Special, Just Like Everyone Else

Chapter 5

Author: Icy

Legolas stared in disbelief, that Lórien elf could not have placed the blame on him! That couldn't be right. How was it he was the one in the wrong? It was his father who…had pointed out that he did not attend his practice…… hadn't told anyone he was going off…… or who with. Legolas sighed depressed.

'Why am I so stupid? How could I make such a oversight!' He swiped at the tears on his cheeks, what had he done? Why couldn't he go out and do things like the other elves? Why must he always be cooped up like some fragile chalice? He was just as sturdy as his brothers! And he was far more skilled in the area of the bow then anyone in the elven race. Why his father felt he couldn't protect himself was beyond him. It twasn't fair! Where was this fatal fault that made him so…weak?

Gwibess stalked in the shadows of the night. Her master would not be pleased if she scared the wits out of some visiting elves…without him there to watch. Gwibess held her breath and flattened herself up against a tree as a silvery haired elf trudged past her. She was momentarily distracted from finding her master by the broad shouldered being, he seemed familiar. Shrugging her shoulders…as much as any spider can shrug their shoulders…Gwibess continued on her rummage for Legolas, he would no doubt be in distress without her about. Surging forward once more, she had reached his 'herb garden' and found him! Patting herself on the back at being such a good, trusty spider she meandered over to her master…who was talking to himself. The arachnid held back the urge to flee; it was never a good sign when elves talked to themselves, particularly her cunning master. Edging closer, she decided this was worth investigation.

Legolas sulked, it was entirely plausible his father wanted him to bond with someone like that arrogant elf he just met. Insulting him all the time, telling him he wasn't good enough. 'I'll show them! Legolas Greenleaf, seventh Prince of the Mirkwood realm was no push over!'

"No one insults me and gets away with it!"

"Ch che che kec!"

Legolas whirled around to see his reliable spider. Smiling he patted her on the head. Gwibess wrapped one of her long furry legs around him comfortingly. He just grinned at the spider in thanks for her support. 'Whatever would I do without her?'

"You are indeed right Gwibess, we need to get some planning done. To do this properly we'll have to find out what father has in store for these suitors."

Feeling much calmer now with the soothing company of his faithful spider and with a plan in mind, Legolas's face split into a grin. He marched back to his room, spider in tow as always. Quickly scaling the wall he had previously slipped out of, he peaked out his door to see his brother was gone.

When his guard noticed him, she handed him a note from his brother. He smiled at her, causing her to flush and stare at the ground. Ducking back into the confines of his room, Legolas looked over the note. It explained he was called away from his troop's messenger, and required his brother to break his fast the next morn with him. Barely stripping out of his fancy garb, and into something more comfortable, the youngest prince of Mirkwood sank into a heavy sleep.

Haldir grunted at his brother as he lay down in bed. Rumil, who often mistook things, found this to be as a sign to take up conversation and leaned on his elbow to gaze at his brother deviously.

"Why were you out so late? You left far before us, and yet you arrive far later? Is Mirkwood such a tricky place that you found yourself lost in its woods, brother?" he teased.

"Nay, Rumil. I merely found a problem that needed taking care of." Haldir rumbled.

"Oh, I'm sure you took care of his problem." Rumil ribbed, grinning lecherously.

"Brother, one day you will find your mouth will get you in trouble, I fear."

"Fear not! For I have had no complaints from what my mouth does, dearest brother. "

Haldir threw his brother a disgusted look. "I have no doubts, younger sibling of mine, that you have received a lack of complaints for your frequent activities."

Rumil continued as though Haldir hadn't just insulted him or in fact replied at all.

"In fact, dear Haldir, your own nocturnal activities have caused much greater distress than my own, as you've received much more trouble than my mouth with your di—"

"Under the pretense that it is indeed still night, I would plead that you both slumber, for your lack of this very act is affecting my own." Orophin brother growled.

