Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, places, events, and concepts belong to the J.R.R. Tolkien Estate.

Author's Notes: Once again, I'm sorry for the delay between updates. Hopefully I'll hit an upswing soon, and work a little faster the next time around!

--Aranel

aranels@hotmail.com

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Chapter 6~*~Animals, Letters, and Juice

The sun had risen bright and shining, and morning spread over the treetops that covered the northern forest of Mirkwood. Here and there a gap in the leaves allowed a ray of light to puddle on the ground below, warming the tenderest shoots of oaks from last autumn's fallen acorns and the delicately unfolding petals of summer flowers.

The beams of Anor crept into doorways and over thresholds, stroked the open grass of clearings and the backs of running deer. Perhaps most appreciated though, sunlight trickled effortlessly down through the trees and warmed the upturned faces of Wood Elves working and playing, and traveling along their paths. On one of these paths Thilómë walked slowly, taking her time. Her arm swung back and forth rhythmically, her young son's fingers attempting to clasp around her own. The green where Legolas would have his earliest training was not far from home, but she did not want him walking there by himself yet. Today she was taking him there herself, and her little son seemed happy enough with that arrangement.

Legolas caught sight of the green in the distance, bright ribbons still sectioning it off. There were a few trees at one end, and some Elflings stood in a circle tossing a ball to each other. Two had broken away from the group, and Legolas waved as Arasil rushed over with a pale-haired friend in tow.

"Hello, Legolas," Arasil bounded over to where Master Rossion was talking with Queen Thilómë. It was sort of strange to consider that the queen was Legolas' nana, and Arasil chewed at his lip a little as he watched Legolas get his good-bye hug. His own nana had done the same to him only a few moments ago. Be good, she had said, And be nice. Well, he was going to be nice right now by asking Legolas to join the game. "Come on," Arasil held up the ribbon so that Legolas could duck underneath, "We're playing Animals. Whoever has the ball will say an animal name, and throw the ball. The animal called has to say their sound before they catch the ball, or they're out." Even Legolas could manage that game.

"It's easy," Arasil's friend, Cúran, offered with a slight smile. He took a good look at the smaller Elfling, remembering how tired Legolas had seemed after the games yesterday. Poor little thing, his nana had said when the King picked Legolas up, Too worn out to play. Somebody would have to take care of him, since his ada wasn't here now. Cúran tried to be encouraging, "And it's fun too!"

"All right," Legolas nodded. It seemed like a good game.

~*~

And it would have been, if someone had called his animal name. There were several calls of 'bear' and 'squirrel' and 'wolf', but nobody called his animal. Maybe they had forgotten what he had chosen to be. Maybe they hadn't realized that he still hadn't had a turn. Legolas sucked at his lower lip, watching as the ball was tossed around. Maybe…maybe they just didn't really want him to play. 

Arasil threw the ball again, calling out 'duck' and grinning as Cúran quacked. Cúran in turn paused a moment to consider his choice, then prepared to toss the ball to Legolas.

"Eeee! Eeee! Eeee!"

 Rossion clenched his teeth a little at the shrieking noise, giving a brief smile to the worried looking mother he had been speaking to. He then turned to where the children were playing, calling, "No more bats!"

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Thranduil stepped out of the Great Hall during a recess, making his way to a window where he might be able to see the training greens. His younger son would be out there by now, and it would be nice to catch a small glimpse of him.

The king caught himself smiling as he found his wife already standing at the chosen window. He slipped up behind her, taking her into an embrace and catching the fingers playing with her necklace within his own.

"It's so quiet here," Thilómë murmured, rocking slightly in her husband's arms. She continued to stare out the window to where her little one was now sitting cross-legged on the grass with a semicircle of Elflings surrounding their teacher, "It will be quiet almost every day at this time."

Thranduil looked from the group on the green to the regretful look on his wife's face, and pulled her a little closer against his chest, so that he did not have to lean to meet her ear, "Is that necessarily a bad thing?"

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Why did they have to sit like this? Legolas glanced around the semicircle of his peers, forcing himself to keep his hands folded in his lap. They were not in Ada's court---they were not indoors at all! Master Rossion had shown them each a spot to sit, and then firmly stated that they were to sit cross-legged with their hands in their laps.

