***For disclaimer, you know where to look, right?***
It did not take much coaxing from Legolas to get his father and Lord Elrond to leave the breakfast table, and go to the stables, sharing in the much more amiable company of the horses. As a special gift for Fea, Legolas had snuck a roll of bread into his pocket from his own plate at breakfast.
"Do you think she was worried about me? Has anyone come to see her to tell her I'm okay? Do horses like bread?" Legolas asked while swinging between the two elf Kings, each holding a hand; since Legolas was incapable of deciding whose he would hold, rather choosing both, so either's feelings were not hurt. "I think Fea will be happy to see, do you think so Ada? Legles can't wait to see his Fea!"
"And I am certain she can not wait to see you." Thranduil said, merely enjoying the presence of his son's energy.
"Do you think that 'Cam has taken good care of her and treated her really nice?"
"There is no doubt in my mind Belegcam has taken the best care of her and will continue to do so." Legolas nodded in serious fashion.
"Oh, that is good, because Fea is very special to me and so I and 'Cam must take good care of her." He could hardly wait to see his horse; the most beautiful, brave, the fastest and strongest horse there was ever to be in his mind. It had been almost a year since she was born and Legolas had been there with her ever since, grooming her and feeding her, telling her stories when he thought she was scared. There was one such incident in Thranduil's mind, when during a particularly severe thunderstorm one afternoon, Legolas went missing. The household had nearly lost its mind with worry, everyone assuming that the young one had gone out to play in the trees alone and was now lost in the rain. Once the rain had ended, Belegcam came to Thranduil, telling him not to worry, than he had found Legolas in the stables. All his mixed feelings of anger and worry and relief, were subsided the moment he walked in and found a wet Legolas sitting beside Fea, with a blanket wrapped around her, telling her one of the "secret" stories Mithrandir had told him; though it was made clear afterwards that Legolas was not to wander off without telling someone where he was going. But it had been clear to all who saw the two together that Fea and Legolas were very close friends indeed, and if there was any doubt in their minds, the heroics of Fea yesterday would have squelched them all.
"Cam! Where is Fea? I must see her Cam! Is she okay." Legolas asked, as he ran to the caretaker of the horses, when he presently came in view.
"Remember you manners Legolas?" Legolas looked at him puzzled.
"Please?" he said hopefully, not sure what polite act he had forgotten to perform.
"A simple hello would suffice," the King replied, trying not to laugh at his son's confusion of etiquette.
"Oh, hello Cam!" Legolas said pleasantly smiling up at the tall raven haired elf, who smiled back.
"Welcome back your highness, you presence was missed here."
"I got hurt, so I could not come." Legolas explained, now taking hold of Belegcam's, as the two walked into the stables to see Fea.
"Well, we are all glad that you are better."
"Thank you Cam," Legolas replied, smiling back at his father, see, he could remember manners! And there she was, standing before him in her stall, Legolas let go of Belegcam's hand and ran to his friend. "Fea! I come to see, and I bring present!" the little one gushed; Fea looked just as excited to see her friend, lowering her head, nuzzling it to Legolas' face. Legolas turned slightly red, "Hello, Fea."
Elrond turned to Thranduil, with a grin, "I believe he is going to be saying hello to everyone now, even people he does not see."
"At least for the afternoon, lessons in manners usually only last till a little after lunch, as has been the case."
"Ada, Lord 'Lron', come say hello to Fea." The two elder friends walked together to the horse, Thranduil patting its head.
"It is good to see you Fea." Elrond greeted, Fea returned the gesture, lifting her head and giving a congenial snort.
"She is happy to see you as well," Legolas translated unnecessarily, as Elrond had gotten the gist of the message, but there was no need to deter the child's excitement. "Ada, can I ride her? I will stay right near the stables, but Fea wants to ride and I want to ride, please."
As if his child's look was not enough, it seemed as the horse's eyes grew wider as well, begging the King to let Legolas play with her. If it was just around the stables and he could see his son at all times, what could be the harm he thought.
"Do you need help getting on?" Legolas shook his head, just mounted on the other side, so as he could get a good jump off his undamaged left leg.
