Chapter 2 - To Catch a Spider
Prince Legolas Greenleaf was walking rapidly down a pathway lined with stately beech-trees, the silvery bark glimmering in the early morning sun. The baby spider squirmed in his hands, hissing and making high squeaking noises. In between the squirms and the squeaks it bit relentlessly at the Elf's hands and slim fingers.
"You are really going to have to stop this, Bastryn," he said looking at his new pet with annoyance. "Ouch! Bastryn! Try to be a good spider!" Suddenly he laughed merrily. "A 'good' spider! That would indeed be something to see. Ow!"
The Elves that noticed the prince hurrying down the path tended to stare at him, first in amazement, and then shake their heads in amusement. The king would not be pleased when he found out about the leggy bundle of fur the prince carried so happily. They had no doubt where he was headed: Car an Neled {House for Three}.
Legolas and his two best friends had built the tree house when they were slightly younger, in a towering beech, far up in the wide leafy branches. It didn't matter that the walls, now faded to a nice weathered grey, were slightly crooked or that some of their leaf shaped roof shingles, painted in autumn colors, were allowing small leaks in when it rained. To the three it was their home away from home, the place they could go to plan their many escapades or figure out how to get out of trouble once they were in it. It was also an excellent place to hide a baby spider.
Several days before Tavor, Brethil, and Legolas had had finally hunted down a baby spider, thinking that it would be easier to tame than an older one. They had managed to get one away from its many siblings, and carry it back struggling in a sack to Gladaran Thamas, the Wood Elf King's Hall. They had brought it as stealthily as possible to their tree house, clambered inside, and opened the sack.
Tavor, who had been standing in front of it when Legolas loosed the ties, bent forward, ready to reach into the tightly woven bag and take the spider out, a smug look on his youthful face. He was the one least often bitten and therefore chosen for this task. All three hoped to be made Warriors of Mirkwood soon,so if he were a Warrior he would be able to handle anything a baby spider would do. But the baby spider had other ideas. Warrior-to-be or no, whoever was out there was going to pay! As soon as the sack was opened it leapt out, landing on the Elf's face. It bit him on the nose, causing Tavor to shriek in pain and shock.
"Grab it, Legolas!" Brethil gasped as it scrambled onto the top of Tavor's head and then to the floor where it scuttled toward one corner, hissing its indignation.
Legolas stood hastily, dropping the bag, which he promptly slipped on, knocking Tavor down in the process. While they sprawled on the floor in a tangle of limbs, Brethil sprinted after the spider, bent over at an angle as he tried to catch it. The small arachnid leapt from the floor to the wall to Legolas' back and to the floor once more.
"Wicked! Wicked!" It squeaked in outrage.
"Get it, Brethil!" Mirkwood's prince said, pushing to his feet.
"I am trying to! It won't hold still!"
"Of course it won't hold still! It is a spider!" Tavor sat up near the hole that served as the 'formal entrance' of the tree house. He was holding his nose, wondering if he would be disfigured for life. "I don't believe it! Why me?"
Truly enraged now that TWO of the Elves were trying to recapture it, the spider scrambled up the wall and turned to stare at them, front legs waving menacingly.
Brethil and Legolas stood, panting slightly after such exertion in a confined space.
"On three," Legolas said quietly. "One - two - three!"
They both darted toward the spider, hands outstretched. The young web spinner shrieked quite loudly and leapt over them, shooting sticky thread on their upturned faces. It landed on Tavor once more pausing long enough to clamp down on one pointy ear tip, and then disappeared down the 'formal entrance'.
"After it!" The prince ordered, wiping at the webs in disgust. He moved past a moaning Tavor who was certain that no female Elf would ever look upon him with favor, now that he was so horribly disfigured.
I might as well just die," he pouted with one hand over his nose, the other cupping his wounded ear.
Brethil looked down sympathetically at him.
"You won't look too bad, Tavor," he said, laying a slim hand on his friend's shoulder. "Your nose was already a little bit crooked from the time Legolas accidentally whacked you with his bow. One hardly ever notices that any more. They will just be battle scars - your spider bites I mean, of course." He laughed, hearing Legolas slipping and sliding to the ground in his haste to catch the fleeing spider. "That makes you quite- er - dashing to the girls."
"Shut up, Brethil." Tavor growled, scooting the distance to the entrance on his rump. "Just - shut up!"
