Post by Admin on Jan 7, 2021 4:30:36 GMT
Author: Erulisse (one L)
Summary: Legolas followed a Mirkwood tradition shortly before he returned to the Greenwood for almost two years. What has happened to the gift he gave Aragorn's son on his Presentation Day?
Characters/Pairing: Legolas, Aragorn, Eldarion, Arwen
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Book/Source: The Lord of the Rings
Disclaimer: Tolkien built the sandbox; I only play with the bucket and shovel that he left for me. No money, profit or non, is made from the publication of this story.
Legolas gazed into the distance. The city of Gondor shone in the waning sunlight about an hour's ride ahead of him. It was more than two years since he had last seen the great gates or the blood-soaked earth of the Pelennor Fields. When the sun rose he continue on his way to his own lands in fair Ithilien. But tonight he planned to visit an old friend - the newly-crowned king. He would deliver letters from Imladris, Mirkwood and Lothlórien to Aragorn. I won't get any closer to Ithilien and my own home if I don't keep moving toward the city, he thought as he urged his horse forward.
Two others accompanied him. His childhood friend Tauron had left his Mirkwood home to begin a new life assisting Legolas in his attempt to renew Ithilien. King Thranduil had been sorry to see him go. His skills with singing to the plants had helped transform the gardens of the king, allowing several ongoing gardens in the woodland fastness. His techniques enabled the harvesting of mature crops throughout the year by planting in different areas of the compound and using different lighting and temperatures to control the plant growth. The rare years of starvation that had occurred in the Greenwood in past years had been virtually eliminated under his shepherding.
The other companion was Legolas' brother-in-heart, Gimli. The elves from Mirkwood and a few from Lothlorien had spent an unexpectedly pleasant fortnight in the realm of the newest Dwarvish King before continuing their journey south. Even the most jaded of the company had to admit awe when confronted by the Glittering Caves that were Gimli's new home. Several of his relations and many other dwarves looking for a new start had journeyed to join the young King's new holding and were already working hard at transforming the already beautiful caves into breathtaking artwork of stone and refracted light. Legolas, Tauron and the other elves who were accompanying them had admired both the aesthetics and joy in artistry that the dwarves demonstrated.
The three riders entered Minas Tirith. As they passed through the open portcullis and gates, they saw few signs remained of the destruction the city had experienced a few short years before. Legolas noticed Gimli casting a critical eye over the new towers and the heavy cast bronze gates featuring the White Tree surmounted by seven stars and the crown of the king.
“Is all to your satisfaction, Gimli?” he asked.
“Hmmmmf,” was the only response.
The two elves looked at each other, their eyes glimmering with unexpressed humor. They knew this was as close to voicing approval as the dwarf was likely to give.
Soon the small party arrived at the stables at the sixth level. Here they relinquished their horses who were welcomed with nickers by the few errand and messenger horses stabled at this level, awaiting the orders of the king. The building looked clean and light-filled with the final rays of the day's sun. Fresh hay was ready in each stall.
The stable master waved the elves along. “My boy will take care of brushing your beasts down, M'Lords. Donna you worry, all'l be as if you're doin' it yourselz.” He bobbed a quick but respectful bow in the general direction of the elves and dwarf, and began to walk away from them.
Legolas noted the man was wearing a peg leg on his right lower leg and walked away from them with a slight limp as he approached the first of their two horses. One more victim of this war. Still, he seems to have found a good place for himself and seems happy to care for the animals. Turning his attention back to his companions, he joined them as they began climbing to the final level. A short, steep walk later the three companions entered the Courtyard of the Tree.
“Is that…?” Tauron asked.
“Yes.” said Legolas.
“It's grown a good bit since we were last here, eh elf?” Gimli remarked.
The Prince nodded his agreement as they paid their respects to the Tree and continued walking toward the citadel door. Two guards barred their entrance, requesting their identities.
“M'Lords, if you would wait here, word will be sent to the King.” A runner was sent to the king's chambers. He returned with instructions to allow the three friends immediate access to the Citadel and a guide to Aragorn's family rooms. They followed their guide up a long flight of stairs and walked to the side hallway. A door opened in the wall up ahead and a shout of welcome broke the silence. Aragorn strode briskly to where they stood.
“Legolas, Gimli, come in, come in." The three travelers entered the private sitting room of Aragorn and Arwen as the king continued talking. The door was closed behind them. "How good it is to see both of you once more. And who is this? I don't believe I've had the pleasure?”
