Chapter 19 - The Wild Berry War
King Thranduil of Mirkwood gave his people one of the greatest woodland feasts they had ever seen. There was food and wine in abundance, much laughter, singing, and dancing. The king was dressed in a magnificent robe of shifting autumnal colors that showed his tall, lean body to perfection, a crown of berries and russet colored leaves crowned his long golden locks. His midnight blue eyes sparkled with merriment. Nothing would ruin this feast.
But even as this thought crossed his mind, his eyes strayed to the children's table across the clearing. Seated at the shorter tables covered with green cloths embroidered with grape vines and butterflies were the children of Mirkwood. Seated in their midst were his youngest son, his two friends, and the Master Archer, their long hair hanging down their backs in a single intricate braid worn by the children. Tanglinna seemed very disconcerted as he sat with the giggling, laughing elf children, and Tavor looked rather unsure of what to make of his present situation. But the looks of delight and great amusement on Legolas' and Brethil's faces gave the elf king pause. They actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. He shook his head and reached for his wine, refusing to worry overmuch about anything this night.
Legolas was smiling at the antics of a small boy seated across from him. The child, one Celuon by name, was carefully sorting through the pile of berries on his plate, expecting each one carefully before eating them. His green gaze fixed on the elf prince every few moments. Legolas smiled at him and picked up a plump berry from his own plate. He held it out to the child who inspected it then nodded. Legolas popped the berry into his mouth and grinned. The child grinned back.
"Legolas, what are you doing?" Tavor asked, feeling rather ridiculous seated at the much too small table in a much too small chair, knowing that he looked as silly as he felt. "One would think you were enjoying this."
Mirkwood's prince shrugged eating another berry deemed acceptable by his tablemate.
"Actually, I am. I always rather resented sitting here when I was a child, wanting to sit at the big tables with the grown-ups, but now it is rather enjoyable.'
Brethil was enjoying himself also, singing a rather silly duet with a golden haired girl child who was giggling helplessly before the song was done, her bright eyes watching him with undisguised admiration.
"I think Aralith would be happier here," he commented, looking to where Legolas' older brother sat beside Thranduil. "He doesn't look very festive."
Aralith wasn't feeling very festive. The spider Remmith wouldn't leave him alone. The giant beast haunted the young prince's room at night, demanding more and more sparkly things. His every waking moment was fraught with dread, fearing to see the lumbering arachnid bearing down on him at any moment. He sat now, surrounded by his family and friends, glancing about wondering where Remmith was. He had taken to trailing his father everywhere, knowing that the spider wouldn't dare to approach him if he were with Thrumb Dumb, the name the spider insisted was the king's.
"Where is my Magic Spider Spray?" he muttered quietly, his fingers tangling in his napkin. "Where is it? If only I could find it he would go away! Where is Mithrandir? He hasn't visited in so long. Why doesn't he come?!"
Celebross glanced at his brother.
"What are you talking about, Aralith?" he asked, shaking his silvery head in disbelief at his younger sibling. "Spider spray!" He snorted. "I thought you had outgrown that nonsense."
Tavor looked at Aralith and shook his head, but then he saw the gazes of some of the elf maidens on him, the laughter quite evident on their fair faces. His own face flushed with red and he turned miserably away.
"Will this never end?" he moaned, picking morosely at his food. "Will we ever stopped being punished for this? It wasn't even our fault. I mean, it wasn't Gwibess was it?" He looked to Legolas.
"I told you it wasn't. It was one of those other spiders." The prince deftly picked up one of his own berries and threw it at the child, hitting him on the top of his blonde head. He totally ignored Tanglinna's rather exasperated look. "Gwibess said that there are three of them around here somewhere. They want masters." He laughed at the expression on the child's face. "It had to be one of them. But I am not telling adar that there are now four spiders running loose here. You tell him."
Celuon picked up a berry, inspected it, then tossed it at Legolas who looked at him with mock surprise.
Tavor widened his eyes and snorted.
"I think not. Thank you all the same. But it really isn't fair. It wasn't our spider. We really need to do something with Gwibess. She just can't come into the palace whenever she pleases." He shifted uncomfortably in his small seat. "I don't like this, Legolas. Baranri and Colmaidh are staring at us." His eyes wandered to the young maidens once more, their hands over their mouths as they whispered back and forth to one another, their eyes dancing with amusement as they stared at the children's tables.
Celaer, Brethil's little admirer had thrown a plump blueberry at him, and was giggling wildly as he threw one back.
"They are staring at *you* , Tavor. You look so grumpy. Rather like the king on a bad day." He threw another berry at the child, smiling at her.
