Thranduil put his head down in his hands and sighed, the day was not going, as it should.
" Milord? Are you taking lunch?" Calafalas asked as she put copies of important papers into a pouch.
" Uma, Diola lle," {yes, thank you} Thranduil said not bothering to take his head out of his hands.
" For what? Why are you thanking me? I haven't done anything." Calafalas said.
" Oh please, don't give me that you little demon. You chased everyone out of here just so that I could go eat." Thranduil said taking his head out of his hands and grinned at one of his favorite advisors. Calafalas may be a woman but she controlled all the male counselors. Everyone was afraid of her sharp tongue and her quick temper.
" I am woman, hear me roar, meow" she joked as she stood up straight and flexed her imaginary arm muscles.
Thranduil laughed. It had always seemed funny that he had about 50 or more different counselors that he saw every day and about more than half of them were afraid of Calafalas. She hadn't been here nearly as long as the other ones but that didn't seem to matter to the young ones. The older ones she left alone, out of respect and admiration, expect for the few that teased her back.
" Tis good to hear you laugh again." she said once Thranduil had stopped laughing. " It has been so long since you laughed."
Thranduil was silent as he remembered his beloved's grave. " I find fewer joys, now that… she is dead."
"Amin hiraetha" Calafalas said as she came nearer to the highly polished desk that her king sat behind " I didn't mean to make those bad memories resurface, I really didn't" {I'm sorry}
" Tis fine, they are memories and nothing more, n'dela no'ta, I'm fine. I am getting better at being happy. I need to be for Legolas's sake. I need to be able to answer all his questions about his mother." {Do not worry about it} Thranduil said.
" Well, alright, listen I have to get these papers to Séregon, you know how he gets when something is late." Calafalas said as she put the reminder of the papers into the black pouch and tied it up.
" Yes, I have to go eat with Legolas. I promised him I would." Thranduil, said as he stood up and stretched " do you think that you could keep everything at bay for an hour?"
" Uma, I think I can terrorize a few counselors. Ringëril needs it all too much. Do you know what his problem was this morning? He was in such a hissy fit!" {Yes} she exclaimed.
" No I do not, and I pity the poor elves that become subject to your torture." Thranduil said as he walked out from behind his desk and stood in front of Calafalas. " I will see you in a hour then, good bye."
" Good bye," she said as she walked with Thranduil to the door.
/ I wonder how Legolas's day as been. /
*************************************************************************************
Mae govannen, prince Legolas, Elrond had to do some work today so I decided to come and meet you. My name is Glorfindel." Glorfindel said as he lifted the bouncy Arwen onto his hip.
" Hi Legolas, I hope you are feeling good, ada said that you got caught in the storm last night. It must have been really scary." Arwen said as she wriggled out of Glorfindel's arms and onto Legolas's bed.
*It was! *
Legolas looked up at the new elf and then settled his gaze to the white and brown horse that he had in his hands.
" That is a beautiful horse, can I look at the other ones on your bed?" Arwen asked when she spotted what Legolas was looking at.
Legolas nodded never taking his eyes off of the horse.
Glorfindel stood watching the two toddlers for a few minutes and then he turned around and went to go get a chair to place beside the bed.
When Glorfindel looked at the children again they were comparing horses and naming them.
" Legolas, this two look exactly the same, look!" Arwen exclaimed as she showed Legolas the twin horses
Legolas looked up at the horses that Arwen held out to him. He nodded and looked back down.
Glorfindel gave a quiet chuckle as he remembered Arwen's older brothers when they were toddlers. They used to play for hour upon hours with their toy soldiers and horses.
" What is so funny?'' Arwen asked.
" Nothing, I was just remembering your brothers when they were as small as you," Glorfindel said as he reached over and ruffled Arwen's dark brown hair.
" Hey, stop it, you are messing up my hair, ada worked hard to put my braids in!'' Arwen said as she moved away from Glorfindel's hand. "Please tell us more about when the twins were little," she begged once she was out of Glorfindel's reach.
