Chapter 10 - In Which The King Is Highly Amused
Prince Legolas stared at the pattern of the tile on the floor just ahead of him, forcing his mind to concentrate on the varied shades of green and blue, the deft curl of the leaf, the veins threading through it.
~An oak leaf, ~ he thought as his mind focused on the slight hint of gold blossoming about its edges. ~Such a nice color, gold. Green is nice too - soothing and peaceful. So is blue. ~
His eyes shifted from the tile to his own booted foot. He noted that it was dusty, and that the right toe was looking a bit worn. His laces were looking slightly crooked as well. He should retie them; yes, that is what he should do, anything to keep his mind from what was coming. He bent swiftly to one knee, noting how cool the floor was where his bare knee poked through the tear in his leggings. He sighed. He should have been more careful scrambling down from the tree house, now he would have to have them fixed. He should probably do that next. He unlaced the boots carefully, pulling on the laces to loosen them and then make them perfectly even before retying them. He had just started on his second boot when he heard near silent footfalls in the hall, and his eyes widened when he realized that it was not one set of feet, but two.
The quiet murmur of voices made him flinch slightly, and he hastily tied the laces, now making them worse than they had been before. He stood and turned toward the doorway, his brows furrowed with worry as he tried to set his thoughts in order. There had to be a good way to explain this; after all, Tavor had assured him that there was. For some reason he wasn't convinced of this. If there was such a good explanation then why wasn't Tavor here telling them? Actually it should be Brethil since this was entirely his fault! But no, sending Brethil to relate anything was not a good idea. Legolas sighed, and touched slim fingers to his temples in an unknowing imitation of his esteemed adar. It was hard to be the prince at times.
"Little Greenleaf! How are you, nin ion?" Thranduil's voice was so filled with pleasant surprise at seeing his son at this time of the day when he was normally off scampering about with his friends or practicing his archery, that Legolas felt even worse.
"I am well, Ada," he murmured, his eyes sliding to Tanglinna, who raised one silver eyebrow suspiciously. ~He knows! ~ he thought, feeling his heart quake slightly. ~Why does he always seem to know what has happened? ~ The words "Lord Tauron" flitted through his mind, and he shuddered, trying to tear his eyes away from the Master Archer.
Both the adults were dressed in what Legolas had come to call "the twin archers" outfits. They wore tight fighting breeches and shirts in shades of brown, with soft short tunics of butter colored leather belted at their waists. Bracers adorned their forearms, and the long hair was pulled back in long loose braids so it wouldn't interfere with their shooting. Legolas knew his ada donned this particular outfit, a personal favorite of the Master Archer, only when he wished to irritate Tanglinna, who declared that if he had wanted a twin his mother would have given him one when he was born. Thranduil insisted on wearing it occasionally when the two decided to practice together, which wasn't often, so it was a treat for them both, even if Tanglinna didn't appreciate the "twin" outfits. Thranduil would have someone camp out near Tanglinna's room waiting for the archer to emerge then run to tell the king if he emerged wearing this particular clothing.
Legolas was also aware of the "competition" that this event held. Thranduil would declare that he had out shot the Master Archer, and that Tanglinna just wouldn't admit it. To this the stern archer would say, "If you ever outshoot me, I will be glad to admit it. It just hasn't happened as of yet. I suppose the day will come eventually . . . when Orcs sprout wings and fly about singing love songs."
"What is wrong, Little Greenleaf?" Thranduil asked, gazing down at his son with a look of concern. "Did you and Tavor have another fight?"
"No, Ada. It is not that," Legolas murmured, wishing it had been something so simple and so easily fixed. His foot snaked out to trace the pattern of the oak leaf tile once again.
"Then what is it? Not another spider, I hope!"
"No, Ada. It is not that either."
Thranduil and Tanglinna exchanged knowing glances. Thranduil suppressed a sigh.
"What have you done now-"
"Little Greenleaf?" Tanglinna finished for him with a wicked grin.
Thranduil turned to glare at the Master Archer, who merely raised one brow.
" *I* haven't done anything, Ada," the youth began, looking up imploringly, his blue eyes filled with worry. Where was he to start? Which of the things that he had to tell would get the better reaction? He nearly choked as he thought this. Better reaction? The reactions would range from horrible to devastating. ~Very well, ~ he thought, his brows furrowed in agony, ~which one would be only horrible? ~
While he was thinking feverishly over the ways he could say what had to be said, Thranduil sighed softly and glanced at Tanglinna.
