Hey you guys! I've missed you, and I am so sorry this wasn't up sooner! before getting to business though, let's reply to some reviews!

DeLacus:Yes, Leggy did have a pretty emotional breakdown, not super like him, but, I thought, this might work, I hope...! Thank you so much for the review! :)

ahsokazami2001:Yes! All Legolas! Yay! I have to tell you again, I would not have gotten through tons of these stories without your help! It's been a journey, and I cannot thank you enough for helping me out with this! Thank you! :D

BlueButterflyRose:And it is such an honor to be friends with such an amazing person as yourself! You are so pure and sweet, I can't tell you enough how much I treasure our friendship! :)

Newborn Hope:Oh, that was such a sweet compliment! And YOU my friend are that and so much more! So yes, ion-nin, it means 'my son', in elvish. (I hope I'm not angering any elvish speakers here, do correct if I'm wrong, I found most of this off a website online!) I did post a little mini 'elvish translator' at the end of the chapter, just translating the phrases used in the chapter of course! Hope that helps with any confusion! ;)

Rousdower:Alright, I must say, I find your reviews so entertaining! Ever since this last one that you posted, I have not been able to stop using the phrases 'Smirkwood' and 'King Sassyface'. I had this sleepover last night with my best friend and she and I were laughing our heads off at this! I love it! Thank you! :D

CarolineSofie90:Thank you so much for both of the reviews you sent me! They were very sweet! I hope you'll continue to read, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Alright, again, thank you to everyone who has favorite, followed, reviewed, read, I LOVE YOU ALL! And now very quickly, I hope you know who Oropher is, and if you don't which is totally fine, (I didn't know his name until three weeks ago!) he is the former King of Greenwood, right? Before the fall of Greenwood the Great? Correct me please if I'm wrong! He's Thranduil's father, I know that FOR SURE! Anyways, he is very well alive in this story and will be introduced later on in this chapter, so be prepared for that!

Note: This takes place after the fall of Greenwood the Great, but, I decided that Oropher didn't die! He's just not King anoymore, Thranduil is!

Anyways, hope there isn't any confusion there! I'd be happy to answer an questions! Thank you again, and enjoy! ;D

Chapter 4;

{Legolas}

I sat up abruptly in bed and stared ahead of me out the window with my hand on my rapidly beating heart. It had been the third nightmare in three nights, and I had grown tired of the reoccurring visions haunting my sleep. I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts and got up from my bed.

I took a velvet green robe from the rack in the corner of my room and put it on over my trembling shoulders. I was careful not to twist my injured limb as much, though it still hurt when I put it on.

I pushed open the glass doors to my balcony and relished the sharp sting of the crisp morning air against my skin. I closed my eyes for a long moment...

The sparrows sang and played happily in the trees. The warm soothing rays of the sun soaked through my skin. It was bliss until I opened my eyes and saw the picture of death grasping the once beautiful nature of my forest. Naneth used to sit with me out on the balcony, holding me in her warm embrace. We would watch the birds fly over us in the air, watch the sun rise and set, watch the wind toss golden leaves up into the sky above our heads...and now she was gone...

I smiled sadly up at the sun; the sun and its golden rays that reminded me so much of her hair. "I miss you Naneth..." I whispered.

I retreated back inside my room and closed the doors. The Winter Solstice ball was tonight, and I had better things to do than to reflect on the destruction of Greenwood the Great. I brushed through my hair and suddenly remembered that Ada had wanted me to apologize to Kyleth. If I was going to, then I wanted to make it as quick as possible.

I took the quickest route to the servant's chambers, where I was certain she would be staying. I was walking past the kitchen when I saw the familiar flash of her white blonde hair. Confused, I stepped through the kitchen doors and found her preparing what looked like an elegant breakfast on one of the silver platters. For the princess, I thought. She's the lady in waiting for the princess.

I stood beside her until she noticed me and looked up surprised. "Your majesty," She whispered, bowing low. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you-

"Please you don't have to bow," I interjected with a wave of my hand. "In fact, it is I who must be apologizing to you." She tilted her head slightly and turned to face me. "I...I don't think I understand..." I sighed. Of course she wouldn't. She probably just wanted to make this that much harder for me to accomplish...

I looked into her cold, piercing blue eyes and found it easier to stare instead upon the floor. "I apologize for almost hitting you yesterday evening with my bow," I whispered. Her eyes sparkled in realization and she set down the spoon she had been using to stir a small fruit salad for the princess. "I should've been more careful," I sighed. "I hope you'll forgive me? I had a lot on my mind and-

This time it was her turn to interject me.

"Nonsense," She said quickly, brushing her hands across her apron. "I'm sorry for having upset you...as soon as I saw your face I knew it had upset you to see me with your father. I hope you'll forgive me...my prince..."

I was shocked. Here I had come to apologize to her for nearly shooting her and she turns right back around and apologizes to me for upsetting me enough to want to nearly shoot her. It was confusing. I was certain she would've turned around and scolded me for doing so. I hadn't been expecting her to show such a humble attitude towards me what I had done to her.

