Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed last chapter. Art, Nina, earthdragon, Ninde, thanks so much!

This is actually the mishap of a young king (or a young father, actually), but I thought you would enjoy it nonetheless! BTW, I am afraid exams are coming, so I may update less regularly in coming weeks. I just wanted to let you know. Wish me luck!

Summary: Someone is stealing Kaela's books, and he is determined to find out who and why.

Characters: Thranduil, Legolas, Kaela.

A First-Time Father Problem

Someone was stealing Kaela's books and that was a fact. The healer had noticed some unusual gaps on his bookshelf a few days back, but he had dismissed them as mere misplacements. Now, however, he knew someone was 'borrowing' some of his medicine manuals. It was either that or he was going completely crazy, since he could swear he had left his copy of Common Illnesses in Children on his table that very morning.

Counting that last one, they were already four the books that had vanished into thin air. And they were not precisely light reading, which was why Kaela was more surprised than annoyed. Truth was, it would be less troublesome to write Lord Elrond and ask for new copies than to embark on a quest to discover the mysterious thief, but the healer was now becoming curious.

Kaela sat down on his chair and picked up a paper, dipping a feather's end in black ink. Common Illnesses in Children, he wrote, disposed to make a list and look for a pattern.

New-borns: A Guide.

The Evolution of the Elven Toddler

Human Diseases in Elven Children

Kaela put the feather down carefully, not wanting to leave stains on the table and raised the paper to eye level, inspecting each title and hoping for a bell to ring. All of them were related to young children, in fact, all four of them were among the pack of books Kaela used to give to first-time parents who lived far from a healer.

"First-time parents…" Kaela mused, massaging the bridge of his nose in concentration. An idea hit him all of a sudden. "Oh no, it cannot be."

Kaela left his study hastily, leaving behind the Healing Ward and heading to where he hoped his lost books would be. If they were not there, then he honestly had no idea what had befallen them, but something told Kaela his hunch was not amiss.

At last he reached the long corridor, and Kaela slowly opened the first door. Inside, the moonbeams that crept through the open balcony were the only source of light, but it was enough to help Kaela notice the two sleeping forms on the bed, one huddled against the other.

Kaela closed the door carefully and looked around. Usually, it would be unthinkable for the healer to dare enter the Royal Bedroom without permission, but with Enery away in Imladris, Kaela knew that it was unlikely that Thranduil would be angry with him for invading his privacy in such way. And if he did, Kaela could always remind him that he had seen the King in any imaginable state. One of the prerogatives of the Head of Healers was, after all, to attend the Royal Family personally.

Kaela slid to the table and had to fight a loud snicker of self-congratulation when he saw his four missing books laying on it, open, some of them with underlined text. Beside them were dozens of papers with scribbles and notes, and many others wrinkled on the floor. The healer picked up one of the papers and walked to the balcony looking for some more light.

"The fever is normal if it does not rise too much overnight." What is considered 'too much'? Ask Kaela.

In another paragraph Thranduil had hurriedly written something about the evolution and growth of the baby's ears. "Really, Thranduil? Not even I read that chapter."

Kaela sighed, putting the paper back in its place, and he turned to look at the two elves on the bed, whose rhythmic breathing was almost imperceptible. Thranduil was sleeping on his side, his legs curled up. Next to him, a tiny bundle lay on his back. The King had his arm over his son's belly, and Kaela suspected that Legolas could not even sigh without his father noticing. Chuckling, Kaela shook his head and tiptoed to the bed with a blanket that he spread over the two elves. The healer froze on his feet when Legolas shuffled under it and Thranduil hushed him back to sleep without even waking up himself.

Kaela let out his breath, relieved that he had not disturbed their sleep, and was heading for the door when something caught his eye. On the nightstand there was an open book with a page written and the next one blank. Kaela wondered if maybe it was another of his books and he eyed it over to check, reading the written page.

Week 50. The fever has yet to break, but Legolas seemed a little bit more cheerful today. Kaela says everything's normal, but he's been known to be wrong before.