"It must be very bad," the archer murmured, shaking his silver head. "He has usually figured out what will get him in the least amount of trouble before he seeks you out. This does not look good."
"No, it doesn't," Thranduil agreed, studying his son's bent head. "Legolas, you should just say whatever it is you need to say and be done with it."
Legolas grimaced and drew a deep breath.
"It is ALL Brethil's fault," he began in a loud voice that startled even him.
"Brethil's fault?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you say that it wasn't another spider?"
"Yes, I did. It isn't a spider."
Silence fell once more as Legolas stared at the floor hoping that a revelation would be forthcoming from the oak leaf tile.
Thranduil glanced at Tanglinna once more, watching him as he shrugged and folded his arms over his chest to wait.
"What did Brethil do, nin ion? It can't be that bad. Surely you didn't have a fight with him?"
"That one goes out of his way to avoid a fight," Tanglinna murmured with a snort.
"No, we weren't fighting. It's . . . it's," Legolas nearly groaned aloud as he grasped his temples once more. "It's about the wine we sent," he finally managed, looking up to see what storm of emotions that would elicit.
"What about it? You didn't send that atrocious stuff from Lebennin, did you? Even I wouldn't send that," Thranduil said with a chuckle. He glanced at the Master Archer, who merely raised one brow skeptically. "Well, I wouldn't," the king muttered, looking away.
"Yes, you would," Tanglinna murmured under his breath, turning away as Thranduil's head swung back to him.
"No. . . we didn't send the Lebennin," Legolas hedged, his toe skimming over the oak leaf.
Thranduil glanced away from the Master Archer and sighed again.
"Legolas, what is it that you don't want to tell me? What wine did you send? Was it more of the Combe? That is a nice wine."
Legolas grimaced and shook his head.
"It's not just the wine, Ada," he murmured, thinking about what Brethil had done 'because it looked so nice.' He felt a moment of panic as he imagined what his ada's reaction would be when he heard *what* wine had been sent.
"Then what is it?"
Legolas drew a deep breath.
"Do you remember the Magic Spider Water?" he said tremulously.
"Magic Spider Water? You mean the Morn Nen water you sent for Bastryn?"
"Yes, that water. Well, you see. . . we usually. . . keep it in plain bottles marked with M and an N, you know, for Morn Nen."
Thranduil nodded, still gazing steadily down at his son.
"Well, Brethil . . . he thought. . . well, he thought that it would look nicer in a fancier bottle, since it was going to Lord Elrond."
Tanglinna smiled, laughing slightly.
"Yes, he would think that. I believe he is somewhat in awe of Lord Elrond. After all, he is one of the wisest elves on all of Ennor, and the most famous healer, too. And a great warrior. He is even-"
Thranduil turned to look at him, one golden brow aloft.
Tanglinna shrugged, and smiled mischievously before turning back to the prince.
Legolas swallowed again, noting that his laces were rather sloppy, and wondering if his ada would let him leave to go and attend to them.
"He. . . he put it in some . . . fancy bottles."
"Yes? That was very kind of him."
"He put it in . . . in wine bottles."
"Yes, there would be plenty of those lying around that haven't-"
"Been sent back yet," Tanglinna said, another smile tugging at his lips.
Thranduil turned to glare at him.
"You wanted a twin, did you not?" Tanglinna said, totally unperturbed by the scathing look leveled at him.
Legolas bit his lower lip, not even aware of what was transpiring between the two adults, and decided that he had to tell his ada everything. At least then the waiting for judgment would be over, since it would be falling fully on him. ~Judgment, ~ he thought glumly. He glanced up and said softly, "Ada, I think you had better go and get Celeb Baud."
Thranduil raised both brows at this statement, completely forgetting Tanglinna. He wondered why Little Greenleaf would even mention the beaten silver circlet that was only worn when Thranduil was particularly upset by something. The sight of the simple flowing circlet aroused fear in the hearts of all who saw it resting on the elf king's noble brow.
"I am certain that it cannot be that bad, Little Greenleaf," he reassured the child, moving to place a warm hand on his son's shoulder and squeezing gently.
Legolas bit at his lower lip wishing he could feel that way. He swallowed miserably, and knit his brows, his gaze still upon the floor.
