The ElvenKing [A thranduil fanfiction]

Chapter 34

Greenwood T.H 2058

The first real snow of the year was still lingering, the winds growing colder for each day that passed. Everything was covered in a soft, powdery layer of white snow, hiding the yearly decay before new foliage would grow in spring. I had always loved this particular sight, and it would properly never change. Right now, I was taking a few moments to stare at the flurry of snow dusting the nearby trees while the soft thuds of Legolas' arrows rhythmically hit the target beside me. The hollow thud whenever the arrow hit the target had slowly gained strength, he was getting better at it for each arrow he shot.

Voronwë was at his side, crouched so he was able to correct the young prince's elbows. I was occasionally watching them from the corner of my eye, while also staring into the distance. It hadn't been more than a two weeks since Thranduil and I escaped out into the forest with Legolas, to go explore. The memory still brought me joy and I chuckled while crossing my arms against my chest, for comfort and for warmth. I was quite comfortable in the warmer winter uniform I had changed into this morning, but also the scarf around my neck provided me with quite a bit of warmth.

It had been then that Legolas had found me, not long after midday, and had asked if I wanted to help him practice shooting his arrows before my shift started tonight. He had already been granted permission from his father but didn't want to go with Voronwë. I had agreed because I hadn't been able to find any sleep at all this morning after Thranduil left. For some unknown reason, I had been restless and uncomfortable, almost just plain miserable. Therefore, this was a welcomed distraction, I knew would lighten my mood.

There had occasionally been a slight discomfort surging through me these days, usually in the morning when I woke up, but it had passed relatively quick each time. I suppressed a yawn and turned my attention back to Voronwë and Legolas. Voronwë was still kneeling on one knee, at Legolas' side, while adjusting his hold on the bow.

Legolas had grown quite a bit lately, he had gotten taller, almost a head taller, and so much so, that Thranduil had been annoyed that he needed new clothes again. He had also mentioned it this morning while he dressed when I had been resting comfortably under the sheets, still naked from our previous tumble in the sheets.

I smiled at the memory before observing Legolas again. His technique and form had improved greatly, the majority of his arrows no longer missed the target, and required him to collect them in some of the most peculiar places. He was tremendously proud and didn't hesitate to tell anyone who would listen of his achievements. Then Voronwë shifted to his feet, uncurling slowly while Legolas readied another arrow before he moved to stand beside me. I offered him a small smile before rotating my attention back to Legolas in front of us. "Something on your mind?" Voronwë asked and nudged an elbow into my side.

I chuckled but moved out of his reach. "I'm alright." I tried to dismiss his worry, but he usually saw right through me. He had begun to have that same uncanny ability Rüdhon always had, and it irritated me. In the many weeks following Mereth-en-Gillith, the bags under his eyes had all but vanished as he flourished under the guidance of Alagos. Voronwë had truly embraced his duties as the second-in-command. Since he and Charanthir's relationship had become known to all, he had also changed, but it wasn't just his behavior, he had grown his hair out. It had become strangely long now, already past his shoulders, but only just.