Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Had a lot of fun writing it!
Elrond was relieved that his dishes were in their rightful place, and that by some miracle, none of them were broken! But he didn't appreciate the dwarves' rowdiness. He was contemplating how to handle their boisterous behavior. "Send them away. Or better yet, just lock them up." Thranduil whispered in exasperation, as if the option was obvious.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Elrond shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Like it or not, they are my honored guests." Elrond sighed. Thranduil gritted his teeth. He opened his mouth to suggest something else, when Gandalf stepped between them smoking his pipe.
"Excuse me." He said cheerfully, blowing smoke-rings, one 'accidentally' into Thranduil's face. "But I believe it is time for me to show off my fireworks." He chuckled.
"Good call, mellon." Elrond nodded with relief. He looked over and saw Glorfindel reviving poor Lindir.
Legolas took Alasse outside down into one of the gardens, along with Estel, Fluffy, Fili, Kili, Ori, the twins, Bilbo, Lindir, and several of the dwarves. They all stood or sat around on the grass as Gandalf shot off his many colorful, various shaped fireworks. They clapped and cheered.
Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin watched from a gazebo. "You made the right choice." Balin assured him. Thorin grunted solemnly. He was glad his nephews were enjoying themselves, and that they were all safe, even in this Elven realm. It was better than being locked up! But, the quest lingered on his mind. They still had questions that needed to be answered, and they couldn't afford to spend too much more time in Rivendell. Summer was passing, and it would be best if they reached the Lonely Mountain before the dead of winter.
Elrond walked next to Thranduil. "Alasse seems to be enjoying herself." He remarked.
"Mmm." Thranduil nodded. "I believe it is time for us to head home back to Mirkwood. We've had an unforgettable holiday. I thank you for everything, my friend. But I am a king, and have been away from home long enough."
"While I am glad to have your family here, if that is what you feel is best. I understand." Elrond said.
"Ai."
"How soon do you plan to depart?"
"I am thinking in four days' time, so that we will have the appropriate preparations."
"I see. May I just say, I am glad you're all safe and still here with us."
"Yes. How long do you think the dwarves will be here?"
"That has yet to be determined." Elrond shrugged.
After the fireworks were over, Alasse rested in Legolas's arms. She'd had an exciting night. Her eyes glazed over as she fell asleep on his shoulder and he carried her to watched quietly from the doorway as Legolas tucked her in and Fluffy climbed onto the bed next to her. "So, I'm supposing we will be heading back home soon?" Legolas asked.
"Yes. I don't want to hear any arguments." Thranduil said.
"I'm not disagreeing, Ada. On the contrary, it will be good to be back home, even though things are becoming different there. It's still our home."
"Yes."
"Ada, I've been thinking. Alasse was nearly placed into the hands of strangers..."
"I don't wish to think about that!" Thranduil snapped.
"Nor do I, but I must say something that has pressed on my mind since the two of you were rescued." Legolas insisted.
"Very well." Thranduil huffed.
"Well, we knew those strangers would be most likely very dangerous. Suppose it had happened? What would you want for Alasse?"
"I would want to find her and have her with me."
"Exactly. If she was in the midst of strangers, how would you want them to treat her?" Legolas asked seriously. Thranduil's eyes bore into him.
"With kindness and decency!" He snarled. "Where are you going with this, Legolas? I hope you have a point to this unpleasant conversation!"
"I do. Ada, you know how we are to those who enter our Wood."
"It keeps us safe, Legolas."
"I know that. But, is it necessary to be so distrusting of every wanderer? What I'm trying to say, is...well, if Lord Elrond had treated the dwarves as we would've, I can say without a doubt, that you wouldn't be standing here right now. If he had just locked them up like common criminals, just because of who they were, I would never have found you and Alasse, on time! And after being locked up, I doubt the dwarves would have been willing to help us, even if Elrond had offered it in exchange for their freedom.
'Ada, I know our home is more dangerous, and must be fought for and that we should guard ourselves. But, is it really necessary to be so suspicious-minded of everyone? We had to be more cunning than that to get you back, and it served us well. I didn't ask for or plan for the kidnapping any more than you did! And the dwarves didn't come here because they wanted to, but they had to and probably would rather have not! It is fortunate for me that they did! And Bilbo? A strange creature. Had he been in our realm, he would've been kept safe, yes, but also regarded with mere suspicion. Look at him. He is only a kindly little soul who believes in every day acts of kindness. And...well, see how it has served him.
I know our laws are necessary and important. But would it not hurt to alter it, just a little?'" Legolas suggested.
Thranduil sighed heavily. For so long, he had kept shut up in his castle, not troubling himself with the ways of the world. He was very cold to strangers, a trait he had passed onto his army and even his son. But, as embarrassed as he was to admit it, Legolas was right. If Elrond was like him in manner and hospitality, they would've gotten nowhere.
"That I cannot answer here, Legolas. You ask much and have spoken extensively." He said. "It's difficult to change something once it has been ingrained in you for centuries."
"Mmm-hmm." Legolas nodded.
"Excuse me." Thranduil strode out of the room.
Thranduil took a stroll along the patios in the moonlight. He needed to think. He heard the roaring laughter of the dwarves from several halls down. All except one. Thorin was standing at a ledge, overlooking the valley with his arms crossed. He appeared to be in deep thought. Thranduil uncomfortably sidled a few yards away from him.
