The day was not unlike any other for Legolas Greenleaf as he wandered a little away from the grandiose halls of his father the king. If anybody had asked, he would have informed them that he was on active guard duty, keeping his eyes and ears open for spiders, orcs, or whatever other creature happened to stray near the Great Gates. Then he would have asked them if they cared to stay and chat a bit.

Legolas took his guard duty very seriously, as well as his hunting and scouting, because he knew that not only as an Elf, but as the King's son, he needed to be serious about those types of things. But he'd been assigned to the same area of the forest for guard duty everyday for the past year and it had long ago begun to bore him. He'd overheard some of the other guards talking and one of them had commented that Legolas was given this plot because spiders rarely ever wandered in that direction. This had, of course, rubbed Legolas the wrong way, but far be it from him to argue with his father.

Truthfully, it wasn't just guarding this patch of forest that was boring him. His life in general had come to a point where, although he enjoyed his life and being able to participate in the living of it, he felt . . .well . . .pointless. He knew it was incredibly immature of him, but he longed with his whole being to do something to make a difference, something spectacular like he'd heard tell of his grandfather and such. Something that would someday be sung of in songs! He'd admitted this feeling to one solitary friend of his, since there weren't too many people he could truly call friends, but Amergin had laughed and said he was a foolish young Elf.

Legolas kicked a weed gently as he recalled that the only place he'd ever been outside of Mirkwood was Rivendell. Sure, Mirkwood was big and all, allowing or plenty of room to explore and hunt, but he desired something more: to explore the whole of Arda. His father would flip if he found out, taking into consideration how extremely over-protective he was. It was a strictly taboo topic: Legolas venturing out of Mirkwood. His father had gone so far as to have him locked in his room once when, leaving on a trip of business to Rivendell, Legolas had insisted he should go along as well. That had ended that quickly enough.

With a sigh, Legolas readjusted his quiver and continued walking along. Silence . . . silence . . . bird . . . silence . . . bug . . . bird . . . silence . . . All the silence could truly drive one insane. If he listened hard enough, he could hear the trees and grass whisper amongst themselves, but he wasn't scholar enough to decipher what they said, nor patient enough to listen.

He was just preparing to return to the Halls when an actual sound caught his attention. Not a bird or bug, at least not like any he'd ever heard before. Yet it didn't sound like a spider, either. Rather like footsteps, lighter than a man's and with a definite Elven sound to them: light and careful.

Just incase (and so he could retell the story later that he was completely prepared), he drew an arrow to his bow and ducked behind a tree. The footsteps grew closer and closer until he knew the trespasser was just around the tree. Quick as lightening, he whipped around the thick trunk, bow aimed at whoever should go there.

Great was his surprise when, instead of finding whatever his adventure-thirsty mind had conjured up, all that stood there was a she-Elf holding an Elf child by the hand. The little girl gave a scream of surprise, then covered her face with her hands, as if that made the danger go away.

Legolas sighed and withdrew the bow, easily returning the arrow to his quiver, and demanded, "What are you doing out here? It's dangerous to wander around Mirkwood unprotected."

The she-Elf didn't say anything for a moment, then asked, "Are we near King Thranduil's Halls, do you know?"

"Yes," Legolas replied, slightly confused. Perhaps they were lost, but this person had an accent unlike any he'd heard. "You are a stranger to Mirkwood?" he guessed, though it was more of a statement than question.

She nodded, "Yes. I'm looking for a friend in Thranduil's Halls."

"Who?"

"Nereglin, a servant there. Do you know of him?"

It was Legolas' turn to nod, "Yes. I will show you to him. Follow me --and stay close! There are dangerous things lurking out here." He used their unfamiliarity with the area to his advantage, playing things up to be much more dangerous than they actually were, hoping to give the impression of a noble, courageous protector. Whether they believed him or not, the two stuck close.

As they neared the Great Gate (indeed, they hadn't been all that far), Legolas inquired, "Might I ask your name, Lady?"

"My name? Is Caralora. And this is my temporary ward--"

"Eleina Lalaith!" the little girl interrupted, stepping around her caretaker to see Legolas. With the utmost seriousness, she allowed, "You can call me Lady Lalaith, if you must."

Caralora rolled her eyes and scolded, "Please. Don't be dramatic, Eleina." Eleina's mouth dropped at the accusation, her hands squared on narrow hips.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lalaith," Legolas stepped in, eyeing the young Elfling with amusement. As the youngest of his family, he'd never spent much time with anyone younger than himself. She was quite small and thin, swallowed in a dress that looked as if it'd been quickly and carelessly altered just enough to give her the ability of movement. Confidant dark blue eyes stared back at him, not in the least intimidated.

