Disclaimer: Please see chapter one
Chapter Five
"Thank you Lomion sighed as he made his way back to the palace. This morning had been an unmitigated disaster. His day could not get any worse. After seeing Legolas into his class he had made for the talon that served as the nerve centre for the patrols that kept the settlements and palace safe from the Orcs and spiders that were growing in force by the day.
The news from there had not been good, not good at all and he had spent all of the morning and most of the noonday meal at a small colony to the east that had been attacked during the night. The only one survivor that they had found so far was a small baby girl who had been hidden incredibly well by her know dead mother.
It had been a hard morning. So much death and now he had to report to his father, after the meal was over. He just hoped that there was some food left after the Twins and Drowlin had finished. They were growing Elfling's after all and with Nolvo still healing he would need the energy to help.
To try and cheer himself up he thought about Legolas and hoped he had had a nice morning with his new class mates. He hoped this would help the thought of loosing his littler brother was one that hurt, a lot. It would be nice to see a smile and watch him eat as he should once more instead of just sucking Growly's ear.
As he reached the palace the trees around him seemed to be agitated, but after the Orc attack he thought no more of it. He could not talk to them as Legolas could. The old tree from the other night had been the first time that he could recall that a tree had ever told him off in that manner.
He exchanged pleasantries with the guards at the palace doors. Before heading inside and making his way to the Dining chamber. They all greeted him and it was not until he sat down that he realised that Legolas' chair was empty and the platter clean.
His father was in deep conversation with Elardion, but he could not leave it. He suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
"Ada, where is Legolas? Is he alright?"
Thranduil looked up in surprise. "You told me you would go and collect him from school this morning."
Lomion could have groaned aloud at hearing that. He should have realised that Thranduil was harried because of the emergency meeting. He should have arranged for someone else to pick Legolas up. Poor Legolas…
"Do you not remember there was a problem with the settlement to the east? I had to go and sort out what may have happened. I told you I could not pick him up and you said that you would see to him."
"That is all well and good but where is Legolas now? The class would have ended quiet sometime ago." Elardion could not stop the worry from entering his voice. This was the last think Legolas needed.
Thranduil blinked at his son and then hurriedly rose from his seat. "I need to find him." Lomion and Elardion joined their father as he walked to the chamber door.
Thranduil pilled it open just as a nervous servant raised his hand to knock. The servant forze in place, hand still rose so as to knock on the door. Luckily Lomion took charge.
"Can we help you?"
The servant caught himself and bowed gracefully. "Yes, my Lord's. There is someone asking to see the King. Her name is Michelle and she is with the Prince."
He did not expect the reaction that he got. The King looked almost frantic. "Where is she? Where did you put them? Where is my son?"
"I… I sent her to your study, Majesty. The Prince would not leave her." He blinked. He was talking to thin air. The King and Prince's had seemingly vanished. He turned just in time to see them disappeared around the corner at a great pace.
Thranduil left the other two in his wake. He just had to get to his son, Legolas had to be alright. He opened the door to see a rather pretty Elleth sitting in the chair that Legolas favoured by the fire. On her lap sat another Elfling, he had dark brown hair and was quiet sworthy, he looked to be a few years older than Legolas. His face was kind and at present he wore a worried frown. On the other side of Michelle's lap, she held Legolas.
Thranduil gave a weak sigh of relief, his heart still thudding. His Baby was alright. He moved forward and Michelle looked up. He stopped short at the look of unbridled fury in her eyes. He turned his attention to Legolas, he could deal with Michelle in a minute, and he needed to make absolutely certain that Legolas was alright.
His heart dropped like a stone when he took in the state of his youngest son. Legolas had his head lowered and his hair normally so neat and tidy was loose and full of tangles. His shoulders were shaking and it was obvious to all as they watched that he was crying. Growly was clutched white knuckled to his small chest and the tatered left ear could not be seen. Thranduil had no doubt that Legolas would be sucking it in his distress.