The two Companions were pulled into the embrace of the Returned King and hugged to within an inch of their lives. Tauron stepped back, allowing the three friends the room needed.
After the prerequisite back pounding between the three had been completed, Legolas stepped back and introduced Tauron to the king. As the new king was shaking his friend's hand enthusiastically, a high-pitched voice sounded from the doorway to Legolas' right. Turning slightly he saw Arwen chasing after a dark-haired toddler who was running toward him as fast as his legs could carry him. Arwen's hands were dripping soap bubbles and her son, for Legolas knew immediately whose child this was, was naked and clutching a large, stuffed, purple spider.
"'Eggas, 'Eggas! You come back!"
Legolas knelt on the floor to be closer to Eldarion's height and opened his arms to catch the running boy.
"'Eggas, ook! Ookie is all c'ean too!"
The elf wrapped the youngster up in a bear hug holding him firmly and tipped him upside down. Eldarion squealed with joy, holding tightly onto one of the eight legs of the spider as his own legs kicked out.
"So, Eldarion, you're all clean now?" Legolas asked, as he stood, still holding the naked youngster. He turned to Arwen, giving her a quick bow and then moved to her, kissing each of her cheeks.
"Yes, 'Eggas. Me and Ookie. All c'ean."
"And Ookie is?" Legolas asked as he looked around the room seeking a second toddler or a servant with wet hair who may have been bathing the energetic scion of Aragorn.
"Oh, Ookie!" Aragon laughed. "Ookie is the spider. I'm not sure that Arwen will ever truly forgive you for that gift."
The eyebrows of the Woodland elf raised as he looked at the queen, but he turned his attention back to the child who was wriggling and asking to be let down.
Arwen spoke up, while stretching her hand out to her errant son. "Come, ion. Let's get you dressed and then you can spend time with Legolas, Gimli and his other friend." Eldarion, satisfied with the bargain offered, ran to his mother and put his hand into hers. "We'll be back shortly, gentlemen. Beloved, perhaps you would tell Legolas about the success of his gift while your heir gets dry and dressed." The two left the sitting room, the side door closing softly behind them.
Aragorn walked over to a sideboard. "Could I offer you something to drink, my friends? We have a fine light wine from Dol Amroth, ale from Rohan, and also tea and juice. After beverages were distributed, Aragorn led them to a sheltered patio that continued in a paved pathway to the Queen's Garden.
"So tell me Aragorn," Legolas began. "Ookie? Where did the spider get that name and why will Arwen not forgive me?"
"I'm sure you remember when you first gave Ookie to Eldarion," the king replied.
"Yes, it was on his Presentation Day. I stopped by here on my way back to the Greenwood. I wanted to see my father again and gather any of our people who were willing to move south with me to Ithilien. I made the spider for your son when he was born. It is a traditional gift for young children in Mirkwood."
“I've always wondered why one of your most feared enemies is the creature most often chosen for a stuffed animal companion for your young,” Aragorn mused. “However, humans make stuffed animal companions in the form of dragons, bears and wolves, so I can hardly criticize.
“But to return to the tale. Arwen has a great fear of spiders, so she never took to your gift. She would say "Take that ooglie thing away from me," and "How can you stand being near that ooglie spider, Eldarion?" Several times she attempted to take it away and put it into a chest, but Eldarion burst into tears and was inconsolable until the spider was returned to him. He takes it everywhere with him, to meals, to playtime and always to bed. He sleeps curled up with Ookie to this day.
“Everytime Arwen would see him with the spider she would call it 'ooglie'. Soon Eldarion was learning how to speak one of the first things he said, after 'Ada' of course, was 'Ookie'. He has called the spider by that name ever since.”
The four looked at each other and began chuckling. Soon the room filled with laughter as they each realized the full implications of Arwen's vocal aversion to the stuffed spider.
“And he still sleeps with it?” Legolas asked after the merriment had calmed down.
“Oh yes,” Aragorn said. “He refuses to be separated from it. I assume that will only last as long as his receiving his first blade, bow and steed, but until then Ookie is his best friend and confidant.”
“Truly, he has inherited your diplomatic skill."
Aragorn looked at Legolas questioningly.
Legolas nodded and continued, "After all, he is sleeping with the enemy."
As Eldarion and Arwen came out to the patio to join the four, they wondered why the laughter increased when Eldarion and Ookie came to stand at Legolas' side.
