Chapter 14: A Nice Surprise
Elladan and Elrohir snickered as Arwen's voice boomed across Imladris.
The twins along with Legolas were eating apples and hanging out in the archery fields when they had heard Arwen's strangled cry. It had been an incredibly loud one and it expressed so much hate and frustration, even Legolas thanked the Valar he wasn't there to see Arwen's face. He had been practicing his shooting when the great sound had distracted him and he'd shot the arrow a few inches away from the bull's eye. Although as he hissed in a curse, the twins were laughing.
"I wish I could see Arwen's face right now!" chuckled Elrohir and Elladan laughed in agreement.
Legolas looked at them mildly. "Her face is probably not what you want to see right now. She is probably very angry...the 'masterpiece' you made on her room wasn't very funny you know."
"Oh, you're totally right, Legolas," said Elladan nodding, he had his head bowed down like Elrohir was as if he were ashamed and Legolas was actually surprised...were they really agreeing with him? These immaturely foolish and childish elflings? He couldn't believe it!
Then the twins looked up and laughed even harder! "IT IS HILARIOUS!"
Legolas sighed, shaking his head and deposited the Imladris bow and arrows back into the tool shed. Even when he came out, the twins were still laughing hysterically and finally they stood up to leave with Legolas for dinner.
Elladan put a hand on Legolas' tense shoulder. "Oh c'mon Legolas, don't be such a bore and be upset with us. You need to liven up a little bit!"
Legolas sighed when Elrohir put a hand on his other shoulder, which was also tense. "You know, for like the first time in years, Dan is right...calm down buddy! You need to laugh more!"
"I do laugh," snapped Legolas irritably.
"Hardly," responded Elladan and Elrohir rolling their eyes although 'hardly' was an understatement. The twins hadn't properly heard Legolas laugh yet...yeah, maybe some tiny smiles and grins but nothing more. And those didn't even really count as laughing... They didn't even know if their smiles were genuine, for god's sake!
"Anyways Legolas," said Elladan. "See, I've thought of something."
"Well, what a miracle."
Elrohir nearly choked from laughing while Legolas looked at Elladan emotionlessly. Elladan looked mockly at Legolas as if he were truly insulted and said, "ANYWAYS, I was thinking that since Ro and I call each other nicknames and all..."
"Yes?"
"And you know, I didn't want you to feel out or perhaps, different..."
"Could you please get to the point?" asked Legolas curiously.
"I thought we should give you a nickname!"
"What?" said Legolas almost about to protest an entire sermon that he didn't need a nickname but he was interrupted...as always. He thought Legolas was a perfectly good name that didn't need any shortening but, what could he do?
"That's a great idea, Dan!" exclaimed Elrohir. "We could nickname you 'Las."
"Or Legos!"
"Or 'Goly."
"Or Lassie loo!"
"Or Go-go!"
Legolas frowned at the last version. He would most definitely not be called 'Go-go.' This conversation was getting terribly ridiculous. "First of all...no, I am not going to be nicknamed Go-go! Second of all, I don't want to get a nickname."
"It's part of your apprenticeship with us," explained Elladan. "You have to do it."
"But-"
"No but's, Legolas!" snapped Elrohir. "If you want to become a co-prankster, then you have to follow the prankster regime. And in the prankster regime you need a nickname!"
Legolas sighed...he reminded himself, the things he did for Mirkwood. He had to be polite to these sons of Elrond or he might be the reason that the alliance between Imladris and Mirkwood shattered. And he didn't want that burden in his back...or another burden at all. "Well, why can't you just call me Legolas? Or call me a codename? That would be much simpler."
"No, it would not!" insisted Elladan supporting his idea. "We have to give you a proper nickname...hey! I've got an idea! How about we nickname you Leggy-loo? Or Leggy for short!"
"WHAT?"
Elrohir high-fived his older twin, laughing. "That is perfect! From now on, we will not call you Legolas...you will be Leggy!"
"No! I most certainly will not be Leggy," insisted Legolas at the twins.
"Well, what's done is done," shrugged Elladan as if he could do nothing about it. "We'll be the perfect prankster trio: Leggy, Dan and Ro!"
After what seemed half an hour of a heated argument, the elflings were already a hallway away from the Dining Hall. The raven black night had already settled in the sky as the tiniest peaks of daylight withered away down the hills and beautiful waterfalls surrounding Imladris. The stars settled like white jewels in space...shining with precious light he yearned to have.
