Author's Note:

A big hello and welcome to my new favoriters and followers. I am thrilled to have you along! As always a big thank you to my reviewers, Stardust63 (I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to annoy you at all hours of the night and morning) , Lady Viola Delesseps (Your reviews make my day, truly.), and...the Guest reviewer! They do have a pretty (in my mind) "warped" relationship. I am glad that Chapter 24 pleased you. Now, before we plow on...raise your glass to the Professor!

Chapter Twenty-Six: Our Little Leaf

When Thranduil looked up at his now grown son, he knew that he was truly looking at his wife. This now grown being, one who has given so much to this world...he cannot help but see the life that he pulled into this world. It did not matter how many times he looked at his son, he would always see the child. His little leaf. His wife's child.

"Father?" the soft, musical voice of his son said.

Thranduil gently tightened the grip he had on the hand of his son. He was beginning to understand that these were the last years, days that he would be in the company of his son. "Yes, child?" he asked.

" It's nothing. I am glad that I was created, and born the way I was. I am glad that mother had you with her." he said.

"It could have been no other way. It was in that place we created you, and our love once more. It was there that the one we loved most should have been brought into this world. It was the most beautiful of nights."

"Glineth. Let me take him to his bed. I will come back for you, neither of you should be laying on the ground. " Thranduil said tenderly, still holding the hand of his wife.

Glineth nodded, and passed the newly born Legolas to his father. As Thranduil walked towards the tent he could not take his eyes off of the face of his son. His son. Never had Thranduil felt a love towards another being like this. He was closely bonded to his daughter, to be sure, but this was his son. As he set him down into his small bed he leaned towards him, and inhaled the scent of new life, and placed a small kiss on the top of his small blonde head.
New tears threatened to fall from his eyes as he said, "You are so loved, my child. We have waited for you for so long."
As the Elvenking made to leave the tent, Legolas let out a small cry,one that rooted Thranduil to the floor. "Shhh, I will be back my son. I'm going to bring your mother to you." he said, soothing his son. As the word 'mother' passed his lips, the child in the whitewood bed fell silent and settled into his sleep.
'You are truly the child of your mother' he thought as he exited the tent and made his way over to where his wife still lay.

"Glineth, put your arms around my neck. I'm going to take you to our son. "
Glineth smiled at she put her arms around the neck of her husband, and was gently lifted from the ground. As he took his first steps with his wife cradled in his arms, she began to cry from her pain, worried, Thranduil asked "Are you alright? Please, let nothing be wrong."

"I am only sore and tired, Thranduil. It is a normal thing. " she said, smiling weakly.

As they entered the tent their all too aware son let out several small noises that could only be interpreted as ones of happiness at the sight of his parents. Already this child loved and adored his parents. Thranduil set his wife down on their bed, and as he did so, he immediately began to ask for her child. "Please, I need him."

"Yes, yes. I will get him. " Thranduil said, as he pulled the blankets over his wife.
As the child was placed into the arms of his mother, he yawned once, and opened his eyes for the very first time. Just as his sister Nurel, they were of the most starling blue. The eyes of their father. "Ohhhh. Thranduil. look. His eyes, they open." Glineth said to her husband.
"Oh. I'll be there in a moment." he said, as he plated food for he and his wife.
"Look, look at how beautiful they are." Glineth said proudly as she turned Legolas's face to his father.
"They...they are beautiful."
"They match yours. I am glad. " Glineth smiled.
"Ah, look closer. There are bits of brown in them as well. I am glad that your beautiful brown was not lost." Thranduil said, stroking the cheek of his new son with a finger, " He has your face, and your long limbs. He will be a most beautiful being."
Legolas then shifted his tiny head towards his mother, and took to his rest. "Oh, he sleeps." Glineth said, frowning.
Thranduil held out his arms to take his son to his bed. "Let me take him. You need to eat something, and rest."
"But-I want him."
"He iwill be just fine, Glinny. Let him sleep. You must care for yourself, too." Thranduil said as he took his son into his arms. "All is well, my son. Your mother just needs her rest."
As he walked back towards the bed he noticed that Glineth had already fallen asleep, a berry still in her hand. For a long moment he stared at her, overwhelmed yet again by feelings of love mingled with grief. He placed his hand to his heart as he got into the bed and settled next to her. He was truly happy in this moment, though he doubted that it could or would last.

