My Little Greenleaf ~ Little Legolas - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"Daro, Pen tithen." (Stop, Little one) the maid instructed Legolas when he continued to squirm in the bath, spewing bubbles and water all around.
He giggled and squashed some more bubbles between his fingers.
"Pen tithen. Lasta-na nin!" (Little one. Listen to me) the maid huffed and reached for Legolas once more, getting slightly wet in the process. She rolled her eyes inwardly and rolled up her sleeves farther, hoping to avoid getting more water on them.
Legolas scooped up another handful of bubbles, the vague scent of lavender and leaves drifting into the air. He swung his arm around, letting the tiny, soapy circles float off into the air. He splashed around some more, not paying attention to the maid in the slightest.
"Hîr nin, lasto!" (My lord, listen) The maid made one more attempt to get the unruly elfling in control.
Still, he played with the bubbles and water.
With a huff, the maid reached forward one more time and grabbed onto Legolas' arm, gently yet firmly pulling him towards her end of the tub.
Finally, Legolas calmed down slightly and looked at the maid, "Tancave?" (Yes) he asked innocently, oblivious to her frustration.
She sighed in relief and told him to hold still while she washed his hair. He tried a little harder to obey, but wasn't entirely successful. He squirmed right as she was scrubbing some special soap into his hair and some of it plopped right down into his eye.
He squealed and clamped his eye shut tightly, rubbing his eye vigorously with his wet hands. "It stings!" He cried.
The maid pursed her lips and grabbed a nearby towel, telling him to move his hands so she could wipe it off. She gently pressed the towel across his closed eye and held it there for a moment.
Legolas pulled it off and slowly opened his eye, testing to see if it hurt anymore.
"Man mathach?" (How do you feel) she asked calmly.
"Im maer." (I'm well) The elfling responded, blinking several times.
"Goheno nin, Hir Legolas." (Forgive me, lord Legolas) the maid apologized, feeling guilty.
"It's okay." Legolas smiled, "My eye is all better." He turned to show her, pointing to the eye in case she couldn't figure out which one it was, even though the eye that had gotten hit was slightly pink around the edges from him rubbing it so vigorously.
The maid nodded with a smile and finished washing his silky locks, careful not to get anymore soap into his eyes.
After helping him dry off and get dressed, the maid led him out into his room and pulled out a satchel from his closet. She then proceeded to pull out tunics, leggings, and other items of clothing for Legolas.
He ran over to her and began pulling out random items of clothing too before stuffing them into the bag. It was quickly filling up and before long there was no more room for the things that she had pulled out. She didn't want to hurt Legolas' feelings so instead, she sent him back to the bathroom to brush his damp hair.
When he had disappeared into the steamy room, she hurried pull out the unwanted articles of clothing and stuffed them into the corner of the closet, vowing to fold them later. Then, she placed the nearly folds clothes she had picked out into the bag. With a click, she hooks the clasp on the bag and set it aside.
Just as she did that, Legolas walked out of the bathroom. He jumped onto his bed and climbed under the covers.
The maid's jaw almost dropped when she saw him willingly get into bed without any bribes or begs. But, she quickly overcame it helped him get all situated.
Once he was still and slowly closed his eyes, she walked to the door. "Goodnight, my prince." She called back to him before closing the door.
Just as the sun began to peek through the windows to Legolas' room, he woke up. He clambered out of bed, not bothering to make it.
Soon, the same maid from the night before came in with a tray filled with fruit and steaming oatmeal. A single glass of milk sat on it as well. Legolas grinned and sat down at his table as she placed the tray before him.
"Eat quickly, Pen tithen." (Little one) the maid instructed, "Your father wants to leave soon."
Legolas didn't hesitate to dig into his breakfast and begin chewing. He slurped down the milk in one guzzle before turning to his oatmeal. It didn't take him long to finish that either.
Finally, Legolas was all ready and the maid now walked beside him, carrying his bag. He skipped along, not a care in the world. A small smile graced the maid's face as she glanced down at the jubilant elfling. He certainly was adorable.
When they came in sight of the awaiting Elf King near the entrance to the realm, Legolas giggled and shouted, "Ada!" as he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
He ran straight into Thranduil and hugged his legs, "Hey!" He grinned, looking up at Thranduil.
Thranduil chuckled, "Hey you. Are you ready to go?"
"Tancave, she helped me take a bath and then pack too! Then I went to sleep but I woke up early and ate all my breakfast! She has my bag so she'll have to give it to you cause she offered to carry it even though I am strong enough to carry it. And I didn't want to argue with her or anything so I just let her carry it." Legolas rambled, grinning cheekily the whole time.
"Ah, I see, Pen tithen." (Little one) the king detached Legolas from his legs and headed towards his elk, "Let's go now. Hop on your elk." Thranduil instructed.
Legolas did as he was told and carefully climbed onto Mallos, who was right next to Thranduil's elk. He grabbed the reigns from an elf and fell in line behind his father's elk.
Their escorts rode out beside and behind them, one of them taking Legolas' bag from the maid and securing it to his horse before falling in line behind the others.
As they passed through the doors of the Woodland Realm and into the forest, many sounds and sensations assaulted them. However, they were accustomed to everything and it did not take them by surprise.
The sun broke through the dense trees overhead in broken rays, casting eerie shadows upon the leaf covered ground. Everything was calm and peaceful as they rode, but the elves took no chances and kept their weapons ready, knowing they might need them at any time.
They headed at a sure and steady course, everyone familiar with their surroundings. It was, after all, their home. They needed no map nor compass, only their heightened senses.
The small group made good progress through the dense forest until the sun was just beginning to set and the end of the forest could be seen. Thranduil ordered that they make camp at the edge of the forest for the night and continue on at first light.
After a couple more minutes of riding, they broke out of the forest and into a wide plains with a roaring river just in sight in the distance. Everyone dismounted their horses (and elk) and set about to prepare for the night. Night watches were set up, the horses were fed, and a meal was prepared.
Thranduil helped Legolas feed Mallos a generous helping of elvish plants that would help the young elk to grow up strong. Legolas giggled as Mallos' rough tongue rubbed against his palm, the calf grabbing up all available food from his hand.
Thranduil ushered Legolas when he was done to the middle of the camp where a makeshift bed had been set up for the king and his young son. Thranduil rested on the blankets tiredly as Legolas snuggled up to him and relaxed.
They brought out some Lembas bread that was passed around for the warriors and guards while Legolas and Thranduil ate their own. Legolas broke off a piece of his and stuffed it into his mouth, savoring the taste. He loved Lembas bread but they usually only ate it when traveling.
The elves chewed quietly on their dinner, not wanting to disturb the peaceful air around them. It was a crystal clear night and it seemed that every single star could be seen. It was a brilliant sight of tiny twinkling stars with just a sliver of moon above them. Even as they looked around them, several shooting stars shot across the sky.
Thranduil laid back on his bed, gazing upwards in wonder. The light of the stars was a treasure to every silvan elf and he knew to appreciate it. So pure. So clean.
"Look up, ion nin." (My son) Thranduil whispered to his distracted elfling who was currently pulling up mounds of grass and making a pile of it.
Legolas brushed the grass strands off his fingers and turned to his ada. Then he lifted his eyes as well and they widened at the sight of the sky. "Wow..." He whispered, amazed.
Thranduil just nodded to himself, wholeheartedly agreeing.
That was not a sight you saw very often. And it was a sight to be treasured.