Rumil and Haldir had the grace to look abashed and apologized before turning back in. With no more bickering, all three quickly fled to dreamland.

A week had passed since Legolas had seen the Marchwarden in his herb garden. An entire week and still that elf would not get out of his mind. Of all the nerve!

Awaiting his guard, Legolas tromped back and forth in his room, or tromped as much as any elf could, keeping in mind they held the grace and elegance of a being that no other possessed. The irony of not getting Haldir off his mind, even after a week later, having not settled in on the young elf.

How dare he say such a thing! That one of Galadhrim may have a handsome exterior but he would have to learn not to speak so harshly with Legolas! The sting from his words still present at the present. Oooh he would pay greatly for his words!

"He shall eat them, one by one!"

"Who shall eat what, my prince?" a guard questioned, baffled by the youngest prince's conversation.

Legolas turned swiftly on his heel at her inquire, flushing at being caught speaking to himself. It was not a habit his father would be pleased about, especially not after the last time he did it in front of the council. He cleared his throat and gave a wobbly grin.

"No one, Misura, I merely am nervous of today's events."

"As are we all, my prince."

They turned, meeting the other sentinels and after a quick nod of greeting, they hastily tried to keep up with their ward as he practically skipped down the halls.

A week ago the King of Mirkwood had received a messenger from Rivendell, informing him of a certain problem. Apparently, due to the works of some other force, the party would be late traveling the great distance, pushing their arrival a week past due. The monarch was not pleased, at all, and took a great deal of his time to express his wrath—or concern as he phrased it—that it was highly mannish of the elf Lord to prepare himself so, forcing the rest to await them.

Two and a half painful hours later, the messenger had fled the thrown room, and Greenleaf had been called in. Thranduil weakly apologized to his son, excusing his actions from the previous night by his 'concern' for his youngest son's welfare and future; in the end Legolas had wheedled his father into allowing him to attend the meeting of the Imladris elves. Legolas had been thrilled, and had spoke of nothing since with anyone he could get to listen... for an entire week. His constant spider companion had scampered off just this morning; scared her master might continue his tirade.

The King consented to Greenleaf traveling to meet up with the Rivendell's party reluctantly. It wasn't until his advisor Yaniul pointed out that it would be better that he choose a guard sentry for Greenleaf, least he sneak out with naught but his spider and run into some vigorous suitors. Thranduil, greatly appeased now at his 'own' brilliant solution, explained that it had been a trap for his Little Leaf so that he would not look like he was going soft. Yaniul, wisely, nodded and agreed with the king, after all he had not become his most trusted advisor without learning a few of the ruler's personality quirks.

After announcing to the Lothlórien elves that the trails would be postponed a week due to the 'slothful planning of Rivendell's lord', they had been left to their own devices. Many of the suitors took this time to find out more about previous Mirkwood trials for the royal family, and any other information they could discover about the elf coming out. To say the least it was a highly frustrating week for all.

The Rivendell elves arrival was being taken with mixed results. Grudgingly Thranduil would admit that his son's safety was well worth swallowing his pride for once, even if he'd rather spend an evening in the company of orcs, than the Lord of Rivendell. Meanwhile, Legolas was ecstatic and borderline annoying with his enthusiasm. Tathar was displeased with the constant traffic, and masses, it would make it very difficult to train the warriors in crowded quarters. One look at his younger brother though silenced his mentioning these thoughts, as Legolas was practically radiating happiness. Tathar smiled warmly at the young prince, simply happy because he was happy.

Arwen frowned, well pouted was more correct, her horse was plodding along at a decent pace, but she wished to fly. Her steed could out pace these old farm horses any day, but her father had forbidden her racing. Ever since her brothers had received their own horses, she had been restricted. It was like having a limb cut off. She threw a not so loving look at the twins. They were goofing around, laughing at some private joke that neither was likely to share with her. Arwen's pout er frown deepened, it wasn't right!

