Snowflakes and Sniffles

Legolas Greenleaf sighed sorrowfully as he lay tucked in bed, gazing out the window at the heavy snow falling over Mirkwood forest. It was the first day of the famous Middle-Earth Yule celebration... a time for all types of festivities, but unfortunately for the young elvish princeling, he had come down with a nasty cold. He listened to the shouts and giggles from his companions as they chased each other about in the snow, and bitterly wished he could join in the fun.

"I am sorry, a'maelamin," his mother, Queen Limolande soothed in her sweet, angelic voice. "But you must rest."

"I am tired of resting, Naneth!" Legolas croaked, shivering with chills despite the heavy quilt that covered him. "Why do I always have to be ill? It is not fair!" he buried his pale face into his pillows, sobbing softly. Limolande frowned deeply, stroking his sweatsoaked hair. Her son had been a sickly baby, due to a terrible accident that had occurred. When she was eight months pregnant with Legolas, Limolande accompanied her eldest son Laivindil on an expedition through Mirkwood forest.

A band of orcs had leapt out of nowhere, attacking the Elvish company, one whacking Limolande in the stomach with the hilt of it's spear. The injury damaged the child growing inside of her, preventing Legolas' powers from developing fully. As a result, he was always falling ill in one way or another, even moreso in the winter. Only very few of their kin knew of the prince's unfortunate weakness.

"Huh--Tchooo! Tchshuuh!" Legolas sneezed hard, his head snapping forward. "Tchooo! Tushhuh!" he sniffled, rubbing his runny nose with the back of his hand.

Limolande smiled faintly, dabbing at her son's slightly red nose with her silk hanky. "Blessings." She whispered, resting palm of her hand against his forehead and cheeks. His temperature had gone risen since that morning much to her disappointment.

"Amin hiraetha, melamin." She lifted Legolas into her arms, wrapping him tightly in his quilt. He leaned against her, coughing and snuffling miserably. Limolande walked around the chamber, rubbing his back in gentle circles.

"Lay down, your sweet and weary head..." she sung softly into his ear and touching her lips to his cheek in a kiss. "Night is falling... you have come to journey's end..."

"Teh-Chushhh! Chishuuuh! Uh--Kshhh!" Legolas tightened his grip around his mother, whimpering. His head was pounding, every joint ached, and his throat felt raw.

"Bless!" Limolande closed her dark eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Sleep now..." her song continued. "dream--of the ones who came before... they are calling... from across a distant shore..." she sat down in the chair by the bed, cradling Legolas in her arms.

"Everyone h-has forgotten me, Naneth," Legolas hiccoughed. "Except for you." Despite his pain and discomfort, the gray-blue eyes were filled with immense love.

Limolande cuddled him closer. "Oh my a'maelamin. No one has forgotten you!" she insisted. "Why do you weep... what are those tears upon your face? Soon you will see... all of your fears will pass away..."

"Yes they have, Naneth." He replied, matter-of-factly. "They're all outside having a good time. And I've not received a single present!" tears filled his eyes, and his lower lip trembled.

Limolande laughed, smoothing his hair back. "Oh Legolas."

The elfling started to say something else, but all was haulted when he covered his mouth and nose with his tiny hand. "Pfshhhh! Tshhhhh!" he sniffled wetly, his breath hitching again. "Uchuff!"

"Shhh." Limolande whispered. "Amin mella lle."

Legolas closed his eyes again, clearing his throat.

There was a knock on the door a moment later, causing Limolande to jump slightly. She stood, lifting Legolas and holding him in one arm. "Half a moment, Legolas." She walked over to open the door, and smiled when she saw Thranduil standing with Adriel and Laivindil.

Adriel was a startling miniature replica of her mother, with long red hair curling at her shoulders and bright green eyes. Laivindil had brown hair and dark eyes, and Legolas looked most like Thranuil with his silky blonde hair and crystal grey-blue eyes.

"What a surprise," Limolande greeted, accepting a kiss from her husband, stepping aside to let them in.

