Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, places, events, and concepts are the property of the J.R.R. Tolkien Estate.
~*~Responses to Reviewers~*~
*Muggles: Great to hear from you (squeal and all!). Legolas is extremely excited for his SML, as you shall see. Those wings shall get used soon enough. : )
*LOTRFaith: Yes…I think little Legolas is sweet as honey---glad that you enjoyed the chapter.
*Listette: Hi! Thank you for your note…I loved the comparisons of Thranduil and Thilómë to parents in general. : )
*daw the minstrel: I had been mulling over the butterfly comparison after I used it in "Ardent". Glad to see that you are still enjoying Aldandil.
I too get sappy over those little scenes…I truly enjoy writing them, and reading about them in other people's fics.
*Dragon-of-the-North: I always love seeing you pick up on Legolas' snippets of humor...I think everyone shall see a little more of it as he gets older. As for the palace being his "house", it just seemed a natural, childish thing to do. : )
Yes---Legolas is asking his father about his SML in his own little way, and doesn't want to set himself up for disappointment. Very happy that you liked Thranduil's response…I'm thrilled that you like the way I portray him. And yes, he was rather gleeful at his son's excitement.
"King Aldandil the Silver Wolf" *slight grin* He might have something to say to that…
Yes, Thranduil came up with the story. Children can reduce fierce, stubborn Elvenkings to do sappy, nice things. I liked compromise stories too---nobody lost that way.
As for Legolas, honey, and glî, we shall just let the story develop. : )
You have pinned me, mellon nin. I am rather attached to my little Legolas character, but am warming up to the idea of an excited little Sein Maethor and later a "confident, strong elven warrior". Praises that the change does not need to happen overnight…I had better not have any children; I fear I would be worse than dear Thilómë!
*None: Legolas' warrior training is coming…glad you like his family: he deserves a good one.
*Lady of Legolas: Glad you like Aldandil: he is a loving older bro, and he was thrilled when his younger brother climbed that tree (it is a bit of a continuation of something that happened in "Ardent"). As for Thilómë being a typical good mom, I think she is…though a little overprotective. : )
*SperryDee and Charlie: Glad to see that you could tie the chapter in with something from Real Life. I love hearing about that from reviewers. My mother used to read picture books and "Little House on the Prairie" to me.
Poor Charlie! Glad to hear she's all right.
*Nilmandra: Glad you liked the parental bits. I am not a parent, but it has always seemed that most fathers get excited about such things while many mothers have a little trouble letting go. I agree, Tolkien and Eru probably did intend a close knit, loving family.
*Dragon: I enjoyed writing each bit, so I am glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself!
*Iluvien: Well, I am thrilled to hear that you like this story even if it isn't a romance! I shall have to include a snippet or two of Thranduil and Thilómë alone for you. : )
Glî seemed liked an appropriate little name for Legolas, and Thilómë seems the type of mother that would use it. Glad you like it. We shall see Legolas get busy with 'little warrior' activities soon.
*narcolinde: No offense taken, although it would be nice to know what it is that irks you about these notes. I will probably never consider posting the notes as separate chapters, but I am considering putting them at the end of the chapters.
I am glad to hear that you like the story---please continue to enjoy yourself!
*The Illustrious Craft: Thank you for your kind note. How wonderful that you can relate Thilómë's feelings to your own. May you be blessed with many sweet moments and memories with your own "pen-tithen".
*waseom: Glad you liked Thranduil's approach to Legolas' SML. Seemed like something he would do.
I am not a mother either, but there have been instances when I've felt a little like Thilómë. : ) And Aldandil.
As for Nim, his role is being unfortunately cut-down from "Ardent"---although he'll be sticking around in Mirkwood in case he's needed. You'll get your snippets of him. : )
*purplesmackers: Thank you for your great comments! Grab your cocoa, cuz I've finally updated! I wasn't thinking about Mother's or Father's Day, but was thrilled with your connections!
I'm happy to hear that you love the family…it seemed to me that Legolas (and Thranduil) deserved a happy time in fic-land (apart from the problems surrounding Thilómë and Legolas).