"See, ada, I do it all by myself." He waved as he rode out of the stables and turned left.
"He will be fine you know." Elrond assured. Thranduil nodded absently, of course he would be, he knew that, it was just around the stables.
"Aye, Belegcam is just outside, he can watch him." Thranduil replied, walking to his own majestic gray horse, the horse bowed his head as the King petted it.
"I do not mean, just today, I mean that he will be fine in days to come, years to come; it is a parent's prerogative to worry, as I do for my own. But do not worry to much, he will sense it." The King simply continued patting his horse's head, staring off into space.
"It will be three hundred years soon, Elrond. Three hundred and I miss her now just as much as I did then. What am I to do but worry; orcs slain her right her in these woods, she died under my eye. They are the last I have of her, they are so precious to me, Elrond, and I cannot bear it anymore. For three hundred years, I toss and turn thinking of what could be, and nothing I do helps. And do not say it does, for I have proof of my failure, he is sitting on a horse with a gash on his leg. I understood my children would be careless, and I have been prepared for Kaimelar's own mishaps, but never has trouble come to any of my children unprovoked in these woods, it was so close." He stopped, unable to say anymore, had he said too much. Even though Elrond had been a great friend to him, he preferred to keep his weaknesses to himself; he had no time for pity, only strength could pull them through this. He glanced at the horse, whose face he still stroked, then felt a hand clasp his shoulder.
"I am not here to offer you pity, mellon nin, I do not find you pitiful. When I look at you I see a great King and father who has done and will continue to do all he can to protect his home, and keep both his family and people safe. You have more strength than many I have known, and I have known a great many, but to worry is not a weakness, not until it hinders you inert. And I promise you, King Thranduil, I will never allow that day to come."
The shared moment was quickly interrupted by the scream of Legolas outside; without hesitating to two kings ran from the stable outside to see what had happened.
"Stop it!" Legolas yelled again atop the horse and soaking wet, he let out a few short gasps of laughter trying to catch his breath.
"But Prince Legolas, Kai here told us how much you loved baths," Elrohir teased, splashing some more water from a bucket onto the little one, who gave a neither mix between a laugh and scream. When the two Kings arrived on the spot, the let out a huge sigh of relief, nothing had happened but the twins and Kaimelar, Sildulin sitting on the low branch of a tree, delighted to finally have the attention of her.
"I hate baths! Legles hate bath!" the child protested, Fea remaining still, for fear she might once again knock her master off her back; besides he seemed happy enough even with water being splashed about. It was quite a sight, Elrond thought, the wet child, the statuesque horse and the three older sons running about with buckets. We hardly look like a regal family he thought, except perhaps the horse. But then he saw Sildulin sitting in the trees, an appreciative spectator. She wouldn't be so bad to have as a daughter in law, he mused, it would be a good match; Elladan did behavior much finer than he did normally. He would be glad to welcome her into his household, as she and the rest of her family always was; he shook his head at himself, give them time, they are still but children. He had apparently caught Sildulin's eye, as she looked over and waved at Elrond jovially.
"Careful with the buckets," he warned as he got a bit of off target water thrown on him.
"Careful!" Legolas yelled, assuming Lord Elrond meant to have them stop throwing water on him. It did not matter though, as the twins and Kaimelar had used all their ammunition; when Legolas noticed this he jumped from the horse, wincing slightly when landing on his right leg, quite forgetting that it was still hurt. Oh well, he thought, walking it off. He looked a mess, and no one could help but laugh at the sight of him, his golden hair matted to his face, his tunic hanging heavy on him, even Fea seemed to be laugh, but quickly stopped when Legolas turned around with a frown on his face. She knew where her loyalties lied.
"I wet!" Legolas cried out in a bit of a whine as if no one noticed; it merely made them all laugh more; yes, he was wet. "No bath?" Thranduil wondered when this question would come up. Since the twin's were referring to all this as a bath, of course Legolas would then assume he didn't need another one. How could he break it to the poor soaking child, those big hopeful blue eyes staring up pleading to his father. But the child could see it in his father' face. "Bath," he resigned, but he was not ready to quit the loser yet, "Kai give me bath!" he cheered, smiling impishly.
