Lifting the Gray Veil

Summary: A tale of events during Legolas' childhood. An army invades Mirkwood and as Gandalf and Thranduil prepare to fight, young Legolas faces a test of fate when tragedy threatens his very life.

Tux, you're the best beta and friend in the world.

Thank you for taking time to read my brand new story! Please take a moment to review.

Chapter One

For a small child in the royal court, a great many things in the day could be exceedingly boring.  Parades of delegates and officials would often pass by and a young prince could never remember their names or their business with his father.  All that mattered to Legolas was that they kept him from playing outside.

The King, Thranduil, could not help but notice his son's waning attention to the matters at hand, but given his young age those in the great hall understood his distraction.  The walls of stone were very stifling for a child especially one only of 15 years in the terms of elves.  To the men visiting, he looked as a child of 6 as he fidgeted in his much too large seat.        

It was on this day that a very important visitor was going to be entering the halls and for this special occasion, Legolas had to wear his good clothes and even the annoying silver circlet on his head.  How he hated wearing this, on top of it all, before he could even put his finery on he had to endure a bath.

So here the elfling sat, already in a foul temper from all the fuss and bother taken to get him to this point.

It was at that moment that everything would change for Legolas.

"My King," the guard announced, "Mithrandir arrives."

Through the gates came walking a figure unlike anything the small one had ever seen.  He wore a hat taller than any elf, robes that billowed all about him and a walking stick that looked like a small tree.

Thranduil rose to greet his old friend, "It is such a pleasure to see you here in my halls. To what do we own this visit?"

"Tiding I lament bringing to you, but must be said. Things that should be exchanged in more private places than your great hall." There was a deeper meaning here and Mithrandir had a great talent of getting powerful emotions across without speaking a word. The elf king nodded and prepared to depart for his chambers with his friend when he remembered who it was that staring at the pair with wide eyes.

"Mithrandir," Thranduil said, "I believe it has been so long since your last visit you have not met my son, Legolas."

The Istari turned to greet the small elf. Gandalf could not help but smile for it had been a great while since he had encountered an elfling of such a young age.  He always thought that elves were at their best at Legolas' age.

"I am very happy to meet you, Legolas." Mithrandir said, extending a hand to touch the young one's shoulder.

Legolas remembered the manners his father had taught him and bowed his head in response.

"Are you really a wizard?" Legolas asked in a quiet voice.

Thranduil and Gandalf laughed at the innocent question, "I am. Perhaps later you could show me around the gardens. I've heard they are quite a lovely sanctuary in which to seek refuge."

With a nod of his head an agreement was reached.

The pair left the child alone and Legolas knew he was now freed of his duties in the hall once his father rose and left. Leaping from the platform where he and his father sat, Legolas ran up to the doorway and out to his room. The sooner he got to his room, the sooner all the annoying things could come off his body!

Sprinting through the door of his room, a trail quickly formed consisting of a tunic, leggings, dress shoes and finally a silver headpiece that was of great value.  To a child though, it was just another trinket he couldn't get rid of fast enough. One minute later out flew Legolas in much more comfortable clothing of brown leggings and a light green tunic. These clothes showed a great deal of wear and would soon be too big for the growing child, but for now they were the clothes of choice.

****

Some time later, a father and a wizard stepped into the mess of the Prince's chambers.

"Every time he gets out of court, I can expect this in his room. No matter how many times I tell him to pick up he cannot stop in his excitement to be somewhere else." Thranduil sighed and picked up the child sized clothes.

Mithrandir laughed deeply, "It is quite a sight to see the Mirkwood King picking up after another. Such a mighty ruler forced to bend down to a child's will."

After having picked up the headpiece, Thranduil couldn't help but join in, "It is true." A look of sad recollection swept across his face, "I thought when my queen died in childbirth that I could not love again, but then I first saw Legolas. Never have a loved another as I do him. Whenever the darkness grows near, or others come bearing bad tidings," The King looked with intent towards his companion, "I simply play with my son or dine with him. That makes it all worthwhile."

"Then let me go and see if I can find this youngling and, if I remember another royal elf when he was a child, our little prince will be up the nearest tree."

****

While the King returned to his court, Gandalf was left to find the little target of his interest. Indeed, his guess was correct and he saw Legolas in a larger tree and he appeared to be watching something.

"Little One," The Istari called, "what is it you watch with such interest?" It must be something wonderful to keep a small child's interest as firmly as Legolas' was held.

Legolas came down from the tree so quickly, Mithrandir almost thought he was falling, but instead the child gracefully landed on the ground in front of him.

"Look! Look!" Legolas spoke, "A nest of baby birds are hatching." The prince pointed into another tree, "Do you see them?"

Not having the vision of an elf, even an elf child, Gandalf could only barely make out the nest.

"You are very observant, young Greenleaf."

Together, they continued down the paths of the gardens. Legolas would point out everything of interest and Gandalf told stories to the child about great animals and plants that existed outside of Legolas' small world.

Thus began the strong friendship between a great wizard and an elf of Mirkwood's royalty.

A friendship that would last for more than an age and be tested all too soon.