" Well, I don't know, they might give you two some ideas." Glorfindel teased.
''Please! It won't give me any ideas I can ask the twins if I need ideas about pranks! Please glorfy?" Arwen pleaded with Glorfindel with puppy eyes.
" Ahh, Undomiel you know that I can not resist those eyes. All right, all right, I will tell you a few tales about your demon like brothers. Legolas, do you want to listen?" Glorfindel asked.
Legolas nodded his head but did not move his eyes from the horse in his hands.
Glorfindel would have pressed a little more to get Legolas to talk but Elrond warned him that Legolas would not talk to anyone and hardly talked to his father.
" Well, when the twins were a little older than you…" Glorfindel started
There was a knock a door.
Legolas jumped and looked at the door with fear in his eyes.
*It's them*
" I'll get it" Glorfindel said not noticing Legolas.
" Legolas are you okay?" Arwen asked.
Legolas did nothing to show her that he had heard.
Glorfindel opened the door and Valandil stood in front of him.
" Mae govannen." Valandil said, " Can I speak with you? It will only take a second."
"Uma. Arwen, I'll be right back." Glorfindel said.
" Oh all right." Arwen mumbled.
" Atta girl." Glorfindel said as he walked out of the room.
" What do you want to talk to me about?" Glorfindel asked concerned
" Oh, I just want to tell you that there will be some guards out here. I didn't want to scare you or anything if you opened the door and saw two strange elves standing in front of you. I would have told you in there but I didn't want to freighted the children." Valandil explained
" Oh aright… is something wrong?" Glorfindel asked cautiously. Elrond had warned him to watch what questions he asked when in Mirkwood since Thranduil didn't like people prying into his business whether it was personal or work.
"No not really, there are just some problems with a near by town and Thranduil never takes chances when it comes to his son." Valandil lied. Him and Thranduil had set up a system that morning on what the guards were to say and do when someone asked.
" Alright is that all?" Glorfindel asked.
" Uma." Valandil said.
Glorfindel nodded his head and walked back into the bedroom to the two waiting toddlers.
" Alright, back to the story," Glorfindel said as he began his story.
Glorfindel kept the two children occupied all morning with stories of when the twins and Elrond were little.
*************************************************************************************
" Okay, I think that I have told enough stories for today. Why don't you two color?" Glorfindel asked.
Legolas nodded and Arwen just folded her arms and pouted.
Glorfindel looked around for some paper and crayons. He spotted them on the table near the fireplace. He walked over and grabbed the supplies that he needed and then walked back over to the bed and handed the two waiting toddlers paper and crayons.
Legolas and Arwen were occupied the rest of the morning coloring and listening to more of Glorfindel's stories. After an hour or so of coloring Legolas looked up just in time to see the door open.
*Ada? *
Thranduil stepped into his son's room.
" Hello.'' he said as he walked over to where his son and Arwen were sitting. " Arwen I believe that your ada is coming for lunch too. Unless he lost track of time."
Thranduil sat down next to his son and gave him a tight hug and a kiss on the top of his blonde head. " How is my little greenleaf today? That is a beautiful picture you are making. Can I put it in my office when it is finished?"
Legolas gave a smile and nodded his head.
" Arwen, that is a pretty picture also." Thranduil said.
" Thank you, I am going to give it to my brothers." Arwen said as she reached for another crayon.
Thranduil watched his son color for a few minutes.
" I think that I should go get Elrond. I'll be back in a few minutes." Glorfindel said as he stood and stretched.
" I'll watch theses two while you are gone." Thranduil said.
Glorfindel nodded his head and left.
Once Glorfindel was gone Legolas grabbed a piece of paper and a couple of crayons and put them in Thranduil lap.
