Woo, new chapter! And then there's only one left. Sigh. This story has probably taken me the longest to complete and get up here. Life has just been so busy lately. Arg.

Thanks for all the reviews, and keep them coming!

Faerlain


Chapter 7: Home

It took Legolas and his companions little under three weeks to get back inside Mirkwood's borders. They took their time, being even more wary than before as there were less of them. They were attacked frequently in the Pass, but apart from Tatharion receiving a minor cut on his arm, they were relatively lucky.

As soon as the edge of the woods appeared, Legolas felt his heart lift. True, he loved Rivendell, but nothing could beat Mirkwood, no matter what Lothriel said.

At the thought of his little sister, he sighed. He was missing her already. They had never been so far apart for so long. He knew she was safe in Rivendell, but still found himself worrying about her. His family didn't even know he was returning. And then he would have to explain Lothriel's absence…

They made their way carefully along the woodland path, being careful not to stray off into the surrounding trees. They kept their wits sharply about them, only relaxing slightly when they knew they were back in the patrolled areas. Legolas spotted a few Elves here and there among the trees, and smiled to himself.

Yes, it was good to be home.

Three and half weeks after his tearful goodbye with Lothriel, they galloped back into the courtyard. People stopped what they were doing to watch the arrivals. Legolas looked around him, dismounting nimbly. The horses were led over to the stables, and then the four of them made their way into the palace. Still he felt eyes on his back, and he sighed to himself. People had to be so damn nosy at times.

Nauralad and Esgalloth practically flew down the stairs and jumped into his arms. He laughed, kissing them both over and over again. "We had heard the rumours, but didn't think they were true!" Nauralad told him, her eyes shining.

"What rumours?"

"You were spotted along the woodland path," Esgalloth continued. "But they were only fleeting glimpses, and so the border guards did not know if it was really you. And so Ladrenîl went to have a look for himself, but seeing no sign of you, refused to believe you were coming home."

He saw Nauralad frowning and waited for the inevitable question. "Where's Loth?"

"She's stayed there," he replied. "I think it's better if she does, for now at least."

She raised an eyebrow. "And she will be ok returning here alone?"

"She will have the other four with her, and doubtless Elrond will send some guards with her too, that is if the twins don't accompany her."

Each sister took a hand and led him up the stairs. "So you had a good time then?" Esgalloth asked.

"Wonderful. It was really relaxing, and I am glad I went. How have things been here?"

"Alright I guess. Naneth is a lot better, and adar is working back on his normal schedule now."

"He has a schedule?"

"Legs!" She punched his arm playfully. "Ladrenîl is out on border right now. He should be back sometime tomorrow I think he said. The healing wards have been quite quiet; Gîlorn has been helping us out if we needed it…"

"And Sîladiel?"

He saw his sister's share a glance and stopped walking. "What's happened?"

"Well…nothing's happened as such…" Nauralad started.

"But we think something may happen," Esgalloth concluded.

"Keep talking." They carried on towards their father's study.

"She's been acting strange ever since you left," Nauralad told him. "Very quiet, and she spends an awful lot of time by herself. She hasn't been eating properly, and everyone is getting worried about her. We think it may have something to do with this whole thing she has about sharing our pain and wounds etc. she's drawing further and further into herself every day. If we try talking to her, she just nods in reply or doesn't register our presence at all. Perhaps you should try."

"Perhaps. But I must speak with adar first." They had reached the study door. The girls nodded and left him to it.

----

"At least Legolas is home. And he has suffered no injuries this time."

Thranduil nodded as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Still, Loth being alone in Rivendell worries me slightly…"

"Legolas would not have left her without knowing she was in safe hands," Aûrel assured him. "I have faith in our son that he has made the right decision."

"Oh I do not doubt him. It must have been hard for him to have left her; you know how close they are." He sighed, laying down and taking his wife into his arms. She snuggled up to him, sighing peacefully. "But still…"

"Thranduil, will you please stop fretting!" She poked him hard in the ribs. "And go to sleep."

