Chapter 1: A day of many awakenings

"Master Legolas!" a young elf-maiden whispered urgently as she shook the elven prince from his slumber. "Master Legolas, please, you must wake up!"

            Mirkwood's youngest prince grumbled and rolled over in his bed, pulling his bedcovers over his head.

            "Prince Legolas!" the maiden exclaimed loudly, prodding him through the covers.

            "Go away," Legolas mumbled, not budging from his warm feather bed.

            "But sir, the King has sent me to remind you of the council with him and your brothers today," she informed him.

            "When is it?" Legolas asked as he reluctantly pulled his covers from over his head and scowled up at the maiden.

            "It began 20 minutes ago!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation.

            "What?!" Legolas practically shouted, bolting out of bed, wide awake now. "Why didn't you tell me that sooner?!"

The young elf rolled her eyes and shook her head as she left the now panicking Legolas to run about his room and try to get dressed as fast as possible.

Five minutes later, Legolas ran out his door and proceeded to sprint down the palace corridor toward his father's study, looking like he has gotten dressed in the dark. Many nobles, and even servants, in the hallway snickered as they saw Legolas dash by them, wearing a bright green tunic with brown leggings, carrying one of his boots in his arms as he desperately tried to braid his long, tangled blonde hair as he ran.

"Ai, Father is going to kill me this time," Legolas mumbled to himself as he approached the door to the royal study. He gathered up his courage and cautiously pushed the door open.

His father and five older brothers were all sitting around a long decorative table when he entered, and he quickly seated himself in one of the empty ornamental chairs next to his brother, Encirthion. Encirthion glanced down at his youngest brother, a look of sympathy on his face. Their father was not too pleased about Legolas' tardiness…

"Legolas Greenleaf," came King Thranduil's stern voice from the end of the table. "I see you have finally decided to join us." Legolas slouched down in his chair, preparing himself for the scolding he was about to receive. "Did you not hear me yesterday when I told you to be in my study no later than nine o' clock? Or did you simply believe obeying me was something you were excused from?"

"Nay, I heard you, Father," Legolas answered quietly as he greatly fought the urge to kick his brother Avardo, who was making faces at him as their father spoke.

"Then I do not understand why I had to send a servant to fetch you, if you say you heard me," Thranduil replied with false question in his voice.

"I am sorry, Father," Legolas said through gritted teeth as he glared at Avardo who was sticking his tongue out at him. "It will not happen again."

"Make sure it does not," Thranduil said strictly. "And Avardo," he snapped, noticing his third eldest son wagging his tongue like a snake at Legolas. "That will be quite enough of that."

"Yes Father," Avardo replied obediently, going red with embarrassment. Legolas shot him a triumphant look and he scowled at his little brother.

"Now that we are all present," Thranduil gave Legolas a severe look when he said this, "We can proceed to start this council."

Legolas sighed. He could already tell this was going to be one of his father's extremely long, extremely boring father-son discussions he called councils. Thranduil was known to call councils with his sons to talk about matters of the kingdom and Middle Earth, and he took them very seriously, perhaps a little too seriously. Legolas hoped he wouldn't fall asleep this time; not after what had happened last time he accidentally dozed off during one of father's talks of spiders.

"I am pleased to inform all of you that Lord Maikatasare of southern Mirkwood will be arriving next week to stay in the palace," Thranduil began. "I have convinced him to bring his eldest daughter so we may arrange a marriage proposal for Cuephel." Legolas glared at Cuephel as Thranduil beamed at him. Legolas loved his father and brothers dearly, but he did get very annoyed with them frequently. He was the youngest out of six and he was constantly overlooked and shadowed by his five older brothers and he was sick of it. He especially couldn't stand Cuephel, the oldest of his brothers, but not because he was the oldest. It was because Cuephel was always favored by Thranduil, or so Legolas thought.

"Really, Father?" Cuephel asked eagerly. "The daughter of Maikatasare? I have heard she has a beauty unrivaled by any other."

Legolas rolled his eyes as his father continued to talk about the marriage proposal. 'Ha,' Legolas thought spitefully, 'I hope this girl is uglier than an orc.'

The council dragged on for three more long hours, somewhere in between his father's ramblings about dwarves and beech trees, Legolas stopped fighting the urge to sleep and nodded off.

