"—-Unless you bring me news that is for once valuable we have no business."

"Ever-eager to be rid of those seeking answers," Thranduil inhaled sharply through flaring nostrils, one hand raising to support his temple, "You come into my kingdom and disrupt my people's merrymaking upon such a wondrous eve, disturb the spider colonies festering within the darkened wood and you, Thorin Oakenshield, speak so piously?" 

   ≺ ڿ❀ڰ ≻   〈  If he pops his head in here, will anyone notice?

The Elven King has certainly noticed the hobbit, but will the young, small one notice that he had noticed him?

everyone gets so pissy at tauriel for “breaking canon” or whatever but clearly the real issue here is why the hell the witch-king & co are locked up in tombs??

like, galadriel says “when angmar fell, the men of the north sealed the witch-king in a tomb”. being sealed up in a tomb largely implies defeat?? for the witch-king?? who can’t be defeated?? especially by a man????

Legolas turned away as he was scolded, finding himself shocked by such an outburst. The anger in Thranduil’s eyes was obvious and somewhat frightening, it left a strange feeling in his heart. 

"I am not a child!" He spoke out, voice now livid. "It has ended Thranduil! The Age of Men is here." he couldn’t help but lose the title once used to adore his Father, he was in no mood to be kind. The tears which once stung his eyes had dried and left them ringed with red. Why was he doing this to him, could he not accept his affections and be gentle?

"You do not worry for me, you worry for a Kingdom which has already fallen and is the worst of all Elvish Realms.." He ground out, again turning away, unable to face what his words may have caused in Thranduil. 

"Do not feign such love for me, all of your love has faded." 

There was a silence that clung to the air, for never had the Elven king been spoken to in such a way by his kith and kin. The way he spoke of the woods was disgraceful, speaking of not only everything he had done to promote the integration of Sylvan and Sindar kind, but the work of his father who died in the War to protect what they had made. Of what she had died to protect. Of what he dared to live on for, to survive and make sure prevailed against the darkness he knew would surface again. 

His mouth ran dry, his eyebrows raised before they furrowed. He could feel his heart fall into the pit of his stomach, feel his lips part ever so slightly, and for a moment he questioned the sanity of the man that stood before him. To let loose such blatant disrespect, to say such terrible things. Thranduil had been very wrong. 

Legolas was, indeed, still a child. 

All jovial intent in his expression waned, his light eyes vibrant with the emotion he once harbored after a ceremonial death. 

"Mela...?" The word left his lips in a hushed tone, turning to gaze over his shoulder at he whom had stung and lashed out. "You think you know love? Of what I feel for you and those fallen, of what I feel for the place that was left to me?" He would coddle him no more, and in this state of disbelief, he could feel the redness in his eyes overpower his normally calm visage. He would, however, not stoop to lashing out as his son had. He would be ever-calm, ever-betrayed by the emotion that swept across the dimming light in his eyes. 

He would go back inside, shut himself within his hall and sit upon his throne. Listen to the reports that came from his guards and sign agreements for trade upon dealing with those from Lake Town. He would continue to build up their treasury and keep them safe from the Spiders that lurked in their once Green Wood. Just as his father would have done. Just as he would want Thranduil to do. 

"Speak not, I wish to hear nothing." 

Ａ Ｃｈａｎｃｅ Ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ - {Closed RP}

The Marchwarden had traveled for days with a patrol of a few handful of elves. His lord Celeborn could tell there was tension in the King of Mirkwood, so he sent his best warrior out to see what was wrong.Haldir wondered what could possibly catch the worry of a King such as the one of the sick forest. 

They all stood among the trees, watching patiently as the King wandered into the forest. They watched as the King walked aimlessly until he stopped on a dirt path, just standing there. As they were addressed, Haldir smiled softly and emerged from his spot behind one of the giant forest trees.

“Mae g’ovannen, aran Thranduil…Im Haldir O’ Lothlorien…*” The ellon spoke softly as he placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head to the king. “My lord Celeborn sent me to aide you. The Lady has forseen a concern that burdens your heart, and I am here to assist with whatever you may need.” He spoke as he motioned to the other three of his guards. “Whether it be worries of things passing your boarder, or just a small thing on your mind…we are at service, Brannon Nin.” He said as he stood straight with a soft look on his face. 

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Thranduil watched as he approached, tilting his head forward. His entourage had stayed behind to allow for privacy, though the King was ever cautious of his new surroundings, taking into account the unfamiliarity of the terrain. 

"Is the Lord Celeborn in?" He asked in an apprehensive tone, each word breathing out from between his lips to caress the humid air. It was so unlike the presence of his home, so much heavier in how the atmosphere felt. He disliked it greatly... nor was he too happy to soon be in the presence of those who'd left their own--

"Lady Galadriel has offered me such kind hosts. It would be improper for me to not thank her in person, would you not say?" He was certain that it would take some time for him to truly be in their presence, though it went without saying that he would be happier to be done with this business and return to his son. 

