Hidden
Eleniel: 4
The last thing the King of Greenwood had expected to see while walking through one of the many hallways in the Last Homely House was a naked elfling running towards him. He would have stopped and taken a minute to collect himself if it weren't for the fact that he'd been in countless situations like these with a baby Legolas, and so was quite the expert on it.
A wave of blonde hair flowing behind the giggling child as she ran was enough to tell him who she was, and the moment she was close enough and looked as though she was intending to run straight past him, he leaned down, grabbed her little body and swooped her up, squealing, into his arms. "And what do you think you are doing, Eleniel Peredhel?" he asked her as she squirmed to be let down.
"Runnin'!"
"From who, may I ask?" He tightened his grip on the wiggly thing as he took his robe off and wrapped her in it, effectively hiding her nakedness in case they managed to pass anyone in the corridor.
"Dan 'n Ro 'n Las!"
Thranduil breathed a laugh at that and shook his head. "Bath time?" he asked, and Eleniel nodded with an almost disgusted look on her face.
"No bath time for El'nel," she told him insistently, and Thranduil nodded once as though in understanding. He continued walking in the way he'd been going, intending to hand her straight back to her brothers and his son for the apparent 'bath of doom'. She'd had a very exhausting day at the Summer Festival that'd been held, and it was no surprise that the playful wrestling and races she'd taken part in with the other elflings and her family had given her a very dirty end to the day… and in great need of a bath. She, on the other hand, didn't quite feel the importance of one, he somehow thought. Why was every elfling the same in that aspect?
"Ah. Did you have a good day today?" He glanced down at the elfling, who'd thankfully settled in his arms. She nodded, a toothy grin on her face.
"Yes! Had lotsa fun with Las 'n Dan 'n Ro 'n Estel 'n Fin 'n Restor 'n Ada 'n you!" Thranduil had nodded along to each name she uttered, absolute interest on his face.
"I see," he said. "And you do not think you may need a bath after all that?" He looked at her, a small smile on his face, as she furrowed her eyebrows adorably and shook her head quite vehemently.
"No! Nope! Nope! Nope!" And, with that, she began squirming again, obviously no longer trusting the King.
Chuckling, Thranduil reached a hand under the robe and briefly tickled her little stomach. "Ah, ah!" he said while she squealed. "No more wiggling, little worm." He withdrew his hand as she flopped dejectedly in his arms, face a grumpy little spectacle. He shook his head fondly.
"Ada! Have you seen- oh, thank the Valar." He looked up at his son's voice, dark eyebrow raising as he and the twins suddenly came rushing around the corner. They visibly relaxed at the sight of the wayward elfling in the King's arms.
"Look who I managed to find on my way to the Hall of Fire," he said, jerking his head slightly down towards Eleniel, who was currently glaring at the three ellyn standing sheepishly in front of him.
"We forgot to lock the door," Elrohir explained, grimacing.
Elladan turned a very disapproving glare on his baby sister, and she responded with a raspberry, causing Thranduil to chuckle. "Here's your hellion," he said, handing both the elfling and the robe over to the elder twin. "Keep my robe until you get her in the tub and hand it back to me later. Do not get it wet." He crossed his arms over his chest and rose an eyebrow, glancing between the three elves and nodding when he was given two "yes, Thranduil"s and one "whatever you say, Ada".
A small smile was on his face as they turned and left, obviously walking back towards the bathroom. He could hear them quietly berating a blabbering Eleniel for managing to escape them… and not for the first time, either.
Elrond was sure to have a mini heart attack later when he told him that his daughter – the future Lady of the House – had been caught streaking the corridors naked.
