Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Please, please review. Trying for 10 reviews with the first two chapters, will not continue until done with Lucien and finished posting Shadow otherwise.
I will be the first to admit that the writing here is not my usual standard, but I am doing this just for fun =)
... = thoughts or instructions to readers.
**************************************************************************** **
Chapter 2:
Legolas had been staring at the strange brown spheres for almost an hour. Mithrandir had sent them, saying they are a gift from the hobbits for his help in resolving a particularly nasty feud between the halfings and humans over the ownership of a small river a few months ago.
____________________________________________________________________________ __
FLASHBACK:
Even the Grey Pilgrim could not convince either side to back down and was of half a mind to use his magic to singe a few heads of hobbit and human hair to coerce a settlement. Hobbits talked a lot in general. Angry hobbits could make a loud enough racket that would make the Dark Lord himself want to cover his ears despite the fact that he had none. The poor wizard was regretting the day he decided to help the Hobbits; no, correction, things were so bad that he was regretting the day he had first MET a Hobbit when Legolas arrived onto the scene.
The elf was on a diplomatic mission to Rivendel to convince Lord Elrond to join forces against Sauron. Ever since the little incident where Raphius, one of many princes of Mirkwood, tried to hit on Arwen some two thousand years ago, the two elven realms had not been in the best of terms. In fact, things were so bad that the previous envoys had been sent back disgraced and his father was about ready to raise arms against Imladris for the insult.
However, by the power of the silvery tongue and golden voice of the youngest prince of Mirkwood, Lord Elrond and Glorfindel was won over almost immediately. Their only condition was that the chief of the new joint army would be elected by democratic vote; a term which Legolas was more than willing to agree to. Especially since he had a feeling that if any of his brothers were to command the army, the recruits would learn more about pursuing elf maidens than warfare. Because of his rapid success, the envoy to escort him back to Mirkwood was not due to arrive in another five days. Legolas saw that as an opportunity for adventure too good to pass.
He journeyed West and came across the old wizard and the mob of angry Hobbits and humans. He used his identity as an elf and their legendary abilities to communicate with nature to settle the conflict. He said that he could communicate with the river and that it wished to choose its owner on its own; Until it made up its mind on who to call master, the two factor should share; lest the river becomes angry. Since to the Hobbits and humans, elves are creatures of beauty and light, they took Legolas' words at face value and settled their arguments.
____________________________________________________________________________ __
Since the Hobbits sent it, the elf was sure that the brown spheres were edible. The prince had finally gathered enough courage to put one of them in his mouth when Ramiren burst into his study.
"What are you doing still here? Have you not heard that Father required your presence at dinner tonight?" asked his brother.
"You are joking, right? Father...required my presence? I bet he does not even remember my name," answered Legolas.
"Well, I don't know if he remembered you or not, but he asked for the tactical advisor and chief diplomat in Mirkwood; and that would be you. So just be at the Great Hall at seven, okay?" said Ramiren as he ran off, probably to court yet another unlucky elf maiden.
**************************************************************************** **
Legolas was sitting in his room, waiting for his attendant to come help him prepare for the banquet. He had taken the box of small, brown spheres with him and decided he might as well try one before she comes. Again, just as the brown ball reached his lips, Luinil burst in the door, starting the prince enough that he dropped it onto the floor instead of his mouth.
"Guess who I did it with last night?" asked Luinil, posing seductively, and perhaps a little overdramatically, against the wall.
"Ronaldon from the fifth company," Legolas rolled his eyes and answered.
"How do you know?" inquired a surprised Luinil as she settled behind her prince to start combing his golden mane.
"You told me. Remember, last night you said you have a date with Ronaldon and you were going to do it with him," said the unimpressed prince. Luinil had been his attendant since he was very young and they were best friends, despite the difference in status.
"He was amazing. You know he had this friend who is also tall dark and handsome, maybe we can go on a double date or something," suggested her friend.
Legolas spun around and stared at her. "Who said I like guys? I may not look it, but I am male!!"