"That sounds like a splendid idea, don't you think Kai?" His eldest son moaned, how could he not see this coming, how could he let his baby of a brother outsmart him; he should have simply known better.
"And while he's with Legolas," Elrond continued where Thranduil had finished, "I think you two should clean Fea up, since you've gotten her so muddy. Such a beautiful horse deserves to be show off herself, rather than be coated in mud, don't you think Elladan, and Elrohir." The twins looked to each other and sighed, then went and guided Fea back to the stables to be cleaned off the wet mud.
"And what about me?" Sildulan asked warmly, jumping from her branch to join her father and Elrond.
"You can keep us company, dearest." Thranduil said, she took hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I am glad to see you well ada." She whispered to her father's, although Elrond could hear it, and was happy to know that he was not the only one who would not allow the King to despair for too long.
"You put it in the wrong spot," Legolas said simply, as though he were speaking to a deaf mule, Kaimelar laughed upon seeing Elrohir's exasperated look.
"Then were does it go?" he asked, his patience beginning to wear thin, as he was still not understanding the rules of Legolas' block game, which they had been playing since after dinner, till now, which was late in the evening. At least Legolas will be going to bed soon, Elrohir thought smugly. After cleaning Fea, his day had continued to spiral downhill, from being forced to bath in the river to remove some horse droppings he had carelessly stepped into, to someone conveniently stealing his tunic and leggings from the tree he had placed them on when stepping into the river, and well, he would just be glad when this day was over. On the other side, was Elladan who was thoroughly pleased to see his brother's so disgruntled over his misfortunes of the days, and now he was being patronized by a child who was less than half his age.
"I think it goes next to that blue one, right Legolas?" Sildulin guided from her place on the sofa, next to Elladan; they were together reading the book she had given him, promising they would finish it when they next saw each other, seeing as how it was much to big for them to finish in their brief stay in Mirkwood.
"Sil, you play, Ell'hir go read book." Legolas directed, frowning in disappointment at Elrohir, who would have known he would be so dim witted about such a simple game, "Kai, you right."
Kaimelar put his hand over Legolas' mouth, not wanting the child to say anymore, Legolas struggled, how could he play with the blocks when no one knew how to play, first Elrohir does not understand, now Kaimelar's covering his mouth, did they not listen when he clearly went over the rules?
"Right about what, Kai, my good old pal?" Elrohir asked, raising an eyebrow accusatorially.
"I'm right about a lot of things, I can't possibly know what he's referring to." Kaimelar answered offhand, Legolas squirmed beneath him, responding under Kaimelar's hand, but his words came out muffled, but he thought he had gotten his message out, weaseled his way completely out of Kaimelar's grip and put his orange block next to the green one.
"That makes no sense, there was nothing in the rules about putting greens and oranges together! And I didn't understand you before, could you please repeat what you said, or rather what Kai said," Elrohir exclaimed, his nerves finally snapping.
"Ada, I think it's somebody's bedtime," Legolas called to his father, utterly serious, the others laughed at Elrohir's expense.
"Well, go ahead and laugh now, but just you wait." But it was pointless, he knew he had lost but before he left he picked up a brown block and placed it next to the yellow, then looked at Legolas for approval. Legolas looked to his sister, giving a look of a teacher who has explained the most plain of answer to a student thousands of times over and whose student could not get it. Sildulin leaned over and picked up the brown block, placing it next to the orange.
"Fine, I am going to bed. You just better watch yourself little elfling! Or maybe tomorrow's surprise won't be so safe." He turned to the others, "Good night." And then walked out the room.
"Surprise?" Legolas chimed, for surprises were just as exciting as being asked to do a favor. "What is the surprise?"
"Well if we told you there would be none," Kaimelar responded taking Legolas and sitting him in his lap, "You'll just have to wait till tomorrow." Kaimelar then picked up a purple block and laid it next to the white one, Legolas nodded approvingly.
"You not brainless like El'hir." Legolas said.
