I hope this makes up for those short chappies.
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"I have something to ask you," Thranduil said as he helped his son put together an animal puzzle.
Legolas looked up at him with a questioning gaze.
" How would you like to meet your cousins?" Thranduil asked hopefully. He knew what Legolas's reaction would be but that didn't stop him from hoping that he would at least show some interest in meeting family.
Legolas shook his head as soon as Thranduil had said 'meet'. When he heard about cousins he shook his head harder.
/ Knew that would happen. I'm not in the mood for this right now I'll wait till tomorrow to discuss it with him. I already ruined a wonderful night. I should have thought about this a little bit more. /
" Legolas, you can stop now. I get the point; you don't want to meet anyone… it is alright, I'm not going to make you." Thranduil said.
Legolas looked up at him and looked back down at the puzzle they were making. Thranduil knew that this was his way of saying thank you.
" Hum… I wonder where this piece goes," Thranduil said as he started to put a large puzzle piece on random parts of Legolas's face.
" Nope, not here," Thranduil said as he put the piece behind Legolas's ear. " Not here either.." he said as he put the piece on Legolas's head and then on his eye. "Not here either. This is hard."
Thranduil looked at his sons face. There was a tiny smile pulling at the corners of his lips as he tried to ignore his father's joke.
" So, where do you think it goes?" Thranduil asked as he sat back on his heels. He handed over the piece to Legolas.
Legolas took the piece and sat there for a few seconds studying it. After turning it this way and that he put it down near Thranduil's area of work where it fitted perfectly in a spot that Thranduil had been trying to get done for ages.
Thranduil looked down surprised. He knew that Legolas was smart but it still amazed him sometimes. The puzzle they were working on at the moment had both large and tiny pieces. Legolas usually did the small ones first and Thranduil almost hated to say, that, he did them almost as fast as his father. Usually Legolas finished most of the puzzle because Thranduil would quit trying and let him take over. He enjoyed watching his son more anyway.
" Very good ion-nin. How did you see that when I did not?" Thranduil asked as he handed Legolas another puzzle piece.
Legolas just shrugged and set to work with the next piece.
/ He is so smart. Exactly like his mother. By the valar Alasse, if you could be and see our son, you would have been so proud of him. If you were here… Stop it! Don't think about that! Not now. No more ifs. Alasse is dead and she isn't coming back. Nothing can bring here back. No amount of if's or wishes can ever bring her back//
There was a knock at the door.
" Come in" Thranduil said, not bothering to get up off the floor.
A messenger came in and said " I have a message to you, my lord, from Nefiath." he bowed and handed the letter to his king.
" Thank you, is that all?" Thranduil asked as he accepted the letter offered to him.
"Yes, sire, I will leave you now.' the messenger bowed once again and left.
Legolas was looking at the letter in interest. It had been several weeks since he had seen his nanny. Even though she wrote many letters Legolas missed her greatly. Nefiath was his mother in a sense. She had always been with him after Alasse had been killed. Legolas loved her to death, she was the only 'mother' he had ever known.
Legolas tugged at his father's sleeve.
" What, do you want me to open it or something?" Thranduil teased as he opened the letter and read out loud:
Dear Legolas,
How are you? I'm fine. I would have written you more letters but I have been so busy here I can't get enough time to sit down and write. My sister's baby was born last night. Her name is Paigel and she weighs about 6 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, just like you. She looks so tiny and it feels like you might break her if you hold her wrong.
I am really happy to finally be able to see my little baby niece, but I can't wait to get home. I miss you a lot. Maybe when I get back we can go on a picnic. Well, I have to go now. My sister is calling me. I think I will be able to get back home in about three days. I can't wait to see you again.
Hugs and kisses,
Nefiath.
Thranduil folded the letter back up and put it on the floor next to him. He looked over at Legolas.
Legolas still had his eyes on the letter.
" Well, that's good. She'll be here at least a week sooner than what we thought." Thranduil said. " You miss her a lot don't you?" he asked. He could see that Legolas missed her greatly. It was written clearly in his eyes.
Legolas nodded.
Thranduil smiled at him and scooted over to where Legolas was sitting. He pulled his son into his arms and said, " It is alright to miss people. She'll be back very soon. I promise. After all who could resist such a charming little elfling like you?"
Thranduil kissed the top of his son's blonde head and whispered in his ear " if it makes you feel better I miss Nefiath too."
Legolas looked up at him surprised.
* Ada misses Nefiath too?"
" Hey! I can miss people too you know." Thranduil said.
