Silvan Soldier
randomwriter96
Disclaimer: Own nothing. Have nothing. ^^; Therefore, don't sue. Have nothing = have no money. Oo; Unless you absolutely have to have 15 cents...
Note: This is my attempt at recreating Thranduil's childhood and life thereon using the info I have from the Silmarillion, the Unfinished Tales, LOTR, etc. And websites such as the Encyclopedia of Arda. Do not hesitate to tell me if I have a mistake or not. ^^;
Enjoy. :o) And thank you for reviewing.
Note: Ai! I'm sorry for not updating in so long. I've been busy, sleep- deprived, sick, the works. Lame excuses, but they're true. ^^; And now's lovely Easter break, so I have TIME! Here you go.
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"Can I go play outside now?" Thranduil glanced at a very odd-looking dessert that was still sitting on his plate.
"Finish your dessert, Thranduil. It would be impolite not to," Oropher patted his son's head and returned to his conversation with...someone.
"Everything's impolite...." Thranduil muttered, sighing. He resolved to observing the intricate designs on his ceramic plate. He pushed the plate forward a little and delighted in seeing that it spun. The wooden and metal plates back home didn't spin so well as this! Thranduil thus amused himself further by spinning the plate faster and faster... Oropher turned and with surprisingly quick reflexes for an "old" elf, caught the plate before it fell.
"Thranduil..." He said in a dangerously low tone. "I told you to finish your dessert..."
"I'm sorry, father. But I'm just so full and I-" Thranduil started. Oropher sighed in defeat.
"All right. You can play outside. But, remember, don't touch anything that doesn't belong to you. Now go have fun," Oropher kissed the top of Thranduil's wriggling head before waving him off. He watched his son leap out the distant archway that led to the well-lit gardens and pond.
Thranduil reveled in the fresh air and the many different plants and flowers he had never seen before. He reached out to stroke an exotic, winding vine when...
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," a voice came from behind Thranduil. He spun around to see a taller, older-looking elf. He was still young, around his 40's perhaps. "It can strangle you if you aren't careful."
"Then why does Gil-galad keep it here? And....who are you?" The elf looked strangely familiar to Thranduil.
"For medicinal purposes. It said to be a very healthy and sweet ingredient for herbal tea. As for me...why don't you tell me who you are first?" A half-smile adorned his face. Thranduil was quite intimidated by his suave and dignified manner.
"I-I'm Thranduil," He managed to get out of his mouth.
"Thranduil..." The elf said slowly. "Ah. The crown prince of Greenwood, no?"
"I am," Thranduil mumbled. He didn't like being referred to as 'crown prince'. It made him sound too regal for such a small child. He saw the pictures in history books in his father's library and he didn't look anything like them at all.
"I've seen you talking to my brother,"
"Your brother?.." Thranduil frowned in confusion. The elf smiled.
"My little brother. The one that called you Silvan filth," Thranduil widened his eyes at this and instinctively backed away. "You needn't be afraid. I won't hurt you. My brother's like my father. Galion was a tad off the truth when he told you that our entire family hates Silvans,"
"Do you spy on everyone? Or just me?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes. The elf laughed.
"I keep an eye on my little brother. He has a tendency to start brawls and it would be disgraceful to the family if he started one in the high king's own home. Not quite spying, just eavesdropping,"
"How come you're different? That you don't hate us?"
"I know it's wrong to do so. And I know what's going on beyond the world of Elves. See, I read. I tend to stay with my lore and my books rather than learn the art of fighting and weapons. I'm queer to my family, but it's what I like to do. History can teach people many things. If only they learned more of what's beyond the wars and realms.." The elf mused quietly. Thranduil only understood about half of what he was saying, but was astounded by his seeming wisdom all the same. The elf turned to him and looked at him with an unnerving, piercing gaze. "You would do well to read more too. It's never too early to start," He paused. "Are you entering the contests of skill for youths?"
"Would you be mad if I said yes?"
"You are, then." The elf smiled. "No, I wouldn't. The art of defense, I am in agreement with. All elves need to learn to use weapons sometime in their lives. What area?"
"Archery," Thranduil found himself trusting this elf more and was eager to get his opinion on things. The elf frowned and for a moment, Thranduil felt dejected.
"My little brother is entering the archery contest as well. But do not worry, I'll watch him," The elf said reassuringly, "And you. Why don't you do me a favor and show me how good you are? Maybe I can give you some tips. I have a profound interest in archery." Thranduil brightened considerably. And older elf asking HIM to do a favor!
