Legolas groaned impatiently. He'd been waiting hours. The sun was setting and the trees cast shadows over Legolas' face as he searched for Emarth. When Legolas had asked, his sister had promised he would be there. He'd been avoiding Legolas, talking to him only when it had to do with his job. He was withdrawn, and even Emarth's sister made a point to tell Legolas. He heard a snap and flinched, falling into the brush. It was Emarth, his bow faithfully in his hand. Legolas stood and Emarth strung his bow in a flash, the arrow pointed at Legolas' face. Emarth's terrified gray eyes widened further once he recognized the prince.

"He is silent. Always," she had said, leaning in the doorway. Her elfling ran behind her, and she turned to scold the child before returning her gaze to the prince. "Anything you could do would be a great help."

He heard a snap and flinched, falling into the brush. It was Emarth, his bow faithfully in his hand. Legolas stood and Emarth strung his bow in a flash, the arrow pointed at Legolas' face. Emarth's terrified gray eyes widened further once he recognized the prince.

"My lord-" He stammered. "I did not-"

"By the valar, Emarth. I know it is your day off, but I thought perhaps you would not be so unhappy to see me that you would kill me on sight…"

"No, no, Hir nin," He quickly put his arrow back in his quiver, "I am always delighted to see you, I-"

"I jest, Emarth," Legolas said quietly. Emarth's chest was heaving, and his eyes were wide. "I wished to speak to you."

"About?"

Legolas shrugged, and they began walking again. "What is it you do out here? Alone?"

"I enjoy my time alone," Emarth murmured.

"I can leave, if you wish," Legolas said, stung.

"No, no, that is not what I meant-" Emarth sighed, his hand over his face. "I did not mean you, hir nin."

"You never called me hir nin until this past month," Legolas said. "I thought we were closer than that."

"We are-"

"Then why do you not speak to me? Something haunts you and you remain silent. You have retreated into yourself."

"I am alright," Emarth said, his head bent and hidden from Legolas.

"What keeps you from telling me?"

"What you will do. What you will think," he admitted softly, his eyes finding Legolas' under his hair.

"I want to help you, and I'll do anything to do so. But I will not do anything that you do not want me to."

Emarth looked surprised, and recognition sparked on Legolas' face. "Someone said something to you. Who was it?"

"See," Emarth groaned, "you already seek revenge."

"No, but I wish to know who it is, Emarth. What they said."

"Legolas I-"

"Please," Legolas nearly begged.

"Arthon," Emarth said quietly.

"Arthon? What has Arthon done?"

"He will not leave me alone when we are on patrol, and now he bothers me here."

"What is he doing?"

"He tears my clothes, steals my food, he put insects in my water. He destroyed my sword hitting rocks with it. Now he bothers my sister, he cut the hair from my horse's mane and wears it on his armor. He tries to turn the team against me, by telling them false stories of me." He went on, unable to stop now that the gate had been opened. "I cannot do it anymore, Legolas."

"Why is he doing these things?" Legolas asked, horrified.

"He wants to make me resign, so he can be your second. I am honored carrying your banner, Legolas, but I cannot do this for much longer," his voice wavered, and Legolas took his elbow.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why hasn't Loth told me?"

"I asked Loth not to, I had to beg him."

"Why? I can stop this, Emarth," Legolas' eyebrows were knit together in horror and confusion.

"You have Sirya to worry about, and Arthon said that you only kept me as your second because you pitied me and would feel guilty demoting me after so many years."

"That is not true," Legolas nearly shouted. "You are my second because you are by far the most qualified for the job. You are the best fighter, the best leader. You are the strongest on my team mentally and physically. You're clever, creative, and quick. No one compares to you. You are the only member of the team I would trust if something ever happened to me. Do not let a jealous elfling make you feel otherwise."

Emarth nodded, his eyes glimmering with tears in the light of the final sun. "I was childish to allow myself to be weakened."

"No. He is being cruel to you, it would bother anyone. I will take care of it."

"No, Legolas please-"

"I will take care of it without him ever knowing that you spoke to me. Do not worry."

Emarth smiled and a glimmer of his old personality shown through for a moment. "Thank you."

"In the future, please, Emarth, speak to me."

"I will."

"Come, I am meeting with my family about Sirya, and you are family, and I value your input."


Legolas sat with Thranduil on the couch, and Baineth sat in the armchair by the door. Sirya was playing with his new friend, Laina, in the orphanage.

"Sirya is nearly well, and I must come up with a plan for his education, and for his well-being, while I am here and while I am away," Legolas said quietly.

"When do you usually return in the evening, when you are here?" Baineth asked.

"Just before dusk, usually."

"He can attend school at the orphanage. He is only one of four children his age, so he would get significant one on one attention."

"Then he can spend time with me," Emarth said, his worn leather boot folded in his lap. "I can teach him basic knife skills, some things about the forest."

Legolas smiled and looked to his father. "I would not wish to burden you both with extra tasks."

"It is my pleasure," Baineth said and Emarth nodded in agreement.