"I was only trying to be nice."
"I don't want you to be nice to me," Tavor said dropping through the hole in the floor to the nestling branches below. "If I want you to be nice to me I will tell you."
Brethil frowned then shrugged.
"So you want me to tell you that your nose will be red and swollen forever - a grotesque reminder of the fight you lost with a baby spider? That your ear is torn and will never heal properly? Is that what you want?"
"Shut up, Brethil!"
Brethil bit his lips to keep from smiling as Tavor dropped out of the hole and began a rapid descent.
When the two reached the ground they saw that Legolas was standing not far away, the Master Archer facing him, arms folded over his chest.
"Ah, yes, here they are now. And acting 'so' grown up," he said with a sarcastic grin.
Legolas grimaced and turned to watch his two friends approach rapidly.
"Oh, no! He will ask us what we have been doing," Brethil breathed, tugging on his long child's braid.
"Just to see if it matches what Legolas has already told him. I wonder what he said," Tavor muttered with a frown. For some reason they could never fool the Master Archer with all their trickery and tales.
Tanglinna waited until Tavor and Brethil had moved to flank their prince.
"My goodness, but you all look so - dirty already," the Master Archer commented, taking in the dusty clothing, the cobwebs clinging to hair and fingers. "Tavor what happened to you?"
The young Elf grabbed at his nose and his ear once more.
"Nothing, Master Tanglinna?"
"Hmmm. It looks like a lot of nothing to me. Now," he speared them each in turn with his eyes. "What have you been doing, young 'Warriors'?"
Tavor and Brethil both looked at Legolas who looked first at one and then at the other.
"I have already told you, Master Tanglinna -"
The Master Archer's hand darted out to cup the chin and push the mouth shut.
"Ah, no, Prince Legolas. You have already answered. I was asking your friends here."
Tavor's grey eyes widened as he desperately tried to think what it was Legolas would have told the tall Elf, who was watching them like a hawk. But Brethil answered first.
"We were doing whatever it is Legolas said we were doing, Master Tanglinna," he grinned and nodded, pleased with his cleverness.
But Tanglinna merely raised one silver brow.
"What did Legolas say you were doing?"
"Tell him Legolas," Brethil said with a glance at his friend. "Tell him what you said we were doing."
"Cleaningthetreehouse," Legolas said in a rapid voice running the words together in a rush before Tanglinna could grab his chin again.
Brethil blinked and stared at him.
"We were what? I truly did not understand what you said."
"Cleaning the tree house?" Tavor frowned. Then his eyes widened as Tanglinna turned to stare at him, one brow raised. "Yes! That is it exactly. We were cleaning the tree house! A very grown up thing to do actually, don't you think, Master Tanglinna?" He managed a smile for the Master Archer, though he had a strong urge to cower and run away as quickly as he could.
"Cleaning the tree house?" Brethil's brows knit. "We never clean the tree house, Legolas. Why did you say that?"
The prince of Mirkwood groaned, his shoulder's slumping.
Tanglinna said nothing, but he shook his head, trying to hide his own amusement. Then the Five Famous Words fell from his lips in a stern, yet patient voice:
"What have you done now?"
He had resisted the urge to add "Little Greenleaf" at the end of it, as he knew he would sound too much like the king, which would not be a good thing since he was certain that at any moment he would burst out laughing.
"Cleaning the tree house," Legolas repeated, emphasizing each word, with a pointed look at Brethil, who shook his head in confusion. Then suddenly the young Elf smiled.
"Oh! Yes! Yes, we were "cleaning" the tree house! Of course we were. How silly of me to say that we weren't. We have just never done it before, that is what confused me."
Tanglinna had sighed, knowing that the real answer to the question would reveal itself in time.
"I will find out," he said, in a low menacing voice. "I always do." Thus he left them, and Legolas had not seen him until today. The Master Archer had nearly found out once again. Surely he hadn't seen the spider - of course he had seen the spider!
"Brethil! Tavor!" Legolas called up into the tree house.
Two blonde heads popped out of the window. Tavor's eyes widened and he disappeared back inside.
"You caught it!" Brethil exclaimed happily. "Good for you! Where was it? Still in the garden?"
Tavor slid to the ground, bearing a medium sized cage they had constructed of branches. He opened the door and Legolas pushed the struggling spider inside. The two smiled at one another in satisfaction.
