-Dear Readers, this will be the real last chapter I believe. I could not leave the story with 200 words short of the 50k mark. Featuring in the upcoming chapter is merely several drabbles of a recovering king. I thank you from the bottom of my heart with supporting my story, with a special thanks to Annreader, dreamgoneby, AraneltheSilvan and Jaya Avendel for your lovely reviews!-
Epilogue.
"Look." Anameleth quietly replied as she stood in front of one of the large windows in the king's study.
"What?" Cervus asked as he turned around and stopped his pacing. Anameleth smiled at the Mirkwood healer.
"The sun is shining again!" Anameleth quietly exclaimed.
"I believe that is something very good." Cervus quietly replied before he took off, trying to find Elrond.
"Ada! Ada!" Cervus heard the twins call before he knocked on the door leading to the guest rooms. "Come in." He heard a female voice call, barely above the shouting of the elflings.
"Nay. Even now it has stopped snowing, we are not going outside right now." Elrond shook his head.
"But ada!" Elladan pulled a face before he yanked at Elrond's robe again.
"Elladan, whining will not convince me to change my mind. Go and play with your stuffed horses." Elrond said as he turned to greet their visitor. "Cervus!" He called out a little surprised. "What can I do for you?"
"I see you also noticed it had stopped snowing." Cervus said with a gesture to the window.
"I have yes." Elrond nodded.
"Do you think this is related to aran Thranduil?" Cervus whispered as he walked to the window, admiring the view.
"We can only wait to see if Thranduil is able to heal from this. I believe it indeed is something good that the snow has finally stopped falling. Legolas does more than he is aware of."
"Thranduil is blessed with such a child, pure of heart. And we are absolutely blessed with the king, as well as the prince." Cervus nodded.
"Every elfling is a blessing indeed, even though they can be mischievous at times." Elrond agreed with a chuckle.
"I am going to remove hest Deawin's stitches. I believe I will see you tonight." Cervus agreed before he departed to the Halls of Healing.
..
"Time for dinner, aran-nin." Feren announced himself as he entered the bedroom.
"Will you come with me for dinner, penneth?" Elrond asked when he also entered the bedroom.
"I will be back after dinner." Legolas softly said as he let himself slide from the bed. Thranduil smiled at his son.
"Be good, ion-nin."
"Aye, ada." Legolas said before he went with Elrond.
"How are you feeling, aran-nin?" Feren softly asked as he put the tray on the nightstand. He helped Thranduil sit.
"I believe I feel already better." Thranduil replied as Feren put the tray on his lap.
"It pleases me to hear that." Feren gave him a little smile. "Would you like some wine?"
"I would prefer some tea." Thranduil replied before he started eating.
"Then I will be right back with your tea, aran-nin." Feren replied before he slipped from the room. Feren returned with a goblet of steaming tea, only moments later. "Here you go, aran-nin."
"Hannon-le." Thranduil said as he accepted the goblet.
"How is Mirkwood?" Thranduil quietly asked when he decided he had eaten enough.
"I believe everything is calm. The snowstorm has finally ended." Feren told him with a small smile still graced his fair face.
"That is good to hear." Thranduil nodded.
"Are you finished?" Feren asked after a while.
"Aye. Hannon-le."
"Try and rest, aran-nin. A good evening to you." Feren took the tray and helped Thranduil settle down again.
"Good evening, Feren." Thranduil said before Feren disappeared again.
"Ada?" Legolas softly asked as he pushed open the bedroom door, before he climbed on Thranduil's bed.
"Legolas?" Came the quiet reply from Thranduil, who was only half awake.
"Aye, ada. I brought my fairytale book. Maybe I can read to you." Legolas told him as he settled with the book on his lap.
"Really? What story will you be reading me then?"
"How about the story of the Fangorn?" Legolas asked as he opened his book and flipped through the pages until he found the page with a small smiling Fangorn on it.
"I think that is a good story." Thranduil agreed.