Lanterns had been brightly lit through the halls and for the first time in days, all was quiet. There was no hustle of rushing servants, bakers or guards but a calm peace that Legolas had not seen since he had been there. But well, he was grateful for that.
Suddenly, as the three of them continued arguing, they suddenly bumped into something-or well, somebody. And he wasn't looking so happy.
Erestor eyed the elflings with a strong look of suspicion and a mixture of frustration and anger. He had his arms crossed firmly against his chest. "Oh, just you three stop right there!"
The three halted in place and Erestor started his long scolding speech, which could even have slightly rivaled Thranduil's...although Thranduil's scolding did involve more physical things. "I cannot believe it! You two did one of the most foolish, unacceptable, childish things I have ever imagined! You little balrogs...don't you know how much your father is already stressing out with the spring festival preparations? He's nearly gone mad and now he's pulling his hair because of you! We have to delay the work we've been doing so to clean the mess you've done! And now, Arwen's room has to be remodeled, cleaned and built again because of your prank! And to replace the furniture and all of her belongings...you elflings deserve to have a greater punishment!"
"Oh, c'mon Eresty," said Elladan poking Erestor's ribs. "You're exaggerating."
"I am absolutely not," snapped Erestor back. "Poor Arwen's crying her eyes out and...oh, Legolas! Oh poor elfling, you probably got dragged into this unwillingly too. You were probably forced to be part of this 'little joke' as well and that silly thing you call a prank war! Our apologies, Legolas, I'm sure it was quite an inconvenience."
Legolas sighed. That elf did not know how much Legolas wanted to complain to him about. Normally, Legolas' patience would have drained already if he were at home in Mirkwood. All Erestor said was entirely true but there was something he knew from Mirkwood, and that was to stay firm to your family. Mirkwood residents stayed firm and together, never betraying each other. And he wouldn't allow this to change that...he wouldn't betray Elladan and Elrohir, even if he hardly knew them.
"Oh no, there was no harm done, really," insisted Legolas calmly. "You should not really punish them gravely, Lord Erestor...it was no surprise really, you know how childish they were, they couldn't help it."
The twins were just about to snap something back to Legolas for calling them 'childish' but suddenly, they realized that...he was helping them. They stopped themselves from talking as Erestor sighed, eyeing the mischievous-looking twins.
"Well, you're right Legolas...I wasn't very surprised and even though they will not be punished now, they will be punished. We'll see what they get."
He trotted away and the twins looked at Legolas, "Thank you...we'll just hope that Ada doesn't force us to clean the stables...ugh, how does Arwen manage it there?"
"You're welcome," said Legolas simply as they opened the doors of the Dining Room.
As the doors shut behind them, they entered the Dining Room, a nice warm glow lit the room yet there was a silent mood in the air. Lord Elrond was already seated in his usual place, sipping from his cup mildly yet waiting as if he were expecting the twins. Lady Celebrian sat courteously and elegantly next to him but looked sternly at the twins. And Arwen...oh, the poor little girl wasn't crying anymore but her eyes looked red and puffy.
When the three of them sat down in their places, Lady Celebrian said, "Elladan and Elrohir."
"Yes Nana?" asked Elladan.
And she started her scolding. Obviously, it was just as long as Erestor if not longer, but her scoldering meant more to the elflings...after all, it was there Nana. Arwen sniffed in her seat as her Nana went on with lecturing the twins and then came the bomb: Lord Elrond. He was a wise elf and could weave words in a perfect symphony. He could make you feel sad, guilty, fearful, angry or etc. if he wanted and he didn't even have to use lots of words!
After their scolding was done, they could all finally settle down for dinner. Everything had quieted down as the clinking of silverware when suddenly, the door opened and a servant scuttled in.
"Lord Elrond, there is a guest at the gates."
Lord Elrond frowned at him, "So late and unannounced? Who could this stranger be?"
"No stranger at all."
"UNCLE MITH!" exclaimed the twins as they dashed out of their seats in order to greet him. Even Arwen forgot all about the prank they did on her precious room and smiled sweetly and excitedly at the figure that currently stood in front of the door. The servant quickly left, closing the doors.
