A Healing Touch

Helloooooooo people! Don't really have anything interesting to say so I'll get to my wonderful reviewers.

Anon: You're welcome, I will, and thank you.

louise_oblique: Lol, thanks. *hugs*

Mawgy: Lol, don't worry, if I'm ever down in the dumps I'll call you. Well, it seems you caught one of my typos. You were right, I should have said months not years, as soon as I figured out the mistake I made I immediately changed it. LOL, by the way, Glorfindel's wound was a pretty nasty scratch, Elrond was only teasing him. That's why Glorfindel cupped his wound after he got it, to stop the bleeding. But anyways, yeah, kids can be cruel, believe me I know that from experience. Whewas was a kid I was always picked on, so I kind of modeled Legolas' childhood from my own. LOL, and I know, wasn't Erestor's entrance great? I don't know how I came up with that, it just seems like something he would do, in my opinion anyway. Congrats! You got the longest reply again.

giggle: *Tugs shirt collar and gulps* ... You'll see... But what I meant wou wou won't be happy with ME when you see what I do to poor little Legolas.

Steph: Thank you, here's more.

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Disclaimer: *raises eyebrow, Elrond style* If I actually owned anything, do you really think I'd be poor and living in my parents basement? *nods head* that's right.

WARNING: TO ALL THOSE THAT CONSIDER SPANKING TO BE ABUSE, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ THIS CHAPTER. Our young Legolas lands himself in a bit of trouble with dire consequences.

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Ch5

An entire season had passed in Imladris and it was now early autumn. The leaves of the ancient trees in the peaceful elf-haven had just begun to change colours from beautiful shades of greens to glorious hues of reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Many of the precious leaves had already started to detach themselves from their massive mother branches and had soon covered the grassy land with their vibrant colour.

Legolas gazed from out his bedroom window, one hand supporting his chin, as the last of a clutch of red leaves fell from its twig as the light breeze slowly carried it down to a bear patch of the frost covered grass beneath, laying away from its fallen companions, alone. Staring at the fallen leaf for several seconds longer, Legolas sighed, his warm breath fogging up the glass before quickly dissipating. He then shifted his position, slowly sliding off the eudemon he had been seated on. That leaf was just like him, alone, friendless.

No, Legolas corrected, not friendless. After the incident with the Imladris elflings, Orchalorn and his companions, Erestor had non too happily reported the event to the boys' parents, much to the young prince's protest, concerned that he would be considered a rat, and were sternly reprimanded by them for placing Legolas in danger. One of the boys, Narofea, a hazel eyed boy with unusual red hair, had felt completely terrible for what happened to the other elfling and had immediately the next day, without his friends recollection, come to apologize over his and his friends cruel taunts. Though Narofea was hardly to blame as he had not gotten involved, had not even laughed in the slightest to the other boys teasing. Legolas was reluctant to forgive him at first, but his mother had always taught him to never judge someone by their past mistakes, and so irresolutely accepted the heartfelt apology. With Legolas' wounded leg, he was unabl ste step foot outside, so instead the two elflings remained in the prince's chambers the rest of the day, playing board games and telling stories, and surprisingly the two became quick friends.

If only the other elflings could accept him so easily, the prince thought, what was so different about him and them anyway? What made him seem so different in their eyes? Aside from the fact that Elrond had forbade him to go near those elfling's, Legolas was still optimistic enough that he could convince those boys to like him, as he had Narofea. In Legolas' opinion, one friend was plenty. He cherished the time he and his friend spent together, but having a whole group of elflings who despised you for unknown reasons made even walking in public a difficult task.

As if reading his very mind, the voice of his young friend sounded behind the tapestry of his door frame. "Legolas, are you in there?"

The prince's face immediately lifted as he turned towards the doorway. "Narofea! Come in, you're late."

Almost immediately, the said elfling pushed back the tapestry, sliding his way in the fair sized bedroom. "I know. My father needed my help shoeing a horse."

"Oh well, never mind that. What aught we to do this morn?"

A look of speculation crossed the elfling's face, a question in his eyes that seemed as if he had been pondering the thought for most of the day. "I was thinking... maybe we should go play with Orchalorn and the others."

Legolas' face immediately fell, a look of reluctance replacing his joyful one. "You know how they feel about me. And besides, lord Elrond doesn't want me to go near them."

"Come on, Legolas. What's the worst they could do? They won't touch you with me around."

"I don't know..."

"Just for a little while, I promise. And if they start to bother you, we'll leave. Please?"

Legolas sighed in defeat, unable to deny his only friend in Imladris this one request. "Alright, but we mustn't tell Elrond, Glorfindel or anyone else, lest we get in trouble."

The pair scampered down the stairs and into the kitchen, eager to grab a bite to eat before they left, settling for an apple each. As the two continued through the massive house they were abruptly stopped by lord Elrond and Glorfindel whom were sitting in the library, drinking their morning tea. "And where exactly are you two going in such a hurry?" the lord asked as he plaited his companion’s hair in the warrior braids. Other than Arwen, there were no high ranking women in the Last Homely House, and so the males made habit out of doing certain things, such as braiding each others hair, and seldom did Glorfindel ever have his mane decorated in the intricate weaves of the warriors but this day he was leading a scouting party on the boarders of Imladris and protocol demanded the ranking officers to be properly attired.