But Thranduil found he could not sleep. He lay looking up at the carved ceiling, trying to figure something out. There was something niggling the back of his mind, but he could not for the life of him out his finger on what it was. And he knew that when something was annoying him like this, then something was definitely up. Perhaps it was something to do with Legolas. Or maybe Sîladiel – she had been acting strange recently.

But he did not wish to worry his wife. She had been through enough this past year already, and was still suffering greatly from it now. So he just turned over, held her closer, and forced himself to go to sleep.

----

"He should be home by now."

"Are you still worried about him?"

"Well…"

"You shouldn't be!" Arwen scolded. "He is the best warrior Mirkwood has to offer, apart from maybe Ladrenîl. He'll be perfectly fine, and I expect he is indeed home."

"Then why haven't I received a letter yet?"

"Give him chance to pick up a quill!"

Lothriel grinned. "I'm worrying pointlessly aren't I?"

"Yes. Though I can understand why you are worried. Trust me; you have no need to fear for Legolas' safety."

"I know; it's just…he's my older brother and I love him beyond reckoning. If anything happened to him when I wasn't there…" She shuddered.

"Nothing will have happened to him. You just wait – you'll get your letter within the next couple of weeks. Days if he uses a hawk."

She nodded, if a little glumly. "I wish I'd gone with him now."

"Lothriel! I thought you liked it here."

"Oh I love Rivendell Arwen, do not doubt that. But I miss Legolas."

"I had noticed." She grinned at her friend's pout. "He'll be fine, now stop worrying!"

Just one week later, Lothriel received her desired letter. The hawk soared gracefully into her room, landing next to her on her desk where she was writing out a letter to one of her friends back in Mirkwood. Recognising him as Súldhâl, Legolas' hawk, she quickly removed the rolled up parchment and let him feed on some fruit.

Dearest Loth,

I am perfectly fine back here in Mirkwood, so stop panicking right now!

She laughed despite herself. Her brother knew her far too well.

The rest of the family send their love and best wishes. Nauralad said she will write sometime soon, but she is rather preoccupied at the moment in the healing wards. Though we all know she has found 'someone else'. It's rather obvious when she's walking round with a ridiculously dreamy smile on her face. I think it may be one of the stable hands, but I need to follow her a bit more yet…

"Legolas Greenleaf!"

Don't tell her I told you that!

"Damn…"

Naneth is much better, believe it or not. She is up and about, though there are certain differences. Some clear, some not so. Hithaer's death still pains her, as it does us all. But she has started smiling again, and with our help, she seems to be more or less back to normal.

Our siblings are just about as we left them. Ladrenîl misses his little sister dearly, and hopes you are having a wonderful time. Esgalloth sends her greetings, and says she too will write as soon as she has a spare moment. Gîlorn does not speak much, but hopes you are still enjoying yourself.

And now I come to Sîladiel. Barely a word has past between us since I arrived back home. I am very worried about her. She is so quiet and withdrawn, even worse than she ever was before. Hithaer's passing has affected her much more than we first imagined. She spends most of her time in her room, though no one knows what she actually does in there. She is barely seen at the dinner table, and as for the feasts and dances…she has missed them all so far I understand.

I don't know what to do or say to her Loth. I feel helpless. 'Ren feels the same way. The others have noticed, but have too much else to worry about. I just hope this is a phase that will pass soon enough.

There is not much else to tell you. I hope everyone is still treating you well, and write back as soon as possible. Use Súldhâl – just give him a couple of days to rest. I told him to keep flying for as long as he could without stopping. Knowing him, he didn't stop at all…

"You can be cruel sometimes Legs…"

Hope to hear from you soon.

All my love, Legs xxxxxx

Lothriel reached over for a clean piece of parchment, dipped her quill into a pot of ink and paused, tapping the feathers against her cheek thoughtfully.

Dearest Legs,

Was overjoyed to receive your letter…


Well he's home now, and keeping in touch as he promised. A short chapter I know, but we are nearing the end…oo-er.

See you all soon!

Faerlain