"I wish we didn't have to leave so soon." Alasse sighed. She was sitting cross-legged on Legolas's bed, playing with her toy from the dwarves.
"I know, Tithen Muinthel. You've enjoyed your stay here, haven't you?" Legolas spoke as he finished packing.
"Yes. I didn't like being taken away! That was just horrible. But I'm going to miss the dwarves." Alasse said wistfully.
"What about Estel, and Gandalf? And Bilbo, and the twins?"
"Of course! I'm going to miss everybody."
"Well, Ada says that when Estel has grown some more and the roads are safer, that he may come for a visit to Mirkwood."
"I can hardly wait. Do you think it will be next year?" Alasse asked innocently. Legolas chuckled.
"No, Alasse. I don't think it will be that quickly. He's a human, not an elf." He explained. "They grow differently than we do. Besides, the roads are becoming more dangerous for travelers. That is why I agree with Ada that it is time to return home, before it becomes too perilous to venture out at all."
Alasse clutched her toy tightly to her chest, and froze, looking petrified. She didn't like the sound of that! Fluffy nudged her small arm with his long snout. Legolas noticed she had gone very quiet and felt a wave of guilt when he looked at her frightened face. "Oh, Alasse. I am sorry. I wasn't trying to scare you." He said, touching her shoulder.
"I don't think I want to go home!" Alasse exclaimed.
Oh, Valar. What did I do? Legolas inwardly scolded himself. "Come here." Legolas said as he sat on the bed. He plopped her on his lap. "Listen, darling. Nothing is going to happen to you or Ada again. This time I will be there and so will our soldiers. And Fluffy! Fluffy won't let anyone hurt you, right?"
"R-right." Alasse nodded.
"Okay then. It will be alright. We'll be home before you know it." Legolas kissed her head. He did notice though that she was extra clingy.
"You have such an amazing sword." Estel said to Bilbo.
"You really think so?" Bilbo sighed half-heartedly.
"Oh, yes. It glows blue if the enemy is near! And look, it's so sharp even though it hasn't been used in years. It should serve you well, Mr. Bilbo. What is it called?"
"Oh, well. My companions don't believe my sword has ever seen real battles." Bilbo mumbled.
"Really? Well, then that means you can name it yourself!" Estel suggested. "What are you going to call it?"
"I...I do not know yet." Bilbo answered a small smile forming on his face.
The Mirkwood warriors stood in uniform stance as Thranduil and his children made their goodbyes to everyone. Most of the dwarves could keep a smile off their faces as little Alasse said goodbye to them, not even Dwalin or Thorin. "Ahh, we'll miss you, Princess." Kili said, trying not to cry. "It's been fun. Well, not being captured! But around here has been lively. Gonna miss you."
"I shall miss you too." Alasse's lip trembled.
"Cheer up, lass." Fili smiled, cupping her chin. "Consider us your friends."
"Mellyn nin." Alasse said dramatically.
"Huh?" Kili creased his brows.
"It means, my friends." Alasse said. "I hope you can come to my home some time and visit!"
Thranduil shook his head, closing his eyes. Valar, preserve me. First she and her brother bring home an injured baby wolf. Next, she's going to be dragging scruffy dwarves into my halls, as if we were old friends! What will be next? Ohh, elflings...why me?
"Of course!" Kili exclaimed.
"It would be polite to ask first." Fili reminded him.
"Well, at least one of you stunted rogues has some form of diplomacy." Thranduil said cockily.
"Ehh. He's just trying to sound more grown up than me." Kili scowled, rolling his eyes.
"I'll keep this forever, Mr. Bofur." Alasse said, holding the toy he'd made for her.
"I'm honored, lass. It was made only for you." Bofur removed his hat and bowed, misty eyed.
"Thank you for saving me." Alasse told Bilbo.
"You are welcome, darling. Glad I could help." Bilbo smiled warmly.
"You are very brave." Alasse said. Bilbo blushed. "Thank you for coming to rescue us." Alasse told Thorin with a curtsy. "I'll always remember you, all of you. Well, at least...I'll try." She said sheepishly. She still had trouble keeping track of all the dwarves.
At that, Thorin couldn't help chuckling. "Be safe, princess. You are brave too." He said.
Legolas stood before the company. "My friends, thank you...again! Your deeds shall be remembered in Mirkwood, and should you pass through there, you are always welcome under our roof." Legolas said passionately. Thranduil rolled his eyes, and Thorin winced.
Naturally, he doesn't ask for the king's permission before he decides who to let into our kingdom, Thranduil thought helplessly, loudly clearing his throat.
"Kind of you, laddie. We are grateful." Balin bowed. "Take care of your family."
"I will!" Legolas exclaimed.
"Ye ain't so bad, really. For an elf princeling." Gloin shrugged.
"I name you, Prince Legolas, kidhuz lukhudun." Kili announced. The elves gaped in confusion. Thranduil glared. Had that scrawny runt just insulted his son? Oh, he would regret that later!
