Disclaimer: We still do not own these characters, alas

Chapter Fifteen

That night was not an easy one for Legolas and his family, between the tingling that had worsened during the evening and the fear of any spiders that may be in his chamber over road any need the Elfling might have for sleep. He was still awake as dawn broke, cuddled into a corner of the bed, Growly held firmly in front of him. Nothing his Ada or brother said had any effect.

To Legolas the situation was simple. If one spider knew he was here, then they would all know where he was. He had seen the way they had 'communicated' that night at in the forest. It was scary, not like when an Elf spoke with another.

No, He was staying awake thank you and not letting any spider any where near him.

Morning meal was taken in silence, as the exhausted royal family ate no interaction was needed upon seeing the puffy, red eyed Elves. Luckily their friends took pity on them and agreed to look after Legolas that day so that they could at least get some sleep.

Legolas though would not settle, his fear from the day before just would not settle, he was glad that he was not allowed to go down to the stables to see Telmenelion. At least he would not be near the forest.

To take his mind off the spiders, Elladan brought the bunnies out of their pen that had been made for them in one of the unused rooms in the palace. All was going well, too well.

It was not until just before the mid day meal that realised that one of the rabbits was missing, they searched high and low throughout the chamber, but there was no sign of the rabbit, they found two more spiders that were dealt with quickly and quietly so that Legolas would not know.

It was a subdued group who made it to the family room, Estel carried Legolas, but the twins kept an eye out for the bunny, with no success.

They had all settled when the door opened and Thranduil entered, looking a lot better than he had at the start of the morning. He made a fuss of Legolas and even had him laughing. That all stopped when Lomion came in looking troubled.

"What is the problem, Lomion?" Thranduil stood, ready to go and see to what ever could have upset the Crown Prince.

"I seem to have a little problem, Ada." Lomion really did look upset.

"What is it, Ion-nin?" Thranduil could not understand this; if there was a problem with Mirkwood, his son normally spoke to him before coming into the family room.

"You remember my rabbit that Legolas gave me yesterday?" Lomion turned his back away from Legolas and winked at his father.

Thranduil caught on quickly that this was nothing of great importance. "Yes, he was adorable." That drew a giggle from Legolas.

"Well, he seems to be a very clever little one."

"Why is that?" Legolas was swinging his head from his brother to his father fascinated at what he was watching.

"When I left him in my room this morning he was all alone and sad, yet when I went to my chambers just now he had a little friend with him." From behind his back he produced the two rabbits and handed them to his brother.

Legolas clapped his hands before carefully taking the rabbits and sitting them on his knee. "You are so clever I thought you were lost. You are a clever bunny." Every one was smiling so pleased to see the Elfling happy once more.

"Lomion, would you like to keep him so that your Bunny had some company? I have four, it seems so sad that he is alone all day." The blue eyes were wide and earnest, sad at the thought that the bunny would be lonely.

"What about this? If during the day when I can not be with him, why can he not be with you and his family? He would have company and love, then at night I could collect him and he can be with me. How would that be?" Lomion had to smile at the pleased look that crossed the young ones face.

"Can he, Ada, he would not be lonely and Scamp will not have to go and look for him." The blue eyes turned to Thranduil, so full of hope.

"Scamp? You named him?" Thranduil was trying hard not to laugh at loud; it appeared that without being asked outright, they now had new members to their family.

"Yes, he vanished and he reminds me of the twins and the trouble they all get into…"

"Hey!!" Four set of voices called out in shock at being called 'scamps'.

"Trouble all the time. And you call them Scamps all the time, Ada."

All but the two sets of twins in the room were discreetly coughing to try and hide their laughter.

"It would appear that you have named him very aptly." And with that Thranduil was laughing out loud, unable to stop.

The entire meal was spent like that, in laughter, Thranduil did not even mind when Legolas decided against eating his meal and feeding it to Scamp and his friend.

That night was a better one for the family as after only a tiny hick up and panic with Legolas at bed time; he settled and slept for most of the night.

Arwen woke him the next morning with his meal. Two sleepy blue eyes blinked at her and a tiny fist reached for his friend only to find and empty space.

"Growly?" He tried to sit up with difficulty, the tingles in his leg making it difficult. "Growly, where are you?"

But Growly was no where to be seen. Every one helped at intervals during the day, but Growly much to Legolas distress, was no where to be seen. Still feeling unwell and in need of his friend he grizzled for most of the day, not even Scamp and his friends could cheer him up and he ate very little at either of the meals that day much to Thranduil's worry.

Much to every one's surprise Legolas asked to go to bed early that night, he hurt after Elrond had exercised his legs and he missed Growly.

