A/N Since I missed posting last Friday, I figured I would give you an update here right now. :) That way it doesn't feel quite as long, hopefully.

Oh, and I figured (I do not know if I have it this way in 'Just a Moment' but it is this way now. ) that Thranduil wouldn't be king yet at the time when Legolas was born. No one really knows, but that is the way that I am going to have it. :)

Disclaimer: not mine.

Just Another Moment

Thranduil pressed his hand down on the door knob, but stood still, listening. There was no sound from the other side. Feeling a fluttering of nervousness, why he didn't exactly know, he pressed down on the handle and squeezed through the small gap he had created.

Inside the room, he paused. Something changed in his face, going from serious to incredibly soft, from crown prince of a busy kingdom to husband and father. His gaze landed on the bed in the far corner where his wife lay. One of her hands trailed off the coverlets and her dark, beautiful curls hid her face from his view.

Crossing the room in less than five strides, he eased down on the side of the bed so as not to disturb her. He reached out, tenderly brushing back her long hair and tucking it behind one of her pointed ears. She stirred at his touch and he immediately removed his hand, not wanting to wake her. She deserved all the rest she could get after last night. Smiling down at her, Thranduil was started as a soft sound turned his head.

The baby in the cradle next to the bed turned his small head to the side. It's small fist clenching and unclenching. Glancing first at his wife, and then at his new born son, Thranduil moved to kneel on the floor next to the cradle.

Biting his lower lip, Thranduil let his lightly trembling hand hover above the downy head. His heart didn't know what to feel, but nervousness filled it enough to make him shake. Last night he had felt sure of himself, or more acutely, had forgotten his worries in the excitement and love that had flowed through his heart. As he had held Legolas for the first time…that was a moment that he would never forget, not for as long as he lived.

The small body that was perfect in almost every way could almost fit in one hand, he was small. And his now golden hair had appeared so much darker by fluids then that he had been positive that the boy would take after his wife, but after a washing and drying, it was clear that he had his hair. It was discurting, slightly, to see it. And as he had taken Legolas' tiny hand in his for the first time…so much joy and wonder and love had filled him.

…But after the excitement had lessened, hesitance began to swarm over his soul. Was he fit to be a father? Could he do what was required? He didn't think he knew how to raise a child.

Lowering his hand slowly, he rubbed the small fluff of hair gently. Legolas stirred, his fist flaying jerkily and Thranduil froze. Legolas went still, and the king let out a breath that he was unware he had been holding.

The sound of blankets shifting behind him made Thranduil twist around, but his wife only settled further into the pillow. Her eyes remained unfocused and glazed, and the prince once more felt that same overpowering love and wonder that he had last night. His wife was amazing, more amazing then he would have ever been able to guess. Women, were amazing.

"You are going to respect her, aren't you, Legolas?" he murmured as he lightly ran his forefinger down the bridge of the small nose. The nose twitched, and then the youngest member of the royal family sneezed. His small, bright, blue, eyes blinked open and stared up at Thranduil, who stared right back.

The moment froze.

The tiny mouth opened slightly as his eyes scanned Thranduil's face in what appeared to be mild surprise, if there could be such a look on an infant's face. He had such big eyes…Thranduil started to smile, and maybe it was just in his eyes, but Legolas seemed to smile back. One corner of his mouth at least lifted.

Thranduil grinned full out, running his finger along the chubby cheek. Legolas' tiny feet and fists began to jerk widely, and tiny sound left his lips.

"Shh, shh…" Thranduil soothed, glancing behind him at his wife, whom he had no doubt would waken at a single cry from her baby. "Your mother went through all lot for you. Let her sleep." Legolas mewed softly once more and Thranduil sighed. "At least you are not crying." One of Legolas' fist found its way inside his mouth and Thranduil watched as he sucked at it greedily, all the while staring up at his father's face.

Reaching down, the crown prince of Greenwood the Great couldn't resist the urge to hold the helpless baby and gently slide his hands under the small body. Standing with Legolas nestled close to his chest, he again felt the hesitancy take hold. What if he dropped Legolas? He didn't know anything about being a father or babies after all.