/ Like your mother…/
Legolas looked down again and tried to slide out his father's embrace. Thranduil, however, wasn't ready to let go just yet.
" Your not going anywhere ion-nin, your going to stay here in my arms forever and ever and ever. I'll never let you go." Thranduil hugged his son tighter and started to bounce him up and down.
" Ada.." was all Legolas said.
/ Well he said something/
Even though Legolas didn't laugh or say anything else Thranduil could tell that he was enjoying the game.
After a few minutes Thranduil stopped. He stood up with Legolas still in his arms. " Its bath time and then bedtime."
Legolas looked up at him confused " my foot." he whispered
* I can't take a bath! My foot is all wrapped up. What is ada thinking? *
' It is okay. I'll unwrap it for your bath and when you get dressed I'll wrap it up again. I don't think that it will be a problem as long as we are careful. The warm water might help it feel better." Thranduil explained to his son as he walked into his bathroom. He started to fill the huge tub with warm water. (A/n- I'm pretending that they had some thing like indoors plumbing)
He put Legolas down and helped undo the troublesome buttons. While Legolas was undressing himself Thranduil reached up on a high shelf and pulled down a purple tinted bottle. Checking that Legolas was still occupied with his clothes Thranduil poured a capful of the clear liquid in to the bath water.
" Ion-nin?" Thranduil asked as he put the purple bottle back and pulled off some mild shampoo and soap for Legolas.
Thranduil looked down at his son. He reached over Legolas and pulled one of the white fluffy towels off the rack. He put it on the floor since Legolas was bound to make a mess in the tub and then he gently pulled Legolas towards him. He helped remove the last article of clothing and then unwrapped the hurt ankle. Thranduil reached behind him and turned off the water. He picked Legolas up and slowly lowered him into the warm water. The liquid that Thranduil had poured into the bath earlier had made big soap bubbles. Legolas reached out and scooped up a handful and blew it off of his hand and smiled. Once Legolas was sitting contently in the water splashing and blowing the bubbles, Thranduil grabbed a basket of bath toys and dumped it in front of Legolas. Legolas immediately reached for the toy boat and started to sail it though waves of bubbles. Thranduil watched his son play occasionally dumping a huge handful of bubbles on Legolas's head or on the boat.
" It is time to wash your hair my little sailor." Thranduil said. He reached down and grabbed the shampoo.
Legolas tried to ignore him but Thranduil was pulling him closer to the side of the tub. Legolas reached out and grabbed a washcloth that was on the side of the tub.
* He is going to get it in my eyes again*
" I'll try my best not to get it in your eyes Legolas. I know it stings." Thranduil said. He gently pushed Legolas's head back and grabbed a cup that was floating in the water. He dumped a couple of cupfuls of water on Legolas's head.
" I'm going to put the shampoo in now. Make sure the wash cloth is covering your eyes all the way." Thranduil said. He poured a little bit of the sweet smelling liquid into his hand and started to rub in Legolas's hair. Once Legolas's hair was covered in soap suds Thranduil grabbed the cup again.
" Hold on tight." he said as he dumped a cupful of water on Legolas's head. He put his hand on Legolas's forehead in an attempt to stop the soapy water from going into his eyes. After Thranduil washed all the soap out of Legolas's hair and wiped the suds from his face he handed the soap to Legolas so he could wash himself.
" Here you go.' Thranduil said. He sat back and watched his son wash himself.
Legolas gently rubbed his bruised body. After washing his arms, chest and legs he handed the washcloth back to his ada. Thranduil took the washcloth out of Legolas's hand and washed his back and the swollen ankle for him.
" Now that you are all nice and clean, do you want to play some more or get out and go to bed?" Thranduil asked.
Legolas nodded.
" And what are you saying yes too?" Thranduil asked hoping to get an answer other than a head nod or a short quiet yes.
Legolas didn't respond. He reached for one of the toy animals and started to play with it.
/ Well then, I got my answer didn't I? /
Thranduil let his son play for a few more minutes before he pulled the plug out of the drain.
" Scoot closer to me so I can get you out of the tub," Thranduil said as he stood up and pulled a dry towel off the rack. When Legolas was next to the edge of the tub Thranduil bent down and scooped him up in his arms.
" Up you go!" Thranduil said as he swung Legolas up and down and side to side.
Legolas smiled the entire time his father swung him around the bathroom and bedroom.
When Thranduil reached his bed he gently dropped Legolas on it.
" Wait a minute while I go get your clothes and those bandages," Thranduil said " why don't you try and get your hair a little bit dryer."
Legolas nodded his head.