"Legolas, do not go saying things like that, especially with Elrohir's father sitting right here." He looked to his son, who merely shrugged and returned to his blocks, "Legolas what do you say to Lord Elrond."
"Kai say it, he should say hello, not me!" Legolas bellowed, this was surely not his fault, if his big brother had told him that, then of course it was public knowledge and truth to all, and perfectly acceptable to say.
"Well, I will have a talk with Kai about saying things like that to his impressionable, chatty little brother. But you said something rude, and hurt Lord Elrond's feelings, we don't say hello when we do mean things like but we say." Legolas pondered this for a moment, we knew what it was and it was on the tip of his tongue.
"I'm sorry Lord 'Lron, I no mean to make you sad." To show how sorry he was, Legolas got up, and brought with him his green block, and held it out to Elrond, who accepted. "Here, now you can put this anywhere you wish. Come." He grabbed Elrond's hand and dragged him to his layout of colored blocks, neatly arranged. Elrond surveyed the figuration then looked to Legolas then his block, carefully placing it next to a white one.
"Is that okay with you? You can move it if you wish," Elrond said, not wishing to ruin the child's vision for these blocks.
But Legolas remained true to his word, "No, it stay there! All done, time for bed; Sil, you put me to bed?"
"Of course I will." He held his arm's up to his sister; wariness and a full day of activity made Legolas' leg smart, and he was much to tired to walk on it, Sildulin did not mind carrying him though, they bid everyone good night, receiving a kiss on their forehead from their father.
"Ada kiss, no Ell'dan." Legolas instructed Sildulin, who gave him a look.
"We will talk about that tomorrow."
"After the surprise?" She nodded, and said one last good bye, before taking her brother to bed. Kaimelar began to pick up Legolas forgotten blocks.
"'Dan, would you mind helping me clean up?" Kaimelar asked, Elladan rose and kneeled next to Kaimelar picking up the blocks and putting them in their large wooden box; much to Elladan's surprise Kaimelar leaned in closer.
"She's my little sister, and I well, I don't really know what's going on with you two, but I'm not afraid to hurt you in anyway if you hurt her. I mean, we're friends, and I care about you two and all, but she's my sister and well, just don't do anything to really hurt her." It was said in a threatening tone, as Elladan thought it might have been said, rather it was sincere. Elladan could just imagine Elrohir making that same speech to Sildulin, he hid his laughter though, as not to offend Kaimelar.
"You have my word, I will be only kind to her, but you understand Kai, things may happen and sometimes, you don't want it to happen, but people can get hurt. But I would never do anything to her maliciously, I promise."
"Um, good, yeah, that's real good. Okay then, see you tomorrow, I think I'm going to bed." Kaimelar stood up, picked up Legolas' block box, carrying it upstairs to his room.
"Night adar, Good night King Thranduil." Elladan smiled, he could just see Sildulin staring at Elrohir in confusion as he made her promise him that she would never hurt his brother.
Once Elladan had left the room, Elrond turned his armchair to Thranduil.
"Your son is quite the negotiator." Elrond said, taking delight as Kaimelar fished for the right way to secure that promise from his friend.
"I should work on his aggressiveness I think, but he is a good honest elf, who will work hard to do good, he does flounder a bit though. We will need to work on that." Elrond could already see Thranduil making a mental note, figuring this into schedules, what to say, how to say it.
"He still has time Thranduil, there was once a time when you found it difficult to negotiate, to rule. I think he showed splendid strength, it is always hard to take a stand against someone that close, don't you think?" Thranduil nodded. "I don't think that's brainless at all."
"Yes, I suppose we ought to really teach Kaimelar not to open that big mouth of his in front of his little brother, who seems more than willing to share secrets, innocently enough. At least Elrohir was upstairs." Thranduil replied, but knowing Elrond was not upset by the comment, quite the opposite in fact, he couldn't have agreed more. But of course he thought Elrohir brainless in only the kind and loving way that a father could.
