Disclaimer: I own nothing. Would like to own, but don't.

Author's Note: This is my first story, so be kind, please. And I'm not saying Thranduil is a bad father: just that he's over-worked and unsure of how to relate to Legolas. All elfish translations are in parenthesis next to the word. And, as this is my first fic, please, please, please review!

Chapter 1

Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil, leapt down from the tree as the dusk sun sank lower in the sky. Under his breath, he sighed as he turned to face the cavern that hid his father's halls. The halls were marvelous and well-built, even beautiful, but Legolas very much preferred sleeping under the stars and the trees. He sighed and glanced back toward the forest longingly. Turning away from his father's hidden palace, the young elf shrugged slightly.

Thranduil had little time for his son now-days and surely the Elvenking wouldn't notice if he was gone for a single night. Legolas hadn't seen his father any more than passing him in the halls for nearly two days, and the elf longed for the comfort of the trees and to sleep under the stars.

Clambering back up the tree, Legolas settled down on a firm, study branch. He rested his head against the strong trunk and in moments his eyes glazed over and he fell into sleep.

The morning sun shone through the leaves of the trees, waking the young prince. Yawning, he slipped from his perch to land neatly on the forest floor. He then strolled comfortably toward the hidden entrance to his father's palace, feeling safe and secure for the first time since his mother's death. His father had been so distant from Legolas since then.

Passing through the doors easily, Legolas made his way to the dining hall. His father sat at the head of the table, already half-way finished with his meal and pouring over paperwork as he ate. There were a few lords of the court in the hall, speaking to each other or eating, but Legolas had long since stopped taking much notice of them. Thranduil glanced up and noticed his son, looking at him for a long moment before speaking.

"Where were you last night?" Thranduil remarked mildly, though his tone hid deeper meaning, "You weren't at dinner, or in your room."

"I-I fell asleep in a tree." Legolas admitted quietly.

Thranduil did not look pleased, but instead answered in a barely-controlled tone, "I wish to see you in my study after breakfast."

Legolas swallowed hard. Whenever his father wanted to talk to him in the study, their discussion inevitably ended in an argument. And if there was one thing Legolas hated, it was when he and his father argued.

But the young prince simply nodded and muttered, with an almost sad tone to his voice, "Yes sir."

Thranduil didn't turn to face Legolas as he slipped in the door, taking care to close it after him. Instead, the Elvenking continued to look at the many books that lined the wall behind his desk for a few moments longer.

"Adar (father), you wished to speak with me." Legolas's voice was quiet and full of uncertainty.

Thranduil still did not turn around to look at his son, but he spoke, "There was a dinner last night that you were supposed to attend."

Legolas winced, realizing this was not going to be a pleasant conversation in the least.

The Elvenking whirled toward him, "And you weren't there."

"Adar (Father), I-"Legolas started, trying to explain.

"I'm not done!" The king snapped, anger coming into his tone, "We began to worry and spent half the night looking for you! Good thing you showed up before we sent out search parties or nothing would be done today!"

Legolas bowed his head, "I am sorry, Father."

"Sorry doesn't fix it, does it? It was wrong of you to do such a thing, especially without consulting an adult."

Legolas frowned, meeting his father's gaze, "Any other day you wouldn't have noticed. I never see you anymore; how was I to know about this dinner?"

"You, as the prince, should know better than this! Of all people, Legolas, you ought to know not to go into the woods alone!"

The younger elf flinched back as the memories of his mother's death flooded before his eyes. He fought back the tears, staring up at his father.

"I-I…" He couldn't quite put words together to form any coherent though for a moment, too great was the grief. Then, he managed, "I understand, sir."

Legolas turned away and started for the door. Thranduil, having seen the flash of pain in his son's eyes, reached out to him and tried to catch his arm. However, Legolas moved his arm and Thranduil grasped for it at just the wrong time, resulting in a small scrape from Thranduil's nails on Legolas's skin.

The younger jerked, staring, wide-eyed at his father for a moment before dashing from the room. Thranduil sighed, resolving to go talk to the boy later. The Elvenking then sat down and buried himself in his seemingly never-ending work.

Little did the King of Mirkwood know what was flashing through his only son's mind at that moment. Legolas, not understanding exactly what happened since he didn't actually see it happen, had come to the conclusion that his father had harmed him on purpose. This thought mixing with some of his father's lecture, and Legolas came to the theory he was only a burden to his father. Tears were running down the young elf's cheeks as he fled to the relative safety of his room and closed the door behind him.

"Maybe Ada (Daddy) would be better off without me." Legolas whimpered aloud to no one in particular.

Sniffling, the prince got out one of his traveling bags. He packed a change of clothes, a map, a bit of lembas bread he'd found the day before but had yet to eat, and a pouch of water. He slid his twin long knives, which had been a gift from his parents, into their sheathes on his belt. He then took his newest bow, which had been a gift from a kind, golden-haired elf that had visited not long after his mother's death. Taking one final thing in his hands: a small portrait of his family, before his mother's death, he gently tucked it into the bag and slung it over his shoulder.

The young elf stepped onto his balcony, taking care to close the door, and then dropped from the balcony to the ground. He hurried toward the stables, hoping to leave before his father realized what he was planning.

Silverwish, a young but strong stallion, offered a greeting whinny on sight of his beloved rider. Legolas managed a smile for Silverwish, reaching up and stroking the white mane before letting his fingers slid down his silver-white neck. In response the horse nuzzled Legolas fondly.

"I need a ride, mellon nin (my friend)." Legolas murmured to the stallion.

Silverwish tossed his head and met the prince's eyes as if to ask where they were going. The horse's unspoken question stumped Legolas for a moment. He hadn't actually thought of where he was going to flee to. After a moment of consideration, Legolas decided his best bet would be to go to Rivendell and seek out the Lord Elrond's refuge. Lord Elrond of the Noldor elves was known for his kindness and hospitality, surely he would help Legolas.

"Imladris," Legolas whispered to Silverwish, using the elfish name for the land.

The stallion's eyes lit and he pawed anxiously at the ground, showing his enthusiasm for such a journey. Legolas grinned, swiftly saddling the horse, and swinging up. Holding to the horse's mane, as Silverwish rejected bridles of any kind, Legolas urged the stallion forward.

Silverwish needed little encouragement to start cantering forward toward the gate that led away from Thranduil's halls. Straightening on Silverwish's back as though he were on a mission, the guards didn't question their prince, simply letting him through. Once free of the door, Legolas encouraged his stallion to speed up. And thus, Legolas, son of Thranduil, left the halls of his father, and he didn't look back.