Title: Secrets
By: Carol
E-mail:
Rating G/AU
Betta: Trinka, Thank you for everything! "You’re the best!" and Anias for the finishing touches "Thanks".
Spoiler: None
Disclaimer: I am in not or in any way associated to Tolkien or to his work. I do not own these characters unless you count the ones that live in my fantasies. I am not making any money from these writings.
Summary: Little Legolas finds an interesting pet one day at the river. Can he keep its existence a secret, and at what cost?
Warning: None
Timeline: Legolas was an elfling at the time.
Careful not to drop the tray of pilfered food, Legolas peeked out of the kitchen doorway. The palace was quiet for none other then himself had risen yet. The sun had just began to peek over the trees, filling the hallway with a soft gentle glow. He knew he did not have much time. The palace would soon be bustling with morning activity.
As he walked down the hallway towards his room, his thoughts flew back to the day he had found the poor little creature.
He remembered asking his father to take him to the river to go swimming that not to distant morning. However, his Ada had too much work to do. Crushed and bored, Legolas went into the garden and once there, slumped dejectedly. He was listening to the sound of other elflings at play, their merry laughter drifting over the garden wall. He really did not have any friends. Everyone thought the life of a prince was something wonderful but in reality, it was the opposite. The other children were kind to him but none had ever really tried to befriend him.. Those who he had approached had seemed intimidated by him, which was understandable. He was a prince after all.
Legolas watched the guards milling around the gate. Suddenly he had a brilliiant idea. If no one would play with him or take him to the river, he would just have togo there on his own. He crept up to the gate and hid behind a bush. Watching the guards, he waited until their backs were turned and slipped out. He had been to the river several times before and knew the way. Quickly making his way he ran to the rivers edge and collapsed on the riverbank. Proud of himself for his stealth he began to undress in anticipation of a quick swim. He had just slid into the cool water when he heard a soft mewling coming from the shore.
Listening he tried to figure out where it was coming from. Suddenly he spied a small brown bundle of fur just at the edge of the water line. Swimming over he cautiously approached it.
“Well what have we here? You are the strangest squirrel I have ever seen.”
The small bundle suddenly lunged into the water and swam over to him. Afraid at first Legolas back peddled, trying to escape. But the creature continued to follow him, swimming up, and then actually succeeded in climbing onto his shoulder.
Legolas laughed. “Awww, you aren’t that scary now are you?’ he asked reaching up and scooping the bundle into his hands. “Where’s your family little one?” Legolas searched the shore but could see no other squirrels around. “Are you lost?” he asked
. The creature simply looked at him with huge brown eyes.
“You are, aren’t you? Or maybe something has happened to your family?” Legolas looked into those brown eyes and could see the pain and fear they held. He knew how this creature felt. He also had lost someone close to him. His naneth had passed during his birth, but that did not mean he could not feel the pain of not having her around. Tears forming in his eyes he held the creature up. “Do not worry you are alone no more. I will take care of you, I swear.”
He swam back to shore and putting the creature down next to him, he quickly dressed. “Okay are you ready? We must be quiet though. If my father knew I have snuck out, I will be in trouble. And if he finds out about you, he will kill me.”
They succeeded in sneaking back through the woods without incident, and as Legolas approached the gate he slipped the ball of fur into his tunic. After passing it, he quickly walked into the palace and headed straight for is room, then placed the animal in his dresser drawer until he could sneak back down to the stable and get a tub to place him in.
Legolas sat staring at his new discovery. “You are the strangest squirrel I have ever seen.”
He peered closer. It was brown, like a squirrel. Covered with fur and had huge front teeth, like a squirrel. But something did not seem right. Suddenly it hit him. The tail was all wrong. Instead of a long furry tail, it had a long hairless flat tail. “Hmm.” he said.. “It seems to me you have gotten too close to someone’s campfire. Don’t worry, your hair will grow back soon.” Wrapping the little squirrel in one of his shirts, he closed the drawer and headed down to the stables.
Quietly he started down the hall heading into the private chambers. As he approached his fathers door, he could hear a hushed voice welcoming the morning sun and knew his father had awaken. Quickly he scampered to his door and rushed inside. His father’s usual routine included a quick peek at his sleeping son, meaning he had better hurry back to bed. Running to the wardrobe, he opened the door and slipped the tray inside. Then he made his way back to bed, and slipped under the covers.
