Chapter 3: Sickness

A/N Hi everyone sorry about not updating for so long. Unfortunately with working two jobs and completing a full time university course I don't have as much time or enthusiasm for writing as much as I used to. I know this is a common used excuse but hey ho real life is often a hindrance in writing. Anyway here is just a small chapter to tide you over until I get around to writing more for the next one. To be honest I am really struggling in this story, so any hints would be more than welcome. I would even accept an offer for a 'co-writer' if anyone is interested?

It was barely an hour after Haldir was able to separate his youngest brother from their doting parents that said parents became angsty at the separation. Thranduil was seconds away from charging out of their rooms in search of their child when they heard one of the most beautiful sounds they have heard in their many years. Their children's laughter. Looking out over their balcony they saw all of their children sitting together in their private garden laughing and joking.

The proud parents smiled indulgently as they saw their youngest cradled in Arwen's arms giggling and cooing over the spectacle his twin brothers were providing for his amusement. The twins were practicing their wrestling moves in a bid to keep the babe entertained and unbeknownst to the observers as a way of occupying said child from searching for his ada's.

Smiling gently at each other the two content parents retreated into their chamber to take some much needed rest. They drifted to sleep to the sound of their children's laughter and each others heart beats.

Four hours later the pair awoke to the feeling of being watched. Opening their eyes they took in the scene within the room. At the end of the bed their other children had joined them. Arwen was lying contentedly snoozing at the foot of the bed facing her parents with her younger brother nestled into the crook of her arms, said younger brother was apparently the cause of their waking as he appeared to be staring deep into the souls of them, as soon as he realised he was the main focus of their gaze he squealed and clapped his hands then began holding his hands out in the universal 'up' sign.

Thranduil chuckled as he obliged his child, cradling him close to his chest he released the breath he hadn't realised he was holding. Kissing the crown of the giggling child's head he sent his gaze around the room at the rest of his children. His boys were all spread evenly around the room, Haldir in the rocking chair snoring quietly, Dan and Ro were twisted around each other on the rug in front of the fireplace and the other children seemed to be half underneath the bed, with limbs appearing in random directions.

"What are your brothers up to?" Elrond said to a giggling green-leaf as he gently pried him out of Thranduil's hold. Legolas simply laughed and began to thread his finders in the brunette locks of his father's hair. It was at that moment that the two fathers noticed what their youngest was wearing. It appeared that he was wearing every piece of clothing that the child owns, he was wearing so many layers that it was surprising that he was able to move his limbs at all. The poor child looked ridiculous.

With chuckles of amusement they began divesting the babe of the many layers he was wearing, all the while wondering what on earth their children had been doing to their little leaf.

"he sneezed" Haldir muttered as he dazed in the rocking chair. "The twins thought he was getting a cold and decided to dress him in order to prevent him sneezing again. I swear father they must have been daydreaming in all of your healing lessons. Buffoons."