"Don't start that again, young one!" Tanglinna snapped, his gaze going to his king, fearing that Thranduil's sharp ears would pick up on their words and bring even more anger down on them. "No more talk about spiders either!"
"Start what, Old Sourpuss." Legolas said, launching a berry at the Master Archer. It hit him squarely on the nose.
Calaer squealed with laughter at the look on Tanglinna's long- suffering dignified face. Celuon's eyes widened uncertainly then he made a careful inspection of a berry and threw it at Tanglinna as well.
Legolas glanced at Brethil, who grinned as his eyes slide to Tavor.
"Oh, no. I am not getting involved in this," Tavor stated, folding his arms over his chest and managing to overbalance himself in the tiny chair. He fell backwards with a woof of surprise. Suddenly Legolas and Brethil were pelting his prone form with berries, laughing like the children who had soon followed suit.
Tanglinna couldn't prevent his smile as he unfolded from his own chair, his fingers curling about some berries as well, but they didn't fly at Tavor. They landed solidly on Legolas and Brethil.
Soon bread and berries flew about the children's tables, amidst their shrieks of joy.
The grown-ups stared at them from their own tables and Thranduil shook his head and stood. Aralith looked panicked as his father moved away across the grass, and he leapt up and followed.
"Wait for me, Adar!"
Thranduil threw an exasperated glance at his middle son - he was really becoming quite tiresome - and headed to where the food fight was in progress.
"What is this?" he asked, glaring at them.
The children instantly subsided, eyes wide as the king stared down at them from his impressive height, arms folded over his chest.
"Get up, Tavor," Thranduil said, looking down at the younger Elf, who rolled rather ungracefully to his feet, wiping at the berry juice stains on his festive tunic. Tavor glanced once at the king and looked at the ground.
"Ai, Valar," he whispered. "Not again!"
Brethil had dropped the last of his berries onto the ground, and stood looking anywhere but at Thranduil. Tanglinna stood with his eyes wide and blank. Completely innocent looking, or so he thought. But Legolas still held a handful of the berries, his blue eyes dancing.
"What is this?" Thranduil repeated, his eyes turned to each in turn.
"Nothing, Sire. Merely children being . . . children." Tanglinna answered, keeping his gaze straight ahead of him, which unfortunately was now on Legolas. ~ Don't even think it, nin caun! ~ he thought at the prince who was looking decidedly mischievous.
For once Brethil managed to keep quiet though the words crowded in the area of his throat, begging for release. Tavor refused to look at anyone, though he could feel Tanglinna's great discomfort.
Thranduil gazed at his son, who was struggling to control what looked suspiciously like a smile of delight.
"Legolas. What is this behavior? You are too old to be acting in such a childish manner. Throwing your food. Honestly, will you never grow up?"
Legolas shrugged.
"I doubt it, adar." He tugged on his long pale child's braid that lay over his shoulder with the hand not cupped about the berries. "'Twould seem I will always be a child."
Tanglinna groaned and shook his head imperceptibly.
"Don't!" he hissed, drawing the king's gaze to himself.
"Did you have something to add, Tanglinna?"
"No, Sire. Not I. You know I never say anything."
"Oh really?" The elf king's blue gaze returned to Legolas. "After all that has happened, how can you behave like this? Surely the pipeweed has worn off."
Legolas raised one dark brow as if say "perhaps it has, but who is to say."
Thranduil stared at him and narrowed his eyes. Before he could say or do anything in answer a berry bounced off his dignified brow and caught in his autumn crown.
Legolas couldn't prevent the laugh from bursting forth and he looked at the berry thrower, young Celuon, who was smiling rather proudly at his handiwork.
Thranduil stared down at the imp whose eyes sparkled with laughter.
"And who, my I ask, taught you that trick, Celuon?" he asked plucking the berry from his crown and holding it between his fingers.
The child giggled and pointed to Legolas. Thranduil raised one brow and tossed the berry at his son. Legolas gasped and then smiled wickedly at his father and threw his handful of berries all at once.
Tanglinna gasped in shock and stared at the two royal elves before him. They would never any of them grow up, he thought with something akin to amusement. Sometimes he felt that Thranduil was entirely too serious. Tavor groaned, wondering how much more undignified things could get when Brethil launched an attack on him. Tavor growled and picked up his own neat plate of berries and proceeded to throw them at his friends.
The children were all laughing and shrieking, clapping their hands with joy and throwing any thing that came to hand. Their parents and the other elves began to laugh as they watched the wild berry war continue until all the combatants were laughing too hard to continue. Thranduil moved around the table to embrace his son, chuckling with delight.