The movement was replied by a soft squeak. Leaning over the edge of the bed, he whispered. “Shhhh! Do not worry. It will not be long now.”
Laying back down, he pulled the silk sheet over his head in hopes his father would not realize he was not asleep. He could hear his father coming and hoped his little friend would remain quiet. Just as Thranduil opened the door Legolas heard a soft plunk come from over the bed and prayed his new pet had not managed to escape. His father had already warned him about bringing home stray animals.
“Legolas, you cannot continue to bring home every creature you run across. Wild creatures are meant to live in the wild. You would not like it if some deer took you away from me to go live in a bush, now would you?”
Thranduil walked up to the bed and gazed down at the golden head of hair peaking from under the covers. Gently reaching over, he began to run his hand through the golden locks, and then leaned over to place a gentle kiss atop his sons head. Breathing in his sons scent, he smiled. Oh how he loved this child! Quietly, so as not to awaken his son, he turned and made his way across the room. He hesitated, gazing back one last time before he closed the door and began his way to his study. He had much work to do today but decided that he would try to spend a few stolen moments with his only child. He knew from personal experience how hard a life his son’s life was, and how badly the lad hungered for companionship. But what could he do? Such was the life of royalty.
Opening the door to his study, he was startled by a flash of gray rushing past his feet.
“What in the world?’ he gasped, as he turned to watch the small squirrel scamper down the hall and out of site. “Oh Legolas, why Can you not have normal friends like all the other elflings?’ he sighed. Shaking his head, he entered his study and closed the door.
Legolas waited for his father to close the door, and then kicked the sheet off, flopped off the bed, and went to the wardrobe to retrieve the tray of food. Sitting down next to the bed, he reached under and pulled the tub from underneath. When he looked in his heart froze. It was empty.
“Where are you?” he whispered.
Lying down on his stomach, he peered under the bed. He spied many things, but not what he was looking for. He could make out the broken bow he had hidden from his father. At the foot of the bed was his wooden horse- the one his father had given him as a gift when he had demanded a real one. He could see the small box that held his collection of wooden warriors he loved to play with in the garden. However, to no avail could he see that which he was looking for.
Sitting back, he began to frantically glance around the room. “This is not funny! You come out at once! Please... I have food and I know you are hungry. Oh please come out, wherever you are!”
He stood and began a frantic search. He checked under the night table that stood by his bed. He checked behind his toy box. He even opened the wardrobe, though he knew it could not be inside. He had closed the door after retrieving the tray.
Turning he spied the bathroom door. “Aha I bet you are in there!” he exclaimed, remembering the night before.
Legolas had just stepped into the tub when he felt something furry brush against his leg. Jumping out , he noticed a small brown head floating among the bubbles “What are you doing in there? I did not know squirrels liked to swim.”
The creature ducked his head underwater and popped up at the other end of the tub. He turned his big brown eyes towards Legolas and let out a sneeze. A single bubble popped out of its nose and glided across the air. Legolas laughed and climbed into the tub. For the next hour he and his new friend played. Legolas would splash water at it and it would dive under only to reappear in a different spot. Finishing his bath, he climbed out, wrapped at towel around himself and another around the fuzzy creature.
“You are the silliest squirrel I have ever seen!” Carrying it back into his room, he laid it on the bed and dressed himself. Then using the towel, he began to dry the creature. “I should give you a name. I know! Since you seem to like taking a bath, I will call you Bubbles!”
He placed Bubbles in the tub and covered him with a towel. “Goodnight Bubbles.” He kissed him on the head and slid the tub under his bed incase his ada came in to tuck him in later.
Legolas walked into the freshening room and looked around. He did not see Bubbles anywhere. He walked over and peered into the tub. But no Bubbles. He picked up the discarded towels lying on the floor. Still no bubbles. Just as he was turning to leave the room, he noticed something behind the door. It was his wooden comb. Or what used to be his comb. He picked it up and noticed half the teeth had been chewed off. Turning it over he saw what appeared to be small teeth marks.
“What happened to you?”
He carried the comb back to his room and laid it on his dresser. Realizing Bubbles was not there he raced from the room and again began a frantic search of the palace. Before leaving the room he took the tray of fruit and cheese and placed it under the bed incase Bubbles returned and was hungry.
Legolas spent the day searching everywhere he could think of, only stopping long enough to eat. He could not ask for help because he knew doing so would alert his father to Bubbles existence.