"Wait right here. I'll go get my bow and arrows!" He rushed off, looking back once to make sure the older elf didn't run away. The elf chuckled. Ah, to be so young and have not a care in the world...
"Father! Father!" Oropher looked down and found Thranduil tugging at his robes.
"What is it, son?" Oropher raised an eyebrow, amused at the antics of his hopping and skipping son.
"Can I have my bow and arrows now?"
"What for? The warm-up session for the contests don't start until about a half hour later,"
"An older elf wants to see me shoot!" Thranduil puffed up his little chest proudly.
"And who might this curious older elf be?" Oropher smiled, prompting an answer. Thranduil paused. He didn't even know his name!
"I don't know," Oropher began to frown and begin a lecture on talking to strangers when Thranduil immediately cut in. "But he's nice! He didn't let me touch a poison vine and he talked to me a lot. Really!"
"All right. Ask Saldor to get your things for you," Oropher gestured towards a young, laughing elf on the other side of the room, "And be careful!" He added with a sigh and a shake of the head as Thranduil already rushed towards Saldor.
"Saldor!" Thranduil panted as he skidded to a halt in front of the elf.
"Yes, prince Thranduil?" The laughing elf immediately donned an attentive, respectful face. The other elves he was laughing with stared at the little child. What a small prince he was!
"Can I have my bow and arrows now? Please?" Thranduil put on his best wide- eyed, you-can't-resist-me face. Saldor grinned and ruffled his head.
"You can charm the whole of Middle Earth with that face. Come on," Saldor ushered Thranduil along towards the stables where the all the horses were kept. Correction: horses and ponies. Thranduil's little black pony was chomping hay when the two entered. The pony stared balefully at its master as if saying "Must you interrupt my dinner now?"
"Sorry. Me and Saldor came to get my bow and arrows," Thranduil lovingly petted his pony and whispered so as to not wake the horses that were sleeping. The pony blinked several times and allowed Saldor to remove the bow and arrows slung on its back. It returned to eating again. "Can I hold them? Can I hold them?" Thranduil eagerly skipped from side to side when Saldor carried the bow and arrows.
"Do you promise not to run while you're carrying them?" He raised an eyebrow. Thranduil immediately stood as still as a rock.
"I promise," Saldor smiled and gently handed the boy his precious child- sized bow and arrows. Thranduil slung the quiver over his shoulder and walked as fast as he could towards the gardens again. Saldor shook his head and chuckled, returning to his companions inside the feast hall.
"I have them!" Thranduil said eagerly, returning to where the elf was waiting. Or was supposed to be waiting. Thranduil, in confusion, looked around. He wasn't here. Thranduil's shoulders slumped. A rustling came from above in the tree he was standing under. In sudden shock, Thranduil nervously notched an arrow to his bow and pointed it upwards.
"Good reflexes, but don't shoot. It's me," The elf leapt down from the branches and straightened up.
"You frightened me! I thought..I thought you left me," Thranduil said in a sad voice.
"No, I wouldn't leave you. I like to keep my word. But a good lesson this proves is that you cannot trust strangers so easily, even if they are the nicest strangers you've ever met," The elf warned Thranduil. Thranduil thought it over and nodded. "Now. Show me what you can do." The two walked over to a small glade of young trees.
"Are you sure it's ok to shoot arrows at Gil-galad's trees?" Thranduil looked up at the elf.
"Well, we can only shoot at one." The elf walked over to a particular tree and pointed at its chipped and scratched bark. "This one. All the young elves shoot at this one for practice. I remember how hard we begged for him to allow us this tree....but that was years ago," the elf smiled and moved to the side, prompting Thranduil to shoot at the faded painted target. Thranduil lifted his bow and arrow, self-consciously turning around to see that no one else was looking.
"Don't be shy. That's the worst thing you can be in a contest. You must be confident. Intimidate the other elves and pretend like no one else is here. Pretend I'm not here," The elf advised. Thranduil nodded and repeated his words in his head.
"No one's here. No one's here...." He muttered, aiming at the tree with one eye open. He released his arrow and it flew through the air with a whistle and hit one circle above the bull's eye.
