An Accident

Summary: A collection of h/c one shots centering around Legolas. In this chapter, even on a day off, trouble can still find Legolas.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Tolkien, I just like to play in his world.

Author's Note: A short and sweet chapter to keep this moving. There is a sport referenced in this chapter that actually exists. There's a little more info about it at the bottom of the chapter if you're interested.


Thranduil stormed into the healing halls. He was confused, and he did not like it. He was not used to being confused, he was used to being the most informed person in the room. As a result, he was not just confused, but also angry.

The object of his anger and confusion was seated on a bed in the far corner of the room.

Legolas. The younger elf was tense, his face lined with pain, but there was also a sheepishness in his expression. Two healers hovered on his right side. One held Legolas' arm in a firm grip while the other secured bandages around a splint and his son's forearm and wrist. Thranduil could see swelling and bruising that had not yet been covered by the bandages.

Thranduil observed as Legolas noticed his approach, his eyes widening slightly in surprise and then his face falling into a wince as he attempted to sit up straighter, jostling the arm the healers were tending.

"What happened?" the king demanded quietly, his voice icy.

The healers paused in their ministrations to bow, and Thranduil saw them exchange nervous glances.

Legolas spoke up quickly, saving the healers the trouble of answering, "Nothing of importance, Ada, only an accident."

"An accident?" Thranduil asked, "Legolas, you had the day off! How is it that you could possibly end up in the healing halls on your day off?"

Legolas bit his lip, considering his words, "Well, I was playing Horseball…"

"And you forgot how to ride your horse?" Thranduil asked sarcastically.

"No, no, of course not. It's just, Arma—," Legolas cut off with a sideways glance at his father, realizing he was about to implicate someone else in this trouble, "Someone bet that I couldn't catch the ball while leaping over a branch on the side of the field and land on my horse on the other side—you know, in the game, you aren't allowed to dismount—"

"I am familiar with the rules," Thranduil muttered tersely.

"Yes, yes. Well, I was confident I could jump over the branch, catch the ball in the air, and land on my horse without touching the ground."

Thranduil's expression darkened, "And how, pray tell, did that work out for you?"

"Not as bad as you think. It would have been completely fine, but…there was a badger."

"A badger?" Thranduil's tone was dangerous.

The healers took a slow step back, seeming to fear that the king's ire might fall on them by mere physical proximity to his son.

"Yes," Legolas said firmly, "And my horse shied. Really, it was just bad timing. Had the horse shied sooner, I would have just landed on the ground no problem; later and I would have been securely on her back again. It happened at just the right moment. Or maybe just the wrong moment? Everything got tangled up in the air. I did manage to pass the ball before I fell though, so no harm done to my team."

"Well that's the important thing," the king muttered darkly.

"It's an important thing," Legolas offered quietly, but quickly looked down when met with his father's disapproving glare.

Thranduil sighed and looked at the ceiling in consternation, attempting to reign in his temper, reminding himself that Legolas was still young, that it had been his day off, and that he deserved to blow off some steam. Gathering himself, he looked back at Legolas, "And did you learn anything from this reckless stunt?"

"Yes," Legolas said emphatically, "Check for badgers."

Thranduil's eyes widened, "Have you taken leave of all your senses?!"

Legolas looked at Thranduil quizzically.

One of the healers found their voice and spoke up, "If I may, my king, we gave the prince a rather strong pain draught before setting the bone. It would tend to make him a bit less…inhibited."

Thranduil looked back to Legolas, who shrugged and winced again.

"Hold still," the healer admonished gently, retaking Legolas' arm.

Thranduil looked between the trio of elves before him. One of the healers was still standing next to the wall, fiddling with a roll of bandages and trying to be invisible; the other had found his courage and was keeping Legolas from moving the injured limb, but still not making eye contact with him; and Legolas eyed him inquiringly, as though trying to determine how angry he really was.

The king sighed again and looked to the healer who was actually healing, "What is the injury, and the prognosis?"

Looking relieved at being addressed for something that was within his area of expertise, he responded, "A distal radius fracture—a broken wrist. The good news is that the break was clean and we were able to set it quickly and without any issues. The bones should mend in two to three weeks. It will take him some time to regain full motion, strength, and function after that. The prince should be back to regular activities in a month and a half, maybe a little sooner or later depending on how it heals."

"Well, Legolas," the king began, "It sounds like you'll have plenty of time to review the various reports and trade agreements that require high level attention while you convalesce."

For the first time in their conversation, Legolas looked genuinely concerned, "Ada, surely my attention would be best devoted to the warrior's rosters and…," he paused, trying to think of something, anything, else that he could do with one hand besides review documents, "…and assisting in court?"

Thranduil almost laughed. Legolas must be desperate if he was offering to assist in court, "I'm sure we'll find something worthy of your attention."

"Ada," Legolas said, a definite note of fear present in his voice.

Thranduil didn't let him continue, "When you are done here you will listen to the healer's instructions and you will rest. I will not receive a single report that you have failed to comply with their restrictions."

The king's tone left no room for argument. "Yes, Ada."

"And when my attendants bring you work to accomplish, you will not pretend to be asleep and you will give the king's work the attention it deserves."

The healers exchanged amused glances.

Legolas bit his lip, it was a revelation to him that his father was aware of that particular ploy he relied upon in times of greatest need, "Of course," he said meekly.

The king paused for a moment, letting his message sink in before continuing, "Did you at least win?"

Legolas grinned, relaxing and knowing that he was forgiven, "Of course!" he answered brightly.

With that the king turned on his heel and left. And if any of the other healers or patients in the halls noticed the corners of his lips twitching upward in a barely suppressed smile, none would dare mention it.


End Note: I'd never heard of it before, but horseball is a real game. It is described as a combination of polo, rugby, and basketball and players handle a ball on horseback and score points by shooting it through a hoop. One description I found called it "quidditch on horseback." :)

That's all for today. I still have a few chapters that just need editing in reserve, so be on the lookout for another update in the next week or two!

Best, Cool Breeze