Don't ever worry about rambling…I am a horrible rambler myself, and I love rambling reviews.
~*~~*~~*~
Anyone else: Enjoy yourselves. Drop me a line when you get the chance; I would love to hear from you!
Author's Notes: I have stopped using "Legolas's" in favor of "Legolas'". It has been irking me for awhile.
The next update could occur anywhere from a few days to a week from now. This is something of a transition chapter: lots of Sein Maethor Laer fun and family reactions next time…maybe I can work in some humor too.
Comments and questions are always more than welcome!
On the "real life" side of things: Happy Graduation to anyone experiencing that fun occasion this Spring, Happy Memorial Day to all Americans, and a great summer to everyone else!
--Aranel
aranels@hotmail.com
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~
Chapter 4~*~Anticipation
Legolas tried desperately to hold still, but there was a certain amount of desire to see what his mother was doing to his hair. Ever time he moved to look over a shoulder though, Nana would pull slightly, the silky strands held tightly between her fingers. He could feel little prickles behind his ears, and damp locks still dangling at his neck. Nana had never attempted anything like this before, much preferring to simply part his hair at the side, letting it hang freely down his back.
"Hold still, glî," Thilómë twisted the locks one over another, dampening her comb again. Never had dressing hair been so difficult, and the thought that she would have to do this every day for a good number of years made her sigh audibly. With Aldandil, the same task had taken a matter of minutes, the disentangling of his silver hair taking far longer than the actual braiding. The simple task seemed to increase in difficulty a hundred times over with Legolas, for his hair still held a certain degree of babyish thinness and softness, and it managed to slip easily out of the restraining braid multiple times. Towards the end, the work was easier, and Thilómë fastened the end with a tightly wrapped leather thong, hoping against hope that her son would not find a reason to pull it out.
"Done," she breathed, passing a hand over Legolas' blond head. She handed him the garment that she had carefully pressed herself, despite knowing that it would soon be wrinkled and dirtied. There was a certain amount of delight in seeing her son pull it over his arms, poking his head through the top and tugging it down for the first time.
Legolas stood unmoving for his mother as she smoothed the training tunic, allowing Nana to adjust it at his shoulders, to make sure that everything was just right. Finally she nudged him towards the door with a little smile, "All right, you may show your ada now."
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~
Thranduil walked to the dining hall slowly, not exactly sure of what this day would hold. The much anticipated Sein Maethor Laer celebrations were in order, and his younger son was so filled with shaky excitement that the ruler of Mirkwood was worried the child might work himself into pudding before he was permitted to stand on a training green.
The Elvenking slipped into the hall, taking the seat at the head of the small table. It was a smaller hall, reserved for family meals and small groups. His older son, Aldandil, was already seated.
"Good morning, Adar," the silver-haired young Elf smiled brightly, now pouring himself a glass of pulpy peach nectar.
Thranduil removed the napkin from his plate, shaking it out, "Good morning."
"Good morning, Ada," Legolas rushed in, followed more slowly by his mother. The child nearly knocked over his chair as he scrambled onto it hastily. The celebrations started as soon as breakfast was over, and hopefully breakfast would not take long.
"Slow down, Legolas," Thranduil managed an amused smile. The king straightened in his chair, beckoning the child, "Come over here and let me look at you."
Legolas slipped from his chair, stepping over to his father. He was suddenly aware of the long braid slapping against his back as he walked, and the way the white training garments must look coupled with his pale skin. It was a rather hesitant Elfling that stood before the king that morning.
Thranduil regarded his son for a long moment. It seemed so strange for Legolas to have his light hair pulled tight behind his head, to be garbed in a training tunic. He had somehow expected his son to look suddenly older and stronger, but Legolas still seemed so little, so fragile…no different than he had a year ago when told he would be allowed start his training. He lifted the small chin with a long finger, managing a smile for the child, "Very good. Now you must eat a good breakfast, just as all warriors do."
The small face of his son brightened considerably, "Yes, Ada!"
Thranduil managed a short laugh, watching as the child carefully (but still messily) spread creamy butter and strawberry jam on a thick slice of bread, cutting it awkwardly with the butter knife.
