Disclaimer: Please see chapter One
Chapter Eleven
Two weeks had passed since Legolas had unveiled his painting and life was beginning to return to normal in the Palace; or as normal as life can get with one family member permanently missing.
Autumn was really beginning to show as the leaves on the trees changed colours and began to fall.
In one room on the first floor a little face was to be seen at the window, looking wistfully out onto the grounds. Legolas gave a great sigh, how much he wanted to be out in the grounds, those leaves were so tempting, they called out for little Elfling's to kick them up in the air. He also wanted to talk to the trees and the last bird's before they disappeared for the winter.
No one was free and his Adar would not let him out in the grounds alone. He was told that it was something about Spider's. It confused Legolas, how could Spider's be bad? There were spiders in the palace and he was allowed to see them. If only some one was free.
He turned, disconsolate, to take in the room. He was bored, very bored. He looked at his picture books, they did not seem as magical at the moment, To one side stood the small easel and paints his Ada had brought for him after he had seen the picture of his Naneth, but he could think of nothing to draw. No, all he wanted was to be outside.
His mind made up he crossed the chamber and made for the door. Once in the corridor he headed for the stone staircase that led to the hall and the great doors. He would do as his Ada said and not go out, but that did not mean he could not stand in the door way and talk to the bird's and trees.
No one stopped his as he carefully descended the stairs and crossed the lobby. Once at the door he sat right on the boarder. Closing his eyes he could only smile as the wind blew across his face.
One great Mallorn tree, to one side of the courtyard, was telling him stories from when it was a stripling. Of all the grand important people it had seen arrive; the joyful processions and grand arrivals that it had witnessed. It even told him about his Ada's wedding; how pretty his Naneth had been in her golden gown.
It carried on telling him about the families living beneath and in its bough's. Of the squirrels that scampered across its limbs, finding nuts to hide in their caches; ready for the winter ahead. The bird's nests that lay empty, but would be reused in the spring. And deep, deep down in its lower reaches in amongst the roots the tiny mice and vole families who scurried about their business.
But what really caught Legolas attention was the mention of the family of baby rabbits. He had never seen baby rabbits before. How he wished he could cross and play with them. If he could see them he could draw them. Would they be tiny and soft?
Soft footsteps behind him warned him he was no longer alone. He turned to see Nolvo about to sit down beside him.
"Hello, Leafie, what are you doing here?" He ruffled Legolas' hair much to the Elfling's annoyance.
"I am talking to the trees."
"And what do the trees say to you?" Nolvo smiled, it was becoming obvious that his younger brother had a very special affinity with the trees and wildlife around him.
"He is telling me all about the families that live in him. Nolvo, what do baby rabbits look like?" The hopeful gaze turned to him, blue eyes earnest.
"Well, like big rabbit's of course. Why?" Nolvo had to fight to keep the amusement out of his voice.
"The tree has a family of them in its roots. I wish I could see them." The voice was so sorrowful it tugged at Nolvo's heart strings.
"If you stay here I will ask Ada if we can go as far as the tree so that you can see them." The joy on the Elfling's face was beautiful to behold as Nolvo stood once more and made his way to the audience chamber where he knew the King would be.
Soon, Legolas firmly held in his grip they were making the trip to the tree. Legolas thought his heart was bursting with joy as at last he could kick up the leaves that had been so tempting. Even the trees sang their delight that he was walking among them.
The big Mallorn lowered one of its boughs to lightly caress the Elfling's shoulder as he knelt beneath it looking for the rabbits.
They waited silently and patiently until at last one of the rabbits moved from its hole and seeing the innocent Elfling, crossed to sniff the waiting hand. One by one the others joined him, much to Legolas' delight and Nolvo's surprise.
Nolvo let Legolas play until it was time for the noon day meal, before heading back. All through the meal, Legolas hummed and chattered making everyone smile at his antics. Thranduil could only thank the Gods that his youngest had really been returned to him.
No one saw or heard from Legolas that afternoon; he kept to his chamber and contented himself with his task. When Lomion arrived to take him down for the evening meal he found one very happy Elfling, even more so than earlier. Crayons littered the floor and he stood at his easel putting the finishing touches to his picture.
He looked up as Lomion came in. "I have a new picture for Ada, do you think he will like it?" He could hear the anxiety in Legolas' voice as he moved to look at the picture.
"He will love It, Little Leaf, I promise you that. Do you want to give it to him at dinner?"
"Yes, please, will he like that?" Lomion hated how his younger brother had begun doubting himself since Drowlin's actions.
"He will treasure it, I promise."
Once Legolas had been tidied up he took the proffered hand and with the drawing under one arm they made there way down to the hall.
Thranduil looked up as they came in, a warm smile on his face as Legolas ran to hug him.
"Hello, Ada, I have a present for you." Legolas was nervous and excited at the same time.
"Good evening, Little Leaf, a present for me?" He looked at his son, he was so adorable.
