CHAPTER NINE - GLORFINDEL

I opened my eyes to early morning and discovered, to my dismay, that I had rolled over somewhere in the night, so that I was facing Legolas. My movements apparently hadn't disturbed him, for he was still fast asleep and so burrowed into his nest of clothes that only the top of his head was showing.

Climbing out of bed, I pulled on my boots and decided some sort of breakfast was in order before I delivered my charge to Lord Elrond for lessons. Holding my breath for fear that my touch would wake Legolas, I dared to smooth a hand over his hair before passing into the outer chamber. I thought he'd be alright alone for the short time it would take for me to visit the kitchen. Even if Legolas awoke, he would know himself safe and unconfined.

I returned in a few short minutes with a bounty of fresh bread, milk and honey, and the ever-popular apples. I had determined to forego my morning tea and cereal in favor of joining Legolas in his mild, if established and fanatical, fare. So I thought, but I entered the bedchamber only to find it empty.

[That's it,] I thought with no small disappointment, [He's gone. No breakfast to fill his small stomach before his lessons, and we didn't even get to say good morning.]

Setting the breakfast tray down on the rumpled blankets at the foot of my bed, I gave a heavy sigh. The chamber was exactly as I'd left it, except that the blankets atop my dirty clothes had been flung aside. Staring forlornly at the pile and missing my small companion already, I saw that Legolas's pillow had fallen to the floor and was nearly obscuring a pair of small, worn boots leaning into the clothes. Boots that were so valuable to their owner that he would never leave them behind, no matter how hastily he might depart my chamber.

Perhaps he hadn't gone, after all? Perhaps he had trusted me enough to wait for my return?

"Legolas?" I said to the pile of clothes, not daring to trust the flicker of hope that was making my heart beat faster. "I've brought a bit of breakfast, if you'd care to join me?"

The pile of clothes gave no answer. But they moved after a long moment, and Legolas emerged from their depths, scattering mussed leggings and tunics. He wrinkled his nose -- probably at the unspeakable smells of wear and stable he'd been forced to endure -- before setting his feet on the floor and looking up at me.

"How did you breathe in there?" I asked.

"Made a hole." He shrugged, his gaze darting to the common room behind me. "You alone?"

"Quite alone. See?" I added, waving the loaf of bread toward the empty room behind me. "No one anywhere about."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I cut the loaf of bread into generous slices. The kitchen staff had already seen to the apples, and so handed Legolas a slice where he stood between the foot the bed and the clothes.

"Wait," he ordered. Climbing up onto the bed, he settled cross-legged opposite the breakfast tray -- within reach of the food, I noted, but well out of my reach unless I lunged -- which would give him time to escape.

I leaned slowly forward, stretching out my arm and offering the fruit. He took the slices from me -- one in each hand -- only to stuff the first intact into his mouth. I was amazed that it fit without choking him, but he chewed enthusiastically and without difficulty. I assumed, therefore, that this was standard for his table manners. I made a mental note for the future to cut all fruit into smaller pieces for my own peace of mind.

"Got honey," Legolas said through a mouthful of apple and nodded at the jar which had a wooden dipstick floating precariously atop it. Dipping his second slice of apple into the honeypot, he shoved that into his mouth as well. "Is good."

"So is the milk."

I poured out half a mug for him and set it carefully on the edge of the tray, well within his reach. I tended next to making half of a honey-butter sandwich and wondered if Legolas would eat even a portion of what I offered. The eagerness with which those blue eyes followed my culinary efforts when the honey came into play gave me hope. I was also hard-pressed not to smile. I decided to deem the morning a success if Legolas ate even a quarter of what I had brought for him.

I had just handed him the sticky sandwich when a knock came at my front door. An anxious voice sounded behind it, and Legolas's head whipped around.

"Glorfindel, are you in there? I would speak with you."

"It's Lord Elrond," I said quietly.