Gandalf stood there looking quite casually although smiling. His grey robes hung unevenly through the beautiful and colorfully tiled Imladris floors and standing steadily, was his grey staff, glowing with a small yellow-white light that flickered delicately. With his pointed hat on his head, he chuckled as the Elrond and twins rushed to his side and he greeted with mirth. "Mae govannen! I suppose I must apologize for coming so unannounced to your so peaceful dinner!"
"Oh, don't speak of nonsense, Mithrandir!" laughed Celebrian, putting a blonde curl back of her perfectly pointy elven ears. "You know you will always be welcome in our table!"
Gandalf bowed down. "Well, your words are kind, good lady. I'm glad I am welcome here."
Elrond quickly stood up and smiled, standing to guide the wizard forward. "What am I thinking? You must be exhausted and famished...you can join us right in. Tell us how your trip when, mellon. I can easily have another chair and another plate for you."
Gandalf chuckled. Even after so many years, the hospitality Elrond held for his guests was outstanding. "Do I have a choice?"
Elrond chuckled back. "Not really."
After that, there was a small commotion of Elrond's orders where a chair and a plate along with it's silverware was set upon the place right next to Legolas. Legolas politely and shyly moved to make space for the great Istari. As Gandalf quickly sat down and shuffled in his seat, he turned around to smile at Legolas. "Why, mae govannen to you too Legolas! Why is a Greenwood prince sitting in an Imladris table, may I ask?"
Elrond felt an emotion around Legolas' aura-the first emotion he felt from him actually. And it was awkwardness. So he decided to spare the poor elfling the trouble and he talked for him, "He is here to represent Greenwood for the Spring Festival, mellon. His Adar and gwador-nín are too busy to come so he has for them."
"Well, that's wonderful!" said Gandalf smiling. He lit his pipe and the scent of weed hung in the air. Feeling a bit stiff, Legolas sneaked a sideways look at the pipe which was slowly crowding around with smoke. He felt like choking, or at least coughing but he forced himself to take a deep breath and stay polite. "Fortunately, Thranduil was not as stubborn as he was before in the previous Spring Festivals."
He huffed out a ring of smoke and he turned to look at Legolas once again, "Is this your first time here in Imladris, Legolas?"
"Yes Mithrandir," said Legolas nodding down slowly. He had been taught how to have proper courtesy with elves, humans ("dimwitted creatures overcome by an incredibly stupid amount of arrogance and selfishness" as his father called them) and for god's sakes...he was even taught how to deal with dwarves! Unpleasant little creatures... But Istari? What was he supposed to do? "They have been very kind to me and I am deeply grateful for that. It is an honor to speak with you-"
Gandalf inhaled and exhaled a large puff of smoke before laughing and interrupting Legolas, putting a hand in his rigid shoulder, "Don't worry Legolas. You need not use your polite words with me...as the twins call me, Uncle Mith is all right. Besides, we are far from your father's court, he will never know."
For a while, Legolas was about to say something but couldn't. All he could do was nod a grateful nod. It was as if Mithrandir had read his mind! It was as if he knew the truth...the truth on how Legolas was. He wondered if Mithrandir could go into his mind like Lady Galadriel. A small shudder ran through him...not onlyone but two Istari that could read minds? Creepy!
Then, as they went on with their meals with Elladan and Elrohir excitedly doing questions about the wizard's trip and Arwen curiously worrying about the Istari's current state, Legolas drifted off to the first time he had met Mithrandir...
[BEGIN FLASHBACK]
Legolas' eyes were cold.
Once, they had been a bright tingling blue which shone brighter than the stars in the night sky Greenwood the Great used to see. It was as if the light of the moon had been held captive in that pair of beautiful jewels. However, if any of that heavenly substance remained in his eyes, nobody knew for nobody knew. His eyes were cold and still, hard and showing no emotion. Most people would have thought it might have been a trait received from his father but still, Legolas was an elfling...and most elflings deserved to be happy, squealing creatures. Not like the dark, ghostly spirit Legolas had become.
Besides, they all forgot that once...King Thranduil did have emotions.
The truth was that Legolas felt awfully bored. Sitting there dressed in ceremonial forest green robes was a bit uncomfortable. His neck felt itchy yet his soul felt so empty, that he did not want to scratch there. Instead, he scanned his father's council guests. His father had invited the leaders of all the small villages of Mirkwood to come to the main fortress of Mirkwood to well...talk I suppose would be the word.