Later that evening, both tired and weary, Legolas finally returned to his room later that evening. He looked around once more incase Bubbles had returned. Pulling the tray from under the bed, he noticed none of the contents had been touched. Fear beginning to grip his heart. He crawled up on the bed and curled into a ball. Small tears began to run down his face.
Thranduil had finally finished his work, and feeling guilty about not having anytime to spend with his son that day decided instead that he would go to his son now. He smiled at the thought of helping Legolas take a bath and dress for bed. He would then hold his son in his arms and tell him a story. Any story that his little one wanted. It had been so long since they had been able to share these small quiet moments. Quickly picking up his pace, Thranduil almost seemed to be bouncing down he hall to his son’s room. Those who had the pleasure of seeing this unusual site smiled as their king passed by.
Thranduil stopped as he approached the door. He could here the soft sobs coming from the other side . He opened the door slowly and peered inside. The site of his son curled up in a ball and sobbing sent a rush of fear coursing through him. Running to the bed, he sat down and reached over to Legolas.
“My son what is wrong? Are you hurt?” Gently taking Legolas chin in his hand, he turned his face up to so he gazed into his small blue eyes... “Where does it my little one? Tell Ada and I will make it all better!”
“He’s gone Ada, he’s gone!” Pulling himself up and throwing himself into his father’s chest, Legolas began to wail. “I’ve looked everywhere and he didn’t come back to eat!”
Thranduil, thinking he meant the gray squirrel that had run from his study, began stroking Legolas hair. “No little one he is not gone. I have seen him only this morning. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.
”
Legolas stared up at his father with huge eyes. “You are not angry then?”
“Angry? Why no my son. I admit I do not like him being loose in the palace, but I am not angry with you.” Wiping the tears from Legolas pale cheeks, he softly whispered, “I know how hard it is to be a prince. You do not lead an easy life, and at times it can be quite lonely.”
Not understanding his fathers words, Legolas cocked his head and asked in a tiny voice, “You do?”
Thranduil pulled Legolas closer to him and kissed the top of his head. “Yes. I do. Remember your Ada was not always a king. I was once a prince myself.” Hating to see the confusion and pain in his son’s eyes, he lifted Legolas up and placed him on the floor. He reached over and caught his son’s hands between his own. “Now let’s get you cleaned up and into bed. If this little rodent does not show himself by morning, I promise will help you look...”
The morning was cold and dreary helping Legolas mood when he crawled out of bed. He pulled up the covers peeking under. There was still no sign of Bubbles, and worse the tray had not been touched. Pulling his clothes on, he headed for his fathers room. Then, placing his ear against the door, he listened for any sign his father had risen. The only sound he heard was the sound of silence. He decided to check the hall one more time hoping his father would be up by the time he was done. Legolas walked the hallway, checking under every stand and behind every vase. Finally returning to his fathers’ doorway, he grabbed the handle and let himself in.
The room was dark, but he could easily make out the figure of his sleeping father. He silently crept up to the bed and pulled himself up next to his father. Peering into his fathers open eyes he whispered, “Ada, are you sleeping?”
There was no answer.
Leaning a little closer and raising his voice a little, he repeated, “Ada, are you sleeping?”
Still receiving no answer.
He leaned into his face in so that their noses were touching, and yelled, “Ada are you sleeping?”
Startled, Thranduil sat up, knocking Legolas right off the bed. Looking around, he noticed his son peeking over the edge of the bed. “Legolas, just what do you think your doing? You scared me to death!”
“Just checking to see if you were awake.” he replied.
“Well could you not see I was asleep?” Thranduil reached down and lifted Legolas up onto his lap. “And what would be so important that you must yell so early in the morning?”
“I thought you might be sleeping, but it’s not so easy to tell when ones eyes are open.” Legolas laughed. “And you said you would help me find Bubbles today. Remember?” Tilting his head down, and widening his eyes, and dropping his lower lip Legolas used the one thing he knew his father could not resist. He called it his special pouty face.
Thranduil melted when he saw the expression come over his sons face. He never could resist that look. Playfully slapping Legolas on the side of the head he said, “Come on. Let me get dressed and then we shall look for this little escapee.”
Legolas wrapped his arms around his fathers neck and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then Legolas jumped off the bed, yelling, “Le vethed e-chunen! (I love you!)” and ran to the door. “Hurry Ada! I’ll be outside!”
Thranduil opened the door to find Legolas sitting in the middle of the hall with his legs crossed and his head resting in his hands. “Well shall we begin our search?” he asked.