***Again to those who reviewed, thanks a bunch! I hope you are having as much fun reading it as I am writing it, and as long as you like it, I'll certainly try to make you happy and write some more!!!***
It did not take much coaxing from Legolas to get his father and Lord Elrond to leave the breakfast table, and go to the stables, sharing in the much more amiable company of the horses. As a special gift for Fea, Legolas had snuck a roll of bread into his pocket from his own plate at breakfast.
"Do you think she was worried about me? Has anyone come to see her to tell her I'm okay? Do horses like bread?" Legolas asked while swinging between the two elf Kings, each holding a hand; since Legolas was incapable of deciding whose he would hold, rather choosing both, so either's feelings were not hurt. "I think Fea will be happy to see, do you think so Ada? Legles can't wait to see his Fea!"
"And I am certain she can not wait to see you." Thranduil said, merely enjoying the presence of his son's energy.
"Do you think that 'Cam has taken good care of her and treated her really nice?"
"There is no doubt in my mind Belegcam has taken the best care of her and will continue to do so." Legolas nodded in serious fashion.
"Oh, that is good, because Fea is very special to me and so I and 'Cam must take good care of her." He could hardly wait to see his horse; the most beautiful, brave, the fastest and strongest horse there was ever to be in his mind. It had been almost a year since she was born and Legolas had been there with her ever since, grooming her and feeding her, telling her stories when he thought she was scared. There was one such incident in Thranduil's mind, when during a particularly severe thunderstorm one afternoon, Legolas went missing. The household had nearly lost its mind with worry, everyone assuming that the young one had gone out to play in the trees alone and was now lost in the rain. Once the rain had ended, Belegcam came to Thranduil, telling him not to worry, than he had found Legolas in the stables. All his mixed feelings of anger and worry and relief, were subsided the moment he walked in and found a wet Legolas sitting beside Fea, with a blanket wrapped around her, telling her one of the "secret" stories Mithrandir had told him; though it was made clear afterwards that Legolas was not to wander off without telling someone where he was going. But it had been clear to all who saw the two together that Fea and Legolas were very close friends indeed, and if there was any doubt in their minds, the heroics of Fea yesterday would have squelched them all.
"Cam! Where is Fea? I must see her Cam! Is she okay." Legolas asked, as he ran to the caretaker of the horses, when he presently came in view.
"Remember you manners Legolas?" Legolas looked at him puzzled.
"Please?" he said hopefully, not sure what polite act he had forgotten to perform.
"A simple hello would suffice," the King replied, trying not to laugh at his son's confusion of etiquette.
"Oh, hello Cam!" Legolas said pleasantly smiling up at the tall raven haired elf, who smiled back.
"Welcome back your highness, you presence was missed here."
"I got hurt, so I could not come." Legolas explained, now taking hold of Belegcam's, as the two walked into the stables to see Fea.
"Well, we are all glad that you are better."
"Thank you Cam," Legolas replied, smiling back at his father, see, he could remember manners! And there she was, standing before him in her stall, Legolas let go of Belegcam's hand and ran to his friend. "Fea! I come to see, and I bring present!" the little one gushed; Fea looked just as excited to see her friend, lowering her head, nuzzling it to Legolas' face. Legolas turned slightly red, "Hello, Fea."
Elrond turned to Thranduil, with a grin, "I believe he is going to be saying hello to everyone now, even people he does not see."
"At least for the afternoon, lessons in manners usually only last till a little after lunch, as has been the case."
"Ada, Lord 'Lron', come say hello to Fea." The two elder friends walked together to the horse, Thranduil patting its head.
"It is good to see you Fea." Elrond greeted, Fea returned the gesture, lifting her head and giving a congenial snort.
"She is happy to see you as well," Legolas translated unnecessarily, as Elrond had gotten the gist of the message, but there was no need to deter the child's excitement. "Ada, can I ride her? I will stay right near the stables, but Fea wants to ride and I want to ride, please."
As if his child's look was not enough, it seemed as the horse's eyes grew wider as well, begging the King to let Legolas play with her. If it was just around the stables and he could see his son at all times, what could be the harm he thought.
"Do you need help getting on?" Legolas shook his head, just mounted on the other side, so as he could get a good jump off his undamaged left leg.