"Mil lord, what lengths of our journey remain till we reach the realm of Mirkwood?"

Translation: 'Daddy! Are we there yet?'

Elrond smiled pleasantly at his fair maiden daughter. Cupping her face he smiled tolerantly at her with the patience of a true doting father.

"Our travels shall commence before the sun reaches its zenith, darling daughter."

Arwen preened under the praise. She shot her brothers another dangerous look; it was their fault they were headed to this dank setting. If it weren't for them then she wouldn't be stuck in these miserable rodent infested woods. A spider scuttled by her horse, making it rear up suddenly, Arwen's breath caught in her throat as she gained control of the beast. An arrow shot the creature down not a second later. There was no explanation for the arrow. 'It must have been a boarder guard.' Arwen concluded disdainfully. 'A slothful one if they allowed such a monster to enclose our party.' The party continued on at their snail pace.

Arwen gazed dispassionately out at the woods, highly displeased by the shadowy branches and mysteriousness that permeated the surroundings. 'And Daddy expects me to stay in this dreadful dump?'

Thranduil settled his mount a few yards from his eager son, near the waning hillsides. Greenleaf was practically bouncing up and down in his saddle. He gave his older son, Tathar, an amused look. The General had a pasted grin on his face for his sibling's benefit, Greenleaf blathering about some story or other, to him, unaware of his disinterest.

The king smiled to him, pleased that Greenleaf was so ecstatic. 'Perhaps I shall have to arrange more of these visitations in the future, since they so delight my Little Leaf.'

It was then that the King realized that his son wouldn't be around forever, not in Mirkwood at least. Soon a suitor would win the hand of the last gift his wife was able to bestow upon him, taking his littlest elfling away. When later confronted about the next few minutes the King would highly deny any signs of teary-eyed-ness that stole his calm. The mere thoughts of losing his baby to some man of an elf were too horrible. Steeling his will to set up the most complex, demanding, taxing drills for Little Leaf's suitors, he wiped the tender feelings from his mind. After all, it wouldn't do for Mirkwood's monarch to fall down at such a pinnacle! Thranduil felt his stomach turn at the creeping in his gut, whatever was to come to pass would not be to his liking.

Legolas felt a flutter in his stomach as the Rivendell party halted a few arm lengths from their waiting party. Lord Elrond looked on expectantly; seemingly displeased at finally arriving at his destination, or perhaps his displeasure lay more with his disability to delay his arrival. Upon examination, Legolas saw that Arwen did not seem all too pleased to be here either. She was currently staring disinterestedly at the forest floor. Her horse was kicking at the ground in agitation, snorting loudly. Legolas was hurt by her lack of enthusiasm. A frown puckered at Legolas' lips, he had been hoping to befriend the Evening Star. He had heard of her beauty and kindness from his brothers on their return from a brief stay in Lórien. They had spoken of nothing else for weeks, declaring her beauty to be beyond all others in Middle Earth. Legolas had severely doubted his brother's pronouncements, having found they oft spouted off about the distinguishing traits of any elven lass, but he found himself unable to disprove that Arwen's beauty had not been overstated. She was very appealing to the eye, although her attitude did not seem to match. Legolas had held a high interest in the lady's possible friendship, due to what else his brothers had gossiped about. It was said that the only daughter to Lord Elrond was a strong willed, gregarious, adventuresome and daring. Not only that but highly skilled with magic. Legolas had heard much about elven magic, and austerely wished that on his coming out, he would be endowed with magical abilities. It was a fact though, that the Mirkwood elves had not had a magical elf in their blood for over half an Age. The thought of being able to discuss such subjects with someone was highly desirous to the young prince. He stared longingly at the female, hoping for the chance to break the ice.