Thranduil quickly walked to Legolas's room and got a clean pair bedclothes. He walked back into his room and picked the bandages up off the floor. He walked back over to his bed and sat down.
" Here put on your clothes so I can get a brush and some hair ties," Thranduil said as he handed Legolas his clothes and carefully rewrapped the injured ankle. Once he was done Thranduil got up and went over to his dresser and got a hairbrush and hair ties off the top of it. When he got back to his bed Legolas had gotten his shirt on and was pulling up his pants. Once he was done Thranduil sat behind him and brushed the tangles out of his hair. After much of Legolas wincing in pain and Thranduil apologizing, Thranduil was able to braid his son's hair.
" Okay, now that your hair is brushed and you're dressed, where do you want to sleep? I don't care if you sleep with me again tonight." Thranduil asked as he hugged his son closer to him.
"My bed," Legolas said quietly.
/ He is so sleepy/
Thranduil picked his son up and cradled him in his arms and asked " can I rock you and tell you a story till you fall asleep then I'll put you in your bed?"
Legolas nodded and buried his head in his father's arms.
Thranduil smiled down at him and walked over to the rocking chair and sat down. Before he could start his story though Legolas said " Laure" {golden}
/ Laure? /
" What did you say? I couldn't hear you," Thranduil asked confused.
Legolas didn't move his head out of his fathers robes all he said was " amin mern Laure."
" Is laure your teddy bear?" Thranduil asked wondering if Legolas had named his bear.
Legolas nodded his head.
" I'll go get it." Thranduil said happy that Legolas wanted to sleep with the teddy bear that he had given that day. Thranduil put Legolas on the chair and he walked over to the bed and grabbed the bear. Thranduil walked back to Legolas and gave him the bear. Once Legolas was comfortable again Thranduil said, " Did you name it laure because it has a light color?"
Legolas nodded his head and hugged Laure closer to his body.
" I think it is a wonderful name." Thranduil said as he started to rock back and forth.
" Amin mela lle." {I love you}
Thranduil spent the next half hour rocking Legolas a telling him children stories. When Legolas had finally fallen asleep Thranduil carefully got up and walked to his son's room and put him in his bed. Before Thranduil walked out he kissed his forehead and tucked him in tighter. He lit the small lantern next to Legolas bed and walked out of the room.
/ Legolas is now asleep. Time to find Elrond and beraid. /
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"I have something to ask you," Thranduil said as he helped his son put together an animal puzzle.
Legolas looked up at him with a questioning gaze.
" How would you like to meet your cousins?" Thranduil asked hopefully. He knew what Legolas's reaction would be but that didn't stop him from hoping that he would at least show some interest in meeting family.
Legolas shook his head as soon as Thranduil had said 'meet'. When he heard about cousins he shook his head harder.
/ Knew that would happen. I'm not in the mood for this right now I'll wait till tomorrow to discuss it with him. I already ruined a wonderful night. I should have thought about this a little bit more. /
" Legolas, you can stop now. I get the point; you don't want to meet anyone… it is alright, I'm not going to make you." Thranduil said.
Legolas looked up at him and looked back down at the puzzle they were making. Thranduil knew that this was his way of saying thank you.
" Hum… I wonder where this piece goes," Thranduil said as he started to put a large puzzle piece on random parts of Legolas's face.
" Nope, not here," Thranduil said as he put the piece behind Legolas's ear. " Not here either.." he said as he put the piece on Legolas's head and then on his eye. "Not here either. This is hard."
Thranduil looked at his sons face. There was a tiny smile pulling at the corners of his lips as he tried to ignore his father's joke.
" So, where do you think it goes?" Thranduil asked as he sat back on his heels. He handed over the piece to Legolas.
Legolas took the piece and sat there for a few seconds studying it. After turning it this way and that he put it down near Thranduil's area of work where it fitted perfectly in a spot that Thranduil had been trying to get done for ages.
Thranduil looked down surprised. He knew that Legolas was smart but it still amazed him sometimes. The puzzle they were working on at the moment had both large and tiny pieces. Legolas usually did the small ones first and Thranduil almost hated to say, that, he did them almost as fast as his father. Usually Legolas finished most of the puzzle because Thranduil would quit trying and let him take over. He enjoyed watching his son more anyway.
" Very good ion-nin. How did you see that when I did not?" Thranduil asked as he handed Legolas another puzzle piece.
Legolas just shrugged and set to work with the next piece.
/ He is so smart. Exactly like his mother. By the valar Alasse, if you could be and see our son, you would have been so proud of him. If you were here… Stop it! Don't think about that! Not now. No more ifs. Alasse is dead and she isn't coming back. Nothing can bring here back. No amount of if's or wishes can ever bring her back//
There was a knock at the door.
