Author's Note:
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Thranduil
Legolas stood high on the rope. It was secure between two ropes; Thranduil checked them himself before he allowed his son on top of it. But the look on the child's face was that of pure terror. Legolas stood right in the middle, his hands clutching both of the ropes with a grip that turned his knuckles white. There was a good reason for that; his son was looking down.
"Legolas," he called. But the child did not look up. His eyes were on the ground below. Thranduil knew what he saw; he remembered seeing the same thing when he first learned to cross ropes. Legolas saw the ground below along with the realisation how high up he truly was. Then his imagination led him to the event where he might fall. He probably saw the ground hurtling towards him before imagining himself crushed.
"Legolas," this time he added a hint of steel to his voice. Legolas looked up. Thranduil's heart melted even though he kept his face firm yet gentle. The poor boy was shaking. "Legolas, come now. It is time to move."
"I can't." The forest was so quiet that Thranduil heard his whisper.
"Yes, you can." Thranduil said. He edged closer to the ropes, laying on at his shoulder's height and holding the other out for Legolas. "Come now. You can't stay there."
"I can't move," he whimpered.
"Ah, little one, but that is not true. It is only fear that pours lead in your shoes. It is time to move, or you will be left there forever. And you do not want that. You cannot go back and you certainly can't go down. So the only choice left for you to take is to go forward. Such is life. Now, look straight in my eyes and start walking."
Legolas' wavering eyes met his steady ones. His son stared at him before taking one cautious step. Then he took another.
"That's it. Now, don't look down." Thranduil prayed he wouldn't look down. His son needed to learn this skill. All Elves did. But Legolas kept his gaze fixed on his father waiting for him on the other side. When Legolas was only an arm's length away, Thranduil reached out to help him.
"There now," Thranduil said, enveloping him in a tight hug. "That was not so terrible." It was impossible for Legolas to put his small arms around his father but he tried anyway. Then he mumbled something against Thranduil's abdomen.
"What is that?" Thranduil asked, bowing low to hear better.
"I said I want to try again."
Thranduil laughed even as the wave of pride enveloped him.