Summary: Legolas followed a Mirkwood tradition shortly before he returned to the Greenwood for almost two years. What has happened to the gift he gave Aragorn's son on his Presentation Day?
Characters/Pairing: Legolas, Aragorn, Eldarion, Arwen
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Book/Source: The Lord of the Rings
Disclaimer: Tolkien built the sandbox; I only play with the bucket and shovel that he left for me. No money, profit or non, is made from the publication of this story.
Legolas gazed into the distance. The city of Gondor shone in the waning sunlight about an hour's ride ahead of him. It was more than two years since he had last seen the great gates or the blood-soaked earth of the Pelennor Fields. When the sun rose he continue on his way to his own lands in fair Ithilien. But tonight he planned to visit an old friend - the newly-crowned king. He would deliver letters from Imladris, Mirkwood and Lothlórien to Aragorn. I won't get any closer to Ithilien and my own home if I don't keep moving toward the city, he thought as he urged his horse forward.
Two others accompanied him. His childhood friend Tauron had left his Mirkwood home to begin a new life assisting Legolas in his attempt to renew Ithilien. King Thranduil had been sorry to see him go. His skills with singing to the plants had helped transform the gardens of the king, allowing several ongoing gardens in the woodland fastness. His techniques enabled the harvesting of mature crops throughout the year by planting in different areas of the compound and using different lighting and temperatures to control the plant growth. The rare years of starvation that had occurred in the Greenwood in past years had been virtually eliminated under his shepherding.
The other companion was Legolas' brother-in-heart, Gimli. The elves from Mirkwood and a few from Lothlorien had spent an unexpectedly pleasant fortnight in the realm of the newest Dwarvish King before continuing their journey south. Even the most jaded of the company had to admit awe when confronted by the Glittering Caves that were Gimli's new home. Several of his relations and many other dwarves looking for a new start had journeyed to join the young King's new holding and were already working hard at transforming the already beautiful caves into breathtaking artwork of stone and refracted light. Legolas, Tauron and the other elves who were accompanying them had admired both the aesthetics and joy in artistry that the dwarves demonstrated.
The three riders entered Minas Tirith. As they passed through the open portcullis and gates, they saw few signs remained of the destruction the city had experienced a few short years before. Legolas noticed Gimli casting a critical eye over the new towers and the heavy cast bronze gates featuring the White Tree surmounted by seven stars and the crown of the king.
“Is all to your satisfaction, Gimli?” he asked.
“Hmmmmf,” was the only response.
The two elves looked at each other, their eyes glimmering with unexpressed humor. They knew this was as close to voicing approval as the dwarf was likely to give.
Soon the small party arrived at the stables at the sixth level. Here they relinquished their horses who were welcomed with nickers by the few errand and messenger horses stabled at this level, awaiting the orders of the king. The building looked clean and light-filled with the final rays of the day's sun. Fresh hay was ready in each stall.
The stable master waved the elves along. “My boy will take care of brushing your beasts down, M'Lords. Donna you worry, all'l be as if you're doin' it yourselz.” He bobbed a quick but respectful bow in the general direction of the elves and dwarf, and began to walk away from them.
Legolas noted the man was wearing a peg leg on his right lower leg and walked away from them with a slight limp as he approached the first of their two horses. One more victim of this war. Still, he seems to have found a good place for himself and seems happy to care for the animals. Turning his attention back to his companions, he joined them as they began climbing to the final level. A short, steep walk later the three companions entered the Courtyard of the Tree.
“Is that…?” Tauron asked.
“Yes.” said Legolas.
“It's grown a good bit since we were last here, eh elf?” Gimli remarked.
The Prince nodded his agreement as they paid their respects to the Tree and continued walking toward the citadel door. Two guards barred their entrance, requesting their identities.
“M'Lords, if you would wait here, word will be sent to the King.” A runner was sent to the king's chambers. He returned with instructions to allow the three friends immediate access to the Citadel and a guide to Aragorn's family rooms. They followed their guide up a long flight of stairs and walked to the side hallway. A door opened in the wall up ahead and a shout of welcome broke the silence. Aragorn strode briskly to where they stood.
“Legolas, Gimli, come in, come in." The three travelers entered the private sitting room of Aragorn and Arwen as the king continued talking. The door was closed behind them. "How good it is to see both of you once more. And who is this? I don't believe I've had the pleasure?”