Rossion looked around his little group, trying not to smile at the bending of the rules. Each Elfling was sitting as specified, but some were rocking or swaying, and one had scrunched almost into a ball: though his fingers stayed neatly laced together. Legolas rubbed at his nose with hands still clasped, and Rossion allowed himself a slight grin. He wasn't too sure how that one would fare, or how much extra attention he would require, but today would be an easy day for him.

"When you are here, there are some things that I would like you to remember," he started.

Some rules, Legolas decided. Everyone seemed to have rules. Do not run indoors. Always say please and thank-you. Use your spoon and fork. Do not interrupt. Sit quietly in Ada's court. Sit quietly at the table when there are guests. Sit quietly with your legs crossed and your hands in your lap and your ears wide open at the beginning of training each day!

Each day? They weren't going to spend every day like this, were they?

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Legolas circled around another tree, following a clearly irritated Arasil. They had listened to Master Rossion talk, and then stretched and ran, and now they were playing Follow-the-Leader. It was all right to be walking in circles around trees and hopping over sticks, but he wished his turn to lead would come soon, or perhaps Arasil's. Arasil would think of something fun to do.

Arasil, in fact, was thinking of several fun things to do…things that were not getting done with Cúran as the leader. He dropped to his hands and knees now, grumbling and crawling in the grass. Usually with Cúran leading, the game could be called "Follow-the-Squirrel", but today it seemed much more like "Follow-the-Turtle".

Cúran glanced behind him, making sure that everyone was still keeping up---particularly making sure that Legolas was keeping up. He did not want the other Elfling to get tired or hurt, and was happy to see that things were still going well.

Rossion watched for awhile, surprised at the change in Cúran's playing of the game. He had chosen his neighbor's son expecting an interesting little journey including several hops and runs and surprises, and was oddly rewarded with lolling around trees and skipping. Perhaps it was time to change leaders.

Not Arasil! Cúran switched places worriedly as Arasil popped up in front, immediately starting to hop on one foot, and then dropping to do a somersault. Arasil wouldn't be careful! Poor Legolas would get left behind!

Legolas turned his somersault, then spun around and jumped onto and off of a tree stump. This was much better!

Arasil led his troop into the little groove of trees, alternating between hopping on one foot, walking backwards, and skipping as he searched for the next thing to do. "Oh!" he gasped, tripping over a tree root unseen in his backwards travels, and landing firmly on his backside. He took the extended hand of the Elfling who had been following him, springing to his feet, "Thank you!"

The "oh!" and "thank-you!" were repeated cheerily as each child in his turn pretended to trip and fall and get up again. By the time Legolas copied the fall, the entire line was in giggles, and he laughed with the rest, waiting for Cúran to offer a hand as the game dictated. Instead he found himself pulled to his feet.

"Thank you," Legolas grated, giving Cúran an annoyed glare. He did not need to be hauled up like a toppled baby.

He was only trying to help. Cúran went through the actions of the pretend trip, wondering what was so horrible about that.

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Aldandil walked down a corridor, a bundle of letters in his hands. How many of these wretched things would have to be answered? It wouldn't be so awful if letters from Imladris and the Havens didn't come together in big stacks every month or so. The young Elf riffled through the pile, separating out the few that were not meant for his father. There were a few to his mother, and one or two specifically addressed to him, and some for members of the household. Those he would pass on to Galion to be handed out, except for a few which Legolas might like to deliver to people that he knew well.

Aha, here was one for Nimaron! Legolas would enjoy taking that one. Aldandil turned the folded letter over, noting the smoothness of the paper and delicate little flowers drawn across the folded edge and around the pale purple wax seal. Who was this from? Nimaron didn't have a lady waiting for him at home, did he?

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Snacks! Arasil hopped out of the glade, making a beeline for the lady who had just arrived with a large basket and a pitcher of what looked like apple juice. A snack would taste very good after such a long journey.

Rossion smiled at the sight of his wife arriving with the picnic she had promised. She was a little early, but soon enough his students' parents would begin to arrive to take them home to their own lunches.

Eirien managed a wave for her husband, attempting to keep their picnic blanket under her arm. She then dropped the blanket inside the ribbon-ed off area, delightedly surprised when a little line of Rossion's students came and unfolded it, smoothing out the wrinkles. My, but he taught them quite a bit already!

Snack, snack, snack! Arasil patted out another wrinkle, wondering what the lady had brought. Fresh strawberries would taste good, or soft biscuits. Mmm!

Legolas settled himself on the blanket, folding his hands in his lap again. Nobody had said anything about snacks! What a nice surprise!

