[Requested by anon on Tumblr]
"(Y/N)? Would you like to come with me to Mirkwood once this is all over?" Legolas asked you as you prepared for battle in Helm's Deep.
You stopped what you were doing and gaped at him. His words brought joy in your heart that was earlier filled with dread. Having been dropped to Middle Earth without knowing why (maybe you wished too much to be able to visit this world?), you were someone who knew a lot of things about the people of this world and about the things that can happen. But you were someone who didn't know how to fight. If you knew you'd be thrown into this someday, you would have taken self-defense classes or something.
You also got chosen to be one of the members of the Fellowship, and that is why you're here doing your best to stay alive. You've grown very close to the other members and you've shared to them some of the places that you've always wanted to visit.
They were all very fond of you as well (they saw you as their little sister) and were very eager to help you try the things you wanted to do in Middle Earth.
"You mean it, Legolas?" you asked. "I can really come with you when you go home?"
He smiled and nodded. "You told me that Mirkwood will once again be free of this darkness. You have given me hope by saying this. And I want you to see it too. Of course books can take you to many places but it won't show you everything. Now you have the opportunity to see it with your own eyes."
You beamed at the elf and ran to him with open arms. He nearly toppled over as you threw yourself at him, wrapping your arms around his waist. When he realized what just happened, Legolas chuckled and returned your hug.
"Thank you, Legolas!" you said, your voice muffled. "Thank you!"
"It's the least that I could do for everything you've done for us, (Y/N)."
As promised, when everything was over, you packed your things and followed Legolas and Gimli. They intended to visit their homes first before going off to another adventure. Legolas offered Gimli to guide him through Mirkwood so that he could reach Erebor faster.
There was indeed a change in the atmosphere the moment you stepped past the statue into Mirkwood. There were still dead plants around the area but the woods seemed to whisper in joy. The air seemed fresh and the trees that have survived were greener than before. You smiled as you caressed one of the tree trunks.
"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own, Gimli?" Legolas asked.
"Don't worry too much. I know how eager you are to go home," Gimli said. "And (Y/N) needs rest. Until we meet again!"
"I shall see you soon!"
You and Legolas continued on, talking about random things. One subject you were quite fascinated about was his father, Thranduil.
"My world portrayed your father as someone who is quite cold," you said. "But I'm curious as to how you see your father."
"Ada is quite strict and at times he might come across as cold," Legolas answered. "But he is like that because of his responsibilities as King. Ada cares for Mirkwood very much—he wants to protect his people."
"So does he smile and laugh around you?"
"Well... His humor can be quite—"
"Quite what?"
The both of you turned around to see where the voice came from and your eyes widened as you saw who was there. Behind you stood tall and proud the King of Mirkwood and Legolas' father, Thranduil. He wore his simpler robe over his silver tunic and dark brown pants and he had his circlet on instead of his crown.
"You stupid son of mine," Thranduil said, taking a step closer to the both of you. You saw Legolas look away. "I told you to tell Lord Elrond that our prisoner had escaped. I don't remember telling you to go off and join a Fellowship of some sorts and nearly die!"
"But I didn't die, Ada! I'm quite well and very much alive!"
"How many times have I told you that when you enter a battle, there are only two outcomes—it is either you live or you die! Goodness gracious, I—"
But before Thranduil could continue, the King had already closed the distance between him and his son and gathered Legolas in his arms. Legolas was taken aback but a few moments later he returned the hug. You knew hugs weren't really something elves were fond of so this must be very surprising. But this just shows how worried Thranduil was.
Legolas smiled at Thranduil as the King stepped back to check on his son. But in the midst of checking if Legolas was completely unhurt, his eyes landed on you and his eyebrows shot up.
"Who is this?" Thranduil asked.
"Ah, this is (Y/N)," Legolas said.
"And... why is she climbing onto your back?"
Legolas chuckled, supporting your weight effortlessly. "(Y/N) does this whenever she meets someone taller than her. I'm used to this."
You grinned at Thranduil. "I'm doing this to tell you that anything you say about my height, I am already aware of. Also I don't like how you look down on me. Hi, my name is (Y/N). I came from another world where this is all just a story from a book. I hope you don't mind me being here. It's nice to meet you!"
Thranduil looked at Legolas. "This child—"
"Excuse me, I am not a child!"
"Will you stop interrupting me?"
You pouted. "Then make sure I don't here you then. And I am not a child."