Elardion and Thranduil helped the Elfling to go to his chamber. Legolas was secretly terrified of spending the night without his friend.

Thranduil whispered soft words of comfort, but neither of the Elves were prepared for what they saw in the room.

For on the bed was not only Growly, but two new friends.

One was a little pink and white bear; she had a pink bow and flower around her throat. Next to her was a grey animal, Thranduil thought it looked like a softer version of a Mumakil, it was grey and had small white tusks on either side of his mouth.

Legolas cried with joy at seeing his beloved friend. He hugged him and it did not look as if he would ever let him go again.

"Who are Growly's friends, Little Leaf?" Elardion asked smiling once more at his brother.

Legolas put his head on one side as if contemplating before replying. "Growly says that they are Pinkie and Olli…. Olli…" A shrug of his shoulder. "Elly. They did not want him to be all alone and came to be with us."

"They are very nice, Legolas, I wonder where they might of come from?" Thranduil was amused and very pleased that some one would do this do his youngest son.

"Growly said he does not know, Ada, he found them this afternoon." Legolas was alternating between each toy, stroking them lovingly.

"I am glad he has some friends, it must be lonely for him. As for you, little Leaf, it is time for you to go to bed." Thranduil pulled back the coverings on the bed and before to long, Legolas and friends were all tucked in tightly.

Father and son watched as Legolas slowly fell asleep, exhausted after his traumatic day.

They left the chamber, leaving the door open so that they would hear if Legolas should need them. Waiting for them outside was Arwen, looking slightly nervous.

"Did he like them?" She asked anxious.

"Ah, so it is you I need to thank for making my son happy. Yes, he loved them, did you make them?" Thranduil was pleased that he would at least get to thank the Elf responsible.

"Yes, I just thought that after all the poor mite has been through, he deserved something nice. I am glad that he liked them, I enjoyed making them." Arwen's smile was wide and bright.

"Like them? He loved them!" Elardion too was pleased with their friend. "He has already named them."

"What names did he choose?" Arwen was practically bouncing.

"Pinkie and Elly, I think he wanted to call Elly by the name Olliphaunt as he has been reading a story from one of his books about them. He just could not say the name." Elardion could not help but chuckle. The other two joined in as they moved away from the chamber

Legolas woke once over night having had a nightmare, but with Thranduil's help he soon got back to sleep.

The next morning dawned damp and cold. As Thranduil was certain it would not be long before the first snow of winter would start falling. He knew that it would not be long before Elrond and his family had to return to Imladris, the Elven city had been left in the capable hands of Glorfindel and Erestor. Once the snow fell it would make getting over the mountain ranges impossible.

He would miss them even then twins, despite the ongoing rivalry between the twins with his own pair of mischief makers. The four were all trying to out do each other with their pranks and jokes, while some could be amusing, they could also be annoying.

Thranduil did not even make it to the family room for the morning meal. One of the grooms entered the palace and with a bow informed him there was a problem with one of the mares. Dismissing the Groom he continued on to the family chamber and informed Lomion he would not be present for the meal before making his way down to the stables.

When he and his guards reached the stable, the groom led him inside; heading for the stall that Telmenelion and his mother were using, his heart fell.

Inside was the head groom, Solaeren with two others all grouped around Haedoiel who was in obvious distress. She was sweating profusely and every now and then she would try and kick her flank. They all knew exactly what this was. Colic.

"When did this start?" Thranduil moved to comfort the mare, Telmenelion had already been moved safely out of the way.

"We found her just now, my Lord, she has not been stressed over night at least not that was detected."

They got to work and it was only a while later that Haedoiel had been settled on a deep bed of straw. The animal healer came by and checked her over before giving her herbs to try and settles her down. They seemed to work.

Telmenelion was allowed back in with his mother at midday, as she seemed to be so much easier with her self. The grooms made sure she was not alone, so that if necessary they could give the mare aid quickly.

It was not until early evening that they realised they also had a problem with Telmenelion and a groom was once more dispatched to inform Thranduil.

To be continued.

We would lie to take this opportunity it thank every one who has sent us reviews.

Replies to reviews:

Triptych: We are glad you like the chapter. Drowlin needed a break didn't he? We have a feeling he may be planning something big in the back ground, though.

Bradleigh: Killer strawberries? Can we set them on to Drowlin, please? They can skin him!!

Pointy-eared-elfs: We are glad you like the story, yes, Elardion is a good story teller, and wouldn't he make a great Ada? Reunite the villains. Shiver, what a thought, actually Shell likes that idea, but may be in the future? I don't like spiders either, horrible things!

Once again, thank you for your reviews, please continue to let us know how we are doing?

Love,

Meisalliam, Shell, Leafie, Growly, Pinkie and Elly.

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