DISCLAIMER: I still do not own Tolkien's characters! (Betcha didn't see
that comin'!)
Author's Note: Hey all! Thanks for the reviews! Now that I finally figured out how to use this thing, perhaps there won't be any further problems, (at least, I hope not) Happy reading! ^.^
The young prince now sat awaiting his father in his chamber. He was growing increasingly bored, not to mention increasingly hungry. A thrush stirred outside his window, and softly he approached it. It cocked it's small head toward him and looked strangely at him, attempting to determine exactly what he was. The young prince cautiously extended his hand and, hesitantly, the bird hopped onto it. Legolas brought it to eye level and spoke softly to it. The thrush stared more intently at him than ever now, he was listening closely. Elves are very in tune with nature, and they share a close relationship with many of the woodland creatures that they share the world with. Legolas, of course, was too young to fully understand this bond. Something stirred behind the prince and the thrush, startled, swiftly flew off high into the trees. Legolas watched it ascend and wished that he could fly away like that, especially now as he only knew too well that his father now stood behind him.
Legolas turned and faced the king, then his attention was drawn towards the large, wooden box which his father held. Thranduil smiled noticing the boy's intrigue in the object and he beckoned the prince over to him as set the box on Legolas' bed. "This was a very dear gift to me, my son," he told the boy as he slowly undid the gold clasps that held the box shut, "I hope that I will be able to pass it on to you some day." Legolas stared with growing curiosity as his father slowly opened the lid and there, lying on a red, silken pillow was a beautiful coat of mail. It was wrought of silver- steel, which the elves called mithril, and with it went a shining belt of pearls and crystals.** Legolas' eyes grew wide with amazement and he wondered at the beauty of this coat that might someday be his.
"You like it, Legolas?" his father's deep, melodious voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Yes, father," the boy replied, "very much. When may I have it?" Thranduil laughed at the boy's eagerness for such a prize.
"You may have it when you are ready."
"When is that, Father? When?" the prince eagerly inquired. He was anxious to have something of his own that was so warrior-like.
"You may have it when you have demonstrated that you have the respect equal to that of a warrior. If you can prove to me that you can be courteous and helpful to little Arwen when she comes, I will give you this gift that my father gave me so very long ago." Legolas was beaming now. Taking care of Arwen would be easier than all the other punishments he'd received before, and this time he'd get a prize for doing it! Perhaps this whole ordeal would turn out better than he'd thought. "Also," his father added and Legolas' heart sank, "you will help Illithien wash all her jars and vases that you haven't yet broken and then you will clean up the mess you made while breaking the ones you did." Legolas looked at his feet and tried to look disappointed. His father fell for it. "I expect you in the dining hall for dinner on time." With that his father closed the box and left with it. Legolas smiled inwardly. Cleaning up bits of glass wasn't hard, though washing jars and vases was, especially when he was about the same size as them.
"Oh well," he thought, "at least there are only two left."
~*~ Several days later...
Arwen did not like this forest, not one bit. It was dark and evil looking. Unnaturally dark green moss hung from massive trees that seemed to constantly close in on her. It was also very stuffy and very warm, she did not feel a breath of fresh air the entire time she was there and this cause her great discomfort. So much discomfort, in fact, that she nearly forgot about how sore her bottom was. Kicking the sides of her horse she urged it forward up beside her father.
"How much longer?" she huffed. Elrond laughed.
"Not long, not long, my sweet," he replied, "are you getting impatient?"
"Well, yes I am. I wish I could get out of this accursed forest! It is so, well, eerie," the young girl replied, her violet eyes flitted over the shadowy mass that lay before her.
"Yes it is," the Lord replied, "however, you needn't wait much longer. We shall arrive at the king's palace within the hour." Arwen was surprised at this that no one had told her. She was surprised, yes, but also extremely relieved. She wasn't sure how much more punishment her bottom could take and being in this dark, dank forest made her feel claustrophobic. She couldn't wait to get out into the fresh air.
Their trip through Mirkwood had been basically uneventful, which was very fortunate for many evil things lived in those woods. Giant spiders and enchanted streams that, if you were touched by its' waters, would make you fall into a deep sleep from which you would not awake from for many days. Orcs and goblins sometimes came down from the mountains and roamed the woods and, well, goodness knows what else. However, despite all these dangers the company had been left alone and besides a bit of claustrophobia, all were well. One has to take into consideration, however, the fact that they were all elves who are very experienced swordsmen for the most part, (being immortal and all) and this fact is known by all, even goblins and orcs and giant spiders. Halfway through their journey they had come to the enchanted streamlet but had crossed it with ease, as the King Thranduil had sent a dozen of his guards to meet them there and help them across. They had brought a boat, light to carry though long enough to fit a dozen people at once, and had taken the host of Rivendell across within half an hour.
