paradisalogs | (no subject)

Who: Legolas and YOU
What: Legolas is on a bitty loss. Whoops! Hope that thing he’s climbing isn’t important to you. Or that you don’t notice a small elf following you and hiding (conspicuously) behind something.
When: Jan. 22nd to Feb. 5th
Where: Inside the castle, in the garden, in the forest- Anywhere, really.
Rating: C for cute

On the morning on the twenty-second, Legolas woke up not as a five-hundred year old elf with amazing skill with a bow but the equivalent of a six year old elfling who enjoyed climbing things. So several people will see a small elf with golden hair around his shoulders and bright eyes running through the halls.

And without any previous knowledge of the castle or people there. His priority, surprisingly, was not finding a familiar face but exploring. A whole new place available for a small elf child to run through and find things to climb!

He could also be sliding down the railing of the stairs into the lobby with a delighted squeal, or trying to climb the shelves in the library. Legolas could also be running through the garden and kicking around snow, throwing snowballs or going into the forest to try to find a tall tree to climb. Probably not the best idea, he might get stuck in one of them. There was no limit!

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As soon as his dad kisses his forehead, Legolas wraps his arms around him in a hug.

"I am always good!" So he claims. And as long as dad doesn't hear about him being anything but good... well, it leaves room to have fun.

"You are sometimes good," Thranduil responds dryly, but holds him tight in a return of the hug all the same. "And you should learn to be good more of the time. I may not always be there to look after you, after all."

Thranduil was here less thinking of similar situations to this or even death and more of how inventive Legolas could be when it came to not being found. There had been times enough when, if not for the spell of the doors, Thranduil would have been driven frantic with worry. He still was, on occasion, but knowing that his child could not have left without the gates being opened was often some measure of comfort.

It was surprising just how many hiding places Legolas could find back home without leaving. Some were even painfully obvious (to his mind) and some were especially creative. ~~Think of what he could find in Cair Paradisa.~~

"I am usually good?" He tries with his brightest smile but it falters because, really, he can't think of a time his dad won't ever be there. "You are always there though."

"Only sometimes, little leaf." But he smiled as he said it. But Legolas's bright little face dims slightly, and Thranduil strokes his cheek softly in apology.

"But I was almost not, this one time. We are at home." And he feels his heart tighten at that, and struggled not to show it. For Legolas would not be coming home, would he?

He immediately throws his arms around his father, tucking his face against Thranduil's shoulder. He doesn't like to think of his father never being there.

"Almost but you still were. Just like always." Every time he had climbed to high or done something that he'd needed his father. And always would be.

He holds him tight, hand cradling his head, the other supporting him, wrapped around him and holding him close. He did not argue, he had no need to, and no reason to wish Legolas pain. But neither did he lie, and so he did not.

"Only promise me you will be careful." And in that there's echos of what he could have said to him again, when he was older. But that was beyond hope, surely.

He's happy to just stay like that, wrapped up in his fathers arms. And he doesn't even think that there might be something bother Thranduil aside from his mischief.

"I promise. I will be more careful than anyone."

"See that you are, little leaf. I only have you here, nobody else. I'd be very lonely if I couldn't find you as well." Could not find. If he died, or went away. Even back home, Thranduil did not have many.

"I will be. I'm never going to leave you. Not ever." He doesn't want his father to ever be lonely. Even when he's older and can't get as many hugs, he'll stay there just to keep him from being lonely.

He doesn't contradict him, even if he already knows the statement is false. He only holds him a little tighter, and feels as he does as though he is counting seconds. Because it would never be long enough.

Legolas certainly doesn't realize it and he doesn't really take note that Thranduil is holding him any tighter. Dads arms are the safest and comfiest.

It gets boring after a bit though.

"Can we go play?"

He knew it couldn't last forever.

"And what would you like to play?"

Later, once Legolas has tired himself out, he'll invite himself back into dads arms.

"You pick~"

"Ah, but you are the one who asked me." And really, Legolas would end up doing what he wanted anyway, so he might as well start as he would continue.

He looks thoughtful, almost comically so. Like this is a very very difficult decision. And, to Legolas, it really is.

"Can we go play in the snow?"

But it was good for him, and so Thranduil stayed silent and watched.

"If that is what you wish." He smiled as he said it - it was not a thing that could often be at home, after all. "You may find it colder than you expect." He was a very young elf.

"I can handle it~" Look at his face, he was confident he could do it. Just like anyone else. At least until it does get too cold for him. And then he'll try to think of a good reason to go back inside without admitting it.

He hopped out of his fathers arms and took his hand, trying to tug him towards the stairs and the door outside.

Thranduil let himself be pulled without protest - there really wasn't any reason not to go outside here, after all. "Very well, let us go."

These were the good days, when Legolas could tug his father along for his games or finding something to play. And playing outside in the snow seems like the best idea ever.

And so he let himself be led throughout the halls, gently steering Legolas in the correct directions when necessary. Oddly, they were thinking much the same thing. These days were limited, and must be made the most of while they were yet here. For, now more than ever, he knew they would not last.

Which was good because Legolas really had no idea where he was going. He was just trying to lead the way. When they finally reach the front doors and head outside, which probably took a bit longer than it should have at this point, Legolas happily lets go of his fathers hand and runs ahead into the snow.

It was easy enough to guess itself, after so long of knowing Legolas, who had changed less than might be expected as he had grown. It was also easy enough to guess his wish for independence, and to attempt to subtly humor it.

Thranduil drops Legolas's hand as they reach the outside and watches his child dart away across the snow.

Which is why Thranduil is clearly the best dad, something Legolas would argue until he was blue in the face. Especially so young a Legolas as this.

He dives into a pile of snow, peeking up after a moment and covered except for this eyes. And he watches his father for a moment before springing up with a snowball in hand and chucking it.