Legolas shot off of the bed and back into the nest of clothes. I grabbed at the mug of milk as it sloshed, saving the bedclothes from a dampening as the Lord of Imladris pounded once again upon my door.

"Glorfindel, it's quite urgent."

Within seconds, Legolas's small bottom had wriggled out of sight, and it was as though the child had never been there at all. Idly, I wondered where he had made his air-tent this time. I had no doubt whatsoever that two narrowed blue eyes were observing my progress out of the room as much as they could, given the angle of the pile of clothes. I closed the sleepchamber door firmly behind me.

"Sweet Elbereth, I've lost him," Elrond said breathlessly, stepping across the threshold the moment I opened the door. His gray eyes were full of panic, his broad frame tense; this was an Elrond I was not accustomed to seeing.

"You've lost whom?"

"Legolas, of course. He did not spend the night in the wizard's chambers. He's not in the stable, my library, or the kitchen -- there is no sign of him anywhere, and no one has seen him. I've lost him, Glorfindel. What am I to tell Mithrandir?"

Laying a hand on Elf-lord's shoulder, I tried not to grin too broadly. "Be at peace. Legolas is safe, he spent the night in my keeping."

"In your--" Elrond rocked back and frowned. "How in the name of Mordor did he end up with you? I thought him tucked up safe in Mithrandir's rooms."

"Legolas felt forced to sleep elsewhere," I said smoothly.

"Forced? Who forced him to do what?"

Arching an eyebrow, I set my hand at Elrond's elbow and nodded toward the garden. Smoothly, I crowded him as I would a horse, and he responded in kind, backing out of my chambers and stepping out onto the path once more. Closing the front door behind me, I made sure that we were away from little Elf ears that no doubt knew how to overhear much, even through closed doors. By silent agreement, Elrond and I took a stroll down the path and over to my fountain, whose enthusiastic burbling would mask our conversation as long as we kept our voices low.

"Legolas reported to me last night that the servants came late yesterday without warning and, in his words, closed the chamber he shared with Mithrandir."

Elrond frowned. "Pardon me?"

"Furthermore, they stole his clothes, the book he had borrowed from your library, and the half-eaten apples he had stored under the bed for future eating. That was after the fire was put out and the bed was closed up so that he could no longer use it. I suspect this last translates to your house-servants tucking in the covers so completely that Legolas was helpless to pry them loose, much less crawl beneath them. He feels he has been officially banished."

"Stars above." Laughter teased the corner of Elrond's mouth. "Did you explain that the servants stole nothing? That they were merely cleaning? Helping?"

"Of course I did, but Legolas doesn't believe me. To his way of thinking, intruders came into the chamber without his Mith's permission and stole his things. 'Didn't come when Mith was there,' Legolas pointed out, and quite rightly, too."

"No..." Elrond said thoughtfully, "they didn't come then, nor would they, for Mithrandir has always guarded his privacy fiercely. More than that, he knows to place the things he wishes cleaned outside the door to show that he is in residence. Once the wizard was gone, the servants must have thought they were to care for Legolas exactly as they care for any other guest here in Imladris. I didn't think it necessary to warn them not to disturb him."

"How could you know to warn them?" I asked. "All of us are learning exactly what disturbs the child." Settling next to Elrond on the stone wall, I folded my arms and basked in the sunlit morning. "They didn't get his boots, though, and that seems to please him. Boots appear to be very important."

Elrond shook his head in dismay. "I sent that child off to bed last night with a brief hug and a promise of seeing him in the morning. *This* morning, for lessons. I take it that he snuck out in the night?"

I nodded. "Fairly early in the night. Legolas obviously felt that he needed to find somewhere else to sleep. I believe that the stables were his first choice, but it seems he took a slight detour on his way to the rafters."

"The... rafters?"

"His bed of choice. 'Like a tree,'" I mimicked the child and couldn't help but grin at the horror that filled Elrond's eyes with that bit of news.

