#23 Run and Run and Run
Thranduil stood at the window of his private chamber, looking down at a familiar and well loved sight, an indulgent smile playing around the corners of his mouth. In the gardens below a golden haired, slender elfling was chasing a small squirrel to and fro, joyful, childish laughter bubbling from his lips in accompaniment to the seemingly happy chattering of the animal itself. He had watched this game before, the pair apparently having become fast friends after an initial unhappy incident with a book and a pool some days previously.
His smile widened as the squirrel suddenly doubled back on itself, darted between the elflings legs causing him to trip over his own feet and land on his behind with a muffled 'Oof', then rush up the trunk of a slender beech.
The elfling turned his head to glare up the tree, the attempted angry glower directed the squirrel's way thwarted by an outburst of spluttered laughter as he picked himself up and sauntered over to where it sat looking down from his perch with, what Thranduil could only describe as, a self-satisfied smirk on its face.
The King sighed as Legolas climbed nimbly up to sit with his woodland friend. He wished with all his heart that his son could remain this innocent and free. That he could run and run and run through the forest like this forever, but his beloved home was becoming a dangerous place and unfortunately elflings must now grow up to become warriors. Tears sprang to his eyes as Legolas leaned back against the tree's trunk with the squirrel snuggled up on his chest and with a whisper he turned away, tucking away the memory of the sight against the future.
"Im iest…"
A/N
Im iest = I wish.
(For the background on the book, squirrel and pool incident you might like to read 'The Trouble with Good Intentions' . Unless you already have, of course.) *Shameless plugging of own work*
Thanks for the reviews you awesome readers. I do appreciate it when you take the time.
Lord Illyren - Sorry to confuse you. I had it in my mind that Pippin had wandered into the lower circles of Gondor where perhaps it would be a little more 'bawdy' shall we say. ;)
