At the time of the evening meal Thranduil knocked on Legolas' door.

"Enter," his son called from within.

The king opened the door and went inside. Legolas appeared from the bedchamber, fastening the laces of his tunic. Thranduil mustered him appraisingly. He was dressed in charcoal leggings, a light blue shirt, a dark blue tunic with silver embroidery and light gray boots. His hair was once again braided in his usual style, something he hadn't been able to do properly until the removal of the splint.

If somebody didn't know what had happened, he looked almost normal, the only hints of his ordeal his still pale complexion and his gaunt face.

"Are you ready?" Thranduil asked.

Legolas drew a deep breath. It would be the first time since the incident that he would be with a large gathering of people again. "Yes, I'm ready."

They left Legolas' chambers together, walking at a leisurely pace in the direction of the great hall. Thranduil surreptitiously watching his son for signs of pain or discomfort.

As they entered the great hall they first went to the Mirkwood warriors sitting on two big tables. The group that Feron had sent after Thranduil had arrived a while ago. Many of the warriors hadn't seen Legolas since the incident so they greeted him warmly and with much relief.

Thranduil and Legolas' places were at Elrond's table. The Lord of Imladris smiled as they approached. "Welcome, Legolas, I'm glad you could join us." He gestured to the two empty seats to his right. "Please, sit down."

Thranduil sat down next to Elrond, Legolas in the place beside him. To his right were the twins and next to them sat a young human boy who eyed him curiously.

Elrohir clasped his wrist. "It's good to see you about."

"Yeah," came the heartfelt reply. "You can't imagine how glad I am that your father finally let me outside."

"I hope that will improve your temper," Elrohir teased.

At Legolas' guilty look Elladan decided to have pity. "Legolas, I think you haven't met our foster brother yet." Indicating the boy next to him he introduced. "This is Estel. Estel, this is Legolas, son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood."

Estel's eyes grew big. "Is it true what they say about Mirkwood? That there are giant spiders?"

Legolas smiled at the curiosity of the boy. "Yes, it's true. We have to fight them, along with other unpleasant inhabitants of our wood."

Estel seemed excited. "Other inhabitants? What other creatures?"

"Orcs, wargs and bats. But at the moment the orcs are diminished and the spiders are the biggest problem."

"You certainly can't visit there until you are much older," Elrohir told the eager youth.

Estel pouted, obviously disappointed. Being used to the safe environment of Imladris, the tales that were told about Mirkwood were fascinating to him.

Elladan turned to Estel. "Did you know that Legolas is a very good archer? He beat Elrohir hands down the last time he visited."

Estel turned to Legolas, a pleading look on his face. "Can you teach me?"

Elrohir huffed. "Need I remind you that it was you whose life he saved during the orc attack?"

Legolas ignored the twins' banter. "I can show you the basics. Unfortunately I can't use my bow at the moment." He massaged his healing arm. "Your father estimated that in one or two weeks I can start training again."

Estel beamed at him. "That would be great," he enthused. "When can we start?"

"Not so fast, Estel," Elladan chided. "You heard that Legolas is still recovering from injuries. You have to wait until father says he is ready."

At the youth's disappointed look Legolas smiled. "Why don't you visit me tomorrow and I'll tell you about life in Mirkwood?"

Estel nodded eagerly.

"How does your training with the sword go?" Elrohir asked him.

"Glorfindel says I'm doing good." Estel seemed slightly subdued.

"You are doing good," Glorfindel, who sat opposite Legolas, chimed in. "You can't expect to become a master swordsman in only a few weeks. That takes lots and lots of training."

"You have an excellent teacher, Estel," Legolas said. "He will make a good swordsman out of you."

They were interrupted by the serving staff bringing the first course of the meal. A thick, rich mushroom soup was served and conversation at the table fell silent as they started to eat.

Glorfindel took a piece of bread and wiped his bowl out, then he addressed Legolas. "As I heard, Thorin Oakenshield and his company gave you some trouble."

Legolas gazed at his father, but Thranduil was in conversation with Elrond and didn't hear the comment. "That incident is something that will especially haunt Galion for quite some time. My father was not pleased that the dwarves escaped."

"Did you ever figure out how they managed to escape?" Elrohir asked.

We believe that the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, had something to do with that. Although I can't imagine how he managed to stay hidden the whole time." Turning in the direction of Gandalf, who sat next to Glorfindel, he added: "My father blames Mithrandir for the whole mess."

The wizard looked slightly guilty and harrumphed but refrained from further comment.

"At least the dragon is dead," Glorfindel said with quiet satisfaction.

"Yes," Legolas agreed. "But at a high price. Laketown was destroyed and in the ensuing battle for the mountain we lost many warriors."

