AN- Ah yes, another chapter. Sorry the updates take so long, but I'm working on three stories at the same time. Speaking of that, I just started my sequel to Arwen in Love! Go me! Anyway… I fell really good about this chapter. The ideas just came to me and finally I have given you a nice long part to read. Hope you enjoy and I'll try to update soon.

--------------

King Thranduil found it hard to wake up. He was lying on something soft and firm. The ground. He groaned as he lifted himself to sit up. Around him there was nothing but trees, and the forest floor was covered in a dense grass. His vision was somewhat blurry, but the sun was bright and shined down to clearly show his surroundings. Looking around he saw no path, no foot prints, no anything that could help him figure out where he was.

Memories of what he had been through came into his head. He remembered a day similar to this, not that long ago. He had been in Mirkwood, and all at once there had been an attack. 'Hadn't the darkness been fought off?' he had thought. It was odd that so large a pack of orcs should have gotten so close to the palace without the elves knowing about it. Thranduil thought harder about that day. How had he ended up here? 'Oh yes' he remembered all at once. Kidnapped. He had been kidnapped by orcs. Cursing at himself silently, he remembered how they had threatened Mirkwood, and his son, in their dark tongue. They had known the King was faithful to Mirkwood and would give up anything, even himself, to save the city from further darkness.

Sighing he stood, brushed himself off, and hoping that his memory of the woods served good he headed to the direction he hoped was correct; towards Rivendell.

She found him sitting on a bench in the garden. Almost smiling, she remembered how as children they had loved to take walks in this same garden. He could sense her presence, she knew it, but he chose to not turn around.

"Legolas?" she said his name softly. Still, he did not turn to face her. "Legolas please, tell me what is wrong. You are my dearest friend, and I hate to see you so upset." She sat down next to him and at last he turned his head to look at her. She tried to lock gazes with him, but he avoided it and looked at the ground. Then he spoke in a quiet, sorrowful voice.

"I am sorry Arwen. I-I do not know what happened to me. I should have stayed there with you and comforted you as my friend."

"It is well." She said, and smiled to reassure him. He did not return the gesture. She put her arm around his shoulders and leaned against him, feeling him stiffen at her touch. "Please Legolas, tell me what troubles you so."

He moved further down on the bench, away from her, and then stared into her eyes with a piercing gaze. "Do not worry about it Arwen, I am just…" he paused to think of what to say. "...worried about my father. That is all."  With that he stood up and began walking out of the gardens, leaving her alone again. But this time she would not let him get away.

"Legolas wait!" she yelled, unnecessarily, and walked quickly over to his still form. Firmly she stood in front of him and grasped his arms tightly with her hands. "Do not think you can lie to me without my knowing."

~*~

Right then he felt like telling her everything. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her and how he wouldn't let himself. He wanted to tell her how bad it hurt to have his mother and his father gone. He wanted to tell her about the promise he made. He wanted to kiss her and hold her and say to her "I love you." But did nothing and said nothing.

She continued to stand in front of him, and in her eyes there was hurt. Had he done that? Had he hurt her? It seemed no matter what he did, someone ended up hurt. Were those tears he saw beginning to well in her eyes? Were those tears he felt in his own eyes? He lifted his hands to hers and gently lowered her arms.

He could think of nothing to say but somehow managed, "I have not lied to you Lady Arwen." He moved close to her, "Never would I lie to you dear friend." He said it in a hushed but gentle voice, then let go and continued to walk away. Again, she did not give up so easily.

"Legolas tell me what is wrong with you!" she said firmly, then more softly she talked in barely over a whisper, "Do you not trust me or care for me any longer?"

She was hurt, and so was he. He hated lying to her more than anything. He shook his head honestly, no. Again he had a great urge to tell her everything; to pour out his very heart and soul to her. "Of course I trust you Arwen. I just," he paused and chose his next words carefully, "I just do not know what is going on inside of me. Please understand me dear friend."

In his head he walked over to her, kissed her, and said "I love you." But that was just a thought. That was just a wish. Just a dream.

~*~

If Arwen could not stop him, then she would be the one to leave. She wanted to say something but instead she gave him a hurt look and turned to leave. But in her head a picture of his face, the face she had just seen, still remained. She had never seen his eyes look so dark and sorrowful, and it was rare that his features did not display a smile. Should she go and ask her father about him? No, not yet. Badly she wanted to turn around, but she could feel Legolas watching her as she walked away.

~*~

Legolas stood there till well past dark, then slowly made his way up to his chambers.

What was wrong with him? He thought about that as he unbuttoned his tunic and relaxed back on to the bed. He gazed up to the ceiling and thought about his mother. He had been so young when she died, but he remembered enough. He remembered how in love she was with his father. He remembered how kind she was to everyone she met. Mostly he remembered how much he loved her, and how heartbroken he had felt when she died. It pained him to think about her, because she had been queen, his father had been king and now Legolas was king. 'No' he thought. 'Your father is not dead.'

It had been a very long day for him, and he remembered this morning when he had told himself to go back to Mirkwood tomorrow. But he could not leave until things were right with Arwen.

The sky was a deep shade of blue and Thranduil decided to stop for the night. He sat and leaned against the trunk of an old elm. Gazing up at the sky he remembered all the long walks he used to take with his wife and his son. He smiled at the memory; Legolas had always loved to take walks when he was young. One hand would hold his mothers, and one would hold his fathers. Together the three of them would walk through the woods and talk and laugh and gaze up to admire the stars.

Thranduil nodded to himself and promised that someday very soon he would take a walk with his son again.

--------------