/ He is opening up. I think so at least. Maybe being out alone in that storm want to open up a little bit more to me. I hope so/
" You want me to color too? What should I draw?" Thranduil asked as he moved into a position that he could easily draw at.
Legolas looked around and grabbed one of his horses and set it in front of his father.
" You want me to draw this horse? I'll do my best." Thranduil said.
Legolas looked up at his father and then continued with his drawing.
Thranduil smiled at him before starting his drawing.
Thranduil was just about done with his drawing and Legolas and Arwen were long done with theirs when Elrond and Glorfindel walked in followed by two servants that were carrying trays of food.
" Well look what the cat dragged in," Thranduil said as he put the finishing touches on his drawing.
Elrond gave a sarcastic smile before turning to Arwen who was lying with Legolas on the floor putting together a puzzle. " How has your day been Arwen?"
" Fine. Glorfindel told us stories about when you were little! Did you really dye Gil-Galads hair purple? Glorfindel said that you blamed it on you brother!" Arwen asked as she bounced up and into her father's arms.
Elrond shot Glorfindel a look worthy of mordor.
Glorfindel just shrugged and walked over to where the servants had put the plates of food down.
" Well, did you?" Arwen asked as she wriggled out of her father's arms.
" Later Arwen, I'm hungry what about you?" Elrond said as he walked over to the table and grabbed a plate of food for him and Arwen.
" Uma, I'm hungry!" Arwen exclaimed
" Sit down and I'll give you your food." Elrond said as he sat down on the floor next to where Arwen was standing. Arwen plopped down and quickly began to eat her food.
Thranduil got up off the bed and gently picked Legolas up. He put Legolas on the bed and then went and grabbed the last two plates of food. Thranduil walked back to the bed and handed Legolas his plate and then sat next to him with his own plate and began to eat.
Everyone eat in silence for the next 15 minutes.
Thranduil opened his mouth to say something to Legolas but he was cut off when the door slowly opened and a hooded person stood in the doorway.
*************************************************************************************
And yet another cliffhanger. I thought that the chappie needed some excitement. Don't you?
" Milord? Are you taking lunch?" Calafalas asked as she put copies of important papers into a pouch.
" Uma, Diola lle," {yes, thank you} Thranduil said not bothering to take his head out of his hands.
" For what? Why are you thanking me? I haven't done anything." Calafalas said.
" Oh please, don't give me that you little demon. You chased everyone out of here just so that I could go eat." Thranduil said taking his head out of his hands and grinned at one of his favorite advisors. Calafalas may be a woman but she controlled all the male counselors. Everyone was afraid of her sharp tongue and her quick temper.
" I am woman, hear me roar, meow" she joked as she stood up straight and flexed her imaginary arm muscles.
Thranduil laughed. It had always seemed funny that he had about 50 or more different counselors that he saw every day and about more than half of them were afraid of Calafalas. She hadn't been here nearly as long as the other ones but that didn't seem to matter to the young ones. The older ones she left alone, out of respect and admiration, expect for the few that teased her back.
" Tis good to hear you laugh again." she said once Thranduil had stopped laughing. " It has been so long since you laughed."
Thranduil was silent as he remembered his beloved's grave. " I find fewer joys, now that… she is dead."
"Amin hiraetha" Calafalas said as she came nearer to the highly polished desk that her king sat behind " I didn't mean to make those bad memories resurface, I really didn't" {I'm sorry}
" Tis fine, they are memories and nothing more, n'dela no'ta, I'm fine. I am getting better at being happy. I need to be for Legolas's sake. I need to be able to answer all his questions about his mother." {Do not worry about it} Thranduil said.
" Well, alright, listen I have to get these papers to Séregon, you know how he gets when something is late." Calafalas said as she put the reminder of the papers into the black pouch and tied it up.
" Yes, I have to go eat with Legolas. I promised him I would." Thranduil, said as he stood up and stretched " do you think that you could keep everything at bay for an hour?"
