Ip Dru: Concerning Concern

The boy slid to a stop in the well-waxed and slippery hallway. He straightened his clothing and slowly and calmly walked toward the entrance to his father's throne room. At the door the Delaril, the court announcer halted him.

"Delaril, my father is expecting me," he explained with a sigh. Whenever he wanted to see his father he had to go through Delaril. An Elf that he could not stand.

"Yes, Legolas, he is." The older Elf said in a condescending tone. The boy's ears burned.

"It is *Prince* Legolas to you, Delaril." He said between clenched teeth. Just because the Elf was the court bugler did not make him above King Thranduil's son. No matter what. The bugler looked down upon the short elf with a smirk.

"Very well, *Prince Legoals*," he over emphasised the title, " I shall announce you."

"That will not be necessary. Just open the door."

"*Someone* needed to be taking a nap in his bed instead of hiding under it, I see." The boy stopped and spun on the older Elf.

"*That*, Delaril, is none of your concern. Your concern is announcing the presence of those above you who wish to see my father. Your concern is serving those who are above you, which is everyone who has ever set foot in this castle. Even the stable boy is more important than you are. And it would be in your best interest if your concern remained at this door. Perhaps you would prosper even more if you focused some of that concentration upon learning and remembering to use the proper ways to address those that are higher than yourself." The prince turned on his heel and swung open the doors to his fathers throne room himself, not waiting for the glorified doorman's answer. The young boy took a great satisfaction at the thought that just then he had sounded intimidating and just like his father. The boy's smile faded, however, when he saw his role model.

A/N: Hehehe...this thing is fun to write. Please review. Any and all flames will be used to burn Delaril...Hey, there's an idea for the next chapter...nah, never mind. The next chapter should be up tomorrow. Or the next day. Hopefully. Unless I decide not to, just because I'm like that...okay, I'm gonna lay off the caffeine now!

Disclaimer: (I'm adding to it w/every chapter)

I do not own Legolas or Thranduil or any other characters of The Lord of the Rings that I decide to put in this story. I'm just using them for my own twisted pleasure. I *do* own the dust bunnies: Glithiel, Sebrimir, Elrildur, Rioclya, and Amaran, the spidies, the nursemaid Amyndra, and Hilmar. I also am now the proud new owner of Delaril and that stable boy, if I ever decide to give him a name.