Chapter 5 is here another pretty short one, but I hope you enjoy it. Ah I know I don't update this one very often, but I love working on it, two of my favourite fandoms together. Also I've decided on a Harry/Legolas pairing but I'm thinking of adding the twins, Elladan and Elrohir, in as well, making it a sort of harem sort of deal. That's what i'm leaning towards anyway, let me know if you have thoughts.
Chapter 5
Harry pulled nervously on the cream tunic he was wearing that day; it was soft and hung to the middle of his thighs. It had only been a few days since his arrival, but Thranduil must have had everyone working around the clock as Harry now had a whole new wardrobe of beautiful clothes to wear, a bed now appropriate to his size, a room full of toys of his very own to play with and to his embarrassment, a highchair to eat his meals at.
He ignored the small smile Legolas was aiming at him, in favour of taking deep calming breaths. They were waiting in a room off to the side of the throne room. A throne room which was now filled with nearly every inhabitant of the woodland realm. Thranduil was preparing to announce Harry's arrival and introduce Harry to his people. To say he was nervous was an understatement. Sure, he was an elfling, but he was also from another world, would they accept him or scorn him? The elves that he had met so far had been very kind, but Harry knew what large groups of people and fear could do.
He glanced shyly up at Legolas, Legolas who had been there for him for everything the last few days.
"You won't let them hurt me, will you?" Harry asked quietly and the smile that had been on Legolas' mouth dropped. He looked flummoxed.
"Why would anyone try to hurt you?"
Harry just shrugged, "that's usually how things go for me. They might be scared of the fact I've come from another world. Fear does crazy things to people."
Legolas looked down at the elfling sadly, moments like these were a stark reminder that Harry had not led a happy life before being brought here by the Valar. And though Legolas knew little of his history, anger thrummed though him that Harry was ever made to feel this way.
"I will never let anyone hurt you" Legolas said fiercely. "You are safe here, Harry."
Harry stared at the blonde elf for a moment, as if judging the sincerity of the statement, before nodding.
"I wouldn't blame you – you know, if something does happen" Harry said quietly, and Legolas bent down and scooped the elfling up into his arms.
Harry didn't know if it was his new elfling status or the fact that he had barely received any positive physical contact his whole life, but he had really taken to cuddles with Legolas. He found himself often walking the halls with the blonde prince, hand in hand or curled up against Legolas' side in the evenings as he read to him.
"Nothing is going to happen" Legolas reassured him. "Well, I mean you might be swamped by elves, buts that's only because they will be overjoyed to meet you."
Harry didn't bother to argue, comforted by Legolas's arms around him, he just leaned his head on the firm chest and listened as Thranduil greeted his subjects.
Harry started to tune him out as Thranduil expounded the many virtues of the Woodland realm. Only realising that he had been called when Legolas started to step out of the side room. Harry swung around from his place on Legolas' hip to see a room full of elves, all with their eyes on him. He spotted a few familiar faces from breakfast the last few days and raised a hand in greeting.
"This is Harry" Thranduil explained. "He is an elfling who was found on the borders of our land a few days ago,"
A shocked murmur ran through the crowd at that, though some looked sceptical. Harry leaned further into Legolas's embrace as eyebrows furrowed and eyes flicked between himself and their king.
"He is a gift from the Valar!" Thranduil boomed, drowning out the soft murmuring that had sprung up around the hall. "A traveller from another world, blessed with a new beginning here with us. We have to prove ourselves worthy of this blessing."
Legolas gently pulled Harry's hair away from his ears, showing off the delicate points. This more then anything seemed to convince the assembled crowd and cries of joy started to break out.
"An elfling!"
"We have been blessed!"
"He is so beautiful!"
Harry flushed brightly at that, causing coo's to break out all over the room.
"Harry has had a… difficult life before coming to us. It is important that we do not overwhelm him" Thranduil continued sternly.
Harry gripped Legolas tighter as it looked like several elves were preparing to grab him and whisk him away to safety.
Harry was a little uncomfortable with all the staring but relieved that everyone had taken the news so well.
"I told you so" Legolas whispered into his ear and Harry had a moment of panic that elves could read minds.
He quickly thought of something ridiculous 'I'm about to wet myself' he thought, concentrating hard as he looked at Legolas.
Legolas looked at him in bemusement but made no move to get him to a toilet so Harry assumed his thoughts must be safe.
Harry glanced at Thranduil as the king addressed him.
"Would you like to say anything, Harry?"
Harry internally groaned.
"Hello" Harry said awkwardly. But thanks to his new elf genes it came out just as lyrical as everything else he said. "I'm Harry."
The elves all smiled encouragingly so Harry continued. "I look forward to getting to know you all."
There, that wasn't too bad, Harry thought, smiling happily. Judging by the soft looks from the elves around him, they agreed.
"I am sure you will all make Harry feel welcome" Thranduil finished, with an imperial wave that had the crowd starting to disperse immediately, all talking excitedly about the elflings arrival. Harry was impressed with the level of control that Thranduil had over his people, though he supposed living as long as they did, gave one plenty of time to build and earn respect.
"That went well" Legolas said with a smile.
"Better than I expected."
"You did wonderfully, Harry" Thranduil said with a fond look at the elfling.
"Do you need me for anything else today, father?"
"No, no. I have a meeting this afternoon, but the rest of the day is your own."
"Come then, let us go and play with some of your new toys, Harry" Legolas said with a laugh and Harry couldn't help the excited smile that broke out on his face.
Legolas placed him gently on the ground and the duo strolled slowly back to Harry's rooms.
