Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.

I Corinthians 13:4-6

The shrill cry of a distressed elfling pierced the tense air.

"Ada!"

Silence followed the call.

Again he called for his father, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Ada!"

Only more silence greeted him as he grew more impatient, wishing for his father.

"Ada, there's something crawling on me! It burns!"

This time his father came running to him, finding him in the gardens with a wilted flower lying on his lap.

"A, Legolas, I told you that you must stay inside, I did not allow you to come to the gardens. Now see here," the king said, lifting Legolas' arm, "you have a sore given to you by one of those wretched crawling animals. Come along, I shall clean it for you!"

"Goheno nin, Ada," the prince replied, looking at his feet in shame. "I just wanted to look at the flower. It had a very pretty shade of blue, and I wanted to see it." He turned his head up and looked into Thranduil's grim face. "You are not angry, are you, Ada? You look upset."

"No, penneth, I am not angry at you." Thranduil sighed. "Come along, let us go." He lifted his son into his arms easily, his mind weighed down by the day's events.

The king took a step, then turned. It took but one glance at the flower that Legolas had longed to look at for a tear to run down his face. It was a lovely flower, now lying limply on the stone floor, such a brilliant shade of blue, just as her eyes were. The king swallowed, holding back his tears as the pain in his heart magnified.

Thranduil Oropherion, King of the Woodland Realm, had a great love for both his son and wife. It grieved him terribly that she had just left without a cause, abandoning him and their son. It tore his heart apart, and as his son called to him, crying about a minuscule bite, it became immeasurably difficult to inform his son that his naneth had left him. And she left to reason for any soul to believe that she would return

Oh, the poor, poor elfling. He would not understand what it was to have a mother, for she had just left him. The love of a father he would know in abundance, but the sweet, pure and gentle love of a mother would never be known to him. The chance to know that was torn from him before he could even have a glimpse of her love. How was he to care for his little son? Legolas was a darling little munchkin, but only his wife truly knew how to care for him. He was sure he loved her, and even more sure that she loved him. There was no doubt in his heart. It was true, that elves love but once. Yet what had called to her so urgently that caused her to leave her home, her son, and her husband?

He could not find it in himself to despise her. He loved her. And it pained him more than being stabbed by a thousand swords to think that she really did not care for him as much as he thought she had. Thranduil imagined that their bond was now breaking, slowly tearing. In this image he had conjured, he thought that maybe he could sever it forever. Yet that was not in his power to do such a terrible thing, and even if it was not so, he would not remove himself entirely from her in such a manner. Tears poured down his face, and he remembered what his father had told him. That his heart would cause him pain. That love was not worth it, all this he told him just before he charged into battle, to his death. Oropher had told him this as Thranduil urged him to see reason, to not defy the orders of Gil-galad. In spite of those words, Thranduil knew what love is, what it truly is, and nothing could cause him to believe anything that contradicted what he knew.

This he knew: Love is always worth the pain. And because of love, he would tell Legolas that his mother had left. A lie would only worsen this terrible situation. He would not lie, for he loved his little leaf. The love he had for his son was true, the kind that speaks truth and despises lies.

One thousand four hundred fifty years had passed since his wife, Bregoliel, had left him and Legolas. Legolas became his everything. He raised his son with great love and care. Legolas grew to be a handsome ellon, with all the virtues a good prince should have. He was proud and bold, though ellith scared him, particularly the ones who shamelessly threw themselves at him. Legolas joined the guard, and was one of the greatest warriors in Mirkwood, earning high regard among his father's advisors.

Prince Legolas was tall and strong, far more skilled than many of his peers. But still his heart was humble and meek, and never did anyone find him praising himself. He was a warrior, gladly defending his kingdom, always willing to do what he must. In many ways he emulated his father, and in other ways, his mother.