Kyleth smiled slightly at me and looked back at the floor. She was waiting for my answer...

I faltered a bit as I searched for words to put in my mouth, and yet I had none. I looked to her and found her watching me, waiting. I bit my lip and said softly, "I...I thank you for your grace...but...I don't deserve to be shown this kindness that you've shown me...not after what I nearly did to you."

"You're majesty, I don't harbor any ill feelings towards you...even because of what you did, all I ask now is that we can put this behind us," She said softly, staring warmly into my eyes. "I shouldn't have even been allowed to speak to you or your father. I'm sorry for taking up your time this morning, you may report to him that you've done as he asked. If you'll excuse me, I'm a little busy this morning..." She bowed again and took the tray from the counter and headed towards the princess's chambers.

I stared after her for a long while after she had left. "You're excused..." I muttered under my breath.

...

I was laying in bed with my dwarf dolls when Ada decided to pay me a visit before preparations for the ball. He looked at me surprised then sighed and sat at the foot of my bed. "I thought you had outgrown this hideous things almost three hundred years ago," He muttered distastefully as he picked up Thror. I could tell he was struggling not to crush the doll between his fingers.

I set Thrain down and looked at him. "I guess not," I said with a half smile. Ada groaned and dropped Thror, pushing the rest of the dolls farthest from him as possible. I refrained from laughing when he shot me a cold stare.

"Legolas..."

I gathered the dolls into my arms and studied their individual unique features. "I guess I was just thirsting for a taste of childhood again," I told him. "It's been a long time...I hardly remember playing with them since Naneth's passing..."

"Legolas."

I clutched the dolls tighter and stared hard at the wall. "Or perhaps it's just the want to be a child again and to have my entire family again," I said coldly. "I remember the day that Naneth brought these to me from Celeborn. She told him that none of the elves had approved of them, but she brought to me anyways because she loved her little Greenleaf."

"Legolas!"

I flinched and turned to look at him. Ada's face was stern, his eyes cold and distant. "Oropher...will be staying with us ion-nin..." He said slowly, as if it pained him to utter the words. "He will be arriving an hour or so before the ball..."

My heart had stopped beating at the mention of my grandsire's name. Ever since my childhood, his name had sent a familiar cold chill down my spine. I had never wanted to see him again since then, never wanted to hear him form my name on his lips. I had never wanted him to set foot in the Mirkwood Palace ever again. He was cold, and ruthless, and yet no one had ever seen this side of him except for me.

It had taken years to explain to Ada that he was the cause of the bloody lashes on my back each night.

Ada had moved beside me and had his arms gently pulled tight around my shoulders. "I won't let him near you ion-nin...you can count on that much...I will have guards with you at all times if I must...he won't touch you..."

I nodded numbly, still staring at the floor. Just the thought of having to see him again was more than traumatizing. I had been but an elfling when he had first hit me. He had promised to kill Ada if I told anyone. At such a young age I wasn't surprised I had believed him. The threat of death to my only parent was more than enough to silence the words yearning to flow from my mouth.

It wasn't until many years later that I realized that Oropher hurting Thranduil was nearly impossible. Ada had guards with him wherever he went, and even if Oropher had been the better warrior, Thranduil was younger in age and could've easily outmatched my older grandfather.

And so for years I had become Oropher's pet. Moving and speaking only when he told me to. One wrong move resulted in one more beating. And I didn't want that. I couldn't risk Ada seeing the blood soak through my fine silk shirts at night, or so Oropher would tell me.

I closed my eyes and laid my head on Ada's shoulder. He gently brushed through my hair with fingers softly singing the elvish lullaby that Naneth would sing to me at night. I looked at him. Remorse and fear were present in his crystal eyes. He was trying to play the roles of both the nurturer and protector, the Naneth and Adar, and I let him.

I had feared earlier in my life that I had lost him to grief after Naneth's death, but after becoming aware of the reoccurring events between Oropher and I, he had quickly become my Ada again and intervened before my life was beyond saving.

He was still stern at times, but I could appreciate that. He was looking after me, he would remind me constantly, and soon I believed him. At times he could also be overprotective, but I could respect that as well. He feared that I would ne taken from him again. Even after Oropher had left and Thranduil had found out about his relationship with me, it had taken a long time for him to get me to the point of not flinching from one's touch, from my own Ada's touch.

He was trying, but he was struggling. It wasn't in his nature to become suddenly so soft. But I let him hold me, touch me, sing to me, whatever made him feel like he was being the nurturing Naneth that I had once had.

And it felt warm and serene. I had never known my father to act in such a manner, and it was then that I realized I appreciated him trying. I opened my eyes and sighed in content. We held each other then, for how long, I didn't remember. I could only remember the warm memory of that once gentle and inviting embrace that held me every night before I drifted off to sleep.

...