"Yes, Ada, Lomion carried it for me as I can not, I too small." The proud beam was clear for all to see.
Lomion made his way to Thranduil's side and handed over the canvas. "Thank you, Lomion. Know what do we have here?"
The drawing took his breath away. It was stunning, absolutely stunning. It was a painting of the courtyard, the big old Mallorn that he had known from his own childhood, was prominent in the middle. Its leaves were of exactly the right autumn colours, although he did not know how Legolas had achieved the colours.
In front of the tree sat Nolvo around him were the baby rabbit's, their mother was off to one side watching to see that no harm came to her brood. Sitting in one of the lower branches was a red squirrel. The detail was incredible.
"Thank you, my Leaf, it is beautiful." He passed it around the table for all the others to see. "May I hang it in my chambers?" A shy nod was his reward followed by a hug.
Drowlin was the last to look at the picture, his scowling face hidden by the canvas and then it hit him. Just exactly how he could get Legolas back for the trouble he had caused. It was perfect. Smiling broadly he lowered the canvas.
"Legolas, this is incredible. You are so clever." His smile widened as he saw the pleased smile cross the brats face. Oh, yes this would be perfect.
Drowlin waited to take action until the following day. He had noticed early on in his 'imprisonment' that while he had guards on the door of his chamber to stop him from leaving, no one had thought of the window. His plans had been made by early afternoon and all was well in Drowlin's world.
Just before the evening meal he opened the window and using footholds in the stone, made his way across the back of the palace, thankful that few Elves came that way at this time of day. He counted windows until he came to the window nearest to Legolas' chamber.
Drowlin checked the corridor before lowering himself through the half open window. Cautiously he crept to the door and opened it.
Legolas sat on his bed, Growly in hand making up a story to go with the pictures in his book. He looked up to see Drowlin enter and froze.
"Hello, Legolas, what are you up to?" He made his voice as nice as he could, he did not want to risk scaring Legolas away.
"We are reading." Legolas was wary he had not had much to do with Drowlin since…
"Ada asked me to fetch you down to the evening meal. He also said that if you would like it I could take you to play out in the leaves before that. Would you like that? We could go and see the rabbits, too." He tried to sound as convincing and as honest as he could manage.
It worked.
"Yes, oh, yes. The rabbits are wonderful. Can we?" Drowlin could hear the excitement in the brat's voice.
"Of course we can. Shall we go now?" the small hand held onto his and Drowlin shuddered. Just the feeling of touching the brat felt so wrong…
No one stopped them as they made their way out of the palace and across the courtyard. True to his promise he made the way to the tree and let Legolas play with the rabbits.
After a short while he moved nearer to Legolas. "I know where there are some more baby rabbits. They are a different colour to these; would you like to see them?"
Legolas gave an excited nod and holding Drowlin's hand they made their way deeper into the forest.
Happy with the area in the wood that they were approaching, Drowlin smiled. He could see old webs from spiders webs, if he was lucky there would be spiders nearby and he would not have to worry about the brat any more.
Legolas felt very apprehensive. The wood was dark and gloomy, the trees seemed dead and almost as if they were haunted and they would not talk to him. He really did not like this and he wanted his Ada.
"Drowlin, can we go home now?" The voice was timid.
"But we have not seen the rabbits yet." He kept his tone even; the brat would not spoil it now.
"I want Ada."
"Ada is too busy to want to see you. How about a game of hide and seek?" Legolas reluctantly agreed he really did not like being here.
"Ok, you count to fifty and I will hide, then when you find me you can hide, alright?" A reluctant nod from Legolas was his answer.
Legolas turned around as instructed and closing his eyes counted to fifty, getting stuck on thirty he tried again from the start determined to get it right.
He turned to find the forest empty and looking very, very sinister as he started to look for Drowlin.
Drowlin made his way back to the Palace laughing all the way. He had done it! No one would ever know what had happened to the brat. He was free! He could have his family back.
He skirted the Palace until he reached the back and scaled the wall. Once inside he closed the window and sat on his bed, pleased with himself. The guard opened the door to let him go down to the evening meal.
Legolas was seriously scared now. He could not find Drowlin and the shadows cast by the forest were getting larger. He did not know where he was or how to get back. What if something happened to Drowlin? No body knew where he was, how would they find him?
He ran from tree to tree looking everywhere he could think of for Drowlin. Finally he could take it no more.
"Drowlin?" There was no answer.
"Drowlin?" A little louder this time.
"Drowlin, where are you?" The silence only echoed back his calls.
"Drowlin, I'm scared. Where are you?" There was nothing.
"Drowlin? Please, Drowlin." He could not stop the tears from falling and he did not even have Growly with him. Why had he not brought Growly? He needed his ear. A shrug no one was here to see and a grubby thumb found his mouth.
He sat for a short while trying to think about what he should do. Should he just sit and wait for Drowlin or make his way back on his own? But what way to go?