"Oh come on, Legolas, who are we kidding? The only one you have ever been remotely attracted to was that jerk Romul, and if I recall correctly, elves cannot get more male than that," quipped his friend.
"Alright, even if I like guys, I know the right guy is out there. I am not going to kiss a bunch of losers just to find him," said Legolas defensively.
"But kissing losers could be so much fun!" laughed Luinil.
The prince shook his head at her and continued, " When I finally get kissed, I will know. It's..."
He was interrupted by a squeak of surprise from his best friend. "You have NEVER kissed a guy?" asked Luinil, eyes wide with disbelief.
Legolas blushed and stuttered, "Of course, I have kissed guys.." Insert mental picture of chaste pecks on the cheeks of his brothers and courteous kiss on the hands of older elven lords here "I just never had this feeling."
"That feeling?"
"You know, when the world around you suddenly turned hazy and all you could sense is you and that person. That wonderful feeling that you are not alone anymore; and you want to laugh and you want to cry because you are so glad that you have found it and afraid that you will lose it at the same time." finished a now dreamy-eyed Legolas.
Luinil just stared speechless at his best friend. The prince's words were beautiful, but that she expected; after all, Legolas did not become the best diplomat in Middle Earth for nothing. What she did not know was that her friend was such a hopeless romantic. Ah well.. she hoped her prince would not turn into a bitter cynic as the millennia past, trying to wait for a fictional perfect love; but only time would tell.
**************************************************************************** **
Everyone was quiet at Thranduil's table tonight. They all knew he was not in a good mood. That of course was an understatement; the king of Mirkwood wore an expression that would send the Nazguls fleeing in terror. Things had not gone well at the elections of the new commanders of the joint army. Elrond's twin sons, along with his human foster son, had won the election. The entire new army would be under Rivendell's control; that was worse than not having an alliance at all.
If anyone could do something to change the situation, Thranduil knew it would be the tactical advisor of his court. The elf was brilliant in all ways but one, fighting. But looking over his table proudly, the King thought he definitely did not need another warrior. His fine sons had inherited his prowess and good looks, a whole legion of tall, dark handsome warriors....
His pleasant thought was interrupted by the entrance of a small blond elf. Thranduil disliked interruptions, and especially when he was happy, which was not very often. The King of Mirkwood was quite well known for his fiery temper. His expression turned to a scowl that could freeze an orc army in place with fear. The slight elf seemed not to notice and quietly assumed his place at the table.
That's our tactical advisor. He looked some feminine. He definitely does not look that intelligent, thought the king. He had indeed forgotten that he had met the elf before and Legolas was his son. But please forgive him, since it was very difficult to keep track of fifty sons and fourteen daughters. It only made sense that he should have that many children as Thranduil was quite a charmer with elf-maidens and he had been around since the Second Age. He was tall, dark and handsome after all.
The King of Mirkwood explained the situation to the golden elf, who looked lost in thought. After a long while, Legolas proposed his solution, "We cannot overrule the decisions of the Council, that would be a blatant challenge to Rivendell. However, we must know the happenings inside the joint army so that we could protect our interests. The plan is simple, we send a spy into the camp, who would report to your Majesty any relevant activities of the commanders."
Thranduil looked around the table for a possible candidate. All his sons took after his manly good looks and would be easily recognizable by those in Rivendell. Even if they cut or dye their hairs, they could never pass for anything other than Mirkwood Royalty. But the King hesitated to let this matter out of the Royal Halls. If they could send a spy to Rivendell, Elrond could send agents here too.
"Father, perhaps you should consider.." Legolas was about to make a suggestion as who should be the spy.
Thranduil turned and stared at the blond elf, "What did you just call me?"
Legolas did not like the gleam in his father's eyes. Some plans were forming in the King's devious mind. "I called you Father, my King. I am Legolas, your son with .... "
He was interrupted by a rough pat on the back that almost sent him flying across the hall. "Legolas, you enlist tomorrow."
