Disclaimer: As much as we would like to, we do not own these characters.

Chapter four

The evening deepened into full night, with the family not having the heart to move from the room. Thranduil could not bear the thought of leaving his three sons' at all. Finally Lomion made them go to bed and get some rest, using the ruse that the three would need to have them rested and well themselves.

Lomion him self stayed to look after his three treasured brothers.

It was early in the morning, long before dawn even thought to rise that Legolas began to shiver violently. His small form was wracked with strong trembles that he could not stop. Lomion tried all the usual treatments he could think of, like more warm blankets and stoking the fire, but he soon realised that the cold was not caused by any physical or outside occurrences but was in fact internal.

Lomion knew then that he could not use any conventional methods, they simply would not work. So he stripped off his tunic and climbed into bed next to the young blond. Legolas snuggled back onto his brother with a sigh and fell into a deep, settled sleep.

It did not stay that way for long because then the nightmares started. Legolas was thrashing around in the bed and Lomion received several hits from the small fists. Legolas was screaming for his mother and Lomion was at a loss as to what to do. He did the only thing he could think of and called for the healer on duty, who in turn called for the others in the Royal family.

The Twin's were woken by the Elfling's screams and Lomion tired to reassure them at the same time that he was trying to wake Legolas.

"Please, Leafie wake up it is only a dream, it is not real. Remember how we played pretend and you were the fierce warrior and I was the evil Orc?" Legolas had opened his eyes and was gazing up at Lomion.

"Nolvo, Nolvo was the Princess." They could barely hear the Prince his voice was so quiet. The fear of the nightmares was still clear in his eyes. "And the pretty flowers were in his hair and I saved him."

"That is right, Leafie." Alcarnor and Nolvo were puzzled as to why Legolas was with them in the healing chamber, and why Lomion was with him.

They were even more puzzled when their father came thundering into the chamber, wearing an old sleeping tunic that had seen far better days.

The King spared a glance at the twins and seeing that they seemed to be fine, if puzzled, he paced over to Legolas and picked the Elfling up. Legolas had lost the slight smile that the image of Nolvo dressed as a maid had created. He began sucking his thumb and refused to answer any questions on his well being.

Elardion hurried into the chamber at this point. Seeing his father with Legolas he made his way to the twin's checking them both over. He gave Nolvo some pain killing herbs, but nothing that would cause him to be sleepy, on Nolvo's instance, as he wanted to hear the explanation of why Legolas looked so sad. Lomion took Legolas from their father.

"Leafie, shall we go and see if the kitchen has any strawberries?" Legolas shook his head at Lomion's suggestion and simply lay his head on his brother's shoulder. "We will go for a walk." Lomion announced to the chamber and with that he turned and carried Legolas out of the hearing of his family.

Thranduil took a deep breath as he turned to his son's. Neither asked any questions knowing that the answers they sought would come no faster if they were to force the issue.

"Legolas is fading. He may leave us due to grief, if we do not help him soon. He may go after your mother." Nolvo and Alcarnor could only blink in surprise before their eyes started to fill with tears at the very thought of Legolas leaving them.

If Legolas left Middle Earth, you could be assured that the entire Royal family would not be far behind. They had barely survived the dramatic demise of Laurelin; they had come through it as a family and were the stronger for it, but know they were being threatened once again.

"Please tell me that this not true." Alcarnor begged. "Not Legolas, Mandos would not be so cruel to take them both, Ada. Nana and Legolas are such amazing people."

Helping Nolvo to lay back down, Thranduil replied. "I know, Ion-nin. But you are both in need of rest. We will not let our Greenleaf go easily. We will keep him grounded and he will survive." Thranduil told the twins as they drifted off into Elven sleep.

Thranduil know that all his son's were important and he loved them, everyone of them. He had respect and love for how they had grown up to be wonderful adults, especially Lomion since his mother's death, but Legolas was different. Legolas was doted upon; all who met him loved him within minutes. He had another family over in Rivendell who cherished him too. Basically all loved the young Prince.

Lomion decided that they had been wandering long enough now and he carried Legolas back to the healing chamber. Legolas had not spoken once and he barely even moved. He seemed to have lost the all his usual exuberance for life. It scared Lomion as this was not at all like Legolas.

The next morning dawned; it was grey and dismal almost as if it was reflecting how they all were feeling.

The family gathered for the morning meal. Legolas sat in his chair but he did not touch the food on his platter before him. He just sat with Growly clutched to his chest. Each member of the family had tried to tempt the Elfling into eating, but each time they tried Legolas would give them such a sad look that they found they did not have the heart to push further.

At the end of the meal just as Thranduil was leaving the table Legolas asked. "Ada, can I go and see Nana now?"

Thranduil froze unable to breathe as he turned to stare at the young Prince. Finally after many false starts he was able to speak. "What do you mean, Legolas? You do not truly want to leave us do you?"

The answer stole his breath once more.

"Yes, Lomion said I had to try and try to be good all the time, but I can not. I want to go to Nana." Legolas replied, he slipped the well chewed ear into his mouth and looked up fearfully at his father.