Oh, dear. Rossion watched as his small group arranged the blanket, then kneeled or sat down on it. Apparently they assumed that his picnic was for them. He walked over to sort things out, noticing that Eirien looked fairly confused now.

"Hello, Eirien!" Cúran waved up at his mother's friend, knowing that some of Eirien's tasty nut bread was probably in the basket.  

"May I please have some juice?" Arasil looked up expectantly at the lady still standing on the other side of the ribbons. He was getting thirsty, and was rather anxious for his glass of juice.

Eirien looked to her pitcher and basket, and then to the children on the picnic blanket, and finally to her husband, who was looking down at his group.

"Thank you for helping to spread out our blanket," Rossion said pleasantly enough, "Eirien and I had planned to have a picnic together while all of you were eating your lunches at home." Here he noticed several disappointed looks, and a few very embarrassed ones as well.

Oh, no! Arasil put his head into his hands. He had just asked for a glass of his teacher's juice! Why had he ever led everyone here?

"But," Rossion glanced to his wife, "Perhaps if you ask her very nicely, Eirien will check and see if there is enough to share."

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Thilómë made her way back to the green, her fingers twisted between her husband's. Thranduil had suggested that they get Legolas together today, and then take lunch out-of-doors in one of the gardens. It was a beautiful day for that, and for this walk through the trees to the training grounds.

As they approached the little green, Thranduil was surprised to see a very happy little group sitting on a yellow picnic blanket passing around wooden cups and plates of nut bread slathered with butter. He watched as his son popped up, heading towards a tree stump and followed rather frantically by a pale-haired Elfling. That wasn't Arasil, was it? No…Arasil was the dark-haired one rolling back and forth in the grass, then springing up to canter around the blanket. Thranduil was well aware that Eldor raised horses, but he hadn't realized that the Elf had raised his son to act like one.

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"I can get it myself," Legolas set his cup down on the tree stump where Eirien had left the pitcher of juice.

"I'll pour it for you," Cúran took the pitcher in his hands. It was still half full, and would probably be too heavy for Legolas to lift.

Legolas moved to take the pitcher himself, "I can do it." Why did Cúran have to help with everything? If he could pour himself a glass of juice at home, then he could pour himself a glass of juice here.

"I'm pouring it for you. It's too heavy," Cúran tipped the pitcher towards Legolas' cup.

"No, it isn't," Legolas responded, getting frustrated and grabbing his cup away before Cúran could actually start pouring. He tried to stay calm, "I can do it."

"What is the matter here?" Thranduil looked down at the two, standing on his side of the ribbons. He had expected to meet a rather gleeful Elfling by the look of things, but instead found his son in an apparent argument already.

"Ada, he won't let me pour!" Legolas held up his cup, looking at Cúran, who had quickly set the pitcher down.

"I will pour it," Thranduil reached over the low ribbons, easily pouring his son a half-cup of juice. He looked from his irritated child to the somewhat distressed Elfling nearby. Fighting over a pitcher, of all things, "It is only some juice, nothing to quarrel over. I should expect some sort of apology for such silly behavior."

It was not just some juice. Legolas was not sure exactly what it was, but it was more than juice.

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"Did you like it?" Aldandil sliced a hot roll, slathering melting butter across the spongy bread inside.

"Yes," Legolas nodded, picking up a slice of cucumber from his plate. It had been a good time, apart from Cúran's helping and having to apologize for getting upset over the juice. He had already told Ada and Nana the good things that had happened on the way home, and now he answered Aldan's questions too, and enjoyed getting to hear about his brother's first day of training.

"Did anyone help you too much?" Legolas walked with Aldandil after the meal, heading indoors.

Aldandil raised an eyebrow, surprised at the question. He let himself grin widely, "Yes, my friends helped me into entirely too much trouble."

Legolas smiled at the joke, then waited for Aldan to start listening intently again, "But did they try to help you a lot?"

"I thought you liked having help," Aldandil picked his brother up, "See? I'm carrying you now, and you don't mind that. You don't seem to mind having someone wake you up in the morning, although it's something of a bother for me sometimes. You have help with lots of things."

"But not everything," Legolas responded, but didn't mention anything else. Not with things that he could and wanted to do himself.

"Well," Aldandil started down a hallway, pausing to pick up the stack of letters that he had left on a table, "You'll have to let them know that you don't need help then." He met his little brother's forehead with his own, smiling, "But then, sometimes you will need help, and sometimes someone else will need it. I need some right now."