"So it was in the garden?" Tavor asked as they climbed up the tree branches and pulled themselves into the tree house.
"Yes, though Father and 'Master' Tanglinna, not to mention my brothers and Galion, have seen it. I told father I would get rid of it." He grimaced as he remembered what else he had said. "I also said I would decide what to send Lord Elrond for his birthday this year too. Why did I say that?!"
"That was brilliant, Legolas," Tavor snorted, peering into the cage at the baby spider who was hissing and spitting angrily at him. He made certain that the cage was kept as far away from his face as possible.
"That was!" Brethil said with a smile. "Very nice of you too! You are such a good son."
Legolas stared at him in disbelief and shook his head.
"Do you have any suggestions what should be sent to Imladris?" He asked them, with little hope in his voice.
"The Dorwinion vintage?" Tavor suggested, moving away from the cage to sit on the floor, leaning his head back against the wall. He smirked, knowing the answer to that one already as it was the same answer as last year; and the year before - and the year before.
Legolas stuck his tongue out at his friend and dropped to the floor as well.
"As you well know, that has already been ruled out."
"What about some of your father's jewels. He has entirely too many of them! He might not even miss it if you picked something at the back of the Gem Room." Brethil said, poking one long finger into the cage only to have the spider bite it. He snatched his hand back, putting his abused digit in his mouth.
"NO!" Both Legolas and Tavor stated firmly. Then they glanced at one another and burst out laughing.
"What? It was only a thought."
"Well I need better thoughts than Dorwinion wine and jewels. 'That' is never going to happen!" The young prince declared stretching out on the floor, hands under his chin, long legs spread out behind him, ankles crossed.
"How about this spider?" Tavor asked with a grin, looking at the small angry arachnid. "He'll really enjoy it!"
Legolas laughed merrily, imagining the look on Lord Elrond's face if he were to receive a spider as a birthday present.
"The twins might like it, but I don't think that their father would appreciate such an -er -well - wild and lively gift."
The spider seemed to know they were discussing it in their musical voices, so it hissed at them:
"Wicked! Wicked!"
It's long furry legs waved and it grabbed the bars of its small cage. It made such a pitiful mewing noise then, its small face looking dejected.
"Oh, it looks so sad!" Brethil moved to quickly for the others to stop him and he opened the cage.
The spider immediately leapt out.
"Brethil!" Legolas and Tavor yelped, starting to their feet. Tavor clapped his hands over his face and backed into a corner as Legolas stumbled about trying to recapture it.
It scuttled out of the tree house and vanished in the lower branches.
"Not again! Come on!" Legolas sped after it, slipping down the branches and jumping to the ground.
"Why did you do that, Brethil?" Tavor asked in a severe tone.
"It looked so sad and -"
"And nothing! Come on. Let's try and catch it - again!"
They hit the ground running and caught up with Legolas who was frowning and glancing about him.
"Lost it already?" Tavor asked, skidding to a halt beside him.
"Yes, it must have ducked into some bushes somewhere."
Tavor shook his head.
"Here we go again," he muttered.
"I guess we won't be sending it to Imladris after all," Brethil said with a sigh of disappointment.
Legolas shrugged and smiled, raising his chin importantly.
"Don't worry. I will come up with something. I always do."
Tavor snorted, wrapping an arm about his friend's shoulders.
"But something always goes amiss, Legolas."
Legolas shrugged off his arm and turned to face him, chin up, one eyebrow raised.
"It can't be that hard to think of something to send. I will send him a birthday present he won't soon forget."
Author's Note - Bastryn means "bread chaser" A bigger thanks to al my beta reader! My goodness! What happened to all my commas? You made me axe them! ;)
Response to reviewers
HobbitsRFun - Thanks so much! My daughter loves your story "Why doesn't he like me"! (
gershwin - I will send you a red hanky. A lot of people needed them after that one! I hope this one will brighten your day, and help you to forgive me for my wickedness!
JastaElf - Yes it is THAT ONE (c. JastaElf)! Finally! I am glad that you like my solution. It should be 'fun' for all! A red hanky box sounds good! ;)
Bronwyn - I can't wait to begin the second half of this story - when the gifts- arrive at Imladris. It will be interesting when Thranduil does know! (wicked grin)
Anonymous - This one is set several years prior to "In the Hall". They are not Warriors yet, but look to the day when they will be. I know all about kids mimicking what their parents are going to say. I am a parent after all, and have caught myself saying things that I have said before. My daughter and my son both "mimick" me! Poor Aralith (c. TH) indeed. Can you imagine living in Mirkwood and being afraid of spiders??!! G
Raider314 - I like the baby spider myself! Thanks!
