Legolas was awoken early in the morning by the bright sunlight and chirping birds. As he looked around his surroundings, the memoriesy of the previous day came back, and a grin spread across his face.

He quickly sat into a sitting position and looked out over the lake. It was truly a beautiful view. The sun had just peeked over the horizon, shedding streaks of light over everything, including the lake. Shades of pink, red, and purple were swathed in the sky, until higher up in the sky they faded out to a clear blue. Legolas sighed contentedly, and sat there until the sunset had finished, and the whole sky was a beautiful blue.

A light wind was in the air, stirring the oak trees' leaves, and also rustling Legolas' golden hair.

In due time, Elladan and Elrohir woke up, also enjoying the view over the lake. The three elves began talking, and eventually woke Glorfindel up.

"Good morning," he smiled, stretching his arms, "Everyone sleep well?"

After Elrohir, Elladan, and Legolas had finished chorusing their agreement, Glorfindel pulled out small pieces of lembas for them all as breakfast.

As they nibbled at their pieces of the elven bread, they talked over what they would do that day. It was decided quickly that they would go to the lake first, then decide what to do next after that.

The three boys striped down to their shorts and ran barefoot down to the lake's edge.

The water was sparkling and clear, inviting the boys to jump in, which they did quickly, with wild yells.

Laughter filled the air as the boys splashed around, spraying each other, and occasionally Glorfindel, who sat on the edge of the lake, dipping his bare feet in. A few pleasant hours were spent in this manner, until finally the boys had had their fill and clambered onto the shore.

They sat down, and started to watch the lake, when Legolas said suddenly, "There's a canoe at the other end of the lake."

"There is!" Elrohir said excitedly, after he spotted it.

"I'll bet we could get to the other side really quick." Elladan grinned, having an idea.

"You're not going to the other side of the lake." Glorfindel said, watching the boat, "There's no reason to."

"But--" the three elves began protesting at the same time.

Glorfindel raised a hand, quieting them, "It's not our boat, so we can't use it."

"We wouldn't use it," Legolas insisted, "Just investigate it."

Glorfindel was quiet for a moment, thinking, "Alright. But we won't stay long,"

Legolas, Elrohir, and Elladan all nodded, excited.

"Let's go!" Legolas proclaimed, eager to see the boat.

Glorfindel smiled at the youth's eagerness, "We have to stick together, and you also have to follow orders." he reminded them. All three agreed, and they started walking around the lake, Glorfindel in the lead.

It was a short walk, and soon they arrived at the boat. The first thing they noticed was that it was elvish. Then they noticed that it was old. Plants had begun to grow over it, and it looked scratched.

"Can we go out on the lake with it?" Legolas asked, after he finished inspecting it.

"Legolas..."

"But it isn't anyone's," The Greenwood elf pleaded.

Glorfindel shook his head, "It's not safe."

The twin's joined in Legolas' pleading, but Glorfindel was adamant.

They started walking back towards their camp, but after a few steps, Legolas ran back to the boat, starting to climb in it.

"Legolas," Glorfindel called, "Come back here."

"I just want to see how it feels being in the boat." Legolas answered, now playing with the oars.

"Elflings," Glorfindel murmured, a bit frustrated, starting to walk towards Legolas.

A small cry came from Legolas as the boat began suddenly shifted from Legolas' weight and began sliding into the water.

"Legolas!" Glorfindel yelled, seeing the danger. But the boat moved surprisingly quickly and soon was floating gently towards the center of the lake.

"Legolas!" The twins cried out, afraid for their friend.

Legolas looked desperately back at his friends on the shore, clearly scared.

"Legolas, it's alright." Glorfindel called across the water, trying to maintain a calm voice, "I'm going to swim out there and get you, alright?"

Legolas nodded, a faint movement from the elves on shore's view, "Please hurry." his voice trembled slightly.

Quickly, Glorfindel striped down to his shorts and dove in the water, swimming easily towards the moving boat. The water was calm, and easy to swim in, so Glorfindel caught up to the boat in a short amount of time.

He held onto the side of the boat lightly, being careful not to tip the boat, "Legolas, I'm going to push the boat back to shore," Glorfindel told him calmly, "Just sit down and try not to move much."

Legolas nodded, sitting down criss-cross in the wooden boat.

Glorfindel swam to the back of the boat and pushed it, redirecting it towards the shore where Elrohir and Elladan were waiting.

The process went smoothly, and when Legolas and Glorfindel neared the shore, Glorfindel talked to Elrohir and Elladan, "I need you two to try and grab the boat. Be careful, though."

The twins nodded at the same time, and moved closer to the edge of the lake.

As soon as the boat was close enough, the black haired elves grabbed the boat, trying to hold it steady. Glorfindel swam quickly to the shore and relieved the sons of Elrond, grabbing the boat himself and pulling it partially on the shore.

Legolas climbed out onto the shore quickly, glad to be on land again.

"Thank you, Glorfindel," Legolas said quietly, as the elf rung the water out of his hair.

The elf smiled, "You're welcome." He grew more sober, adding in a quieter tone, "But I hope you have learned your lesson."

Legolas nodded, looking at his feet, "Goheno nin."

"You are forgiven," Glorfindel rested a hand on the young elf's shoulder, "Now we should return to our camp. It is beginning to become dark."

The four elves walked back to camp, decidedly less exuberant than they had been on the way there.

Glorfindel started a fire, and everyone changed into fresh clothes, then huddling around the fire to keep warm.

"Tell us a story." Elrohir asked Glorfindel, staring into the bright orange flames.

Glorfindel was silent for a moment, and then began his tale,

"Long ago, there was a hidden kingdom. It was protected by it's two rulers, a mighty elf lord, and a powerful Maia.