"Good! But not good enough," The elf said, striding over towards Thranduil. "You've got to hit dead center to win. Take your time and pull your arrow further back so it can slice straighter through the air." The elf reached around Thranduil's arms and motioned with his hands. For the next twenty minutes, the two practiced with no interruption. Thranduil's arms ached but he hit dead center twice! The elf smiled and patted Thranduil's shoulder. "You'll do good. I can feel it. Excuse me, prince Thranduil, but I must leave to help set up the contest. I would wish you luck, but I don't believe in it. Farewell! I'll be watching." And with that, the elf melted into the growing shadows of dusk. Thranduil relieved himself by lowering his arms and repeating all of the elf's advice mentally. Already, he began to miss the elf. He was kind of like an older brother he never had. Being an only child suddenly proved its disadvantages. Thranduil began to walk back to the feast hall when the corner of his eye caught a object in the grass, sparkling in the torchlight. Curious, he walked over and picked it up. It was a beautiful diamond necklace and entranced, he held it up to the light of the torches and spun it. He marveled in its radiance and ability to catch and play with the light. He looked around to see if anyone was looking for it and was about to put it in his pocket when a girl's shout interrupted him.
"You found it!" The girl ran up to him and breathed heavily in relief. "Thank you so much! It belonged to my mother, you see." She pointed at the diamond. Thranduil handed it back to her with great reluctance. He knew it was wrong to want to keep someone else's treasure, but it was so pretty. Few jewels were seen in Greenwood. His father preferred to live frugally, rather than materialistically. The only jewels he ever saw, in fact, were the jewels in his mother's special box and the three green emeralds that adorned Oropher's special-occasion crown. A remark brought him immediately out of his thoughts.
"You're cute," The girl giggled madly and took off, skipping across the grass. Thranduil blinked. What did she say? He was cute? What did that mean? He frowned in confusion and walked over to the unoccupied side of the pond (the other side was filled with racing toy sailboats) and looked precariously down into it. His reflection was faint and dark but he could see himself. Cute? Him? She must've gotten the wrong elf, he decided firmly and continued his walk back to the feast hall.
To be continued...
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How was it? ^^ *points to review button*
To Dragon-of-the-north: :o) aww. Thank you! As for the fact that Thranduil can't dance, it's a little bit of both. ^_^ And for Galion....you'll see. And for Alaniel.....you'll see as well. :D (yes, I'm evil. I know!). x_o eesh. Sorry this reply is so short. I have to get working on the chapter so people won't bombard me with deadly tomatoes and pointy sticks. *hides away with computer*
To feanen: :o) Thank you! ^_^ I'm trying to make Thranduil as "realistic" as possible as a little guy.
To random reviewer: ^_^ Here it is!
To Lutris: :o) Thank you!!!
To I will arrest....: Thank you! And sorry. ^^; see lame excuses up there.
randomwriter96
Disclaimer: Own nothing. Have nothing. ^^; Therefore, don't sue. Have nothing = have no money. Oo; Unless you absolutely have to have 15 cents...
Note: This is my attempt at recreating Thranduil's childhood and life thereon using the info I have from the Silmarillion, the Unfinished Tales, LOTR, etc. And websites such as the Encyclopedia of Arda. Do not hesitate to tell me if I have a mistake or not. ^^;
Enjoy. :o) And thank you for reviewing.
Note: Ai! I'm sorry for not updating in so long. I've been busy, sleep- deprived, sick, the works. Lame excuses, but they're true. ^^; And now's lovely Easter break, so I have TIME! Here you go.
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"Can I go play outside now?" Thranduil glanced at a very odd-looking dessert that was still sitting on his plate.
"Finish your dessert, Thranduil. It would be impolite not to," Oropher patted his son's head and returned to his conversation with...someone.
"Everything's impolite...." Thranduil muttered, sighing. He resolved to observing the intricate designs on his ceramic plate. He pushed the plate forward a little and delighted in seeing that it spun. The wooden and metal plates back home didn't spin so well as this! Thranduil thus amused himself further by spinning the plate faster and faster... Oropher turned and with surprisingly quick reflexes for an "old" elf, caught the plate before it fell.
"Thranduil..." He said in a dangerously low tone. "I told you to finish your dessert..."
"I'm sorry, father. But I'm just so full and I-" Thranduil started. Oropher sighed in defeat.
"All right. You can play outside. But, remember, don't touch anything that doesn't belong to you. Now go have fun," Oropher kissed the top of Thranduil's wriggling head before waving him off. He watched his son leap out the distant archway that led to the well-lit gardens and pond.
Thranduil reveled in the fresh air and the many different plants and flowers he had never seen before. He reached out to stroke an exotic, winding vine when...
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you," a voice came from behind Thranduil. He spun around to see a taller, older-looking elf. He was still young, around his 40's perhaps. "It can strangle you if you aren't careful."
"Then why does Gil-galad keep it here? And....who are you?" The elf looked strangely familiar to Thranduil.
"For medicinal purposes. It said to be a very healthy and sweet ingredient for herbal tea. As for me...why don't you tell me who you are first?" A half-smile adorned his face. Thranduil was quite intimidated by his suave and dignified manner.