Indeed Thranduil found you pouting at him adorable but right now he wasn't sure what to make of you. He could already tell that you would cause some mischief in the realm. But he doesn't think it would be something that he couldn't handle. After all, he did raise Legolas.
You were given a room not far from Legolas' because they thought it would provide you comfort to have someone you knew close to you. In the days that followed, Legolas took you to the places that he loved to go to, from rivers and small waterfalls to fields and up in the trees. You had so much fun seeing more than what the movies and books were able to show you.
But one day, you let Legolas go with Tauriel and the others to catch up with each other. You decided you would walk around aimlessly. And when you did just that, you ended up in the throne room.
You looked up at the throne where the great robe was carelessly thrown on the seat. Curious, you walked up the stairs and took the robe. And you didn't know why—maybe it was because you had always wanted to try it—but you put the robe over your head and wrapped it around your body as well.
"I am the King now!" you exclaimed.
"Really now?"
You blinked and looked down to see Thranduil looking up at you. You were about to throw the robe back onto the seat and run away but something made you stop.
Thranduil was wearing an amused smile on his face. It even seemed like his eyes were looking at you fondly.
"Yes, I am the King! Although I don't have a crown," you said. "By the way, your robe is really cozy."
He rolled his eyes and said, "I'm glad you like it. Now come down here and I shall give you a crown."
You hesitated but then made your way down the stairs, the robe still around you, and approached him. From behind him he revealed his circlet and put it on your head. You giggled because the circlet was quite big for you but nevertheless you beamed up at him.
"Now I am King!" you said.
"Yes, yes, you are the King," he said. "Now, what does the King want?"
"What?" you said. "Me? You're sure about that?"
"Yes, now tell me before I change my mind."
"Hmmm..." You then smiled at him. "Can you take me to your favorite spot in the forest?"
Thranduil was quite surprised at your request, but before he could say anything, you were already returning the robe and his circlet back to the throne. When you were done, you skipped back to him and waited with expectant eyes.
So he led you out of the caves and started to walk deeper into the forest. You followed him and listened to everything that he told you, from the names of the plants that you passed by to his constant reminders that you shouldn't walk too far from him. After a few minutes, Thranduil stopped walking.
He had led you to a small cabin in the middle of the forest.
"May I ask why this is your favorite spot?" you asked.
A shadow of a smile was on Thranduil's lips. His eyes were distant, as if he was remembering a fond memory. A memory he so wished he could relive and revisit. "My wife and I used to go here whenever we wanted time to ourselves where we could forget that we had a realm to rule. We also took Legolas here when he was quite young."
Thranduil looked at you as you smiled fondly at the cabin. "Legolas took me here too," you said. "He said it was one of his favorite places in Mirkwood."
"He did?"
"You're not the only one who has very fond memories of this place."
Thranduil's heart was filled with warmth from your words. He reached a hand towards you and gently pat the top of your head. You looked up at him with wide eyes. It was a gesture similar to how a father would show love to his children. Your eyes started to water at the thought of your family and how alone you were in Middle Earth with nowhere to call home.
"What is the matter?" he asked, alarmed at the tears that were starting to run down your cheeks. "Did I do something wrong?"
You shook your head as you wiped your tears. "I was just wondering where I would go home to when Legolas decides to start his adventure with Gimli. I have no means of going back to my world."
He was about to say something when he heard some rustling from the trees. Before you could even react, Thranduil had already pulled you behind him and had pulled out his sword. Something jumped down from the trees—a spider! But before it could cause any harm, Thranduil slashed at it and stabbed the spider.
"Are there more?" you asked, a little shaken from the sudden attack.
"I don't think there are more of them. They've all been driven off from these lands," he said. "But I think it would be safer if we go back. Come on, get on my back. I can get us home faster."
You did as you were told and as soon as you were secure, he ran off back to the caves. You encountered no other spiders and no other intruders in the forest so the both of you got back quickly. Once you reached the caves, you slipped off his back.
"Thank you for showing me your favorite place and thank you for saving me," you said.
"You were King—a King's orders must be obeyed and a King must be protected," he said, smirking at you.
You chuckled at his words. "This will be a nice memory to bring with me once I leave," you said, turning to go back to your room. But before you could even take another step further, Thranduil spoke.
"Who said that should only stay as a memory that you cannot revisit and relive?" he said. "You said you have nowhere to go. I say there is no need to go anywhere. This is your home and you shall name other places you will call your favorite ones and we will visit them as often as you'd like."