"It is settled, then," Thranduil said with a pleased clap of his hands.


The following week Sirya began lessons with Baineth. They were early and Emarth picked him up and brought him into the forest for lessons and play, and sometimes brought Laina and a few other children from the orphanage with them. Sirya would be back in the royal wing mid afternoon, which gave Legolas plenty of time to get things done. If not, his father would take care of him or he would return to Baineth and play with the kids at the orphanage. It all worked, but Legolas didn't like all of the time he was taking from Baineth. She couldn't say no, and he felt that was the reason she didn't. Sirya was excited, however, and he couldn't pretend he wasn't excited for him. He helped him get dressed and braided his hair in the morning.

"I'll see you soon, have fun." He always said and embraced him.

At his meetings, he worried, and couldn't focus at the council meetings. He did absentminded paperwork and was concerned about Sirya and Emarth. Emarth was responsible. But what could possibly happen to a blind child in the forest? He only had to turn around for a moment…

"Legolas." Thranduil smirked. "Your worrying is giving me hives."

"I'm sorry Adar."

"He's fine. I promise. I did the same thing."

"When did that wear off?"

"It still hasn't." Thranduil smirked.

Legolas smiled.

Thranduil rose and put his hand on his son's head. "I am finished, I will relieve Emarth and we will see you in a few hours."

"Have fun," Legolas murmured. His mind wandered, and images of Arthon terrorizing Emarth haunted him. Arthon, one of his closest friends and most trusted allies. How could he do such a thing? Legolas was thinking of asking Arthon to be Sirya's guard. Now he could not trust him with his own teammates? Legolas couldn't focus and left his paperwork early to find Loth. He was in the healing wing, as he always was when they weren't on patrol, and he seemed to know what Legolas wanted before he said it.

"Legolas," he said, "is Sirya alright?"

"He is fine. I wish to speak to you. In private."

They sat in Telion's office, and Loth was at a loss for words. "At first he lashed back. Emarth took the soles out of his boots and cut the string of his bow a few times, but Arthon was far more determined. He is passionate about this. Emarth gave up after three or four months of it…"

"Three or four months?" Legolas sat up, his hands bracing the desk.

"It has been nearly half a year. Emarth wouldn't allow me to say anything of it, he said he would deny it. He thought you would think him weak."

"When does he usually do these things?"

"When you are asleep, speaking with someone, or if you busy Emarth. Then he returns to missing trousers and ruined swords."

"Is there anyone else involved?"

"No, just him."

"I must catch him, Loth. Or I may lose Emarth."

There was a knock on the door and Legolas called for whoever it was to enter. It was Arthon, a braided black horse tail hanging from his waist. Legolas pointed to it and swallowed the anger that rose in his throat.

"Where did you get that?"

"This?" Arthon smirked, "oh, it was a gift."

"From who?"

"An admirer," he said, his pupils dilated. "Do you want to go to the practice grounds with me later today?" He asked Legolas.

"I have to go see Sirya," he said, trying to cover his annoyance.

"I was wondering if everything was ok, you have been in here quite a while."

"That is my business, Arthon, not yours," Legolas snapped. Arthon flinched, his hand on his chest. "This has to do with Sirya, not you," Legolas covered quickly, the aggravation still in his voice.

"I apologize, I was simply concerned."

"Your concern borders intrusion, captain," Legolas stood. "Emarth is taking a vacation until next patrol, you are to be my guard until then."

Arthon bowed, his expression still disturbed from the lashing, "thank you, hir nin."

"Change your uniform and relieve Emarth at my door as soon as you can."

"Of course, hir nin."

Legolas brushed past him, and Emarth met his eyes as he picked up pace behind him. "You can have the rest of the month off, Arthon is going to relieve you, so you can have some peace for a time."

"I am alright, Legolas, I-"

"You shall still be paid, of course. I simply want him away from you for a time, and you deserve the rest. You take care of Sirya half the day and guard for the other half, that is a tiring day for anyone."

"I will still take Sirya, if you would like."

"If you wish to, I think that would please him."

He entered the suite, and Emarth nodded to the other guard before joining him on the other side of the doorframe.

"Come in for a moment," Legolas said and Emarth shut the door behind him. Sirya was sitting on the couch, blabbering to Thranduil about what he had done that day.

"Baineth taught us about the seasons, and then Emarth took me into the forest and showed me the fallen leaves that autumn brings!" he said happily.

"It is like they planned it," Legolas said and winked to Emarth.

"It was amazing," Sirya grinned and jumped into Emarth's arms. Emarth grunted and lifted him into his arms with a shift if his armor, his scabbard rocking on his side. "Wow you have a lot of weapons during the afternoon."

Emarth laughed, "I protect Legolas from harm after our play. I need many weapons, as well as my armor."

"People want to hurt Legolas?" He asked softly.

"No, but if they ever do, I'll be here to make sure they don't. Sounds like a good idea, huh?"

Sirya smiled and twirled Emarth's hair in his hand, "what shall we do tomorrow?"

