Okay, I just want to say that this is a special story to celebrate that I just hit 1000 views!!!! Ahhhh! Thank you all soooooo much! I am soooo grateful for all my wonderful readers, followers, and voters!!!!!

And now...please enjoy this special story as a thanks for getting me to 1k!

~~Ithildaeforever~~

Today was a busy day. Elves bustled in and out of the dining room, preparing a grand feast. Today was a special day known as Nost-na-Lothien or Birth of Flowers. It was the month of Lótessë (May) and the holiday was created to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring, when the snow has melted, and the flowers spring forth filling the earth with color once again.

Thranduil sat on his throne lazily as elves hurried in and out receiving orders, and obeying them.

All was going perfectly, until a loud crash was heard from the kitchen! Suddenly, bursting into the throne room, covered in food, ran Legolas! He bolted up to his Ada and climbed into his lap. Thranduil raised his eyebrows. He lifted his fingers gracefully observing the food pieces now stuck to him also. He was about to ask Legolas why he had run in here covered in food, when the chef also ran into the throne room! He stopped when he saw Legolas in the king's arms, and bent over panting.

Thranduil stood up, gently placing Legolas on the ground beside him. "What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, "Why is my son covered in food? And why are you chasing him?"

The chef bowed towards the king and answered, "My lord, I was preparing the food for the feast, when the young prince ran into the kitchen. He tried to grab a roll when he tripped on a patch of flour and slid straight into the kitchen table spilling food all over the floor! Then, he ran out the door and I ran after him, your majesty." she finished.

Thranduil looked at his son, then at the chef. After a moment of thinking, he spoke, "I see...well...you are excused Lariana." he told the chef, "Please ask some other elves to help you clean up the mess." Lariana bowed again and walked out.

Then, the king turned to his son. "Legolas...do you know what I am going to say?"

Legolas looked down, "Yes, Ada. That I am irresponsible and naughty." He started to sniffle knowing what was to come. He knew that his Ada would probably not let him go to the party now, because of what he did.

"Normally, I would say that your punishment would be that you must miss out on the party, but since it only comes once a year," Legolas held his breath. Thranduil continued, "you may go to the party. Still..."

Legolas cut in, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Ada!"

"Legolas! I am not done!"

"Oops. Sorry." Legolas quieted down.

"But, you must help chef Lariana clean up the kitchen and you may not go to the garden for a week. Understood?"

"Yes, Ada" the little prince answered. Thranduil dismissed his son and Legolas quickly scurried away before Thranduil could change his mind.

Later, once the party had started, Thranduil gave a speech. He spoke about many things including, the weather, the war, and the land. He was a king totally in control.

Legolas sat beside him, picking at his food. He was full and wanted to go and play, but couldn't until the party was done.

"Legolas!" Thranduil whispered, "Stop playing with your food and just eat it!"

Legolas looked up, "But I'm full, Ada. Can I please get down and play?"

"Not yet, ion nin. In a little bit." Thranduil rubbed his son's hair and then turned away and started talking with some elves.

"Are you bored?" A voice asked.

Legolas looked around. Finally, his eyes rested on a young elf girl. She wore a green tunic, and had the most beautiful red hair he had ever seen. "What?" He asked.

"I said, are you bored." She repeated.

"Oh. Ya. A little bit." Legolas looked down.

"I'm Tauriel."

"Uh? Oh, Hi. I'm Legolas." Legolas turned back to her. Maybe this wouldn't be such a boring evening after all. He thought.

"Aren't you the prince?" She asked.

"Yup. That's me."

"Wow! It must be so cool to be royal! My Ada's just a guard. But he's really good! He taught me how to shoot a bow!" She started.

"It's not that fun. I can't really ever do things with my Ada, he always busy. But that's so awesome that you can shoot a bow! I just got one for my birthday a few months ago!" Legolas continued.

They chatted and chatted till at last, the feast was done. Once they had said their goodbyes, Legolas thought to himself. Maybe I won't be so lonely anymore. Maybe I could have a friend now!

He climbed into bed that night hopeful and happy. Snuggling under his covers, Legolas closed his eyes and instantly, fell asleep.