Irena - That is the $1,000,000 question. What could possibly go wrong!! G
shirebound - Those 5 words are priceless. I hope you enjoy my chronicles of young Elfhood. It was a hoot to be there! ;)
littlesaiyangirl - I will write as quickly as I can!
Dr. Kat - I am glad you have such confidence in me!
t- I guess that Thranduil hasn't heard of Murphy's Law. But really! He should know better!
sarridy - Mirkwood spiders don't make much of an appearance except in the Hobbit. It will be interesting to see what Legolas can think of! ;)
arabella thorne - I am glad you are enjoying this. I suspect those spiders will eat just about anything they can get their furry "paws"?? on. G
annakas - Thranduil will definitely be balrogged - or a Balrog! G
al - I am glad you like the "little troublemaker" because that is definitely what he is going to be in this tale. It is too much fun!
Elhwesta - First thank you for complimenting my writing! In Elvish no less! G I am glad you like my portrayal of the younger Legolas. He is much fun this way. ~^
Shini-hime - Yes, it is the long awaited tale at last! I will try to tell it in the best way possible!
Lk - Elrond torture ahead, never fear! ;)
Seaweed - I hate busy days myself. But we manage, don't we! Words of Wisdom: Beware Elrond (c. Seaweed)!
Lady M - You know I can't promise to write something and not follow through with it. Hope you enjoy it!
Hildestohl - Yes, Legolas is younger. This happened many, many years before "In the Hall". Ah, so you think you know something! But you don't know everything! ;)
Andromache Cassandra - Thranduil should know better, as he has children. As I also have children, I know the absolute absurdity of that statement! Hence the fun! (
ccg - Ah, yes. Another person that knows where this is going - but that is only part of the story!!
Anita - I thought my summary sounded pretty good. Better than my other ones anyway! It should be a fun ride!
Soledad - I am glad you are enjoying my "Mirkwood" stories. I am enjoying writing them quite a bit. (
LOTR lover - You are right! Thranduil should know better, but if he did this wouldn't be half the fun it is! ;)
Lauren - It makes me happy that you have a big dopey grin on your face. I love when you laugh too!
calenedhel - yes, I am really writing it as promised! I agree with you: it is easier to think of a cat sized spider rather than a small one that can creep up unannounced! I think Morn Nen water would solve your friend's problem nicely! ;)
Lakergurl13 - Need some Vandal Root tea already?? This one has just started! No, this spider is another one entirely!
Nancing Elf - My house is TOO full of plot bunnies and they are all nibbling at my ankles demanding attention! I am glad you liked that "musical" chapter! G Legolas is always cute! You have to love him! ;) Ah, so you know what he will pick??!! Haha Of course you do - but only part of it!
Nadra - One never knows what might happen in the course of this fic! I am glad you think they are semi-serious! I do wonder myself. You will never get the Elf! Never never! We have found the perfect place to hide him! One you will never find! (glances at ME map on the wall) Well, we will find the perfect place!
Karina - I hope this will be fun. No, it isn't Gwibess. This is a new spider and a baby one so it has to be cute, since all young things are! Even spiders!
The Sadistic Cow - Interesting! Good word! I hope it will be. We parents are predictable, are we? Hmm. I shall have to remember that the next time I have to deal with my children!
Noone - No, unfortunately I do not seem to be able to run out of ideas! So expect the TreeHugger Tales to keep on coming for a while!
Princess of sMirkwood - Mrs ArWe - Legolas is rather young in this one, even more so than "In the Hall". He is fun when he is young and silly. In the LOTR he was lighthearted, and was laughing and singing. Unfortunately we haven't seen that in the movie, but we can't have everything. So I have latched onto that aspect of his personality and made him even more so when he was young!
Katharine the Great - I am glad you like my portrayal of Legolas and Thranduil. When you have children you will see that they do know what you are going to say before you do it. I have seen my own 'mouthing' what I am saying. It is an eye opener to say the least! Thank you for the Ten Frick Salute! That is the first one I have ever gotten! I am so honored!! LOL I am waiting patiently for the next installment of the "Weeping Wraith". I know that sometimes other stories need to be told too! Only too well! ;)
Prince Legolas Greenleaf was walking rapidly down a pathway lined with stately beech-trees, the silvery bark glimmering in the early morning sun. The baby spider squirmed in his hands, hissing and making high squeaking noises. In between the squirms and the squeaks it bit relentlessly at the Elf's hands and slim fingers.