"Oh, we were just planning on walking the trails today." it wasn't a lie, but nor was it the exact truth and for a moment Legolas was worried that Elrond would see right through him. The lord always seemed to be able to sense people's feelings and it seemed Elrond did not disappoint them with that belief. So concentrated on his skilful fingers twisting and twirling the golden locks before him, Elrond did not seem to take much notice to their fabrication but looks themselves can be deceiving.

"I expect the both of you to stay out of trouble and be back before luncheon." the command was firm, final and left no room for debate.

"Yes, lord Elrond." the boys replied in unition.

Elrond glanced at them with a raised eyebrow. "I am being serious, boys. I had better not here of any mischief-making that you two were a part of, do I make myself clear?"

Legolas shot Narofea a knowing look, his eyes pleading before he quickly turned his attention back to the elf lord. "Yes, my lord."

Suddenly Erestor walked in, clearing his throat to gain the lords attention. "My lord Elrond, Glorfindel, a messenger from the boarders has arrived and requests an audience with you both, he says that it is urgent."

"Can it not wait?" Glorfindel said half annoyed, standing from his chair with his half empty teacup in hand.

"I'm afraid not, Glorfindel. It appears that a pack of goblins has made ontoonto our land."

Elrond and Glorfindel shot a foreboding look between them, immediately discarding their tea before marching out of the room. Before Elrond exited he turned to the two elflings staring in shock at the departing forms of the three elves. "Legolas, stay off the trails and where I can see you. If you see anything queer cond tnd tell me immediately and stay out of the forest."

"Yes, my lord." Elrond nodded at the prince's reply and turned on his heal, following his seneschal and advisor down the hall.

Legolas stared on, even after the elf lords had left. Had he heard that right? Had goblins somehow made their way into Imladris? Legolas was snapped back to reality when he heard his friend's voice that had somehow made its way over where Glorfindel had been sitting just several moments ago. "What is this?"
Legolas' head snapped over to his friend's form. Walking over beside him, he followed his gaze to a small hair decoration in the shape of a Lotus flower sitting on Elrond's desk.

"Oh, that’s Glorfindel's hair clip. He must have been in such a hurry to leave that he forgot it. That's odd, it means far too much to him to simply leave it laying somewhere."

Narofea merely scrunched up his nose as he fingered the small golden crafted trinket. "What's so special about it? 'Tis just a hair decoration."

"No, it's not." Legolas sincerely scorned, his face taking on a defensive look. "'Tis the only thing he has left of Gondolin. When he came back from Mandos' it was the only thing adorned his body. It means so much to him, Narofea."

"Ai, this is from Gondolin? Draug-carch's mother has several trinkets from Gondolin. She was one of the survivors. Oh I bet this could best any of them--"

"No. You're not giving it away and neither am I. This belongs to Glorfindel and I'm going to go give it back to him right now."

"We won't give it away, Legolas, we'll just show it to them, show it off a little."

"'Tis not our place to take it. We should ask Glorfindel first."

"But he'll probably say no."

"Exactly why we shouldn't take it."

Narofea let out an exasperated sigh. "Come on, Legolas. We'll bring it right back. You'd like to show up Draug-carch just as much as I would and you know it. Besides it might make them like you. It's not like were stealing it."

"We will still be taking it without permission and besides you heard lord Elrond. Were not even supposed to go near Orchalorn and Draug-carch. He deliberately ordered us to stay out of trouble."

"Please, Legolas, I never ask you for anything. Oh please, please, please!"

"Alright!" Legolas cried in an aggravated tone. "For a moment but that is all."

With a triumphant 'yes' from Narofea and an apposing sigh from Legolas, the prince reluctantly pocketed the valuable hair clip and the two made their way out of the house and down the steps.

Once Legolas and Narofea had reached the road, the prince stopped in his tracks. "We promised lord Elrond we wouldn't go on the trail or in the forest."

"Were not going in to the forest, were just meeting under a cluster of trees. And its not like were taking a long walk on the trails that will last for hours, it will only take us a few minutes to get there."

"But Elrond said--"

"Why must you yield to every command given to you? You're a prince, you can do whatever you want."

"But Elrond is the lord of Rivendell, he's of higher status than I."

"Oh, come on, Legolas, were not hurting anybody and our walk is no more than five minutes away."

Legolas bit down on his lower lip in annoyance. "You are going to get us into so much trouble." Narofea's response was a smug smirk as he lead the way down the short path, Legolas in toe, his eyes darting around the forest, searching for goblins and other fell beasts. "I swear, Narofea, if we are attacked by goblins I will kill you before they get the chance."

"Relax, Legolas. We'll be fine."

