**Disclaimer** I think we can all safely say anything recognizable in this fic is from the wonderful JRR Tolkien. Anything that is not I dreamed up, with obvious inspiration from the man himself :)

The sequel to The Last Queen. A few thousand years have passed since the death of the Woodland Queen, Thranduil's realm hangs on by a thread, against the rising darkness in the south. Legolas is faced with a decision that has major repercussions, whilst Ellenya struggles to find a solution to aid her people. Little do both siblings realize what destiny has in store for them, and how their paths will intertwine. Set before, during and after the events of the war of the ring, loosely based on both the movie and the book. Lots of familiar characters coming into play, and possibly another major OC at a later stage, there may also be some romance for are lead characters, but lets not get too excited, there is a war going on after all :)

I would strongly recommend that, if you have not already, please read the first installment in this story, "The Last Queen," it will set up the characters for this story and introduce you to a young Ellenya, who is Thranduil's daughter and obviously the sister to Legolas, who will dominate alot of this story as one of the leads.

Obviously a massive thank you to the original followers and reviewers of The Last Queen, who have gave me the confidence to write this sequel, I dedicate this to you guys! :D

I really do hope if you are reading this new fic, you will enjoy it and maybe if you are feeling particularly kind will leave me a review. I look forward to your thoughts. So TADA the sequel...

Prologue

It was a hot, muggy, summer afternoon, in the heart of Greenwood. The great wood dozed lazily in the stifling heat, any wildlife wise enough retreated to water or took rest from the mid-afternoon warmth. It was a peaceful place, at least in most parts, not all of the forest was dark, not yet, though its days of greatness were dwindling.

Deep in the north, hidden away, lie the Halls of the Elven King, an intricate pathway of caves, a secret place, not easily found and even if one ever did, they would never get passed the King's powerful, elvish, enchantments or his notoriously, skilled guard. The elves of Greenwood, were of silvan kind, a feral and reclusive race, they did not suffer strangers or fools bringing trouble to their doorstep. They did not go seeking evil, for they did not wish to freely invite it into their home, therefore theses elves avoided, as much as was possible, contact with the wider world.

However they were by nature, elves, they were good and pure at heart, but they were a scarred people, for of all the Kingdoms of elves in middle-earth they had suffered the most tragedy. In recent years they had lost their beloved Queen Lairiel, cruelly murdered by a planned orc raid. In the chaos the Queens daughter, only an elfling at the time, was kidnapped and tormented, her son, barely out of his youth, was wounded valiantly defending the Queen and his sister, but her last defence was to sacrifice herself for her children. And so the future of Greenwood was secured for a time, though the King was deeply traumatised from the events, so he made his decision to withdraw from the darkening world, and use what power he had left to create for himself and his people a sanctuary under the trees.

It has been thirty short years since the passing of the Queen, and little has changed in the Woodland realm, as change is slow in the hearts of elves. The great, Sindar elf, King Thrandul still sits upon his wooden throne, concealed within his mystical halls; his people still live in peace and harmony with nature, and remain prosperous and safe under his watchful gaze. The only thing that changes, is the rapid growth of an elfling to an elf, and even in the extended years of innocent childhood, blessed to those of elf-kind, it still is too short a time for a parent. On this, hot, day, in the royal gardens of the Woodland Realm, a Father watches over his two children, with sad eyes;

"Focus Ellenya..Relax your shoulders you are too tense!"

Legolas, King Thranduil's eldest and Prince of the Greenwood elves, knelt in front of his younger sister, who aimed a taught, and loaded, bow at a distant target. The youth had her long, silvery, sleek, hair, pulled back from her face, knotted at the nape of her neck, so that it did not interfere with her vision, her ice, blue, eyes were focused on the target, and they did not betray a hint of nerves or excitement. Her frame, taller and more slender, as she shed her elfling features; in their place hints of the feminine frame of a young elleth begin to show. Clad in the lightest and least constrictive, summer dress she could fine, the youth still felt the beads of perspiration gather on her brow and neck, the only relief she received was from the cool water of the wide stream, which flowed over her toes, as she stood on its banks.

Clad in a cooling, light and loose, white tunic, and brown, leggings cut off at the calf, Legolas, leant in close to his sister, measuring her distance, straightening her arms, angling himself to check her accuracy, against his own judgment. His keen, blue, eyes, sparkled with the excitement of indulging

in his most favourite activity, he enjoyed teaching the skill of archery, particularly to a willing student. This young ellon was fast becoming a legend to his people, alarmingly swift and deceptively strong, he was one the realms most gifted warriors, his deadly skill with a bow his greatest asset. Legolas had quickly climbed the ranks of the Woodland guard and was already considered one of the elite.

"Now try," Legolas murmured as the he crouched back from Ellenya letting her take the shot.

The youth's eyebrows furrowed and she let the arrow loose, it whistled through the air, hitting the target a few inches shy of the bullseye. Ellenya straightened up and scowled at the shot, it was not the result she had wanted.