Scrambling up and grabbing his father’s hand, he began to pull Thranduil down the hall. “Oh yes, Ada! I know if anyone can find him, it is you! Where shall we look first?”
“Well I have and idea. Come with me.” Thranduil headed for his study. He was sure that was where Bubbles would be found, remembering the last three mornings where each time he would open the door, a gray squirrel would come bounding out. He had no clue how the creature managed to get in, but every morning, there he was. Reaching the study, he leaned down to Legolas. “Okay now, you lean down here. I am going to open the door, and when he runs out, you grab him!”
Legolas crouched down in front of the door. Thranduil opened the door a crack. The little gray squirrel ran out and, seeing Legolas in its path, jumped into the air hitting Legolas in the chest and sending him over backwards. Legolas landed on his rear and turned in time to watch the squirrel bound away down the hallway. Then he looked up at his father. .
Noticing the shocked look on Legolas face, he laughed. “Well don’t just sit there! Let’s get that little varmint.” Thranduil started down the hall in hot pursuit.
“But Ada, that is not bubbles!”
Thranduil came to a sudden stop. Turning back around he asked, “What do you mean that is not Bubbles?”
“That is not him!” Legolas replied.
“Are you telling me there are two of those creatures running free in this palace?” he inquired.
“I do not know. I have never seen that one before.”
“Are you sure that is not bubbles?”
“Uh huh. Besides, it looked nothing like Bubbles. Bubbles is brown, and his tail has been burned off.”
Confused, Thranduil approached Legolas and crouched down. “What do you mean “burned off ‘?”
“It has no fur. It is round and flat!”
Taking Legolas by the hand, he led him into the study. “We need to discuss this new friend of yours.” Thranduil walked behind his desk to his chair, and grabbing the arms he lowered himself down. As his weight settled down, the chair immediately fell backwards, sending Thranduil backwards onto the floor. As he lay there, staring at the ceiling he began to rant a few not to proper elven words. Noticing his son’s innocent face standing over him and peering down, he quickly gathered his thought and stood up.
“Ada, are you okay?”
“I’m fine son.” Thranduil flipped the chair over and stared at the leg. It appeared to have been chewed off. “Now what in the name of the Valar’s has gone on here?” he exclaimed. Pondering his question, Thranduil forgot all about the talk he wanted to have with Legolas, opened the door, and yelled for his assistant Carandol.
Legolas watched his father and knew if he did not act quickly, his father would forget about helping him. “Ada what about Bubbles? You promised to help me find him.”
Thranduil noticed the tears beginning to form in Legolas eyes. Not wanting to let his son down again as he had done so many times in the past he replied, “You are right my son, and I will keep this promise. Come! The chair can wait.”
They had searched the entire private wing and found no sign of Bubbles. Moving on to the second floor, they began searching room by room. Coming upon the drawing room, they heard someone mumbling to himself. The voice sounded frustrated. Entering the room, they were surprised to find Bardal, the Royal Sketcher, standing in the middle of the room and holding a ruined brush in his hands.
“Bardal, what is going on?” Thranduil questioned.
“My Lord! I’m sorry, but I did not see you enter.” Bowing to his king, Bardal held out the ruined brush. “I came in to work on the Sketch of our prince and found these scattered around!” Bardal waved his arm around.
It was at this point Thranduil noticed several brushed lying on the floor. Most had been chewed in half. Becoming slightly angered at this new find, he walked over and placed his hand on Bardal’s shoulder. “I am sorry my friend. I will find out who had done this and make sure they are punished accordingly.”
Bardal nodded and began to clean up the ruined equipment.
Thranduil and Legolas left the sketcher and resumed their search. “Ada, what do think is going on. Is there a monster in the palace?”
Thranduil sighed. He thought Legolas had outgrown the ideas of monster. “No little one there is no monster. I am, however, beginning to think this missing squirrel may have something to do with all this.”
“No, Ada! Bubbles would never do that.” Remembering the comb in his room, Legolas himself was beginning to wonder the same. Suddenly it hit to him. “Squirrels don’t eat wood!”
“What did you say Legolas?”
“I said squirrels don’t eat wood Ada, so it can’t be Bubbles!” Proud of himself for remembering this fact, Legolas beamed up at his father.
“Why, you are correct! I am proud of you!” Rumpling Legolas hair, he exclaimed. “Well then it appears we have two mysteries to solve.”