On the short walk towards the elflings 'meeting spot', Legolas' tension did not ease in the slightest. He was still edgy by the time the duo had reached the tree cluster, and the elflings sadistic comments were no help in the least. Orchalorn, naturally was the first to speak. "What is he doing here?" he sneered. "Are you mad, Narofea? He's already gotten us all in trouble once." he and Legolas glared hard at each other, their eyes shooting daggers at ano another, neither backing down, until Narofea's words cut in.

"Shut up, Orchalorn," Narofea snapped back, glaring at the older elfling. "if it wasn't for you and your cruel words Legolas would have never gotten hurt in the first place. The mistake was your own. And if you have anything to say about his presence then say it."

"Ah, I see. So you are his bodyguard now? He is too weak to defend himself?"

At this Legolas lunged at the elder elfling, only being held back by Narofea's swift and tight grip around his arms. "At least I am not as cowardice as to have my friends hold you down while I land blows like you. You are the weakling, Orchalorn, not I."

"Oh really." the elder elf stepped foreword but Narofea held up his hand.

"Peace, we did not come here to fight. Allow Legolas to stay. He is quite exciting to be with and has wonderful stories from Mirkwood to tell."

With a scowl, the lead boy pondered his decision with clear reluctance and for a while it seemed as if he were going to avoid the plea until finally the hint of a smirk crept up on lip lips. "Alright, he can play with us IF he passes the test."

"What?" Narofea frowned. "What kind of test? None of us ever had to pass a test."

A malicious grin crossed Orchalorn's features and he motioned for his two companions, Draug-carch, and the other one, Legolas did not recall his name bumembmembered him to be Orchalorn's apparent second in command, the one who had insulted Thranduil's pride. Legolas brushed the thought off as he watched the three huddle, whispers being uttered between the trio that not even Legolas' acute senses could hear. Finally they broke and Orchalorn walked up proudly face-to-face with the prince. "I know just the thing."

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Five small forms perched silently in the bough of a tall oak, patiently awaiting their victim. The largest of the young figures quietly slunk its way towards the golden headed shape, whispering quietly in his ear. "Now remember, Legolas, when the scouting party makes their way down that path, we'll start making Warg noises and when the horses start to spook, you jump from out of the trees with a loud roar and when everything becomes chaotic then run towards the glade. If you manage to scare them tha that means you pass the test but if you are caught, you fail. Get it?"

"This is stupid, Legolas, you don't have to do this," Narofea huffed. "let's just go back home and forget this whole thing."

"Well, if you really don't want to be in our crew you don't have to." Orchalorn grinned.

"I don't want to frighten the horses," Legolas hesitated. "and we could get in big trouble, especially with goblins about. Elrond won’t be happy."

"Oh well. 'Ti big big deal if you're afraid..."

"I'm not afraid!" Legolas hissed, rage taking hold of his youthful features. "You just watch."

"Legolas," Narofea chastised, trying to knock some sense into his pride intoxicated head. "If lord Glorfindel finds out you've been harassing his soldiers he will be so angry and you'll be punished."

By this point Legolas' egotism was greatly at stake, and he was not about to lose what little respect he had of these people, if any at all. He would prove to them one way or another that he was just as capable as any other.

After several seconds had gone by, faint hoof beats could be heard trotting up the road, as well as barely audible voices. Orchalorn turned to his companions. "Everyone get into your positions." The elflings scattered into different trees, Narofea with great reluctance as he slinked across a bough to another tree.

"Ai, Elbereth, me and my big mouth." he cursed, readying himself for the oncoming attack. Narofea watched carefully as the riders neared, straining to hear their conversation.

"There have been no other signs of orcs in our land, my lord. I believe we have destroyed them all."

"Aye, I spotted several of them on my way up here. Worry not, I took care of them."

Narofea could barely restrain a gasp as he caught sight of the lead rider. *Oh no... Glorfindel!* In a last desperate attempt to catch his friend's attention and stop him before it was too late, Narofea started frantically waving his arms about but Legolas' face was set with determination and tensed his body in anticipation. *Oh, Legolas, don't do it.*

Glorfindel hastily halted his stallion, motioning with one hand for his guards to do likewise. "What is it, my lord?" one of them whispered.

Glorfindel slowly scanned the area, keeping his eyes and ears open. "'Tis too silent for my liking. Something's wrong." Glorfindel's ears immediately perked at the sound of a rustling tree branch and he abruptly drew his bow, pointing the arrow in the direction from where the noise emanated. It was too big to be a woodland creature yet too light to be a goblin. But still ...

There were suddenly threatening sounds, growls and howls, coming from the trees and with the added rustling of the branches, the elven steeds quickly became agitated, some backing up in fear, others snorting their foreboding, as their eyes grew white with dread and on impulse Glorfindel let loose his arrow.

Legolas sighed in relief with a shudder as he looked beside him, the deadly weapon embedded in the massive trunk of the old oak, just missing its target. Setting his jaw firm, Legolas bent his knees. It was time.