Harry had been amazed when only the day before, Thranduil had presented him with a beautifully engraved box, full of toys. Well not just toys but books as well. Books about history, about adventure about all sorts of creatures, Harry loved them and had been spending time everyday reading. The toys were just as interesting as the books. Intricately carved puzzles, brain teasers that required thought, consideration and strategy to solve, drawing books with pencils to draw with, games that tested your aim and perseverance as well as several soft teddies that Harry couldn't help putting on his bed to snuggle with at night. So, sue him, he'd never had a soft toy to snuggle with before.
Legolas had looked at him so softly when he'd placed them on his bed that he'd thought the blonde elf was going to cry. Thankfully he had held himself back.
"Ah, it has arrived" Legolas said happily as they walked into Harry's rooms. "I had this game commissioned for you; it was one of my favourites when I was an elfling." Legolas went about setting up the game as Harry watched curiously.
"You see you hold the wooden knife like this" Legolas demonstrated, holding the handle of a small wooden carving that was shaped like a knife. "You take aim and throw. The idea is to get as many knives as possible through the hole. This is a game that elflings use to start developing their hunting and fighting skills. But mostly it's just fun."
Harry laughed, already reaching for the wooden knives. Legolas helped to adjust his grip and then he took aim and threw. Missing the target completely. His pout had Legolas letting out a bark of laughter.
"Don't worry little one, you will get it with some practice."
They played for a while longer before Harry decided that he needed to get outside. A walk in the gardens would do nicely.
He had been completely gobsmacked when Legolas had taken him for a walk through the gardens for the first time. They were completely, breathtakingly stunning. A calm oasis in the centre of the wild forest in which they resided. It had quickly become one of Harry's favourite places to visit and he was building up his courage to eventually ask Legolas if he could assist the gardeners sometimes. He had always done a lot of gardening for the Dursleys and though it hadn't been much fun he had enjoyed working with his hands and seeing something grow and thrive.
For the moment he just strolled along, hands reaching out to touch everything he saw. Noting the texture of petals, the feel of leaves beneath his fingertips, the bright colours that caught his eyes and the smells that assaulted his nose. It was a smorgasbord for the senses but rather than making Harry feel overwhelmed it made him feel calm, connected to this new land he had found himself in. When he was in the gardens, he thought he could nearly feel his magic thrumming beneath his skin. A soft tingling, longing to get out. He didn't know if he would even have magic in this world or what it would be like if he did. He decided he had more important things to worry about at the moment, he would survive whether he has magic or doesn't.
Harry froze as he and Legolas entered for breakfast the following morning. A low table had been set up further in the room and it was piled high with more things than Harry could count.
"All for you" Thranduil said with a smile as he saw where Harry's attention was directed.
"What?" Harry croaked. "F-for me? Why?"
"From our people, they wanted to welcome you, ensure you had everything you needed. They may have been a little overzealous" Thranduil said wryly.
Harry walked slowly toward the pile, a shaking hand reached out to touch a small ball made of bright fabric that seemed to contain some kind of seed or dirt.
"They wanted to welcome me?" Harry said softly, as though he couldn't quite understand the concept. Embarrassingly he felt his eyes start to well as he sniffled loudly.
A large hand on his back had Harry glancing up at Legolas, who was looking at him in concern.
"This is so nice" Harry sniffed.
"It is" Legolas agreed. "Would you like to look at what you've been gifted?"
"Oh! Ruol has made you some of her delicious seed cake" Legolas exclaimed as he opened a small box. He sounded so delighted that Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"You can have it" Harry said with a grin.
Legolas looked surprised for a moment, "oh no, Harry, these are for you."
"There is more then enough of everything to share" Harry said, Legolas' happiness igniting his own. He reached for a small bag, gasping to find a beautiful broach with a tiny daisy encased inside. Harry loved it immediately and pinned it to his tunic.
Harry had a very enjoyable morning exploring all the gifts. Thranduil and his advisors watching on in amusement at Harry's unbridled joy. He'd even been given a flute that Legolas had offered to teach him how to play. Though Thranduil had warned him, with amusement coating his tongue that Legolas may not be the best instructor seeing as how he always ran off from his own lessons, preferring to practice his archery in the forest instead.
Harry laughed laughed uproariously at that, patting Legolas consolingly on the shoulder when he started to pout.
"How on earth do I say thank you to everyone for all of this?" Harry asked as he wrapped a deep purple blanket around his small shoulders.
"No one expects a thank you" Thranduil reassured him. "Just enjoy what they have given you, that is all they want."
Harry nodded, but it still felt rude not doing anything to show his gratitude after everyone had clearly gone to a lot of effort.
Sensing his unease Legolas suggested "wear the clothes, play with the toys, speak of the delicious food, word will spread back to the elves, and they will know how their gifts were appreciated."
Harry nodded resolutely, feeling better already that he could say thank you in some small way.
As the excitement faded and everyone settled around the table, Legolas lifting Harry into his highchair, talk turned to other matters.
"We thought it might be prudent if you were to receive some lessons. All elflings do, on a variety of subjects. We thought it might also help to educate you on your new world" Thranduil said it lightly, like he would take Harry's wishes into consideration, but Harry thought it sounded like a brilliant idea.
"That sounds amazing," Harry said enthusiastically. "If I'm going to make this place my home I would like to learn as much as possible."
He had regretted not learning more about the wizarding world when he had joined it, but it never seemed to be a priority with everything else that was going on. He wouldn't make the same mistake here; he would learn all that he could. A small grin stretched his face at how proud Hermione would be of him planning on using his time to study and learn about his new home.