Author's Note: I do not own the Hobbit. Thranduil and Legolas are J.R.R. Tolkien's, and Tauriel is Peter Jackson's. I only own Rimis and Mainor. And any other elf I might add in later. Read and Review please!
"Legolas! Where is your father?" A young elf called out.
"How should I know? I haven't seen him all day!' Or all year Legolas thought to himself. Or all decade.
"Sorry. Do you happen to know what this meeting is about?" He asked again
"Ummmm, what meeting?" He squinted.
"Only the one the whole kingdom is going to. Does he not tell you anything."
Legolas raised one eyebrow, "He tells me what I ask." Which is nothing.
Seeing he was getting no where with the king's son, he shook his head and moved on with the expected farewell one would give to a prince. This was another painful reminder to Legolas of his father's dismissive attitude. What did I ever do to him? He wondered at this as he made his way to the meeting hall, intent on inviting himself in. What on earth would his father have to say about the kingdom?
Thranduil had not asked his son to join in the meeting. His purpose was two-fold: Legolas was bound to invite himself anyway, and he could talk about his son like he wasn't in the room. He didn't have anything bad to say, but he couldn't really talk to him just yet. It had been a very long time and he couldn't be too abrupt. He looked and saw the first arrivals. Calming himself down he looked on them with his hard gaze and customary nod. It was going to be a long meeting.
Once everyone had arrived, Thranduil stood. Everyone turned to look at him, already standing since no one would dare to sit in the presence of their king. He sat down and motioned for them to sit as as well. There were not enough benches along the throne room for everyone to have a seat, so the men elves offered their seats to the female elves. Even Tauriel accepted a seat.
So the meeting began. Thranduil started by addressing them and telling them why they were wanted. "I have not heard reports of how the kingdom has been running in a long time. So all captains and lieutenants please report to me now. I shall begin with healing.
The head healer stepped forward, "I am ready to report sir, but your son passes through our halls almost daily. Do you not rather wish to receive a report from him?"
"I want to hear it from you, master healer." The king said.
So the healer began, "Things are going smoothly. In fact things are going so smoothly that we have very few patients anymore. We currently have two. Another will be arriving soon when she is ready to give birth to her elfling. We have no shortage of supplies, and our healers are being well-trained.
The king nodded, "Thank you. Next I desire a report from the head of kitchens."
"Things are well sir, We receive wine and a few other delicacies from Esgaroth as is custom. The rest we receive from harvesters. Your son has helped us on many occasions to find certain berries and leaves we do not quite know the location of. I train all my workers to prepare everything to your specifications." The head chef nodded and bowed. Thranduil nodded and dismissed him.
"The Captain of the Guard step forward at this time." Thranduil commanded.
He did so. "Things are running smoothly. As you know, I am hoping to relinquish my duties as captain in the near future, so I have undertook the task of training of several talented elves to replace me. I believe that will occur sometime in the next month sir. Spiders that step in your specifications do not ever get out. Your son kills many that are well out of the bounds. We show them no mercy, because they have shown us no mercy. All trainees are expected to perform with the highest precision, and any that do not are let go. I believe our force will stand for a long while."
Thranduil again nodded. "Head General…?" He turned toward a man stoically standing by the door.
"Our travels abroad have been successful. We have not lost a single elf to wars in the last fifty years. Our army right now is quite small, I request to receive more men. I do not know why, but I feel as if we may need a large army in the future and it is best to train them now. I am not sure what this feeling is, but I would advise you to heed it my King." These were dangerous words for dangerous times. But Thranduil was not in the mood for arguing.
"I will consider it." Thranduil nodded and tried to think up another division to request before he called out his most trusted advisor. There were only a few left. Calling them up, they each gave a report and then shrunk back, hoping to please their king. All mentioned Legolas and how he had helped them greatly. Thranduil pretended to be less attentive than he actually was. The truth was, he cared a lot about what they said about his son. He wanted to talk to him, but did not know how. After everything he had done. He almost forgot what his son was like. That was why he had appointed his advisor to follow him and see what he was up to, who he interacted with, and how he spent his years. Taking a deep breath, he called him out to speak. "And you, Mainor. What have you to say about my son?"
At this a blonde head jerked up in the back. There is someone following me? Many other heads turned at this. Why would their king ask for a report on his own flesh and blood?
Slowly Mainor stepped forward. "I have only good news sir. He has been going around the kingdom to making sure that everything is in order. On mondays he checks the healing wing. Tuesdays is the kitchens. Wednesdays and Fridays he spends all day at training. Thursdays are spent in the library seeing that all education is up to speed, and on Saturdays and Sundays he goes into the forest. Forgive me for being so exact, but I have been checking on him for decades." This was mostly for the benefit of the spectators listening in.
Thranduil smiled. "Do you know where he is now?"
"I do not sir. I expect he is out in the forest killing spiders."
At this Legolas felt his face flush. Killing spiders. He wasn't supposed to be at the meeting. Was this why he was not invited?
"Ah well. I am proud of him. He is doing a good job taking care of the kingdom in my stead. When you see him next, Mainor, tell him that. And, tell him I wish to speak to him in my chambers when he gets the time. Dismissed!" All the elves stood up and exited the throne room. Legolas lingered a while longer to get a good look at his father. Thranduil noticed and added, just so he knew Legolas could hear him, "He really is bright is he not?"
A/N: Thanks to Amanda for the review! Can I get a few more? Please?