"You are really going to have to stop this, Bastryn," he said looking at his new pet with annoyance. "Ouch! Bastryn! Try to be a good spider!" Suddenly he laughed merrily. "A 'good' spider! That would indeed be something to see. Ow!"
The Elves that noticed the prince hurrying down the path tended to stare at him, first in amazement, and then shake their heads in amusement. The king would not be pleased when he found out about the leggy bundle of fur the prince carried so happily. They had no doubt where he was headed: Car an Neled {House for Three}.
Legolas and his two best friends had built the tree house when they were slightly younger, in a towering beech, far up in the wide leafy branches. It didn't matter that the walls, now faded to a nice weathered grey, were slightly crooked or that some of their leaf shaped roof shingles, painted in autumn colors, were allowing small leaks in when it rained. To the three it was their home away from home, the place they could go to plan their many escapades or figure out how to get out of trouble once they were in it. It was also an excellent place to hide a baby spider.
Several days before Tavor, Brethil, and Legolas had had finally hunted down a baby spider, thinking that it would be easier to tame than an older one. They had managed to get one away from its many siblings, and carry it back struggling in a sack to Gladaran Thamas, the Wood Elf King's Hall. They had brought it as stealthily as possible to their tree house, clambered inside, and opened the sack.
Tavor, who had been standing in front of it when Legolas loosed the ties, bent forward, ready to reach into the tightly woven bag and take the spider out, a smug look on his youthful face. He was the one least often bitten and therefore chosen for this task. All three hoped to be made Warriors of Mirkwood soon,so if he were a Warrior he would be able to handle anything a baby spider would do. But the baby spider had other ideas. Warrior-to-be or no, whoever was out there was going to pay! As soon as the sack was opened it leapt out, landing on the Elf's face. It bit him on the nose, causing Tavor to shriek in pain and shock.
"Grab it, Legolas!" Brethil gasped as it scrambled onto the top of Tavor's head and then to the floor where it scuttled toward one corner, hissing its indignation.
Legolas stood hastily, dropping the bag, which he promptly slipped on, knocking Tavor down in the process. While they sprawled on the floor in a tangle of limbs, Brethil sprinted after the spider, bent over at an angle as he tried to catch it. The small arachnid leapt from the floor to the wall to Legolas' back and to the floor once more.
"Wicked! Wicked!" It squeaked in outrage.
"Get it, Brethil!" Mirkwood's prince said, pushing to his feet.
"I am trying to! It won't hold still!"
"Of course it won't hold still! It is a spider!" Tavor sat up near the hole that served as the 'formal entrance' of the tree house. He was holding his nose, wondering if he would be disfigured for life. "I don't believe it! Why me?"
Truly enraged now that TWO of the Elves were trying to recapture it, the spider scrambled up the wall and turned to stare at them, front legs waving menacingly.
Brethil and Legolas stood, panting slightly after such exertion in a confined space.
"On three," Legolas said quietly. "One - two - three!"
They both darted toward the spider, hands outstretched. The young web spinner shrieked quite loudly and leapt over them, shooting sticky thread on their upturned faces. It landed on Tavor once more pausing long enough to clamp down on one pointy ear tip, and then disappeared down the 'formal entrance'.
"After it!" The prince ordered, wiping at the webs in disgust. He moved past a moaning Tavor who was certain that no female Elf would ever look upon him with favor, now that he was so horribly disfigured.
I might as well just die," he pouted with one hand over his nose, the other cupping his wounded ear.
Brethil looked down sympathetically at him.
"You won't look too bad, Tavor," he said, laying a slim hand on his friend's shoulder. "Your nose was already a little bit crooked from the time Legolas accidentally whacked you with his bow. One hardly ever notices that any more. They will just be battle scars - your spider bites I mean, of course." He laughed, hearing Legolas slipping and sliding to the ground in his haste to catch the fleeing spider. "That makes you quite- er - dashing to the girls."
"Shut up, Brethil." Tavor growled, scooting the distance to the entrance on his rump. "Just - shut up!"
"I was only trying to be nice."