Suddenly without warning a flash of and and green came springing out of the trees with a loud bellow, effectively startling the spirited horses, many rearing up while others bucking wildly throwing off their riders and the rest running off. Amongst the chaos of the panicking, whinnying horses, Glorfindel, after regaining his own senses from being catapulted off Asfaloth's back, quickly whirled around just as the lone figure attempted his escape. Quickly forcing himself on his own two feet the seneschal dodged after the little terrorist and succeeded in grabbing the elfling's sleeve and whirling him around. His face suddenly took on a look of pure shock as he uttered a single name. "Legolas?"

Knowingwas was in trouble beyond reckoning, Legolas yanked his arm free of Glorfindel's grasp and took off running to where his companions awaited him, praying to Eru that the seneschal would not chaise after him.

Glorfindel did not, as he looked on completely stunned before remembering his place and quickly turned back to his boisterous stallion and attempted to calm him, uttering soothing, reassuring words as he gently stroked the animal's neck.

As the other elves attempted calming their own valiant steeds, some trudging back the road leading the feral beasts, Lindir walked up to Glorfindel giving him a questioning look. "Was that young Legolas?"

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Orchalorn and his companions chuckled madly as they entered the clearing of the pasture, the only thing separating them from the horses being the long white fence. The five elflings finally collapsed near a tree stump, catching their breathes. "I can't believe we did that," Orchalorn panted, giggling in between. "ai, Legolas, when you leapt out of that tree they all looked like they had seen a ghost. Ha!"

"Lord Glorfindel was as taut as his own bowstring," Draug-caraughaughed. "I'd never thought I'd see that day. He just missed Legolas by a hair."

The three boys continued laughing, oblivious to the two silent elflings until their cackles died down to mere snickers. "What’s the matter with the two of you?"

Legolas' back was pressed up against the tree stump, his knees brought up to his chin and arms wrapped around his legs, while Narofea sat perched on the edge of the old stump. Legolas sighed into his knees. "I am in so much trouble."

"Aye," Orchalorn guffawed. "but it was worth it, no?"

"No! It wasn't. The look on Glorfindel's face was of complete betrayal. I will regret this day till the end of Arda."

"Well," chided Draug-carch. "look on the bright side; you're one of us now."

"I'm not sure if it was worth it. And the way I frightened those poor horses..."

This set the boys into another round of laughter. "Did you see the way Glorfindel came flying off his stallion's back? Ha! He landed flat on his arse right in the mud, ai that was hysterical!"

Narofea placed a comforting hand on Legolas' shoulder as he let out another sigh. "Poor Glorfindel." Unconsciously he began to finger the small jewel safely pocketed in his jerkin. Suddenly remembering and praying to the Valar that it hadn't been wrecked, Legolas swiftly reached the inside of his shirt and pulled out the unharmed hair piece and breathed in relief. The glint of its reflection caught the eye of the other boys and they all came over in curiosity, studying it closely.

"What is that?" Orchalorn asked.

"Glorfindel's hairclip, he forgot to put it on this morning."

"'Tis from Gondolin." Narofea inquired.

"Gondolin?" Draug-carch exclaimed. "Truly? May I see it?"

Legolas frowned and looked somewhat reluctant, cradling the small trinket as if it was worth all the gold in Arda. The prince relented though and hesitantly handed over the small hair piece. "I suppose, but be careful. It means a lot to Glorfindel."

The boy carefully took it from Legolas' hand, tracing the small veins of the gold plated flower with feather light touches in awe, studying it as if he was a skilled artist with a million years of education. "This is truly wonderfully crafted. My naneth would envy this small piece compared to her own."

Narofea glanced at Legolas with a look of 'I told you so' in his eyes. Legolas remained silent though as his companion continued examining the golden lotus. "Legolas, do you know where he got this from?"

Legolas shook his head. "He only said that it was gifted to him by a friend, though I'm not sure whom it was."

Orchalorn was scrutinizing the small trinket with distaste. "Let me see that." he said as he grabbed it out of his companion's hand.

"Be careful!" Legolas and Draug-carch cried in unition.

"Bah! It's naught but a worthless trinket." he replied, flicking it with his fingers.

Legolas immediately stood up from where he had been sitting, reaching out for the precious barrette but Orchalorn abruptly pulled away. "Give it back, Orchalorn."

Legolas went to reach out for it but again the other elfling recoiled. Narofea then stood up from his seat on the stump, throwing Orchalorn a stern glare of his own. "Orchalorn, give it back to him." he demanded. Orchalorn only smiled spitefully and ran a few paces back. Narofea was growing tired of this game. Narofea had been named well, not only because of his thick fiery red hair but also because of his quick temper and wild spirit. Marching over to Orchalorn, he roughly grabbed him by the scuff of the shirt. "I said give it back to him, now!"

"Alright, relax, Narofea, before fire begins to shoot out your ears." vindictively, Orchalorn held up the trinket, ready to hand it back to its keeper, but as Legolas came in reach he carelessly tossed it into the field with the horses, several of the animals throwing up their heads in surprise.

Legolas glowered at Orchalorn before trudging over to the fence and climbing over it while Narofea jerked the front of Orchalorn's shirt for his spiteful act and purposefully shoved him, causing him to stumble.

