A/N: Thank you to all who spared the time to review! I'm sorry this is being updated after so long as I have been extremely busy with school (as much as we might detest school, an education always comes first lol).

This is how I always imagined Legolas' return home after the War of the Ring, as a result this chapter is longer than the last. This story will also be slightly longer than what I had initially planned, oh well, more fun! Hehehe.

NOTE: I have edited this chapter slightly. Please read and enjoy! =)


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Chapter 2 – Returning Home

The leaves crunched softly as the weight of hooves passed over them. The forest was green and bright again. Gone were the days where the trees groaned in agony at the darkness that had descended upon the great forest. The shadow had been lifted; the Fellowship had succeeded beyond all odds and lived to tell the tale.

The elf smiled, his eyes sparkling as he joyfully observed the soft golden rays of the sun peering through the tree tops. The trees waved their branches lazily, producing a gentle breeze which elicited a peaceful rustling of green leaves. The elf's smile grew wider when he felt a sharp tug on the back of his golden hair, followed by an annoyed grunt.

"Are we there yet, laddie?" the gruff voice of the dwarf came. Legolas rolled his eyes as Gimli proceeded to complain about his aching backside.

"Gimli, you've asked me that question about seven times within the last hour! I never knew you were such a child!" Legolas teased and chuckled at the string of insults that erupted from the dwarf seated behind him on his horse, Arod. Gandalf and the hobbits laughed loudly at the elf and dwarf's friendly banter as their horses continued on into the forest.

Aragorn decided to put the dwarf out of his misery and tell him when they were to arrive. "It should be no more than three hours' ride remaining, if my memory still serves me correctly, right Legolas?"

Legolas nodded his head in affirmation and urged Arod into a gallop. "Ai!" Gimli exclaimed clenching his fists into Legolas' sides. "Stop your stupid animal, you crazy elf!" Legolas grinned and whispered for Arod to go faster, leaving a hysterical Fellowship in their wake.


It was almost dusk by the time the Fellowship arrived at the borders of the capital city of Mirkwood and were immediately greeted with the sight of green-fletched arrows pointed directly at the tip of their noses.

"Is this how you greet your prince when he finally returns?" Legolas' tone was stern, although mirth was clearly evident, shining in his blue eyes. The elvan guard immediately lowered their bows and arrows and bowed their heads to their prince, all except their captain. He merely stared in shock, his green eyes wide at the sight of the prince before him. "Le - Lego... Las?" he finally choked out.

Legolas' gaze softened and he gracefully swung off Arod and enveloped the elf before him in a bear hug. The elf clasped Legolas in a tight embrace and buried his forehead in the crook of his shoulder. The hobbits and Gimli merely stared, confused at the elves before them whilst Gandalf and Aragorn smiled at the reunion. The captain of the guard released Legolas with a laugh and clasped his shoulder in greeting. "It's wonderful to have you back in one piece, gwador!" (brother) he exclaimed. Legolas squeezed his younger brother's shoulder and removed a stray strand of golden hair that had managed to escape from his brother's warrior braids. Legolas spun on his heel, suddenly remembering the company behind him and grinned down at his friends who had all dismounted from their steeds.

"This, my fellow elves," he addressed the guard, "is the Fellowship. Although one member, Boromir of Gondor, stands not with us today due to his great sacrifice to protect two of the halflings before us." The Fellowship lowered their heads briefly in remembrance and lifted them again when Legolas continued, this time addressing them. "My dear friends, may I introduce you to my younger brother, Prince Lasneth of Mir-"

"Not Mirkwood, gwador, but Eryn Lasgalen - Wood of the Greenleaves," Lasneth stated proudly and smirked at the surprise on his older brother's face. Lasneth's gaze fell upon the stout dwarf in front of him and his eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion. "Las, a dwarf?" he raised an eyebrow at Gimli who merely grunted and straightened his back.

Legolas laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "He has proven himself many times over, I have named him elf-friend" he informed in Sindarin. Lasneth's stance relaxed and he placed his right hand on his chest above his heart in greeting, as per elvan custom, and proceeded to lead the company beyond the gates into the heart of Eryn Lasgalen.

