Disclaimer - Light comes on to reveal author digging through box of characters and places. "Hmmm, Legolas? Nope not mine; darn it! Mirkwood? Nope, not mine either. Thranduil? Nope he belongs to Tolkien too. throws LOTR related things in a box labeled Tolkien's NOT Mine Continues digging and pulls out Mithwe, Laslira, Esce, Rilwen, and Calenalda. "Oooh, MINE!"

Sticks all five in a padlocked box guarded by her demon cat "MINE!"

Middle Earth and all related icons, names, and such like belong to J.R.R Tolkien and New Line Cinemas. I stake no claim to them nor do I get any money for my writings.

Chapter one – Green Eyes

Legolas Thranduilion walked lightly through the forest. Soft green sunlight filtered through the thick leaves and the prince smiled with the pure joy of the greenwood in summertime. A song of the Elder days rose softly from his lips to hover in the warm air.

With a soft smile Legolas lifted his eyes to watch the birds flitting from branch to branch. Suddenly he yelped in surprise as his foot caught, tripping him. The unintentional sound was followed by quickly stifled laughter.

The prince found himself lying across the legs of a strange Elf. The younger being's leaf green eyes held the laughter that Legolas had heard as he fell. He scrambled to his feet and glared down at the stranger as he tried to regain some of his dignity.

"What exactly do you think you are doing on the ground like that? You are not in Lothlorien or Imladris; the greenwood isn't safe anymore. Do you care that you could have been killed or worse?"

"I was sleeping 'on the ground like that.' And as for the danger I have traveled in perilous places before. It seems to me that I was far more alert than you. That being the case you should stop lecturing me and go home where it's safe for dreamy eyed bird watchers."

"Dreamy eyed – you – you cat-faced son of a human!"

The stranger, who was now laughing in earnest, raised an eyebrow.

"Is that the best you could come up with? I think was the most pathetic insult I've ever heard."

"If you had been paying attention to those around you instead of yourself and how alert you are you would know that I am not to be taunted. I am a warrior of Greenwood the Great and shall be treated as such. Now on your feet and show some respect; for I am Legolas Thranduilion, prince of the Greenwood.

----------------------------------Legolas' PoV--------------------------------------

The unknown Elf jumped to his feet. All mirth had left his face and a nameless sorrow filled his bottomless green eyes. He bowed low, right hand over his heart.

"Forgive me your majesty. You are right; I ought to have held my tongue. If you wish to know my name is Mithwe."

There was sorrow in Mithwe's voice and I was sorry I'd been so harsh. He turned to leave, head down and eyes on the ground. I felt as though I should do something to try and make up for my unkind words so I called his name.

"Mithwe, wait! Please come stay in Lasgalen. There is a feast tonight in honor of the crown prince's return from Lothlorien. I am sure the Elves of Greenwood will welcome you."

"I would enjoy that. Thank you, your majesty."

We set off in the direction of Lasgalen, Mithwe maintaining a sad silence despite his proclamation of joy. It made me want more than anything to return the sparkling light to the bright green eyes that stared so grimly at the grass beneath our feet.

Two Hours Later

Mithwe remained silent as we came in sight of the gates. His shoulder-length red gold hair shone like fire in the sunlight. The gate guard was a pair of young Elves just out of training and both saluted stiffly as we passed. Not ten feet away sat half a dozen older soldiers seemingly in the midst of an animated conversation. But I knew they were alert for danger every minute.

Even five years ago they would not have been necessary; but the Greenwood was darkening. In the far south of our land orcs and other evil creatures roamed freely. And in the last few months they had been encroaching on our outlying communities; already ten Elves had disappeared. That was the reason for my anger at Mithwe's obvious unconcern for the danger.

As was passed into the palace proper Mithwe stopped walking. His face remained expressionless but his eyes reflected doubt. He stood thus for a moment then shook himself and walked on.

"I will take you to a guest room so you can lay down your things. Then you must meet my father. I am afraid you will have to wait until the feast to be introduced to my siblings; they are always very busy before things like this."

After dropping Mithwe's pack off at a guest room near my chambers we went to my father's apartments. He was adding the finishing touches to his when we walked in and smiled when he saw me.

I loved my father. He was tall and golden-haired with an air of strength about him. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's and green as jade, never failed to hold love when they beheld his children. Even Mithwe looked slightly more at ease. I think he had been expecting a much sterner Elf, one who looked more as though he carried the weight of gathering dark on his shoulders.

