Under Wade's guidance and assistance, Legolas found something he genuinely enjoyed doing.
Farming.
Walking among the wheat stalks, stepping on tilled soil, harvesting ripened crops, and watching them gradually accumulate, it felt fulfilling.
There was a certain satisfaction in seeing the fruits of his labor become something tangible. Of course, it also helped that these crops grew quickly and were easy to harvest. The rapid planting and harvesting meant that the results of hard work could be seen immediately, which was quite uplifting.
"I cannot believe there are so many wondrous things in this world."
At this moment, he had shed his leather armor, bow, and weapons, replacing them with a simple linen outfit. He sat leisurely on a small stool beside the farmland, watching the fields and the trees swaying in the wind.
The sunlight warmed his body.
Unlike the quiet, ethereal homes of elves, the people here were talkative, always busy with something. They were full of energy. Perhaps this was a trait unique to the mortal races, time constantly chased after them, urging them to act within their limited lifespan.
After finishing his assigned plot of land, he wandered around a bit more.
Most people were busy preparing for the upcoming banquet. Although the population in Wayfort wasn't large, wherever there were residents, there was festivity.
As an elf, he stood out quite a bit.
But at most, the residents just gave him curious glances, no one thought much of it.
There were too many remarkable things in the territory. Even if a dragon suddenly appeared, the locals wouldn't be particularly surprised.
Everything could be explained by their lord.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Seeing the bustling scene, he couldn't help but step forward and offer assistance.
The person he approached was briefly surprised but quickly recovered and pointed to the side.
"They need a few tables over there, and some utensils and cups. If you wouldn't mind, perhaps you could help bring some from the warehouse?"
"Certainly."
Legolas nodded and immediately got to work.
With his enthusiastic participation, the residents soon noticed the presence of a diligent elf in the territory. Some boldly struck up conversations with him, and he responded kindly to all.
And so, by the time Wayfort's Founding Day banquet officially began, Legolas had already integrated with the crowd, chatting and laughing with the residents.
During one of these conversations, a little girl pulled out a small red flower from her pocket and stood on tiptoe to hand it to him.
He was momentarily stunned.
"Thank you... Does this flower hold special meaning?"
"I don't know," the little girl shook her head and said, "When I first came to Wayfort, it was an iron golem created by the lord that gave me this flower."
"I was scared, hungry, and tired when I got here."
"It was the patrolling golem that gave me this flower and made me feel safe."
Her young face took on a serious expression.
"You're a very nice person. I don't want you to be sad."
"Sad?" Legolas knelt down, gently patted her head, and said, "No, child. I'm not sad at all. I'm content here. Life is good. There's always something to do, and that feels meaningful."
"But..." The little girl hesitated, "I still feel like you're lonely."
Legolas smiled softly and lowered his gaze, no longer meeting her eyes. He carefully tucked the flower away and said, "I'll treasure it."
Then, he quietly left the banquet and walked toward the castle.
---
"Garrett."
"Hmm?"
"I think... if kindness had a color, perhaps it would be red."
"Maybe," Garrett replied absentmindedly. He didn't fully know what had happened with Legolas. But it seemed... something had changed for the better.
The first day of the banquet was also the day the snow melted and fresh sprouts began growing on the grass.
He walked out of the keep, cheerfully greeting the residents. Everywhere he passed, people raised their cups in celebration of their lord and Wayfort.
"Oh, by the Valar, this liquor is potent..."
A resident downed a glass of vodka in one gulp, instantly becoming dizzy and blinking rapidly.
Most of the alcohol for the banquet was brewed by Garrett himself, with a small portion made by the residents.
And his brews, except for the foamy ale, started at 20% alcohol content. Many residents who were accustomed to lighter drinks were overwhelmed after just one sip. Yet some people had surprising natural tolerance.
"This has quite a bite,"
Legolas downed two large glasses of vodka in succession and offered only this brief comment.
"My fingertips feel slightly numb. So this is what intoxication feels like?"