They searched every room on the second floor but still could not find any clue to the where about of one tiny squirrel. They did however run across more ruined items. A quiver of chewed arrows that were stored in a spare room. A gnawed plant stand in the hallway. A splintered bedposts in a guest room. Thranduil was starting to get quite agitated. What was doing this and where in the world was that little rodent. He felt his patience growing thin, but for the sake of his son he decided to continue the search. They would search the ground floor, certainly, but if they still failed to find him, Legolas was just going to have to except the fact Bubbles was gone. Thranduil felt a pang of guilt due to the fact he was hoping that was the case. He did not relish the fact of another animal in the palace and was unsure if he had the courage to make Legolas give it up.
A search of the main hall and fire room has turned up nothing. The dining hall was empty as well, aside from the fact it was evident something had been using the benches as a toothpick. Thranduil was about to give up when he heard a the cook Nelderond begin to yell: “I don’t know who did this, but someone had better explain!”
Thranduil started for the kitchen and Legolas followed closely behind. Nelderond was standing in the middle of the kitchen waving a wooden spoon around as though it was a sword. The kitchen staff were huddled in the corner, their faces paler then usual and seemed to be at a loss for words.
“Nelderond, put that spoon down and get a hold of yourself! I will no tolerate that type of behavior on my home!”
Nelderond lowered the spoon and let his gaze fall to the floor. “I apologize my lord. I do not know what has come over me. Is there something I may do for you, my lord?”
“You may begin by explaining why you appeared to be battling a group of orcs instead of a bunch of frightened workers.”
Nelderond sighed and pointed to a crate in the corner. The crate appeared to have a hole in the side, and a pile of wooden spoons had spilled out. The spoons were chewed and splintered.
“I ordered this crate a month ago and it arrived last night. It was late so I placed it over there for safe keeping until this morning when I would haave a chance to put them away. The crate was in perfect condition when I left it, but this is how I found it when I came in a few minutes ago.”
“I see. So you naturally assumed that one of your helpers has grown a sudden fondness for wood?”
“No my lord, I mean... I do not know, my lord,” Nelderond stuttered. and his face grew a bright red.
Legolas. who had been standing beside his father. began giggling.
Thranduil turned to him. and taking him by the shoulders he guided him back into the dining hall. Then picking him up and placing him on a bench he kneeled down in front of him “I am sorry my son, but our search is going to have to wait.”
Legolas’ eyes grew wide. “But Ada, you promised to help me find Bubbles!”
“I know little one, but unfortunately I must figure out first what is going on. We have searched everywhere and Bubbles is nowhere to be found. I’m afraid that he may have run back to the forest. As hard as that possibility may be for you to except, I’m afraid it’s the only answer I can come up with at this time. Now you wait here and I will be back in a short while.”
Legolas watched as his father walked back into the kitchen. A few minutes, later he reappeared with the kitchen staff close on his heels. He watched as they headed for the public meeting room and closed the door. His ada may have given up but Legolas was not going to. He would find Bubbles alone. He didn’t need anyone’s help. But first he needed something to eat. All this mystery had made him hungry.
Thranduil had called a meeting of the household staff so they could get to the bottom of the small matter of destruction going on in the palace. However, even with that he seemed no closer to solving the mystery. Everyone was yelling at once.
“Well I know I had nothing to do with it!
Why would someone want to destroy my brushes?
Your brushes? What about my spoons?”
The angry voices were beginning to give Thranduil a headache.
Legolas went into the kitchen and began to make himself a plate of food. He had just taken the cheese from the cooling box when he heard a low mewl. Recognizing the sound, he dropped the cheese and stood still.
“Bubbles? Bubbles is that you?”
He waited quietly for an answer.
Suddenly he heard a noise come from the crate in the corner. Carefully approaching, he lifted the lid and peered inside. Sitting in the middle of the spoons was the missing pet.
“Bubbles there you are! What are you doing inside there?” Lifting the little creature up he held it close to his chest and petted its soft fur. “See I knew you did not run away. Wait until I tell father!”
Legolas ran from the kitchen and headed straight for the council room.
Thranduil had had enough.
Standing up he shouted over the angry voices: “Quiet!! This is getting us nowhere!” Sitting back down he pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to quell the throbbing in his head. “Perhaps there is a monster within these walls. I have no other explanation.”
Just as Thranduil had given up hope of ever solving this mystery, Legolas burst through the door.