**************************************************************************** **
Yes, round sphere are chocolate truffles =)
Please, please review. Trying for 10 reviews with the first two chapters, will not continue until done with Lucien and finished posting Shadow otherwise.
I will be the first to admit that the writing here is not my usual standard, but I am doing this just for fun =)
... = thoughts or instructions to readers.
**************************************************************************** **
Chapter 2:
Legolas had been staring at the strange brown spheres for almost an hour. Mithrandir had sent them, saying they are a gift from the hobbits for his help in resolving a particularly nasty feud between the halfings and humans over the ownership of a small river a few months ago.
____________________________________________________________________________ __
FLASHBACK:
Even the Grey Pilgrim could not convince either side to back down and was of half a mind to use his magic to singe a few heads of hobbit and human hair to coerce a settlement. Hobbits talked a lot in general. Angry hobbits could make a loud enough racket that would make the Dark Lord himself want to cover his ears despite the fact that he had none. The poor wizard was regretting the day he decided to help the Hobbits; no, correction, things were so bad that he was regretting the day he had first MET a Hobbit when Legolas arrived onto the scene.
The elf was on a diplomatic mission to Rivendel to convince Lord Elrond to join forces against Sauron. Ever since the little incident where Raphius, one of many princes of Mirkwood, tried to hit on Arwen some two thousand years ago, the two elven realms had not been in the best of terms. In fact, things were so bad that the previous envoys had been sent back disgraced and his father was about ready to raise arms against Imladris for the insult.
However, by the power of the silvery tongue and golden voice of the youngest prince of Mirkwood, Lord Elrond and Glorfindel was won over almost immediately. Their only condition was that the chief of the new joint army would be elected by democratic vote; a term which Legolas was more than willing to agree to. Especially since he had a feeling that if any of his brothers were to command the army, the recruits would learn more about pursuing elf maidens than warfare. Because of his rapid success, the envoy to escort him back to Mirkwood was not due to arrive in another five days. Legolas saw that as an opportunity for adventure too good to pass.
He journeyed West and came across the old wizard and the mob of angry Hobbits and humans. He used his identity as an elf and their legendary abilities to communicate with nature to settle the conflict. He said that he could communicate with the river and that it wished to choose its owner on its own; Until it made up its mind on who to call master, the two factor should share; lest the river becomes angry. Since to the Hobbits and humans, elves are creatures of beauty and light, they took Legolas' words at face value and settled their arguments.
____________________________________________________________________________ __
Since the Hobbits sent it, the elf was sure that the brown spheres were edible. The prince had finally gathered enough courage to put one of them in his mouth when Ramiren burst into his study.
"What are you doing still here? Have you not heard that Father required your presence at dinner tonight?" asked his brother.
"You are joking, right? Father...required my presence? I bet he does not even remember my name," answered Legolas.
"Well, I don't know if he remembered you or not, but he asked for the tactical advisor and chief diplomat in Mirkwood; and that would be you. So just be at the Great Hall at seven, okay?" said Ramiren as he ran off, probably to court yet another unlucky elf maiden.
**************************************************************************** **
Legolas was sitting in his room, waiting for his attendant to come help him prepare for the banquet. He had taken the box of small, brown spheres with him and decided he might as well try one before she comes. Again, just as the brown ball reached his lips, Luinil burst in the door, starting the prince enough that he dropped it onto the floor instead of his mouth.
"Guess who I did it with last night?" asked Luinil, posing seductively, and perhaps a little overdramatically, against the wall.
"Ronaldon from the fifth company," Legolas rolled his eyes and answered.
"How do you know?" inquired a surprised Luinil as she settled behind her prince to start combing his golden mane.
"You told me. Remember, last night you said you have a date with Ronaldon and you were going to do it with him," said the unimpressed prince. Luinil had been his attendant since he was very young and they were best friends, despite the difference in status.
"He was amazing. You know he had this friend who is also tall dark and handsome, maybe we can go on a double date or something," suggested her friend.
Legolas spun around and stared at her. "Who said I like guys? I may not look it, but I am male!!"