" Come in" Thranduil said, not bothering to get up off the floor.
A messenger came in and said " I have a message to you, my lord, from Nefiath." he bowed and handed the letter to his king.
" Thank you, is that all?" Thranduil asked as he accepted the letter offered to him.
"Yes, sire, I will leave you now.' the messenger bowed once again and left.
Legolas was looking at the letter in interest. It had been several weeks since he had seen his nanny. Even though she wrote many letters Legolas missed her greatly. Nefiath was his mother in a sense. She had always been with him after Alasse had been killed. Legolas loved her to death, she was the only 'mother' he had ever known.
Legolas tugged at his father's sleeve.
" What, do you want me to open it or something?" Thranduil teased as he opened the letter and read out loud:
Dear Legolas,
How are you? I'm fine. I would have written you more letters but I have been so busy here I can't get enough time to sit down and write. My sister's baby was born last night. Her name is Paigel and she weighs about 6 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, just like you. She looks so tiny and it feels like you might break her if you hold her wrong.
I am really happy to finally be able to see my little baby niece, but I can't wait to get home. I miss you a lot. Maybe when I get back we can go on a picnic. Well, I have to go now. My sister is calling me. I think I will be able to get back home in about three days. I can't wait to see you again.
Hugs and kisses,
Nefiath.
Thranduil folded the letter back up and put it on the floor next to him. He looked over at Legolas.
Legolas still had his eyes on the letter.
" Well, that's good. She'll be here at least a week sooner than what we thought." Thranduil said. " You miss her a lot don't you?" he asked. He could see that Legolas missed her greatly. It was written clearly in his eyes.
Legolas nodded.
Thranduil smiled at him and scooted over to where Legolas was sitting. He pulled his son into his arms and said, " It is alright to miss people. She'll be back very soon. I promise. After all who could resist such a charming little elfling like you?"
Thranduil kissed the top of his son's blonde head and whispered in his ear " if it makes you feel better I miss Nefiath too."
Legolas looked up at him surprised.
* Ada misses Nefiath too?"
" Hey! I can miss people too you know." Thranduil said.
/ Like your mother…/
Legolas looked down again and tried to slide out his father's embrace. Thranduil, however, wasn't ready to let go just yet.
" Your not going anywhere ion-nin, your going to stay here in my arms forever and ever and ever. I'll never let you go." Thranduil hugged his son tighter and started to bounce him up and down.
" Ada.." was all Legolas said.
/ Well he said something/
Even though Legolas didn't laugh or say anything else Thranduil could tell that he was enjoying the game.
After a few minutes Thranduil stopped. He stood up with Legolas still in his arms. " Its bath time and then bedtime."
Legolas looked up at him confused " my foot." he whispered
* I can't take a bath! My foot is all wrapped up. What is ada thinking? *
' It is okay. I'll unwrap it for your bath and when you get dressed I'll wrap it up again. I don't think that it will be a problem as long as we are careful. The warm water might help it feel better." Thranduil explained to his son as he walked into his bathroom. He started to fill the huge tub with warm water. (A/n- I'm pretending that they had some thing like indoors plumbing)
He put Legolas down and helped undo the troublesome buttons. While Legolas was undressing himself Thranduil reached up on a high shelf and pulled down a purple tinted bottle. Checking that Legolas was still occupied with his clothes Thranduil poured a capful of the clear liquid in to the bath water.
" Ion-nin?" Thranduil asked as he put the purple bottle back and pulled off some mild shampoo and soap for Legolas.
Thranduil looked down at his son. He reached over Legolas and pulled one of the white fluffy towels off the rack. He put it on the floor since Legolas was bound to make a mess in the tub and then he gently pulled Legolas towards him. He helped remove the last article of clothing and then unwrapped the hurt ankle. Thranduil reached behind him and turned off the water. He picked Legolas up and slowly lowered him into the warm water. The liquid that Thranduil had poured into the bath earlier had made big soap bubbles. Legolas reached out and scooped up a handful and blew it off of his hand and smiled. Once Legolas was sitting contently in the water splashing and blowing the bubbles, Thranduil grabbed a basket of bath toys and dumped it in front of Legolas. Legolas immediately reached for the toy boat and started to sail it though waves of bubbles. Thranduil watched his son play occasionally dumping a huge handful of bubbles on Legolas's head or on the boat.
" It is time to wash your hair my little sailor." Thranduil said. He reached down and grabbed the shampoo.