"It IS that bad, Ada," he whispered, more to himself than his sire. He took a deep breath and blurted out, "Oh, Ada! He put the Morn Nen water in the wine!" Legolas clamped his hands over his eyes, grimacing.
Thranduil stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. Surely he hadn't heard Legolas correctly?
"What do you mean "in the wine," Little Greenleaf?" he asked, his eyes moving to Tanglinna who was frowning slightly.
Legolas kept his hands firmly over his eyes as he answered "Brethil, mixed the Morn Nen water into the wine."
Tanglinna actually gasped in surprise, his eyes flying from Legolas to Thranduil. The archer stared at the king, whose brows were raised, not in surprise or in anger, but in what Tanglinna thought looked like speculation. He frowned once more, narrowing his eyes.
"Your Majesty," he said, "did you hear what he just said? He said that the wine that was sent to Lord Elrond had -"
"Yes, I heard him, gwanuig nin (my twin)," Thranduil answered, his eyes sparkling. "So the Morn Nen water is *in* Elrond's wine . . . ." A wolfish grin graced his lips, and he laughed suddenly.
Legolas dropped his hands to stare at him in disbelief. The child's gaze then moved to Tanglinna, who looked as stunned by this reaction as Legolas felt.
"Your Majesty, I do not think -"
Thranduil continued to laugh in delight, shaking his golden head.
Tanglinna looked down at the prince, then back at the king. He pursed his lips slightly before trying again.
"King Thranduil, I-"
"I wish I were in Imladris to see this!" Thranduil chortled, patting Legolas on the head. "I truly wish I were."
"But Ada-"
"But your Majesty-"
"But nothing. This is delightful. Well done, Little Greenleaf."
Legolas stared at his father, wondering if he had taken leave of his senses.
"But Ada, I didn't mean to put the water in the wine. Brethil just thought-"
"Remind me to thank him, Tanglinna," Thranduil said. He smiled down at Legolas, still chuckling slightly. "Is this what you thought was deserving of Celeb Baud, nin ion?"
Legolas frowned, gnawing at his bottom lip.
"Well, yes . . . no . . . at least, that is part of it."
Thranduil laughed once more.
"Well, then what is the rest of it? Never fear, little one, I am enjoying this entirely too much to punish any other misdemeanors you have committed."
Legolas was torn between bewildered relief at his sire's reaction and the guilt that he felt for sending the tainted wine to Elrond.
"Your Majesty," Tanglinna interrupted, touching Thranduil's arm. "Do you know what will happen to Lord Elrond if he drinks that wine?"
"Of course, I do," Thranduil answered with another grin. "But he won't remember what happens! Oh, I wish I were there to see it! This will be the most 'forgettable' birthday he will ever have!" He laughed again at his own words.
Tanglinna frowned down at Legolas, and the elfling shrugged apologetically, still not certain what to make of this most unexpected turn of events.
"You have no idea what might happen when it is mixed in the wine," Tanglinna began, only to be silenced by a wave of Thranduil's hand.
"Never fear, I shall send word." He paused, his eyes gleaming with an inspiration. "Or perhaps I should ride to Imladris myself? Celebross is more than capable of taking care of affairs whilst I am gone, if he can manage to stop flirting with that girl. What is her name again?"
"Mirithil," Tanglinna answered in a low voice, still frowning.
"Ah, yes. Pretty name. You will be here to keep his mind on the business at hand, and not on . . .erm . . . well, yes, I think you understand me, Tanglinna."
"Your Majesty," Tanglinna tried once more, "I do not think -"
"Gwanuig nin," Thranduil said with a wink at Legolas, who looked thoroughly perplexed by this turn of events, "I don't care what you think at this moment. I ride for Imladris at first light. Where is Aralith? It is time he saw something of the world. He may ride with me. Assign an escort for us, Tanglinna, right away. I am going to go and prepare a few things for the journey. I may even have to take a bottle of Dorwinion just to commiserate with him." He smiled, looking quite pleased with his impromptu plans.
Legolas made a small squeak at the mention of the Dorwinion, but only Tanglinna noticed. The silver haired archer had a sudden feeling that this would not be the last he heard of the Dorwinion. After that big night of entertaining there had been only 4 bottles left in Thranduil's cellars. Surely the younglings hadn't sent one of those last few bottles?