Arwen twitched; it felt like someone had his or her eyes on her. A weight had lain on her shoulders soon after her party joined the Mirkwood crew. While her father had exchanged barbs disguised as pleasant commentary with King Thranduil, she had felt as if her every move was being monitored. A quarter of a mile off from palace, according to the twins, she found that she couldn't take it a moment longer. Casting a look about, Elrond's fair daughter searched for her watcher. Her eyes landed on the elf that was riding in the midst of guards with the General. She adverted her gaze at once, feeling a rush of blood to her cheeks. The elf was most handsome, Arwen had met a many elves in her years, but this one was startling. That was saying something from an elf that was praised and courted by the best of the best. His long blonde mane caught the sunlight and gave the look of fine gold. A constant wind was billowing the elf's hair just so, giving him the air of an adventurer. His smooth, ivory complexion left her desirous to reach out and run her hands over his skin. Arwen swallowed, if his hair was treasure, then his eyes were without a doubt jewels. They shone with a naïve innocence that was belied with a mischievous gleam. Her breath caught in her throat, his build was simply perfection. Arwen had to swallow a moan, she would have this elf court her if it was the last thing she did in Mirkwood. Perhaps her stay her would not be such a waste after all.

Haldir cursed, the wind was making his practice all the more difficult. His arrow had been three inches off the mark, making his score the lowest he'd achieved yet. Due to Lord Elrond's late arrival, and lack of tack in Haldir's opinion, the tournament had been grudgingly postponed. This gave him an entire week of nothing planned. He had spent the most part of the week learning more of the youngest of Mirkwood's royalty. It had yet to pay off, the people seemed to be hiding something. They were all very unenthusiastic to part with any stories of the elf, a rarity amongst elves, who were always open with each other. His brothers had yet to achieve any other information as well. Just the other day they'd been discussing it.

Flashback

"Brother, have you as of yet, learned any information on this mysterious elf?"

"Nay, except I feel I know why."

"Not again, don't you say that!" the eldest brother, Orophin, had listened to his theory earlier, and found it quite ridiculous.

"Hush, I think the reason that this Mirkwood royal is so unmentioned is because it wasn't a male elf at all! Thranduil's last was a female elf. One that can birth!"

Haldir shot his brother a glare, "Rumil, you know how rare those are. It would be highly unlikely that one such as Thranduil would not be mentioning this constantly, let alone at all. The only way his child would be more unlikely is if it were a male that could give birth."

At this point his brother had conceded, and they continued to joke about what would happen if the "son" really were a maternal elf.

End Flashback

Haldir shook his head lightly; really his brothers could come up with the oddest situations. Notching his bow again he took aim, the arrow flew true and landed with a thud into…two inches from the inner circle. The Marchwarden grunted and pulled out another arrow, at this skill level he could never compete!

Thranduil stirred out of his thoughts. Elrond seemed dreadfully pleased; it was at this point that the King of Mirkwood knew it wouldn't be good for him. Things had been rather heated between the two of them for quite a while, and Legolas' coming out party wasn't about to change that any time soon. He scowled at the other elf and held back the urge to growl.

"What is it, if you would be inclined to share, that makes your mood so uplifted, Lord Elrond?"

Elrond, bursting with giddy energy, sent Thranduil an eat shit grin. He hummed to himself, reining in his emotions. It wouldn't do to have Thranduil throw a hissy fit until they were in front of a large crowd. Elrond tapped his chin thoughtfully; it was very mannish for him to wish to seek vengeance on the King of Mirkwood. He decided that it was one of their better qualities and smirked as he coyly gazed at the other elven ruler.

"Why Thranduil, of course I am willing to share with you, after all it wouldn't be right to keep such good tidings from our host." Here is where he paused for several minutes, until Mirkwood's ruler cleared his throat rudely.

"Oh yes, I was speaking with you, alas I was distracted by the special environment your realm lies in. It has been such a long, long while since I have visited such a place."

Thranduil grit his teeth, frustration apparent to his people, who fled.

