Legolas stared at the cat, so obviously thinner than it ought to be and absolutely refusing to use one of its hind legs, "What will happen to her?"
The human farmer who this particular human village deemed to speak for them shrugged nervously, eyes bouncing between Legolas, Thranduil and the few warriors they had with them,"Die, I expect. She won't let anyone near her and not for lack of trying neither."
As proof, the man displayed his arms which did have a fair many deep scratches down them, and a few others did the same. Nearby, Legolas heard his father sigh but without much conviction, "Would you mind if I try?"
A tiny girl who had been peeking carefully around the corner of a house to see the elves unbeknownst to the humans but very known by the elves dared stray from her hiding place, "Please save her! If you can."
He watched as the humans nearly cringed when his father turned his full attention to the child but she seemed completely unphased. And she had no reason to be, his father loved children. "Fear not little one, he is very good at making friends I'm sure she'll come around to his charms sooner rather than later."
Some of the warriors laughed at that, a few murmuring jokes to one another and the humans visibly relaxed. They were a relatively new settlement, as far as the elves were concerned perhaps not the humans, and so they weren't used to interacting with their Elven neighbors.
Not like Laketown or Ravenhill. It was honestly rather amusing.
"I have some smoked fish my Mama packed me for lunch if you want, Legolas." Annar offered, a young man from Ravenhill who often served as a liaison of sorts. He was one of the children that had been brought in desperation to the Elves for help when a sickness the humans could not name nor cure swept through their village.
It quickly became apparent to the Elven healers that this was no natural sickness, but some foul new idea from behind the walls of Dul Guldur. The healers had written to Elrond in Imladris to ask for help or suggestions when they ran out of ideas but not determination. They had cured them, down to the last child. However, some, like Annar, had stayed within their care for many months.
Legolas and his friends had
spent many, many free afternoons and evenings with the children. Playing, reading, or just holding them like the parents who were not allowed to see them would have done.
It was why they often brought some of the now near adults with them to visit other villages, they hoped it was harder to be afraid of them with Annar still perched happily on the kings Elk munching on the treats the warriors had snuck him from the kitchen.
"Actually yes, that would be wonderful."
The boy scrambled for his bag while Thranduil turned his attention to his son, whose entire (admittedly fragile) focus was now on the injured animal, "I take it you'll remain here until we're done?"
Legolas briefly flashed a bright smile, looking completely unashamed, "Yes."
"Thought so."
…
Thranduil's study door was pushed open a slight amount, just enough to admit a small cat. She was much plumper than when they had first found her, although now she missed one leg from infection.
It had not been even one hour before Legolas had rejoined their group in the village all those months ago, a content but still wary cat purring in his arms.
She looked up at the King of the Woodland Realm and meowed louder than should have been possible, he turned his attention to her with a raised eyebrow, "Yes?"
With more grace than any three-legged cat should have been able to muster, she leaped from the ground and onto the desk, swiping at the papers in Thranduil's hand. "Really?"
She meowed again, and bumped her head against his now empty hand, "Oh you think so, do you."
She looked at him with those impossibly soft, round, and sometimes loving eyes. Wandering on top of the paper mound and taking a seat on it, and then laid down.
"I am very busy you know." She just blinked at him slowly, a purr rumbling on her throat as the proud Elven King obeyed her commands lifting her from the desk go his lap where he could idly stroke her head while he worked.
"We can't let Legolas find us like this, he would never let me forgot it. "
As a response she just rubbed her head against his hand in protest at its temporary stillness, purring once more when it began to scratch behind her ear.
"Not that you care."