"That is unacceptable, not to mention unsafe," he finally got out, past his disapproving glower.

"I pointed this out to Legolas. But aren't you interested in hearing what detoured him?"

The Lord of Imladris considered for a moment. "Let me guess. A horse or two?"

"One horse. And the worst possible choice imaginable."

Elrond's gaze went wide. "Glorfindel, no. What did Naur... is Legolas--" He turned toward the cottage door as though he might storm it to inspect Legolas's injuries before I could explain.

"A grazing bite," I said quickly, "he is only slightly wounded. I entered the stable in time to see the child launch himself from the wall of Naur's stall just as the stallion closed his jaw around Legolas's shoulder."

"That horse bit him, and you're telling me it was but a grazing blow?"

I nodded. "I inspected the wound last night. You will want to do so this morning, but getting the child to show his shoulder is somewhat of a struggle. If you ask nicely, he may adjust his tunic enough for you to see the shoulder--and only the shoulder."

"What damage was done?" Elrond growled.

"The skin was not broken, but I fear Legolas will not be able to raise his arm or use it properly for a few days."

"I shall have to see this for myself." The Elf-lord looked as skeptical as he sounded. "Did you treat this wound already?"

"Ah, no. Fear of the 'burning stuff' made that quite impossible without sitting on him first, and I felt it better not to enter into physical confrontations in these early days."

"Burning stuff?" Elrond snapped. "No, don't bother." He cut off my efforts to explain this latest Legolas vocabularic mystery. "I shall have to find a way to treat this myself, then. In the meantime, thank you for letting me know he is safely in your care. May I expect him later for lessons?"

I nodded. "I shall deliver him to your library doors as soon as breakfast is completed."

Elrond nodded his satisfaction. "It is becoming plain to me that Legolas will need the care and attention of more than just myself. Thank you, Glorfindel, for volunteering to not only teach him but evidently to room with him in Mithrandir's absence."

I laughed outright. "If the Lord of Imladris expects me to sputter and howl at this sudden assignment, he's bound for disappointment. I've already made it plain to you that I would enjoy nothing more than having Legolas as an archery apprentice, and I will welcome his company as well."

Arching an elegant eyebrow, Elrond commented just loudly enough for me to hear over the running water. "Miracles happen." A heavy hand descended on my shoulder, and this time the Elf-lord's smile was sincere. "You're helping to ease a burden that's weighed heavy on my mind since Mithrandir departed, my friend. I'll look forward to seeing Legolas a bit later."

I felt a deep satisfaction watching Elrond depart down my path. No only had I won Legolas as an apprentice, I'd also arranged for him to stay safey tucked away in my cottage, away from prying courtier eyes and dangerous rafters. Surely the child would be happier with me than staying in a musty old, empty chamber devoid of the wizard of his heart?

Making my way down the path once Elrond was safely out of sight and earshot, I returned to my cottage. Opening the front door, I called out, "Elrond is gone, Legolas. It's safe to come out now."

He didn't answer me, nor did I hear any scrambling from behind the closed wooden door leading into my bedchamber. Opening it slowly, carefully, I expected to see an empty room with an innocent, soiled pile of clothing. Nothing in Imladris could have prepared me for the scene awaiting me.

Whipping around, Legolas stared up at me from where he knelt in the middle of my bed. His hair flew at the gesture, and one golden strand stuck enthusiastically to his chin. Other strands of hair appeared to be sticking together as well.

I may have saved the milk earlier from pouring out into the bed, but it seemed that Legolas had emerged from his nest of clothes in my absence to attempt making another honey sandwich. He had tipped over the honey pot, which sat between his knees. Its contents were spread over his legs, what remained of the apples, and a good portion of the bedclothes. His hands were frozen in the act of attempting to scoop up the sticky, flowing substance and pour it back into the pot.

"I spilled," he whispered, blue eyes wide. Forlornly, he stared down at his dripping fingers.