"See, ada, I do it all by myself." He waved as he rode out of the stables and turned left.
"He will be fine you know." Elrond assured. Thranduil nodded absently, of course he would be, he knew that, it was just around the stables.
"Aye, Belegcam is just outside, he can watch him." Thranduil replied, walking to his own majestic gray horse, the horse bowed his head as the King petted it.
"I do not mean, just today, I mean that he will be fine in days to come, years to come; it is a parent's prerogative to worry, as I do for my own. But do not worry to much, he will sense it." The King simply continued patting his horse's head, staring off into space.
"It will be three hundred years soon, Elrond. Three hundred and I miss her now just as much as I did then. What am I to do but worry; orcs slain her right her in these woods, she died under my eye. They are the last I have of her, they are so precious to me, Elrond, and I cannot bear it anymore. For three hundred years, I toss and turn thinking of what could be, and nothing I do helps. And do not say it does, for I have proof of my failure, he is sitting on a horse with a gash on his leg. I understood my children would be careless, and I have been prepared for Kaimelar's own mishaps, but never has trouble come to any of my children unprovoked in these woods, it was so close." He stopped, unable to say anymore, had he said too much. Even though Elrond had been a great friend to him, he preferred to keep his weaknesses to himself; he had no time for pity, only strength could pull them through this. He glanced at the horse, whose face he still stroked, then felt a hand clasp his shoulder.
"I am not here to offer you pity, mellon nin, I do not find you pitiful. When I look at you I see a great King and father who has done and will continue to do all he can to protect his home, and keep both his family and people safe. You have more strength than many I have known, and I have known a great many, but to worry is not a weakness, not until it hinders you inert. And I promise you, King Thranduil, I will never allow that day to come."
The shared moment was quickly interrupted by the scream of Legolas outside; without hesitating to two kings ran from the stable outside to see what had happened.
"Stop it!" Legolas yelled again atop the horse and soaking wet, he let out a few short gasps of laughter trying to catch his breath.
"But Prince Legolas, Kai here told us how much you loved baths," Elrohir teased, splashing some more water from a bucket onto the little one, who gave a neither mix between a laugh and scream. When the two Kings arrived on the spot, the let out a huge sigh of relief, nothing had happened but the twins and Kaimelar, Sildulin sitting on the low branch of a tree, delighted to finally have the attention of her.
"I hate baths! Legles hate bath!" the child protested, Fea remaining still, for fear she might once again knock her master off her back; besides he seemed happy enough even with water being splashed about. It was quite a sight, Elrond thought, the wet child, the statuesque horse and the three older sons running about with buckets. We hardly look like a regal family he thought, except perhaps the horse. But then he saw Sildulin sitting in the trees, an appreciative spectator. She wouldn't be so bad to have as a daughter in law, he mused, it would be a good match; Elladan did behavior much finer than he did normally. He would be glad to welcome her into his household, as she and the rest of her family always was; he shook his head at himself, give them time, they are still but children. He had apparently caught Sildulin's eye, as she looked over and waved at Elrond jovially.
"Careful with the buckets," he warned as he got a bit of off target water thrown on him.
"Careful!" Legolas yelled, assuming Lord Elrond meant to have them stop throwing water on him. It did not matter though, as the twins and Kaimelar had used all their ammunition; when Legolas noticed this he jumped from the horse, wincing slightly when landing on his right leg, quite forgetting that it was still hurt. Oh well, he thought, walking it off. He looked a mess, and no one could help but laugh at the sight of him, his golden hair matted to his face, his tunic hanging heavy on him, even Fea seemed to be laugh, but quickly stopped when Legolas turned around with a frown on his face. She knew where her loyalties lied.
"I wet!" Legolas cried out in a bit of a whine as if no one noticed; it merely made them all laugh more; yes, he was wet. "No bath?" Thranduil wondered when this question would come up. Since the twin's were referring to all this as a bath, of course Legolas would then assume he didn't need another one. How could he break it to the poor soaking child, those big hopeful blue eyes staring up pleading to his father. But the child could see it in his father' face. "Bath," he resigned, but he was not ready to quit the loser yet, "Kai give me bath!" he cheered, smiling impishly.