"May we talk in a minute?" Thranduil asked the Elleth. "I want to make sure that Legolas is alright." It may have been his imagination, but he thought that her anger may have settled just a little. She nodded and sat back to watch as the mighty King of Mirkwood knelt down in front of her. This was going to be a good tale to tell.
"Legolas? Leafie, I am sorry. We are all sorry. We forgot to come for you. Please let us make it up tp you?" Silence. If anything Legolas began to shake more. "Little One?" Thranduil could barely breathe; this could well just tip the balance and send Legolas from them even faster.
He took the Elfling from Michelle's lasp with shaky arms. For a minute Legolas did not move. Then slowly two thin arms snaked around his neck. Now that he was hlding his son Thranduil could feel the force of the shakes that trembled through the tiny body and he felt his heart break, he had done this to his son. Not Lomion, this was purely his fault. He would have to make this right.
"Legolas, please look at me?" Slowly the head came up and he could hear the twin gasps from the open study door. The blue eyes were red rimmed and swollen; the cheeks had twin tear tracks that shone like silver in the light. But it was the depth of sadness, the awe filling and chilling epmtiness in those usually bright laughing eyes that brought home to them just what they had inadvertently done to the Elfling.
"I am so sorry, little One, it was a big misunderstanding. It is no excuse, I just am so, so sorry. I would never have let this happen. In future we will make firm arrangements with Rallina who will come and collect you and at what time. This will never, never happen again, I promise you. Please forgive me?"
A little colour had returned to the pallid cheeks and Thranduil tenderly wiped the cheeks dry of tears, before hugging Legolas to him once more.
"Yes, Ada, I forgive you. I thought you did not want me again. I waited and waited but no one came." His voice dropped so that it was little more than a whisper. "I did not know where to go. You said I could not go to Nana."
Thranduil heard the horror filled gasp of Michelle but wasted no time on her. His priority was Legolas. "You need go no where, Leafie we want and need you here with us. This is where you belong. Nana would not be as selfish as to want you with her; she would want you to be here and loved. You are loved, Legolas more than you could possibly know." Tears spilled down the cheeks once more as Legolas hugged his father, Growly forgotten as he fell to the floor.
Lomion picked him up and Michelle watched the stunning display of love, something not seen by the other Elves. The Mirkwod Royalty tended to show little of their feelings to the main populance. Oh they were loved greatly by the people and the people knew the feeling was reciprocated, but to see it like this, with no fear of being watched and talked over. It was really a sight to behold.
The Four Royal's were in a mass hug, whispering words of encouragement and loved and she felt her own heart begin to loose its icy anger. Legolas was loved, no matter what she had originally thought.
He anger at seeing the young Prince abandoned, to all intense and purposes, had made her practically march here to face the King. She would have done it too. She knew only too well she could be like a bear after a cub when her temper was raised. Her husband, Timethla said as much to her, often.
The family broke apart and turned to Michelle, who was hugging Estalado to her. He was smiling at his friend, pleased to see him looking a little happier.
"Who is your new friend, Leafie?" Lomion was holding his brother as Thranduil went to thank Michelle.
"This is Estalado; I sit with him in classess." Legolas was still talking in little more than a whisper and Thranduil knew deep within himself that the Elfling would need to have a lote of hugs and reassurances in the coming days.
Lomion looked to his father who nodded and he turned back to the Elfling with his mother. "Shall we go and see if the cook has made some pastries? I would like to hear how your day has gone." Still holding Legolas in his arms he led the way out of the study.
Michelle srood watching as her son chatted happily away to the Crown Prince before turning to face her King.
"Firstly, I would like to thank you very much for looking after Legolas." Thranduil forstalled her. "I was busy in a meeting and thought Lomion had gone to collect him as that was what was arranged. Unfortunately one of the small settlements to the East was attacked by Orcs last night and Lomion had to go with a Patrol to see just how bad it was. He thought I would pick Legolas up from school. I am mortified, I do not want Legolas upset at the moment and unwittingly, that has what has happened."