Thranduil spoke again, hands clasping together as he bowed his head, eyes nearly closing. He would at least try to be hospitable. 

"I trust that the nights have been quiet and without unsavoury incident?" 

Though glad his Father had seemed to relax enough to find humor in his words, it still startled the Elf. How quickly Thranduil could go from despondent to amused worried Legolas. However he was thankful that he was not dismissed, and was allowed to continue speaking with the King. Rarely did they have such quiet moments together that were not filled with talk of war or politics. 

Suddenly Legolas thought of his mother as he listened to Thranduil’s somber words. Never could he picture her in the flesh, yet many of the statues of Elf-maidens in Mirkwood were made in her image. Often times he feared he would never understand Thranduil’s pain in order to help him, though he doubted he could bare losing anyone so close to him. 

Though cold, lithe fingers grounded him once more, he was now the one that wished to avoid their touch, yet he gave in and held them tightly. The words seemed to break something in the Prince and the tears he fought to hold seemed to spill silently down his cheeks. 

"I only wish to stay with you..I will have no mate." He promised, voice uncharacteristic of his Elven heritage, for it was strained and wracked with trembling.  

Thranduil's anger, for a moment he cold not contain, flared within his eyes. Like the fire that had once consumed Lake Town, it spread throughout his veins and lit him ablaze, his brows furrowing and nose crinkling. 

"You cannot remain a child forever. You are of age, you have studied well and you will, dare I say it, be king of this realm one day." There was a harsh inhalation of breath, the warning look in the King's eyes serving to scold the younger, "Do not make me mourn a Kingdom that has yet to flourish, Legolas. The time of the Elves has not yet ended." 

It bothered him plenty, the way that his son appeared so okay with remaining dormant forever. For if Thranduil had the chance to leap into the stars and join his beloved passed, he would climb to the top of the Lonely Mountain and jump as hard and as high as he could. He did not, even for a moment, want his son to pass up on the chance to feel what he had. That overwhelming warmth that took hold of one's heart and nestled inside of it forever. 

"You are a child no longer, and a Prince you will not always be..." He inclined his head, urging on with the raw emotion in his voice. For once, he was unfazed by his son's tears. Truly frightened by the prospect. "Amin dele ten' lle."

Ｏｎｅ Ｂｒｉｇｈｔ Ｅｖｅ - (Thranduil and Legolas)

The little bare footprints he left were placed within Thranduil’s larger boot-prints, having followed him directly in the hopes of catching a glimpse. “Ada..” He seemed to whimper until finally his prize revealed itself. Those same weary legs immediately began galloping towards him, arms outstretched. The babe seemed to nearly crash into the King, burying his bleary face in the other’s warm chest. 

"I had a night terror.." He whined, it was a bit of a lie, he had woken up and hoped to sleep in Thranduil’s bed instead.

"I don’t feel safe in the palace without you.." The Elfling confessed quietly, peeking up at the King, hoping he would no longer be angry with his son. "Are you cross with me Ada..?" Legolas asked, toeing the ground with his dirty feet, little fingers still clenching a silken robe. 

Thranduil pushed upward with the muscles in his calves, heaving the youth into his arms to pull him against his chest. Things had been hard, since then. Perhaps harder than he was truly willing to admit... But he was without her, and that was all that he needed to think of. He was without she who held his being and without he whom had kindled his heart. They both were, perhaps he more than Legolas. 

He gazed down at the head of blond hair, lithe form careful as it padded down from the height of the bark he stood upon. He landed with a soft crunch upon the leaves, yellow bud forgotten amongst the foliage he'd left behind. 

"I am not cross, no," Thranduil replied, "I am disappointed. There are countless others you could go to, Legolas. I cannot be there at all times. If I were to be called away, what would you do then?" The Monarch attempted to reason with the child, brushing away a few strands of messy hair. 

He released a sigh, shifting his hold on him before beginning with long strides toward the city gates, careful to watch from the corners of his eyes. This was no place for a child to be wandering. Not anymore. 

Not since then. 

"Come," Thranduil breathed, "Let us get you back in bed." 

Legolas’ eyes were full of shame and humility. His teeth clenched together, feeling quite foolish for allowing his childish antics escape. “I apologize for asking Adar.” His head was now bowed, for no longer did he feel worthy of looking into the stars, or even at Thranduil. His gaze was not so important enough to look upon his Father in these times. 

Pale hands were suddenly empty, and he felt his heart break within him. Was he truly so distanced from the King that no longer was he allowed the simply contact? “I have not.” He answered, swallowing thickly, out of shame. “I do not look to many for such companionship.” Legolas was often coy around his kin, he rarely voiced his emotions to those he did not trust, and because so, came off as aloof. 