"Legolas, you are not going to go to Nana. What you are going to be doing however is this, you will not have private lessons anymore, I have arranged for you to have your morning lessons with the other Elfling's. You will come back to the palace for the noon day meal. Soon you will also begin to have your weapons training."

Legolas smiled happily for the first time in many days. "Hannon lle, Ada. Thank you, I will be good and I will not go to Nana." Legolas said happily, before rushing off to go and get ready for his first day of lessons.

Thranduil knew that it would take a lot more than this to save the young Elfling's life but he thought that if Legolas managed to make some new friends then maybe he would develop more ties that would hold him to Middle Earth.

The only friend that Legolas really had was Estel. The Ranger visited only every so often now that he had taken up part of his destiny and had become the leader of the Rangers. The young Man and Elfling missed each other greatly.

Lomion watched as Legolas ran away happily and turned to his father. "Do you think it wise to let him become close to people if he may fade?"

"We have no choice; Legolas may fade and leave us what ever we do. If it his destiny to die then I will make sure that his last days on Arda are the best he has ever had." Thranduil replied staring into the direction where the Elfling had scampered. "I will not have him in pain. I have also sent for Estel, he deserves the time to say goodbye, if that is how this ends."

Legolas was nervous; he clung onto Lomion's hand as they walked from the palace and across the clearing to where the Talon was that served as a school room. He had Growly in a bag along with several pieces of parchment, some colouring pencils and some normal charcoal pencils. Lomion was amused at just how nervous Legolas was and leaning down he swung the blond up and held him against his hip.

"It will be fine, Leafie. School is fun and you are clever, you will do well, I promise."

Legolas simply buried his head in his brother's hair. Thranduil had wanted to take Legolas to the school Flet him self but he had an urgent meeting that he could not get out of, so Lomion had offered to take his place.

He set the Elfling down a few meters from the door; Legolas took a deep breath and walked forward. Knocking on the door politely he waited for someone to grant him entry before walking in, head held high and telling Lomion not to follow him.

The teacher was a kind lady called Rallina. She smiled broadly at the young Prince.

"Prince Legolas, it is a pleasure to meet you. The other Elfling's will be here soon, so please take a seat, any seat and we will sort out a permanent seat for you later." She turned back to washing the few paint pots that she had gathered before drying them.

Legolas asked quietly. "Would you like any help?" Rallina was surprised at the question. Rarely did any of the Elfling's she had taught, and there had been many, ask if they could help her, but the Prince?

"That would be very kind of you, Prince Legolas. First put your bag down over there and then we can get them washed and dried twice as fast." Legolas placed his bag on the floor as directed and pushed the sleeves of his tunic up so that they would not get wet. "Thank you very much, Prince Legolas." Rallina smiled down at the small Elfling.

"No, Prince, just Legolas." The Teacher was surprised at this for she had never met or seen a Royal who did not want to be known as one.

"Very well, Legolas I am Rallina." Legolas nodded and concentrated hard on scrubbing the dried paint from the side of the pot.

Slowly the room began to fill with the other Elfling's in the class and they took their usual place. There were only three empty chairs around the room. Two were next to two larger and older elves, they both looked at the blond, sneering at his small stature and Legolas found him self backing away from them, not liking the looks they were sending him.

The third was next to an Elfling who was taller and broader than the Prince, but he had a kindly looking face.

"Good morning, Class. We have a new Elfling who is joining us today. This is Prince Legolas." Legolas stood next to Rallina and smiled shyly. "He tells me that we need not refer to him as Prince, just as Legolas. Now, Legolas if you would take one of the empty seats."

Legolas went to the one nearest to him, but the older Elf moved so that there was no room for Legolas, the young Prince felt almost like crying.

Then the nice looking Elfling spoke. "You may sit here, Legolas." Legolas managed to blink back the tears as he moved over to the seat and carefully placed his bag under the table before sitting down.

"Hello, I am Estalado." The Elfling introduced him self and Legolas smiled, ready to settle down and make a friend.

It was then that Legolas took his first good look around the Flet. It was large and bright, with wide windows to let the sun in. Along one wall was a blackened board, just like the one in the last room that Legolas had been taught in. One of the walls was covered in past class work and paintings. The room felt homely and Legolas has a feeling of being welcome. He smiled as the large tree that stood next to the window welcomed him and told him of how much fun that they could have and that soon the class would be learning about the new life that was stirring within it.

The morning's lessons were all about the history of Mirkwood and Legolas had no problems with this as he had already been taught most of it. Then came the mid morning break time. It was Estalado who explained to Legolas. "This is the time where we get to eat our snack and play together."

With that they ran out into the sun that had just broken through the morning mist. Legolas watched as Estalado searched his bag and withdrew a bag filled with several cookies.

Legolas had taken his bag with him, not sure if he should leave it, but also because he did not want to have to admit that no one had told him to bring a snack. He watched all of the others as they happily ate their snacks before they began to play. Legolas felt very alone and cold. Then Estalado came over.

