Chapter 76: Talking with Haldir

Legolas woke up, followed by Tavel. The two sat on Haldir's belly and began to jump, waking Haldir with a yell. Haldir's yell scared both elflings under the blankets (Legolas' nightclothes falling off occasionally). But Haldir pulled them out from under and smiled sweetly. The elflings crawled to Haldir and snuggled near him, Haldir kissing each on their foreheads. The elflings smiled as Haldir gently brushed the hair from their faces.

Cield entered the room, still merry from the kiss he had received the night before and excited of his date tonight, sang happily.

"Legolas, Tavel, would you like to help me with breakfast?"

"Ooo! Yes, yes!" Tavel said happily.

"Not now Cield. I want to stay with Haldir." Legolas smiled as his friend jumped into his brother's arms.

"Why don't you go Legolas? This is the first I've ever heard of Cield making breakfast with his little sibling."

"I know. But you're my babysitter and I want to be with you."

Haldir smiled and let Legolas sit on his chest.

"Hal?"

"Yes?"

"Can you come next time Ada needs a babysitter?"

"If your father asks me and I am not going to war or needed by the lord and lady, then of course."

"But my ada is the 'lord'."

"Of Mirkwood. But I live in Lorien Legolas, and you must understand that I am not royalty and I am not in charge. I am captain of my army, but truly Lord Celeborn is my leader. I've looked up to Celeborn ever since I was a child and he visited me often, smiling at me and playing with me. So, Celeborn tells me what I may do. But as Lord Celeborn is close with your father, I am certain he will want you happy and will let me come. He did this time, after all."

Legolas smiled.

"Is ada giving you money for watching meh?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"Well lets just say more than what I make as a March Warden."

"Is it fun going to war?"

"No. It is sad Legolas. I could die, I might never return. I see everyone around me sad and worried. Of course, I have no wife or children unlike many of my men, so it is not as bad as they have it."

"Oh. But is it fun to play with elvish bades?"

"You mean blades?"

"Yef."

"Well... I suppose. I had always loved looking at my father's blades. When I finally was allowed to touch them, and when I was able to use them properly and well, I was very pleased and I loved it."

"I want to learn how!"

"Not until you are older. And make sure never to touch the blades. My father was quite furious with me when I took his blades without asking when I was your age."

"Did he punish you Hal?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I got a deep gash on my hip from playing with the blade, and my father said that was punishment enough. I still have the scar."

"Can I see?"

Haldir lowered his leggings just enough for Legolas to see the scar.

"Did it hurt?"

"Yes, badly. I cried for hours none stop until my father tickled me silly."

"Ow!"

"Indeed. So you will not play with your father's blades?"

"No!"

"Good. Now lets get some food before Tavel's mother comes."

"Okay."

To be Continued...

Legolas acts like he is three... I know. It worries Thranduil too. Its unnatural, but Legolas is slow, but he has eternity to learn.