"Mayhap I should wear a child's braid as well," he said, staring down into his son's shining blue eyes. "At times I fear I am too serious."
Legolas shrugged.
"That is not what I have heard," the prince said as his eyes traveled to Tanglinna, who suddenly shook his head rather violently, recalling just what he had told the prince that he shouldn't have. Truly, he had only done it to help soften the blow the youngling had over losing his braid. "I heard that you once danced with a Goblin," Legolas continued, grinned widely, "and seemed to enjoy it right much."
Thranduil turned to stab Tanglinna with his eyes.
"Just where did you hear that?" he asked, knowing quite well where that story had come from.
Legolas shrugged again, feeling that he had gotten his revenge on Tanglinna whose eyes were huge, rimmed with uncertainty.
"Oh, I don't recall. Though it was rather a funny story. I shall have to tell Bilbo."
"Bilbo?" Thranduil asked, straightening his robes as he glared at the Master Archer, who shrugged suddenly, his mouth quirking. "Who is Bilbo?"
Legolas choked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"Did I . . . did I say Bilbo? I . . . I . . . " He grimaced and looked at the ground.
"Yes, you did say it. Who or what is Bilbo?" Thranduil stared at him.
Legolas swallowed.
~ I am turning into Brethil, ~ he thought miserably.
"Haven't you told him, Legolas? It is really a rather interesting tale, your Majesty," Brethil began, his eyes bright as he warmed to the tale that Legolas had told them during their time of punishment in the Gem Room. "You see, Bilbo is . . . ."
"Shut up, Brethil!"
They all turned to Thranduil who had uttered the words. The king shook his head and adjusted his crown.
"Truly, shut up. I do not wish to know. Now, may we finish our feast in peace?" He turned to the four. "If you wish you may join us at the grown ups table, and . . . you may fix your hair if you wish."
Legolas grinned, relieved that Thranduil put an end to Brethil's story ere it began.
"If you don't mind, adar, I think I will finish the feast here." He winked at Celuon, who grinned.
"And I as well, Sire," Brethil said, taking Celaer's hand and leading her into the clearing as the music began once again.
Tanglinna looked at Tavor who shrugged, but was pulling on his braid to free it.
"We will abide here as well, your Majesty. If it pleases you."
Thranduil shook his head in amusement, chuckling slightly, and then nodded. Slowly he moved back to his seat to watch the dancers, Aralith on his heels. Legolas had carried small Celuon out to join the others who were dancing happily. He perched the youngster on his hip and spun him about, both laughing happily. Tavor was delighted and surprised when Baranri and Colmaidh came up to him, running slender fingers through his loosened hair and invited him to join them in the dance as well. He smiled, quite pleased with himself and followed them across the grass. Tanglinna had just reseated himself when a solemn eyed girl with tiny flowers braided into her long dark locks came and sat on his lap. She stared up at him with shining eyes and, tugging one of the flower chains from her own hair, adorned him with it. He smiled widely and carried her out to the dance.
Thranduil watched it all with amused eyes. This was indeed a feast that they would never forget.
TBC
Response to Reviewers
Sake - Legolas should try sake, huh? (grins) Sounds fun to me!! And funny!!
JastaElf - Remmith is definitely a spider that knows how to take advantage of a situation, yes, indeed. He is not nice like Gwibess, but what do expect from a Mirkwood spider?? And as far as Thranduil knowing it was Aralith, he definitely doesn't. Legolas is the only son that tames spiders! And how do you come up with this stuff??!! Sprays for the spiders to send Thrumb Dumb away!! (giggles) I don't know that Bilbo will forget the mess he is leaving, though he does have a dragon to contend with!! And not one named Thrumb Dumb!
Karina - I don't know how good Aralith will be feeling since he still has an eight-legged buddy attached to him! And no Legolas has a pretty good sense of humor! He has to in order to survive in Mirkwood!! Aralith is probably going to be scarred for life!! So don't be too hard on him. And I apologize for gripping about my other fics. I was in a bad, mopey mood I guess. It happens to the best of us. So to quote Brethil "I am so sorry!" And yes, we are here to laugh at their misfortune. It is just to fun to ignore. And I am sure they will be excellent to one another! And Thranduil will party on, dude! Most definitely!