"Okay, ada." Legolas smiled and settled to read. "Once upon a time there was a small Fangorn tree. As he walked amongst the big Fangorn trees he wondered what other little creature did the whole day long. He smiled as a small yellow bird settled on one of his branches, and a squirrel hopped un front of his feet. 'What do you do all day long?' The small tree asked the bird…"
"That was a very good story. Well done, Legolas." Thranduil praised. He knew Legolas told the story from memory, rather than actually reading the story to him. "I think it is time for me to go and sleep now."
"Losto mae, ada." Legolas softly said as he closed his book.
"Losto mae, penneth." Thranduil replied as Legolas went to kiss his brow. Legolas snuggled at his father's side until Anameleth came. Giving his slumbering father a final hug, he went with Anameleth who brought him to bed.
..
"Ada!" Legolas happily called as he entered his father's bedroom the next afternoon. "Ada?" Legolas questioned as he put his storybook on the edge of the bed. Thranduil held up his hand in a silent gesture. "Ada?" Legolas now quietly whispered as he went to stand next to him. He looked at his father's pale but fair face that glowed in the afternoon sun.
"Hush, ion-nin." Thranduil softly said as he sat in a cushioned chair in front of the opened balcony doors. Because it was still quite cold, a thick pelt was drawn over the king's legs and a steaming goblet stood on a nearby table.
"Oh, birdie!" Legolas softly called as he gazed outside with big eyes. There on the balcony rail sat a brown bird with a red breast, commonly known as a Robin, singing a beautiful song.
"Move carefully and you can sit with me." Thranduil opened his eyes and gave his son a little smile. Slowly and carefully Legolas climbed on his father's lap. Thranduil threw his arms around Legolas as his child settled against his chest. "Just listen to its song." He whispered as he let his head rest again against the pillow closing his eyes.
"It sounds really nice." Legolas said after a while. He liked the singing of the bird, but he liked even more to go and watch them. He liked to try and see how close he could get without scaring them away. Thranduil opened his eyes when Legolas started to wiggle around. Thranduil let his right arm once again rest on the nearby table with his palm upward, before he softly whistled. Another small bird, yellow, decorated with brown joined the Robin on the balcony. When Thranduil whistled again, it flapped it's tiny wings and decided to settle on the palm of the mighty king. The black beady eyes peered around curiously.
"Oh!" Legolas gasped. He had never seen a bird that closely. "Can I pet him?" Legolas whispered.
"I do not think the bird will like that very much, but maybe if you hold out your hand, the bird will come and sit upon it." Legolas shuffled closer so he could also place his tiny hand upon his father's next to where the bird sat. "Slowly." Thranduil encouraged. Soon enough, the bird hopped onto Legolas' hand. Legolas had to do his very best to stay still. It felt very funny to have the bird sitting on his hand. The bird chirped and hopped around on Legolas hand, making the elfling grin. A knock sounded to the door of the bedroom, startling both birds.
"Ahw." Legolas pouted as he turned around to see who dared to startled the birds.
"Good afternoon, aran-nin." Feren greeted with a bow, even though Thranduil did not see. "Ah, good to see you too, caun-nin." Feren said as soon as he noticed Legolas.
"You startled the birds, Feren!" Legolas accused as he freed himself from Thranduil's gently hold and slid from his lap. "Because of your knock the birds flew away!"
"Goheno nin, caun Legolas. I did not know that there were birds, if I had, I would not have knocked." Feren defended himself. That had explained why the usually happy elfling had angrily glared at him.
"Legolas." Thranduil softly called. "The birds will return another time. I believe it was time for them to go to their homes as well."
"I have orders from hîr Elrond to help you back to bed." Feren informed them.
"Very well." Thranduil nodded, and Feren could see that Thranduil was quite weary indeed. Feren slowly helped his king and long-time friend on his feet, and let him lean upon him for the exactly five paces back to the edge of the bed.
"Hannon-le." Thranduil said when he finally sat again.
"Legolas, will you help me tucking your ada in?"
