Thranduil walked down the stairs leading to the courtyard. His footsteps echoed loudly; sound bounced off the stone walls of the cave. A few curious elves turned towards the source of the noise. There was a surprise on their faces. They didn't expect to see the king. After all, he didn't go out of the palace for more than two weeks.

All of elves knelt down on one knee and placed their hands over their chests. Guard dressed in a light, dark armor watched his master's back. After a short moment, as if struck by a sudden thought, he sprang to his feet and ran to king.

''My lord! You should not go into the woods alone, without your sword!'', he gasped when he caught up with Thranduil. King didn't look at him. He quickened his pace.

''I know where scouts saw your son, Your Highness.'', said guard in a low voice.

Thranduil turned to him and looked at him with his cold eyes. Guard felt a shiver running down his spine.

''Then show me the way.'', said king.


Legolas stroked horse's neck and arranged a strap of his bow. He looked ahead; a joyful smile formed on his lips. He had to pass through the clearing, turn right and then, he was almost home. When did he last sleep in his bed? He didn't even remember.

''Hey, why are you grinning like this? Are you fantasying about some fine lady, or what?'', a loud, hoarse voice in which you could hear a small hint of amusement, made elf rolled his eyes.

''Not everyone has dirty thoughts in mind. But you dwarves…'', Legolas whistled.

''Pfft. Who said something dirty?'', laughed Gimli. He looked around. ''How far is it? I'm hungry. I hope that your father has something good to eat.''

''We have to go through this clearing and we are almost there.'', said Legolas. His horse began to neigh. ''And do not worry about the food. Elves are famous from their hospitality and exquisite food.''

Hospitality... well, prince of the Woodland Realm had a strange feeling telling him that his father would not welcome Gimli very friendly. He has never liked dwarves.

Redbeard snorted.

''Exquisite food! No, thank you. Haunch, I said, haunch! That's what I called a real food!''

''Your taste scares me, my dear friend.'', Legolas shook his head, his long blond hair flowed.

Gimli snorted again, then he clapped his heels to his horse's flanks, giving him the signal to move. When riders reached the center of the clearing, a rustling noise accompanied by the sound of branches breaking came to their ears. Scared horses stopped on a dime. Legolas touched his bow slung over his shoulder and looked in the direction of the sound. High alders growing along the edge of the clearing parted and made a room for two riders. Legolas' eyes widened in surprise.

''Father?'', he whispered. Indeed, king of elves was heading toward Legolas and his companion. His dignified, beautiful horse had a silver bridle. A man who was riding alongside Thranduil was a palace guard; prince remembered him from his childhood years.

Gimli whistled.

Legolas didn't know what his friend had on his mind and he wasn't sure if he necessarily wanted to know, so he just kept quiet.

When Thranduil and his bodyguard approached them, Legolas greeted his father with a nod and a cheerful smile.

''I did not expect you to greet us personally.'', he said with amusement.

Elvenking didn't say anything. His blue, shiny eyes gazed at the dwarf.

''Oh, this is my friend, Gimli. You know about him from my letter. He needs to rest so he will stay with us for a few days.'', in order to appease the king, Legolas said the words as gently and calmly as he could. Thranduil frowned. His hard gaze seemed to bore the poor dwarf, who suddenly felt the need to escape.

''At your service, Your Highness!'', he contained his shakiness and bowed his head reluctantly. In that brief moment when he held it down, he peeked at the Thranduil's shimmering boots. So the rumors were true - the king of the elves loved trinkets.

Legolas' father snorted. A gentle breeze stirred the red leaves inherent in his crown.

''I do not need your services, and thy presence in my forest, dwarf.'', he said. His voice was loud and dignified. ''However… my son will be very disconsolate, if I do not invite you.'', he looked at Legolas who sighed and turned his face toward the setting sun. He didn't expect greeting like this. He thought that since his father decided to personally greet him, he would be more expansive and less eccentric. Legolas also had a faint hope that Thranduil would be a little bit nicer for Gimli (despite his aversion to dwarves). Unfortunately, the prince was wrong. Even after so many long years the king of the Woodland Realm was a mystery to him. ''This is why I am compelled to invite you to my palace. Follow me.''

It seems that not only Legolas was surprised by the behavior and words of the king. Everyone, including the guard (who scratched his head), were apparently quite bewildered, because when Thranduil clapped his horse and started riding in the direction of the trees, it's been a few seconds before they finally move.


Thranduil grimaced. A view of a Gimli devoid of good manners, gave him a migraine. ''He is your guest, try to be understanding.'', thought the ruler. Dwarf devoured a haunch of boar (specially prepared for him) and barely stifled a burp. King of the elves sighed. ''By the gods, this is impossible.''

''And here ends my summary of our adventures.'', said Legolas and grasped a handful of the berries lying on a silver plate with engraved, floral ornaments. He seemed to ignore the unmannerly behavior of his friend. After all this time spent with Gimli, he probably became accustomed to his antics. This thought made Thranduil's blood boil. No one should be in the company of the dwarf longer than necessary. Especially his son.

''I am proud of you. You have done a lot of great things.'', he said, still observing his guest, who started to eat a dessert - freshly baked apple pie.

''Thank you, father. I am glad to hear that.'', said Legolas. His father rarely praised him for his behavior, so every positive word coming out of his mouth meant a lot to him. ''And now... before we finish our meal...'', prince cleared his throat and smiled uncertainly. ''I have something else to say.''

Gimli looked up from his plate and stopped chewing. Thranduil took a sip of delicious red wine.

''What is it?'', he asked.

''We will have two more guests.'', said prince. When he had finished speaking to his father, he took a deep breath and started to pray for an approval. He knew that the Elvenking didn't like the so called ''surprise-guests'' and that the mere presence of the dwarf under his roof got on his nerves. This is why prince was afraid of his reaction.

King sighed and ran a hand over his face. ''Legolas, you never cease to amaze me.'', he thought.