"Well, go on. Get to it, Tanglinna," Thranduil said cheerfully. "And Legolas, I will make your most sincere apologies to Lord Elrond about this . . . this mix-up with the wine."
Now was the time to tell his ada about the rest of what had happened, but Thranduil was in such a delightful mood that he feared to disrupt it.
"Thank you, Ada," he murmured, gazing once more at the oak leaf tile. Of course, Thranduil would be very far away, all the way in Imladris, when he found that out. Yes, perhaps that would be for the best. He wouldn't dare say anything in front of Elrond, especially when the elf lord was being. . . forgetful. "Have a nice trip."
Tanglinna gazed down on the youngling rather like a hawk considering a tasty dove.
"Why don't you come with me, nin caun?" he said. "You can help me find your brother, and tell him of this unexpected trip."
Legolas stared up at his ada, whose eyes were still gleaming in delight. He swallowed and, nodding morosely, followed after the Master Archer.
When they had gone down several corridors, taking the "long way" to the family quarters to find Aralith, Tanglinna suddenly stopped, folding his arms over his chest and staring down at the young prince.
"I believe you have something else to say, do you not?" he said abruptly.
Legolas gazed over at the wall, his eyes caught by the mural painted there. It was a picture of Emyn Duir, the Mountains of Mirkwood. They rose above the fir trees, majestic and beautiful, with eagles flying in the skies above. This was where his grandfather Oropher had made his realm. Maybe he should go and visit it. . . very soon.
"Nin caun, what wine did you send? *Please* tell me it wasn't one of the Dorwinions."
Legolas looked up in surprise at the rather pleading tone in Tanglinna's voice.
"It. . . it wasn't *one* of the Dorwinions," he answered, his fingers knotting around his braid.
"That is good to hear," Tanglinna said with a smile. "You had me rather worried for a moment. Come along, let us see where Aralith is hiding now. He was rather ecstatic that your little spider was sent away. In fact he said-" Tanglinna had started down the hallway, but realized that Legolas was not following. He halted, and turned to look back at the prince. "What is it, nin caun?"
Legolas gazed up at him, the blue eyes more troubled than Tanglinna had ever seen them.
"It. . . it wasn't *one* of the Dorwinion, Master Tanglinna," he said, grimacing. "It was. . . it was four of them!"
In all his years Legolas had never seen Tanglinna look so stricken.
"Four? Four?!" The silver eyes widened, and he actually gasped in shock. "That cannot be! Nin caun, please tell me that you are playing at one of your jokes. Please, tell me that!"
"I am not! I wish I were. I am so sorry, but Brethil took four bottles of Dorwinion and sent them. They were the fanciest, and he thought they looked the nicest."
The Master Archer of Mirkwood groaned, and glanced fearfully down the hall.
"You had better go and find your brother, nin caun. I . . . I have things that must be taken care of immediately." And with that he turned and hurried down the hallway, leaving Legolas standing alone, a stunned expression on his face.
Legolas sighed heavily and continued on to Aralith's room wondering what Tanglinna was going to do. He knew his ada would not be happy when he learned about the Dorwinion being sent to Elrond, but then a thought struck him. What if his ada accidentally drank some of Lord Elrond's Dorwinion and forgot this had happened? Was there some way that he could contrive to make that happen?
~Yes! ~ he thought with a thrill of excitement. He could send a note to the twins. They would surely help him with this, wouldn't they? Of course they would, he had sent them a really good spider after all. . . well, perhaps not *that* good. They owed him something. He grinned, feeling elated with this plan. He would just send the note with Aralith, telling his brother that it contained special instructions about Bastryn so he wouldn't feel the need to look at it. His smile widened, and he flew down the corridor to find his brother. He let out a whoop of joy, leaping into the air. He always came up with some way to fix things. Everything would be just fine now. What could possibly go wrong?
TBC
A big THANK YOU to my beta, al! Thank you for your patience in putting up with me, and my wayward commas, and I know there were many in this chapter. Please forgive me! Aralith said to say he does not know why you called him sweet and sticky in your review of Chapter 8. =O.O= *koff koff* And who has more than their knees showing?? ;)
Sorry no responses this time. This chapter is overdue (I am very slow), and Ff.net is going bye-bye for the weekend. My apologies to you all for not responding individually.