"With what?" Legolas leaned back.

Aldandil waved a few letters, "Here are some letters for an Elfling to deliver. There are some for Caladir, and one for Vanima, and one for Nimaron." He handed the letters to Legolas and set him down, "Nimaron's looks as though it's from a very interesting person. You'll have to find out who it is."

"All right," Legolas peered down at the little pile. It would be fun to deliver some letters, "Why do you want to know who Nim's is from?"

"So that I can ask him about the interesting writer," Aldandil answered, then watched his brother scamper off to take the letters to their recipients. So that he could ask the healer about the writer…or give him a very hard time.

~*Responses to Reviewers*~

*Nilmandra: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter…I think that parts with Legolas are usually the most fun to write, though Aldandil is the easiest.

As for Rossion helping Legolas with the class, I think he'll try…though with Cúran around, as little Legolas can attest, there might be a bit too much "help".

The sword-dance was especially fun to write!

*SperryDee and Charlie: Yes, Legolas is doing great! His ada and nana are very proud of him, and just plain happy too. I'm glad to hear that horseback riding camp went so well for you.

*Dragon-of-the-north: Hey there! I always love reading your reviews, and responding to them. Thank you again for another wonderful (and long, long, long!) review!

I think SML Day is a lot like graduation for the warriors finished with their training…and a bit like a "kindergarten rodeo" for the little ones. You are right, for Legolas this is a very big deal, partially because he gets to join his peers in something.

I know that I don't include Galion much, but I'm glad you like the snippets of him! He's busy delivering letters right now. : )

I'm very glad that you like Nimaron too…he will not be disappearing anytime soon, for Aldandil must have someone to tease, and though Legolas has come a long way, he isn't quite out of the woods yet. Besides, I'm rather attached to him myself…

Ah, Nimaron has his own past, and he has indeed handled a sword. Perhaps someday I can work in something about his little (ha!) journey into healing. Nimaron would be happy to accept any sympathetic hugs...he is usually the one stuck dishing them out. : )

No, Legolas doesn't need to consider the tough side of being a warrior yet…the fun side is tricky enough as it is!

I'm glad to hear that you liked the SML ceremonies…the sword-dance is one of my own favorite parts. I don't think many "Maidens of Mirkwood" would be the sort to sit inside all day, though I still see them as fairly lady-like…I'm sure several of them own very pretty jeweled hunting knives that often double as dainty letter openers. *smirk*  I'm glad you liked the bit with Aldandil's own SML experiences…and I'm not sure if he's involved with any ladies right now, though he has enjoyed wondering about Nimaron's romantic life in this chapter.

I'm glad you liked Thilómë and Thranduil's viewpoints again!

Yes, Legolas does like sweets…I think that's partially Nimaron's fault.

As I told you before, the butterfly scene was an accident! *shrugs and smiles* It seems to have gone over all right though!

Thank you again for the wonderful review and for the one on the little Éowyn story too. I have a little Éowyn winter story also, and am debating whether or not to wait until cold weather to put it up. : )

*daw the minstrel: Legolas' view is my favorite part too…all that excitement bubbling up and spilling over. Thank you also for the review on the little Éowyn story!

*waseom: You just keep up this good reviewing, and I will plaster your forehead in "Good Reviewer" stickers if you want them! *g*

Yes, Nim's ada did die, and he is rather mysterious, I suppose. Someday I might have to share a little of his past…we'll see what kind of demand there is.

Rossion did consider "rejecting" Legolas for a split-second, but that would be no good, would it? "Master R" isn't such a bad teacher...he'll figure out how to handle things.

Thranduil has figured out several sneaky ways to help his son…he's a pretty smart Elf.

I love apple slices in caramel dip…so caramel apples it was. Though now I'm hungry for chocolate chip cookies…

*None: Don't ever feel like you have to apologize for disagreeing with something in this fic! Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and interpretations. : ) However, I'm very interested in any quotes you have on the female Elves and weapons training.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the chapter---Little Legolas seems to rate fairly high in the "adorable and cute" category. I'm glad that you liked seeing Thranduil commit Legolas over to Rossion. : )

BTW: There is no such thing as writing too much! No such thing!

*purplesmackers: Ah…I'm very glad that I was finally able to upload too, and that I've finally gotten this chapter up too. *smirk*

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed so many parts of the chapter. I like the race part too: there are a lot of things that we can see in it that we don't see otherwise, particularly Legolas' still present "weakness" but his desire to participate and have fun anyway.