"You didn't have to say what you did." He spoke up. Thorin barely gave him a glance.
"No. You are right. I did not. But I did." Thorin answered gruffly.
"If you were hoping to flatter me into..."
Thorin snorted loudly. "Me flatter you?" He chuckled darkly. "I'd sooner kiss a troll!"
"The feeling is mutual." Thranduil nodded, sneering. "I owe you very much, for what you've done for me and my children."
"I would not accept anything from you. That is not why I did it."
"I know it is not. And must I say, I am relieved that you do not expect recompense in return. But..." Thranduil stepped closely to Thorin, too closely if both of them were to express their discomfort on the matter. Thranduil opposite Thorn but the dwarf king refused to meet his eyes. Thranduil glanced down at his hair head.
"Thank you." Thranduil whispered, and with that, he whisked himself away. Thorin stood there, but turned and watched the Elvenking depart into the night. He breathed lightly. His quest was nearly even halfway over, and on this journey, he was having deep life lessons thrown at him left and right!
Alasse woke up and bolted out of bed, running to Legolas's room. She bumped into Glorfindel out in the hall. "Whoa now! What's the hasty rush for, little one?" Glorfindel asked.
"I am sorry, Glorfindel. I have to find Legolas." Alasse said.
"Were you looking for me?" Legolas asked behind her, grabbing her waist and flipping her over onto his shoulder. Alasse laughed.
"How long have you been up?"
"A long time. Hey! Want to wake up Ada?" Legolas asked.
"Yes!"
Legolas placed his sister on Thranduil's bed. She crawled on top of him like a puppy til she was sitting on her father's broad chest. Legolas whispered something to her, and she pinched a strand of Thranduil's hair and lightly brushed his face with it. Thranduil frowned in his sleep and smacked at what was bothering him. Alasse snickered and tried again. Legolas watched from the doorway. This time, Alasse brushed under Thranduil's nose. He smacked at it hard but continued to 'sleep'. Alasse stuck his hair inside his pointy ear.
That did it! Thranduil groaned loudly and sat up so fast that Alasse tumbled backwards into his lap. He narrowed his eyes and grabbed her arms. "Aha! Got you right where I want you!" He boasted. "What's the idea?"
"Legolas said it was time to wake up!" Alasse announced.
"Is that cause for you to rouse me in a most undignified way?"
"I was only teasing." Alasse said sheepishly. Thranduil strengthened his grip on her little arms, pinning her flat in his lap.
"Mmm-hmm." He grunted. "Well, you are at my mercy now, little one. I assure you, there is no escape." Thranduil said in a growly voice. Alasse laughed.
"You sound funny!"
"A king is not supposed to be funny." Thranduil glared.
"But you are!" Alasse pointed out.
"Insulting a king's intelligence, huh? Ohh, there will be consequences for this, make no mistake." Thranduil chuckled in a dramatic voice. "You leave me no choice. I must torture you." He dug his fingers into her sides and Alasse squealed, flailing and laughing. He laughed and bent over, his long hair dangling in her face. She tried shoving it away and squirmed around, wildly thrashing with her arms.
She accidentally caught him on the chin with a smack of her little hands. Thranduil froze. "I...I..." Alasse spoke timidly.
"Oh, you've really done it now, princess!" Thranduil glared playfully at her. "Now you're really going to get it!" He hovered over her and gnawed around at her tummy. Alasse shrieked and wriggled, trying to push his head away.
"A-A-Adddaaa! Stoppppp!" She giggled dizzily.
"Mmm! I don't think so!" Thranduil growled.
"L-Legolas! Help!" She screamed mirthfully. Legolas was only standing against the door with his arms crossed, laughing.
"Actually, I think I'm going to see what is being served for breakfast." He said, walking away.
"Oh! You...you..." Alasse tried to yell at him but found she couldn't. "A-Ada! I need to breathe!" She begged. Thranduil sat up and let her breathe as she curled into a ball like a chipmunk.
"Don't try that again, to wake me up like a halfling. Next time, I won't be so merciful." Thranduil warned her with a grin.
"I won't, I won't!" Alasse promised. Thranduil leaned towards her again. "Oh, no! No, Ada! Not again!" Alasse giggled helplessly. Thranduil picked her up and planted a heavy kiss to her face. Then he set her down on the floor.
"Now you run along and go with your brother, and stop bothering me." He said. "We're supposed to be resting up here in Imladris, not roughhousing!"
As Thranduil emerged from his chambers, he nearly tromped over a small individual. "Prince Fili! I did not see you there." Thranduil said in surprise.
"Gandalf says you will be leaving soon." Fili said.
"That is right. It is high time I returned to my own kingdom."
"Well, I just wanted to tell you something." Then Fili lowered his voice. "I do not know when we shall meet again, King Thranduil. But I made you a promise while we were in captivity. I just wanted you to know that it has not slipped my mind and that I have every intention on keeping my word, one way or another!"
Thranduil was taken aback. He was so sure that after being surrounded with safety, and all the social merriment they'd had lately, that Fili had completely disregarded his solemn promise. That was the nature of dwarves after all! Wasn't it? He looked deeply into Fili's blue eyes and felt the sincerity in them.
"I thank you, Prince Fili." He said.