Prince Legolas stared at the pattern of the tile on the floor just ahead of him, forcing his mind to concentrate on the varied shades of green and blue, the deft curl of the leaf, the veins threading through it.
~An oak leaf, ~ he thought as his mind focused on the slight hint of gold blossoming about its edges. ~Such a nice color, gold. Green is nice too - soothing and peaceful. So is blue. ~
His eyes shifted from the tile to his own booted foot. He noted that it was dusty, and that the right toe was looking a bit worn. His laces were looking slightly crooked as well. He should retie them; yes, that is what he should do, anything to keep his mind from what was coming. He bent swiftly to one knee, noting how cool the floor was where his bare knee poked through the tear in his leggings. He sighed. He should have been more careful scrambling down from the tree house, now he would have to have them fixed. He should probably do that next. He unlaced the boots carefully, pulling on the laces to loosen them and then make them perfectly even before retying them. He had just started on his second boot when he heard near silent footfalls in the hall, and his eyes widened when he realized that it was not one set of feet, but two.
The quiet murmur of voices made him flinch slightly, and he hastily tied the laces, now making them worse than they had been before. He stood and turned toward the doorway, his brows furrowed with worry as he tried to set his thoughts in order. There had to be a good way to explain this; after all, Tavor had assured him that there was. For some reason he wasn't convinced of this. If there was such a good explanation then why wasn't Tavor here telling them? Actually it should be Brethil since this was entirely his fault! But no, sending Brethil to relate anything was not a good idea. Legolas sighed, and touched slim fingers to his temples in an unknowing imitation of his esteemed adar. It was hard to be the prince at times.
"Little Greenleaf! How are you, nin ion?" Thranduil's voice was so filled with pleasant surprise at seeing his son at this time of the day when he was normally off scampering about with his friends or practicing his archery, that Legolas felt even worse.
"I am well, Ada," he murmured, his eyes sliding to Tanglinna, who raised one silver eyebrow suspiciously. ~He knows! ~ he thought, feeling his heart quake slightly. ~Why does he always seem to know what has happened? ~ The words "Lord Tauron" flitted through his mind, and he shuddered, trying to tear his eyes away from the Master Archer.
Both the adults were dressed in what Legolas had come to call "the twin archers" outfits. They wore tight fighting breeches and shirts in shades of brown, with soft short tunics of butter colored leather belted at their waists. Bracers adorned their forearms, and the long hair was pulled back in long loose braids so it wouldn't interfere with their shooting. Legolas knew his ada donned this particular outfit, a personal favorite of the Master Archer, only when he wished to irritate Tanglinna, who declared that if he had wanted a twin his mother would have given him one when he was born. Thranduil insisted on wearing it occasionally when the two decided to practice together, which wasn't often, so it was a treat for them both, even if Tanglinna didn't appreciate the "twin" outfits. Thranduil would have someone camp out near Tanglinna's room waiting for the archer to emerge then run to tell the king if he emerged wearing this particular clothing.
Legolas was also aware of the "competition" that this event held. Thranduil would declare that he had out shot the Master Archer, and that Tanglinna just wouldn't admit it. To this the stern archer would say, "If you ever outshoot me, I will be glad to admit it. It just hasn't happened as of yet. I suppose the day will come eventually . . . when Orcs sprout wings and fly about singing love songs."
"What is wrong, Little Greenleaf?" Thranduil asked, gazing down at his son with a look of concern. "Did you and Tavor have another fight?"
"No, Ada. It is not that," Legolas murmured, wishing it had been something so simple and so easily fixed. His foot snaked out to trace the pattern of the oak leaf tile once again.
"Then what is it? Not another spider, I hope!"
"No, Ada. It is not that either."
Thranduil and Tanglinna exchanged knowing glances. Thranduil suppressed a sigh.
"What have you done now-"
"Little Greenleaf?" Tanglinna finished for him with a wicked grin.
Thranduil turned to glare at the Master Archer, who merely raised one brow.
" *I* haven't done anything, Ada," the youth began, looking up imploringly, his blue eyes filled with worry. Where was he to start? Which of the things that he had to tell would get the better reaction? He nearly choked as he thought this. Better reaction? The reactions would range from horrible to devastating. ~Very well, ~ he thought, his brows furrowed in agony, ~which one would be only horrible? ~
While he was thinking feverishly over the ways he could say what had to be said, Thranduil sighed softly and glanced at Tanglinna.