The elf said this without so much as a flush or change in breathing, leaving many of the nearby residents, who were watching him closely, completely dumbfounded.
"Do all elves hold their drink this well?"
"No, not at all."
Garrett brought over a large table and placed ten barrels of 55-proof vodka upon it.
"Care to have a drink with me?" He raised an eyebrow at Legolas.
The surrounding crowd was immediately drawn in.
Legolas looked around and smiled slightly. "Gladly."
"Hurrah!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd as they began encouraging the challenge, cheering loudly for their lord.
"It seems they have great confidence in you." Legolas shook his head and raised his cup to Garrett in a toast.
Well, it was Garrett. If he were in their position, he'd probably cheer for Garrett too.
"Go get him, Master Elf!"
A young, childish voice suddenly called out from behind.
Turning to look, Legolas saw the little girl from before clenching her fists and cheering him on.
He smiled warmly at her, nodded, and turned back to Garrett. "What a coincidence. I'm feeling rather confident myself. Then let this toast be to our meeting, and to the founding of Wayfort!"
"Indeed," Garrett raised his cup as well. "To our friendship!"
Gulp gulp gulp.
The drinking contest lasted quite some time.
The residents happily sampled all varieties of dishes. Whenever someone tasted something Garrett had prepared, they'd shout in surprise and immediately summon others to try it.
Endless food, endless drink, endless joy, endless memories... That was the essence of this banquet.
The residents made rounds, chatting and laughing everywhere. Only two people remained seated the entire time, Legolas and Garrett.
No one knew how many cups, or barrels, they had consumed. All anyone remembered was that the elf was finally carried back to his guest quarters, sleeping peacefully.
As for their lord, not only was he completely unaffected, but he even managed to drink several glasses of milk during the challenge, his tolerance amazed everyone.
And so the first day of the banquet passed, and the outside world fell into temporary silence.
---
In the middle of the night, Garrett was sitting alone in the castle's hall, deep in thought, when the sound of a door opening caught his attention.
"Legolas?" He looked up, surprised.
"You're awake already? Want some milk?"
"Thank you."
Legolas was also surprised to see Garrett still sitting in the hall. Did this man not need sleep?
"What's with the gear?" Garrett glanced at him. Legolas was now back in his full leather armor, bow and knives at his side.
"I'm planning to depart. Thank you for everything these past days, Garrett. I've come to understand much."
"Oh? Mind sharing what you've understood?"
"I've realized... I'm not the only one in this world who experiences loneliness."
Garrett sat up straighter, nodding in agreement.
"That's true. You're absolutely right."
Legolas gave a slight nod, downed the glass of milk in one gulp, and visibly brightened. He looked at the empty glass in surprise, then glanced at Garrett, whose expression remained unchanged.
Legolas appeared to want to say something, but in the end, he simply shook his head, set down the glass, and stood up.
It was time to part ways.
Seeing that Legolas was departing, Garrett also rose and walked with him a short distance.
"We'll meet again." With those parting words, Legolas mounted his horse and rode eastward along the main road.
---
Days later, the guards at the Woodland Realm's gates were startled to see a familiar figure approaching. Just as they were about to report it, they were stopped.
"Tell no one that I've returned."
That morning, Thranduil, as was his custom, entered the great hall and walked toward his carved wooden throne.
Suddenly, his eyes caught something.
A single red flower had been placed on the armrest of his ornate chair, along with a single green leaf.
"Legolas..."
He whispered softly.
He gently picked up the flower, standing silently in the center of the hall.
In a great hall carved from living stone into pillars and archways, the Elven-king always sat regally upon his carved wooden throne, holding a scepter made of oak.
Through the long years, only the changing of seasons seemed to capture his attention.
When autumn and winter arrived, he wore a crown woven from wild berries and crimson leaves. In spring, he donned one crafted from woodland flowers.
This year, as spring arrived once more, the elves of the forest suddenly noticed something slightly different about their king.
A splash of bright red had appeared in the floral crown upon his head.