Disclaimer: I do not own anything on Middle Earth; it all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.

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It couldn't be. It just wasn't so.

"No" was the only thing he could say.

"Come on now, lets-"

"No" he said again, but more fiercely. "No" he said it quietly again and began to back away. That seemed to be the only word he knew. Shaking his head and pointing a threatening finger at the other elf, he turned and ran deep in to the forest.

What was going on? How could he have let this happen? He was not ready to be king of Mirkwood. He was not ready for such a responsibility. 'I have to leave. I have to leave now before they call upon me.' But where could he go? They would search the complete forest, and word would be sent to every city on middle earth. So he couldn't run, but he most definitely could not stay here.

Confused, desperate, and growing more and more paranoid he franticly but gracefully climbed a tree. Swearing he could hear someone in the distance he remained completely silent. After a long while he gracefully climbed down from the tree. The forest was completely silent. He sighed and turned back towards his home. No, now it was his kingdom. 'It can't be. My father can not be gone.'

He began to walk back from where he had come. The sky had become dark and the stars had begun to shine brightly. Entranced by their beauty, Legolas stopped and sat down against the trunk of a tree. Where would he go from here? He had nothing but a kingdom, now full of lost elves that needed a leader. That leader was him. Changing his mind, he decided that going back to Mirkwood tonight was not a good idea. He undid the clasp on his quiver, but laid it at arms reach next to his bow.

For the night he was not missed, and no one had anything to say to him when he returned to Mirkwood the next day. When he passed other elves they only dropped their heads or turned the other way. This made Legolas very frustrated, and he realized that now that his father was gone, he had no one left. 'No' he thought, 'that's not true.' He had no one left in Mirkwood, but he still had someone he could rely on in Rivendell. There was still the man from Gondor that he had met in the Fellowship and who he trusted with his life. Legolas allowed himself a small smile when he also remembered Lord Elrond and his daughter Arwen. The elven lord had always been kind to his father and him, and Legolas had been very close to Arwen since they were small elves. He quickened his pace down the hall towards his room. Soon he found himself on a horse riding away from the place he belonged, but where he did not feel welcome. The sky was dark and full of dimly lit stars. The moon was full and shone down on him, leading him away. Legolas felt bad for leaving the place where he was now King but he knew he had to leave. Perhaps Lord Elrond could help find his father.

It took him only a week to reach Rivendell, but when he did the sky was dark and all elves were inside their homes. Unsure what to do, Legolas left his steed and silently climbed the stairs towards the front door. A sigh escaped him as he reached his hand up. He hesitated for a moment, and then softly knocked on the intricately carved door. Suddenly his senses returned to him and he swore at himself for what he had done. No one would be awake at this hour, and if they came to the door it would be because he had woken them. 'Nice way to act like a prince. Now what do I do?' He pressed his ear up against the door and heard no movement inside. Relieved, he let out his breath. Searching through his options, he decided on a walk. He turned and went back down the steps. A walk would relax his tense muscles and give him some time alone to think. Unable to control his own thoughts, the image of the last time he saw his father came to mind.

*****

"…and we'll only be gone for the day." The king smiled when he saw the far away look on his sons face. "Legolas?" he said, and tapped his shoulder.

"Yes! Alright, only gone for the day. The palace will be fine, I'll look after it. Enjoy yourself Adar!" and he smiled to reassure his father.

The king smiled too, and then turned back to the other elves around him. All were on horseback and when the king nodded they trotted off into the woods. Legolas smiled after his father and the hunting party. The king never got out hunting anymore, and the prince was more than ready to take over the palace for a day.

*****

He continued to walk around Elrond's House, but stopped when he saw a light. Looking up he was that it was coming from one of the rooms. If his memory was still as good as it had always been, then that room was usually empty.

Someone in the room looked down and saw him, but had been unable to tell what the dark figure was. That elf turned and walked quickly to inform Lord Elrond.

Legolas was almost back to the front door when he felt someone grab him from behind and place something cold against his neck. He was puzzled by who this was but more confused at how they had been able to sneak up on him. His questions were answered when the other spoke. "Who are you and what are you doing out at this time of night?" they asked in a very angry tone.

Legolas kept still and calmly said, "I am Prince Legolas, of Mirkwood." Instantly the blade was removed from his neck and he turned to be face to face with another elf. The other had dark hair, showing he was a Rivendell elf.

"I'm sorry Prince." he said, then bowed. Standing back up he explained himself, "Someone saw a figure walking around outside their room and informed the Lord. Elrond then sent me to find out who it was. I never imagined that it would be you. Here, let me escort you to him."

Legolas had no time to respond as the other elf took his arm and led him up the steps and through the door. He was too relieved and finally glad to be somewhere besides Mirkwood that he let himself be led down the halls. They reached a door and the other elf opened it and gestured for Legolas to enter. He did, and found himself in a small room with a brightly lit fireplace on the wall to his left. On the wall opposite him there were windows, and through them Legolas saw a deep black sky. In the middle of the room there was a table, and sitting at it was Lord Elrond. Remembering what to do, Legolas bent in a deep bow. When he rose back up, the doors were closed and the elven lord was standing from his chair.

"I'm sorry for making such commotion in the middle of the night."

"It is nothing Legolas. But tell me, why have you come to Rivendell?"

The question was met by an uneasy silence that filled the room. Legolas cleared his throat and tried to find his voice. "I had nowhere else to go. Mirkwood is full of elves that need a leader, but I'm not ready to be it. The only ones that can help me are here," he paused, "in Rivendell." Again, silence.

Lord Elrond could see how troubled Legolas was. But he been right in saying that Mirkwood needed a leader. He was also right in saying that he was not ready to be that leader. "Well, for tonight you must stay here. In the morning we can discuss it further." With that he walked over to the prince and reassuringly placed his hand on the others shoulder. "We will find your father." Legolas smiled weakly, but his eyes showed only sadness and distress. Elrond opened the doors to the small room and gave instructions to the elf outside in the hall. It was the same elf that had led Legolas here and now he was leading him towards the guest chambers. Someone had found his horse and brought in the few belongings Legolas had brought, and placed them on the bed. Tiredly Legolas said his thanks and sat down after the other elf had left.

His father was gone now, just like his mother. Everyone that Legolas had ever loved had left. Right then he promised himself that as long as he lived, he would never love anyone again. Blowing out the candle next to the bed, Legolas laid down to an uneasy sleep.

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AN- I know it's a bit confusing but let me help. Legolas' father is not dead, just missing. Still, Legolas thinks the worst and just assumes he is dead.

Please review to let me know if you interested in another chapter.