"Ada," Legolas held up the knife dripping with syrup, "When do I get a real knife?"
"When you are old enough, and when you are responsible enough," Thranduil replied, consciously leaving out 'and when you are strong enough', though, he reflected, being strong enough had never seemed a conscious factor with Aldandil. He dismissed the musings, grinning at his younger son, "And you will not cut bread with it."
Legolas gave his father a smile, keeping his lips closed around a mouthful of sweet jam. In moments the day seemed to be filling with promises for a very happy Sein Maethor Laer. Several of Ada's counselors slipped in and out of the dining hall with well wishes, some even saying that they would be present for the celebrations and would keep an eye out for him. Caladir had bent to his ear, whispering a message just for him, "You shall be a fine Sein Maethor, Legolas. Your ada must be very proud." Vanima, one of the cooks, had slipped a pastry saved from last night's dessert tray next to his plate, and Aldandil had promised a surprise after supper this evening. Having a Sein Maethor Laer was even better than celebrating his conception day!
Now he caught his healer ducking into the doorway, checking to be sure that it was all right to come in. It had been awhile since Nim had eaten breakfast with the family. Now the Imladris Elf gave Legolas a slight smile, "Today is an exciting day for you, is it not?"
"Oh, yes," Legolas responded as he slathered another cut of bread with butter and jam.
Nimaron raised a critical eyebrow at the child's work, for the Elfling currently held about as much jam as he did bread. "This year's jam will have hardly been shelved before you swallow it all, Legolas," the dark-haired healer commented, "We should save some for the winter, should we not?"
"Strawberry season has hardly started," Legolas reasoned, folding his slice of bread in half. Globs of seedy red jam spilled over his fingers, "We can make more."
"Ah, ah, ah!" the child's mother caught him before he could lick the sweet spread off of his hand. Thilómë picked up a napkin, handing it to her son, "Not at the table."
"And after you've just told him to conserve it," Aldandil wore a wry smile, shooting his grinning look at Nimaron, "You should really confiscate that napkin; save the jam on it for winter."
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~
Why did they have to walk so slowly? Legolas struggled to free his hand from his father's, but Ada had a very good grip. "Ada," the Elfling looked up, a little irritated, "Please let me go. I'll be all right."
"You are just fine now," Thranduil spoke evenly, not changing his pace. It would not be difficult to lose such a small Elfling in the crowds of people gathered for Sein Maethor Laer, even though the child was wearing the purposefully easy to spot white training tunic. He looked down at his impatient child, "Perhaps you would enjoy seeing everything from a bit further up."
"Yes, Ada!" Legolas was soon on his father's shoulders. The training greens were covered with bright picnic blankets and people, and he could see the large sectioned off green where everything was to take place. The training instructors were all standing together already, and line after anxious line of students were sitting cross-legged on the ground. Caladir, one of Ada's counselors, was darting around to make sure that everything was ready, and Arasil's mother, Lalwen, was talking to a group of rather excited looking young maidens in a far off corner. Legolas did not remember much of the last Sein Maethor Laer celebration, which made this one even more excellent.
"Legolas, glî, Ada and I must join everyone on the green now," Thilómë lifted her younger son from his father's shoulders, setting him down on the blanket already spread out near the green, "Everything will happen just as we said. Enjoy yourself, and listen for your name."
Legolas nodded, settling himself onto the blanket. He glanced to be sure that Aldan and Nim were also sitting, then watched as his parents made their way to the green. People had already started to sing, and he could see Arasil hopping around on his picnic blanket not too far away.
Everything would start very soon…and yet it seemed not quite soon enough.
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~
A/N: I have realized that the Responses to Reviewers are getting very long. It would help me greatly if you would indicate on your review if you prefer these notes at the beginning or end of a chapter. Majority rules on this one.
6-14-03: In case you didn't catch it, there is another significant time shift since the last chapter: about a year has passed between Thranduil telling Legolas he will be allowed to participate, and the actual Sein Maethor Laer celebration. Much thanks to Dragon for pointing out that this wasn't quite clear.