"Oh come on, Legolas, who are we kidding? The only one you have ever been remotely attracted to was that jerk Romul, and if I recall correctly, elves cannot get more male than that," quipped his friend.
"Alright, even if I like guys, I know the right guy is out there. I am not going to kiss a bunch of losers just to find him," said Legolas defensively.
"But kissing losers could be so much fun!" laughed Luinil.
The prince shook his head at her and continued, " When I finally get kissed, I will know. It's..."
He was interrupted by a squeak of surprise from his best friend. "You have NEVER kissed a guy?" asked Luinil, eyes wide with disbelief.
Legolas blushed and stuttered, "Of course, I have kissed guys.." Insert mental picture of chaste pecks on the cheeks of his brothers and courteous kiss on the hands of older elven lords here "I just never had this feeling."
"That feeling?"
"You know, when the world around you suddenly turned hazy and all you could sense is you and that person. That wonderful feeling that you are not alone anymore; and you want to laugh and you want to cry because you are so glad that you have found it and afraid that you will lose it at the same time." finished a now dreamy-eyed Legolas.
Luinil just stared speechless at his best friend. The prince's words were beautiful, but that she expected; after all, Legolas did not become the best diplomat in Middle Earth for nothing. What she did not know was that her friend was such a hopeless romantic. Ah well.. she hoped her prince would not turn into a bitter cynic as the millennia past, trying to wait for a fictional perfect love; but only time would tell.
**************************************************************************** **
Everyone was quiet at Thranduil's table tonight. They all knew he was not in a good mood. That of course was an understatement; the king of Mirkwood wore an expression that would send the Nazguls fleeing in terror. Things had not gone well at the elections of the new commanders of the joint army. Elrond's twin sons, along with his human foster son, had won the election. The entire new army would be under Rivendell's control; that was worse than not having an alliance at all.
If anyone could do something to change the situation, Thranduil knew it would be the tactical advisor of his court. The elf was brilliant in all ways but one, fighting. But looking over his table proudly, the King thought he definitely did not need another warrior. His fine sons had inherited his prowess and good looks, a whole legion of tall, dark handsome warriors....
His pleasant thought was interrupted by the entrance of a small blond elf. Thranduil disliked interruptions, and especially when he was happy, which was not very often. The King of Mirkwood was quite well known for his fiery temper. His expression turned to a scowl that could freeze an orc army in place with fear. The slight elf seemed not to notice and quietly assumed his place at the table.
That's our tactical advisor. He looked some feminine. He definitely does not look that intelligent, thought the king. He had indeed forgotten that he had met the elf before and Legolas was his son. But please forgive him, since it was very difficult to keep track of fifty sons and fourteen daughters. It only made sense that he should have that many children as Thranduil was quite a charmer with elf-maidens and he had been around since the Second Age. He was tall, dark and handsome after all.
The King of Mirkwood explained the situation to the golden elf, who looked lost in thought. After a long while, Legolas proposed his solution, "We cannot overrule the decisions of the Council, that would be a blatant challenge to Rivendell. However, we must know the happenings inside the joint army so that we could protect our interests. The plan is simple, we send a spy into the camp, who would report to your Majesty any relevant activities of the commanders."
Thranduil looked around the table for a possible candidate. All his sons took after his manly good looks and would be easily recognizable by those in Rivendell. Even if they cut or dye their hairs, they could never pass for anything other than Mirkwood Royalty. But the King hesitated to let this matter out of the Royal Halls. If they could send a spy to Rivendell, Elrond could send agents here too.
"Father, perhaps you should consider.." Legolas was about to make a suggestion as who should be the spy.
Thranduil turned and stared at the blond elf, "What did you just call me?"
Legolas did not like the gleam in his father's eyes. Some plans were forming in the King's devious mind. "I called you Father, my King. I am Legolas, your son with .... "
He was interrupted by a rough pat on the back that almost sent him flying across the hall. "Legolas, you enlist tomorrow."
**************************************************************************** **
Yes, round sphere are chocolate truffles =)