The two Companions were pulled into the embrace of the Returned King and hugged to within an inch of their lives. Tauron stepped back, allowing the three friends the room needed.
After the prerequisite back pounding between the three had been completed, Legolas stepped back and introduced Tauron to the king. As the new king was shaking his friend's hand enthusiastically, a high-pitched voice sounded from the doorway to Legolas' right. Turning slightly he saw Arwen chasing after a dark-haired toddler who was running toward him as fast as his legs could carry him. Arwen's hands were dripping soap bubbles and her son, for Legolas knew immediately whose child this was, was naked and clutching a large, stuffed, purple spider.
"'Eggas, 'Eggas! You come back!"
Legolas knelt on the floor to be closer to Eldarion's height and opened his arms to catch the running boy.
"'Eggas, ook! Ookie is all c'ean too!"
The elf wrapped the youngster up in a bear hug holding him firmly and tipped him upside down. Eldarion squealed with joy, holding tightly onto one of the eight legs of the spider as his own legs kicked out.
"So, Eldarion, you're all clean now?" Legolas asked, as he stood, still holding the naked youngster. He turned to Arwen, giving her a quick bow and then moved to her, kissing each of her cheeks.
"Yes, 'Eggas. Me and Ookie. All c'ean."
"And Ookie is?" Legolas asked as he looked around the room seeking a second toddler or a servant with wet hair who may have been bathing the energetic scion of Aragorn.
"Oh, Ookie!" Aragon laughed. "Ookie is the spider. I'm not sure that Arwen will ever truly forgive you for that gift."
The eyebrows of the Woodland elf raised as he looked at the queen, but he turned his attention back to the child who was wriggling and asking to be let down.
Arwen spoke up, while stretching her hand out to her errant son. "Come, ion. Let's get you dressed and then you can spend time with Legolas, Gimli and his other friend." Eldarion, satisfied with the bargain offered, ran to his mother and put his hand into hers. "We'll be back shortly, gentlemen. Beloved, perhaps you would tell Legolas about the success of his gift while your heir gets dry and dressed." The two left the sitting room, the side door closing softly behind them.
Aragorn walked over to a sideboard. "Could I offer you something to drink, my friends? We have a fine light wine from Dol Amroth, ale from Rohan, and also tea and juice. After beverages were distributed, Aragorn led them to a sheltered patio that continued in a paved pathway to the Queen's Garden.
"So tell me Aragorn," Legolas began. "Ookie? Where did the spider get that name and why will Arwen not forgive me?"
"I'm sure you remember when you first gave Ookie to Eldarion," the king replied.
"Yes, it was on his Presentation Day. I stopped by here on my way back to the Greenwood. I wanted to see my father again and gather any of our people who were willing to move south with me to Ithilien. I made the spider for your son when he was born. It is a traditional gift for young children in Mirkwood."
“I've always wondered why one of your most feared enemies is the creature most often chosen for a stuffed animal companion for your young,” Aragorn mused. “However, humans make stuffed animal companions in the form of dragons, bears and wolves, so I can hardly criticize.
“But to return to the tale. Arwen has a great fear of spiders, so she never took to your gift. She would say "Take that ooglie thing away from me," and "How can you stand being near that ooglie spider, Eldarion?" Several times she attempted to take it away and put it into a chest, but Eldarion burst into tears and was inconsolable until the spider was returned to him. He takes it everywhere with him, to meals, to playtime and always to bed. He sleeps curled up with Ookie to this day.
“Everytime Arwen would see him with the spider she would call it 'ooglie'. Soon Eldarion was learning how to speak one of the first things he said, after 'Ada' of course, was 'Ookie'. He has called the spider by that name ever since.”
The four looked at each other and began chuckling. Soon the room filled with laughter as they each realized the full implications of Arwen's vocal aversion to the stuffed spider.
“And he still sleeps with it?” Legolas asked after the merriment had calmed down.
“Oh yes,” Aragorn said. “He refuses to be separated from it. I assume that will only last as long as his receiving his first blade, bow and steed, but until then Ookie is his best friend and confidant.”
“Truly, he has inherited your diplomatic skill."
Aragorn looked at Legolas questioningly.
Legolas nodded and continued, "After all, he is sleeping with the enemy."
As Eldarion and Arwen came out to the patio to join the four, they wondered why the laughter increased when Eldarion and Ookie came to stand at Legolas' side.