Disclaimer: Sadly, neither the characters nor the places mentioned in this story belong to me. They're all Tolkien's /New Line's. This chapter was loosely inspired by a book I read when I was child.

Warnings: AU, eventually non-graphic-slash

Prologue

He was afraid. Careful not to cause any noise, he slowly made his way through the dark hall, hoping that nobody would find out about his disappearing before the morning came.

Finally reaching the wooden door, he hesitated for a short moment. He would almost have turned around and abandoned his plan, thinking about the long and dangerous road that lay ahead, but then he remembered how important his task was. With new determination, he pushed the door open and stepped outside.

After what seemed like an eternity, he had finally left the last building behind, but he knew that the most dangerous part of his escape was still to come: the sentries. Afterwards, he would never be able to explain how he managed to get past them without being noticed. Maybe because he knew the surroundings better than most of them, or maybe because they were tired and never thought that anyone could try to leave the dwelling. After all, they had orders to watch out for enemies that were trying to get inside. Probably, it was a mixture of all of these reasons.  After two hours he had passed the last sentry, but as he did not know this, he continued to make his way through the bushes for another hour until he dared to walk on the main road.

It was now almost four hours since he had left the house and he was extremely tired. By now he wished he had never left, but it was too late to turn back now. Unable to walk any further, he decided to rest for a while and lay down in the grass near the road. He knew that he should probably hide himself in case someone was looking for him, but he did not have the strength to move anymore. Actually, right now he would not mind if someone found him, because he was feeling cold, hungry and awfully lonely. Sobbing softly, he cried himself to sleep and did not wake up until he felt that someone was shaking him.

He wanted to jump up and run away, but the stranger had a firm grip on his arm and kept him from leaving.

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Legolas could tell that his guards were nervous and he had to admit that he also felt slightly uneasy when he thought about their destination: Imladris.

The relationships between Lord Elrond's realm and Mirkwood were not good, to put it friendly. Someone less polite than Legolas would probably have said that Thranduil and Elrond hated each other.

A few weeks ago, Elrond had sent a message to Thranduil, proposing an alliance between the two realms and now Legolas carried the king's answer. Knowing his father, Legolas wished he could just turn around and hide somewhere, as the message would surely not please Elrond, but as a prince of Mirkwood and representative of his home, he obviously could not do that. To be honest, he had always wanted to see Elrond's valley and he surely would not miss this chance.

With new enthusiasm, he urged his horse to go faster, riding ahead of his party. Suddenly, something caught his attention and he stopped. Dismounting, he noticed that what looked like an old piece of cloth was in fact a sleeping child. He kneeled down near the sleeping form and softly shook the elfling to wake him. Suddenly, the child jumped up and tried to run away, but he managed to keep his grip on the boy's arm.

Said boy soon gave up his hopeless efforts to get free and instead did something Legolas had not expected: He started to sob and soon cried as if he was determined to drown himself and the frightening stranger in his tears.

Unsure what to do, Legolas tentatively wrapped his arms around the weeping child, offering comfort. When he noticed his soldiers coming closer, he gave them a wink to stay away. There was no need to frighten the child any more.

How long he held the child in his arms, Legolas did not know, but finally the sobbing stopped and the elfling tried to move away. Legolas allowed it, knowing that he could easily catch up should the boy try to flee again.

But the child made no efforts to run again. He had decided that this blonde elf, who had comforted him, was his friend and friends did not run away from each other. So he just sat down in the grass, staring expectantly at his new 'friend'.

Legolas did not have any siblings and therefore did not know how to treat children. Hesitantly, he sat down as well.

'Who are you?'

His first question was met with silence. Trying to sound as friendly as possible, Legolas tried again. 'What are you doing here?'

This time, the elfling shook his head. 'I cannot tell you. It is a secret.'

'But perhaps I could help you?'

'I cannot tell you. You are a stranger.'

Legolas tried his most charming smile, praying that it worked with children. 'I could tell you who I am. Then I would not be a stranger and you could tell me your secret so that I might help you.' Taking the following silence for a 'yes', he continued. 'My name is Legolas.'

This seemed to convince the child, who now crept closer to the prince. 'I am Elrohir.' Elrohir seemed to hesitate for a moment before he added 'Will you be my friend?'

Legolas simply stared at him, realizing that he was talking to one of Elrond's sons. Slowly, he nodded. 'Yes, I am your friend.'

He did not know what to do. Surely, Elrond did not know that Elrohir had decided to leave the valley and was now sick with worry. Trying to keep the conversation going, he asked 'So why are you here all alone?' He was afraid that Elrohir would again refuse to answer, but the boy answered promptly.

'I want to go to Mirkwood.' As an afterthought, he added 'Do you know how I can get there? Is it still very far?'

Legolas pretended to think about this. 'Aye, it is still a very long and dangerous way. I do not think you will get there today. What do you want there?'

'I need to talk to Thranduil.'

Trying hard not to laugh as Elrohir looked at him with trusting eyes, Legolas asked. 'You need to talk to Thranduil?'

'Yes, because he is very mean and makes father sad…and father does not have time to play with us anymore because he has to write so many letters…'

'And now you want to tell Thranduil to stop being mean to your father?'

Elrohir nodded determinedly. 'Elladan said I could not go to Mirkwood. He is also very mean. But I can do it…I am brave.'

At the mentioning of his brother's name, the tears had started to fall again and kept Elrohir from continuing his little speech. This gave Legolas some time to think. Smiling assuringly, he nodded.

'Aye, you are very brave. After all, you want to go all the way to Mirkwood to help your father. I am sure he was very happy when you told him about your plans.'

Turning pink, Elrohir guiltily looked to the ground.

'So you did not tell him?' The child shook his head. 'But then he will be very worried.'

'Really?'

 'I believe he is very happy to have such a brave and caring son. Imagine his shock when he finds out that you are gone.'

'Do you think he will cry?'

Legolas nodded gravely 'I am sure of it.'

'And Elladan?'

'He will be very sad as well.'

'Perhaps…I should go back home to tell them that they do not have to cry?'

Pretending not to notice how relieved Elrohir was that he did not have to go to Mirkwood after all, Legolas smiled. 'Aye, I believe this would be best.'

'But who will talk to Thranduil?'

Legolas' smile widened. 'Shall I tell you one of my secrets? I meet Thranduil from time to time. If you want me to, I could try to talk to him.'

This seemed to satisfy Elrohir. He did not protest as Legolas lifted him from the ground and carried him to his horse to take him back to his home.

TBC

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