"That was better, we will work on it," Legolas said brightly, sensing the disappointment in his sibling.

"No we won't," Ellenya sighed, "Not unless you plan on coming to Lothlorien with me?" the elfling cocked her head to the side and regarded her elder brother, she watched as his face crumpled at the realisation of his words, but she managed for him a small smile, then swiftly dropped down to the water and splashed some in his face. Giggling at his alarmed expression, as the cold water soaked his face and blonde hair, though her giggling was abruptly silenced, when Legolas, with his much larger and stronger hands, flung water over her, she gasped at the shock of the chilly sensation.

With a wicked grin, Legolas leapt back, swiftly lifting the wooden training sword he had discarded earlier. Ellenya raised her eyebrows, accepting the challenge she shot across the bank and retrieved her own, now sword play was something she excelled at. The two siblings lunged about the cool water, practicing their stances, and maybe showing off just a little.

It was at this point Thranduil, with a heavy heart, decided to interrupt his children's happiness. The Lady Galadriel of Lorien, had arrived to the Kingdom, along with her entourage, to take his daughter to the Golden Wood for a time of healing and education. Since Ellenya's kidnapping and the subsequent trauma the elfling had received, when she was barely more than an infant, it was no surprise she had never truly recovered. Physically his daughter was strong and healthy, but her spirit was slower to recover and still to this day she woke screaming from vivid nightmares of her ordeals. They had become worse, in recent months, and Thranduil had eventually caved to Lord Elrond's pleading to send his daughter to a more spiritual environment, where her spirit could mend and grow strong again.

He had put the idea to Ellenya, whom to his surprise had agreed, the elfling had grown weary of her tortured mind and wanted nothing more than to find a way to recover and move on. Galadriel made her intention to have the elfling come live with her for a time clear at his wife's buriel, Queen Lairiel had been like family to the lady of light, and to see her daughter go without maternal love and affection had greatly troubled the elleth, so she had offered her assistance to the King, stating that when Ellenya was ready she could come to the Golden Wood. The great she elf, had been a regular feature in his daughters life, sending letters regularly or visiting on occasions, and as a result she and Ellenya had built up a great friendship. Thranduil was in no doubt his daughter would be well cared for, but that did not make the thought of the separation any easier on him;

"Alas! It seems that if I am not careful, Greenwood will have two Princes! Legolas do not encourage your sister; I do not think I have the energy to cope with such a notion!" Thranduil remarked loudly, as he strode into view, startling his two children, a wide and adoring smile stretched on his fair face.

Ellenya cast her training sword carelessly to the side, and lopped up to her Adar and into his waiting arms, enjoying the comfort of his embrace, and his familiar earthy scent. She was no fool, she knew why he was here, she had seen the despairing look in his eyes and felt the anxiety within his spirit, the time had come she would leave for Lorien. Though this was her choice, and she knew it was a wise one, Ellenya would dearly miss her Adar and brother.

With her arms locked around her Ada's waist, she lifted her face from his chest to look at him, silently the pair communed with each other through their bond. Thranduil seen the tears brim on his daughters eyes and stroked her soft locks soothingly;

"Say the word and I will send them away, you can stay here, you know I would not have it any other way!" Thranduil reminded his elfing, fighting the urge to call the whole thing off himself, though secretly he knew if she stayed she would only get worse.

Ellenya blinked and the tears that threatened to spill, vanished in an instant, the youth barely shed a tear, only in the throes of her night terrors did she cry, but not when she could consciously control her emotions;

"I want too, I want to get better Ada, for you and for Legolas," she responded softly "besides Lady Galadriel said I come home whenever I wish."

Thranduil untangled his daughter's hands from behind his back and took them in his own, as he bent down to her level, searching her guarded eyes with his own. How he struggled on a daily basis, to truly understand what thoughts were locked away in his youngest child's mind. Sighing in defeat he cupped his hand to her face and spoke from his heart;

"This is only for a little while my little light, this will always be your home, you come and go as freely as you desire. No matter what happens, no matter how far you travel, I will always be here and you can always come home to me."

Thranduil leant in and kissed his daughter on the forehead, whilst Ellenya graced her Adar with the brightest smile, in an attempt to dispel his worries. Reluctantly Thranduil straightened and took his daughters hand, Ellenya turned back and extended a hand to her brother who watched mournfully from a short distance. Legolas did not try and conceal his sadness, he would miss his sister, they were so close, even more since their Naneth's death, but for her sake he shook off his sadness and fixed a bright and cheerful expression for Ellenya, and took her extended hand in his.

"Do not go getting soft on me Ellenya, I expect you to continue your physical training even in the Golden Wood, though I doubt you will find a better tutor," Legolas smirked.

Ellenya giggled, "No brother, I doubt I shall! The Galadhrim could never match the skill of our people!" The youth exclaimed proudly.

Thranduil begun to chuckle and shake his fair head, "My daughter, you make me proud, hold unto that belief and do not go letting them change you into one of them!"

"Never Ada!" Ellenya promised, and this was one promise she would never break.