NEW LEAF (Legolas FF) | ✔️

Chapter 33: Preparations

LARALEN

We are going to look for her.

For the one who caused all of this. I admit, I was feeling all kinds of nervous. I slowly clip my cape on, and make sure my daggers are with me before swinging my bow over my shoulders. I grab my pack and head out the door and to the courtyard where everyone else was preparing.

When I arrive, I see Turwaithiel and Legolas in some kind of whispered argument about Legolas' injuries and the amount of food Turwaithiel had packed. I smile before walking towards the horse that had been given to me. I approach it cautiously. Never would I have imagined I would actually be riding horses and into dangerous woods looking for someone I had never met.

The horse huffs as I approach, making me stop on my tracks. I reach out a hand and let it come to me, when it does I breathe out a sigh of relief.

"Even horses easily grow fond of you," a voice speaks behind me making me jump and turn around. I see Lord Elrond with his ever so kind expression. He looks at me before approaching and the horse quickly abandons my hand to ask attention from him. I manage a smile watching as he seemed to interact with the beast in a language I have yet to learn.

"What do you mean I cannot go with you?" The Queen's voice slices through the silent air around us. We all turn to see her appear from a corner, following an obviously disgruntled King. "Thranduil, you cannot simply expect me to stay here and sit about while all of you go out and risk your lives-"

"I expect exactly that, Mathaniel." The King replied, turning to face her. "Why must you argue?" This seems to quiet her for a moment as the rest of our hunting pack join us. Lindethiel seems to look more tired than usual, her blue eyes missing that familiar glint. I notice her move abruptly away from Falasdir as he approached her. My eyes travel to the twins then, as they seemed to be preoccupied with a heated discussion of their own.

"I am not arguing, I simply do not want to be confined behind walls-" Mantheniel continues but stopped when Thranduil took a step toward her. He seemed really tall then, but Mantheniel seemed really determined. I can see why they work well together, even if they look as incompatible as fire and ice.

"I need you to not argue with me right now," Thranduil continues, his voice dropping low, almost as if he was pleading with her. I look away, busying myself with fastening the pack to the horses saddle.

"Please, Matheniel. I cannot risk you, of all people. Especially now, with your condition," he says and I don't have to turn around to know he has one hand over her abdomen.

"But Thranduil-"

"Please, just for now. Just for now."

They fall into silence and I turn my head slightly to find him holding her close to him. Her face was still full of determination but I knew she would give in.

"I do not wish to lose you again, I have lost you far too many times to last a lifetime," he soothes, holding her closer to him. They seem so comfortable. Everyone seems so comfortable with their intimacy, It was hard to look away.

"But I can still help, I can still fight," Matheniel seems to say, a feeble attempt. I hear the King let out a chuckle before he sighs and places a kiss on top of her head.

"I know you can, I would never doubt your skills Mantheniel but now, just let me protect you...both of you."

This seems to win the argument as the queen childishly pouts and gives in. She then turns and finds Lindethiel who seemed not to eager to see her, despite it, the queen slowly makes her way over to her, leaving the King to talk to Falasdir. A small figure appeared and came bounding up towards me. I welcomed Bleon into my arms, his long hair seemed to annoy him as he kept brushing them off his face.