"That sounds like a splendid idea, don't you think Kai?" His eldest son moaned, how could he not see this coming, how could he let his baby of a brother outsmart him; he should have simply known better.
"And while he's with Legolas," Elrond continued where Thranduil had finished, "I think you two should clean Fea up, since you've gotten her so muddy. Such a beautiful horse deserves to be show off herself, rather than be coated in mud, don't you think Elladan, and Elrohir." The twins looked to each other and sighed, then went and guided Fea back to the stables to be cleaned off the wet mud.
"And what about me?" Sildulan asked warmly, jumping from her branch to join her father and Elrond.
"You can keep us company, dearest." Thranduil said, she took hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I am glad to see you well ada." She whispered to her father's, although Elrond could hear it, and was happy to know that he was not the only one who would not allow the King to despair for too long.
"You put it in the wrong spot," Legolas said simply, as though he were speaking to a deaf mule, Kaimelar laughed upon seeing Elrohir's exasperated look.
"Then were does it go?" he asked, his patience beginning to wear thin, as he was still not understanding the rules of Legolas' block game, which they had been playing since after dinner, till now, which was late in the evening. At least Legolas will be going to bed soon, Elrohir thought smugly. After cleaning Fea, his day had continued to spiral downhill, from being forced to bath in the river to remove some horse droppings he had carelessly stepped into, to someone conveniently stealing his tunic and leggings from the tree he had placed them on when stepping into the river, and well, he would just be glad when this day was over. On the other side, was Elladan who was thoroughly pleased to see his brother's so disgruntled over his misfortunes of the days, and now he was being patronized by a child who was less than half his age.
"I think it goes next to that blue one, right Legolas?" Sildulin guided from her place on the sofa, next to Elladan; they were together reading the book she had given him, promising they would finish it when they next saw each other, seeing as how it was much to big for them to finish in their brief stay in Mirkwood.
"Sil, you play, Ell'hir go read book." Legolas directed, frowning in disappointment at Elrohir, who would have known he would be so dim witted about such a simple game, "Kai, you right."
Kaimelar put his hand over Legolas' mouth, not wanting the child to say anymore, Legolas struggled, how could he play with the blocks when no one knew how to play, first Elrohir does not understand, now Kaimelar's covering his mouth, did they not listen when he clearly went over the rules?
"Right about what, Kai, my good old pal?" Elrohir asked, raising an eyebrow accusatorially.
"I'm right about a lot of things, I can't possibly know what he's referring to." Kaimelar answered offhand, Legolas squirmed beneath him, responding under Kaimelar's hand, but his words came out muffled, but he thought he had gotten his message out, weaseled his way completely out of Kaimelar's grip and put his orange block next to the green one.
"That makes no sense, there was nothing in the rules about putting greens and oranges together! And I didn't understand you before, could you please repeat what you said, or rather what Kai said," Elrohir exclaimed, his nerves finally snapping.
"Ada, I think it's somebody's bedtime," Legolas called to his father, utterly serious, the others laughed at Elrohir's expense.
"Well, go ahead and laugh now, but just you wait." But it was pointless, he knew he had lost but before he left he picked up a brown block and placed it next to the yellow, then looked at Legolas for approval. Legolas looked to his sister, giving a look of a teacher who has explained the most plain of answer to a student thousands of times over and whose student could not get it. Sildulin leaned over and picked up the brown block, placing it next to the orange.
"Fine, I am going to bed. You just better watch yourself little elfling! Or maybe tomorrow's surprise won't be so safe." He turned to the others, "Good night." And then walked out the room.
"Surprise?" Legolas chimed, for surprises were just as exciting as being asked to do a favor. "What is the surprise?"
"Well if we told you there would be none," Kaimelar responded taking Legolas and sitting him in his lap, "You'll just have to wait till tomorrow." Kaimelar then picked up a purple block and laid it next to the white one, Legolas nodded approvingly.
"You not brainless like El'hir." Legolas said.