"I-I'm Thranduil," He managed to get out of his mouth.
"Thranduil..." The elf said slowly. "Ah. The crown prince of Greenwood, no?"
"I am," Thranduil mumbled. He didn't like being referred to as 'crown prince'. It made him sound too regal for such a small child. He saw the pictures in history books in his father's library and he didn't look anything like them at all.
"I've seen you talking to my brother,"
"Your brother?.." Thranduil frowned in confusion. The elf smiled.
"My little brother. The one that called you Silvan filth," Thranduil widened his eyes at this and instinctively backed away. "You needn't be afraid. I won't hurt you. My brother's like my father. Galion was a tad off the truth when he told you that our entire family hates Silvans,"
"Do you spy on everyone? Or just me?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes. The elf laughed.
"I keep an eye on my little brother. He has a tendency to start brawls and it would be disgraceful to the family if he started one in the high king's own home. Not quite spying, just eavesdropping,"
"How come you're different? That you don't hate us?"
"I know it's wrong to do so. And I know what's going on beyond the world of Elves. See, I read. I tend to stay with my lore and my books rather than learn the art of fighting and weapons. I'm queer to my family, but it's what I like to do. History can teach people many things. If only they learned more of what's beyond the wars and realms.." The elf mused quietly. Thranduil only understood about half of what he was saying, but was astounded by his seeming wisdom all the same. The elf turned to him and looked at him with an unnerving, piercing gaze. "You would do well to read more too. It's never too early to start," He paused. "Are you entering the contests of skill for youths?"
"Would you be mad if I said yes?"
"You are, then." The elf smiled. "No, I wouldn't. The art of defense, I am in agreement with. All elves need to learn to use weapons sometime in their lives. What area?"
"Archery," Thranduil found himself trusting this elf more and was eager to get his opinion on things. The elf frowned and for a moment, Thranduil felt dejected.
"My little brother is entering the archery contest as well. But do not worry, I'll watch him," The elf said reassuringly, "And you. Why don't you do me a favor and show me how good you are? Maybe I can give you some tips. I have a profound interest in archery." Thranduil brightened considerably. And older elf asking HIM to do a favor!
"Wait right here. I'll go get my bow and arrows!" He rushed off, looking back once to make sure the older elf didn't run away. The elf chuckled. Ah, to be so young and have not a care in the world...
"Father! Father!" Oropher looked down and found Thranduil tugging at his robes.
"What is it, son?" Oropher raised an eyebrow, amused at the antics of his hopping and skipping son.
"Can I have my bow and arrows now?"
"What for? The warm-up session for the contests don't start until about a half hour later,"
"An older elf wants to see me shoot!" Thranduil puffed up his little chest proudly.
"And who might this curious older elf be?" Oropher smiled, prompting an answer. Thranduil paused. He didn't even know his name!
"I don't know," Oropher began to frown and begin a lecture on talking to strangers when Thranduil immediately cut in. "But he's nice! He didn't let me touch a poison vine and he talked to me a lot. Really!"
"All right. Ask Saldor to get your things for you," Oropher gestured towards a young, laughing elf on the other side of the room, "And be careful!" He added with a sigh and a shake of the head as Thranduil already rushed towards Saldor.
"Saldor!" Thranduil panted as he skidded to a halt in front of the elf.
"Yes, prince Thranduil?" The laughing elf immediately donned an attentive, respectful face. The other elves he was laughing with stared at the little child. What a small prince he was!
"Can I have my bow and arrows now? Please?" Thranduil put on his best wide- eyed, you-can't-resist-me face. Saldor grinned and ruffled his head.
"You can charm the whole of Middle Earth with that face. Come on," Saldor ushered Thranduil along towards the stables where the all the horses were kept. Correction: horses and ponies. Thranduil's little black pony was chomping hay when the two entered. The pony stared balefully at its master as if saying "Must you interrupt my dinner now?"
"Sorry. Me and Saldor came to get my bow and arrows," Thranduil lovingly petted his pony and whispered so as to not wake the horses that were sleeping. The pony blinked several times and allowed Saldor to remove the bow and arrows slung on its back. It returned to eating again. "Can I hold them? Can I hold them?" Thranduil eagerly skipped from side to side when Saldor carried the bow and arrows.
"Do you promise not to run while you're carrying them?" He raised an eyebrow. Thranduil immediately stood as still as a rock.
"I promise," Saldor smiled and gently handed the boy his precious child- sized bow and arrows. Thranduil slung the quiver over his shoulder and walked as fast as he could towards the gardens again. Saldor shook his head and chuckled, returning to his companions inside the feast hall.