"Greetings my son; I was wondering when you'd return form your walk. Who is your friend?"

"Father, this is Mithwe of…" I trailed off and glanced at my companion. He'd never told me where he was from. He bowed to father, a gracious smile on his lips.

"I am Mithwe of Arda; a traveler, your majesty."

"Then greetings to you as well, Mithwe of Arda."

Just then a maid slipped her head in the door.

"Excuse me your majesties, my lord, the feast is nearly ready."

I smiled my most infectious smile at Mithwe who returned a tiny grin of his own. But the sparkle had yet to return to his eyes.

----------------------------Mithwe's PoV------------------------------------

I followed Legolas to the site of the banquet, feeling somewhat awkward in my borrowed clothes. Wood Elves in every shade of green, brown, and gold filled the glade near the palace. The adults held goblets of mead or wine and smiled indulgently at the Elflings running about their feet.

I recognized Calenalda immediately. He had the same tawny-gold hair and green eyes as his father. Beside him, laughing merrily, stood an Elf-maid whom Legolas introduced as his twin sister Laslira. The two of them stood and talked while I studied them.

Laslira was, without a doubt, the most beautiful Elf-maid I had ever seen. It made sense though. After all, Legolas was the best looking Elf I'd ever seen. And were it not for the fact that Laslira was obviously female they would have been impossible to tell apart. Both had hair like the summer sun and unbelievably blue eyes. High cheekbones under ivory skin gave them a look of noble beauty that was different from their father and brother's strong grace.

"Look at those two." Calenalda's voice in my ear startled me. "They look so guileless. But they're probably plotting the humiliation of some poor innocent."

I laughed.

"Why do they look so different from you and the king?"

"They look like mom; and they have her spirit too. She was always laughing. I even remember her sliding down the stairs when it was just our family. Dad met her because he walked under a rigged bucket of paint intended for someone else and she felt sorry for him. The twins love playing pranks; be careful."

Just then Legolas walked up.

"What are you telling Mithwe?" He turned to me. "Come my friend, we can not have Cal poisoning you with those naughty little prank stories he loves to tell so much. Oh," Legolas called back over his shoulder at his brother as he led me away. "Dad wants you, Cal."

When the feasting was ended the twins stood up and walked to the center of the ring of Elves. They waited a moment for everyone to quiet and began to sing a homecoming song. The notes that rose from their lips to hang in the moon-silvered air pulled me back through the years and into another glade surrounded by trees even older that Greenwood's.

Flashback-Flashback-Flashback-Flashback-Flashback-Flashback-Flashback

I smiled at Esce, my best friend, as she walked past. Her long hung loose to her ankles crowned by a circlet of her own bronze locks braided into flower-centered disks.

Esce grinned back as she and her dance partner stepped into place. On her other side Rilwen, copper hair swinging loose, stood in the arms of Esce's older brother. I laughed at the look she shot me before joining my own partner.

End-Flashback-End-Flashback-End-Flashback- End-Flashback-End-Flashback

I came out of my memories to the fell of a hand on my shoulder. Legolas was looking down at me with concern on his face. I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile and he seemed to relax somewhat, but his hand remained on my arm.

What had triggered that? I hadn't thought of my home in months. Maybe it was the song. The last time I had heard that song was at the festival I had been remembering. That banquet had been only two nights before the day I left home; and it had been in my honor. It no longer seemed odd to call others you majesty. But back then, that night, it would have. The Heir Apparent of –.

Legolas' worried voice cut into my thoughts.

"Mithwe are you well? You've been acting rather strangely tonight."

"Oh, yes, sorry your majesty. I'm fine. I was merely thinking."

"About what?"

"Umm, about –"

Just then Laslira bounded up, saving me from having to answer. She grabbed my hand.

"Come, Mith, dance with me!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm and nodded. Then, smiling, I led her over to where the others were getting ready to dance. Legolas sauntered up a few seconds later with a black-haired maid on his arm.

As the musicians began to play I forgot the fears from my past and worries of the present to lose myself in the rhythm. I remained lost in the only thing that could give me peace until the stars were growing dim and exhausted Elves staggered home to drop onto still-made beds.

Translations:

Thranduilion- Son of Thranduil Mithwe- Grey Heart Laslira- Leaf Song

Esce- Rustle of Leaves Calenalda- Green Tree