The Prince of Mirkwood

Chapter 2

Legolas had begun to develop.

His steps were no longer clumsy, or clumpy.

His ears grew into subtle elvish points, and his movements bore elegance - that of a prince.

Thranduil had taken his son out with the bow he had gifted to him. The king himself had carved it into it's splendid, smooth figure.

"No, no, no, my son," The Elven king chided, his slender hands positioning Legolas' s arms into a straight posture.

His son grunted in annoyance.

"I know!" The stubborn prince snapped.

His father shook his head, sighing inwardly as he gently turned Legolas towards the target.

"Alright, son. Reach your right hand back and take an arrow- slowly now. This is your first time, remember."

The blonde haired elf clamped his mouth shut in concentration, his icy blue gaze narrowed as he slowly took an arrow.

Thranduil nodded.

"Good. Now, legolas, I'll help you with this part."

The prince, once again, groaned as his father softly took his son's two arms and position himself behind him. He locked the arrow onto the thin band of material and pulled back slowly.

"Have you got hold of the string, legolas? That's it, one finger either side of the arrow."

Thranduil slowly let go of his son, cautiously stepping away.

"Close one eye, pull back your whole arm. Keep your breathing steady as you aim."

Legolas began to pull backwards, steadying his hands before letting go. The arrow wobbled slighty in the air before lodging itself into the rim of the target.

"I did it!" Legolas laughed, running towards his father in excitement.

Thranduil kept a straight face, amusement glinting in his silver gaze.

"Good job, son," he praised with a curt nod, his large hand meeting in the middle of his chest.

The silver headed king extended a hand towards his son. Legolas awkwardly placed the bow on his back and took his father's hand as he led him back inside.

The small prince was greeted by a red headed she elf. " I  hit a target with my bow and arrow!" Legolas boasted, eyes closed contently.

The she elf snorted, eyes narrowed. "That's only because your father's a king. That's why he lets you go out so much!"

Thranduil's cold gaze snapped towards the youngling. "Tauriel..." he warned, leading his son away towards his chamber.

"Get some sleep, Legolas." He ordered, striding away almost immediately. His long  robe sweeped the ground as he left.

Legolas sighed, staring around the room aimlessly. "Alright.." he muttered, half to himself. His father had already left, anyway.

[ yes, I am aware that Tauriel is not in the books, but I needed another character for young Legolas to become friends with ]