Rings of the Cosmos - I have heard of "Eight-legged Freaks" and want to go see it! Heh heh! I seem a bit obsessed with giant spiders lately! Too bad Shelob won't make an appearance in The Two Towers, but we have to wait for Return of the King for her! And I would guess that the Mirkwood spiders probably do rather resemble them, only I pictured them with much more bloated bodies, like black widows!
hildestohl - You want me to tell you what I think Thranduil looks like?? Well, I will tell you. And yes, I have seen 13th Warrior. Cool movie. I love Vikings! But, no, I don't see Thranduil quite like that. And as I sit here looking at a very lovely picture of Legolas from FOTR (sighs happily) I don't quite see him like that either. I know JastaElf sees him as a young Rutger Hauer (Ladyhawke days), but I don't see him that way either. So I am trying to pin him down. The way I see him is more like Daniel Day- Lewis in Last of the Mohicans, except his hair is golden blonde, a little longer, and his eyes are dark blue. (sighs happily again! What is it about male Elves??) I think when we don't see on the characters on the silver screen we all get our own ideas and no one is wrong and no one is right. Choose the one that does it for you and go with it. I am trying to pin down my thoughts on Glorfindel right now. Don't have him just yet, but I will. (wriggles with excitement)!! So how was that? It made me happy! Legolas, Glorfindel, and Thranduil - three of my favorite Elves!! (grins)
Crawler - You like Remmith, do you?? He is something else and I imagine he will cause more trouble in the future!
D45 - You can hug Brethil all you want! He is a cute guy, and a male Elf!! (grin) I am glad you like my quick posting, I will try to keep it up! So how do you see Thranduil, since we are discussing him here? Let me know!
Lakergurl 13 - I don't feel too sorry for Tanglinna. He wasn't very nice to Legolas letting him act so silly in front of the others and a Dwarf!! But I am sure it was hardest on him to listen to those three for days! Thranduil knows his jewels too well for them to hide any. You are right there. Lots of people don't like spiders. I try to, but I am not always successful. And yes, sorry no braid. I think we all would want them and then he would be bald!!! And I too would fear for Thorin if he got caught lying to Thranduil!!
NiennaVala - Thank Eru! I am glad the Valar are pleased! And yes, I fear Legolas is surrounded by crazy people! Or just a crazy fanfic author! (grin)
Irena - Well, now that you mention it..I will, thanks to you, hear Ralph Kramden's voice any time Thranduil starts yelling! (giggles) And I am afraid to contemplate what you are doing! I am afraid.very afraid!
alliwantisanelfforchristmas - I am so sorry if this has scared Little Pip! Don't worry though. I think Bilbo will have something to give to her before this fic is over that might make her feel better! I know there is a spider in our bedroom as I saw it last night. Not too big, but not small enough either. Unfortunately he got away from me! I remember sitting at the child's table in the kitchen corner on holidays while the grown-ups sat in the dining room with the fancy dishes with pretty pics on them with gold edges. So I know all about the kid's table! But you are right, now it is a privilege to sit there, not a punishment! Strange how things change as we age! I think Tanglinna needed to suffer a little since he seems to enjoy seeing other suffer in like manner. And what did that bad Elf boy leave at your house??
annakas - It's fun to be a kid again, isn't it!! I enjoy being a kid here in my "old" age! Hehehe. I am sorry that it is coming to its end, too! It has been great fun!
Angaloth - Wow! You make me blush! And I love my trio of Bad Boy Elves, too! They are such fun to work with!! And I am so glad that you are looking forward to Bells of Silver! That makes my day! And hey, Glorfindel is second in my book only to Legolas!!
Nancing Elf - I don't think that Ff.net is completely healed, but they are close. Sometimes everything works, sometimes not. Oh, well. At least something is working! I am sure Legolas wishes you would whip out your brush and restore his magnificent Warrior braids! Or have JastaElf's super fast braid re-growing tonic. Well, and as you saw Legolas isn't the only one at the child's table in a child's braid.
queenie - After the Dwarves and Bilbo leave and the spiders are chased out of the palace things should calm down to normal. (grins) Whatever that is!! Don't worry overmuch. I am sure they will all survive this!
amlugwen - I am making this last as long as I can. I don't want it to end either! It has been so much fun!!
And No one who just finished reading "Hearts of Darkness". (author groans and can hear Nancing Elf and Karina and others saying "Oh no, here she goes again!) I am sorry about what I did in "Hearts"! If I had written this one first I probably would not have done it! Honestly! But that was written long before this story was a story or even an idea in my head. Brethil and Tanglinna ( I really do like them!! ) weren't quite the personalities they have become through this fic. And I wanted that part of "Hearts" to have an impact and it certainly does. Even more so now than it did when I wrote it. I haven't reread that part since I started this story because it bothers me. So don't let that ruin the fun of this fic, please. Again I apologize for my meanness in that story. I am indeed sorry!!