Legolas tried to ignore him but Thranduil was pulling him closer to the side of the tub. Legolas reached out and grabbed a washcloth that was on the side of the tub.
* He is going to get it in my eyes again*
" I'll try my best not to get it in your eyes Legolas. I know it stings." Thranduil said. He gently pushed Legolas's head back and grabbed a cup that was floating in the water. He dumped a couple of cupfuls of water on Legolas's head.
" I'm going to put the shampoo in now. Make sure the wash cloth is covering your eyes all the way." Thranduil said. He poured a little bit of the sweet smelling liquid into his hand and started to rub in Legolas's hair. Once Legolas's hair was covered in soap suds Thranduil grabbed the cup again.
" Hold on tight." he said as he dumped a cupful of water on Legolas's head. He put his hand on Legolas's forehead in an attempt to stop the soapy water from going into his eyes. After Thranduil washed all the soap out of Legolas's hair and wiped the suds from his face he handed the soap to Legolas so he could wash himself.
" Here you go.' Thranduil said. He sat back and watched his son wash himself.
Legolas gently rubbed his bruised body. After washing his arms, chest and legs he handed the washcloth back to his ada. Thranduil took the washcloth out of Legolas's hand and washed his back and the swollen ankle for him.
" Now that you are all nice and clean, do you want to play some more or get out and go to bed?" Thranduil asked.
Legolas nodded.
" And what are you saying yes too?" Thranduil asked hoping to get an answer other than a head nod or a short quiet yes.
Legolas didn't respond. He reached for one of the toy animals and started to play with it.
/ Well then, I got my answer didn't I? /
Thranduil let his son play for a few more minutes before he pulled the plug out of the drain.
" Scoot closer to me so I can get you out of the tub," Thranduil said as he stood up and pulled a dry towel off the rack. When Legolas was next to the edge of the tub Thranduil bent down and scooped him up in his arms.
" Up you go!" Thranduil said as he swung Legolas up and down and side to side.
Legolas smiled the entire time his father swung him around the bathroom and bedroom.
When Thranduil reached his bed he gently dropped Legolas on it.
" Wait a minute while I go get your clothes and those bandages," Thranduil said " why don't you try and get your hair a little bit dryer."
Legolas nodded his head.
Thranduil quickly walked to Legolas's room and got a clean pair bedclothes. He walked back into his room and picked the bandages up off the floor. He walked back over to his bed and sat down.
" Here put on your clothes so I can get a brush and some hair ties," Thranduil said as he handed Legolas his clothes and carefully rewrapped the injured ankle. Once he was done Thranduil got up and went over to his dresser and got a hairbrush and hair ties off the top of it. When he got back to his bed Legolas had gotten his shirt on and was pulling up his pants. Once he was done Thranduil sat behind him and brushed the tangles out of his hair. After much of Legolas wincing in pain and Thranduil apologizing, Thranduil was able to braid his son's hair.
" Okay, now that your hair is brushed and you're dressed, where do you want to sleep? I don't care if you sleep with me again tonight." Thranduil asked as he hugged his son closer to him.
"My bed," Legolas said quietly.
/ He is so sleepy/
Thranduil picked his son up and cradled him in his arms and asked " can I rock you and tell you a story till you fall asleep then I'll put you in your bed?"
Legolas nodded and buried his head in his father's arms.
Thranduil smiled down at him and walked over to the rocking chair and sat down. Before he could start his story though Legolas said " Laure" {golden}
/ Laure? /
" What did you say? I couldn't hear you," Thranduil asked confused.
Legolas didn't move his head out of his fathers robes all he said was " amin mern Laure."
" Is laure your teddy bear?" Thranduil asked wondering if Legolas had named his bear.
Legolas nodded his head.
" I'll go get it." Thranduil said happy that Legolas wanted to sleep with the teddy bear that he had given that day. Thranduil put Legolas on the chair and he walked over to the bed and grabbed the bear. Thranduil walked back to Legolas and gave him the bear. Once Legolas was comfortable again Thranduil said, " Did you name it laure because it has a light color?"
Legolas nodded his head and hugged Laure closer to his body.
" I think it is a wonderful name." Thranduil said as he started to rock back and forth.
" Amin mela lle." {I love you}
Thranduil spent the next half hour rocking Legolas a telling him children stories. When Legolas had finally fallen asleep Thranduil carefully got up and walked to his son's room and put him in his bed. Before Thranduil walked out he kissed his forehead and tucked him in tighter. He lit the small lantern next to Legolas bed and walked out of the room.
/ Legolas is now asleep. Time to find Elrond and beraid. /
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