Legolas' feet hit the ground as he climbed down the other side of the fence, softly making his way over to where he had seen the hairpiece fall. A small smile quirked his lips when he caught sight of his filly, Skylenar, sniffing the trinket curiously. Patting the animal on her proud neck, Legolas turned and reached down to pick up the jewel.

Quietly, while Narofea watched the quiet interaction between Legolas and his mare, Orchalorn and his two companions snuck up behind the herd of horses that were getting their fill of lastlast of the dying grass as the earth prepared for winter's chill. A mischievous glint in the elflings eyes, the trio pulled off their outer tunics and, without warning, flapped and twirled them in the air while shouting and hollering, startling the surprised horses into a roaring gallop.

Skylenar suddenly reared with a frightful whinny, and before Legolas knew what was happening, the mare pushed past him, causing him to stumble before he could grasp the precious treasure and before his eyes, to his utter horror, a sturdy hoof came crashing down upon it. Legolas had little time to react though as another horse pushed past him, and two more behind him, and before the prince knew it, he was caught in a stampede of spooked horses.

In a fluid of anger, Glorfindel spurred his horse towards where he had seen Legolas run off too, flanked by two guards, halting his horse on a hill that overlooked the pasture where the Rivendell horses grazed. The sight before him caught him unaware and he felt as if his heart skipped several beats as he stood frozen in place as the young prince dodged horse after horse, barely missing several, as he was caught in a whirlwind of massive, fleeting animals, panic and fear the only expression on his youthful face. As if mentally slapped in the face, Glorfindel immediately dismounted and thundered down the hill in the hopes of reaching his young charge before it was too late, barely noticing the other elflings in his proximity, and leaving the two stunned guardsmen on top the hill.

All but flying over the high fence, Glorfindel swiftly parried and eluded the stampeding horses, difficultly sidestepping the ramped beasts as they ran tightly together. Making a fateful leap to where Legolas had stumbled several feet away, Glorfindel triumphantly met his side and hastily grabbed the prince, picking him up into his safe embrace and dodged the remaining galloping horses.

Setting the trembling, frightened prince down on the ground once they had safely made it over the fence, Glorfindel had quickly searched Legolas for signs of injury, gently padding down his body, his own fear for the boy gripping his heart. "Ai Elbereth, Legolas, are you alright?" Glorfindel cupped Legolas' face with a trembling hand. "Penneth, speak to me!"

Glorfindel's frightful shout must have snapped Legolas out of what ever shock he must have been in because his body shuddered at the hard tone and he slowly nodded as he stared into the seneschal's eyes, his own crystal blue orbs still wide with fear. The two remained silent for several seconds, each regaining their composure and when the fear had finally left each of their eyes, Glorfindel was reminded his original reason for coming here.

Grabbing Legolas a little too harshly by the arm, Glorfindel glared at the boy with dangerous eyes. "What did you think you were doing, startling my guardsman like that? Don't you realize you could have been killed!? What you did was beyond stupidity, Legolas!"

"Lord Glorfindel, it wasn't his fault," Narofea explained, stumbling up the hill, in defence of his friend. "it was Orchalorn's stupid idea. He and--"

"Whether or not whose idea it was he should have had the intelligence to oppose to it. Legolas has a mind, Narofea, as do you. Quite frankly I'm very disappointed in the both of you. You both knew there was the danger of goblins in the premises and yet you go gallivanting into the forest despite that fact. And did not lord Elrond deliberately tell you to stay away from the forest, as well as off the trails?"

"I'm sorry, lord Glorfindel--" Legolas did not have the heart to meet his eyes, for he knew he would see the same look of betrayal and mistrust he had glimpsed at earlier.

"You would not be sorry if you were dead, Legolas! I almost shot you!" Glorfindel painfully tightened his grip on Legolas' arm, causing the prince to wince as the seneschal shook him to emphasize his point. "I could have shot you..." Glorfindel repeated in more of a whisper. Glorfindel relented his hold on the prince's arm and Legolas gazed sorrowfully into the now calm pasture.

Legolas' heart froze as he remembered what he had left there. With a gasp, Legolas scrambled back down the hill, squeezing through the gaps of the fence as he ran over to the now demolished hairclip. Falling to his knees, Legolas sadly gathered the three broken fragments of the lotus-shaped hair clip. Closing his eyes against the tears that threatened to spill, Legolas clutched the shattered adornment to his heart, too engulfed in his own sorrow that he did not hear the approaching footfalls until the owner's voice brought him out of his reverie. "Legolas, what is wrong?" Legolas reluctantly met the gaze of his beloved mentor, slowly standing up and clutching his big hand with his free one.

Opening the palm of his hand, Legolas gently slipped the broken jewellery into Glorfindel's ancient palm, trying to block out the audible, shocked gasp that issued from his mouth. For several seconds he did nothing but stare at it but then with trembling fingers, Glorfindel grazed his small piece of home with the ghost of a touch, recognizing it at once for what it was, before tightly clutching it to his own breast.

