6 ❧ Dictated

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

[It's the crack of dawn and someone is already awake and outside. (Actually he never went to sleep, damn elves.) And he's bored.

Legolas and boredom rarely mix well.

So what does he do? He opens up his journal.

Everyone will be greeted to a cheerful voice!]

Are most of you still asleep? You waste a beautiful day!

[The Sun is barely even awake and you are the ones wasting the day. Clearly. HDU.]

Comments

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, mostly because your father would not get into silly bets with me, or go on kitchen picnics.

[So called, dearest Legolas.

... and she's not blushing, nope.]

Just friends.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

I will not say that he would not but it would take a great deal. You did not see how he indulged me so as a child.

[Sort of indulged. He still got scolded when he wasn't behaving.]

I am glad.

[the_effect_she_has]

I saw some of it. He was quite sweet to you.

[Well, most children do.]

So am I.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

He always has been. Even now, I think, I am still his 'little leaf.'

[So they do.]

[the_effect_she_has]

...well that's just adorable.

[She grins, because it is.]

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

[Laughing, just a little.]

It is and I do not mind it.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, I'm glad you have such a loving fathers. Fathers are ... special.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

They are though he is more special to me than that, being my king as well.

[And the only parent he has.]

[the_effect_she_has]

I've never had a king. I don't know what's that like.

[She only has her mother and that - that was a mixed bag. At best.]

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

That is alright. I am not sure how I would explain it.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, don't worry about explaining it. I understand.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

If you insist.

[the_effect_she_has]

I've never had complete faith in anyone - but I know what it looks like on the faces of others. You have utter faith in him. He leads you. Simple as that.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

I do. He has never disappointed us and he has always kept me, and his people, safe. Such a king, I am glad to serve.

[the_effect_she_has]

I envy you that. [She sighed, quietly.] I wish I had something like that.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

Perhaps someday you might. Or perhaps you may be such a leader. You are still young.

[the_effect_she_has]

I was such a leader. I ... gave it all of me, and there wasn't anything left, when I was done. [That last act drained her to the dregs.]

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

There seems to be plenty of you left to me. Though perhaps not for ruling a people.

[And there's no shame in that.]

[the_effect_she_has]

This was a year in the making - and I have enough for me, and a little love besides. But not much else.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

You said yourself that you gave all of yourself for it. That takes time to recover from, I would think. You do well for it.

[the_effect_she_has]

[A quiet sigh.] Yes. I suppose going mad takes a while to come back from.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

You do not seem mad to me.

[the_effect_she_has]

You didn't know me before, Legolas. Trust me I was ... I was not all right. I'm still not all right, but at least I know who I am now.

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

I do not doubt you but I know you now. And that is enough for me to think you sane. And to call you friend.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Now that ... that wins you a smile, Legolas. Even if it's only over the journal.]

Thank you, Legolas. Friends are ... friends are very good.