"I understand, Your Majesty, I was just very upset on Legolas' behalf. He was almost inconsolable and the only think I could think of was to bring him to the palace. Did he really want to go to join the Queen?" She really did not know how she felty about that.
"Please sit down, would you like some refreshement? Wine or tea?" he gestured for her to retake the chair she had been sitting in.
"A wine would be nice." She normally did not drink during the day. But this was not normally; she did not normally find herself in the companionship of the King and taking wine with him.
Elardion nodded and left to find a servant, he knew his father would need him in the not to distant future. Talking with Michelle would dreg up feelings that were still very labile.
He made it back to the study in time to hear his father begin to explain.
"Legolas is very emotionally unstable. He misses his mother, as we all do, a lot. It is harder for him as he was so badly injured in the attack that took the Queen from us." How he missed her, it was like a constant physical pain. If he felt this badly, how did his little Leaf feel? "He has been having nightmares as well as stomach and headaches. Elardion, as you know is head healer."
Michelle nodded her scceptance of that, she knew all too well as Timethla had been injured by a spider a few months previously and the Prince had treated him.
"I examined Legolas last night." Elardion took up the explanation. "He is in the first stages of fading. We all agreed with Adar that to try and keep Legolas well and with us, we needed to try and love him more, for him to have a proper schooling with other Elfling's so that he could have friend's. We did not expect this to happen today." Elardion could not keep the sadness from his own voice and his father drew him into a hug. Earning a bright, watery smile from Michelle.
"I understand all the more now. Poor Legolas and poor, poor all of you. We must try and shake him out of this." King and Prince were both shocked at that. The collective we.
"We?" Elardion asked, unsure.
"Yes, we. My son has already become attached to the Prince; he has such a kind heart. This would cause him great pain to loose the only real friend he has ever had." Michelle could not hold her own quiver in her voice at that.
"Only friend?" Thranduil really did not understand it was clear that he was missing something important here. How could Legolas have formed such strong friendship in the space of one morning?
"Estalado was a little late in starting his schooling. We lived in a settlement to the South, we moved here to central Mirkwood when Timethla became head of his patrol. He wanted to be nearer to the Palace. Unfortunately the other Elfling's have tended to be very picky. They had already formed friendships and would not let Elstalado play with them. This is the happiest I have seen him since we moved." Michelle blushed at that. "I am sorry, I am talking too much."
"No, no please, that is alright. I would like to know you both. I can see that Legolas is going to becoming close to you." Thranduil looked up as the servant brought their drinks and a tray of small delicacies. He waited until they had been served.
"May I suggest that as I always pick Estalado up from their class that I collect Legolas and bring him back to the Palace? It will mean that they have a little extra time together and that way if something comes along, as it did today, you will be covered and Legolas will not be left." Michelle rushed it out, embarrassed to have made the suggestion.
"You would do that for us?" Thranduil was pleased, as Michelle said this would be an excellent idea.
"It would be an honour, Your Majesty." Michelle was pink with pleasure at how Thranduil had taken the suggestion.
"Thranduil. Please call me Thranduil."
"I could not, my Lord that wou…"
"If you are going to be collecting my son from school for us I insist that you call me Thranduil. Your husband as well." Thranduil smiled easily at her and Elardion had to try hard not to grin at the sight. His father could charm the birds from the trees if he wanted to.
"As you wish, My L… Thranduil." Michelle really did blush at that the thought of calling the King by his Given name and not title was rather a foreign idea to her.
"Good, very good. I want Legolas to have as many ties to Middle Earth as possible. I want him to feel he has friends and family worth staying here for." Thranduil took a sip of his wine.
"That is a very good idea, he can come and play with Elardion at our home if he likes?" Michelle was warming to this, she liked the smallest Prince.
"They can come here as well. We have an enclosed garden; Legolas lets his pets have the run of the green on fine days."
"Pets?" Michelle's eyes were wide at this; it made it sound as if Legolas had more than one.
"Yes, pets. He has five rabbits; they all have names, and the only one I can remember is called Scamp. He also has a Mouse rather appropriately named Mousey that Mithrandir gave him." Thranduil was completely at his ease. Michelle was very easy to talk to, and in fact, to like.