“Ada! Ada! I have found him!”
“Legolas what are you doing? You know you are not to come in here when we are conducting business.”
“I’m sorry Ada, but I’ve found Bubbles!” Legolas raised Bubbles over his head to show everyone.
Thranduil’s face grew white when he got a glance at his son’s precious little squirrel. “Legolas, please come here and bring me Bubbles.”
Legolas walked up to his father and placed Bubbles in his lap. Placing his hands on his hips he stood before the room full of pride.
Thranduil picked up the creature and closely inspected it, turning it around to look at it’s tail. Looking over at Legolas and the way he was standing there preening, he began to softly chuckle.
“My son, do you know what I am holding in my hands?”
“Yes!” he beamed. “It’s Bubbles!”
“Indeed it is! But I hate to tell you this my son, but Bubbles is not a squirrel.”
Legolas’ face grew pale. “What do you mean - he’s not a squirrel?
“Bubbles, my dear one, is a beaver.”
“Oh!” Legolas could think of nothing else to say.
“Do you know what beavers eat?” Thranduil asked.
“Fruit and nuts?”
“No. They eat vegetation and occasionally fish.” Thranduil replied.
“You mean as in carrots and broccoli?” Legolas wrinkled his nose.
“I mean as in leaves, trees, wooden brushes, tables, benches and wooden spoons.”
“I thought that is what you meant.” His eyes growing wide as each word was spoken, Legolas slowly backed away from his father.
The kitchen staff looked between father and son and began to snicker.
Watching his sons bubble suddenly burst, Thranduil felt sorry for him. He had charged in so proud at doing what they had been unable to do, only to find out thathis mystery pet was the cause of all the problems.
Thranduil stood up and started towards his son. Handing Bubbles back to his son he turned to the staff members. ”Well it seems our little mystery is solved. You may all return to your work.”
Legolas started after the staff, hoping this meant him as well.
“Legolas?”
Gliding to a stop, Legolas turned to face his father. “I’m sorry Ada,” he whispered.
Placing his hand on Legolas shoulder, Thranduil lowered his face to meet that of his son. Legolas you know you can’t keep him. Look at all the trouble he has caused.”
“I know Ada, but he has no family. We can’t just abandon him!”
‘Well perhaps we can make a deal. I will help you find Bubbles a home if you promise no more stray pets.”
Legolas seems to ponder this deal but finally agreed.
Thranduil and Legolas sat on the bank of the river and watched Bubbles playing with the other beavers. They had spent half the day searching the river looking for a dam that signaled the existence of other beavers. Legolas had set Bubbles down by the waters edge and tried to coax him into the water. The other beavers sat on the dam and watched the curious couple. However nothing Legolas tried seemed to work. Bubbles simply sat there staring at him, and if he tried to walk away, followed him.
“Perhaps you should enter the water, my son. See if he will follow you.”
Legolas stripped down to his breeches and waded in. Bubbles started forward but stopped again when he spied the other beavers. Legolas swam out farther towards the dam. Bubbles cried out and started pacing. “Come on Bubbles. It’s okay. Come on.” Hearing Legolas’ voice, Bubbles dove into the water and raced towards him. The two of them swam around for a few minutes playing in the water. The other beavers began to become curious and decided to swim over and investigate these trespassers. Within minutes the four were enjoying a nice game of splash the beavers. Growing tired, Legolas swam for shore. Climbing out he turned around expecting Bubbles to be close on his heals. Looking out into the water he noticed Bubbles perched upon the dam with the other beavers. His heart sank.
Thranduil, seeing the pain in his eyes, called him over. “Legolas you know this has to be.”
“I know, wild animals are meant to be in the wild,” he whispered.
“I know it is hard, but I also know that if he could speak he would thank you. I know I thank you and the Palace staff thanks you, not to mention the furniture.” Handing Legolas his clothes he said, “Now get dressed. We should head back before it gets to late.”
Legolas picked up his clothes and moved around the tree to get dressed. Thranduil gathered their belonging and started packing them on the horses. He turned back around to call Legolas... and noticed he had disappeared.
“Legolas where are you?”
Legolas popped from around the tree. “Right here, Ada!” He started walking forward.
Thranduil noticed he carried a small strange bird in his arms.
“Ada, look what I found. He must have fallen out of the tree and broke his wing. Can I keep him, just until he’s better?”
Thranduil groaned. “Here we go again!”
The end