Hey, everyone, sorry, I've been gone for a while. Now I'm back! YAY! Anyway, a BIG thank you to LadyLindariel for being the beta for this. Everyone give her a round of applause, thank you, thank you.

Hope you like my story, enjoy!

Chapter 1

A soft breeze tossed back the blond hair around the warrior's shoulders, as he sat on the wall overlooking the forest of Mirkwood. Below, a few elves chattered among themselves as they prepared to leave for the long journey ahead. A small elfling, one of the few in the kingdom, raced out toward the forest. A moment later a young elleth appeared running after it, laughing, while calling out for it. As he watched the two, he was thrown back into memory, so long ago...

…

"Legolas," A cheerful crystal voice called out. The elfling giggled, standing behind one of the guards in front of the gate. The guard held back a grin, as the elfling clutched his legs, peeking around.

"Did Nana see me?" Little Legolas asked the guard.

"I think so," the guard replied, a smile coming to his lips, then quickly disappearing as a beautiful elleth approached them. Legolas, barely reaching the guard's knees, let out a screech and dashed out to the open gates leading into the forest.

Legolas's Mother raced after him, catching up to him in mere seconds. As she scooped him up, he let out a yelp, and started giggling as she tickled him.

"My Lady," A voice said, interrupting the playful mood. "Lord Thranduil wishes to see you."

"Thank you, Feren,"Legolas's mother replied, turning, to the young warrior who stood before her. "Let's go see what your Ada wants," she said to Legolas, entering the large gates. As she walked down the great halls, she was met by her husband, and elven King, Thranduil.

"Ah, there you are," the elven king said, as he took hold of the two. "Getting into mischief again, I presume." He winked at his wife, then turned to Legolas who she was holding. "Now, now, how many times have I told you not to get your Nana into trouble?"

Legolas giggled as Thranduil tickled him under the chin. "I wouldn't get Nana in trouble," Legolas said, between giggles.

"I'll let you get away with it this time," Thranduil said, feigning a stern look. "Why don't you go see if Galion has any treats, I need to borrow your Nana for a few minutes."

"Yes, treats sound yummy!" Legolas cheered, squirming down before his Nana had a chance to let him down. He raced off down the hall, then jerked to a stop remembering something, turning he ran back toward his parents. He came to a halt at a corner, slipping behind a statue when he heard the change in his parents' voices from mere moments before.

"Do you have to go?" Came his mother's voice.

"Yes, I am sorry dear, but I must. If there is danger, or perhaps worse, I need to know of it. I will be back as soon as I can, and am bringing my best warriors."

"I wish you did not have to go, you worry me every time."

"It will not be long, watch out for Legolas, you know how he loves to explore."

"Yes, of course. Just please be careful, come back to us in one piece."

"You worry too much," Thranduil said. "I leave early in the morning. We shall have a feast tonight to take your mind off things."

Legolas, excited with the idea of a party, backed away, and running into a pair of legs. Looking up, he grinned sheepishly, "Galion, Ada sent me to find you to find yummy stuff to eat."

"And how long ago was that?"

"Um... I forgot."

"Have you been eavesdropping?"

"I didn't drop any eaves, I promise. What are eaves anyway?"

Galion chuckled, "Come one little one, I may know where a secret stash of sweet cakes are."

…..

A scream tore down the halls, erupting the peacefulness. A sob came from under the covers of the small bed, made specially for the elf child. Legolas curled under the blanket, tucking his knees to his head, and trying to push away the images that had come to him. Another scream formed in him, when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Legolas?" A soft voice whispered, pulling him from his nightmarish dream. "What is it?"

A sob escaped Legolas, as he slowly pulled back the covers to see his Nana. Tears pulled in his eyes, and he stood, throwing his arms around her. "You're here."

"Of course I am, my little Greenleaf. Did you have a nightmare?"

Legolas nodded, whipping away any tears. "When is Ada going to be back?"

There was a soft knock on the door, and the two turned to see Galion. "Is everything alright?" The butler asked, concern dotting his face.

"A bad dream is all," Legolas's mother said, holding him in her arms.

"Alright, I will fetch some water for him, and a little something to eat."

"Thank you, Galion."

Galion winked at Legolas, before disappearing from the doorway.

"I miss Ada," Legolas said. "Will he be safe?"

"I pray so," his mother replied. "Do not worry, he will be back before you know it. What did you dream of?" Concern came to her eyes; her little one should not have nightmares like this. Most of their dreams came from memories, and she had tried to shield him from any evil.

Tears formed in Legolas's eyes, as he remembered the dream.

"It's alright, you can tell me," his mother crooned.

Legolas sniffed before taking a breath, "Y-you were gone," he said, his voice breaking. "And there were big, ugly, bad creatures. They said they took you, and... and..."

"You can tell me."

"They said you were dead, and then they were going after Ada." Tears ran down Legolas's cheeks, as he buried his face in his mother's nightdress.

"Shh, shh, little one," his mother crooned. "It will be alright; I will stay with you."

"Promise?" Legolas whispered, looking up at her.

"Yes, I promise."

…

"Legolas."

Legolas looked up from where he sat, to see Galion a few feet away. "We must go now," Galion told him.

Legolas gave a nod, swinging off the wall. As the two walked down to the lower level, the two could hear the gruff voice of a dwarf.

"I need more food than that, laddie!" Came the explanation. The two elves turned a corner to see the red-haired dwarf standing in front of a young warrior. The warrior looked nervous, glancing at Legolas and Galion for help.

"Gimli, calm down," Legolas told his friend, with a chuckle. "There will be plenty of food."

"There better be," Gimli grunted. "Otherwise I might just eat you all."

The elf who had been giving Gimli food, quickly backed away, making his escape.

"Now, now, my friend, do not be hasty. Dwarves are not known for being cannibals, do not start it now."

"Fine," Gimli stated. "But there better be plenty of food, and I mean meat. None of those nasty greens you like to eat. Horrible stuff, if I do say so myself." Gimli made a face, causing Legolas to laugh. "There will be plenty of meat, I assure you my friend."

As Galion watched the two talk and laugh, a smile came to his face. He had seen few of these rare moments since the passing of Legolas's mother, he did not know how long the mood would last, since this was the last time he would see his home.

Galion looked back at the great halls, he would miss this place. There were so many memories here, so many lives, given and taken. Now the world would be left to man, and he only hoped they would care for it as they did.

Thank you so much for reading! Please review! Favorite and Follow (that way you know when I post the next update).