King Thranduil of Mirkwood gave his people one of the greatest woodland feasts they had ever seen. There was food and wine in abundance, much laughter, singing, and dancing. The king was dressed in a magnificent robe of shifting autumnal colors that showed his tall, lean body to perfection, a crown of berries and russet colored leaves crowned his long golden locks. His midnight blue eyes sparkled with merriment. Nothing would ruin this feast.
But even as this thought crossed his mind, his eyes strayed to the children's table across the clearing. Seated at the shorter tables covered with green cloths embroidered with grape vines and butterflies were the children of Mirkwood. Seated in their midst were his youngest son, his two friends, and the Master Archer, their long hair hanging down their backs in a single intricate braid worn by the children. Tanglinna seemed very disconcerted as he sat with the giggling, laughing elf children, and Tavor looked rather unsure of what to make of his present situation. But the looks of delight and great amusement on Legolas' and Brethil's faces gave the elf king pause. They actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. He shook his head and reached for his wine, refusing to worry overmuch about anything this night.
Legolas was smiling at the antics of a small boy seated across from him. The child, one Celuon by name, was carefully sorting through the pile of berries on his plate, expecting each one carefully before eating them. His green gaze fixed on the elf prince every few moments. Legolas smiled at him and picked up a plump berry from his own plate. He held it out to the child who inspected it then nodded. Legolas popped the berry into his mouth and grinned. The child grinned back.
"Legolas, what are you doing?" Tavor asked, feeling rather ridiculous seated at the much too small table in a much too small chair, knowing that he looked as silly as he felt. "One would think you were enjoying this."
Mirkwood's prince shrugged eating another berry deemed acceptable by his tablemate.
"Actually, I am. I always rather resented sitting here when I was a child, wanting to sit at the big tables with the grown-ups, but now it is rather enjoyable.'
Brethil was enjoying himself also, singing a rather silly duet with a golden haired girl child who was giggling helplessly before the song was done, her bright eyes watching him with undisguised admiration.
"I think Aralith would be happier here," he commented, looking to where Legolas' older brother sat beside Thranduil. "He doesn't look very festive."
Aralith wasn't feeling very festive. The spider Remmith wouldn't leave him alone. The giant beast haunted the young prince's room at night, demanding more and more sparkly things. His every waking moment was fraught with dread, fearing to see the lumbering arachnid bearing down on him at any moment. He sat now, surrounded by his family and friends, glancing about wondering where Remmith was. He had taken to trailing his father everywhere, knowing that the spider wouldn't dare to approach him if he were with Thrumb Dumb, the name the spider insisted was the king's.
"Where is my Magic Spider Spray?" he muttered quietly, his fingers tangling in his napkin. "Where is it? If only I could find it he would go away! Where is Mithrandir? He hasn't visited in so long. Why doesn't he come?!"
Celebross glanced at his brother.
"What are you talking about, Aralith?" he asked, shaking his silvery head in disbelief at his younger sibling. "Spider spray!" He snorted. "I thought you had outgrown that nonsense."
Tavor looked at Aralith and shook his head, but then he saw the gazes of some of the elf maidens on him, the laughter quite evident on their fair faces. His own face flushed with red and he turned miserably away.
"Will this never end?" he moaned, picking morosely at his food. "Will we ever stopped being punished for this? It wasn't even our fault. I mean, it wasn't Gwibess was it?" He looked to Legolas.
"I told you it wasn't. It was one of those other spiders." The prince deftly picked up one of his own berries and threw it at the child, hitting him on the top of his blonde head. He totally ignored Tanglinna's rather exasperated look. "Gwibess said that there are three of them around here somewhere. They want masters." He laughed at the expression on the child's face. "It had to be one of them. But I am not telling adar that there are now four spiders running loose here. You tell him."
Celuon picked up a berry, inspected it, then tossed it at Legolas who looked at him with mock surprise.
Tavor widened his eyes and snorted.
"I think not. Thank you all the same. But it really isn't fair. It wasn't our spider. We really need to do something with Gwibess. She just can't come into the palace whenever she pleases." He shifted uncomfortably in his small seat. "I don't like this, Legolas. Baranri and Colmaidh are staring at us." His eyes wandered to the young maidens once more, their hands over their mouths as they whispered back and forth to one another, their eyes dancing with amusement as they stared at the children's tables.
Celaer, Brethil's little admirer had thrown a plump blueberry at him, and was giggling wildly as he threw one back.
"They are staring at *you* , Tavor. You look so grumpy. Rather like the king on a bad day." He threw another berry at the child, smiling at her.
