Thranduil gently eased the door open in an incredibly strategic manner, and it allowed him the dignity of not squeaking. He stepped inside, shoes in hand, and closed it just as carefully. Nothing stirred from any of the rooms.

Success.

He twisted around on tiptoes, softly putting his boots by the door and stepped onto the carpet. The room was chilled and no light glowed from the fire, and Legolas' bedroom seemed to be equally as dark.

Which, was to be expected. Considering it was only a few hours until sunrise.

The great and prideful elevenking began to carefully tip-toe his way across their living space and towards his own bedroom door. He was halfway there when a sleepy voice drifted from his sons room, "You're late."

Thranduil breathed a laugh and changed courses, coming to stand inside Legolas' bedroom door. "I know, I apologize. We lost track of time."

Legolas lay curled on his side, a book he had clearly fallen asleep reading laying next to him on the bed and a small platter of various snack foods was on the nightstand. Probably courtesy of Galion before he had appeared to join Thranduil and Ferdan in their mischief.

"Do you have any idea what time it is, elfling?" Legolas asked with mock sternness. "What's a father to think when you're out for all hours of the night? The kingdom is going to say I let you run absolutely wild."

Thranduil leaned against the doorframe, "Well, you do."

Legolas yawned, and the sternness melted from his face. "You're right, I do. I'm a terrible father."

He wandered farther into the room and sat on the edge of Legolas' bed, "What did you do tonight, little leaf?"

"Ava and I had dinner and she tried to teach me one of the old dances, apparently it's not going very well." Legolas closed the book that was next to him and put it on the floor, too lazy to get up and find a spare space to place it. "Then I came here and fell asleep. I didn't even wake up when Galion came in."

"Yes, he's always been deceptfully sneaky considering how loudly he always talking."

Legolas smiled and snorted once, "How about you, what did you do tonight?"

"Oh, nothing really. Just enjoyed each other's company, just talking."

This time, Legola's eyes narrowed with many silent accusations. "That's a very mischievous smile you have for somebody who didn't do anything."

"This is my normal smile."

"It absolutely is not!"

Thranduil kissed him on the forehead, and adjusted the blankets to his satisfaction. "Hmm, well, you'll never know."

"If you don't tell me, then you're not allowed to go out with your friends for a month." Legolas crossed his arms pointedly.

Thranduil laughed and stood up, "Then I'll sneak out the window."

"I'll board it closed."

"What if I just don't come home for a month?"

Legolas gasped with mock heartbreak, "And leave me here a word shell of the person I used to be? What would your mother say?"

"She would tell me to pack more than just snacks in my bag, probably. You try and run away from home an elfling once with nothing but some fruit and she never lets you forget it."

"She's a wise woman."

"Yes well, I had to get it from somewhere and it certainly was not from you."

"I raised you to have more respect for your elder than this."

Thranduil laughed again as he left the bedroom and began walking back towards his own, "No you didn't."

Legolas' voice drifted back, "Don't forget you're grounded!"

0.0.0.

Thanks for reading!