"Hullo, Naneth," Adriel and Laivindil greeted, each looking at their brother with worry in their eyes. Legolas weakly turned his head, revealing slightly bloodshot and red-rimmed eyes.

"Hullo, mi lindor."

"We thought Legolas could use a bit of company." Another figure entered the chamber, and the heads turned towards the new voice. Celon, Legolas' guard, stood a few inches away, folding his arms and watching ill charge.

"Hushhhhush!" Legolas sneezed, causing Adriel to grimace, though it took a lot of willpower not to step back from her brother.

"Blessings." Thranduil kissed Legolas' feverish cheek.

Limolande placed Legolas back into bed, tucking him in so he was as warm as possible. Celon aided the king and queen in placing chairs all around the bed so Legolas could see everyone at once. Thranduil and Limolande sat closest to the elfling's head, each holding one of his hands.

Legolas was beaming, thrilled that his family wanted to be near him despite his illness. Celon sat at the edge of the bed, pleased by the prince's reaction. "How do you feel, Legolas?" he asked curiously.

"Stuffy," Legolas sighed. "Ad code, bud hod too." He snuffled, accepting the silk hanky once again from his mother. He blew his nose loudly, coughing to clear his congestion.

"Mmmm. Well I believe we have something to remedy that," Thranduil replied, caressing his son's forehead with his fingertips.

"Yes!" Adriel exclaimed, as Laivindil reached into the pocket of his tunic, producing a large, silver, glistening pouch. "A gift... from Aunt Galadriel and Uncle Celeborn in Lothlorien." She passed the treats to her father, who set them on the bed beside Legolas, and carefully opened the pouch. Inside lay a very large assortment of sweets and small toys handcrafted especially for the occasion... elvish soldiers in real woven tunics with tiny bows and arrows.

"For be?" Legolas gasped, his mouth hanging open. "Huhetchhhhh!" also nestled inside he found a pile of hanky's, several different colors.

"Bless!" everyone in the room told him in unison, watching as he took one of the hanky's and wiped his nose with it.

"I lig the soldiers." He complimented, taking one out and fingering it. "They're bery dice."

Limolande smiled, her eyes sparkling as she glanced up at Thranuil.

"I am glad," Thranduil replied. "There is a note from your auntie and uncle as well." He presented the parchment to Legolas.

"By eyes hurd," Legolas whispered when he attempted to read the fine script on the slightly yellowed parchment. Celon nodded in understanding.

"I'll read it." He accepted the letter from the king, and leaned back in his chair.

Legolas,
It was a sad day for us to hear that you have fallen ill during such a time. We hope that our gifts will cheer you, even if a little. I do hope you are feeling well soon and will get to enjoy the last of the Yule festivities. Much love to your family on this joyous occasion.
Galadriel & Celeborn

"Well then! Is that not very lovely!" Limolande complimented, as Adriel crawled upon her lap, snuggling against her.

Legolas smiled softly, his eyes feeling suddenly heavy. He yawned loudly, causing his family to turn towards him. "Are you going to rest my dearheart?" Limolande asked, placing one of the toy soldiers next to her son's pillow. Legolas nodded, his breathing slowing to a more natural pace as sleep did in deed take over.

"Sleep, Legolas." Limolande whispered into his pointed ear.

"Legolas?"

Legolas stood watch, the memory of his mother comforting him a great deal during the troubled time. He did not see Aragorn walking up behind him, sword in hand.

"Legolas..." the man tapped the elf on the shoulder, causing him to jump nearly a foot head. Legolas turned, his eyes slightly misted. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, Aragorn. I am just... thinking." He sniffled. "eh... YISHHHHH!" he clamped a hand over his nose, groaning.

"Blessings, my friend. I have come to relieve you. You should rest now... you have not been sounding well all day." The ranger nodded towards the circle of sleeping rolls, where the rest of the fellowship slept on, the fire burning low in the center.

"I ought," Legolas sighed. "ISHHHHH!" he sneezed again, shaking his head. "Good night, Aragorn." He gave the ranger a respectful nod, walking over to his sleeping roll. When he crawled inside of it, he gazed up at the sky filled with glistening stars. "Good night, Naneth." He whispered.