Ada finished braiding my hair and turned me around to face him. He studied his work and bit his lip before smoothing down a stray strand of my hair. He let me look in my mirror and I turned back around to smile at him. "You've done...an average job Ada," I said grinning. "You could've done better but-

"Now don't you try to deride my job with your hair," He said sternly. "I wanted to braid it fittingly for tonight but no, you insisted on your warrior braids as you so call them. I have not the proper amount of practice with those, so you shouldn't be able to say anything at all concerning my work."

I stared at him for a long while.

It was he who was the first to laugh, and I soon joined him, releasing the tense feeling in the air. It was good to have him back to his usual self.

I looked down upon my outfit and sighed as I stared upon the royal garments. I was dressed mainly in royal blue, but with a red velvet cape to add a 'spark of color' as Ada would say.

The garments were embedded with golden, intricate, elven design, and sparkled beneath the lights of the palace. The tunic was longer than the ones I normally wore and looked alike, in length, to Ada's. I wore dark grey leggings and black leather boots. Ada insisted on wearing the boots, not for the height, but for the sound.

I thought it was quite ridiculous alltogether, even without the red elven sash he made me wear over the tunic to add to depth of the cape.

Ada on the other hand, was thrilled. I'd finally grown up from the little elfling that used to bring home mud pies, to the elegant, flamboyant prince standing before him. I told him that if he said that again, I'd put a mud pie in his boots.

Ada chuckled and stood behind me with has hands clasped over my shoulders as we both stared together into the mirror in front of us.

"I can't believe it," Ada whispered hoarsely. I turned around and met his gaze.

"What?" I asked.

"My elfling is all grown up," Ada choked. His trembling hand touched my cheek. Tears had crept into the edges of his vision and he turned away and left me alone in my room.

I sat on my bed and fumbled with the soft red silk of my sash. I sighed and brushed over my attire with my hands and stole one more glance into the mirror.

I frowned at the paleness of my skin and brushed my fingers over my cheek. It was cold to the touch and my hand trembled as I lowered it beside me.

Something wasn't right.

I looked around my room. Everything seemed to be as I had left it, in place, and quiet. I sighed and pushed away the nagging thoughts infiltrating my head.

I took a deep breath and exhaled as calmly as I was able. Be still Legolas...

My hand gripped the handle of my door and pushed it open. I composed myself before stepping out into the hallway any further. Ada would kill me if I didn't show off the latest addition to my wardrobe.

Ada stood in the center of the room and I joined him in greeting the guests as they entered. Most I knew from many councils before, and still there were others who were newer to my father's court, wherefore I wasn't as familiar with them. Ada made certain though that I was caught up.

Lady Kyleth was finely dressed, more so than what a servant as she would wear to an event such as this. Ada kept her near him though, almost as if it was she who he had brought with him. She and I exchanged but a few friendly glances as the event wore on.

When Ada had finally excused me from 'greeting duty' as I had called it, I strode to Tariuel who stood further away from the lively center of the ballroom. I preferred, as she, to be further from the loud chatter and crowd. She smiled and bumped into my non-injured shoulder. I rolled my eyes and turned to look at her. "Not a fan of the crowd I see," She said softly, gesturing to the ballroom floor. I smiled, and whispered, "Only as much as you do."

Tariuel looked over me and then rose her gaze to mine. "I like the, um, attire," She said sarcastically. "It really fits you."

I rolled my eyes and glared softly at her. "Auta miqula yrch."

She laughed and picked up a glass from the table and drank. "It's not that bad, honestly Legolas."

"Oh no, you already spoke your mind," I said playfully. "You don't care for my attire or even myself."

"Took you long enough to figure it out," She mumbled.

I stared at her for a long moment. Her eyes creased into amusement and soon the both of us were laughing. We quieted down after a few moments and smiled. I had opened my mouth to say something when I felt the presence of another behind me. I swallowed and frowned. It was an uncomforting, yet familiar aura that this stranger gave off, and I hadn't even seen whoever it was.

Tariuel noticed this of me and looked behind me over my shoulder, her eyes widened. She gave me a tight smile, and said softly, "I believe, there is, someone, who would like to greet you. " She smiled again and then turned to leave and walked away. There had been a sense of warning in her eyes.

I grimaced at the tight grasp on my shoulder as I was turned slowly around to face whoever this person was. I was on the verge of speaking out against this stranger, to demand they not grab me in such a vulgar manner, when I met the repulsively familiar pair of cold, crystal, blue eyes. Silvery blonde hair fell straight in front of his shoulders as he looked down on me, smiling.

I swallowed hard and was barely able to hoarsely whisper, "Oropher."

...

Ada ~ Dad/Daddy

Auta miqula yrch ~ Go kiss an orc

ion-nin ~ My son

Naneth ~ Mother

...

Another one, done! Yay! Hope you liked it, and please leave a review on the way out! All are replied to at the beginning of every following chapter! ;D Love y'all!