Those same fingers that had once been warm now clenched as he inhaled a strained breath. “I fear I have caused you distress, perhaps I should retire.” The Prince felt the tightness in his throat and the sting in his eyes. They were not familiar feelings, though not foreign to him. 

Well, that was unexpected. He turned to gaze upon his son with a look of concern, his eyebrows knitting together in some need to understand. His shoulders heaved with a deep inhalation, lips pursing into a thin line. 

"The world causes me distress, Utinu. Had you caused me such, would it not be I to leave your presence?" His words hinged on a positive, almost songly note of amusement. Regardless of the situation at hand, he changed the subject back to his inquisition, folding his hands together in front of him, one hand fondling gently the stone placed upon silver bands. "It is not as if you are rushed. A mate is one who is yours for life, whom shall be with you in the lands of the Valar... someone you will, undoubtedly, see again." 

Pain swaddled his heart and leaped within his throat, but the calm visage of the king attempted to keep that at bay, save for his eyes. The son of Oropher's eyes were like windows, ever gentle and as glassy as the sky on a brisk, Spring morning. They held all the answers to what his heart desired, to the fears that plagued him on cold, Winter nights. They told the tales of his dreams and of nightmares that took hold of those whom he held most dear... 

Thranduil's voice took on a different tone, firm and yet fearful, a set of apprehensive digits reaching toward the prince: 

                                    "You will stay with me." 

Ｏｎｅ Ｂｒｉｇｈｔ Ｅｖｅ - (Thranduil and Legolas)

A young Elfling, having crawled from his high bed and through the castle he had already so quickly mastered. Tears were in the princeling’s weary eyes, he had gone looking for his beloved Adar only to find his bed empty and his study unoccupied. 

"Ada..?" Came a gentle voice, a little fist rubbed at emerald eyes and pulled at messy braids. "Are you here Ada..?" 

Of course Legolas was far too young to be wandering around Mirkwood without guidance, yet he was never one to follow rules so easily. Being that his deep love for Thranduil was so intense he would follow him anywhere if only to be tucked back into bed moments later. 

The world stood still, the King's breathing silent as he waited to be granted audience. His fingers moved toward the blade at his waist, expression ever-alert and attuned to his surroundings. 

He moved slowly, creeping along the creaking wood of the root he stood upon. The darkness that showered over him hid his form, save for the bright eyes that peered out from their sockets. Moonlight struck just right the hair upon his head, creating an intricate weaving of gold and silver, the reflection of the stars overhead casting an almost pool-like face upon his stance. 

He turned quickly around the bark of the wide tree, expression one of both alarm and anger, before it softened considerably. A shaken breath left him as he reached out, his legs bracing themselves against the wood below him so that he was able to crouch. 

The look upon his face was both scolding and relieved, his tone firm, yet gentle. For the tears his son sported were enough to cause him worry, enough to cause him calm... ever-emotional was Thranduil, who reached for the elfling before him. 

"Utinu... why have you come outside? Have not I told you to stay within the safety of our walls?"

Legolas clasped his other hand securely over he and Thranduil’s. The way his Father had seemed almost frightened by the contact didn’t settle well with the younger Elf. What had happened to his dear Adar? Though he had not the courage to ask so abruptly, perhaps over wine when their spirits were freer he could ask.

Bright eyes gazed above him, using only his memory of the forest as a guide on order not to falter in his steps. Though the question quickly pulled his mind from above and back down to the dark ground, “As of late..” He pondered aloud. “I know not, The duties of a Prince often weigh me down, I have been remaining by the guards, practicing with them.” He explained before casting his gaze upwards once more.

"And yourself Ada..?" He let the familiar childhood title escape his lips, which brought a gentle blush to his cheeks. He hoped Thranduil would not go rigid.  

Thranduil let his eyes trail from the sky and to the hands that enveloped his own, the touch of his son's flesh brushing over and placing pressure against the gaudy ring upon his index finger. His gaze lingered for quite a while, the moment seeming to freeze around them, before he allowed his ears to open at the familiar name. It bothered him little, letting his eyes move from their flesh and to his son's boyish countenance. 

"You know as well as I do that I've little time for recreational activities," He replied, turning his face upward so that it was bathed within moonlight. Bright optics peered from their corners upon his son's eyes: Like vibrant, moonlit gems they sat upon his face, staring upon him with a familiarity that caused his heart to clench. 

"It is good that you have found yourself something to busy your time," He inhaled after a moment, tugging his pale digits away from those that had closed around them. "However, I must inquire, for my nature as your father instills within me an intense curiosity; have you yet found a person with which to share your wholeness?"