"The kingdom was protected by the Maia's magic, and it thrived, content within it's own borders. The lord and lady of this kingdom had a beautiful daughter, and one day a man stumbled accidentally into the kingdom's border and saw her dancing. He instantly fell in love, and she soon fell in love with him."

Glorfindel continued talking, telling of how the ruler set a nearly impossible quest before the man in exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage. The man set out, and secretly the daughter followed him, wanting to help him complete the quest. After much difficulty, the pair barely escaped, returning to the girl's father empty-handed. But the ruler had pity on the man and let them be wed.

"I don't think I'll ever fall in love," Legolas announced after Glorfindel's tale was finished.

There was as short pause as Elrohir glanced over at his friend, a mischievious grin spreading across his face. All he said was one word, "Tauriel."

The elvish prince's face turned bright red, and he glanced away, embarrassed. After a few seconds he had the courage to look back at the fire, but the subject was dropped, and they all began turning in for bed.

One by one they drifted to sleep, and slowly the fire died until the coals were all that was left.

In the morning, they all woke early, packing up to begin the hike back to Imladris.

Soon they were on the road, their packs shouldered and their spirits bright.

The elves' jog back to Imladris was filled with talking, laughter, and singing. Glorfindel told a couple stories, and they all sang elvish folk songs, preferring ones with a lively tune and peppy singing.

When Rivendell came into sight, they were all glad to be back. Camping had been a big adventure, and they all had enjoyed it immensely, but there truly was no place like home.

"I'm going to go find my Adar." Legolas announced, after plopping his pack in the twins' bedroom. He left quickly, running through the halls towards the guest room his father was staying in.

When he found it, he opened the door, running over to his father, "Adar!" Legolas gave his father a big hug.

Thranduil smiled, hugging his son back, "Did you enjoy camping?"

Legolas nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! We went almost beyond the borders of Rivendell, ..." then the their adventures were told in full-- with an exaggerated detail here and there, of course.

That night, Legolas slept in his Ada's room, buried beneath the silky covers. He fell asleep with a smile on his face, knowing he was with his Adar.

Early the next morning, Legolas was woken up by his father, "Come, ion nin, it is time to get up."

Legolas yawned, sitting up in bed, "Are we going home today?"

Thranduil smiled, "Yes we are, as soon as we can leave."

"Good." Legolas had enjoyed his time camping, but was eager to return to the Greenwood, his home.

The father and son both dressed, and brushed their hair before leaving the room to get breakfast.

When they arrived at the kitchen, they saw Elladan and Elrohir already sitting there, waiting.

"Breakfast is served!" Elladan proclaimed, proudly pushing two plates loaded with fruit and bread towards the Greenwood elves.

Thranduil gave a small smile, "Thank you,"

Legolas grinned as he took a seat next to his Adar, "Did you guys make this?"

The twins nodded, grinning, "All by ourselves."

Thranduil glanced at the food, slightly wondering if it would be safe to eat.

Legolas had no inhibitions, however, and began eating the food quickly.

"Leaf, slow down!" Thranduil exclaimed, smiling.

"Sohee, Ada." Legolas said through a mouthful of strawberries and bread, "Isth berry good."

Thranduil shook his head, chuckling, and tentatively took a bite of bread. He chewed slowly, swallowing deliberately.

Elladan and Elrohir watched him, waiting for his verdict.

The elf king nodded, "It's very good." he said, slightly exaggerating.

Matching grins were plastered on the twins' faces, and they gave each other a high-five, "A meal well made," Elladan proclaimed, "Even the great king Thranduil approves,"

Thranduil laughed, and continued eating. 

Once breakfast was finished, Legolas collected his belongings, and they were ready to depart. Good-byes were said, including statements on how they should do this again, and Thranduil and Legolas left, riding on his great elk.

The ride back was uneventful, except for Legolas repeating all of his adventures all over again to Thranduil, and they slept under the stars for the first night. The next day, they arrived in the Greenwood, and Legolas quickly got off the elk, preferring to climb in the trees.

Thranduil rode at a normal pace, while Legolas swung from branch to branch, tree to tree, easily keeping up with the elk.

Finally, the gates of their home came into view.

Legolas shouted his pleasure, sliding down a tree-trunk and running to the gate.

The two elven guards at the gate smiled as they recognized their prince and king.

"How was camping, my prince?" One of the guards, Dalhin, asked, smiling at the prince's enthusiasm.

"It was awesome!" Legolas grinned, "I got stuck in the middle of the lake on a boat all alone." He nodded, as if to affirm the validity of his statement.

Dalhin laughed, "Well, at least you return home in one piece."

The gates were opened, and Thranduil dismounted, leading his elk into the great halls of the Greenwood. Legolas ran ahead of his father, reveling in the feeling of being home.

"Legolas!" the Greenwood prince saw a flash of red hair drop in front of him from the trees above, "How was camping?"

Legolas turned slightly pink as he saw Tauriel in front of him, "Oh, it was fun." he smiled.

"C'mon, I want to show you something!" She said eagerly, "Follow me if you can!" the red-haired elf darted away quickly, laughing.

Legolas grinned as he ran after her, taking a shortcut so that he would catch up with his friend.

For the rest of the day the two friends played, laughing and talking the whole time, until finally they had to go home to bed.

They waved farewell, and each returned to their own home, looking forward to playing the next day.

Legolas slipped under the covers with a yawn, enjoying the feel of his own bed. There truly was no place like his home in the trees.

word count: 2136!
Written: June 9, 2016
Judges: SashaSteveBlair, EcthelionofGondolin, GuardofMirkwood