amused at Fluffy's antics, especially with his children, he sometimes found the creature to be annoying. How could he not grumble after the pup had knocked over a glass of his best wine, because his long snout had gotten in the way while trying to steal the food on Thranduil's plate?
But Thranduil did not realize at the time just how grateful he would be for that 'bag of bones and fur' one day.
Yes, trouble is around the corner.