There were forty eight villages around Mirkwood. He knew that twenty of those villages were major villages with more than five thousand inhabitants in them. The rest of them were smaller villages with only a few hundreds of elves or even less. Thirty of the men were brown hair, brown like the slowly crumbling wood of the forest. Fifteen were red-haired with hair flickering like flames in a deadly fire and the remaining three were blond elves. Blond elves were very rare in Mirkwood, Legolas knew. He went on, his head already throbbing with unimportant information. These elves' eye color, their movements, their postures...well, what could he say? Legolas was terribly bored.
Worse of all-there was nothing he could do about it. His father was out entertaining guests and Thalos was not so far behind him being ambushed with questions. After all, he was the crown prince of Mirkwood and people felt curious about him. Although he felt sorry for his brother, Legolas thought his brother was tackling them well-enough...meaning their father had not screamed at them until they were deaf.
He was sitting there quietly watching everything unfold when suddenly, there was the bell and from the visitors' room (which was a room specifically made to greet and welcome guests), they knew that the Dining Hall was good and ready to go to. Chattering elves slowly drained out of the room and soon Legolas was faced with a weakly smiling face.
"Brother, it's time to go!"
"I know," muttered Legolas as he hopped off his chair which was a bit high for him and he headed to stand next to Thalos. Unlike Legolas, Thalos, already a grown elf, was fully-decked in a warrior's armor with a sword sheathed.
Thalos wrapped his around his younger brother and guided him out. "I have to say Legolas, I'm terribly sorry you had to be here. I know this must feel terribly boring."
"What other feeling should I feel?"
Thalos sighed a barely audible sigh. His brother was already an eight year old elfling in human years but he was still mourning. Mourning the loss that happened three years ago...the one nobody seemed to forget. Although it seemed as if Legolas was the worst one affected. These days, it seemed as if the bright spark of excitement that had once inhabited in his brother was slowly fading...Legolas talked in a dull, monotone voice, as if fallen into great depression. Thalos worried, he really did, but...what could he do?
"I suppose you're right but come on! Perhaps after dinner they'll let you go to sleep earlier and you'll be able to avoid father's incredibly long and tedious ending speech."
"That's what always happens anyways."
However, soon Legolas found himself standing next to his father and Thalos as Thranduil stood in the great podium that had been installed in the dining hall. Thranduil's closest advisers and high ranking generals flanked his right side while his sons flanked his other side.
The Mirkwood table, usually only sat in by Thranduil and his sons, was incredibly elongated so that all the highest ranking and village leaders could also fit with them. Now, they all sat down and turned their attention to their king's speech, which was barely starting.
Legolas found the speech long and too formal for his taste. The words were elegant and some were so complex, even he did not know what they meant. Outside, he could hear the rustle of the trees against the night's howl and he forced himself to sigh silently. He'd rather be outside than listening to all of this but what could he do?
Suddenly, cutting through King Thranduil's cold, serious, booming and emotionless voice, came the light sound of knuckles against the door.
Everybody turned around, their breaths hanging. Who dared interrupt King Thranduil? The elves in that room felt a bit of sympathy for the knocking person for he would have to suffer the king's wrath. Even Legolas felt sorry for the unknown knocker.
After a while of staring at the carven wood-bronze door, Thranduil bellowed, "ENTER!"
A servant scuttled in, his eyes exploiting everything that could be related to fear. Although the poor elf managed to gather his senses and started, "Your Highness-"
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO INTERRUPT ME," snapped Thranduil angrily before the servant could precede. "Why do you disturb me when I said so? Are you deaf? YOU MUST NOT defy my authority! Do you not know what my orders were or do you want me to show them to you?"
"Oh, no, no, no!" said the poor servant elf almost shaking. "There is no need for that King Thranduil. My foremost and greatest apologies for the interruption but there is a someone at the gates."
As all heads turned to look at Thranduil, he regained his calm, regal and creepily cold composure as he eyed the servant. "Who is it?" he demanded.
"An old acquaintance I suppose you can call me."
At the sound of the stranger's voice, the servant hurried away before a scene could unravel involving him and Legolas eyed the stranger. The elves started murmuring, whispering against each other in hushed voices as if they were speaking of dark secrets. Legolas studied the man...he was obviously no elf or dwarf for he was of a standard height. He wore a pointed grey hat that matched his equally grey robes. He had a long, scraggy grey beard as well, as if he dirtied by travel. In his right hand, he held a wooden staff that glowed with a small, omniscient, white light.