"I don't want you to be nice to me," Tavor said dropping through the hole in the floor to the nestling branches below. "If I want you to be nice to me I will tell you."
Brethil frowned then shrugged.
"So you want me to tell you that your nose will be red and swollen forever - a grotesque reminder of the fight you lost with a baby spider? That your ear is torn and will never heal properly? Is that what you want?"
"Shut up, Brethil!"
Brethil bit his lips to keep from smiling as Tavor dropped out of the hole and began a rapid descent.
When the two reached the ground they saw that Legolas was standing not far away, the Master Archer facing him, arms folded over his chest.
"Ah, yes, here they are now. And acting 'so' grown up," he said with a sarcastic grin.
Legolas grimaced and turned to watch his two friends approach rapidly.
"Oh, no! He will ask us what we have been doing," Brethil breathed, tugging on his long child's braid.
"Just to see if it matches what Legolas has already told him. I wonder what he said," Tavor muttered with a frown. For some reason they could never fool the Master Archer with all their trickery and tales.
Tanglinna waited until Tavor and Brethil had moved to flank their prince.
"My goodness, but you all look so - dirty already," the Master Archer commented, taking in the dusty clothing, the cobwebs clinging to hair and fingers. "Tavor what happened to you?"
The young Elf grabbed at his nose and his ear once more.
"Nothing, Master Tanglinna?"
"Hmmm. It looks like a lot of nothing to me. Now," he speared them each in turn with his eyes. "What have you been doing, young 'Warriors'?"
Tavor and Brethil both looked at Legolas who looked first at one and then at the other.
"I have already told you, Master Tanglinna -"
The Master Archer's hand darted out to cup the chin and push the mouth shut.
"Ah, no, Prince Legolas. You have already answered. I was asking your friends here."
Tavor's grey eyes widened as he desperately tried to think what it was Legolas would have told the tall Elf, who was watching them like a hawk. But Brethil answered first.
"We were doing whatever it is Legolas said we were doing, Master Tanglinna," he grinned and nodded, pleased with his cleverness.
But Tanglinna merely raised one silver brow.
"What did Legolas say you were doing?"
"Tell him Legolas," Brethil said with a glance at his friend. "Tell him what you said we were doing."
"Cleaningthetreehouse," Legolas said in a rapid voice running the words together in a rush before Tanglinna could grab his chin again.
Brethil blinked and stared at him.
"We were what? I truly did not understand what you said."
"Cleaning the tree house?" Tavor frowned. Then his eyes widened as Tanglinna turned to stare at him, one brow raised. "Yes! That is it exactly. We were cleaning the tree house! A very grown up thing to do actually, don't you think, Master Tanglinna?" He managed a smile for the Master Archer, though he had a strong urge to cower and run away as quickly as he could.
"Cleaning the tree house?" Brethil's brows knit. "We never clean the tree house, Legolas. Why did you say that?"
The prince of Mirkwood groaned, his shoulder's slumping.
Tanglinna said nothing, but he shook his head, trying to hide his own amusement. Then the Five Famous Words fell from his lips in a stern, yet patient voice:
"What have you done now?"
He had resisted the urge to add "Little Greenleaf" at the end of it, as he knew he would sound too much like the king, which would not be a good thing since he was certain that at any moment he would burst out laughing.
"Cleaning the tree house," Legolas repeated, emphasizing each word, with a pointed look at Brethil, who shook his head in confusion. Then suddenly the young Elf smiled.
"Oh! Yes! Yes, we were "cleaning" the tree house! Of course we were. How silly of me to say that we weren't. We have just never done it before, that is what confused me."
Tanglinna had sighed, knowing that the real answer to the question would reveal itself in time.
"I will find out," he said, in a low menacing voice. "I always do." Thus he left them, and Legolas had not seen him until today. The Master Archer had nearly found out once again. Surely he hadn't seen the spider - of course he had seen the spider!
"Brethil! Tavor!" Legolas called up into the tree house.
Two blonde heads popped out of the window. Tavor's eyes widened and he disappeared back inside.
"You caught it!" Brethil exclaimed happily. "Good for you! Where was it? Still in the garden?"
Tavor slid to the ground, bearing a medium sized cage they had constructed of branches. He opened the door and Legolas pushed the struggling spider inside. The two smiled at one another in satisfaction.
"So it was in the garden?" Tavor asked as they climbed up the tree branches and pulled themselves into the tree house.