" Uma, I think I can terrorize a few counselors. Ringëril needs it all too much. Do you know what his problem was this morning? He was in such a hissy fit!" {Yes} she exclaimed.
" No I do not, and I pity the poor elves that become subject to your torture." Thranduil said as he walked out from behind his desk and stood in front of Calafalas. " I will see you in a hour then, good bye."
" Good bye," she said as she walked with Thranduil to the door.
/ I wonder how Legolas's day as been. /
*************************************************************************************
Mae govannen, prince Legolas, Elrond had to do some work today so I decided to come and meet you. My name is Glorfindel." Glorfindel said as he lifted the bouncy Arwen onto his hip.
" Hi Legolas, I hope you are feeling good, ada said that you got caught in the storm last night. It must have been really scary." Arwen said as she wriggled out of Glorfindel's arms and onto Legolas's bed.
*It was! *
Legolas looked up at the new elf and then settled his gaze to the white and brown horse that he had in his hands.
" That is a beautiful horse, can I look at the other ones on your bed?" Arwen asked when she spotted what Legolas was looking at.
Legolas nodded never taking his eyes off of the horse.
Glorfindel stood watching the two toddlers for a few minutes and then he turned around and went to go get a chair to place beside the bed.
When Glorfindel looked at the children again they were comparing horses and naming them.
" Legolas, this two look exactly the same, look!" Arwen exclaimed as she showed Legolas the twin horses
Legolas looked up at the horses that Arwen held out to him. He nodded and looked back down.
Glorfindel gave a quiet chuckle as he remembered Arwen's older brothers when they were toddlers. They used to play for hour upon hours with their toy soldiers and horses.
" What is so funny?'' Arwen asked.
" Nothing, I was just remembering your brothers when they were as small as you," Glorfindel said as he reached over and ruffled Arwen's dark brown hair.
" Hey, stop it, you are messing up my hair, ada worked hard to put my braids in!'' Arwen said as she moved away from Glorfindel's hand. "Please tell us more about when the twins were little," she begged once she was out of Glorfindel's reach.
" Well, I don't know, they might give you two some ideas." Glorfindel teased.
''Please! It won't give me any ideas I can ask the twins if I need ideas about pranks! Please glorfy?" Arwen pleaded with Glorfindel with puppy eyes.
" Ahh, Undomiel you know that I can not resist those eyes. All right, all right, I will tell you a few tales about your demon like brothers. Legolas, do you want to listen?" Glorfindel asked.
Legolas nodded his head but did not move his eyes from the horse in his hands.
Glorfindel would have pressed a little more to get Legolas to talk but Elrond warned him that Legolas would not talk to anyone and hardly talked to his father.
" Well, when the twins were a little older than you…" Glorfindel started
There was a knock a door.
Legolas jumped and looked at the door with fear in his eyes.
*It's them*
" I'll get it" Glorfindel said not noticing Legolas.
" Legolas are you okay?" Arwen asked.
Legolas did nothing to show her that he had heard.
Glorfindel opened the door and Valandil stood in front of him.
" Mae govannen." Valandil said, " Can I speak with you? It will only take a second."
"Uma. Arwen, I'll be right back." Glorfindel said.
" Oh all right." Arwen mumbled.
" Atta girl." Glorfindel said as he walked out of the room.
" What do you want to talk to me about?" Glorfindel asked concerned
" Oh, I just want to tell you that there will be some guards out here. I didn't want to scare you or anything if you opened the door and saw two strange elves standing in front of you. I would have told you in there but I didn't want to freighted the children." Valandil explained
" Oh aright… is something wrong?" Glorfindel asked cautiously. Elrond had warned him to watch what questions he asked when in Mirkwood since Thranduil didn't like people prying into his business whether it was personal or work.
"No not really, there are just some problems with a near by town and Thranduil never takes chances when it comes to his son." Valandil lied. Him and Thranduil had set up a system that morning on what the guards were to say and do when someone asked.
