Chapter Two, written by Shell the elf
"Land sakes Legolas!" Said his maid Elerrina "How in the world did you get dirt in your hair?" The tone of voice indicated that the prince had never done anything of the sort before.
But, before he could reply, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in!" Called Elerrina
The door opened and Legolas's father, king Thranduil of Mirkwood stepped in.
"How are you my lad?" He asked his five-year-old son.
"I ab dirt in my air!" He said. He had a terrible habit of leaving the H's off his words. Though he did get them in there every once in a while.
"Do you now? How did it get there my child?"
The young blue-eyed elf shrugged. How was he supposed to remember? He had done all sorts of things that day that could have got it in there. And he could never understand Elerrina's horror of dirt. For goodness sakes, it was everywhere!
"Well, I suppose it is not to terrible a happening." Said Thranduil. "But, I did not come here to discus dirt my child. No, what I need to say is that you will be taking a journey. Yes little one, you will be leaving the castle for a while. Though for only a short time, you will be going to the house of Elrond in Imlandris. Or, Rivendell as it is now called."
Legolas looked at his father with a puzzled expression. "But father, why?"
"It is the custom for an elf from Lothlorian, Mirkwood, and the Havens to visit Rivendell, Lothlorian and Mirkwood every year. They do not go the Havens though. The desire to go over the sea is to great for some to bear in that place." He paused for a moment as if remembering an old memory.
"But Father" Said Legolas, still puzzled "Why do I ave to go? No one went last year did they?"
"No. It is also the custom to send on of the royal family. When your mother died…" The king once again paused. Legolas wished he hadn't asked. Whenever his mother was brought up, his father would become sad and silent. It was rare that an elf died of grief, but his mother was one of the few who had. He had no memory of her, but when she was spoke of (which was seldom) they had said that she was golden haired as himself, and also had the bluest eyes, which the young prince also had. He was the only of his family to inherit the golden hair and blue eyes, and at times it seemed his older brothers resented the likeness to their mother. For, it was obvious Thranduil favored him at most times, and they accounted it to his resemblance to their mother.
But, after a moment the king lifted him head again. "Well, enough said. You will be leaving in four days. Two of the servants will accompany you. Elerrina and her son. Now, I have some other matters I must attend to. If you have any question or just wish to talk come to my study after supper my child. Namarie!"
And with that, he left the room.
Legolas was confused. Very confused. Why in the world was he picked to go? He had older brother did he not? The young elf sighed. It could not be changed, his father had spoken and he could do nothing about it save go along. But, he would ask him about it later that night.
***
"Father?" Legolas called as he knocked on the oak doors of his fathers study
"Come in"
Legolas pushed the large door open and stepped into his fathers study. Thranduil looked up. "Yes son?" He asked, and then waited for his youngest to speak.
Legolas walked over and sat down in the chair in front of Thranduil's desk. He had always liked his fathers' study. Even if Thranduil took care of much of the matters of Mirkwood here, and was usually busy. He always had time for his son and never let his work take place over Legolas.
"Father, you said I could ask you stuff about going to Riverden"
"Rivendell" His father corrected.
"Rivendell. Why to I ave to go? Why not some one older?"
Thranduil sighed. He had hoped this would not be asked. He did not want Legolas too think of his brothers as anything different than heroes and role models. But, it couldn't be helped; he must learn sooner or later that even elves are not perfect.
"You brothers do not wish to go. They all have once, but Elrond did not take to kindly to them. They are often far too greedy for war. They wish to rid Middle-Earth of all orcs and goblin. As do all elves. But they d not realize, it cannot be done all at once my child. It must be done slowly and with pre-cautions and planning. You cannot raid a goblin cave with three elves and expect to win or even come out alive! No, they stirred up trouble in the regions about Rivendell, and because of that; Elrond does not wish them to return to his home."
"But, why will e let me come?"
"He has agreed to give you a chance. Hoping, that you will not turn out like your brothers in the thoughts of war. And, you are very young. You have not had the time to see bloodshed and learn to love it. I believe Elrond wishes to make sure you never learn it"
Legolas nodded. He had long known his brothers loved war. He personally, did not. It did not make him sick and he knew that if he ever had to fight, he could and would. But, it was not something he went hunting for.
He sighed. He had to go, and he had his answer. "All right father. Thank you" and he prepared to leave.
"Going already? Why, I still haven't read a chapter from that book you love!"
Legolas looked back up at his father with a grin "Can we read it tonight?"
"Of course!"
***
"Always listen to Elerrina, don't go off by yourself, be careful, and be on your best behavior at all times while in Rivendell my son" Thranduil was giving saying farewell to Legolas. And was not shirking his duty as a parent to give his child a very long list of advice before he left.
"Yes father" Said Legolas after every instruction. He wished they could just leave. He had heard all this for the past three days, and it was getting old.
At last, Elerinna emerged from the house and her son Valto came running around the corner of the castle. "Valto!" She yelled at the running boy "I told you to be inside ten minuets ago! Now go get your things, we are nearly read to leave!" "Yes mother" He called, and ran to get his things.
"Now Legolas, do you have everything?" "Yes ma'am" He said obediently. He wished Valto were out there to talk to. He was one of the few people he didn't have to say, "Yes ma'am" or "Yes sir" to.
About an hour later, they were off. Legolas waved goodbye to his father. As the came to a bend in the road, he looked back to his father and the castle he had lived in all his life and felt a little lonely. But, he was going to Rivendell, and he was going as a representative of his fathers' kingdom. He urged the horse on and did not look back again.
