Unusual Little One

Chapter One: Kingly Stroll

It was no secret that Thrandruil stayed away from outside affairs, seldom contacting anyone other leaders and kings, yet as he took a stroll around the forest within his lands he came across something he didn’t expect, a very small human child, the little girl could barely stand let alone walk she was far too young, so how did she end up there?.  It wasn’t easy for anyone to reach his City, let alone a small child, the forest should lead them astray unless they already know the path.  

He had almost considered leaving the child, not wanting to bother with something so well, fragile, but he sent the guards that refuse to leave his side away in search for someone, anyone that this ‘human’ could belong to leaving him alone with the child.  That for some reason didn’t seem as scared as they should be, instead the little girl fumbled her way towards the stoic king, curious eyes gazing up to him.  
“What do you want child?” his tone was harsh attempting to put off her advances, but there was no hesitation in the child.  Thranduil believed it was purely because she was far too young to understand fear.

The little girl stopped at his feet, reaching for his flowing coat, she rubbed her tiny hand against the extravagant fabric, her touch barely moved it, she was so gentle.  The little girl reminded him of Legolas when he was a child, always so curious, so kind, gentle, and caring, he took after his mother in a lot of ways, if only he had been a better father to him, he should have spoken to him about his mother, told him about the lives Thranduil and her shared, it was probably one of his biggest regrets when it came to Legolas, the other was letting him go so freely.

Thranduil glanced down to the girl, her attention was taken by a something rustling within a bush.  Most likely a rabbit or the likes, but the rustling should have scared her, at the very least make her nervous, but she stared with wonder in her eyes, waiting for whatever it was showed itself.  Thranduil sighed loudly, taking his eyes off the girl. He looked around the area, in search for his guards, but they were nowhere to be seen or heard, where could the have gone?. A suddenly shuffling startled him, it was coming from the bushes nearby.  His eyes quickly darted down to the child but she was gone, she had managed to maneuver her way towards the bush, her curiosity getting the better of her. Unfortuniatly, there was a bit of an obstacle between her and the bush, one that would surely hurt her.  With in seconds, Thranduil had scoped up the child, holding her away from him, in almost comical disgust, his actions were just in time too, the child was close to falling. He was going to put her down again, regretting ever staying there with her, 
“I should have gone home and let my guards deal with this” he said out loud to himself and the child. 
“Not that you could ever understand me human” 

As he bent down to place her on the ground, he realised how cold she was, the first trapped the heat, but still it often carried a cold chill.  He thought a moment, it wasn’t like he was a cruel being, though, in the end he wrapped the girl up in his coat, cradling her gently yet reluctantly in his arms.  The child was happy though, making bubbly noises while staring up at the elf kings face, a few giggles later, the child yawn, for her it was nap time, so already being comfy and warm now, she snuggled further into Thranduil’s arms, letting herself fall asleep in his arms.
“Really child?” he mumbled to himself, how could she simply trust a stranger?, even if she was a child, there should have been some nervousness there.  Yet merely seconds later she was sleeping soundly.  

Thranduil glanced down to the child, it reminded him of when he held Legolas, how he snuggled into him and how Thranduil tightened his grip.  While he was lost in his memories, his instincts had taken over, as his arms tightened around the girl making sure she was comfy, warm and more importantly safe.

He started thinking up scenarios in his mind, why was the innocent child here, so far of any travelled path, far from any human holds.  
“Who abandoned you?” he asked no one in particular.  

Realising that his guards would be a while, Thranduil settled himself down on a rock, ignoring the fact that he would probably get dirty, of course, he did so carefully, not wanting to disturb the little being in his arms.  So innocent, so lost. Thranduil knew he was becoming attached to her, this little human girl.  

He snapped himself out of these thoughts, forcing the emotions away.  He had to think logically, what would he gain from becoming attached to a human child anyway?.  Whether the guards found her family or not, Thranduil would be sending her off to some human settlement.  As his thoughts where on other things, his guards had returned.  
“We found some human bodies, not far from here” one spoke.  Thranduil looked down to the child, she hadn’t stirred.  
“Take me to them” Thranduil ordered.  With care he stood up, allowing his guards to lead him to the bodies, all the while taking care to allow the child to sleep.  When his eyes fell on the bodies, a Woman, A man, and an older child. Thranduil knew instantly the cause of their death. Orcs, though the fight at the City of Dale, a few Orcs continued to roam the lands, chasing down anyone that crossed their paths, it always ended it merciless deaths.  From what laid in front of Thranduil, he hand guessed the three humans that laid in front of him had fled from somewhere, 
“We also found a cart, raided, at the edge of Mirkwood, it looks like they were forced into the woods” a guard had noted. 

Thranduil had come to the conclusion that the three laying before him and the child in his arms were family, perhaps searching for a home when they were hunted by Orcs, Thranduil guessed that the child was left, in hopes of survival, it would be a better option than to be left to the barbaric ways of the Orcs.  Thranduil glanced back down, the child had begun to stir. She fidgeted in his arms a little. His mind working overtime, trying to come up with the best option, the safest route for the child. The closest settlement was Dale. surely someone there would take on the responsibilities of looking at the child, but at the moment, it was getting late, and with Orcs out there on his lands, it wasn’t safe for the child to travel, even if he sent his best, he just couldn’t bring himself to let her go.  Not yet at least.
“I want these Orcs found” Thranduil ordered.  
“What of the dead?” someone asked, 
“I believe humans bury their dead” He was going to suggest burying them right there, but once glance at the child in his arms, and his mind was changed, “Take them somewhere else and bury them” 

With that sorted, Thranduil and one other guard made their way back home.  The little girl in his arms, had woken fully, and was raring to go, her eyes happily glanced up to him, his heart ached, now knowing that her family was gone and she didn’t know, she wouldn’t even understand.  

Thranduil entered his kingdom, with all the nobility of a king, usually people would bow their heads, but they were so taken back by the human child in his arms, it was like they had forgotten, how to act in front of their king.  Thranduil kept his face stoic, not noticing the stares and ignoring the playful child. Once in this throne room, he only then handed the child over to a main, with the orders of taking care of the girl she left quickly.  

Once the child was out of his sight and he no longer heard the chuckling from her, he was finally able to focus on logic again.  First thing in the morning he would send the girl away to Dale, it was settled.