A Turn of Events

Why did I listen to her? Was I really even listening at all or did I only hear what I wanted to hear?

Legolas leaned against the window of his balcony early that the morning. His eyes darted to the city beneath him as it stood in slumber with a few exceptions of elves milling around getting their carts ready for the market. He looked above him where light from the outside began to peer through to their Underground Kingdom.

He slumped himself on his bed and put on his boots; his mind occupied with questions. As the prince finished dressing, he stood in front of the mirror one last time. Giving the elf staring back at him a firm nod, he headed out for patrol.

"Three. That makes three today. Quite early for those blasted squirrels to be venturing farther than they should. What do you think, Prince Legolas?"

"Pardon? What? Oh, yes...it is," he replied lazily.

"What is the matter with you this morning? You seem to have left Middle-earth? If you are not careful an elfling might have shot another arrow in your direction."

"What arrow?" Legolas's eyes quickly scanned the vicinity. "I did not see an arrow fly past me?"

Keldir's stern look slowly turned into a wide grin. "I was merely jesting. I wanted to see if you were actually paying attention to what I was saying this time."

"Very funny, captain."

"You have not been your high-spirited self these days...always locked in your thoughts. I had to make sure you were still alive. What graces the mind of the prince to have him looking so dull as of late?"

"Many things, my friend…many things," Legolas's voice sounded distant. "Things that I do not wish to speak of at this time."

His friend slowly nodded. All he could do was understand and be patient. "Very well. You know where to find me when you are ready."

Everything in the prince's life seemed to be so overwhelming lately, especially with his father always breathing down his back about honor and duty...and finding a bride. His mother was the one who Legolas found peace and comfort in and whom he felt understood him better than his father. Queen Terulien was warm, caring, and loved by their kin. As an elfling, he could almost see a glimpse of himself if he stared into her blue eyes long enough.

I I I

The morning patrol was short. Keldir dismissed most of the guards including the prince since things appeared to be quiet. He stayed hidden in the trees with a few extra elves at his side until the second patrol came. Legolas did what the captain commanded without a fuss.

Instead of heading back to the palace or the archery range, the Prince of Mirkwood detoured for a walk in the gardens. None of the nobles were usually around until midday and the elf-maidens would think to look there last if they were searching for him. But still, he kept his guard up. His ears soon perk up as he heard a familiar sound in the distance.

"Hello, mother." His back was still to her.

"Hello, my son," she said in return.

"I thought I heard you humming," Legolas finally faced her with a smile.

When he was younger his mother would often hum a tune while he sat on her lap as she brushed and braided his golden locks. She found humming more bearable for him because it made time pass more quickly since he couldn't sit still; always wanting to run around and play with the other elven-children. After a while he stopped rushing to find his friends as he got used to hearing the sound of his mother's velvety voice.

"What brings the elf-prince to my gardens?"

Legolas shrugged. "Nothing in particular, mother. I merely thought to take a stroll by myself."

"Tis not like you," she caressed his cheek. "I have not known the prince to…stroll."

"Yes, well…there is a first for everything," he shyly grinned.

I I I

"Be careful with that knife, child," Dalorien warned her daughter.

The cook heard a noise in the Western Kitchen and investigated. When she entered the room, she found Le'ariel chopping vegetables with such vigor that it made it seem like they stole something and was being punished for their crime.

"What is the matter with you?" She placed a hand on her shoulder.

Le'ariel stopped what she was doing and took a deep breath. "Nothing, mother, I am in the process of preparing the next meal."

"You call that nothing? You are treating those vegetables like they are your enemy."

"I am sorry, mother. I did not mean to take it out on them…" She looked at her leafy victims. "My apologies."

"What are you frustrated about? Is it Legolas again?"

"No mother, it is not about the prince and it is not something I wish to discuss at the moment."

The cook looked at her and gently patted her back. "Very well. But, please do be nicer to the food that will be served quite shortly."

I I I

"That is what I heard from the other servants this morning."

"I am not surprised. It is not something she likes to keep discrete as the others do."

"But as you know, she is not like the others…"

Velhar remained silent as he eavesdropped on the whispered conversation around the corner in another part of the kitchen.

It wasn't something he planned on doing…he just sort of walked into it. Ignoring what he heard was too intriguing for his own good. The elf quietly exited to make known what he heard to those who he felt would be as interested as he was, namely Le'ariel.

I I I

"Ha, ha! ...Oh dear boy, I know you can do better than that."

"Oh, I can!" He shot another arrow with precise aim and split the previous arrow in half in the archery range.

"My, I am impressed. Your lessons proved to have paid off," she bowed with her head. "I remember a time when we could not get you to set foot on this field. Now look at you...you have turned this place into a second home."

"With father always pushing me to do better as a child, of course, I did not want to." Legolas chuckled. "His demanding ways made me want to rebel against his wishes..."

"I know, my dear, but you must understand that your father only tries to do what he believes is best for you...and for the kingdom."

"I know, mother, I know," Legolas sighed. "I have felt so much pressure upon my shoulders as of late. As if…things are beginning to be a burden... my life...my crown...my duties..."

Queen Terulien placed her bow down and walked over to her son. She lifted his lowered chin to meet her eyes and gave him a warm smile. "You push yourself to do too much at once. It may have been instilled in you by your father these past centuries—learning how to handle more than one thing at a time—a quality for a king and a delegate, but you are not your father, Thranduil. You are his son, Legolas."

Legolas dropped his eyes again to the grass. "I am my father's son."

"And your mother's son as well, do not forget," she diverted his eyes back to hers. "You do not possess all of your father's traits. The elf-prince has his own that separates him and defines who he is to this day."

"Thank you, mother..." he smiled at her comforting words.

"Your Grace, I do not mean to interrupt but the prince is needed," Keldir apologetically broke their mother and son moment.

"What is it, captain," asked Legolas.

"Orcs have been spotted near the Eastern borders."

The queen picked up her bow. "How close are they, Captain Keldir?"

"Close enough, your Grace. It is best that you return underground. Two of my guards will accompany you."

"I do not need accompanying, Keldir, I can go just fine on my own. You may need them more than I do."

"Please, mother, have them take you...just to be safe," insisted Legolas. Seeing the concern in his eyes, she only agreed to ease his distress. The guards motioned for her to follow them as they escorted her back to the Underground Kingdom.

"Come, Keldir, I must get more arrows. Finally, a real workout!" He playfully hit him in the arm.

"We shall see, your Highness," he raced him back to the weapon room.