There were no windows here. That was the biggest difference. There they let the sunlight in, had curtains one could draw close if one chose to do so. He never did though. He loved to wake to the warmth on his face in the morning. He loved to watch the silvery moonlight dance upon the floor till he slipped into reverie.
Here though he could walk out of his room and down the hall to a pair of double doors that led into a garden. A stone path led out under an archway covered in vines and roses. A stone bench could be found further away. He had sat there many a time contemplating mischief gone wrong or just relaxing from the day. It was here that he found himself now.
There was no garden like this there. Oh they had tried just for him, but it wasn�t the same. It was too small and with only one tree, it would never be the same, but he had been polite and grateful. It was his refuge, much like it was here. He had made sure there were plenty of flowers, but it was too small for a lake, or pond. A smile graced his face then as he headed to the far back of the garden and stripped down.
As the cool water flowed over the lithe, muscular body as it eased in to the lake, a sigh of pleasure was heard. Muscles in all the right places proved he was a warrior. A softer, sadder sigh emitted from him as he realized that he would be frowned at for tarrying so, but this had been needed greatly. He stepped out of the water after a moment, knowing he had to go. Rivers of water rippled from his hair and streamed down well-defined arms and legs. Water rivered down his muscled back and over his shapely rounded bottom. A thought crossed his mind. Perhaps he should lie down and let the sun dry him first. He shook his head. No, it wouldn�t do. He was late enough and he couldn�t stay here any longer, though part of him had wished he had waited to slip into the cool inviting water.
Along the corridor he noticed another difference, though he knew where he was headed, he didn�t feel that sharp pang of sadness that seemed to wash through him when he was headed to the same place there. He felt relieved this time almost. He knew what awaited him and dreaded it, but it was different this time.
He stood before the door to the study and his heart sped up a bit. A tingling sensation in his hindquarters made him close his eyes and take a deep breath before knocking quietly on the door.
�Come in pen-neth.� The voice behind the door beckons.
He opened the door, slipped into the study and closed the door softly behind him. He chanced a look up and saw the fondness, love and exasperation in the familiar green eyes of his Ada.
�I see you decided a swim was more important than obeying your ada. You are fifteen minutes late Legolas.� Thranduil said his voice firm.
This was definitely the same. The lecture before the real discussion. �Aye Ada and I apologize. I had to though I had to visit the garden and the lake. It�s been so long.�
�Aye I gather it has been since that is the reason we are here today. I was so worried about you my Greenleaf. When I received word that you had joined the fellowship, I felt as though I would fade. Do you not realize that you are my reason for living? You gave no thought to my feelings though I gather.� The king scolded. His eyes and voice held the worry, concern and fear he had the time that Legolas was gone. It held relief now, too. Now that his child was home.
Blue eyes regarded the green carpet beneath his feet as they filled with tears. He had known his ada would worry but he had had to defend Estel at the time and it seemed like joining was the only way. He had looked up at his Ada by this time and relayed what had happened. The look that appeared on his Ada�s face though had his head bowing and his eyes staring at the floor once again.
�You are telling me that because of one man�s words about another is the reason you thought it was ok to pledge yourself to the quest without seeking my permission, which had you asked ion-nin, would not have been given. You were to go to Imaldris and tell Lord Elrond of the escape of Gollum and then turn around and get back home. You disobeyed me tithen-pen.� Thranduil continued to scold as he stared at his obviously remorseful child.
�Ada, do not call me that. I am not a tithen-pen.� Legolas said softly.
Amusement flooded the king�s eyes at the quiet protest. �You are my tithen-pen. It is time to address this Greenleaf.� Thranduil said as he took a paddle from the bottom drawer of his desk.
He had expected it. It would�ve been no different there. Only the one wielding the paddle would be different. He watched as the chair was pulled out and set away from the desk. He was ordered to the right side of his Ada and bid to lower his leggins. His fingers undid the ties of his leggins with such ease. He had been here before, but that was there with a friend, this was different this time it was his Ada. A small part of him craved this, to feel the familiarity of his Ada�s legs under him, his Ada�s strength holding him till this was over, his Ada�s�no, he would not feel his Ada�s hand but the bite of the paddle. He understood the use for it though. What he had done had warranted it. He would feel his Ada�s arms afterwards and with that final thought he pushed his leggins down till they reached his knees.
Thranduil laid a hand on his child�s wrist, then gently tugged him down over his lap. He had laid the paddle down at the moment and laid one hand on Legolas� head and smoothed the wet hair. His hand glided down over Legolas� back comforting both Ada and ion, though neither knew it. When he reached the pale rounded bottom, he could feel the coolness from the recent swim and sighed as he picked the paddle up. It would hurt a bit more than he intended it too, but had Legolas obeyed him in the first place and came straight here, the added pain wouldn�t be necessary. He gave the bottom over his lap a gentle pat with his hand then encircled his child�s waist and raised the paddle.
The pat signified that Thranduil was going to start, something that didn�t happen there. It was something that only his Ada did and in it�s own way was a comfort. Pain exploded in his bottom a moment later. �Aiiiieeee!� Legolas shrieked as he tried to rear up.
Thranduil held his child firmly though, though his heart ached at the shriek. He knew the hard wood wouldn�t be too forgiving on wet skin. He brought the paddle up again and landed another hard swat. Each one came down a little lower than the last one. Each one ripped a pitiful cry from the golden haired prince, and a tear from the king.
His whole world consisted of nothing at the moment but the pain that continued to erupt on his defenseless bottom. The paddle descended again and a sob emitted from the prince. He knew when he offered to go that his Ada would worry about him, that he would not be pleased with him when he returned. He was feeling that displeasure now, as another swat landed. Legolas was sobbing heavily now. He didn�t think he could take much more, but to his horror, he felt the legs shift beneath him and his bottom rise higher in the air.
The paddle came down, but stopped moments from it�s target. Thranduil took the moment to wipe a tear from his eye then, gently took his child�s hand that had flown back to protect the tender area, and held it gently as he finished the paddling.
It was over, finally, but Legolas didn�t realize it not yet. Strong arms pulled him upright, lifted his leggins to cover the much abused rear, then settled him into loving arms. It was the same, Legolas thought when he finally realized it was over. Loving arms held him, petted his hair and rubbed gentle circles on his back. It was different too, for there comforting words were still spoken to him but here he was treated to his ada soothing him with an elvish song. Different or the Same each place was home. Each place held love.