There was a sympathetic silence for a moment. Then the serving staff brought plates of roasted meat, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and bread.

The meal continued with pleasant conversation. Legolas enjoyed the company and to partake in a normal activity again.

After the meal Thranduil and Legolas slowly made their way back to their chambers. Legolas couldn't suppress a yawn. He felt weary, his body still weakened from his ordeal.

"It was a nice evening," Thranduil commented. "But I think it's time for you to rest."

Legolas didn't argue, he just nodded tiredly.

As they reached Legolas' quarters, his father accompanied him inside. Legolas gathered his sleeping clothes and went into the bathing chamber to ready himself for bed while Thranduil knelt down in front of the hearth and lighted the fire. He then went to the bed and turned down the covers.

Legolas emerged from the bathing chamber, yawning again. He went to the bed and lay down, blinking sleepily.

Thranduil pulled the blanket over him. "Good night, sleep well."

"Good night, Ada," Legolas replied, nearly falling asleep on the spot.

Thranduil waited a moment, making certain that his son was sleeping peacefully, then he left for his own chambers.

The next afternoon was sunny and clear. Enjoying the beautiful weather Legolas had settled down in the garden behind the house. He was resting in the shadow of a big oak, listening to the sounds of nature around him. It was his first time outside in much too long a time and he intended to fully enjoy it.

The peaceful silence was disturbed by hoofbeats and an indignant outburst. "What are you two doing? You can't bring a horse into the garden."

Legolas recognized the voice as Erestor's. Curious, he straightened up and glanced in the direction of the voice. To his surprise he saw the twins approaching with a well known bay horse in tow.

He pushed himself to his feet, unable to hide his grin of delight. "Baranon," he called, causing his stallion to gaze in his direction, throw his head and fall into a quick trot.

Ignoring the smirking twins and the outraged Erestor, Legolas met his horse, who nearly bowled him over in his eagerness to see him. Baranon neighed softly and Legolas laughed, embracing him firmly.

"I wanted to see you but the stables are too far for the moment," he greeted his stallion. Bending down, he examined his leg, noting with satisfaction that the wound was nearly healed.

The twins came closer, watching the reunion between horse and master with big smiles. Erestor, too, observed the meeting and decided that there were more important things than a well kept garden.

"He was eager to see you," Elladan explained.

Legolas turned to the twins, still patting Baranon's neck. "Thank you for bringing him here."

Elrohir stepped closer, stroking the stallion's flank. "Our stable master took good care of him although he obviously missed you."

"I missed you too," Legolas told his horse, stroking his muzzle before sitting down again.

Baranon started to graze next to him while the twins joined him on the ground.

"I'll arrange for something to eat," Erestor told them before he turned to go. "If your father wonders about the horse in his garden, I was not involved."

The younger elves laughed.

"Erestor, would you be so kind to ask Estel if he would like to join us?" Legolas asked. "I think I owe him a few stories."

The advisor nodded. "He should be finished with training so I'll send him over." He left, silently wishing he could see Elrond's face when he discovered the scene in his garden.

Legolas watched him go and turned to the twins. "So Estel is the son of Arathorn?"

"Yes," Elrohir confirmed. "After Arathorn was killed father took Gilraen and him in. He doesn't know his real name. He is the last of his line and the enemy is searching for the heir of Isildur, so it's dangerous to use his real name."

Legolas leaned back against the oak. "Arathorn was a good man. I would have liked to meet him again."

The twins shared a pained look, remembering the death of their friend.

"His death hit his wife hard. Estel was only two years old as it happened, so we brought them here," Elladan explained.

"Does Estel know how his father died?"

"Only that he was killed by orcs."

They were interrupted by the object of their discussion. Estel entered the garden, stopped and watched amazed how Baranon calmly grazed next to the patches of flowers.

"Estel," Legolas called, "come, join us. I promised you a few stories."

The youth came over and dropped down into the grass. "I heard many things about your home."

Legolas threw the twins a glance. "I can imagine."

Elrohir lifted his hands. "We only told him the truth."

"Yeah?" Legolas asked sarcastically. "Did you tell him of your encounter with the spiders?"

He turned to Estel, who had listened to the exchange with growing curiosity. "Your brothers thought we were jesting when we told them about the size of the spiders we have to deal with..."

Half an hour later Elrond entered the garden in search of his sons. Following their voices, he found all three of them and Legolas sitting on blankets and sharing a picnic while Legolas' stallion stood nearby and munched contentedly on the grass.

He decided that he really didn't want to know, so he turned around and left for his study.

Like he had promised Estel, Legolas went to the archery range with him to show him the basics. He still couldn't use his bow to show the boy something, but they would make do without that.

The youth was enthusiastic and Legolas felt infected by his good mood. It had been some time since he had taught somebody archery, so he looked forward to the experience.

