Chapter Text
"Dinners almost ready!" Oropher called from the kitchen.
"Alright, dad!" Thranduil said back from the living room.
"God fu- Legolas? How do you pu on the- the thing?" the elvenking asked, unaccustomed to modern television.
"Here." Legolas said, clicking onto the new years Countdown, two hours, ten minutes, thirty seconds.
Aragorn came downstairs, little Tauriel on his shoulders. "She's barely awake" he said as he helped the six year old elf down. "I'm awake enuff!!" she complained stroppily.
Oropher came out into the living room holding a tray of food, placing it down and going back for another. "Dig in then." he said, handing out plates. Everyone sat down and ate as they talked, watching the timer. Tauriel fell asleep all too quickly and ended up on her big brother's (Legolas) lap. She seemed comfy but Legolas took her upstairs into her room regardless. He came down again after tucking her in and kissing her brow to say goodnight. He sat down but this time, sprawled across Gimli's lap. "She's out" he said to everyone, grinning at gloin who was glaring at him.
Thranduil stood up and in doing so, knocked off a candle onto the carpet. He didn't notice until he saw the flames spreading on the curtain "shit!" everyone stood up, Legolas ran to grab a bucket of water but it wasn't enough, the flames were spreading. It didn't take long for the rest of the carpet so catch and the room was humid and smokey before anyone even got the chance to stand. Legolas was choking and then screaming.
"Dad!!" he yelled as a flaming plank fell from the ceiling and hit his father, blood staining the carpet. "EVERYONE OUT" Oropher cried and was so distracted getting the humans and dwarves (plus Arwen) out that he didn't notice Legolas running upstairs. Gimli heard a scream from upstairs followed by an agonised "No!!" , running up to drag a sobbing Legolas away from the already suffocated child "No! Taurie!" He cried in a gruttal and cracking voice.
Once Gimli had gotten his elven husband out, he looked around in the chill air, the house behind him in flames and now missing Tauriel, Celebrian and Thranduil from the group, then noticing Oropher was not there either, nor was Elledan. Legolas was silent, sobbing but making no sound in Gimli's arms.