Chapter 124: Leg Injuries are no fun

Legolas was not having fun at all baking the cake. He could not run away with the eggs because of his leg, and since he could only stay in one place he could not run in a corner and eat the cake dough or the icing sugar.

"No fun... Hal, I'm having no fun." Legolas sadly pouted. Haldir sighed and brought Legolas onto his lap. "The cake is almost ready, then we may ice it. Perhaps that would amuse you best?"

"It's no fair. I can't run cause my leg hurts too much."

Haldir sighed and ruffled the little child's hair. Legolas gave Haldir a kiss on his cheek as he settled down in his lap once again.

"Haldir?"

"Yes?"

"Do you love me?"

"Yes."

"A lot?"

"Yes."

"Will you always love me?"

"Of course I will."

"Will you die one day?"

"I don't know. I hope not."

Legolas cuddled against the March Warden's abdomen, as he smelt the smell of burning cake.

"Damn it! The cake is burning!" Haldir gasped.

"Damn it!" Legolas giggled.

"No- doesn't say that." Haldir ordered gently.

"Damn it!" Legolas giggled again.

"Legolas, no. No saying that."

"Saying damn it?"

"Do not say 'damn it' again."

"But you just said damn it."

"Legolas, just, don't say damn it, alright?"

"Alright..." Legolas exhaled noisily.

Haldir quickly removed the cake from its doom of burning. Legolas then grabbed the bowl of icing.

Tonus was certain that he was happier than he had ever been. Tonus cuddled against his father as they digested the picnic sandwiches.

"Have you been having a good time, Tonus?" Thranduil asked, looked at his son. Thranduil truly loved Tonus, though he showed that very little.

"I've been having the greatest time." Tonus smiled, rubbing his nose affectionately on his father's arm. Thranduil smiled.

"My nose is cold." Tonus muttered. Thranduil wrapped an arm around his son, and pulled him close, as it got colder. Thranduil wrapped his cloak around Tonus as he could feel him shivering. Tonus tried to shrug the cloak off him, but Thranduil held it tightly around Tonus.

"I'm not cold... much... Keep the cloak for yourself Adar, you are hurt."

"You have a head injury Tonus, you are just as hurt as I am." Thranduil clutched his son, kissing his brow as Tonus shared the blanket with Thranduil.

"Ada, it's getting late, we should return to the palace."

"Yes, that is a good idea..."

Tonus got up with ease, but Thranduil learnt he could not stand up.

"I... I do not appear to have enough energy to stand up. My leg has not gotten any energy since we began our picnic... and now... I just cannot stand! I cannot walk!" Thranduil moaned. Tonus lifted Thranduil, but the king fell down again when Tonus could hold him up no longer.

"I am not strong enough to carry you."

"Then go back to the palace."

"No!"

"I need you to go get help."

"I would never leave you out here in the dangers of the forest! You would be killed." Tonus sat down. "Besides, they will come looking for us. They will soon notice that their prince and-

"Crowned prince." Thranduil corrected.

"They will soon notice that their crowned prince and king is missing." Tonus finished. Thranduil sighed and held Tonus closer to him. "Perhaps you are right." Thranduil sighed.

"We may as well talk to spend the time." Thranduil said.

"Talk of what?"

To be continued...