"Uhh...thank you?" Legolas spoke uncertainly.
"Ki, they don't know what that means!" Fili whispered.
"Oh, right. Ahem. It means 'gold light-man'." Kili said proudly.
"I am flattered, Prince Kili. But I feel that praise goes to Captain Glorfindel." Legolas said.
"He's right." Estel spoke up. Glorfindel pretended he didn't hear.
"Kili, glad you made it through." Legolas said.
"Thanks to you." Kili bowed.
"Fili, make sure he doesn't drag you all into anymore trouble." Legolas warned playfully.
"Hey." Kili grumbled.
"I have been trying that for ages. It hasn't done much good so far." Fili sighed. Thorin snorted.
"Well, do your best. I look forward to meeting you again, perhaps another time."
"Likewise." Fili nodded. "Good luck, Legolas."
"Ahem." Thranduil harrumphed behind his son. "Thorin Oakenshield, and...well, all of you...I...I am deeply grateful for your selfless acts and the aid you've given me and my children. Err…as Legolas has said, you will be welcome in my kingdom if you ever venture there." Thranduil finished.
"Would it choke you to say, 'thank you'?" Legolas asked his father in their native Sindarin tongue.
"Yes." Thranduil replied dryly.
"You are welcome, Your Majesty." Balin bowed. "We are glad we could do something useful."
Thranduil nodded his head. "We should get going. We must address our host." Thranduil said.
Alasse walked over to Thorin. "You are mellon nin too." She said.
"Thank you, little bahal." Thorin grinned.
"What did you call me?" Alasse cocked her head.
"Bahal. It means befriender. I am afraid you have ensnared the stout hearts of my entire company!"
"I wasn't trying to." Alasse said guiltily. The grownups laughed at her misconception of Thorin's statement. Alasse ran to hug Fili and Kili as Legolas and Thranduil bid goodbye to the household of Elrond and Gandalf. Legolas smiled at his sister. Thranduil pretended not to notice.
"I give up." He sighed, helplessly looking at Thranduil and Gandalf. They were smirking.
"We'll remember you, little Mizimith." Kili kissed her face, making her giggle when his beard tickled her cheek.
"What does that mean?" She asked.
"Jewel that is young." Fili kissed the top of her head.
"Oh, thank you. I hope you never get sick again!" Alasse told Kili.
"Me too!" He agreed, and the entire company snorted or suddenly came down with coughs. They all knew better with how reckless Kili could be, how many more times he would end up needing medical attention!
"Elrond, all of you, thank you so much." Thranduil said, gripping his good friend's hand. "I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"I am just glad you are all alive." Elrond smiled. "Thank you for accepting my invitation. I do hope next time will be better and less distressing though."
"Yes. With the way matters are in the forest, it may be some time though before we return here."
"Safe journey, Thranduil. To all of you."
Legolas said goodbye to Elrond, Glorfindel, the twins, and Erestor and Lindir. So did Alasse. "Thank you for helping me to get better! And Ada too." Alasse told Elrond.
"You are most welcome, sweetling." Elrond beamed, patting her head. "Maybe Arwen will be here next time you visit."
"I hope so. Bye, Estel."
"Bye, Alasse." Estel gave her a friendly hug. "I can't wait til Ada says I'm big enough to come visit your home."
"Me either."
"Glorfindel, your sacrifice of trinkets was not wasted. I shall replace them." Legolas said.
"No, Legolas. I felt partially responsible. The circlet and ornaments are nothing." The old balrog-slayer shook his head.
"Nonsense." Legolas insisted. "It was not your fault, what happened. I will find a way to repay you." He and Glorfindel bowed to each other. The twins and Lindir also bid him goodbye.
"You," Thranduil eyed Gandalf darkly, "stay out of trouble, my friend."
"I don't know what you mean." Gandalf said with a huff.
"Ha." Thranduil shook his head.
"I hope to see you again soon, Gandalf. And thank you for tending Alasse." Legolas said.
"Ahh. No need for that, my boy. It's enough to see her happy and running. Stay sharp, lad."
"Ai."
Soon, the Mirkwood party were on mounted on their horses, ready for th journey home. Legolas picked up Alasse and handed her to Thranduil. He kept an impenetrable grip around her as she sat in his lap. This time, he would not lose her again! Fluffy was faithfully standing alongside Thranduil's steed, ready to attack anyone or anything that meant them harm. Legolas mounted and waved to their friends. Thranduil gave the command, and they trotted away. Alasse climbed up to Thranduil's shoulder and looked back at Elrond, his family, and his guests, her new, delightful friends. She waved sadly to them till she couldn't see them.
Thranduil heard sniffling on his shoulder. "What's the matter, love?" He asked. Alasse squashed her little face deeply into his chest.
"I miss them!" She blubbered.
Thranduil sighed. "Don't fret, my love. You will see them again." He said.
"Will I?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"That I cannot answer." Thranduil said. Legolas smiled as he listened. It had been quite a holiday. One he didn't wish to repeat!
Is this the end? No, not quite.