At the least, Legolas expected Glorfindel to shout at him some more, maybe even strike him, but Legolas was completely unprepared for the reaction he got. Glorfindel lowered his head, Legolas catching the smallest glimpse of devastation and complete sorrow on his ageless face, before he slowly turned away. There was no worse punishment than to see the mighty warrior's heart break like that, thought Legolas. "Go home, Legolas." Glorfindel sighed in a choked voice.

"I'm sorry, Glorfindel--"

"I said go home!"

Legolas flinched at the harsh tone in Glorfindel's voice, but did as he was told. He had gotten in enough trouble for one day. Slowly making his way back to the Last Homely House, Narofea closely behind, as well as the two guard trailing behind them, Glorfindel trudged far behind them, most likely wanting to grieve in private.

On their trek back to the house, Legolas noticed a vibrant coloured bush that appeared to be... giggling. Poig thg this out to his companion, Narofea sighed in exasperation and with a knowing look in his eyes he made his way over to the bush and instantly reached his hand down, encountering soft material and immediately hauled Orchalorn into a standing position by his shirt. "You..." he growled.

The other two elflings also stood from the bush but smartly backed up so that they would not encounter any wounds from the on coming fight. Orchalorn was quite surprised that it was Narofea and not Legolas who delivered the punch to his face. Legolas looked up in shock as Orchalorn punched back before Narofea tackled him to the ground and before anyone could stop them, the two elflings were initiated in a fist fight on the forest earth. The two guards immediately jumped into action and with a great amount of yelling, pleading, and prying hands away from flesh, they managed to separate the elflings. "You idiot, Orchalorn, you nearly got Legolas killed!"

"It’s just as well, you should have never brought him over in the first place. Sindar elves are naught but trouble."

"Perhaps if you took a moment to look beyond race, you'd realize that Legolas is a pleasure to be with. He is my friend and he's a prince and you should show him more respect than what he makes you!"

"Well then you--"

"That is enough!" Glorfindel's stern voice boomed as he had closed the distance between them. All eyes immediately fell on the ancient lord before them. Gazing down on Narofea and Orchalorn's two companions, he immediately turned to one of his guard. "Tunndol, take Narofea home before these two end up killing each other, and escort those two home as well."

With a bow to his lord, the said elf guided the three elflings in the direction of their homes, Narofea and Legolas silently exchanging goodbyes. Leaving no word for argument between the two remaining elflings, Glorfindel immediately guided Legolas in front of him while Orchalorn and the second guard paced behind. No words were exchanged though as the small group made their way to the House of Elrond, and Glorfindel's face remained a sorrowful mask of stone, though he believed he hid his grief well.

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The guard expectantly opened the door of the Last Homely House as the three elves entered the spacious halls. Glorfindel then silently guided the two elflings down the corridor and as predicted when the group rounded into library, Elrond silently stood behind his desk, knuckles resting upon the polished wood, Erestor at his side. Knowing all too well at what had transpired, Elrond glared at the two elflings before him. With a dangerously low voice not to be reckoned with, Elrond addressed the young prince. "Legolas, go to your chambers."

Keeping his eyes lowered to the ground, Legolas slowly turned, and would have complied to the elf lord's order if it weren't for a snigger that escaped the other elfling's mouth. Immediately glaring at Orchalorn for his mocking snicker, Legolas abruptly turned and tackled the other boy, crashing them into a small table that presented an expensive, irreplaceable vase, effectively knocking it, and themselves onto the floor with a loud crash as the vase shattered against the marble floor. Legolas paid no heed to it though as he and Orchalorn grappled on the floor until Elrond grabbed the both of them by an ear and separated them. "That is quite enough!" the Lore master bellowed. Snapping his attention to Erestor who was at his side in an instant, he nudged Orchalorn in his direction. "Erestor, escort this one home, if you please."

"Gladly, my lord." the advisor replied as he took the boy by the arm and non too gently guided him out the room and down the hall, though the spiteful smirk on the boy did not waiver.

Elrond turned his stern glare down to Legolas, finally letting go of the hold on the prince's ear. The prince knew he was in trouble, knew that punishment was about to endure, but he cared not. In his mind Orchalorn deserved that, and secretly he was proud of himself for it, though he knew better then to voice this to the elf lord but the glower on his own youthful face remained. "Legolas," Elrond growled. "go to your chambers now and wait for me there. I will be up in a moment."

Legolas lowered his eyes, knowing he was in for it, and suddenly became very frightened of the elf lord, his moment of victory now forgotten. Turning on his heel, Legolas reluctantly left the room, slowly marching up the stairs.

Once Legolas had left the room, Elrond turned his attention to Glorfindel, whom despera tri tried to hide the look of sorrow marring his handsome features. Taking several steps foreword so that he was directly in front of his seneschal, Elrond placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, getting his attention. Glorfindel slowly looked up, and Elrond smoothed a hand tenderly over his cheek. "Glorfindel, what happened?"

