So sorry for the late posting everyone! I had dinner out with my dad this evening and didn't get back til after 8. I couldn't lave you without a chapter though so here is number 5! Hope you enjoy!

Thranduil paced up and down in his study. He threw yet another glance out the window but was met with only an empty courtyard. He sighed in frustration and resumed pacing. Two months, it had been TWO MONTHS since Legolas had rode out of the gates with his band of warriors. Letters had come, frequently at first but increasingly sparse as the warriors drove the spiders further and further back into the darkest recesses of the forest where they could not threaten settlements. The two dozen letters Legolas had written his father were stacked neatly on the king's desk and already showing signs of wear and tear from the amount Thranduil had read them. But they were still only letters. He wanted not cold paper to hold, but the warm flesh and blood of his child.

Once again, Thranduil cast a glance out the windows to a just as empty courtyard. The king sank sadly into his chair by the fire and stared into the dancing flames, wishing on anything that Legolas would come back soon. Thranduil felt his mind beginning to slip away as he continued watching the flames and before he knew it, he was wandering in his elven dreams, the weeks upon weeks of worrying haven taken their toll on him.

"My lord?"

Thranduil jerked awake and blinked into the dark room, lit only by the dying embers of the fire. He must have been asleep for several hours.

"My lord, Thranduil?"

He blinked again and looked up at where Galion stood above his chair. "Aye, Galion. What is it?"

"The warriors are returning, my lord. They approach the gates as we speak."

Thranduil was on his feet and out the door before the words were fully out of Galion's mouth. He raced down to the courtyard, his sharp ears already picking up the sounds of the approaching horses. The moment the warriors entered the gates, it was pure chaos. Healers were whisking away the wounded, grooms were taking horses away, families were already looking for loved ones, and advisors were asking questions. Through all the chaos and the dark, Thranduil was looking, searching, listening for any sign of Legolas.

"ADA!"

That single word never sounded more beautiful to Thranduil. He whirled and spotted his son across the camp, waving. Thranduil bit back a relieved sob and shoved through the crowd. The instant he was within arm's reach, he swept Legolas into his embrace and nearly hugged the life out of him.

"Ion nin, ion nin, I missed you", Thranduil cried, not even trying to hold back his tears of joy. He pulled back and looked Legolas over head to toe. "Are you alright, Legolas? Are you hurt?"

"Nay, nothing severe, Ada", Legolas assured him. "I will go to the healers as soon I have seen to all my warriors."

No sooner had he said this, that he was swept away by his second-in-command and several advisors, needing more information on a specific raid. Thranduil too found himself hauled away by advisors and warriors alike to examine reports and give orders. Finally, the chaos began to clear as the advisors collected all necessary information, healthy warriors left with families, and healers brought the families of the wounded to their loved ones. Finally, the last elf left and Thranduil found himself alone in the courtyard with Legolas. The king quickly crossed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Legolas once again.

"My son, how I've missed you", Thranduil murmured. "I'm so overjoyed to have you home again. Now, let's get you to the healers and then into bed. I'm sure you must be exhausted."

Legolas nodded wearily and gratefully accepted Thranduil's strong arm around his shoulders as they walked into the healing wards. In all the commotion no one noticed the set of glaring eyes watching them through the branches of the trees.

Legolas' injuries were revealed to be merely a mild concussion, a gash on his side that required just a few stiches, and a few bruised and cracked ribs. Once they were tended to, Thranduil led his half-asleep son to his chambers. A strong scent of rose and lavender reached them from the bathing chambers as soon as they entered. Legolas took a deep breath, exhaling in pleasure at the soothing scents.

"Go to your bath before it gets cold, ion nin", Thranduil chuckled.

Legolas gratefully stripped off his travel clothes and sank into the hot, steamy water. He scrubbed the war and road grime from his body and then sank in the water up to his shoulders, enjoying the warmth before washing his hair. He hadn't even realized he had fallen asleep until he was jerking awake as gentle hands began working into his dirty hair for him.

"Relax", Thranduil murmured, leaning down to gently kiss Legolas' brow

Legolas gave a grateful sigh and sank back down, enjoying his father's tender hands massaging the soap into his hair. Once his son's hair was washed, rinsed, and dried, the king handed Legolas a towel and stepped out as he dried off and changed into the soft sleeping clothes Thranduil had left for him. Legolas left the bathing chambers and collapsed facedown into the soft mattress of his bed, relishing the feel of the warm sheets and blankets. Again, he felt his father's hands in his hair as Thranduil ran a comb through his long tresses, smoothing them into pure silk once again.

"Now, into bed with you, ion nin", Thranduil said, setting the comb aside. "You have no duties tomorrow so you may sleep as long as you wish."

Legolas crawled under the covers and settled against the soft pillow. He was asleep in moments. Thranduil smiled down at Legolas, enjoying the peaceful look on his son's face as he slept. Realizing he should be in bed too, Thranduil started to leave, but changed his mind and slipped into the large bed with Legolas.

"My little light", He murmured, running his fingers softly through Legolas' hair. "How my heart sings to have you near to me, once again almost well and mostly whole."

The king chuckled softly and intertwined his fingers with Legolas', slipping into rest more peaceful than he'd found since Legolas left two months before.

In the black of the night, a shadowy figure sat in the trees and watched as father and son slept peacefully. In its hand was a vial of black liquid

"You've taken everything from me, Thranduil", it hissed, tears running down its face. "Soon I'll take everything from you."

Elvish Terms:

Ada - Dad

Ion Nin - My Son

Please review!