Home has not changed much in the time that he has been away, for the better or for the worse, and Legolas breathes out a sigh of content when his feet lead him down a familiar forest path.
The trip from Ilmadris had been long but not overly eventful, with only minimal problems from goblins in the mountains and a brief encounter with would-be raiders on the road. The goblins had been too afraid to face him, and the bandits had quickly changed their mind when they found themselves staring down the shaft of one of his arrows.
Nonetheless, he is glad to be back on familiar ground.
Legolas keeps his eyes sharp as he walks the trail to the palace, listening for any sounds that might be amiss. Darkness is growing in the world, and he has seen it spread. Despite his father's efforts, he doubts that the forest is safe for a lone traveler to let his guard down.
Lord Elrond and Mithrandir had spoken of evil forces awakening in the East, beyond the Lonely Mountain. Sauron returned, or at least trying to. The Lady Galadriel had banished the darkness, but only temporarily. Everyone seemed to be waiting for the inevitable trap to spring.
The front gates of the palace come into view, and Legolas feels a grin spreading across his face. The two guards at the door perk up as he approaches, their expressions brightening as they recognize him.
"Prince Legolas!"
"My Prince!"
"Riniel, Gilgalad," he grins, rushing the final few steps to embrace the pair.
"You have been gone for so long-"
"-have missed you! How is Imladris this time of-"
"-journey back okay? No trouble from-"
"-lot of excitement around here, recently-"
"-glad to have you safely back! If there is-"
"-show you to the kitchens if-"
They are talking over one another in their excitement, and Legolas laughs as he holds his hands up to quiet them.
"I am fine. Simply worn from the trip. Food sounds lovely, although first I should see my father."
The two nod, and Gilgalad calls for an escort as Riniel grasps his hands in hers happily.
"We must remain at our post, but we get off duty tonight if you're up for a few drinks," Riniel tells him. Legolas grins at them as another two guards approach.
"When am I not up for a drink? You can count on my presence. I will see you later, my friends."
The two at the door wave him off as he turns to receive another eager greeting from the elves that approach to lead him to the king.
He has to tell the guards that escort him to be quiet at least three times on the way to his father's throne room, because their whispers are turning into loud chatting in their excitement and he wants his visit to be a surprise. He allows them to knock on the ornate double doors and announce a nameless visitor, and tries his best not to smile like a fool when his father petulantly demands to know why they can't just give him a name.
However, for all of his grouching, his father sounds well, and Legolas is thankful for that.
He knew that his father would worry about him, of course. Any parent would worry about their child being so far away from home, but his father has always been especially concerned about his wellbeing - almost to the point of being overbearing - ever since his mother's death.
And Legolas had meant to write - he really had - but with training and exploring and so many new people to meet, well...honestly, it had slipped his mind.
The guards before him both have their hands clapped over their mouths, trying to stifle their giggles as Thranduil snaps something unintelligible from within.
He hears the king let out a huff before he orders for the "mystery guest" to be shown in, and Legolas takes that as his cue to approach. With a grand flourish, he tosses the doors open.
The guards step back, exchanging mischievous smiles as Legolas strides forward to enter the room.
His father is standing by the throne, arms crossed over his chest rather childishly as he glares at the doors. When he sees Legolas, however, the king's eyes go wide with shock, his mouth slowly parting but no sound coming out as his arms fall to his sides. Legolas laughs at his father's dumbstruck expression, taking the stairs in two graceful leaps to land on the dias.
"Ada!"
Legolas crosses to his father and embraces him, taking a deep breath of the familiar scents of Dorwinion and leather. His father's arms cinch tightly about him a second later as the shock wears off, and Legolas smiles as he feels his father bury his face in his shoulder.
"My beloved son, how I have missed you..." the words are soft, choked with emotion, and Legolas feels himself tearing up as well. After a long second he clears his throat, gently drawing back from his father but not letting go just yet.
"I missed you as well, Ada. Have you been well?"
"As well as can be expected with my son so far away. How have your travels been? You are uninjured? Have you had anything to eat yet? You must be famished. Why did you not write me that you were coming? What if something had happened on the road?"
Legolas laughs out loud, squeezing his father in another hug to stop the string of inquiries.
"You are a worried mother hen, but I am no longer a chick. I am fine, Ada, I promise."
Thranduil responds by crushing Legolas against his chest, but the prince doesn't mind. He has never been away from home for so long before and he is desperately glad to be back.
However, there was someone else he had hoped would be here to greet his return.
Thranduil must feel the shift in Legolas' mood for he draws back, a hand cupping his son's cheek.
"Legolas?" the king asks.
Legolas runs his tongue along his bottom lip, glancing away for a second.
"Is something wrong, my son?"
He shouldn't ask. He knows that the last time he was here she had been banished and grieving, that his father had been furious with her. She had committed high treason, a crime that was near unforgivable. He knows it is likely that she has since faded, somewhere far from here, brokenhearted and alone, as she mourned the loss of her dwarf, but a part of his heart is begging to hear what exactly her fate has been despite it all.
"Legolas?" his father asks softly, his brows pinched in concern.
Setting his jaw, Legolas makes up his mind. He has to know.
"Is...ah...Is Tauriel...?" he starts awkwardly, but his father gives him a gentle smile, turning around.
"Tauriel!"
Legolas feels his eyebrows rise in surprise, and he leans to see around his father as he hears soft footsteps from the other room.
"Yes, My Lord?"
And there she is. Standing in the doorway, head canted ever so slightly to the side in question, a book folded gently in her arms. She is wearing her normal shades of forest green, although the style of her uniform has changed, implying a new position. Her hair is more pulled up than she normally wears it, a little jeweled pin holding it back from her face, and there is a small scrape on her forehead that is just starting to scab over. It's her eyes that cause him to catch his breath, however, because they are milky white with sightlessness, staring at nothing in particular as she blinks twice and tips her head to the other side.
His father had chosen to show her mercy, then. Recanting her banishment and allowing only a light sentencing as a traitor in exchange for disobeying his orders, turning her back on her people, and threatening his life. It is a shock to know that his dearest friend can no longer see him, but after so long wondering in guilt if she had died alone after he left, Legolas finds that he is merely happy that she lives.
Legolas lets out a shuddering breath, feeling his mouth tug into a smile, even as his eyes fill with tears. She is safe. She is here.
"My Lord?" Tauriel asks again, her tone growing slightly concerned.
"She doesn't know where you are," his father says, turning back to him. "Speak up."
His mouth feels dry, and there is something like nerves settling in his stomach as he swallows and clears his throat.
"Hi, Tauriel," he manages. It is not much, but apparently it is enough, and he sees her perk up.
It's almost comical, the way that her eyes slowly widen in realization, and then widen even further in shock.
"Legolas?" she whispers.
"Yes. I'm home," he smiles, but she reacts before he can say more.
"Legolas!"
It's hard for him to believe that she's blind from the way she runs across the room and all but launches herself at him, book forgotten. Legolas opens his arms and takes a step forward to catch her, sweeping her around in a circle as she laughs, her arms wound around his neck.
"I've missed you so much!"
"And I've missed you too, mellon," he murmurs, setting her back on the ground and hugging her tight as he brushes a kiss to her temple. Her laughter is soft and joyous, and he can feel her fingers carding through his hair as she pulls him close.
"Legolas, oh Legolas! Please say you are staying...?"
"I am."
She hugs him tighter, crushing a breathy laugh from him. When he looks up he finds his father smiling gently at them, and for the first time in a long while his heart is free of worry.
Everything is going to be all right.
He is home.