"It must be very bad," the archer murmured, shaking his silver head. "He has usually figured out what will get him in the least amount of trouble before he seeks you out. This does not look good."
"No, it doesn't," Thranduil agreed, studying his son's bent head. "Legolas, you should just say whatever it is you need to say and be done with it."
Legolas grimaced and drew a deep breath.
"It is ALL Brethil's fault," he began in a loud voice that startled even him.
"Brethil's fault?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you say that it wasn't another spider?"
"Yes, I did. It isn't a spider."
Silence fell once more as Legolas stared at the floor hoping that a revelation would be forthcoming from the oak leaf tile.
Thranduil glanced at Tanglinna once more, watching him as he shrugged and folded his arms over his chest to wait.
"What did Brethil do, nin ion? It can't be that bad. Surely you didn't have a fight with him?"
"That one goes out of his way to avoid a fight," Tanglinna murmured with a snort.
"No, we weren't fighting. It's . . . it's," Legolas nearly groaned aloud as he grasped his temples once more. "It's about the wine we sent," he finally managed, looking up to see what storm of emotions that would elicit.
"What about it? You didn't send that atrocious stuff from Lebennin, did you? Even I wouldn't send that," Thranduil said with a chuckle. He glanced at the Master Archer, who merely raised one brow skeptically. "Well, I wouldn't," the king muttered, looking away.
"Yes, you would," Tanglinna murmured under his breath, turning away as Thranduil's head swung back to him.
"No. . . we didn't send the Lebennin," Legolas hedged, his toe skimming over the oak leaf.
Thranduil glanced away from the Master Archer and sighed again.
"Legolas, what is it that you don't want to tell me? What wine did you send? Was it more of the Combe? That is a nice wine."
Legolas grimaced and shook his head.
"It's not just the wine, Ada," he murmured, thinking about what Brethil had done 'because it looked so nice.' He felt a moment of panic as he imagined what his ada's reaction would be when he heard *what* wine had been sent.
"Then what is it?"
Legolas drew a deep breath.
"Do you remember the Magic Spider Water?" he said tremulously.
"Magic Spider Water? You mean the Morn Nen water you sent for Bastryn?"
"Yes, that water. Well, you see. . . we usually. . . keep it in plain bottles marked with M and an N, you know, for Morn Nen."
Thranduil nodded, still gazing steadily down at his son.
"Well, Brethil . . . he thought. . . well, he thought that it would look nicer in a fancier bottle, since it was going to Lord Elrond."
Tanglinna smiled, laughing slightly.
"Yes, he would think that. I believe he is somewhat in awe of Lord Elrond. After all, he is one of the wisest elves on all of Ennor, and the most famous healer, too. And a great warrior. He is even-"
Thranduil turned to look at him, one golden brow aloft.
Tanglinna shrugged, and smiled mischievously before turning back to the prince.
Legolas swallowed again, noting that his laces were rather sloppy, and wondering if his ada would let him leave to go and attend to them.
"He. . . he put it in some . . . fancy bottles."
"Yes? That was very kind of him."
"He put it in . . . in wine bottles."
"Yes, there would be plenty of those lying around that haven't-"
"Been sent back yet," Tanglinna said, another smile tugging at his lips.
Thranduil turned to glare at him.
"You wanted a twin, did you not?" Tanglinna said, totally unperturbed by the scathing look leveled at him.
Legolas bit his lower lip, not even aware of what was transpiring between the two adults, and decided that he had to tell his ada everything. At least then the waiting for judgment would be over, since it would be falling fully on him. ~Judgment, ~ he thought glumly. He glanced up and said softly, "Ada, I think you had better go and get Celeb Baud."
Thranduil raised both brows at this statement, completely forgetting Tanglinna. He wondered why Little Greenleaf would even mention the beaten silver circlet that was only worn when Thranduil was particularly upset by something. The sight of the simple flowing circlet aroused fear in the hearts of all who saw it resting on the elf king's noble brow.
"I am certain that it cannot be that bad, Little Greenleaf," he reassured the child, moving to place a warm hand on his son's shoulder and squeezing gently.
Legolas bit at his lower lip wishing he could feel that way. He swallowed miserably, and knit his brows, his gaze still upon the floor.