Glorfindel released a shuttering sigh before slowly reaching into his tunic pocket, revealing the shattered pieces of the only memory of home he possessed, and gently laid the broken fragments on the edge of Elrond's desk. It was Elrond's turn to sigh as he gently pulled his distraught seneschal and love into an apologetic embrace, holding Glorfindel's head against his shoulder and running his fingers through the golden tresses.

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Legolas was seated on his windowsill staring at a bear tree branch as it was whipped around in the strong wind of autumn's breeze by the time Elrond arrived in his chambers. Halting in his walk just behind the tapestry of the elfling's chambers, Elrond swallowed against the lump forming in his throat, dreading at what he was about to do. But Legolas had done wrong, deliberately disobeying his orders which almost had gotten him killed. Not to mention taking something that did not rightfully belong to him, and to top it all off, fighting with another elfling, in the lord's library, no less. No, this had to be dealt with, no matter how much it tore at Elrond's heart. Elrond was a fair lord, but also was he firm, and disobedients would not be tolerated under his house and if punishment was the only way to enforce his authority to a reckless, arrogant elfling, than so be it. Of course, Legolas had also never done anything that would warrant severe punishment before. This made it all the more difficult. Setting his jaw firm, and doing the best he could to cover his regretful expression, Elrond pulled back theestrestry and walked in, immediately going the direction of the bed and taking a seat on its edge, purposefully ignoring the elfling across from him.

Legolas did not meat his guardian's eyes, instead continuing to stare out the window, tightly clutching the sill until his knuckles turned white in apprehension. Elrond's stern voice made him flinch. "Come here, Legolas." his stomach churning, Legolas bit down on his lip as he slowly slid off his seat and made his way over to the elf lord, keeping his gaze locked on the floor, stopping before him, hands tightly clasped in front of him. "Take your leggings off." Legolas swallowed hard, for a moment meeting the elf lord's serious scrutiny with a blush tingeing his cheeks, before he hesitantly lowered his leggings and breeches then froze in place, head bowed down, uncertain what to do next.

Legolas suddenly gasped and instinctively tensed as Elrond pulled him over his lap,pingping loudly as a flash of pain struck across his bottom. The momentary sting was soon followed by another and the prince grunted before biting down on his lip, clutching at the lord's robes tightly and on the third strike he let loose a meek whimper, tears beginning to sting his eyes.

For every strike across the small buttocks that he delivered, Elrond's heart contracted, trying with all his might to tune out the whines and sobs that escaped the princeling's mouth, lit little effect. This was hurting Elrond far more than he lead on, instead keeping a mask of sternness on his ageless features.

On the sixth strike Legolas began to struggle, instinctively trying to make the pain stop, writhing his body and throwing up his hands, striving to block the blows. Elrond grabbed his slender wrists though in one hand in front of him to halt the effort, bringing the cuffs down with a tad more force, adding extra slaps for the attempted defiance. On the twelfth strike Elrond finally relented his assault, his own heart secretly unable to allow the attack to continue, resting his hand on the reddened cheeks, ignoring as they tensed for more anticipated blows, softly smoothing over them in a somewhat tender gesture as if to soothe the pain. Elrond felt Legolas' form shutter as the prince continued to sob, his loud sniffles and raspy breathing through his whimpers easily defined by his acute elven hearing. Quickly fixing his face as he was sure his resolve was about to crumble, Elrond's stony mask returned to his face as he gently grasped the small shoulders and guided the elfling into a standing position before him, trying desperately to ignore the wet tracks coursing down the cheeks that emanated from the child\wollwollen eyes.

Keeping his hold on Legolas' slender shoulders to make sure he was paying attention, he firmly reprimanded the elfling and for a moment their eyes met. "Now heed my words, penneth. If you ever repeat your folly again, the consequences will be far more dire. From now on you obey my orders without question. If I find out you defy me again, this episode will be repeated with twice the scolding. Is that understood?"

Legolas dragged the sleeve of his tunic across his moist face before replying in barely a hoarse whisper. "Yes, lord Elrond."

Elrond sighed before sluggishly standing, walking towards the tapestry and lingered a moment longer. "Now I expect you to stay in here the rest of the night and think about what you've done." After Elrond had left the room, Legolas picked up his discarded breeches and leggings, instantly slipping them back on before crawling onto his bed, laying on his belly as earlier events assaulted his mind.

As soon as Elrond had left the room, his resolve immediately fell and he leaned his back against the wall for several moments in order to regain his composure. The look of betrayal and accusation the elfling had shot him had struck the elf lord deeply. His punishment was for his own good, this Elrond knew, but the hurt in Legolas' eyes, not just from the physical pain he had just endured, but also the emotional pain had cut him deep. The look that said; You don't know what happened, so why am I being punished without question? Though that did not mean that beating up another boy in front of his elders was acceptable. But Legolas felt betrayed in his fragile mind, shunned in his sensitive heart. This was not just simply the spiteful look that a disobedient child gave their parents that said 'I hate you' after being punished, no, this was more deep. And at that point Elrond wished more than ever that he could go back and stop what he had done, but he couldn't. On the other hand though, Legolas had enough intelligence to know better and refuse to take part in such a reckless act, so why didn't he? Elrond knew deep in his heart that Legolas was merely trying to prove himself to those boys to make them like him, another thought that momentarily angered Elrond as he had told Legolas in the first place to stay away from them. The young prince did not seem to realize that those elflings were laughing at Legolas behind his back for his foolhardy antics. Sighing in exasperation, Elrond pushed off the thought for now and headed for his library, he had a vase to replace and a lover to comfort. He would talk with Legolas in the morrow when they both had time to sort out their thoughts.