These elves now traveled with them and Arwen studied them closely. They were a little different than the Rivendell elves. All of them were a golden blond and many of them had deep blue eyes whereas the elves Arwen was used to had dark hair, (hers was almost black) and violet or grey eyes. They sang most of the way there and lightened the mood of many of the others that had been travelling for quite some time, including Arwen.
"It is most likely because they are used to this place that their hearts are glad enough to sing," thought Arwen. Now, however, her thoughts turned toward the destination. What would King Thranduil be like? Or more importantly, what would his son, Prince Legolas, be like? He, after all, was the one whom she would be with through the better part of her stay. She desperately hoped he was a nice boy, though, perhaps she was lying to herself when she thought this, which was more the wish of her father than anyone else. I am sure that if she had questioned herself more thoroughly and thought about it harder, she would have realized that she, in fact, secretly hoped he was slightly mischievous, like her, and that he was a dreamer, also not unlike her. Then maybe, just maybe, he'd understand her the way no one else did.
Now they came over a crest of a hill and the great grey trees gave way to a long, thin bridge. It led to a great cave that had massive stone doors around which lay huts where many of the Wood elves dwelt. If Arwen had looked closely above her and into the trees, she would have seen that there, too, elves were living in makeshift homes among the branches. The company crossed the bridge in single file and made their way to the palace gates. A watchman who was standing nearby called something to another elf standing inside of the gate who now hurried inside. Within minutes great excitement had arose throughout the kingdom and the gates were opened and Arwen passed in them with the others. They all dismounted and their horses were led away to the stables. She gazed with awe at the massive interior of the cave as they entered through its' great doors. She found that it was not so dark and scary the way she had envisioned it to be. She scanned the faces of the many watching people. Most of them were blond-haired and blue-eyed and very fair. Looking up she saw King Thranduil awaiting them in front of the many others. He was a tall, proud and noble looking elf, very kingly indeed. He wore a crown of ivy leaves and a robe of silver and green. Arwen found him a little intimidating at first, but when they drew closer and she could look into his deep, sky blue eyes she found kindness and a deep wisdom within them, a kind that not even she understood. Her attention was then drawn toward a small boy who was standing beside the king. He was very blond and his eyes were a piercing ice blue, not at all like the king's. Many of the elves had blue eyes here yet this boys' stood out. They were very striking and they were the first thing Arwen noticed about him. He was fair of skin and wore a tunic of deep green, pinned with a silver brooch in the shape of an ivy leaf at the collar. The king approached them and brought this boy with him. He smiled and said to Lord Elrond and to Arwen (who was now standing next to her father),
"This, my lord, is my son, Prince Legolas."
**Check out pg. 222 of The Hobbit!
Author's Note: Hey all! Thanks for the reviews! Now that I finally figured out how to use this thing, perhaps there won't be any further problems, (at least, I hope not) Happy reading! ^.^
The young prince now sat awaiting his father in his chamber. He was growing increasingly bored, not to mention increasingly hungry. A thrush stirred outside his window, and softly he approached it. It cocked it's small head toward him and looked strangely at him, attempting to determine exactly what he was. The young prince cautiously extended his hand and, hesitantly, the bird hopped onto it. Legolas brought it to eye level and spoke softly to it. The thrush stared more intently at him than ever now, he was listening closely. Elves are very in tune with nature, and they share a close relationship with many of the woodland creatures that they share the world with. Legolas, of course, was too young to fully understand this bond. Something stirred behind the prince and the thrush, startled, swiftly flew off high into the trees. Legolas watched it ascend and wished that he could fly away like that, especially now as he only knew too well that his father now stood behind him.
Legolas turned and faced the king, then his attention was drawn towards the large, wooden box which his father held. Thranduil smiled noticing the boy's intrigue in the object and he beckoned the prince over to him as set the box on Legolas' bed. "This was a very dear gift to me, my son," he told the boy as he slowly undid the gold clasps that held the box shut, "I hope that I will be able to pass it on to you some day." Legolas stared with growing curiosity as his father slowly opened the lid and there, lying on a red, silken pillow was a beautiful coat of mail. It was wrought of silver- steel, which the elves called mithril, and with it went a shining belt of pearls and crystals.** Legolas' eyes grew wide with amazement and he wondered at the beauty of this coat that might someday be his.
"You like it, Legolas?" his father's deep, melodious voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Yes, father," the boy replied, "very much. When may I have it?" Thranduil laughed at the boy's eagerness for such a prize.
"You may have it when you are ready."
"When is that, Father? When?" the prince eagerly inquired. He was anxious to have something of his own that was so warrior-like.
"You may have it when you have demonstrated that you have the respect equal to that of a warrior. If you can prove to me that you can be courteous and helpful to little Arwen when she comes, I will give you this gift that my father gave me so very long ago." Legolas was beaming now. Taking care of Arwen would be easier than all the other punishments he'd received before, and this time he'd get a prize for doing it! Perhaps this whole ordeal would turn out better than he'd thought. "Also," his father added and Legolas' heart sank, "you will help Illithien wash all her jars and vases that you haven't yet broken and then you will clean up the mess you made while breaking the ones you did." Legolas looked at his feet and tried to look disappointed. His father fell for it. "I expect you in the dining hall for dinner on time." With that his father closed the box and left with it. Legolas smiled inwardly. Cleaning up bits of glass wasn't hard, though washing jars and vases was, especially when he was about the same size as them.