"It IS that bad, Ada," he whispered, more to himself than his sire. He took a deep breath and blurted out, "Oh, Ada! He put the Morn Nen water in the wine!" Legolas clamped his hands over his eyes, grimacing.
Thranduil stared at him, his mouth slightly agape. Surely he hadn't heard Legolas correctly?
"What do you mean "in the wine," Little Greenleaf?" he asked, his eyes moving to Tanglinna who was frowning slightly.
Legolas kept his hands firmly over his eyes as he answered "Brethil, mixed the Morn Nen water into the wine."
Tanglinna actually gasped in surprise, his eyes flying from Legolas to Thranduil. The archer stared at the king, whose brows were raised, not in surprise or in anger, but in what Tanglinna thought looked like speculation. He frowned once more, narrowing his eyes.
"Your Majesty," he said, "did you hear what he just said? He said that the wine that was sent to Lord Elrond had -"
"Yes, I heard him, gwanuig nin (my twin)," Thranduil answered, his eyes sparkling. "So the Morn Nen water is *in* Elrond's wine . . . ." A wolfish grin graced his lips, and he laughed suddenly.
Legolas dropped his hands to stare at him in disbelief. The child's gaze then moved to Tanglinna, who looked as stunned by this reaction as Legolas felt.
"Your Majesty, I do not think -"
Thranduil continued to laugh in delight, shaking his golden head.
Tanglinna looked down at the prince, then back at the king. He pursed his lips slightly before trying again.
"King Thranduil, I-"
"I wish I were in Imladris to see this!" Thranduil chortled, patting Legolas on the head. "I truly wish I were."
"But Ada-"
"But your Majesty-"
"But nothing. This is delightful. Well done, Little Greenleaf."
Legolas stared at his father, wondering if he had taken leave of his senses.
"But Ada, I didn't mean to put the water in the wine. Brethil just thought-"
"Remind me to thank him, Tanglinna," Thranduil said. He smiled down at Legolas, still chuckling slightly. "Is this what you thought was deserving of Celeb Baud, nin ion?"
Legolas frowned, gnawing at his bottom lip.
"Well, yes . . . no . . . at least, that is part of it."
Thranduil laughed once more.
"Well, then what is the rest of it? Never fear, little one, I am enjoying this entirely too much to punish any other misdemeanors you have committed."
Legolas was torn between bewildered relief at his sire's reaction and the guilt that he felt for sending the tainted wine to Elrond.
"Your Majesty," Tanglinna interrupted, touching Thranduil's arm. "Do you know what will happen to Lord Elrond if he drinks that wine?"
"Of course, I do," Thranduil answered with another grin. "But he won't remember what happens! Oh, I wish I were there to see it! This will be the most 'forgettable' birthday he will ever have!" He laughed again at his own words.
Tanglinna frowned down at Legolas, and the elfling shrugged apologetically, still not certain what to make of this most unexpected turn of events.
"You have no idea what might happen when it is mixed in the wine," Tanglinna began, only to be silenced by a wave of Thranduil's hand.
"Never fear, I shall send word." He paused, his eyes gleaming with an inspiration. "Or perhaps I should ride to Imladris myself? Celebross is more than capable of taking care of affairs whilst I am gone, if he can manage to stop flirting with that girl. What is her name again?"
"Mirithil," Tanglinna answered in a low voice, still frowning.
"Ah, yes. Pretty name. You will be here to keep his mind on the business at hand, and not on . . .erm . . . well, yes, I think you understand me, Tanglinna."
"Your Majesty," Tanglinna tried once more, "I do not think -"
"Gwanuig nin," Thranduil said with a wink at Legolas, who looked thoroughly perplexed by this turn of events, "I don't care what you think at this moment. I ride for Imladris at first light. Where is Aralith? It is time he saw something of the world. He may ride with me. Assign an escort for us, Tanglinna, right away. I am going to go and prepare a few things for the journey. I may even have to take a bottle of Dorwinion just to commiserate with him." He smiled, looking quite pleased with his impromptu plans.
Legolas made a small squeak at the mention of the Dorwinion, but only Tanglinna noticed. The silver haired archer had a sudden feeling that this would not be the last he heard of the Dorwinion. After that big night of entertaining there had been only 4 bottles left in Thranduil's cellars. Surely the younglings hadn't sent one of those last few bottles?
