My Little Greenleaf ~ Little Legolas - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

After Thranduil had left, Marion slowly approached Legolas. She stopped a couple of feet from him and bent down on her knees. With a friendly smile, The kind elf opened her arms to the tearful elfling.
"Prince Legolas, why don't you come over here?" She spoke slowly and carefully, "I can tell you an intriguing story if you would like."
Slowly but surely, the little prince crawled over cautiously to Marion. He sat back on his knees when he was closer and asked, "What kinda stories do you know?" He curiously crept closer until he was sitting in her lap.
"Well...let me think. I know several stories about your father...some that are very cool." She added with a grin.
"Maybe could you tell me one of the cool ones?" Legolas sheepishly smiled back.
"But are you sure that you don't want to hear a boring story instead?" Marion teased.
"Oh no! Could I please listen to a cool one instead?" Legolas begged.
"Oh all right." The lady smiled. "A long time ago, before you were born, my adar worked for your adar. He was the general and almost second in command to the king. One day, all the elves prepared for a battle. They met the enemy quickly, which were many orcs, and fought to defeat them. But, during the battle a terrible tragedy almost occurred..."
"What? What happened?" Asked Legolas, mesmerized.
"Well, my father, Dineal, became cornered by many orcs! He was about to be defeated...when suddenly King Thranduil jumped into the fight and helped him! Together they fought off the orcs and eventually the elves won!"
"Ada actually saved your Ada? Legolas asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes. He is a true hero." Marion smiled.
"That is so cool, but I thought Ada was kinda mean. He yelled at that poor elf! It scared me so much." The prince looked down at his hands, ashamed.
"Prince Legolas, the king is a wonderful ruler, but we all have trying times in our lives. You must help him to be better. Okay?" Marion gently smoothed some hair behind Legolas' small, pointed ears. She tried to focus Legolas on different matters rather than the upcoming battle to keep him calm.
"Okay, I guess you are probably right. Daddy is usually nice to me." Abruptly, Legolas changed topics, "Miss Marion, would you tell me another story?"
"I'm sorry, my prince, but it is your bedtime. I need to tuck you in."
"Aww man! I don't want to go to bed! I want to stay up with you! Please?" Legolas begged.
Marion laughed, "No, I'm afraid you must get some rest. It has been a long day and I am also weary." Legolas finally nodded his head and followed Marion out of the throne room.
They silently headed through the long halls. Only several elves passed them, and those that did hurried along. The battle had brought fear into everyone's hearts. There were no leisurely chats or socializing when many of their friends or family were gone fighting. Legolas did not quite understand what war and death did to people but he still felt fearful with his ada was gone.
When they arrived at Legolas' chamber, Marion gently pushed him in. "Get your sleepwear on, Prince Legolas, and then I'll tuck you in."
"Yes, Miss Marion." the elfling obediently answered. He hurried into the connecting bathroom to obey. While Legolas got ready for bed, Marion sat down on his bed to wait.
Crash! Startled by a loud noise, Marion jumped off the bed and hurried to the bathroom door. "Legolas? Are you all right? What happened?"
She heard a soft moan answer, "Ow...I...I think I'm okay."
"Can I come in?" Marion reached for the door handle.
"Uh huh." Legolas answered. Marion rushed in to see what had happened. As she pushed the door open, she looked around. Legolas was on the floor holding his arm. Beside and on him laid shards of pottery. To Marion's horror, some of the floor and Legolas were coated in blood!
"My prince, what happened?" She bent down as she gasped.
Legolas raised his arm to show her, "I...I..." He struggled to get the words out without crying, "I was reaching for a towel to dry my hands...and I accidentally knocked this pot on the floor. Then I fell on it and it broke even more and I hurt my arm bad! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."
Marion reached over and picked up Legolas, "Shh...you have done nothing wrong. It was an accident." Marion gently grasped Legolas' arm and inspected it. "Does it hurt?" She questioned.
"Kinda...it does when I move it but it's like bleeding a lot." The prince trembled.
"Okay..." Marion stood up and grabbed a towel. "Just hold still." She carefully patted his injured arm and pulled several pieces of pottery out. "Legolas, just keep your eyes on me, okay?"
Legolas obeyed and didn't look down. He flinched a couple of times but soon it was all over and he was tucked in bed. His arm was bandaged and he felt much better.
Marion smoothed the blankets and looked down at the little prince, "Have a good night's rest now. Sleep well, little prince." Legolas nodded his head as he drifted off to sleep.
When his little eyes closed, a wonderful dream pulled him in. He was again in a beautiful and serene meadow with flowers everywhere. He watched with no worries as a bee disappeared into a flower. Looking around, Legolas noticed a waterfall leading into a small pond. A patch of trees were at the edge of the pond and past that was something very curious. After the small forest, everything faded into a pale blue yet almost white mist. It was like fog but you couldn't see anything through it. Legolas turned his head in a circle. Wherever he was, it was small, everywhere in a circle was cut off by the murky mist.
The elfling jumped up when he caught a glimpse of someone. "Nana! Nana!" He ran into the mysterious woman's arms.
The woman smiled and hugged him back, "Hello, my little leaf! I have missed you so."
They embraced for a while, neither one wanting to stop. Legolas whispered, "I missed you so much too, Nana!"
Legolas' mother let go and held her son at arm's length. "Legolas! My, you have been growing so much!" She smiled sweetly.
"Mommy, why are you here? I haven't seen you in a while." Legolas pondered.
"I haven't visited you in your dreams for a while because you have not needed me. I only come when you are in need of comfort or advise." His mother explained.
"But..." Legolas tried to think it through, "then why are you here now? Is it cause of Ada?"
"Yes, it is. Legolas, I have come here for an important reason. I must tell you something. Your father...he's in danger. You are his only hope. My little leaf, only you can save him."
"What? I don't understand, Momma." Legolas mumbled. "How is Daddy in trouble?"
"I can't explain everything now, ion min. Please, just trust me. Only you can save your father. Only you."
"What...I don't..." The elfling prince spoke.
"Just....trust me..." The queen interrupted.
At that moment, everything around Legolas began to fade. His mother, the queen, disappeared.
Legolas opened his eyes. He had been dreaming, he realized. Carefully, he tried even though he was young, to organize his thoughts and comprehend what he had seen. His ada needed him!
Finally, everything was clear. He knew what he had to do.