" Alright is that all?" Glorfindel asked.
" Uma." Valandil said.
Glorfindel nodded his head and walked back into the bedroom to the two waiting toddlers.
" Alright, back to the story," Glorfindel said as he began his story.
Glorfindel kept the two children occupied all morning with stories of when the twins and Elrond were little.
*************************************************************************************
" Okay, I think that I have told enough stories for today. Why don't you two color?" Glorfindel asked.
Legolas nodded and Arwen just folded her arms and pouted.
Glorfindel looked around for some paper and crayons. He spotted them on the table near the fireplace. He walked over and grabbed the supplies that he needed and then walked back over to the bed and handed the two waiting toddlers paper and crayons.
Legolas and Arwen were occupied the rest of the morning coloring and listening to more of Glorfindel's stories. After an hour or so of coloring Legolas looked up just in time to see the door open.
*Ada? *
Thranduil stepped into his son's room.
" Hello.'' he said as he walked over to where his son and Arwen were sitting. " Arwen I believe that your ada is coming for lunch too. Unless he lost track of time."
Thranduil sat down next to his son and gave him a tight hug and a kiss on the top of his blonde head. " How is my little greenleaf today? That is a beautiful picture you are making. Can I put it in my office when it is finished?"
Legolas gave a smile and nodded his head.
" Arwen, that is a pretty picture also." Thranduil said.
" Thank you, I am going to give it to my brothers." Arwen said as she reached for another crayon.
Thranduil watched his son color for a few minutes.
" I think that I should go get Elrond. I'll be back in a few minutes." Glorfindel said as he stood and stretched.
" I'll watch theses two while you are gone." Thranduil said.
Glorfindel nodded his head and left.
Once Glorfindel was gone Legolas grabbed a piece of paper and a couple of crayons and put them in Thranduil lap.
/ He is opening up. I think so at least. Maybe being out alone in that storm want to open up a little bit more to me. I hope so/
" You want me to color too? What should I draw?" Thranduil asked as he moved into a position that he could easily draw at.
Legolas looked around and grabbed one of his horses and set it in front of his father.
" You want me to draw this horse? I'll do my best." Thranduil said.
Legolas looked up at his father and then continued with his drawing.
Thranduil smiled at him before starting his drawing.
Thranduil was just about done with his drawing and Legolas and Arwen were long done with theirs when Elrond and Glorfindel walked in followed by two servants that were carrying trays of food.
" Well look what the cat dragged in," Thranduil said as he put the finishing touches on his drawing.
Elrond gave a sarcastic smile before turning to Arwen who was lying with Legolas on the floor putting together a puzzle. " How has your day been Arwen?"
" Fine. Glorfindel told us stories about when you were little! Did you really dye Gil-Galads hair purple? Glorfindel said that you blamed it on you brother!" Arwen asked as she bounced up and into her father's arms.
Elrond shot Glorfindel a look worthy of mordor.
Glorfindel just shrugged and walked over to where the servants had put the plates of food down.
" Well, did you?" Arwen asked as she wriggled out of her father's arms.
" Later Arwen, I'm hungry what about you?" Elrond said as he walked over to the table and grabbed a plate of food for him and Arwen.
" Uma, I'm hungry!" Arwen exclaimed
" Sit down and I'll give you your food." Elrond said as he sat down on the floor next to where Arwen was standing. Arwen plopped down and quickly began to eat her food.
Thranduil got up off the bed and gently picked Legolas up. He put Legolas on the bed and then went and grabbed the last two plates of food. Thranduil walked back to the bed and handed Legolas his plate and then sat next to him with his own plate and began to eat.
Everyone eat in silence for the next 15 minutes.
Thranduil opened his mouth to say something to Legolas but he was cut off when the door slowly opened and a hooded person stood in the doorway.
*************************************************************************************
And yet another cliffhanger. I thought that the chappie needed some excitement. Don't you?