"Yes, though Father and 'Master' Tanglinna, not to mention my brothers and Galion, have seen it. I told father I would get rid of it." He grimaced as he remembered what else he had said. "I also said I would decide what to send Lord Elrond for his birthday this year too. Why did I say that?!"
"That was brilliant, Legolas," Tavor snorted, peering into the cage at the baby spider who was hissing and spitting angrily at him. He made certain that the cage was kept as far away from his face as possible.
"That was!" Brethil said with a smile. "Very nice of you too! You are such a good son."
Legolas stared at him in disbelief and shook his head.
"Do you have any suggestions what should be sent to Imladris?" He asked them, with little hope in his voice.
"The Dorwinion vintage?" Tavor suggested, moving away from the cage to sit on the floor, leaning his head back against the wall. He smirked, knowing the answer to that one already as it was the same answer as last year; and the year before - and the year before.
Legolas stuck his tongue out at his friend and dropped to the floor as well.
"As you well know, that has already been ruled out."
"What about some of your father's jewels. He has entirely too many of them! He might not even miss it if you picked something at the back of the Gem Room." Brethil said, poking one long finger into the cage only to have the spider bite it. He snatched his hand back, putting his abused digit in his mouth.
"NO!" Both Legolas and Tavor stated firmly. Then they glanced at one another and burst out laughing.
"What? It was only a thought."
"Well I need better thoughts than Dorwinion wine and jewels. 'That' is never going to happen!" The young prince declared stretching out on the floor, hands under his chin, long legs spread out behind him, ankles crossed.
"How about this spider?" Tavor asked with a grin, looking at the small angry arachnid. "He'll really enjoy it!"
Legolas laughed merrily, imagining the look on Lord Elrond's face if he were to receive a spider as a birthday present.
"The twins might like it, but I don't think that their father would appreciate such an -er -well - wild and lively gift."
The spider seemed to know they were discussing it in their musical voices, so it hissed at them:
"Wicked! Wicked!"
It's long furry legs waved and it grabbed the bars of its small cage. It made such a pitiful mewing noise then, its small face looking dejected.
"Oh, it looks so sad!" Brethil moved to quickly for the others to stop him and he opened the cage.
The spider immediately leapt out.
"Brethil!" Legolas and Tavor yelped, starting to their feet. Tavor clapped his hands over his face and backed into a corner as Legolas stumbled about trying to recapture it.
It scuttled out of the tree house and vanished in the lower branches.
"Not again! Come on!" Legolas sped after it, slipping down the branches and jumping to the ground.
"Why did you do that, Brethil?" Tavor asked in a severe tone.
"It looked so sad and -"
"And nothing! Come on. Let's try and catch it - again!"
They hit the ground running and caught up with Legolas who was frowning and glancing about him.
"Lost it already?" Tavor asked, skidding to a halt beside him.
"Yes, it must have ducked into some bushes somewhere."
Tavor shook his head.
"Here we go again," he muttered.
"I guess we won't be sending it to Imladris after all," Brethil said with a sigh of disappointment.
Legolas shrugged and smiled, raising his chin importantly.
"Don't worry. I will come up with something. I always do."
Tavor snorted, wrapping an arm about his friend's shoulders.
"But something always goes amiss, Legolas."
Legolas shrugged off his arm and turned to face him, chin up, one eyebrow raised.
"It can't be that hard to think of something to send. I will send him a birthday present he won't soon forget."
Author's Note - Bastryn means "bread chaser" A bigger thanks to al my beta reader! My goodness! What happened to all my commas? You made me axe them! ;)
Response to reviewers
HobbitsRFun - Thanks so much! My daughter loves your story "Why doesn't he like me"! (
gershwin - I will send you a red hanky. A lot of people needed them after that one! I hope this one will brighten your day, and help you to forgive me for my wickedness!
JastaElf - Yes it is THAT ONE (c. JastaElf)! Finally! I am glad that you like my solution. It should be 'fun' for all! A red hanky box sounds good! ;)
Bronwyn - I can't wait to begin the second half of this story - when the gifts- arrive at Imladris. It will be interesting when Thranduil does know! (wicked grin)
Anonymous - This one is set several years prior to "In the Hall". They are not Warriors yet, but look to the day when they will be. I know all about kids mimicking what their parents are going to say. I am a parent after all, and have caught myself saying things that I have said before. My daughter and my son both "mimick" me! Poor Aralith (c. TH) indeed. Can you imagine living in Mirkwood and being afraid of spiders??!! G
Raider314 - I like the baby spider myself! Thanks!
