Title: Elf On The Run
Author: Anestel
Email: swordswornofrohan@yahoo.com
Website: www.livejournal.com/users/anestel
Rating: PG
Beta: Orchyd Constyne
Cast: Legolas, Thranduil, Glorfindel, Erestor, Elrond, and various others
Disclaimer: It's Tolkien's baseball diamond; I just play with the balls.
Summary: After hearing a story about heroes, Legolas goes exploring and 
inadvertently captors a band of 'Orcs'. 
A/N: Part two in my "Adventures of Legolas Series" and takes place a 
year after "A Bag of Sweets and a Bundle of Trouble".

Chapter One
 
"Glorfindel!" Legolas squealed as he ran to the blond Elf who was 
dismounting from Asfaloth. "Tell me a story!" he commanded, latching 
onto Glorfindel's leg.

The blond Balrog-slayer peered down at the Elfling with a grin. He picked 
Legolas up, and the Elfling immediately wrapped his arms around the 
Elda's neck. "What story do you want to hear, little one?"

Legolas' face became a mask of deep concentration. "I wanna hear a story 
about..." he began biting on his fingernail as he thought. "An adventure 
with heroes!" he demanded.

Glorfindel chuckled, his blue eyes sparkling. "I had a feeling you would 
say that." He grabbed his bag and headed towards the gardens, and located 
a bench for them to sit on.

Legolas settled in Glorfindel's lap, keeping his arms around the Elda's 
neck. "Tell me a story now!" the child insisted.

"Be patient, Lassen," Glorfindel chuckled. "Let me think for a moment."

Legolas squirmed on Glorfindel's lap impatiently, biting his lip to keep 
from hurrying the Elda.

Glorfindel chuckled as Legolas wiggled; sighing, he began to weave a tale 
filled with adventure and heroes and monsters. As he completed the story, 
he smiled down at the awe-struck Elfling.

Legolas eyes sparkled with excitement as Glorfindel's voice faded. "I 
wanna be like Gil-galad!" he declared excitedly.

Glorfindel kissed the Prince on his forehead. "I am sure you will grow up 
to be a brave warrior and hero to many," Glorfindel told the boy.

Legolas beamed at Glorfindel before jumping off his lap and running into 
the house excitedly. 

~~~

That night, dinner was busy affair -- which was not uncommon for 
Thranduil's halls. Thranduil seated Legolas beside him on his left, he had 
placed Elrond next to him on his right, and Glorfindel and Erestor sat 
Elrond. 

"Ada," Legolas piped up, immediately demanding his father's undivided 
attention.

Thranduil stopped talking Elrond, and turned to Legolas. "What is it, 
ionen?" Thranduil asked patiently.

"I want to be like Gil-galad; Glorfindel told me this story about..." Legolas 
went on to retell the entire story, not noticing that Elrond was becoming 
uncomfortable. 

Thranduil glanced over to Elrond, immediately what was agitating the Elf-
lord. "Legolas, why do you not finish the tale tomorrow before you go to 
your lessons," the blond King offered, interrupting the non-stop chatter of 
his son.

Legolas looked crestfallen but obeyed, staring down at his plate. Thranduil 
sighed softly and glanced at Elrond. The Peredhel's face was flushed 
slightly, and Thranduil could tell his lover was terribly upset.
Glorfindel and Erestor excused themselves as quickly as possible. The 
blond Elda's face was red with shame. He had no idea Legolas would 
retell the story about Gil-galad. 

"Glorfindel, do not worry about him," Erestor said softly, taking 
Glorfindel's hand and squeezing slightly.

Glorfindel simply nodded as they walked down the corridor.

~~~

Thranduil had put Legolas to bed before beginning to prepare himself for 
the night. "Elrond, he doesn't know."

Elrond nodded, slipping under the covers. "I miss him, Thranduil," the 
Noldo whispered.

Thranduil smiled slightly, crawling onto the bed and pulling the Half-Elf 
into his arms. "Shh... Elrond, you have me now; don't dwell on the past 
again," Thranduil whispered, capturing Elrond's lips in a comforting kiss.
Elrond simply nodded, resting in his lover's protective arms until sleep 
came. Thranduil watched his peaceful face, caressed the silk skin and 
brushed his lips against Elrond's. Finally, sleep claimed the King and drew 
him down into oblivion.

~~~