"Legolas, do not go saying things like that, especially with Elrohir's father sitting right here." He looked to his son, who merely shrugged and returned to his blocks, "Legolas what do you say to Lord Elrond."
"Kai say it, he should say hello, not me!" Legolas bellowed, this was surely not his fault, if his big brother had told him that, then of course it was public knowledge and truth to all, and perfectly acceptable to say.
"Well, I will have a talk with Kai about saying things like that to his impressionable, chatty little brother. But you said something rude, and hurt Lord Elrond's feelings, we don't say hello when we do mean things like but we say." Legolas pondered this for a moment, we knew what it was and it was on the tip of his tongue.
"I'm sorry Lord 'Lron, I no mean to make you sad." To show how sorry he was, Legolas got up, and brought with him his green block, and held it out to Elrond, who accepted. "Here, now you can put this anywhere you wish. Come." He grabbed Elrond's hand and dragged him to his layout of colored blocks, neatly arranged. Elrond surveyed the figuration then looked to Legolas then his block, carefully placing it next to a white one.
"Is that okay with you? You can move it if you wish," Elrond said, not wishing to ruin the child's vision for these blocks.
But Legolas remained true to his word, "No, it stay there! All done, time for bed; Sil, you put me to bed?"
"Of course I will." He held his arm's up to his sister; wariness and a full day of activity made Legolas' leg smart, and he was much to tired to walk on it, Sildulin did not mind carrying him though, they bid everyone good night, receiving a kiss on their forehead from their father.
"Ada kiss, no Ell'dan." Legolas instructed Sildulin, who gave him a look.
"We will talk about that tomorrow."
"After the surprise?" She nodded, and said one last good bye, before taking her brother to bed. Kaimelar began to pick up Legolas forgotten blocks.
"'Dan, would you mind helping me clean up?" Kaimelar asked, Elladan rose and kneeled next to Kaimelar picking up the blocks and putting them in their large wooden box; much to Elladan's surprise Kaimelar leaned in closer.
"She's my little sister, and I well, I don't really know what's going on with you two, but I'm not afraid to hurt you in anyway if you hurt her. I mean, we're friends, and I care about you two and all, but she's my sister and well, just don't do anything to really hurt her." It was said in a threatening tone, as Elladan thought it might have been said, rather it was sincere. Elladan could just imagine Elrohir making that same speech to Sildulin, he hid his laughter though, as not to offend Kaimelar.
"You have my word, I will be only kind to her, but you understand Kai, things may happen and sometimes, you don't want it to happen, but people can get hurt. But I would never do anything to her maliciously, I promise."
"Um, good, yeah, that's real good. Okay then, see you tomorrow, I think I'm going to bed." Kaimelar stood up, picked up Legolas' block box, carrying it upstairs to his room.
"Night adar, Good night King Thranduil." Elladan smiled, he could just see Sildulin staring at Elrohir in confusion as he made her promise him that she would never hurt his brother.
Once Elladan had left the room, Elrond turned his armchair to Thranduil.
"Your son is quite the negotiator." Elrond said, taking delight as Kaimelar fished for the right way to secure that promise from his friend.
"I should work on his aggressiveness I think, but he is a good honest elf, who will work hard to do good, he does flounder a bit though. We will need to work on that." Elrond could already see Thranduil making a mental note, figuring this into schedules, what to say, how to say it.
"He still has time Thranduil, there was once a time when you found it difficult to negotiate, to rule. I think he showed splendid strength, it is always hard to take a stand against someone that close, don't you think?" Thranduil nodded. "I don't think that's brainless at all."
"Yes, I suppose we ought to really teach Kaimelar not to open that big mouth of his in front of his little brother, who seems more than willing to share secrets, innocently enough. At least Elrohir was upstairs." Thranduil replied, but knowing Elrond was not upset by the comment, quite the opposite in fact, he couldn't have agreed more. But of course he thought Elrohir brainless in only the kind and loving way that a father could.
***Again to those who reviewed, thanks a bunch! I hope you are having as much fun reading it as I am writing it, and as long as you like it, I'll certainly try to make you happy and write some more!!!***