"The Grey Pilgrim? Legolas knows the Grey Pilgrim?" There was shock in the voice and on the fair face.
"Yes, Legolas is a very close friend of Mithrandir. You will no doubt be meeting him before long. Along with Elrond and his Family." How he stopped from laughing outright, Thranduil did not know and he dared not look at Elardion that would finish him off. But the look on Michelle's face was incredible, such shock!
"L… Lord Elrond?" Michelle could have winced at the squeak that came out when she spoke.
"Yes, Elrond of Rivendell." He watched as her eyes grew wider.
"They are both very dear old friends of mine. Legolas loves them both dearly. I would not be too surprised if they do not arrive in the not to distant future." Thranduil was not lying. He really did have that feeling. Estel no doubt would be in contact with them.
"Oh, my." That did bring a grin to Thranduil's face.
"Have a little more wine while I go and see where my two Scamps have got to." Thranduil refilled her glass before leaving the room.
Lomion could only smile at the Elfling at his side as he told him all about his father and his big important job and how they had moved and that until today he had not had any friends.
The Elfling did not seem to even take a breath as he talked and Legolas was hanging on his every word.
Lomion had no doubt that they had a budding friendship here, if not already firmly cemented in place.
They arrived at the kitchens only for them to be fussed over by the cook and her helpers. Estalado's eyes were wide as he took this in. he had never been treated like this before. The three of them were ushered to a table and before too long they both had a glass of milk (both pulled faces at this) in front of them with a large plate of fresh warm cookies that had just come from the ovens. The cook shared a glass of wine with lomion as they talked.
The Crown Prince may not have looked as if he was watching his small brother. But he was. Every mouthful was noted. He had to hide the smile as Estalado encouraged the smaller Elfling to have more of the moist cookies.
The cook was smiling at the two, they were really enjoying themselves and although Legolas was still not his normal self, he was at least eating.
Soon the entire plate was full of crumbs and the two had big white whiskers around their mouths. Lomion was just about to gather them so that he could wipe their hands and faces; he really did not want to send Estalado home to his parents grubby, when a laugh drew their attention to the door. Their father stood there a big happy grin on his face at the sight of the two small children.
"Have you both had a nice time?" He came into the chamber waving at the cook who nodded in reply.
Estalado suddenly became so silent that Lomion had to check that he was still there.
"Yes, Ada we had cookies." Legolas told him.
"Good, did you have a lot?" A happy nod from the flaxen head.
"And did you enjoy the cookies, Estalado?" The brown eyes were wide with shock as he looked at King, somewhat intimidated. Silence. "Estalado?"
"Yes, thank you Mr King, they were very nice." Was the halting reply.
"Not Mr King, Elfling call me Thran. That will make it easier for you." He would enjoy teasing Lomion later about his mouth wide reaction to that.
"Thank you Mr Thran. They were the best. Better than Nana's but do not tell her that, please?" Big brown worried eyes looked at him.
"I promise, we will not tell her." Thranduil wiped the small face of milk and crumbs.
"Would you like some for tomorrows break time?" Legolas sounded hesitant and almost too unsure to ask this.
Thranduil frowned. "Break time, Legolas?"
"We have a break midmorning; Mr King when we have a snack, my Nana gives me cookies." Estalado had found his voice once more.
Thranduil winced, he should have known that. That meant that Legolas not only had not eaten breakfast but no snack or lunch. No wonder he had been hungry.
"I am sorry, Little Leafie; I did not give you any snack for today. You will have tomorrow, I promise." The cook was nodding emphatically behind the Elfling's. He knew that he would never haver to ask again. Simnella really was the most incredible cook, one of the best.
"I shared mine with Legolas, so he did not go without." Estalado sounded so pleased with himself.