"Don't start that again, young one!" Tanglinna snapped, his gaze going to his king, fearing that Thranduil's sharp ears would pick up on their words and bring even more anger down on them. "No more talk about spiders either!"
"Start what, Old Sourpuss." Legolas said, launching a berry at the Master Archer. It hit him squarely on the nose.
Calaer squealed with laughter at the look on Tanglinna's long- suffering dignified face. Celuon's eyes widened uncertainly then he made a careful inspection of a berry and threw it at Tanglinna as well.
Legolas glanced at Brethil, who grinned as his eyes slide to Tavor.
"Oh, no. I am not getting involved in this," Tavor stated, folding his arms over his chest and managing to overbalance himself in the tiny chair. He fell backwards with a woof of surprise. Suddenly Legolas and Brethil were pelting his prone form with berries, laughing like the children who had soon followed suit.
Tanglinna couldn't prevent his smile as he unfolded from his own chair, his fingers curling about some berries as well, but they didn't fly at Tavor. They landed solidly on Legolas and Brethil.
Soon bread and berries flew about the children's tables, amidst their shrieks of joy.
The grown-ups stared at them from their own tables and Thranduil shook his head and stood. Aralith looked panicked as his father moved away across the grass, and he leapt up and followed.
"Wait for me, Adar!"
Thranduil threw an exasperated glance at his middle son - he was really becoming quite tiresome - and headed to where the food fight was in progress.
"What is this?" he asked, glaring at them.
The children instantly subsided, eyes wide as the king stared down at them from his impressive height, arms folded over his chest.
"Get up, Tavor," Thranduil said, looking down at the younger Elf, who rolled rather ungracefully to his feet, wiping at the berry juice stains on his festive tunic. Tavor glanced once at the king and looked at the ground.
"Ai, Valar," he whispered. "Not again!"
Brethil had dropped the last of his berries onto the ground, and stood looking anywhere but at Thranduil. Tanglinna stood with his eyes wide and blank. Completely innocent looking, or so he thought. But Legolas still held a handful of the berries, his blue eyes dancing.
"What is this?" Thranduil repeated, his eyes turned to each in turn.
"Nothing, Sire. Merely children being . . . children." Tanglinna answered, keeping his gaze straight ahead of him, which unfortunately was now on Legolas. ~ Don't even think it, nin caun! ~ he thought at the prince who was looking decidedly mischievous.
For once Brethil managed to keep quiet though the words crowded in the area of his throat, begging for release. Tavor refused to look at anyone, though he could feel Tanglinna's great discomfort.
Thranduil gazed at his son, who was struggling to control what looked suspiciously like a smile of delight.
"Legolas. What is this behavior? You are too old to be acting in such a childish manner. Throwing your food. Honestly, will you never grow up?"
Legolas shrugged.
"I doubt it, adar." He tugged on his long pale child's braid that lay over his shoulder with the hand not cupped about the berries. "'Twould seem I will always be a child."
Tanglinna groaned and shook his head imperceptibly.
"Don't!" he hissed, drawing the king's gaze to himself.
"Did you have something to add, Tanglinna?"
"No, Sire. Not I. You know I never say anything."
"Oh really?" The elf king's blue gaze returned to Legolas. "After all that has happened, how can you behave like this? Surely the pipeweed has worn off."
Legolas raised one dark brow as if say "perhaps it has, but who is to say."
Thranduil stared at him and narrowed his eyes. Before he could say or do anything in answer a berry bounced off his dignified brow and caught in his autumn crown.
Legolas couldn't prevent the laugh from bursting forth and he looked at the berry thrower, young Celuon, who was smiling rather proudly at his handiwork.
Thranduil stared down at the imp whose eyes sparkled with laughter.
"And who, my I ask, taught you that trick, Celuon?" he asked plucking the berry from his crown and holding it between his fingers.
The child giggled and pointed to Legolas. Thranduil raised one brow and tossed the berry at his son. Legolas gasped and then smiled wickedly at his father and threw his handful of berries all at once.
Tanglinna gasped in shock and stared at the two royal elves before him. They would never any of them grow up, he thought with something akin to amusement. Sometimes he felt that Thranduil was entirely too serious. Tavor groaned, wondering how much more undignified things could get when Brethil launched an attack on him. Tavor growled and picked up his own neat plate of berries and proceeded to throw them at his friends.
The children were all laughing and shrieking, clapping their hands with joy and throwing any thing that came to hand. Their parents and the other elves began to laugh as they watched the wild berry war continue until all the combatants were laughing too hard to continue. Thranduil moved around the table to embrace his son, chuckling with delight.