First he showed Estel how to stand and to draw the bow, then he stepped behind him and corrected his stance.

"Take the bow a bit higher," he instructed, sighting over Estel's shoulder at the target. "Shift your left leg a bit, yes like that." He checked once more and then ordered: "Release."

The arrow shot forward and hit the target on the edge. Estel turned around, beaming up at Legolas.

"Very good for a first shot," Legolas praised. "Come, try again."

Estel resumed his stance and once again they went through a few corrections, then he released his second arrow. Again he hit the target although it was still at the corner. The next three tries went well as well.

"Now let's try faster, try to adjust your stance as you draw. Don't try to think too much about it. With enough training it will come to you naturally."

The first few times Estel missed but after a while he managed to hit the target at least a few times. Legolas encouraged him. "That was very good for today. With training you will fast improve."

"Do you think that I can become a good archer? Elrohir said nobody in Imladris is as good as you."

Legolas smirked. "At least he didn't manage to beat me yet." He turned serious. "I had ample time to practice. It is a matter of survival in my home to master one's weapons. But I think that if you practice enough, yes, you can become a good archer."

Estel's delighted smile made Legolas smile in return.

They stored the training weapon and walked slowly back to the house.

"How much longer are you staying?" Estel asked.

"I don't know. Maybe a few more weeks. My father can't stay away from our home for too long and I don't think that he will leave without me." He was fairly certain that his father wouldn't let him out of his sight for some time after the worry he had caused him. He also knew that Elrond wouldn't let him leave until he deemed him ready.

Estel seemed disappointed. "That's not really long."

"No, but we will make the best of it. Archery takes a lot of training so you have to train regularly if you want to make progress. Maybe your brothers can continue to teach you."

They had reached the outer garden and Estel spied Elrohir and Elladan walking to the stables. Legolas noticed his excitement and encouraged him. "Go, tell your brothers how your training went."

Barely remembering his manners, Estel turned to him. "Thank you for taking the time." With that he took off in the direction of the twins.

Legolas watched him go then he went to a bench standing next to the path beneath a birch tree. He stretched his legs out in front of him and leaned against the backrest. He was more exhausted than he wanted to admit. His feet ached after he had been standing for such a long time and he was relieved that he could sit down for a while.

The smell of pipeweed wafted towards him and soft footsteps approached.

"Mithrandir," he greeted, without turning around.

Gandalf slowly came nearer and sat down beside him. Legolas hadn't seen much of him since he had woken in Imladris. In fact, he hadn't spoken with him since the wizard had left after the battle at Erebor.

For a moment the Istar didn't say anything, just smoking his pipe contentedly. After a few more moments he commented softly: "So, young Estel has managed to lure you into teaching him how to use the bow."

"He has potential," Legolas observed. "His first lesson went very well today."

Gandalf blew a smoke ring into the air. "He will need to be skilled with weapons. It's dangerous to be the heir of Isildur."

Legolas turned towards the wizard. "When will Elrond tell him who he is?"

"Not for a few more years. Let him grow up in peace. He will be burdened with the knowledge soon enough."

The elf leaned back. "It won't be easy for him."

"No," the wizard agreed, "it will not. Knowing the weakness of his forbearer and knowing that he is hunted will be a heavy burden."

He gave the elf a searching look. "And you, what about you? How do you fare?"

Legolas sighed. "Somehow everybody likes to ask that question."

"That's because we care about you, so you better take it with good grace," the Istar admonished.

The elf looked sheepish. "I know," he admitted. "And I'm thankful for that. It's just... sometimes it's too much."

Gandalf nodded understandingly. "They mean well. We nearly lost you, so it's understandable that they are concerned with your wellbeing."

Legolas sighed tiredly and nodded. "I try to keep that in mind." He looked at the wizard. "My father told me that you asked Gwaihir to bring him here."

Gandalf blew another smoke ring into the air. "You needed him," he stated calmly. "It was the fastest way to get him to Imladris."

Legolas couldn't argue with that. Thranduil's presence upon his waking and during his recovery had been a great comfort. It was touching that the Istar knew how much they cared for each other. "I thank you for that," he said softly.

The wizard shook his head. "Not for that. Besides I think I owed you at least that much after what happened with the dwarves."

Legolas laughed. "I think it will take a lot more than that for my father to forgive you."

Gandalf gave him a shrewd look. "You think so, eh?"

They were interrupted as Estel and the twins came in their direction, Estel talking animatedly to his brothers.

"Legolas, Mithrandir," Elrohir greeted. "come, it's nearly time for the evening meal."

Mithrandir stood and Legolas pushed himself to his feet, surreptitiously helped by the wizard as he swayed for a moment.

They joined the brothers on the path and together they made their way towards the house.

TBC