"That is for you to find out tomorrow," Emarth grinned and put Sirya down, "I must resume my post, but I will see you tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight," Sirya grinned and hs hand found Legolas' tunic.

"Goodnight," Emarth responded, and returned to the opposite side of the door. Legolas sat on the couch but listened for Arthon, who appeared shortly after.

"Getting a much-needed break, I hear," Arthon said quietly. "You need it, you've been getting soft."

"You get vacations when you do your job," Emarth said, "you would know that if you did yours."

"You're not getting a vacation, I'm getting a trial run," Arthon laughed. "And I'll prove myself better than you could ever be. Even with all your ass kissing."

"How am I ass kissing?"

"Tutoring the boy. Very intelligent move."

"Dôl gîn lost," (your head is empty) Emarth spat and Legolas heard his heavy steps stalk from the wing.


It wasn't long before it was time to go on patrol in less than a week, and Emarth's concern was evident whenever he brought Sirya home. A few nights before they were meant to leave, Sirya was upset, and it was keeping Legolas from sleeping. The young boy's worry pulsed through Legolas' mind, and he resolved to getting up and going to see his father. Thranduil was sleeping peacefully, and Legolas felt guilty waking him.

"What is it ion nin?" Thranduil murmured.

"Sirya, his incessant worrying is keeping me up and I don't know why he worries. I ask and he does not respond."

"It's the end of the month, Legolas."

"I know-"

"That is what he is worried about."

Legolas sat on his father's bed, his eyes deep, lost in thought. "Can you not reassure him? Will you not keep him?"

"I worry still, Adar."

"Legolas, the alternative is to give the child up."

Legolas nodded. "I cannot do that."

"So you must do the other. There can be no more playing with this child's heart."

Legolas nodded, knowing his father was right. "Thank you ada."

Thranduil kissed his forehead and Legolas rose with shaking hands. He paced the floor of his suite, before finally gaining the resolve to commit to the child. He knocked on his door softly, although he knew Sirya was awake.

"Hello," Sirya said softly, and Legolas closed the door gently behind him.

"Hello. You cannot sleep?"

Sirya shook his head, his stuffed horse tucked in and peering at Legolas next to him.

"Do you wish to stay with me?" Legolas asked and sat on his bed.

"Mister Legolas-"

"Sirya." He said firmly.

"Yes," he whispered. "More than anything."

Legolas watched the emotions dance across the boy's expression.

"I wish for you to stay with me too."

The relief that washed into his aura brought tears to Sirya's eyes. "Truly?"

"Truly. I would like to adopt you. For you to be my son."

Sirya threw his arms around Legolas' neck and sobbed. "Thank you," he wept and Legolas smiled and kissed his cheek, "you truly want me?"

"Of course I want you. I enjoy our time together very much, and I wish for us to be together," Legolas reassured him, his hand tracing circles on his back. "Everyone will be so happy. Baineth and Emarth and Thranduil."

Sirya buried his face in Legolas' neck and Legolas hummed until Sirya grew sleepy again.

"We will celebrate tomorrow, but for now let's get some sleep, alright?"

"Ok," Sirya grinned, wiping tears from his face. "Thank you."

"Thank you." Legolas smiled and helped Sirya back under the covers. "Go to sleep, you have nothing to worry about."


The following morning before the sun, Sirya tried to open the door to Legolas' room quietly, but sensed that he had woken Legolas when the door creaked.

"It is morning?" He asked and crawled into Legolas' bed.

"Somewhat," Legolas yawned, and Sirya crawled under the covers so that he was just a moving bump under the blanke

"Your bed is so big," He mused, his tone dripping in curiosity. Legolas smiled, and Sirya nearly fell off.

"I am an adult," Legolas chuckled, pulling the covers off Sirya's head.

His hair stuck up in all directions, his eyes sleepy. Legolas smoothed his hair down and kissed his forehead. There was a knock at the door and Thranduil entered. Sirya was smiling and Thranduil sat on the bed.

"And what's going on here?" He asked and Sirya got back under the covers. Thranduil laughed and Legolas scratched the bump under the blanket. "You seem very happy today," Thranduil grinned.

"Mister Legolas said he will adopt me."

"He did?" Thranduil said, false surprise in his voice.

"Yes," Sirya said, a little quiet.

"That makes me you're daeradar then doesn't it?"

Sirya's grin spread and he stumbled toward Thranduil. Thranduil embraced him and took his face in his hands.

"If he didn't adopt you I was going to."

Sirya laughed and rested his head on Thranduil's shoulder.

"Daeradar," He whispered and Thranduil kissed his head.

"I would like to do the paperwork today," Legolas said and Sirya's head shot up.

"We can do that," Thranduil said and Sirya jumped on Legolas, "Thank you!"

"Let's get you dressed. My Adar's second will witness the signing."

The door opened and Emarth stood in the door frame with a letter in his hand, "My lord, it is from Haldir of the Galadhrim. About the elf in the forest."


Thanks as always for reading! Please review with comments, questions, etc. I'm going to try to update a few times this week because school starts next week and I'll have far less time.