His broad shoulders were always easily recognised, and his grey eyes blazed with life and determination. Often a boyish smile made its way into his lips and seemed to erase the years that could be seen in his eyes. There was no denying that he was handsome, either, for his countenance was both enough for one to conclude that he was decidedly good looking and also that he was a prince. Legolas was a warrior, yes, but he held a heart as warm as his father's. This was evident to all.

There was a time when the prince's head was filled with dreams and fanciful thoughts. But those times passed sooner than they came, for his reality struck him down, and he realised that hope for these once entirely probable dreams faded, for they became fantastical dreams.

And still he longed for his mother.

There was a large price to pay when Queen Bregoliel left, and it was not a minute one. It was high. The people were not the ones who paid this terrible price, though they loved her. It was the king who gave up the most.

Thranduil became cold. The once charming and well loved king ceased his exploits in the villages. The king who once personally handed food to the wounded elves and gave money to those who had none, stopped all activities of the sort. His people love him still, but it appeared he did not care for them as he once did. All elves of noble standing knew this, however. Legolas was the one who kept the king sane. Had Mirkwood's beloved prince not been with his father as he was, Thranduil would have locked himself in his chambers for the rest of eternity. He would have become a tyrant.

But he never did. For whenever he looked at his son, his heart burst with joy. He knew that it was imperative for him to be the great leader he was known as. Not only for the people, but for his son. Truth be told, he only was cold because he feared trusting others. Sadness enveloped his heart. Pain haunted his every step; it ruined his dreams.

He had known Bregoliel ever since he was an elfling, and they had been the dearest of friends. Now he feared that if he trusted anyone more, he would be faced with betrayal once more. Most thought he was cold because his heart was cold. The opposite was true. The Elvenking's heart was one of the warmest ones ever seen. But his heart still ached horribly from the loss of his beloved, and his wife's leaving led to other things that pulled him down even further. To lose Legolas would be the ultimate low.

The king really was proud of his dear son. Legolas had assisted in many ways to ensure the capturing of the creature Gollum, who was known to possess the One Ring of Sauron for over five hundred years. Gollum really was a pitiful thing. The "cold-hearted" king pitied him badly. He would have had him executed, but pity stayed his hand.

Legolas had never ventured far from Mirkwood's borders. Thranduil would not let him. He feared that he would be killed or taken, and all would be lost. He often pondered on what he would do if he lost his son. In fact, he was thinking of it in June of the year 3018, the third age of Middle-earth. Thranduil thought of it all, sadly he recalled Legolas' childhood, and with anger he remembered the events that followed his wife's leaving. His thoughts were interrupted by Galion, one of his most trusted generals and dearest friends.

"Your majesty?"

"Yes, Galion?" he replied.

"Well..." his voice trailed off. "My lord, you see…" Galion sighed.

"Galion, what has happened? I am the king, I am the protecter of these people! What happened?!" Thranduil snapped.

"There was an orc attack, my lord."

"Did you kill them all? Is Legolas unharmed and well?"

"Yes, my lord, but, you see, there is a problem." He paused, looking for the words to use. "Rhaich!" He cursed, rather frustrated.

"Galion, I am bound to be told one way or another, `tis only right YOU tell me now! " Thranduil exclaimed, becoming impatient.

"Well, you see, during the attack, Gollum escaped," Galion replied, shifting on his feet. The general waited for a response.

"Goheno nin, I should not have grown so impatient you, mellon. Call Legolas in. You can go now."

Galion exited the king's study and quickly reached Legolas, telling him to report to his father.

"Ada, is everything well? I know Gollum escaped and that is foul news and trouble, but never do you call me into your study at this time of day," Legolas said, as he entered.

"You are quite right, ion nin, but I need someone to carry news of Gollum's escape to my old friend Elrond."

"Tauriel would most likely be glad to go. And, if you would allow me, I would very much like to go."

The Elvenking pondered this, brow furrowed in thought. Then he transpired to change the subject, for he had wondered often about these things.

"Legolas, you and Tauriel seem quite happy now. I have decided that she will go, but I know not if I will allow you to accompany her. Tomorrow morning I shall tell you."