"Well, go on. Get to it, Tanglinna," Thranduil said cheerfully. "And Legolas, I will make your most sincere apologies to Lord Elrond about this . . . this mix-up with the wine."
Now was the time to tell his ada about the rest of what had happened, but Thranduil was in such a delightful mood that he feared to disrupt it.
"Thank you, Ada," he murmured, gazing once more at the oak leaf tile. Of course, Thranduil would be very far away, all the way in Imladris, when he found that out. Yes, perhaps that would be for the best. He wouldn't dare say anything in front of Elrond, especially when the elf lord was being. . . forgetful. "Have a nice trip."
Tanglinna gazed down on the youngling rather like a hawk considering a tasty dove.
"Why don't you come with me, nin caun?" he said. "You can help me find your brother, and tell him of this unexpected trip."
Legolas stared up at his ada, whose eyes were still gleaming in delight. He swallowed and, nodding morosely, followed after the Master Archer.
When they had gone down several corridors, taking the "long way" to the family quarters to find Aralith, Tanglinna suddenly stopped, folding his arms over his chest and staring down at the young prince.
"I believe you have something else to say, do you not?" he said abruptly.
Legolas gazed over at the wall, his eyes caught by the mural painted there. It was a picture of Emyn Duir, the Mountains of Mirkwood. They rose above the fir trees, majestic and beautiful, with eagles flying in the skies above. This was where his grandfather Oropher had made his realm. Maybe he should go and visit it. . . very soon.
"Nin caun, what wine did you send? *Please* tell me it wasn't one of the Dorwinions."
Legolas looked up in surprise at the rather pleading tone in Tanglinna's voice.
"It. . . it wasn't *one* of the Dorwinions," he answered, his fingers knotting around his braid.
"That is good to hear," Tanglinna said with a smile. "You had me rather worried for a moment. Come along, let us see where Aralith is hiding now. He was rather ecstatic that your little spider was sent away. In fact he said-" Tanglinna had started down the hallway, but realized that Legolas was not following. He halted, and turned to look back at the prince. "What is it, nin caun?"
Legolas gazed up at him, the blue eyes more troubled than Tanglinna had ever seen them.
"It. . . it wasn't *one* of the Dorwinion, Master Tanglinna," he said, grimacing. "It was. . . it was four of them!"
In all his years Legolas had never seen Tanglinna look so stricken.
"Four? Four?!" The silver eyes widened, and he actually gasped in shock. "That cannot be! Nin caun, please tell me that you are playing at one of your jokes. Please, tell me that!"
"I am not! I wish I were. I am so sorry, but Brethil took four bottles of Dorwinion and sent them. They were the fanciest, and he thought they looked the nicest."
The Master Archer of Mirkwood groaned, and glanced fearfully down the hall.
"You had better go and find your brother, nin caun. I . . . I have things that must be taken care of immediately." And with that he turned and hurried down the hallway, leaving Legolas standing alone, a stunned expression on his face.
Legolas sighed heavily and continued on to Aralith's room wondering what Tanglinna was going to do. He knew his ada would not be happy when he learned about the Dorwinion being sent to Elrond, but then a thought struck him. What if his ada accidentally drank some of Lord Elrond's Dorwinion and forgot this had happened? Was there some way that he could contrive to make that happen?
~Yes! ~ he thought with a thrill of excitement. He could send a note to the twins. They would surely help him with this, wouldn't they? Of course they would, he had sent them a really good spider after all. . . well, perhaps not *that* good. They owed him something. He grinned, feeling elated with this plan. He would just send the note with Aralith, telling his brother that it contained special instructions about Bastryn so he wouldn't feel the need to look at it. His smile widened, and he flew down the corridor to find his brother. He let out a whoop of joy, leaping into the air. He always came up with some way to fix things. Everything would be just fine now. What could possibly go wrong?
TBC
A big THANK YOU to my beta, al! Thank you for your patience in putting up with me, and my wayward commas, and I know there were many in this chapter. Please forgive me! Aralith said to say he does not know why you called him sweet and sticky in your review of Chapter 8. =O.O= *koff koff* And who has more than their knees showing?? ;)
Sorry no responses this time. This chapter is overdue (I am very slow), and Ff.net is going bye-bye for the weekend. My apologies to you all for not responding individually.