Author's Note: Nothing new. Oh, and BTW, any title suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. (hint, hint…)
Disclaimer: Not mine. See chapter one.
Onward!!!!
Looking Past the Surface
Chapter Two
Legolas stared in horror at his new body. As if things hadn't been bad enough! He could barely move as he stood by the edge of the mysterious pool, trying to wake up from whatever nightmare he was currently experiencing.
Needless to say, it didn't work.
Slowly, the prince—princess—picked his way back towards the castle, brooding. What would his father think? His subjects? His friends? The stress had been bad enough before, with King Aragorn and his entourage coming for a formal visit, but now, well…things were more complicated.
How was he going to change back? Legolas didn't know. He didn't know what had happened in the first place; he was wandering through Mirkwood in a daze, letting his subconscious guide him.
"Damn. Damn damn damn damn!" The elf was less than coherent, and could do nothing but curse his awful luck. First, the disagreement with his father, and now was…this. He was a girl!
Legolas decided to do was he always did in times of trouble—go to Gandalf. The wizard was wise, smart, and intelligent—not to mention he knew lots of useful things. Gandalf would surely know what to do.
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Gandalf sat in his hut, smoking his pipe as usual. Conveniently, his hut lay on the edge of Mirkwood—right near Legolas's unlucky pool. And a rather large patch of pipe "tobacco."
"Gandalf!" Legolas cried as he drew nearer to the hut. "Gandalf, help! I've got a huge problem!" Gandalf merely blinked at the blond figure approaching.
"Hello, miss. Might I ask why you're dressed as a man? Rather uncommon thing these days, female characters." The wizard blew a galloping horse of smoke; it thundered across the air before dissolving.
"I'm not a girl," Legolas said despondently. "I'm Legolas." Gandalf choked on his smoke.
"L-Legolas?! What happened? Why are you…a…a girl?" Legolas sat down heavily (for an elf) on the steps.
"I-I don't know…I'd had a fight with Father, so I took a walk. I wasn't watching where I was going, and suddenly—I fell into a pool and I came out like-like this!" Gandalf merely nodded sagely.
"Hmm…what did you argue with the king about?"
"I wanted him to lower his expectations of me. I may be an elf, and a prince at that, but I'm not perfect!" A small tear made its way down Legolas's cheek, but he didn't bother to wipe it away. "I can't always be on my best behavior—can't I make mistakes, too? And all this with the coming banquet—I can't remember all the manners! But…I'm afraid not to…" Legolas's voice trailed off into a sob. Gandalf offered him his pipe, which the elf accepted gladly. It calmed him down enough for him to continue.
"If I don't do everything right he—he hits me." Gandalf drew in his breath sharply, but allowed his companion to continue. "He says—he says princes aren't allowed to make mistakes. But I don't want to be a prince! It's too much responsibility! And Father—Father can be scary…and dangerous…" Legolas did not continue, nor did Gandalf urge him to. He knew what Thranduil could be like.
"I think I know what has happened to you. You have fallen into the Castaeluin Spring, legendary for its magic waters. They can provide visions, healing potions, and, as you now know, changes. I do not know how to reverse there power, but I know someone who might. For the meantime, I'm afraid you will have to remain as you are."
"Who might help me, my friend?" Gandalf looked at him sagely through the bluish smoke.
"Suffice it to say, dear friend, that a cure will be found. I must go." He turned around with a swirl of his cloak and strode off, only stumbling a little. Legolas sighed and blew out a smoke ring. What would he do until then?
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Author's Note: I know it sucks, but I'm sowwy. :( poor Legolas. The angst is not very angsty, but I'm trying to show that Legolas has it tough. Did it work? Please review and tell me!
Next chapter: Legolas meets Thranduil!! Oh no!
