I big thank you to LadyLindariel for being my Beta! And of course, thank you all very much for the reviews, sorry for the long wait. Enjoy!
"Let him sleep," Legolas told Lemwith, as the elfling watched the dwarf snore. His head rocked back, against a tree, sleeping in a sitting position.
"Do all dwarves snore?" Lemwith asked.
"All the ones I have meet," Legolas replied, chuckling.
Anael, who had left a few minutes earlier, returned carrying a couple of blankets. She handed one to Lemwith, then shook the other out, gently laying it over Gimli. Afterwards, she sat down by her brother, Legolas across from her.
"Do you have any family here, besides your brother?" Legolas asked Anael.
"My aunt, uncle, and a few cousins. Most of my family have already sailed."
"I hope you do not mind me asking, and you do not have to answer if you do not wish to. What of your parents?"
"My Ada died in battle, and my Nana sailed soon afterwards, she could not bear to be without him. I stayed with my brother, as my Nana did not think he could take the journey. I promised to stay with him until he was old enough to travel, then we would go also."
"I see. I am sorry. I lost my Nana at a young age as well."
"Yes, I know," Anael said softly. "I remember."
...
"ADA!" Little Legolas ran down the stone pathway as Thranduil rode up on his elk. Throwing a leg over the large elk, he slid off just in time to catch the running elfling.
"How are you, my little Greenleaf?"
"Good, now that you're back," Legolas replied smiling. "Did you chase away the bad guys?"
"Something like that," Thranduil said chuckling. "I got you something." Setting his son down, Thranduil reached into one of his packs, and pulled out a small bow and quiver. "Now I can teach you to hunt."
"Yay!" Legolas cheered. "When can we start?"
"How about tomorrow morning."
"Isn't he a little young?" Legolas's mother asked, walking toward them.
"No one is never too young to learn to hunt," Thranduil said, hurrying to his wife, embracing her.
"I'm so glad your home, and safe," she told Thranduil. "I was so worried." She looked down at Legolas, then back at her husband. "Legolas made a new friend while you were gone."
"That is good," Thranduil crouched down next to Legolas. "Do you mind if I meet them?
Legolas nodded, "Can my friends have a bow also?"
"Of course," Thranduil replied.
Later, after the excitement of the warriors returned calmed down, Legolas found Lothvaen and Anael.
"Ada!" Legolas called, running into the throne room, his two friends behind him. "Did you get the bows?"
Thranduil said something to the elf he had been speaking to, then turned to the elflings, the elf warrior leaving. "Of course I did, do you think that I would forget?"
Legolas shrugged, with a grin "I guess not."
Thranduil walked over to a table, filled with an assortment of weapons, and picked up two small bows of the end. "Here they are. Who is your new friend, Legolas?"
"This is Anael," Legolas replied, motioning to the elleth, as the three walked up to Thranduil. "Her Nana cooks in the kitchen."
"Nice to meet you Anael," Thranduil said.
Anael bowed, "A pleasure to meet you King Thranduil."
"Ah, and good manners also. Has my son and Lothvaen been behaving?"
"Most of the time," Anael replied. "But they still like to sneak in the kitchen."
Thranduil tskd his tongue at the two boy elflings, "Now, now, what have I told you about that?"
"If I remember correctly, you used to do the same thing," A voice came from behind the elflings.
"Nana!" Legolas exclaimed. "Ada is giving Lothvaen and Anael bows like me! Now we can go hunting!"
"That is very nice," his mother said, with a smile. "You three need to come along now, your Ada has visitors." She motioned the three to go, then turned to Thranduil. "Lord Elrond is here to see you, he is waiting right outside."
"Thank you," Thranduil said. "Send him in."
The three elflings followed Legolas's mother, passing a dark-haired elf on the way out. "My Lady," said elf bowed. "I hope you fare well."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Elrond." She said, returning the bow. "How are your sons?"
"Very well, thank you. They will be old enough to travel soon, and meet Legolas. I think they would get along well."
"You have sons?" Legolas asked, his ears perking up. "How old are they?"
"About your age," Elrond replied, looking down at the little elf. It had been years since he had seen him last, and even though elf children did not age fast, he could see the change that had taken over him. He had his mother's eyes, and some features, while still taking a lot of his father's look.
"Come on, Legolas. You can talk to him later," Legolas's mother told him. "He needs to speak to your Ada."
"It was nice meeting you!" Legolas said, as he followed his Nana.
"And you also."
...
Legolas pulled back on his bowstring, aiming at the little target that he and Lothvaen had set up in the hall. He fired the arrow, sending it flying across the short distance, and striking the target. "One point!" Legolas shouted.
"My turn!" Lothvaen announced, he took his place in front of the target, and had just shot his first arrow. When they heard a voice behind them.
"What are you doing?"
The two quickly turned around, hiding their bows behind their back.
"Nothing," Legolas said quickly to his parents who had appeared
"Where did the target and arrows come from?" Thranduil asked, while Legolas's mother walked up to the wall, pulling out arrows.
"Um... Orcs?" Legolas grinned up at the King. "There were orcs, but we chased them off."
Thranduil raised an eye brow, "No shooting in here. Understand? Someone might get hurt."
"Yes, Ada," Legolas replied, his head dropping.
"Where can we shoot then?" Lothvaen asked.
Thranduil glanced over at his wife, who had finished collecting the arrows. She gave a nod to Thranduil, who then motioned for the elflings to come closer. "I could show you a secret spot to shoot." He told them, lowering his voice, winking at his wife.
"Yes!" The two cheered, excited about the idea of a secret spot.
"Shh, not so loud," Thranduil told them, glancing over his shoulder. "Your Nana and I can show you, but you have to promise to keep it a secret."
"We promise," Legolas and Lothvaen said.
"Can we tell Anael?" Lothvaen asked.
"Can she keep a secret?"
Lothvaen nodded, "yes."
"Alright then, but it is top secret. Understand?"
Legolas and Lothvaen nodded, their eyes shining.
"Come on, then, we will show you."
...
"Do you remember the secret archery range?"
Legolas looked up, looking a little surprised. "How do you know abou- wait. You're the little elfling that used to play with Lothvaen and I?"
Anael nodded, "Yes, I am. Not so little anymore, am I?"
"I am so sorry," Legolas said. "I- I did not see you for so long. I must have forgot your name, and did not recognize that you have grown."
Anael gave a tight smile, "No, I guess not."
"What happened?" Legolas asked. "I do not remember."
Anael stood, smoothing the wrinkles from her dress. He tried to read the expression on her face, but she hid her feelings from him. "You come tell me when you remember." She told him, then turned, walking into the darkness.
Hope you all enjoyed this! Please leave a review! :)