Legolas was disappointed with this answer. He wanted adventure away from Mirkwood, and to be with Tauriel wouldn't be half bad at all to him. In fact, it was an idea gladly welcome to him. They had been courting since the Battle of Five Armies. Granted, it was a rather hasty decision, one that still baffled Thranduil, but all had seemed well. There were those who still held doubts.

Thranduil confused the prince by asking him the question he least expected.

"Do you love her, Legolas?"

"I-I-think so, ada. I have never felt- more alive with anyone in my life. So yes-I love Tauriel," he replied, a little hesitantly, stumbling over his words and pressing his lips together nervously.

"You are dismissed, Legolas."

Legolas puzzled himself. Why had his father asked him that and dismissed him so quickly? He was truthful to the father he loved so dearly, was he not? Then why was he so loath to say that he loved Tauriel? Of course he did! He could not think of another soulhe would want to be with. But yet he hesitated. He hesitated to say those two words to her. She had said them to him earlier that day.

"Legolas. I must tell you something."

"What is it, Tauriel?"

"Gi melin," she replied, smiling up at him.

He did not respond. He merely smiled a half smile at her and walked away, shaking his head in disbelief. But it was not a disbelief that elated him, rather one that created a terrible sinking feeling in his stomach, though he could not identify why.

As Legolas pondered whether or not Tauriel was truly the one for him, Thranduil sat in his study with tears in his eyes. He knew he could not shelter Legolas in his kingdom forever. This is the time when he would have to let him go. And to top it, his son was in love with the captain of the guard. Thranduil never saw that coming, and it enraged him that he could not see how his son began to love her, or understand any of their relationship. From the beginning he doubted it. Still there was doubt in his heart. True love bears no doubt, thought the king.

Thranduil did not know how he would cope with all this change. What would happen when Legolas married Tauriel? Would Legolas even come back alive? He could feel a shadow and a threat growing in his mind at the prospect of his son traveling to Imladris. The king was sure that something unexpected would occur, something that might change Legolas' life forever. Thranduil did not wish for such a change. Truly, he wanted the little innocent elfling once again, but gone were those days.

Feelings were nothing in that moment. Thranduil had always strived to be honest with himself and his son. He knew it was best to let him go to Imladris, and he would no longer convince himself otherwise.

One thousand years later, Legolas Thranduilion sits on a knoll of green grass in Valinor. To his right is his son, and on his knee, a young elleth with green-grey eyes. On his left is his wife, a smile of pure joy evident on her fair face as she leans into the embrace of her husband. Across from him is his father, next to him, his mother.

Together they recount this story, one that changed all of their lives, and even shaped their characters, the very essence of who they are today.

Thranduil and Legolas begin to tell the tale, but by the end, all are contributing to the story, for all their parts collided. This tale enraptures the children, for it is one that can never grow old. It will stay with them forever, and they will tell their children, and their children shall tell their children. Though to the small elflings it is but a sort of fairy tale, though they do know it is far more real. It is a story that inspires dreams, and inspires a child to never lose his faith, nor his love.

It is a tale of great love, a father's love, a child's love, a husband's love, for love is the force that drives our universe; it is a story full of sacrifices, for no truly wonderful story is void of sacrifice; but most importantly, this tale is one of faith, for with faith, mountains can be moved, whether they be figurative or literal.

Yet without love faith lacks its meaning.

Ada(r)- daddy, father

Ion nin- my son

Nana (Naneth)- mommy, mother

Goheno nin- forgive me

Penneth- little one

Ellon (Ellyn)- male elf(s)

Elleth (Ellith)- female elf(s)

Rhaich- curses

Mellon- friend

Gi melin- I love you

hello, there! when I first posted it, it completely screwed it up which is entirely depressing. so, here it is, in readable format. I hope.

please leave a review, it would mean a lot. I'm really trying to improve my writing over here soooo yeah xD

- Ness