"How queer," said Thranduil slowly turning to the stranger, his face revealing a tinge of fake amusement and a slight annoyance, "I do not remember inviting you into my palace, Mithrandir."
Legolas noticed the name immediately...it wasn't hard. Judging by the staff he held in his hand, he was probably one of the five Istari. So...who was this? If he concentrated enough he might remember something from his lessons. Ugh, why did he never pay attention? Why couldn't he be as perfect as Thalos? But Mithrandir... the Grey Pilgrim? Hm.
"Oh, and you're quite right," nodded the 'Mithrandir' person with a small sly smile. "I invited myself."
The room came into silence. Nobody dared speak or breathe. This was Mithrandir after all! Meeting him was a rare chance. And here he was! Facing Thranduil as if he were fearless...something that the Maiar indeed was, but could prove both brave and fatal. Emphasis on fatal.
"I do not have time to hear your ramblings of ill-tidings."
"I do not judge you," said Mithrandir stepping forward insisting and the Mirkwood guards tensed. "Yet you must hear me out. I truly mean the truth and nothing but the truth. We must prepare before darkness strikes."
"You are a wanderer no more, seeking trouble aren't you Mithrandir? How can I believe you so, may I ask?" replied back Thranduil in a booming voice.
"Because Miluneth would have," whispered Mithrandir. "She would have heard me out and given me a chance as she always has."
The room tensed and all of the elves sucked their breaths in. Queen Miluneth was not a name that could simply be said out loud. Even after three years...they grieved. And when Mirkwood grieved it was nothing beautiful. The elves' head bowed down darkly, trying to desperately remember any fragment of their dear queen's memories. Her laughter. Her beauty. Her kindness. Anything...
Legolas stifled a sob. They were talking about his Nana. His eyes suddenly became blur because of how watery they felt. He quickly wiped the tears from his eyes before he did something dumb in front of everybody...like cry. He sucked his breath, his teeth sinking into his lips so hard in order to resist the pain, that he could taste the tiniest bits of blood. Suddenly, a hand curled against his and Legolas looked up at Thalos, who looked somber yet worriedly at Legolas.
"We all grief...even I do as well," he continued. Even as the Istari felt Thranduil's reserved rage, anger and pain, he had to continue, for he needed to help with his missions, as hard as it would take. Although Mithrandir really did mourn Miluneth's death...she had been quite a friend of his. "It seems as if I see her everyday. In the lilacs that blossom in the fields, in the sun that shines, in the green trees of the woods, in the soft chatter of bluejays..."
Thranduil had enough.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!" he growled stepping forward and facing Mithrandir. "NO RIGHT AT ALL! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PAIN! YOUR FAKE SYMPATHY SICKENS ME! DON'T YOU DARE ENTER THESE HALLS, MY HALLS AND START TALKING LIKE YOU OWN MIRKWOOD. YOU ARE NO FRIEND TO MIRKWOOD, NOR WILL YOU EVER BE TO ME!"
Mithrandir eyed Thranduil silently. He felt his pain...he really did and Legolas could see years of wisdom engraved in the Istari's face when he whispered, "And I am no foe, so you also have no reason to kill me."
Suddenly, Thranduil calmed down, recomposed himself from his previous wild, enraged attitude and said calmly with a tinge of darkness in his voice, "Well, if you are so eager...perhaps we can discuss this elsewhere."
Legolas and just about all of the elves internally gulped. They were indeed surprised that Thranduil had recovered from Mithrandir's remarks so quickly but they knew his little 'discussion meetings' were never pretty. Anything but pretty.
"But first, you must be tired and wary Mithrandir," said Thranduil slowly. Then, a sudden twist of his neck and he was looking straight at Legolas. "Legolas, show him to a guest room."
For a while, Legolas stood frozen in place, trying to analyze this as he did to every situation. HIM? Why him? Of all people in the palace...
"I SAID," repeated Thranduil a bit louder and more aggressive this time, "GO ESCORT MITHRANDIR TO HIS ROOM."
