I'm still alive, don't worry. I know this chapter has taken way longer than it should, but with my family forcing me to go outside -because, the time I spent indoors is apparently not healthy- and our spending the summer holidays in the only place around here with no internet connection, updates have been a little hard. This chapter is a bit shorter than I'd liked, but... Anyway, thanks for the reviews, they are appreciated as always. Please, don't be discouraged if I take too long to update, I'm not planning on ditching this story anytime soon.

Also, to give credit where credit is due, I'm using some of JediShappire's OCs and ideas (no stealing I swear!). Just the little things. Her stories are awesome by the way, you should totally check them out.

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns it. His rights over his masterpieces remain even beyond the grave.

Summary: In which Thranduil is overreacting, Lindariel is beyond exasperated with her husband and Legolas proves to be a fine archer.


3. The aftermath

"HE'S TEACHING LEGOLAS WHAT?"

"Thranduil, meleth nîn, calm down." Lindariel tried gently. Thranduil was pacing around in their room, holding Elrond's latest letter in his hand and waving it around. It had been almost a year since Lindariel and Legolas visited Imlandris, and even though the Queen had had to return to her duties, Legolas did not have such pressing matters to attend to; so he had stayed in Lord Elrond's household in the condition that Elrond sends them a letter twice a week to inform them of their son's tidings. The most recent letter had arrived today; in which Elrond explained that Elrohir admitted teaching Legolas archery for some time now, and that seeing the level of their progress and Legolas' impressive skills with a bow himself, he found it wise to allow them to continue the lessons.

"Calm down? Elrond writes here that he's teaching Legolas archery! Archery! And has for some while now!" Thranduil's eyes were wide and reflected the incredulity and anger he felt. "Were you aware of this?" His eyes narrowed at her, no longer looking ready to pop out of their sockets. Lindariel sighed.

"No Thranduil, I was not aware of this fact as weren't Celebrían and Elrond until a few days ago; something he explains in his letter." Lindariel resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It would only anger Thranduil further, and when the King was angry he made sure others new it too. The one time those Men, from the villages Eryn Galen exchanged trades with, had put him in a bad mood, the entire kingdom -and Lindariel most of all- had to suffer his grumpiness.

"But he is allowing the lessons to continue!" King's Thranduil's face graced an expression of disbelief and obvious displeasure.

"Because it would have been a waste of their efforts if they stopped them now, and anyway, Elrond states that he supervised some lessons himself." Queen Lindariel reasoned, growing tired of her husband's protests.

"That does nothing to comfort me." Thranduil insisted stubbornly.

"Elbereth Thranduil!" Lindariel sighed in exasperation. "Legolas is enjoying himself!"

"Legolas is a child!" The King protested. "He could get hurt!"

"Elrohir made a bow for Legolas' size himself! He blunted the arrows!"

"Yes, but-" Thranduil was interrupted by his wife before he could make more excuses.

"No buts." Lindariel said sternly. "Erlond promises that the lessons are perfectly safe for Legolas -who is enjoying them- and seems to be very good at them too. You will allow Legolas to continue his archery lessons with Elrohir, to whom you will not hold a grudge against." Her words were accompanied with an insistent glare, and Thranduil reluctantly muttered his agreement, looking none too pleased about it. "And when Legolas comes back to Greenwood next month, you will ask if Thorontur can give him archery lessons instead." Thranduil opened his mouth to argue, but Lindariel sent him a glare that would have any other Elf cowering in fear in front of her and relented.


Okay, so maybe Thranduil had been a little unreasonable regarding Legolas' archery lessons. But it wasn't his fault, really. He had just been worried about his son's safety -which parent wouldn't? Of course, Lindariel had taken the whole thing much better, but Lindariel had always been a better parent in Thranduil's opinion. It wasn't that he thought he wasn't a good father for Legolas, he knew he was doing his best and so far succeeding. It was that he believed Lindariel could handle things like these more rationally; as and it proved to be. As much as Thranduil loved his son, he had to admit (to himself only) that Lindariel had always handled things better.

Of course, he could not have known that Legolas was that good with a bow.

He didn't even have to ask Legolas to show him what he learned with Elrond's son in Rivendell; because no sooner had the Elfling's feet touched the ground he was dragging Thranduil towards the archery fields to show him what Elrohir had taught him. So Thranduil asked the Archery Master to come with them, and followed the Elfling.

Legolas shot ten arrows and sent nine of them dead center.

Thranduil had to admit he was impressed. That was not something he had been expecting, considering his own skills with a bow were non-existent. Next to him, Thorontur whispered "The boy is mine." The Archery Master was most probably already making plans to include Legolas in his archers in the future. Thranduil ignored him and focused on Legolas who was in front of him in a heartbeat.

"Did you see me Ada? Did you see it? I hit nine of them!" Thranduil chuckled as Legolas tugged on his tunic.

"Yes, tithen las, that was very impressive." Legolas beamed.

"Indeed penneth, it was." Thorontur smiled at the Elfling who was practically glowing with joy and pride. "Do you think your Adar will let me train you?" He smirked and shot an amused glance towards the King. Thranduil just glared at him.

"Isn't he a little young to be doing training with you, Thorontur?" He asked.

"It will not be warrior training." Thorontur defended. "Just enough so all he has learnt will not go to waste."

"Can I Ada? Can I?" Legolas was tugging on his father's tunic again, silently pleading with big eyes, looking up at Thranduil with hope; and Thranduil knew he had lost.

He sighed. "Fine. You can train with Thorontur since both of you are so eager to do so." King Thranduil said. Legolas was smiling so wide his cheeks should be hurting, and his friend was looking at him a smug smile. "Why don't you go see Nana now tithen pen? I'm sure she's waiting for you." With a nod of his head, the Elfling made his way running towards the Gardens where the Queen was sure to be.

"You shouldn't keep him on a leash, mellon nîn." Thorontur said with a smile. "He is indeed very skilled with a bow, and really likes it. I do not think there is any doubt as to what he would like to be when he grows up." Thranduil glared at the Archery Master.

"He is still a child." He protested stubbornly.

"Yes, but he will not be a child forever, Thranduil." The King just settled for glaring at his friend as they made their way back to the palace together.


Sindarin Translation

meleth nîn= my love

tithen las= little leaf

penneth= young one

tithen pen= little one

Adar= Father - Ada= Dad /Daddy

Nana= Mom /Mommy

mellon nîn= my friend


So what do you think? It's short, I know, but the next one will be longer. (Hopefully)