"Mayhap I should wear a child's braid as well," he said, staring down into his son's shining blue eyes. "At times I fear I am too serious."
Legolas shrugged.
"That is not what I have heard," the prince said as his eyes traveled to Tanglinna, who suddenly shook his head rather violently, recalling just what he had told the prince that he shouldn't have. Truly, he had only done it to help soften the blow the youngling had over losing his braid. "I heard that you once danced with a Goblin," Legolas continued, grinned widely, "and seemed to enjoy it right much."
Thranduil turned to stab Tanglinna with his eyes.
"Just where did you hear that?" he asked, knowing quite well where that story had come from.
Legolas shrugged again, feeling that he had gotten his revenge on Tanglinna whose eyes were huge, rimmed with uncertainty.
"Oh, I don't recall. Though it was rather a funny story. I shall have to tell Bilbo."
"Bilbo?" Thranduil asked, straightening his robes as he glared at the Master Archer, who shrugged suddenly, his mouth quirking. "Who is Bilbo?"
Legolas choked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"Did I . . . did I say Bilbo? I . . . I . . . " He grimaced and looked at the ground.
"Yes, you did say it. Who or what is Bilbo?" Thranduil stared at him.
Legolas swallowed.
~ I am turning into Brethil, ~ he thought miserably.
"Haven't you told him, Legolas? It is really a rather interesting tale, your Majesty," Brethil began, his eyes bright as he warmed to the tale that Legolas had told them during their time of punishment in the Gem Room. "You see, Bilbo is . . . ."
"Shut up, Brethil!"
They all turned to Thranduil who had uttered the words. The king shook his head and adjusted his crown.
"Truly, shut up. I do not wish to know. Now, may we finish our feast in peace?" He turned to the four. "If you wish you may join us at the grown ups table, and . . . you may fix your hair if you wish."
Legolas grinned, relieved that Thranduil put an end to Brethil's story ere it began.
"If you don't mind, adar, I think I will finish the feast here." He winked at Celuon, who grinned.
"And I as well, Sire," Brethil said, taking Celaer's hand and leading her into the clearing as the music began once again.
Tanglinna looked at Tavor who shrugged, but was pulling on his braid to free it.
"We will abide here as well, your Majesty. If it pleases you."
Thranduil shook his head in amusement, chuckling slightly, and then nodded. Slowly he moved back to his seat to watch the dancers, Aralith on his heels. Legolas had carried small Celuon out to join the others who were dancing happily. He perched the youngster on his hip and spun him about, both laughing happily. Tavor was delighted and surprised when Baranri and Colmaidh came up to him, running slender fingers through his loosened hair and invited him to join them in the dance as well. He smiled, quite pleased with himself and followed them across the grass. Tanglinna had just reseated himself when a solemn eyed girl with tiny flowers braided into her long dark locks came and sat on his lap. She stared up at him with shining eyes and, tugging one of the flower chains from her own hair, adorned him with it. He smiled widely and carried her out to the dance.
Thranduil watched it all with amused eyes. This was indeed a feast that they would never forget.
TBC
Response to Reviewers
Sake - Legolas should try sake, huh? (grins) Sounds fun to me!! And funny!!
JastaElf - Remmith is definitely a spider that knows how to take advantage of a situation, yes, indeed. He is not nice like Gwibess, but what do expect from a Mirkwood spider?? And as far as Thranduil knowing it was Aralith, he definitely doesn't. Legolas is the only son that tames spiders! And how do you come up with this stuff??!! Sprays for the spiders to send Thrumb Dumb away!! (giggles) I don't know that Bilbo will forget the mess he is leaving, though he does have a dragon to contend with!! And not one named Thrumb Dumb!
Karina - I don't know how good Aralith will be feeling since he still has an eight-legged buddy attached to him! And no Legolas has a pretty good sense of humor! He has to in order to survive in Mirkwood!! Aralith is probably going to be scarred for life!! So don't be too hard on him. And I apologize for gripping about my other fics. I was in a bad, mopey mood I guess. It happens to the best of us. So to quote Brethil "I am so sorry!" And yes, we are here to laugh at their misfortune. It is just to fun to ignore. And I am sure they will be excellent to one another! And Thranduil will party on, dude! Most definitely!