Legolas began to bubble almost happily again, his fist still in his mouth. Slobber dripped down his tiny wrist and darkening his father's robes. Crossing the room, Thranduil went through the opposite door and into their comfortable sitting room. Here, he wouldn't bother his wife but would be close enough if she need him or awoke in a panic after finding Legolas gone.

Legolas' other fist flayed and Thranduil took it, stilling the almost uncontrollable movement.

"I can't promise anything, Legolas," he murmured, staring deep into this blue eyes. The small, innocent, face had opened something in Thranduil, he wasn't sure what. "I can't promise that I will be as good at this as my wife –er, your mother will be. I can't even promise…" he stopped speaking, rubbing the tiny hand in his much larger one as he thought.

Sighing, he took a seat on the large couch. Legolas made another small sound and Thranduil smiled, moving to tuck his blanket in more firmly around his little body. Legolas' eyes began to drift lower and he yawned widely. The prince took the opportunity to slide the boy's tightly clenched fist out of his mouth. His son began to protest mildly and Thranduil hurriedly shushed him for fear that he would start crying for real. Rocking the small infant back and forth, he smiled as Legolas' calmed once more, his fist stuck back in his mouth.

"See, Legolas, I can't promise much at all." Sitting back, he fixed Legolas a little more comfortable in his arms. Legolas' eyes had already drifted close and Thranduil shook his head. Babies required an awful lot of sleep. "Well, I guess we can finish this conversation later, little one." He slipped the lax fist out and brought it to his lips, kissing it lightly, before bringing it to his chest and gazing down once more. "But I guess what I am sayings is that I will do the best that I can, that I am promising. But I am going to slip up. Just don't judge me too harshly."

A soft sound from the doorway made him look up. His wife stood framed in the doorway, a smile on her beautiful, gentle, features.

"Did I wake you?" Thranduil asked sheepishly, quickly standing. She shook her head and moved slowly to ease herself down next to her husband. Curling up next to him, she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Should you be up?" Thranduil asked in gentle concern, wrapping his free arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him, arching her eyebrows.

"I've been hearing that question, or some variation of it, for the last month," she said crossly and Thranduil smiled, pulling her slightly closer. They fell into a comfortable silence, both gazing transfixed at their son. She reached out a hand, lightly caressing her baby's tiny foot which had escaped out of the folds of the blanket.

"You will do fine," she whispered, nesting a little closer. Thranduil shot her a look, pretending he didn't know what she was talking about. She only smiled, digging her finger into his side.

"Stop that !" he insisted, making her laugh out loud as he shifted, trying to escape her.

"You stop and I'll stop," she replied, doing it once more before settling back in next to him.

"What do I need to stop?" he asked, taking his arm from around her so that he could shift Legolas.

"Stop worrying. Stop trying to be perfect, he won't expect you to be. Just love him." She placed a hand on his arm, squeezing gently.

"How did I ever end up with a lady like you?" Thranduil asked quietly, gazing deep into her green eyes that so resembled the leaves of the forest that she loves so much. They began to sparkle as she grinned mischievously up at him.

"You worked up the nerve to ask me to the Spring Festival! I didn't think you were going to be able to get the words out of your mouth," she teased lightly. Thranduil flushed, through his smile grew.

"You were very intimidating," he reasoned, laying his head atop hers. She giggled lightly.

"I was intimidating? Think how I must have felt. The crown prince, the crown prince, I repeat, had just asked me to go with him."

"Well, despite both of us being seemingly petrified of the other, the night didn't end too badly, did it?" Thranduil kissed her lightly on top of the head, and she grinned, shaking her head in answer. One of her hands still lightly touched her son, who was sound asleep in his father's arm with his mouth parted in a silent o.

"No. It didn't end badly at all."

THE END

Look at the happy family! Aren't they cute. :) It sure would be shame if something was to tear them apart... :(

Anyhoo! Next time! Legolas angst with Elrond, Glorfindel, and Erestor showing up as well. Thanks!

Review Reply:

ElvenPrincess: My older sister did that too! And my younger brother. No really, why do they make them out of wood? It is not that far away now. :)