"Prince Legolas, do you not want to eat your snack?"

Legolas mumbled just enough to be heard. "I did not know I had to bring one."

Estalado smiled and held out the open bag of treats to Legolas. "Share with me? I always have too many to eat and Nana can always make us more."

Legolas picked a few from the bag and slowly chewed them. "They are very nice, thank you Estalado."

Legolas and Estalado sat together for all of that break time, sharing the biscuits and talking. By the time that the break was over Legolas had persuaded Estalado not to call him Prince all the time, that Legolas was just how he wanted to be here.

Rallina called them back into the classroom. "Now we are going to do some number work."

Rallina handed out fresh pieces of parchment and set about writing the problems out on the board. Unfortunately Legolas had not gone this far into his studies and he had been taught differently from the other Elfling's. He raised his hand into the air, as he had been taught to and Rallina came over to try and help him.

After an hour of struggling with the maths problems, Rallina called a halt and said. "Well done, everyone, you all worked really hard today. You can all go home and I will see you tomorrow. Please come ready to learn."

The Elfling's all said thank you to Rallina before gathering up their things and leaving. Legolas made to leave them, but stopped and ran over to Rallina. "Thank you for helping me with my numbers."

"That is alright, Legolas it is my job and I know that you have been taught differently." Legolas smiled and then left the Talon.

Pushing the door open he looked for his Ada or any of his brother's, but he could not see them.

He frowned not knowing what to do. Lomion had assured him that someone would be waiting for him. He was about to try and go to the palace on his own when a gentle hand on his shoulder made him jump.

Turning he found him self face to face with Estalado. His new friend saw the tears in the blue eyes and pulled him into a gentle hug.

From the first moment that Estalado had seen the small shy Elfling he had decided that he would look after him. "What is the matter, Legolas?"

"I not know where to go. Lomion said he come, but no one here." Estalado took the blonds hand and pulled him over to where a female Elf was talking with Rallina.

"Nana, Legolas has no where to go, can he come with us?" The woman turned from her conversation and saw her son holding the hand of a very small Elfling, who had tear tracks running down his face. The blond hair fell in front of his face, covering his eyes.

"Estalado, I think his Nana would miss him if we took him." Michelle told her son. She was shocked when her words made the blond start sobbing once more. Bending she picked him up, marvelling at just how light he was. "I am sorry, Little One I did not mean to make you cry. What is wrong?"

Legolas was sobbing too hard to answer so Rallina jumped in. "This is Prince Legolas, he has no mother."

Michelle looked shocked as she recalled just why Legolas did not have a mother and she pulled the crying Elfling into a hug. "Rallina, you go and have your midday meal, you have the older Elfling's to deal with later on. I will make sure that Prince Legolas here gets home." Rallina waved goodbye to the Elfling's and left.

Legolas stopped crying and Michelle put him down, smiling as Estalado wrapped his arms around his friend's shoulder, glaring at any of the other Elfling's who were staring at the young Prince. Legolas managed to calm down.

Michelle spoke quietly to the two. "Prince Legolas, Estalado will you both stay here? I need to go into our house for a minute, but I will soon be back and we will wait with Legolas until someone comes for the Prince. Is that alright?"

Legolas and Estalado sat on the floor both looking in the direction of the Palace. Michelle was gone only three or four minutes and she came back with both cookies and milk for the two of them to drink. She laughed aloud at the twin looks of disgust at her choice of beverage. Why did not Elfling like their milk? It was so good for them.

They sat there for an hour with Legolas getting more and more upset. At one point the had even been forced to take Growly out of his bag to try and calm down, but still no one came….

To be continued

Hi, everyone, this is Shell. I am just stepping into Mei's shoes for a while as she is bogged down getting ready to begin her first year of higher education. I am afraid you will be having me answer the reviews we get for a while until Mei finds her feet, somewhat.

We would like to thank all our reviewers and readers for their kind patience as we go through the next few weeks. I will also be going back to University to begin the third year of my PhD course. I am used to working like this, so you will still be getting updates, never fear.

Replies to reviews:

Littlecrazy1: Thank you, there is something about that dear little Elfling isn't there?

Alatariel Narmolanya: Oh, yes time for lots of fluff with more to come!

Alibi girl: Thank you so much we are glad that you like this story. I know what you mean about the cliffies though.

Pointy-eared-elves: Thank you, once more. I know sometimes it is hard not to get that involved in a story. I have done it myself.

Dragon Confused: We are glad that you like Leafie talking to the trees and the foal. It is natural for him, I think.

SaphireCat: We hope that your sister is ok, what surgery is she having, may be I can help put her mind at rest?

Blue September Rain: Thank you! There will be more with Drowlin later on trust me. Leopards never really change their spots; they can just hide them sometimes.

Dark Born Drone: Thank you to, my friend. We hope you like this chapter.

Haldir's Heart and Soul: I'm sorry I made you cry. Here have some more tissues; you might need them for next time…..

Triptych: Thank you we will try.

Until next time please take care,

Love,

Mei, Shell, Leafie and the gang.