93 Deadline.
Rushing through the trees Legolas could feel his heart beating faster and faster as he ran. He was running out of time and berated himself severely for going so far into the forest but he had been compelled to see just what the trees had been making such a fuss about as he had returned from his original errand.
Finally he reached the last of the trees, just as the sunlight was fading and dropped down effortlessly to land before the huge doorway blocking the entrance to his home. He stood for a moment to compose himself, brushed a few small twigs from his tunic and pulled an errant oak leaf from his hair before raising his palm to place it between a pair of roughly carved acorns which marked the edge of each wooden door. He felt a gentle rumble as the portals recognised his presence before the doors swung open allowing him just enough room to pass through before gently closing again behind him.
Relieved to find his arrival unremarked by anyone yet anxious that it meant he was already too late he slipped across the courtyard, entered the stone palace and made his way swiftly towards the huge throne room where he knew his father would be at this time. As he neared his goal the murmur of voices grew louder and louder until, at last, he could make out the individual words and sentences being uttered in heated debate.
Stopping just inside the entrance, between the stone pillars carved to resemble the trunks of great trees Legolas smiled as he watched his father overseeing proceedings in his usual deceptively relaxed manner, one leg swung over the arm of the great throne he was almost slouched into whilst a large goblet of wine twirled in his hand, the stem slowly rolled by long, slender fingers. It was a pose meant to show their own people the contempt in which he held certain visitors yet lull those same visitors into underestimating how cunning and astute he really was and it was masterfully done.
The two men standing before the throne were obviously feeling confident and secure in the fact that they were dealing with an ignorant drunkard as they spelled out their planned trade deal as if speaking to a child. The deal which was far more beneficial to themselves than the elves of course. Legolas leaned against one of the pillars, crossed his arms in front of his chest and relaxed. He always enjoyed watching his father in action, the mad rush through the forest had been well worth it, he was so pleased that he had arrived on time to watch the scene unfold before him. His eyes caught the glint of mischief in Thranduil's as they shared a brief glance before the king straightened, handed his goblet to a servant and rose to his full, imperial height and knew the fun was about to begin.
A/N
Well this came as a surprise. It wasn't the story I intended to write at all but I think it came out quite well in the end.
Thanks for reading. :)