"Oh well," he thought, "at least there are only two left."
~*~ Several days later...
Arwen did not like this forest, not one bit. It was dark and evil looking. Unnaturally dark green moss hung from massive trees that seemed to constantly close in on her. It was also very stuffy and very warm, she did not feel a breath of fresh air the entire time she was there and this cause her great discomfort. So much discomfort, in fact, that she nearly forgot about how sore her bottom was. Kicking the sides of her horse she urged it forward up beside her father.
"How much longer?" she huffed. Elrond laughed.
"Not long, not long, my sweet," he replied, "are you getting impatient?"
"Well, yes I am. I wish I could get out of this accursed forest! It is so, well, eerie," the young girl replied, her violet eyes flitted over the shadowy mass that lay before her.
"Yes it is," the Lord replied, "however, you needn't wait much longer. We shall arrive at the king's palace within the hour." Arwen was surprised at this that no one had told her. She was surprised, yes, but also extremely relieved. She wasn't sure how much more punishment her bottom could take and being in this dark, dank forest made her feel claustrophobic. She couldn't wait to get out into the fresh air.
Their trip through Mirkwood had been basically uneventful, which was very fortunate for many evil things lived in those woods. Giant spiders and enchanted streams that, if you were touched by its' waters, would make you fall into a deep sleep from which you would not awake from for many days. Orcs and goblins sometimes came down from the mountains and roamed the woods and, well, goodness knows what else. However, despite all these dangers the company had been left alone and besides a bit of claustrophobia, all were well. One has to take into consideration, however, the fact that they were all elves who are very experienced swordsmen for the most part, (being immortal and all) and this fact is known by all, even goblins and orcs and giant spiders. Halfway through their journey they had come to the enchanted streamlet but had crossed it with ease, as the King Thranduil had sent a dozen of his guards to meet them there and help them across. They had brought a boat, light to carry though long enough to fit a dozen people at once, and had taken the host of Rivendell across within half an hour.
These elves now traveled with them and Arwen studied them closely. They were a little different than the Rivendell elves. All of them were a golden blond and many of them had deep blue eyes whereas the elves Arwen was used to had dark hair, (hers was almost black) and violet or grey eyes. They sang most of the way there and lightened the mood of many of the others that had been travelling for quite some time, including Arwen.
"It is most likely because they are used to this place that their hearts are glad enough to sing," thought Arwen. Now, however, her thoughts turned toward the destination. What would King Thranduil be like? Or more importantly, what would his son, Prince Legolas, be like? He, after all, was the one whom she would be with through the better part of her stay. She desperately hoped he was a nice boy, though, perhaps she was lying to herself when she thought this, which was more the wish of her father than anyone else. I am sure that if she had questioned herself more thoroughly and thought about it harder, she would have realized that she, in fact, secretly hoped he was slightly mischievous, like her, and that he was a dreamer, also not unlike her. Then maybe, just maybe, he'd understand her the way no one else did.
Now they came over a crest of a hill and the great grey trees gave way to a long, thin bridge. It led to a great cave that had massive stone doors around which lay huts where many of the Wood elves dwelt. If Arwen had looked closely above her and into the trees, she would have seen that there, too, elves were living in makeshift homes among the branches. The company crossed the bridge in single file and made their way to the palace gates. A watchman who was standing nearby called something to another elf standing inside of the gate who now hurried inside. Within minutes great excitement had arose throughout the kingdom and the gates were opened and Arwen passed in them with the others. They all dismounted and their horses were led away to the stables. She gazed with awe at the massive interior of the cave as they entered through its' great doors. She found that it was not so dark and scary the way she had envisioned it to be. She scanned the faces of the many watching people. Most of them were blond-haired and blue-eyed and very fair. Looking up she saw King Thranduil awaiting them in front of the many others. He was a tall, proud and noble looking elf, very kingly indeed. He wore a crown of ivy leaves and a robe of silver and green. Arwen found him a little intimidating at first, but when they drew closer and she could look into his deep, sky blue eyes she found kindness and a deep wisdom within them, a kind that not even she understood. Her attention was then drawn toward a small boy who was standing beside the king. He was very blond and his eyes were a piercing ice blue, not at all like the king's. Many of the elves had blue eyes here yet this boys' stood out. They were very striking and they were the first thing Arwen noticed about him. He was fair of skin and wore a tunic of deep green, pinned with a silver brooch in the shape of an ivy leaf at the collar. The king approached them and brought this boy with him. He smiled and said to Lord Elrond and to Arwen (who was now standing next to her father),
"This, my lord, is my son, Prince Legolas."
**Check out pg. 222 of The Hobbit!