Irena - That is the $1,000,000 question. What could possibly go wrong!! G
shirebound - Those 5 words are priceless. I hope you enjoy my chronicles of young Elfhood. It was a hoot to be there! ;)
littlesaiyangirl - I will write as quickly as I can!
Dr. Kat - I am glad you have such confidence in me!
t- I guess that Thranduil hasn't heard of Murphy's Law. But really! He should know better!
sarridy - Mirkwood spiders don't make much of an appearance except in the Hobbit. It will be interesting to see what Legolas can think of! ;)
arabella thorne - I am glad you are enjoying this. I suspect those spiders will eat just about anything they can get their furry "paws"?? on. G
annakas - Thranduil will definitely be balrogged - or a Balrog! G
al - I am glad you like the "little troublemaker" because that is definitely what he is going to be in this tale. It is too much fun!
Elhwesta - First thank you for complimenting my writing! In Elvish no less! G I am glad you like my portrayal of the younger Legolas. He is much fun this way. ~^
Shini-hime - Yes, it is the long awaited tale at last! I will try to tell it in the best way possible!
Lk - Elrond torture ahead, never fear! ;)
Seaweed - I hate busy days myself. But we manage, don't we! Words of Wisdom: Beware Elrond (c. Seaweed)!
Lady M - You know I can't promise to write something and not follow through with it. Hope you enjoy it!
Hildestohl - Yes, Legolas is younger. This happened many, many years before "In the Hall". Ah, so you think you know something! But you don't know everything! ;)
Andromache Cassandra - Thranduil should know better, as he has children. As I also have children, I know the absolute absurdity of that statement! Hence the fun! (
ccg - Ah, yes. Another person that knows where this is going - but that is only part of the story!!
Anita - I thought my summary sounded pretty good. Better than my other ones anyway! It should be a fun ride!
Soledad - I am glad you are enjoying my "Mirkwood" stories. I am enjoying writing them quite a bit. (
LOTR lover - You are right! Thranduil should know better, but if he did this wouldn't be half the fun it is! ;)
Lauren - It makes me happy that you have a big dopey grin on your face. I love when you laugh too!
calenedhel - yes, I am really writing it as promised! I agree with you: it is easier to think of a cat sized spider rather than a small one that can creep up unannounced! I think Morn Nen water would solve your friend's problem nicely! ;)
Lakergurl13 - Need some Vandal Root tea already?? This one has just started! No, this spider is another one entirely!
Nancing Elf - My house is TOO full of plot bunnies and they are all nibbling at my ankles demanding attention! I am glad you liked that "musical" chapter! G Legolas is always cute! You have to love him! ;) Ah, so you know what he will pick??!! Haha Of course you do - but only part of it!
Nadra - One never knows what might happen in the course of this fic! I am glad you think they are semi-serious! I do wonder myself. You will never get the Elf! Never never! We have found the perfect place to hide him! One you will never find! (glances at ME map on the wall) Well, we will find the perfect place!
Karina - I hope this will be fun. No, it isn't Gwibess. This is a new spider and a baby one so it has to be cute, since all young things are! Even spiders!
The Sadistic Cow - Interesting! Good word! I hope it will be. We parents are predictable, are we? Hmm. I shall have to remember that the next time I have to deal with my children!
Noone - No, unfortunately I do not seem to be able to run out of ideas! So expect the TreeHugger Tales to keep on coming for a while!
Princess of sMirkwood - Mrs ArWe - Legolas is rather young in this one, even more so than "In the Hall". He is fun when he is young and silly. In the LOTR he was lighthearted, and was laughing and singing. Unfortunately we haven't seen that in the movie, but we can't have everything. So I have latched onto that aspect of his personality and made him even more so when he was young!
Katharine the Great - I am glad you like my portrayal of Legolas and Thranduil. When you have children you will see that they do know what you are going to say before you do it. I have seen my own 'mouthing' what I am saying. It is an eye opener to say the least! Thank you for the Ten Frick Salute! That is the first one I have ever gotten! I am so honored!! LOL I am waiting patiently for the next installment of the "Weeping Wraith". I know that sometimes other stories need to be told too! Only too well! ;)