Rings of the Cosmos - I have heard of "Eight-legged Freaks" and want to go see it! Heh heh! I seem a bit obsessed with giant spiders lately! Too bad Shelob won't make an appearance in The Two Towers, but we have to wait for Return of the King for her! And I would guess that the Mirkwood spiders probably do rather resemble them, only I pictured them with much more bloated bodies, like black widows!
hildestohl - You want me to tell you what I think Thranduil looks like?? Well, I will tell you. And yes, I have seen 13th Warrior. Cool movie. I love Vikings! But, no, I don't see Thranduil quite like that. And as I sit here looking at a very lovely picture of Legolas from FOTR (sighs happily) I don't quite see him like that either. I know JastaElf sees him as a young Rutger Hauer (Ladyhawke days), but I don't see him that way either. So I am trying to pin him down. The way I see him is more like Daniel Day- Lewis in Last of the Mohicans, except his hair is golden blonde, a little longer, and his eyes are dark blue. (sighs happily again! What is it about male Elves??) I think when we don't see on the characters on the silver screen we all get our own ideas and no one is wrong and no one is right. Choose the one that does it for you and go with it. I am trying to pin down my thoughts on Glorfindel right now. Don't have him just yet, but I will. (wriggles with excitement)!! So how was that? It made me happy! Legolas, Glorfindel, and Thranduil - three of my favorite Elves!! (grins)
Crawler - You like Remmith, do you?? He is something else and I imagine he will cause more trouble in the future!
D45 - You can hug Brethil all you want! He is a cute guy, and a male Elf!! (grin) I am glad you like my quick posting, I will try to keep it up! So how do you see Thranduil, since we are discussing him here? Let me know!
Lakergurl 13 - I don't feel too sorry for Tanglinna. He wasn't very nice to Legolas letting him act so silly in front of the others and a Dwarf!! But I am sure it was hardest on him to listen to those three for days! Thranduil knows his jewels too well for them to hide any. You are right there. Lots of people don't like spiders. I try to, but I am not always successful. And yes, sorry no braid. I think we all would want them and then he would be bald!!! And I too would fear for Thorin if he got caught lying to Thranduil!!
NiennaVala - Thank Eru! I am glad the Valar are pleased! And yes, I fear Legolas is surrounded by crazy people! Or just a crazy fanfic author! (grin)
Irena - Well, now that you mention it..I will, thanks to you, hear Ralph Kramden's voice any time Thranduil starts yelling! (giggles) And I am afraid to contemplate what you are doing! I am afraid.very afraid!
alliwantisanelfforchristmas - I am so sorry if this has scared Little Pip! Don't worry though. I think Bilbo will have something to give to her before this fic is over that might make her feel better! I know there is a spider in our bedroom as I saw it last night. Not too big, but not small enough either. Unfortunately he got away from me! I remember sitting at the child's table in the kitchen corner on holidays while the grown-ups sat in the dining room with the fancy dishes with pretty pics on them with gold edges. So I know all about the kid's table! But you are right, now it is a privilege to sit there, not a punishment! Strange how things change as we age! I think Tanglinna needed to suffer a little since he seems to enjoy seeing other suffer in like manner. And what did that bad Elf boy leave at your house??
annakas - It's fun to be a kid again, isn't it!! I enjoy being a kid here in my "old" age! Hehehe. I am sorry that it is coming to its end, too! It has been great fun!
Angaloth - Wow! You make me blush! And I love my trio of Bad Boy Elves, too! They are such fun to work with!! And I am so glad that you are looking forward to Bells of Silver! That makes my day! And hey, Glorfindel is second in my book only to Legolas!!
Nancing Elf - I don't think that Ff.net is completely healed, but they are close. Sometimes everything works, sometimes not. Oh, well. At least something is working! I am sure Legolas wishes you would whip out your brush and restore his magnificent Warrior braids! Or have JastaElf's super fast braid re-growing tonic. Well, and as you saw Legolas isn't the only one at the child's table in a child's braid.
queenie - After the Dwarves and Bilbo leave and the spiders are chased out of the palace things should calm down to normal. (grins) Whatever that is!! Don't worry overmuch. I am sure they will all survive this!
amlugwen - I am making this last as long as I can. I don't want it to end either! It has been so much fun!!
And No one who just finished reading "Hearts of Darkness". (author groans and can hear Nancing Elf and Karina and others saying "Oh no, here she goes again!) I am sorry about what I did in "Hearts"! If I had written this one first I probably would not have done it! Honestly! But that was written long before this story was a story or even an idea in my head. Brethil and Tanglinna ( I really do like them!! ) weren't quite the personalities they have become through this fic. And I wanted that part of "Hearts" to have an impact and it certainly does. Even more so now than it did when I wrote it. I haven't reread that part since I started this story because it bothers me. So don't let that ruin the fun of this fic, please. Again I apologize for my meanness in that story. I am indeed sorry!!