"Ah yes, I forget the condition of Rivendell is quite different from Mirkwood. If you have forgotten though, Lord Elrond, we were previously discussing your high spirits."

"Of course, you are right, but perhaps you would enjoy another topic?" He asked demurely, knowing that the King couldn't refuse. 'I haven't had this much fun since last the Grey One came through.'

The General stared disheartened at the private's news; this was not what he had hoped to hear. While riding slowly back with the Rivendell elves, his lieutenant had approached and informed him that he was required to return at once. Apparently the troops his father had sent out the previous week had come across a horde sighting. There were three legions of orcs gathering, apparently the troops had stumbled upon the meeting grounds of the leaders, it was a miracle that they made it out alive. Tathar was finding the situation less and less to his liking. This was not the behavior of orcs; it reeked of the hand of someone else. The list of possible enemies was daunting; mainly due to an elf's long life span. Many creatures that inhabited Middle Earth felt that it was ignorant of elves to keep their secrets on immortality. Tathar felt the brunt of their misunderstandings, heavy as ever.

Tathar began to question the private once more, going over the details of his account before dismissing him to his other duties. The General rested his chin on his hand as he began to think over the minutiae, there had to be something he was missing, but what was it?

So immersed in his musings that Tathar didn't even notice the arms slip around his chest.

"Mm, Ta when are you coming to bed?"

Tathar leaned back into his mate, shifting his head to the side in order to allow him free access to his neck. Niecal nuzzled at his bonded one's bared neck, littering it with chaste kisses. Tathar tried to recall what had been so important as to keep him away from his mate. When everything refused to come to mind, the General gave up on the concept of thinking, and gave himself over to Niecal. The lieutenant was only too happy to find his mate so willing, and took full control of the situation.

King Thranduil was practically bursting at the seams, his naturally pale skin had turned an unnatural bright cherry red and strangling the horse's reign was not helping his temperament in the least. Lord Elrond was quite the opposite, sitting regally in his saddle with complete composure. They had just stopped in front of the horse barn when the King could take it any longer. Turning hastily to the lord on his left he growled out loudly.

"Lord Elrond, I must ask as to why seemed to be wholly overjoyed by our small ride through Mirkwood?"

Rivendell's ruler calmly smiled at the King.

"Why King Thranduil, I felt it would be most obvious."

When the King made no move to reply he continued.

"I am sure that you took note of our small numbers." Thranduil nodded, he had indeed been shocked by the few that were riding with the lord. "And understanding that, I am very positive that you will swiftly understand my good mood."

The king was puzzled, how would having so few in the trials affect him at all? It would indeed give his elves a boost in the direction of winning. The small group would allow his Mirkwood elves to easily defeat the Peredhil. Considering the size of Lórien's suitors even combined with the Imladris elves would not even come close to the Mirkwood entrants.

That was when his mistake made itself present. According to the Old Laws, the laws that his realm still followed, only the amount of the smallest group would the hosting realm be allowed to provide, in order to grant a more even playing field. Mirkwood would be forced to be even with Rivendell's scant number!

Elrond smiled sardonically at the other ruler, cackling on the inside at the travesty he made of the king.

Thanks everyone who is reading, and reviewed! A thousand apologies for the lateness of this! I promise times a million that the next one will be out MUCH sooner. I don't know why this took so long.

Any suggestions for the next chapter/s are welcome. No guarantees they'll be used, but they might inspire something else!

ALSO I know from reading Harry Potter that people/readers get quite touchy over some details, mainly the colorations characters hold. Now I know in the movie Orlando Bloom had blue eyes but I have read Legolas with just about any and every color eyes. I was personally leaning towards green, but if anyone had any preferences let them be known!

Sorry for any confusion with the General's apparent disappearance. I had written the last bit without thinking that duh, he was with the Rivendell group and then suddenly not! He had Niecal tell him to hurry it up and arrived before them. grins glomps readers waves

Icy