Gwain Noss

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"You should be in bed, Timpi," Haldir said to his young charge as he returned from a quick bath. Legolas smiled innocently from his seat by the small table where he was trying to read a simple book he had been given.

Haldir picked up the five year-old and grinned. "Come now, your Adar and Naneth left me in charge."

"Will you read me a story then?"

"Yes, yes," Haldir said, trying to keep his damp hair from getting the child's nightshirt wet. "Now, where is Megli? I do not want you up in the middle of the night looking for him."

Legolas pointed to the long padded chair that could just be seen beyong the door from the bedroom. Haldir left for a moment, returning with a stuffed bear in one hand and the small book Legolas had earlier in the other.

He settled down in the bed next to Legolas and smiled when the child cuddled against him in an attempt to see the little drawings in the book.

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Celeborn smiled as his wife went through the colourful material she normally used to wrap gifts with. He could honestly say that he had not seen Galadriel act so motherly since Arwen was 15, and that was well over two millenia ago. Galadriel sighed and picked up a piece of deep green cloth and handed it to Celeborn.

"It has been so long since we have been able to wrap a child's gift. Longer still since we had heard such an inquisitive voice."

Taking in Legolas had deffinately been good for them. Celeborn nodded his agreement, "Indeed, though I could do without being woken in the dead of night, just because Legolas wishes to know why Anor rises in the east."

"You exaggerate, dear. Now hold this ribbon."

"Exaggerate? Two weeks ago he asked where the wind came from."

Galadriel smiled and finished tying the ribbon. "I know. And a week before that it was why flowers opened during the day, but not at night."

Celeborn grinned, "Never mind his queries to Haldir."

Galadriel chuckled, "The poor captain. I assume you have sent the message to Elrond?"

"Yes. Elrond, Glorfinel, and Thranduil will be coming in a month. Just in time for Legolas' begetting day."

The mood grew serious and Galadriel picked up the little present for Legolas. "It must be difficult for Thranduil, to be nothing more than an 'uncle' to his own son."

"Perhaps when he is older, we can send Legolas to Imladris to be educated under Elrond's eye. Let Thranduil form a bond with him, at least a friendship," Celeborn suggested. "Legolas knows him, and it would bring some comfort if we were to send the child."

"I will speak to Elrond of sending Legolas."

Celeborn nodded, "And I will speak with Thranduil. Now, should we enjoy the quiet evening we have? While Haldir is forced to endure the questions Legolas can come up with?"

Galadriel smiled and tucked the gifte well above the range of a five year-old.

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Haldir woke to a sound coming from his little kitchen and yawned as he got up to go investigate. As suspected, there was a little Elfling using a chair to stand high enough to try to climb onto the counter. Haldir leaned against the doorframe.

"And what are you doing, Little Bell?"

Legolas sat on the edge of the counter, gripping his teddy bear to his chest. "I wanted to make you breakfast."

Haldir smiled, "As much as I appreciate it, Timpi; I do not think Celeborn would like it if you were harmed in the proccess."

Picking up the child, Haldir reached for a piece of fruit. "Now, I'll see what I can do about a meal. You, Legolas, can help when I ask you to."

Legolas nodded eagerly.

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Celeborn sat with Haldir while Galadriel happily cuddled Legolas. "How was your rest?"

Haldir smiled, "Interesting. I was woken twice, once by Legolas asking how we made blankets, and the other by Legolas trying to make breakfast."

Celeborn chuckled, "I really do not understand what goes on in that boy's head."

Galadriel left with Legolas to investigate another of the child's seemingly endless questions and Celeborn sighed.

"You know that Legolas' is here by adoption. Do you know who his true parents are?"

Haldir shook his head, "Nay. I have heard rumours of a couple from Mirkwood, but that was it."

"His parents are Thranduil and Glorfindel. I know you have heard the rumours of that as well."

Haldir nodded and furrowed his brow. "I did. But I never gave much weight to them. How is that possible?"

Celeborn shrugged, "I do not know. But it happened. And unfortunately, Glorfindel does not know that he now has a child. Thranduil is fearful of his reaction to the news, and Imladris in general has little knowledge of such things. I too fear that the reaction may not be positive, but I doubt it would be wholly upsetting."

"Does Legolas know?"

"That he is adopted? Yes. But it was Thranduil's wish to keep his parentage from him, at least until he was old enough to fend for himself on a trip to Rivendell."

Haldir nodded slowly and Celeborn continued. "Such a trip may be coming, and I want you t Leg Legolas' protector, indeffinately."

"Of course. But forgive me if I choose to have a few words with Thranduil."

Celeborn smiled, "Oh, I fully intend to encourage him to tell Glorfindel, and Legolas soon. But I fear that he will not do so. It is just the way he is."

Haldir snorted, "Stubborn, and now that I thonk of it, Legolas has quite a few of the shared features between Thtranduil and Glorfindel."

"Indeed. Inquisitive, well-meaning, stubborn, annoying at times."

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Well, I know this is a piece of crap. But I'm just trying to clear my mind enough to work on other fics.