I enjoy all your observations on Thranduil too: he is a very proud and dedicated dad, I think, though he doesn't let Legolas get away with everything. : )

*Lutris: I'm glad to hear that the details made you feel that you were there. Readers are always welcome to imagine themselves into the story. : )

And you want more Nim? We didn't see him exactly in this chapter, but Aldandil did have fun examining that pretty letter. : )

*Nikki: Believe it or not, I had planned to cut the butterfly bit. I'm glad to hear that you liked it! Thank you for the comment on waiting for chapters…I believe I needed it. : )

*Dot: On the details of SML: My parents have always encouraged my sisters and I to develop our imaginations, and mine is perhaps a little overactive…I always hope that readers see the same things that I have, and details are the best way to attempt that. : )

Yes, Nim was stuck with some tough questions at the moment, and yes, his father was killed at Dagorlad. Legolas is focused on the fun things about being a warrior…why ever wouldn't Nim want to run around and shoot a bow? : )

Legolas' parents are very proud of him…every little success is special.

*Dragon: The details are fun to write, and Legolas has decided that relays are worth the effort. I will attempt to "Write! Write!" and get my chapters up a little faster!

*Iluvien: Glad you liked the details…I wasn't sure how they'd go over. : )

Yes, Legolas fidgeted, but he hasn't messed anything up yet. Main word being yet.

Aldandil usually sees the upside of things: he was very amused at his excited father.

You want to know about the maiden who loosed Aldandil's braids? Perhaps Aldan will have to tell Legolas about that little experience someday. He is just very lucky that she had no desire to cut the braids off.

*Silmarien: A short review is better than no review! Thank you for adding this to your list. : )

Legolas is settling into training, and is getting along fairly well with the other Elflings so far (though Cúran got him a little irritated). I'm glad to hear that you're so proud of him.

I don't think it's wrong to get attached to a story a bit…as for feeling like Thilómë,  I believe several of us are in the same boat. I've been having a hard time switching from cuddly little scenes with Nana to times running around with other Elflings. *g*

Thranduil and Thilómë are proud of their sons…I think Elves, even the ones with lots to do, would try extra hard to get time with their children, since children are so precious to their people.

I'm so happy that you liked the sword-dance and Elf-maidens! I suppose I see the "Maidens of Mirkwood" as ladies…but fairly dangerous ladies. I doubt they'd go to war or formally train with weapons, but I can definitely see them practicing with their parents and hunting once in awhile. As for the sword-dance, I would much prefer to be the maiden than the warrior: I wouldn't want anyone swinging a sword so close to my head…perhaps this is something of an endurance or trust test for those young guys!

*~C~: Hi there! Thank you for your comments---I probably don't deserve them all, but I'm very happy to get them!

I'm glad that you like seeing Thranduil as a devoted, loving father. When I write, I picture him being more stern (and impatient) when dealing with his court, advisors, and visitors, but different around his own family…especially when considering that he almost lost Legolas.

I'm happy, too, that you like the way that Legolas is portrayed…little Elflings are a lot of fun to write. : )

*Zoya: Hey! Glad to have you back! I've been updating slowly, so don't worry. Hope your exams went well, and that you've enjoyed the chapters. : )

*Lindsay: Hey there! I'm sorry to hear that your first review didn't stick…ff.net can be a real pain sometimes. Thanks so much for re-writing it!

I'm glad you liked the SML details, as well as Nimaron's part in the chapter. LOL to him being a nag!

*grins* Yes, Aldandil provides a lot of lighter moments, though they don't all get written down. Glad you liked his comment, as well as his experience with that Elf-maiden. : ) I enjoy writing the moments shared by the brothers…I see Aldandil being an encourager for his little brother, but someone who likes to have an honest good time as well…hence the occasional jokes and efforts to get Legolas into trees, ponds, and trouble. Thanks for your comments on the last scene!

We'll see about Master Rossion…I'm still working out the details on him in my little mind, though he was in this chapter.

And yes! I definitely think that most of those Elf ladies could handle a weapon , though they might only use it in self-defense or hunting (or annoying Aldandil…).

*Anyone else: Hello! I hope you've been enjoying yourselves---drop me a line if you get a chance! I always love to hear what everyone thinks.

If anyone is interested, I've also done a little Éowyn story: one flick fic.

Thank you again for reading!

--A