Thunder roared as lightning split the weeping skies. The ground trembled and sparks rained on the people's heads.

The Gondorians cheered.

Legolas shook his head as he floated back to earth. "The Keepers were made for more than this, you know."

Ruin cast him a disapproving glance as she silenced the torches with a wave of her hand.

Gimli chuckled. "Not enough excitement for you, laddie?"'

Legolas shrugged. "I guess my life is on display enough as the Nando prince that I don't like this very much. I'd rather be behind the scenes killing orcs."

Ruin shook her head. "You'd rather war?"

"No! But the Dunedain still hunt orc packs!"

Eowyn slowly walked towards them. "What's going on?"

"Legolas wants to fight orcs," Gimli said in mock exasperation.

"So do I."

Legolas shook his head. "Not yet, Melleth, not yet."

"Lighten up, Legolas, before our child is born. Unless you want to be like your father is now…"

"Legolas!"

Legolas sighed. "Speak of the Nameless…"

Thranduil rushed to his son. "That was marvelous!"

"Thank you, A – "

"But are you sure it's exactly safe? Remember what happened last time?"

"Yes! And I swear I will never hit myself with lightning ever again!"

"But what if you do it accidentally?"

Eowyn chuckled. "Come on, Gimli, Ruin. Good luck, Legolas?"

Legolas groaned. "Kill me now. Please."

The winds near him stirred. "Shall we send him away?"

"Not yet."

"Where is King Thranduil? Where is Prince Legolas?"

Legolas looked up to see an Elven rider approaching, garbed in Eryn Lasgalen armor. "Father."

"I see." Thranduil made his way to the rider. "Ai, mellon, Alquagon! What has happened?"

Legolas drew closer to see that the captain of the guard held his arm over his chest, staunching the flow of blood from a wound.

Alquagon reined his horse in. "Spiders! Led by one of our own! Yrndaerond is lost, and the people have been attacked by orcs not far from here. Nilgon defends them."

Legolas shot into the sky. "Battle! Battle on the road! We fight orcs!" Gathering the winds, he flew to the site of the battle.

The large party of Elves was beset on all sides by orcs. Nilgon led the fighting force valiantly, but they were severely outnumbered.

Legolas snarled as two orcs drew closer to a group of escaped Elflings. Reaching down with invisible fingers, he ripped the air from their lungs. Even as those collapsed, he landed near Nilgon and raised his hands in a sudden burst of anger. All orcs were lifted above Elven heads and carried off to Orodruin.

Nilgon leaned against his sword, exhausted and wounded. "Le – Legolas?"

"Yes. I take it Father didn't tell you about my gift?"

"He probably did. I was just… glad you were alive."

Cirel rushed up. "Nilgon, sit down. Your wounds need tending."

Nilgon nodded as he pretty much collapsed into a sitting position.

Legolas looked around for his other friend. "Where is Eagan?"

Cirel looked up cautiously. "Eagan is the new king of Mirkwood."

"Ungolaran, he calls himself," Nilgon gasped. "Said it was… his right."

Legolas turned away, troubled. "Rest, Nilgon. The people are safe."

Melleth = love (as an endearment)

Ai, Mellon, Alquagon = Hail, friend, Alquagon

Yrndaerond = Hall of Great Trees (my name for the Halls of the Elvenking)