Kaela gasped in surprise, immediately clasping his hand over his mouth to prevent any further noise. He walked to the balcony and stepped outside, sitting on the chair that someone had left behind. He closed the book and examined the cover, bare of any title on both the front and the spine. He opened it and went to the first page, eager for answers. The book began promptly, lacking any title or signal.

Week 2. Some red spots have appeared on Legolas' arm. They do not seem to itch or hurt, they are just there. In addition, Legolas does not seem to have any appetite and he is really thin. Kaela says that he is fine, but he does not know my son like I do.

Week 10. Today Elrond has come to meet my son and Legolas pulled his hair. Though Kaela says it's impossible, I swear that Legolas babbled 'fool of a Noldo'. Your grandfather would be very proud, little Legolas.

Kaela smiled, but a wave of guilt washed over him. This was clearly some kind of diary, and reading it was a direct violation of privacy that even the benevolent Thranduil would not easily forgive. But, at the same time, Kaela had already been caught by the net of curiosity, and it was a net from which it was very difficult to escape. Also, if Thranduil mentioned him in the diary, he was somewhat 'entitled' to read it, right? Even it was only to defend his honour.

Week 25. Today, my son winked at me.

Week 28. Legolas has started to crawl. It was a very exciting moment and everyone missed it but I. Kaela said it was foolish to spend an hour a day crawling for Legolas to imitate me, since he was still too young, but he underestimated the tenacity of Oropher's line. I have not told anyone yet, I'm reserving it for dinner so I can tease Enery about it.

Week 32. Legolas is in the Healing Wards. I write this in haste because I have to go to his side immediately. When I arrived at his room this morning, I found him out of his crib, crying, and with a terrible blow to the head.

Kaela gulped at the remembrance of that horrible day. He recalled the face of utter terror on Thranduil and Enery when they reached the Healing Ward with Legolas in their arms. Apparently, the little Prince had tried to climb over his crib and had fallen straight on his head. It would be hard for Kaela to forget the anguished words of Thranduil as he asked Kaela to heal Legolas. As if he needed to be asked to.

Week 33. Kaela has finally deemed Legolas well enough to leave the Healing Ward. Still, I think I will ask him to keep Legolas for a few more days, you never know with children. I have to say, Kaela has been very patient with Enery and me during this ordeal. I may be giving him less credit than he deserves. I know he is probably equal to Elrond as far as the Healing's arts are concerned and will try to be more complacent from now on.

Week 35. Today, Legolas has called me 'Ada' for the first time. Enery did not hear it, so she keeps on saying that he can only say Nana, but it's not true. Legolas whispered Ada to my ear, too softly for anyone to hear which, now that I think about it, kind of feels like a small betrayal done on purpose. I wonder if Legolas knows what teasing is yet.

Week 37. I measured Legolas' ears and I am pleased to say that they evolve favourably. It seems like my son will get my ears, after all.

Week 44. Today, for the first time, I had to go away from Legolas. It was only for a day, but nobody warned me that it would hurt so much.

Kaela turned the last page and stared at the blank paper. His emotions had varied throughout the reading, beginning in anger at the King's accusations and ending with an amazingly warm feeling on his heart. He had never read anything written with such love and dedication. Week by week, Thranduil had sat down to write the latest news regarding his son, his biggest worries and his great achievements. The way in which he had described how Legolas had come to realization of his hands had sounded as epic as if he had discovered a secret door to Valinor.

Kaela rose carefully and put the book back where it had been, now looking at the King with renewed respect. "You will be fine," the healer whispered. Then his gaze shifted to the small bulge on his arms, "and you'd better be good and appreciate the great father you have."

As if by answer, Legolas opened his eyes and looked at Kaela above him. The healer smiled, and Legolas extended his hand as if to reach for him, giving him a big smile and cooing. Thranduil gave a big sigh and stirred, which Kaela took as his cue to leave.

While closing the door, Kaela heard the beginning of a lullaby.

Next morning, Thranduil walked out the room only to trip and almost fall over a tower of books someone had left at the door.

"What on Arda-?" He said as he picked up the first one, surprised when he read the title.

The Fever in Children and How to Treat It. A Manual.

I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, do not forget to let me know! Have a great weekend ;)