Author's Note: In case you haven't noticed, this story is supposed to be Angst/Humor/Romance.
Oh my God! *8* reviews! *faints* Wow…I feel so special! :) So…sorry this took so long, but it's term paper season. Depressing, I know. But here it is—the long-anticipated CHAPTER THREE!! WOOHOO!!
Disclaimer: Not mine. End of story.
Thx to the following reviewers:
Earwen of Alqualonde: Hmmm…I'm not sure yet…you'll just have to read more and see!
gabriel: yeah—I was actually considering something like that for a title! Do you think I should? Cause I don't like the current title—and Legolas ½ or something would be much better
Elfstone: I'm trying—why don't you get my world civ teacher to give me an automatic A on my paper—then I'll have more time!
Suzaka: Thanks!
Inuyasha [I assume that's what you meant] fanatic: Wow…I feel so special!! :D
Legolin: Yeah, I know I should make longer chapters…but it's hard! I will try, though!
Torture-the-elf: I did review your story—I dunno if it worked, ff.net was acting weird—and, well, I don't really know what's up with the chapter title, either…they just turned out that way!
ON WITH THE STORY!!!!
Looking Past the Surface
Chapter Three
Legolas trudged despondently into the castle (using the kitchen entrance, of course) and snuck up to his room. He sat on the gigantic bed and stared at the resplendent tapestries in a daze. He was utterly bewildered and terrified by the prospect of facing his father. Strangely, though, his main desire was to get clean: the Castaeluin Spring wasn't as clean as it sounded, and trekking through the forest in sopping wet clothes did nothing to improve his state. He poured himself some steaming hot water from the tap—a new invention, one his father was very proud of—and stepped into the bath to soak. He sank down to his neck and closed his eyes, letting all his worries float away into nothingness…
…until his father barged in. Thranduil was in quite a temper, with the crown prince missing for hours, and was furious to find the elf relaxing in and herbal bath. He stormed over and glared at his son—daughter?—icy fury evident in his eyes.
"Legolas," he hissed, lowering his face until it was right in front of Legolas's stricken one, "Where have you been for the past four hours! The tailor needed you, the steward needed you, I needed you…" He paused, letting his words sink in.
"I'm sorry, Father," Legolas whispered, and Thranduil struck him hard across the face.
"Don't interrupt me when I'm speaking, you maggot of a son!" *Son?* Legolas thought, surprised. *Does that mean he hasn't noticed? I never thought I'd ever appreciate my feminine appearance and voice…* Thranduil began pacing. "I don't know what's wrong with you, Legolas. You're worthless, annoying, a terrible prince and son…don't you ever respect your elders? You never pay attention to what you're doing—" Seeing Legolas lower his eyes, Thranduil strode briskly over and smacked him again. "Don't look down when I'm speaking to you, dammit! Go outside and run fifty laps around the castle! Now!!"
"But—Father—it's near freezing out there!" Thranduil glared at him.
"You stupid weakling! Sixty laps! Naked! Cold should mean nothing to a prince!" Legolas's jaw dropped.
"Er—Father—I'm afraid I have some rather bad news. I don't think I can do that…" Thranduil's eyes flashed; again he struck his son, leaving a third red mark across his face.
"Stupid boy…what's your excuse this time?"
"Er—well, I was walking through the forest—"
"Don't stutter!" Legolas swallowed.
"Yes. I was walking through the forest when I fell into a pool—a magic pool—and…it turned me into a girl." Thranduil's eyes widened. He hauled his son out of the tub and threw him onto the stone floor. He kicked him and beat him as he yelled at the limp figure.
"That was for concealing the truth from me…that was for stuttering…for wandering in the forest when you were meant to be here…that was for being so stupid as to fall into a pool…that was for being a girl…for being a weakling…an idiot…and that—" Thranduil kicked Legolas several more times, and hit him with his scepter for good measure, "—that was for being an idiot." He disgustedly left the elf lying bruised and battered, cold and wet, on the chilly stone floor. "Oh, and we can't have our subjects knowing about your pathetic mistake…we will send out a royal proclamation explaining your sudden contraction of a virulent illness. You, dear son—" He spat out the phrase in disgust, "you will become a scullery maid. You may remain on living here." Thranduil stormed out of the room, his heavy footsteps echoing throughout the hall and chambers long after he was gone.
*Oh, God,* Legolas thought, silent tears coursing down his face, *Just kill me now.* The room faded, the rich golds, reds, purples, greens, and blues swirling together into some abstract psychadelic pattern, and Legolas blacked out.
Author's Note: Poor Legolas! :( I feel bad about doing this to him (though I'm sure Torture-the-elf doesn't) but all will turn out well in the end. I promise. I think…No, but really, Legolas's life will get better. Aragorn will enter soon!
Please review! Oh, and sorry the chapter's so short. :(