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It was early dawn and Anor had yet to rise into the sky. All in the house of Elrond were deep in peaceful slumber getting what rest they could before troserose from their beds to face a long day of ahead of them, all save one.

Legolas rose from his bed on hushed feet and quickly got dressed before silently creeping out of his room and down the long halls before making his way down the steep staircase. Rounding another hall, Legolas found himself near Elrond's library. He was just about to pass it when he caught a glimpse of a shiny gold object on the desk and immediately recognized it; the small piece of jewellery that had gotten him into so much trouble the day before. Detouring into the room, Legolas quickly approached the desk, noting the now bear table in the corner that once adorned a beautifully crafted vase. Legolas sighed to himself, he certainly did cause a lot of trouble the other day. Too bad, Legolas' mind spoke, Orchalorn deserved it. But that did not rectify his actions in destroying Elrond's furniture, another part of him spoke. Perhaps he did deserve his punishment? No! He had gotten in trouble because Orchalorn had patronized him, questioned his aptitude and his honour and no one would insult the prince of Mirkwood's pride, no matter what the cost. Still... he did feel badly about the vase, even if he was still angry at Elrond. Perhaps he could replace it. Shifting his eyes to the broken hairclip pieces he slid them off the table into one hand with the greatest care and pocketed them in his inner shirt before turning on his heel and heading for the doors.

Once outside in the fresh air, Legolas headed directly for the shops, making his way to see Aglarorod, Narofea's father and Rivendell's head blacksmith. Aglarorod always set up shop before sunrise so Legolas was certain that he would be there now and he was not disappointed when he walked into the market booth.
The young prince was somewhat surprised when he caught sight of Narofea sluggishly carrying a box of tools over to one of the shelves, stopping for a moment to yawn as a result of an early awakening before making it the rest of the way and lifted his charge onto a shelf. Legolas' reply nearly made the other elfling jump out of his skin. "Good morn, Narofea. What are you doing here so early?"

"Legolas," Narofea gasped, rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes. "I can't play today. I have to work in the shop all weak to serve my punishment."

"At least your punishment was a little more lenient," Legolas mumbled but before Narofea could ask, Legolas continued. "but I'm not here to play anyway. I needed to see your father."

"About what?"

"I was wondering if I could use his pottery wheel. I broke lord Elrond's favourite vase yesterday and I need to replace it."

"How did you break it?"

"I tackled Orchalorn to the floor and started fighting with him. I knocked him in to the table the vase stood on and it tipped over."

For several moments Narofea simply stared at Legolas, dumbstruck. Then slowly a wide grin spread across his face and he began to giggle uncontrollably. "Nice going, Legolas," he chuckled. "Iluvatar knows he deserved it."

"It's not funny, Narofea. Elrond got so angry. Now where is Aglarorod?"

"A-ada's in the back." Narofea pointed, trying to control his mirth. Legolas rolled his eyes and headed into the back room but before he rounded the canvas wall Narofea called to him. "So, Legolas, what was your punishment?" Legolas' only response was another roll of his eyes, loath to tell his friend of his embarrassing scolding, before rounding the corner.

Legolas stopped and waited patiently as Aglarorod set a hammer down on a table before removing his thick leather gloves and placing them beside it. To Legolas, it appeared that he was forging metal, but what of, he did not know. Aglarorod was an elf of many talents, aside from doing his regular duties as a blacksmith, he also did sculpting, painting and poetry and he often kept his tools in his shop in the case that boredom should come his way, seeing as he spent most of his time there. "Ah, Legolas, how do you fare? From what I've heard you got yourself into some trouble yesterday."

Legolas blushed and lowered his head shamefully under the dark haired elf's scrutiny. "Yes sir, it is a rather long story..."

"So I've been told by lord Erestor and my son. But enough about that, what may I do for you?"

Relieved that the elder elf decided to relent on his interrogation, Legolas got strait to the point. "I was wondering if perhaps I may use your pottery wheel."

"I see, may I ask whatever for?"

"I-- lord Elrond's favourite vase broke and... and I wanted to make him a new one."

"A sweet gesture. Very well then, there is some clay wrapped in paper on that shelf over there that I just made the night before, and you will find a bucket of water and a cloth on the outside of the lean." Legolas nodded his thanks and went to fetch the proper tools to create his would-be masterpiece.

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To Be Continued -->

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ada/adar: dad/father
nana/naneth: mommy/ mother
penneth: young one