Eleina sent Caralora a victorious smirk, then returned her attention to this new person and asked, "What's your name?"

"Legolas."

"Legolas what? You have a second name, don't you?"

"Greenleaf."

"But isn't that what your first name means?"

"Yes."

"Well then why is that your second name, too? It's very re . . . rep . . . ret . . . what's that word, Caralora?"

"Redundant?" the she-Elf supplied.

Eleina smiled, "Yes, retundant." Legolas didn't let her glimpse his highly-amused grin. "Well, are we there yet? I'm dreadfully tired of walking."

"You're also dreadfully obnoxious," Caralora retorted, mocking the younger girl's dramatic sigh.

"You're mean."

"You're a nuisance."

"Hmph," Eleina pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. Deciding to ignore her care giver, she returned to Legolas and asked, "Do you live in Thranduil's Halls--"

"King Thranduil's Halls," Caralora quickly corrected, as if she could possibly have guessed it was the very royal's son they were being escorted by. "You need to learn propriety."

"What's --never mind. Don't tell me!" Eleina quickly changed her mind as Caralora moved to define the word, no doubt in a long lecture. She clamped her hands over tiny pointed ears until sure the older Elf wasn't going to say anymore. To Legolas, she repeated, "Do you live in King" --here she sent Caralora a pointed look-- "Thranduil's Halls?"

Legolas answered, "Yes."

"Oh. I'm going to, too. With my Uncle Nereglin but he's not my real uncle. I have to live with him because Caralora doesn't want me."

Caralora interrupted, "That's not true, Eleina, and you know it. Don't be a brat." Eleina sent Legolas a look as if to say 'You see what I mean?'

"Well. Is it very big? And dark? I don't like dark because you can't see and then you can get hurt and you won't know because you can't see," Eleina rambled on.

Once she stopped to breathe, Legolas replied, "The Hall's rather big, but not all of it is dark. You can see for yourself, for here we are." He motioned to the Great Gate with a broad sweep of his arm. Caralora and Eleina both paused briefly to look upon the looming doors.

Upon seeing them, one of the door guards, asked, "What have you here, Legolas?"

"Travelers. They're here to see a family member." So it wasn't the absolute truth, but nor was it an absolute lie. Legolas knew that, normally, his father would want to see the strangers first, as well as the head guard, all before they'd be admitted freely. The whole ordeal would be very tedious and long, when really there was no need for it. He would mention it to Thranduil later and, if it was really that big a deal, his father could go see the two of his own accord. No use upsetting the little girl --or, rather, boring her to death-- for no reason. Besides, he didn't really think the pair posed much threat to the kingdom.

After reminding him to take them by his father (which, as said, he'd decided not to do), the guard allowed them entrance, the two girls following faithfully behind their guide. Answering a question or two from the more inquisitive of the party, he proceeded to lead them down a series of tunnels, expertly sneaking past the throne hall, until reaching a wing of all the caverns normally off-limits to himself. It was the Servants' Halls and King Thranduil preferred he not venture back there, besides which he didn't have much need to, anyway.

It just so happened that Nereglin was quitting the wing at that moment, striding out of the main passage way with a confident step, a platter of empty goblets balanced in one hand.

"Here you are, Lady Lalaith. I've safely delivered you and must now ask your leave," Legolas continued their exchange from earlier, earning a grateful smile from Caralora.

Eleina frowned slightly and asked, "You have to go? You can't come play?"

"I must get back to my guard duty."

"Well. I --Uncle Nereglin!" she suddenly took notice of the thus-named Elf. At her outcry, the servant became aware of her presence, as well, and, quickly setting the goblet platter on the ground, rushed over.

"Little Eleina Lalaith! So you've come at last! Welcome, Caralora. I hope the journey was not too rough," he greeted both, easily catching the smaller one in a hug as she leapt into his arms.

Legolas chose this moment for his dismissal and quietly sauntered off, casting a final glance over his shoulder at the travelers. Something about that little Elfling...well, besides her unrelenting curiosity and pretty little face. Laughter coursed through him as he quitted the Halls, taking his time returning to his tedious post. There was no way he could know, though, what he'd just unleashed on Mirkwood. There is no mischief like an overly curious Elfling and no chaos like a little impish girl.