Elves rapidly began to line the streets leading up to the mountain that housed the halls of King Thranduil, whispering in excitement as they spied the unusual company enter the gates. The hushed whispers broke into a cheer when the elves recognised their crown prince walking tall aside his brother. The cheers gathered in momentum as Gandalf released a magnificent firework into the sky, releasing a spectrum of colours filling the dark, clear sky above. Servants quickly came to the Fellowship's side and took their packs to their rooms and horses to the stables.

Legolas was about to lead the Fellowship up the flight of stone steps leading up to the doors of his father's halls when he spotted a person with shining raven hair running across the balcony that encircled the outside of the mountain, which the king had built to ensure that the elves' maintained their connection with the trees and stars around them from within their cave-like abode. Legolas blinked, thinking his eyes were playing tricks with his vision. The face of the raven haired elf was then lit by the torches of light that hung on the walls. Legolas' eyes grew wide and he momentarily froze, his breath hitching in his throat and he finally let out a cry. "Lalaith!"

Suddenly, he burst into a sprint up the steps and met the elleth halfway, encircling his arms about her waist as she flung her arms around his neck. Legolas twirled her in a circle, his arms fixed securely about her waist as they embraced. He lifted his right hand and stroked her cheek and ran his fingers through her hair as both elves shut their eyes and leaned their foreheads against each others, the tips of their noses brushing. Lalaith's grey eyes flew open and she laughed in delight as she flung her arms around her prince in another hug, tears of joy dripping from her thick dark lashes onto her rosy cheeks. Legolas clutched her closer to him and laughed in pure bliss and kissed her forehead and both her cheeks. Legolas finally loosened his tight embrace when he heard Lasneth cough behind him and turned to face the Fellowship, leading his princess by her hand. Lalaith curtsied to the Fellowship who greeted her with bright smiles upon their faces.

"Mellyn nin (my friends), this is my beloved wife and princess, Lalaith." Lalaith smiled warmly in welcome at the hobbits and Sam sighed, completely mesmerised by the beautiful elf in front of him. She shifted her gaze to Aragorn and engulfed him tightly in a bear hug, making the man's face split into a grin.

"Tis lovely to see you again, my lady!" Aragorn teased. Lalaith laughed, the sound tinkled like bells and brought a serene smile to Legolas' face. She released the king of Gondor from her embrace and cried "Mithrandir!" as she proceeded to squeeze the old wizard in another tight hug. Gandalf chuckled and patted her head, speaking softly to her in Sindarin. Lalaith reached out and grasped Legolas' hand in her own once more as they continued to lead their companions up the steps and through the doors into the halls.

The Fellowship bowed in respect to the elvan king who sat nobly upon his throne, a silver circlet embedded with emeralds adorning his shimmering golden hair. Legolas released Lalaith's hand and knelt before his father's throne. "Adar, (father) I have returned."

King Thranduil narrowed his eyes and stood from his throne, pulling his son upright before him. He placed his right hand on Legolas' shoulder before whispering, his voice filled with emotion. "Ion nin, (my son), you do not bow to me." Thranduil pulled his son in a fierce embrace. It was not clear who said "I missed you" first, yet the sight warmed the hearts of all who witnessed their meeting. Thranduil's green eyes glistened with unshed tears as he placed a kiss upon his son's brow and stroked his golden head like he had done when Legolas was an elfling. "Welcome home, Greenleaf."

Legolas beamed at his father and let his eyes wander the room. "Where is Lindariel? Where are my children?"

The king's pleasant expression instantly paled and became grave. Legolas' eyes darted from Lalaith to Lasneth to Thranduil. None would make eye contact with him. "Ada, (dad/daddy), where are they?"

Legolas' breathing hastened as panic rose in his chest. Why weren't his family meeting his gaze? "Ada! Please tell me! Someone... where are they?"

King Thranduil motioned for servants to see his guests to their rooms and he grasped his son's shoulders firmly, facing him, his expression a blank canvas, yet the king's shoulders sagged. "Come with me." Legolas briskly followed his father out of the majestic hall, with Lasneth gently leading Lalaith after them, gripping his sister-in-law's trembling hands. Legolas attempted to control his breathing. His mind was racing. What ill had befallen his family? With each step, Legolas' dread increased, but he was determined to see the answer for himself.

TBC...

Please review! xD

P.S. Can someone please tell me the Sindarin word for Uncle and Aunty? Your help would be greatly appreciated!