"I have them!" Thranduil said eagerly, returning to where the elf was waiting. Or was supposed to be waiting. Thranduil, in confusion, looked around. He wasn't here. Thranduil's shoulders slumped. A rustling came from above in the tree he was standing under. In sudden shock, Thranduil nervously notched an arrow to his bow and pointed it upwards.
"Good reflexes, but don't shoot. It's me," The elf leapt down from the branches and straightened up.
"You frightened me! I thought..I thought you left me," Thranduil said in a sad voice.
"No, I wouldn't leave you. I like to keep my word. But a good lesson this proves is that you cannot trust strangers so easily, even if they are the nicest strangers you've ever met," The elf warned Thranduil. Thranduil thought it over and nodded. "Now. Show me what you can do." The two walked over to a small glade of young trees.
"Are you sure it's ok to shoot arrows at Gil-galad's trees?" Thranduil looked up at the elf.
"Well, we can only shoot at one." The elf walked over to a particular tree and pointed at its chipped and scratched bark. "This one. All the young elves shoot at this one for practice. I remember how hard we begged for him to allow us this tree....but that was years ago," the elf smiled and moved to the side, prompting Thranduil to shoot at the faded painted target. Thranduil lifted his bow and arrow, self-consciously turning around to see that no one else was looking.
"Don't be shy. That's the worst thing you can be in a contest. You must be confident. Intimidate the other elves and pretend like no one else is here. Pretend I'm not here," The elf advised. Thranduil nodded and repeated his words in his head.
"No one's here. No one's here...." He muttered, aiming at the tree with one eye open. He released his arrow and it flew through the air with a whistle and hit one circle above the bull's eye.
"Good! But not good enough," The elf said, striding over towards Thranduil. "You've got to hit dead center to win. Take your time and pull your arrow further back so it can slice straighter through the air." The elf reached around Thranduil's arms and motioned with his hands. For the next twenty minutes, the two practiced with no interruption. Thranduil's arms ached but he hit dead center twice! The elf smiled and patted Thranduil's shoulder. "You'll do good. I can feel it. Excuse me, prince Thranduil, but I must leave to help set up the contest. I would wish you luck, but I don't believe in it. Farewell! I'll be watching." And with that, the elf melted into the growing shadows of dusk. Thranduil relieved himself by lowering his arms and repeating all of the elf's advice mentally. Already, he began to miss the elf. He was kind of like an older brother he never had. Being an only child suddenly proved its disadvantages. Thranduil began to walk back to the feast hall when the corner of his eye caught a object in the grass, sparkling in the torchlight. Curious, he walked over and picked it up. It was a beautiful diamond necklace and entranced, he held it up to the light of the torches and spun it. He marveled in its radiance and ability to catch and play with the light. He looked around to see if anyone was looking for it and was about to put it in his pocket when a girl's shout interrupted him.
"You found it!" The girl ran up to him and breathed heavily in relief. "Thank you so much! It belonged to my mother, you see." She pointed at the diamond. Thranduil handed it back to her with great reluctance. He knew it was wrong to want to keep someone else's treasure, but it was so pretty. Few jewels were seen in Greenwood. His father preferred to live frugally, rather than materialistically. The only jewels he ever saw, in fact, were the jewels in his mother's special box and the three green emeralds that adorned Oropher's special-occasion crown. A remark brought him immediately out of his thoughts.
"You're cute," The girl giggled madly and took off, skipping across the grass. Thranduil blinked. What did she say? He was cute? What did that mean? He frowned in confusion and walked over to the unoccupied side of the pond (the other side was filled with racing toy sailboats) and looked precariously down into it. His reflection was faint and dark but he could see himself. Cute? Him? She must've gotten the wrong elf, he decided firmly and continued his walk back to the feast hall.
To be continued...
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How was it? ^^ *points to review button*
To Dragon-of-the-north: :o) aww. Thank you! As for the fact that Thranduil can't dance, it's a little bit of both. ^_^ And for Galion....you'll see. And for Alaniel.....you'll see as well. :D (yes, I'm evil. I know!). x_o eesh. Sorry this reply is so short. I have to get working on the chapter so people won't bombard me with deadly tomatoes and pointy sticks. *hides away with computer*
To feanen: :o) Thank you! ^_^ I'm trying to make Thranduil as "realistic" as possible as a little guy.
To random reviewer: ^_^ Here it is!
To Lutris: :o) Thank you!!!
To I will arrest....: Thank you! And sorry. ^^; see lame excuses up there.