"Please do as Adar says, penneth," whispered Thalos slowly patting Legolas reassuringly and Legolas shrugged. He looked at Mithrandir as if to mentally say, 'Follow me' and started on his way to the guest rooms. Mithrandir seemed to understand pretty well because he went along.
For a while, a silence governed between them as they walked through the halls which were now empty since the night ruled the sky right now. Suddenly, Legolas turned his small fearful head at him, whispering, "Do you really bring ill-tidings?"
Mithrandir sighed. "Unfortunately I do. Darkness is coming...ill-tidings seem the only thing I seem to find on my travels."
Suddenly, reminding himself it was dumb to say such dark things in front of a child, he quickly veered from the subject. "Although it is nothing you should worry about young one. It will be over quickly."
Legolas nodded, as if he understood and suddenly halted in place. He pointed to the door in front of them and for the first time, looked straight at Mithrandir's eyes. They were solid and grey yet there was something behind them...something, a strong force that he couldn't recognize and as he had been often feeling, he felt afraid.
As if he read his mind, Mithrandir's lips cracked into a small smile. "There is nothing to fear in my eyes for I will do you no harm."
"You are one of the Istari, aren't you?"
"Yes indeed, my name is Gandalf the Grey or Mithrandir by you, elves," he smiled as if it were the most noble title one could have. "And may I ask...what is your name?"
Legolas thought about this. Was it wise to trust this man? Well...he didn't have much time to think about it so there was only one choice he could make.
"My name is Legolas," he whispered. "Legolas Thranduilion."
"Well, it's been quite a pleasure and an honor to meet you Legolas!" smiled Gandalf and then, he entered the room, leaving a quite dumbfounded Legolas standing in front of the closed door. But for many years to come, he had the name of 'Gandalf the Grey' engraved in his memory...and he still did.
[END FLASHBACK]
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
Legolas' head, seven years later, turned to Gandalf while flickering into reality. So deep in thought, he had not eaten a single thing but it seemed most of the people around the table were half-way through. Well, everybody except Elrohir...he was already in seconds. Honestly, Legolas had no idea how that elf could eat that much but still look as skinny as a stick.
Gandalf clapped his hands in delight. "I have letters!"
"Letters?" Elrond asked curiously. "From whom?"
"Oh, from Lothlorien!" said Gandalf smiling as he tugged at his pockets getting some envelopes out. "Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel told me to send these to you since I passed through their kingdom quite recently."
He passed the letters around and Lord Elrond's family smiled in delight. Letters from Lothlorien were always quite pleasant. Arwen squealed in delight, everything was so merry when Daeradar and Daernaneth came! It was all so jolly, bright and full of happiness...she loved it! Elladan and Elrohir crowded together, for the letters were addressed to both of them and even they had to grin.
However, Legolas, feeling a bit out of place preceded to eating quietly. He didn't feel jealous but he didn't feel quite normal either. He went back to what he knew about the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. Their daughter, Celebrian, was the Lady Celebrian he was currently sitting with, and since she is married to Elrond, that meant...that the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien were Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen's grandparents. How did he not notice this before?
Then he drifted into grandparents. Oropher had been slain in the War of the Last Alliance a few thousand years before he was born and Thalos had told him that their grandmother had sailed West not so long after because of the grief. As to his grandparents from his Nana's side? He never knew them, who knows why?
"Oh, and I have a letter for you too Legolas."
Legolas snapped back from thought. "I beg your pardon?"
"I said that I had a letter for you too, Legolas," responded Gandalf handing him a letter.
Legolas studied the envelope curiously, it had the great stamp of Mirkwood on it and he could smell the very pinewood of the paper. "But...this is from Mirkwood."
"Indeed, that is because it is from your brother. I passed through Greenwood as well," said Gandalf and then chuckled as Legolas for a split second forgot his manners and tore the envelope open without thanking him. A thin smile entered his lips as he grabbed the letter in his hands.
Suddenly, Thranduil's voice echoed in his head (something Legolas found both creepy and annoying) and he said this 'thank you's' to Gandalf, who dismissed them quite quickly, saying seeing Legolas smile was good enough.
So soon, everybody started reading their letters...
AN: I absolutely adored this chapter! Although yes, I do think Thranduil would've normally showed a bit more respect to someone as old and powerful as a Maiar...but well, he was still grieving at that time so give the poor elf a break.
Letters! You'll have to wait a week or two for that though, sorry.