"Thank you, Estalado that was very, very kind of you. I am sure that Legolas will do the same for you tomorrow." Thranduil was wiping Legolas' face and hands now. He smiled down at his son who gave a very, very small smile back. "Would you like to have Estalado come and play with you tomorrow after school? I can arrange it with his Nana."
The smile was slightly bigger and Legolas nodded happily. "Yes, please, Ada I can show him Mousey and Scamp and…"
"That would be a very good idea. How about I try and get out of chambers early and join you? I would like to spend some time with you both and that would be an ideal time." Thranduil smiled broadly as Legolas hugged him tightly. That was obviously a big yes.
It was soon arranged that from that day forward, Legolas would be brought back to the Palace with Michelle, every other day Legolas would play with them at their home and the other they would play at the palace.
Legolas and Thranduil waved them goodbye at the palace door. Lomion escorted them home so that they would be safe.
Thranduil spent all afternoon with Legolas with the others joining them and playing games. Maybe the King should have felt guilty at having taken the time off, but he really felt that Legolas was the more important at this present time.
Legolas did not eat a big evening meal that night, but he was eating and they were all gratefull for that.
Night came quickly and Thranduil settled his young son in his bed to sleep, Growly and all the other toys arranged just as Legolas liked them. He was soon asleep.
Later just as Thranduil was about to retire for the night himself he was stopped by someone screaming. It was Legolas.
Four doors opened and five heads could be spotted poking through the holes. It would have been funny to watch at any other time.
"I will see to him, please go back to bed." Thranduil crossed the corridor to Legolas' chamber.
Legolas was still asleep, he was shivering as if freezing cold and he was alternating with crying and screaming. Thranduil sat himself on the bed and picked the Elfling up. Immeadiately Legolas was holding him limpet like and Thranduil knew straight away that he would not be letting him go anytime soon. He gatered up Growly and carried Legolas to his chamber.
There he settled them for the night. Although he did not expect to get any sleep. His thinging was right. Legolas was very disturbed and certain that he was going to be abandoned, but the worst thing for Thranduil, if any thing could be worse than that, was the cold shivers that seemed to wrack the thin frame. He could not seem to get his Elfling warm.
Morning finally came on an exhausted worried, Thranduil. He readied them both and carried Legolas down for the morning meal. He did not even try to sit Legolas on his own chair, but left him on his lap and tried, unsuccessfully to get the Elfling to eat.
The others all watched with worry on their faces. They were interrupted by a servant looking pleased but harried.
"My Lord, you have a visitor."
Thranduil frowned. "A visitor, at this time of the morning?"
He turned to watch as their unexpected guest was ushered into the room. Breath left him with a rush, yet he was happy, really happy for the first time in days as he took in just who it was that stood in front of him.
To be continued
Thank you all once again for the reviews. They mean a lot to both of us.
Replies to reviews:
Bradleigh; Of course we don't mind! We are glad that you like Lomion and Alcarnor. I know what you mean about knowing they were brothers but only really just realising they were brothers. As to Elardion being so calm, he was taught by the best after all: Elrond. How could he be anything other than good? I know what you mean about Estel coming, he can only help, we hope. Here is more.
Triptych: I how did your son get on? Well we hope? Mei has been asked to be head girl! (They asked me to apply .It is different) I'm so porud of her.
SaphireCat: Uhm its hernia (Sorry, picky nurse Shell.) we are glad you are enjoying this.
Pointy-eared-elfs: Glad you liked Legtolas' first day in school. As to why they never came to pick him up……. Grumble …. Groan… strick 'em with knives till they remember Legolas! As you say very catchy"
MoroTheWolfGod: Oh yes!! Grin.
LittleCrazy1: I like the almighty glare of doom! Neat.
Alatariel Narmolanya: I hope this chapter helps, then. Was school; good?
Haldir's Heart and Soul: I know!!!!!
Dark Borg Drone: Oh, sorry that was me, Shell. I hit the wrong key and did not pick up on it. Sorry, mellon-nin.
Moonshine44: I'm sorry. Hete is more for you to keep you going.
Until next time, our friends,
Love,
Mei, Shell, leafie and the Gang.