"Legolas!" Thranduil shouted, and for a second time that day Legolas was startled awake. He bolted upright in his chair, but unfortunately he moved a little too quickly and his chair tumbled backwards, sending the young prince flying backwards as well and onto the floor.

He laid there for a moment, a bewildered look in his blue eyes. Thranduil sighed and rubbed his temples. "Legolas," he said exasperatedly, "The council is over. You may leave now."

"I', terribly sorry, Father," Legolas apologized as he scrambled to his feet and picked up the chair, setting it upright. "I won't do it-"

"Just go Legolas," Thranduil interrupted. Legolas' face went red as he went to the door.

"Yes, Father," he said softly as he opened the door and left.

"Stupid, stupid," he scolded himself as he walked down the hallway. "Why am I so stupid?"

"That's an easy one," came a voice from behind him and he spun around to see his brother Encirthion smirking at him.

"Ha ha," Legolas said sarcastically as he scowled at his older brother. "Very funny."

"Yes, I am quite funny, aren't I?" Encirthion said, grinning at Legolas. "But then again, I am quite good at everything, am I not?"

Legolas laughed and playfully punched Encirthion in the arm. "Yea, you're the greatest, Encirthion," he said with mock admiration.

"You used to think so," Encirthion replied with a twisted smile as he mussled Legolas' hair.

"I was only 42 years old then, Encirthion," Legolas reminded him. "I thought Father's jewels were candy, too."

Encirthion laughed loudly. "I told you that!" he exclaimed. "Ai, that was so funny!"

"Yes, until I swallowed two and nearly choked on the third." Legolas added with a grin. "You guys were horrible to me."

"You were stupid enough to believe us," Encirthion replied. "Ai, the good old days…"

The two brothers continued to walk down the hallway together, talking and laughing merrily.

"What do you think of Cuephel's marriage proposal?" Encirthion asked Legolas.

Legolas made a face. "I think if this maiden has any sense she'll jump off a cliff," he answered. "I'd do it if I were betrothed to Cuephel."

Encirthion chuckled. "I'm willing to bet the proposal fails," he said. "How many have already failed? Three?"

"Yea," Legolas answered. "Poor, stupid, ugly Cuephel." Encirthion laughed.

"Well, are you going to shoot your bow after dinner? He asked, looking at Legolas.

"Of course," Legolas replied. "I bet I'm just as good a shot as you now."

"We will see about that," Encirthion said with a crooked grin. "You are getting very good, but you must remember I have been good since you were born."

Legolas scowled. "You wait and see," he said, a determined look in his eyes. "I will be better than you someday; I'll be the best archer in Middle Earth!"

"So I'll see you after dinner at the practice range?" Encirthion asked.

"Yes," Legolas answered. "Why, where are you going now?"

"When you were sleeping, Father told me to go make sure the captain is gathering new recruits for the army," Encirthion said with a sigh. "It seems we are having some problems with dwarves again and Father might declare war."

Legolas nodded and Encirthion waved as he ran off to find the captain of the Mirkwood army. Legolas smiled as he watched him go. Out of all of his brothers, Encirthion was by far his favorite. He had long, sandy blonde hair, almost identical to Legolas', but it was a bit darker. He and Legolas were the only two of Thranduil's sons who had inherited their mother's blonde hair. All the other had taken after their father and had brown hair. Encirthion had smiling brown eyes while Legolas had blue, but they both held the same childish warmth to them. They were a lot alike, or at least more alike than any of their other brothers. Encirthion was 854 years old and held the title of Master Archer of Mirkwood. Legolas was only 512 years old, but was nearly equal to Encirthion in archery skill, although it was Encirthion who had taught him how to use a bow in the first place. They both got into quite a lot of mischief together, but all in all Encirthion was more practical and serious that his youngest brother.

Legolas made his way up to his chambers. When he got there, he grabbed his bow and began to head out to the archery ranges. His brother wouldn't be there for at least two more hours, but he wanted to get some extra practice in so he might finally best Encirthion in an archery match.

So what did you think? Please review or email me at [email protected], I'd really appreciate it. Please keep in mind that this is my first fic before you tear it apart