"Aye!" Legolas said, the birds already forgotten. "Lie down ada." Legolas said he climbed on the bed. Thranduil slowly lay down, being glad to be down.
"I think a nap would be an excellent idea, don't you think?" Feren asked as he walked back to the chair and picked up the pelt.
"I believe that would be a really good idea." Thranduil agreed and smiled as Legolas proceeded to tuck the blankets tightly around his tall frame.
"Bye ada." Legolas said as he jumped from the bed.
"Be good, ion-nin." Thranduil softly said as he watched Feren leave with the now cold goblet of tea, together with Legolas. Several moments later, Thranduil was asleep, with his eyes half open.
..
"Ada?" Legolas called as he skipped through the still with snow filled paths of the garden. "Ada!" Legolas called when his father came into view.
"Legolas." Thranduil smiled as he broke contact with the tree.
"Ada, come and look!" Legolas all but shouted in his excitement. "Faster, ada!" Legolas called as he pulled on Thranduil's hand.
"I cannot go so fast yet, ion-nin." Thranduil carefully said as he did his best in keeping up with Legolas' small legs.
"Faster or we will be too late." Legolas called again, forgetting his father was still healing from the poison he had almost died from.
"Leg-" Thranduil stumbled over an uneven rock and tumbled into the snow.
"Ada?" Legolas softly asked as uncovered the tangle of robes and garments the king deemed necessary to wear. Thranduil cursed under his breath as he slowly gained his footing again. "Goheno nin." Legolas softly called as he helped to brush away all the snow. "Owies?" Legolas asked, looking up as his father.
"I do not believe I am hurt." Thranduil said as he absently rubbed his left arm, that had connected with the stones below. He brushed the top of Legolas' hair, finding it damp from the molten snow. "Will you show me, but calmly now?"
"Aye, ada. Goheno nin." Legolas nodded as he picked up the staff Thranduil used to aid his balance. Legolas still held his father's hand as they now slowly continued walking. "Look ada." Legolas said as he pointed to a patch of snow, that had sprouts of a plant poking through.
"I see, ion-nin." Thranduil could not help but let a little smile play over his face.
"It is pretty is it not?" Legolas chirped as he dropped on his knees to examine the sprout closely.
"It is indeed. When the snow finally melts and spring blossoms into bloom."
"Does that mean that 'Dan and 'Ro have to go home again?" Legolas asked after a while as he looked up to his father.
"They will depart tomorrow." Thranduil said. He turned as he slowly started walking back to the stronghold. He had to go and change out his now wet and filthy robes.
"I don't want them to go." Legolas called as he jumped to his feet again, following his father.
"I fear they must go. I am almost healed, and hîr Elrond has his own place to rule."
"Okay." Legolas softly said while he pulled a sad face. "Does that mean that Elrond also is a king?"
"Nay, Elrond is no king, even though the rules a city." Thranduil explained as they entered the stronghold again. The thump of the staff connecting with the marble floor tiles echoed loudly.
"Can we go and visit them soon?" Legolas hopefully asked.
"I should discuss that, but I believe that sooner or later it will be our turn to visit the Last Homely House."
..
The sun was barely up and shining when the stable hands were running around, as well as the cooks, preparing travelling bags.
"Do I need to wear this?" Legolas asked as Anameleth presented him with the silver robes he wore at the beginning of the Yule festival.
"I fear so. But I also believe you can take them off as soon as your ada thinks you are done." Anameleth promised as she dressed the elfling. "Shall we go and see if your ada is ready?"
"Aye!" Legolas said as he jumped from the stool he had been sitting on while she braided his hair.
"Remember not to run." Anameleth said as she followed Legolas from his room.
"Ada?" Legolas asked as he pushed open the door to the king's bedroom.
"Come in, ion-nin." Thranduil said as he watched Legolas enter via the mirror.
"Can I have some too?" Legolas asked as he saw his father put snowbells and bright purple crocuses among the twigs of his crown. "Saes?" He quickly added.