"You did, indeed," I managed, forcing back my laughter at the picture he presented. Going to sit on the edge of the bed, I reached out to smooth down the honey-laden hair only to think better of it. Best to leave it where it lay.

Legolas scraped his fingers against the pot. "I try and try, but it won't go back. No more honey."

"I don't think we want it to go back," I said, observing the detritus floating in the mess that oozed across the bed. "And there is always more honey here in Imladris," I contradicted gently.

"How can be more?" he demanded, experimentally sticking his fingers together only to force them apart.

"I'll explain on our way to the baths." Boldly scooping him up, I hoped that he had enough confidence in me not to kick as I set him on the floor. It seemed so, as he went quietly - or perhaps he was simply distracted by the accident and its aftermath. Handing him the honey pot, I said, "Wait a moment while I clean this up."

"You're not mad?" he asked as I bundled the bedclothes tightly together and tossed them aside.

"I'm not mad. As you said, it was an accident and no real harm has been done."

"Bed all ruined."

"I'll make repairs later."

"Honey all ruined." He tilted his honey pot at an awkward angle, as if trying to discern if any honey was left to come out. It was. It started dripping onto my floor.

"Here now, don't do that." Scooping him into my arms once more, I settled him against my hip, righted the ceramic pot, and wrapped his fingers securely around it. "Hold it, just so."

"You're all sticky now," he announced, waving in protest as my longer hair glued itself to his.

"I am, indeed. We both need a bath before I deliver you to Lord Elrond for lessons."

His eyes grew wide with alarm. "Will he be mad at me?"

"About the honey?" I shook my head. "Elrond is looking forward to teaching you this morning. I'm to start teaching you archery this afternoon, and we won't tell Elrond about the honey."

He grinned at me then, a lopsided, toothless grin that warmed my heart to see it. A small arm stole around my neck, pulling out hairs as my mane followed the stickiness. I endured the discomfort and grinned back. Had Legolas's gesture snatched me bald, I'd still not have protested. To feel this little boy's warm, if altogether too sticky, body settling comfortably against me was the greatest gift the Valar could have bestowed upon me -this moment was better than being reimbodied and returned to Middle-earth. But then again, had I not been reimbodied, I could not be experiencing Legolas's sweet affection and companionship this fine morning.

"We won't tell," Legolas agreed. I had the feeling that the secret had somehow worked the magic of cementing a friendship with this strange child. Legolas's eyes widened into mine in sudden realization. "You said... I'm gonna learn bows and arrows?"

"Would you like that?"

"Uh-huh." His blue eyes shown in anticipation.

"Then I shall teach you. But first, we must clean ourselves up so that we're presentable for lessons with Elrond."

"Are you gonna have lessons, too?"

"I have other errands to attend." I tried to look regretful.

"Like what?" he asked, forever suspicious.

"For one thing, I must obtain a bow and arrows with which to teach you."

"Oh!" He seemed to approve of that mission.

"I'll see you at mid-day meal," I further reassured my small apprentice, "after which you shall have our first archery lesson. How does that sound to you?"

"That's fine," Legolas pronounced, with all the solemnity befitting nobility. Clutching his honey pot closer, he asked, "Can we have more honey at mid-day? An' some apples? I didn't get enough."

I laughed outright at that. "I suppose you didn't. Should we stop by the kitchen and get another honey sandwich for you now?"

"Can't. Is late." His eyes fell on my robes, which were as sullied as his small tunic. "Have enough now. Can have more later."

My elfling was as imperious as he was wise. I felt guilty for sending him to Elrond on a half-empty stomach, but Legolas seemed to have his priorities in order, even at such an early age. Such an attitude would serve him in good stead if he continued apprenticing with me in the years to come. Not since my early days in Gondolin had I been so close to a child; never before had I been so determined to apprentice one to me. Even before meeting Legolas, I had been missing him. I was also greatly looking forward to teaching him.