He stood, not sure of what direction to take when he realised it was getting dark, he shivered even more. He really did not like the dark. He took a step and stopped unsure as to what he should do. An owl hooting made him jump and the tears began to fall leaving muddy trails in their wake. How he wanted his Ada to come and save him.
A rustle in the bushes caused him to jump and cry out but it was only a rabbit. He took two steps towards it, but stopped when it hopped off back into the undergrowth its ears perked as if listening for something.
What should he do? Where should he go? Would anyone even miss him? He was hungry and tired and so scared.
Complete darkness had fallen and Legolas still did not know what to do, he could hear howling and hooting and all sorts of strange scary noises.
And then…. Then there were eyes shining all around him. Big eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. He turned scared of what he might find. He was surrounded.
He could here a loud clicking that seemed to echo and bounce off the trees. The rustling grew louder and one of the sets of eyes moved closer.
All Legolas could see as the shadow moved closer was a deep black shape. His eyes grew even wider as he took in the size of the monster in front of him. It was huge! He whimpered and took a step back only to fall over a root.
The Monster was above him now and he could see it's dripping fangs. As it reached for him. He closed his eyes and screamed as he felt the fangs bite into his leg. Once he had started to scream he could not stop. The monster bit him again this time on his shoulder and Legolas could feel himself getting sleepy. It hurt so badly, his leg was burning now and he wanted his Ada. His Ada would make this monster go away. The monster reached for him once again and just as he was closing his eyes, he heard a whoosh and the monster screamed in agony an arrow firmly embedded in its eye. Another arrow followed that and the monster fell dead to the floor. The last thing Legolas saw before darkness took him was more arrows being shot into the gloom and screams of pain as the monsters tried to flee.
The Palace was in uproar. Legolas had not arrived at the dinner table and he could not be found. The only person not looking for the Elfling was Drowlin. He sat contently eating his meal, pleased with the upset he had caused.
Thranduil was at his wits end. Where could Legolas be? They had guards joining them to hunt though out the palace. Even Mithrandir had joined in the search. It was only as it was becoming fully dark that they came to the conclusion that Legolas was not in the palace. He slumped on Legolas' bed, head in hand.
Lomion moved to his distraught father's side and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Ada, we will look out in the courtyard, may be he has gone to play there and could not find his way back."
"He knew I did not want him to play in the courtyard alone. Why would he disobey me? What if a spider gets to him before we find him?"
"I promise we will find him, Ada. We will have our little Leaf back."
Lomion moved swiftly to the door stopping to order the twins to stay with their Ada. He then moved to Alcarnor asking him to gather an herb pack in case they might need it.
Twenty minutes later a group of searchers left the palace. It consisted of Legolas' two brothers', Elladan and Elrohir, Estel and Mithrandir. Moving quickly they methodically searched the court yard finding no evidence of Legolas at all. They were just about to make their way further into the forest when they heard a shout.
Torches were moving towards them. In the lead was one of Lomion's fellow warrior's, Jalenta and held tightly in his arms was a small very still bundle. A bundle that had long blond hair….
To be continued.
Thank you to all our reviewers. Your continued encouragement helps us greatly.
Responses to reviews:
Pointy-eared-elfs: Did you like Dwowlin's punishment? We were glad Thranduil is back to normal as well. As for Dwowlin….. You want angst? Is this enough for one chapter?
Triptych: Very much so and I think he will continue to plague Thranduil as he grows to maturity. Poor Legolas.
Bradleigh: If it is any consolation, we feel the same, all we want is to pick Legolas up and hug him and not let him go. Cheer loudly for Estel and Gandalf, they are in the rescue party….
Stephanie: We are glad you are enjoying our story. Angst and fluff? I think we can manage that for you.
Angelbird12241: Here is your update; we hope you continue to enjoy this.
Karushna5: Legolas is a little cutie isn't he? So huggable and loveable. Shell is glad you like the angst and don't worry there is more to come!
Butterfly-elf: As you say Gandalf always arrives just at the right moment, clever Maia isn't he? Legolas getting better. Gulp. May be I should leave the country for safety after finishing this then. I am sorry; Legolas won't give Growly up and trust us we have tried!
Ak-stinger: Shell was tempted to add a broken nose, but Meisalliam said no. Who knows what will happen in future chapters though. That sounds a very, very good idea….. Damn! Another plot bunny hit me! LOL Thranduil loves his sons and we think he was just hurting so much, he didn't really know what he was doing until it was almost too late. Thank heaven for Gandalf.
So, please join us next time as it is Meisalliam's turn to pull her magic fluff out of her hat. Will little Leafie be ok? What will happen to Dwowlin? Will Thranduil be mad and what will Estel do when he sees his little buddy…..
Tune in next time and we will try to answer these questions for you!
Love,
Meisalliam, Shell, Leafie and Growly!
XX
Okay special note from Meisalliam here. How on Middle Earth am I supposed to write a fluff chapter from this. Shell never makes this easy for me. Love Meisalliam And no giving any one a broken nose then all the pretty elves would look dodgy.