"Maybe." Thranduil replied as he put the crown on his head to see if he had missed a spot. Putting two more snowbells in the crown, he deemed it finished. Thranduil picked up the mithril circlet with a little smirk. "You are going to have to wear it."
"Aye, ada." Legolas softly said as he hung his head.
"Keep your nose level to the ground. Princes do not need to bow their head." Thranduil gently said as he picked up several flowers and started to put them in Legolas' silky hair, so that they would stay in place as long as Legolas would wear the circlet.
"Hannon-le ada." Legolas smiled as he admired his father's work in the mirror.
"Shall we go and say goodbye now then?"
"Do not want them to go." Legolas softly replied.
"They must, I fear." Thranduil said as he stood and slowly stepped over to the door were his staff stood against the wall. "Come, ion-nin." With the staff aiding his balance in his left hand, and his right hand on Legolas' left shoulder, they slowly walked through the halls until they made it for the courtyard. The stable hands stood there with the horses, as well as a small troop of warriors. All of them bowed their head as Thranduil passed. Several moments later, the first of the Rivendell party appeared.
"Mae govannen, Aran Thranduil, Caun Legolas." They greeted with a bow. Thranduil bowed as well. Not a moment later two small figures rushed forward, almost knocking Legolas off his feet as the twins came about, chatting a mile an hour about what they should go and do when they saw each other again. Elrond smiled as he approached them.
"Hîr Elrond." Thranduil nodded. He placed his right hand over his heart and proceeded to bow, as the formal elven-greeting was supposed to go, when he felt two arm surround him in a hug.
"I have no desire for formalities, mellon-nin." Elrond smiled as he released Thranduil from the hug. "I am very happy that you are finally well again. You are in the more than capable hands of your head-healer."
"I do believe so. I have not words to thank you for all you have done."
"Just make sure we live to tell the tale, and be able to joke about it with a good glass of wine the next time we meet." Elrond chuckled as he moved on to say Legolas goodbye. "Be good for your ada, penneth." Elrond smiled as he hugged the elfling.
"I will." Legolas promised as he picked a small flower from his head, putting it in a strand of Elrond's.
"Hannon-le." Elrond kissed Legolas brow before he stood again, making place for Celebrían.
"I hope we may receive you soon at our home." Celebrían said as Thranduil kissed her hand.
"If I had to believe Legolas, we would depart next week." He replied with a chuckle. Celebrían also received a flower from Legolas, with a promise that they would visit soon. "Hannon-le, Glorfindel for bringing Legolas back. I am in deep dept."
"Do not fear. Your son is brave, and much like yourself." Glorfindel grinned as he clasped Thranduil's shoulder. They exchanged a few more words before the golden-haired warrior moved on to the little prince.
"Also I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping out when we needed it most." Thranduil said after he bowed, with Erestor returning the gesture.
"You are welcome, aran-nin. It was my pleasure." Erestor nodded. "May your tidings be swift and gentle." Several more followed before they were finished.
"May your travel be without peril, and may Caradras be gentle." Thranduil smiled as all of the Imladris residents were mounted. "May we soon meet again."
"Till we may meet again!" Elrond greeted as the party finally set off, back to Imladris. The warriors followed them, giving a safe passage through Mirkwood. Thranduil and Legolas watched the riders until they disappeared behind the trees.
"When do we go to Imadris?" Legolas asked as he and Thranduil slowly made it back inside.
"I believe it would be Tarnin Austa." Thranduil replied.
The summer festival would be coming up next.
Dictionary:
Losto mae - Sleep well
Penneth - Little one
Ada/Adar - Father
Hannon-le - Thank you
Aran-nin - My King
Caun-nin - My Prince
Mae Govannen - Well met
Hannon-le - Thank you
Hîr - Lord
Hest - Captain
Saes - Please
Goheno nin - Forgive me
Mellon-nin - My friend
-Tarnin Austa supposed to be the elvish festival of The Gates of Summer if I am correct. This could be the lead of a new story? Just keep your eyes open!-