Tauriel looked down at the small babe as he slept soundly in the arms of his mother.
"He is very small." she said.
Glineth laughed and smiled at the child and said, "You were much smaller when you were first born."
"But, I was much more beautiful." she teased.
"Vanity does not suit you, Tauriel. The bow master is ready for you. Back to your training." Thranduil said in a sever, scolding tone.
Glineth sighed, "Must you always be so severe with her, Thranduil?"
"She insulted my son. She is ill-mannered, and lacks respect. If she is to be a Captain of my Guard one day, she will learn these things."
"Of course, you were perfectly behaved in your youth, were you not?" Glineth asked.
"I will not have that kind of behavior around my son." Thranduil said, staring down his wife.
"He is my son as well, Thranduil. It would do you well to remember that."
"Stop! I do not wish to argue with you any longer." Thranduil said in his most commanding tone."
"As you command, your Majesty." Glineth said, bowing her head.

"I must leave you now, wife. There are matters that need attending to." Thranduil said, taking his wife's hand and kissing it lightly.
Glineth pulled her hand away quickly and said, "Very well."
"Must you always be like this? So full of anger and hate? " he asked, hurt.
"I am not angry, Thranduil. Please, he is done feeding. Place him in his bed for me."
As the child was taken from the arms of his mother, Legolas let out a series of strong, loud, cries. Glineth moaned quietly and said "Just bring him back to me, I can sleep with him in my arms." As soon as the child was back in the arms of his mother, his crying stopped, and he settled into his rest.
"He adores you, already. Such devotion." Thranduil said, marveling at the scene before him,
He bowed once to his precious family, and left the room wondering if anyone in his entire long life had ever felt that way for or about him.

The first year of Legolas' life was a time of unparalleled peace and happiness for all under the rule of the King and Queen. This tiny child of the Greenwood became the symbol of hope, strength, and life for the people of the Wood. He was everyone's little leaf.

As with Nurel, on the first anniversary of his creation, Legolas the long limbed child was easily able to climb into the bed of his parents. Smiling, excited, and full of pride- he first shook the arm of his sleeping mother.

"Mama?" he said, still shaking her with a strong little hand. "Mother!" he shouted. "MO-THER!" he yelled once more into his mothers face.
"Oh. Oh! Hello, my love." Glineth said, taking her son in her arms. "Thranduil. No doubt you are awake. Legolas. Go make sure your father is awake." she smiled.
Legolas eager, and easily jumped down from his mothers side of the bed, and jumped to the bed side of his father, climbing onto his father he happily shouted,
"Ada, wake up! Mama says you have to!"
With eyes unopened Thranduil smiled and pulled his son to his chest and hugged him. "It is wonderful to hear your voice at last, child." he whispered as he kissed the top of his head. As the family shared a small celebratory meal in their bed, Thranduil took great joy in how his son was a mirror of his wife's movements.
"Legolas, can you go and find your room? I wish to speak to your mother for a moment."
"I know where it is, father. It is very close." Legolas said, jumping off of the bed and onto the floor, with unnatural grace and ease. He smiled at both of his parents before bounding out of the room and down the hall to his own room.

"He is your son, truly. He moves, eats, and speaks just as you do."
Glineth smiled proudly and took the hand of her beloved husband, "He has your beautiful eyes and your smile." she said as she looked into the smiling face of her King. "I...was there something you wished to talk about, my love?" she asked nervously.
"I was just wondering if you had given any thought to what I asked you the other night. About...us. You..."
"I...what? I don't..."
Thranduil waved his hand and said, "Nevermind. Of course you do not remember. Nevermind. Have you a gift for our son?" he asked, clearly trying to hide his disappointment.
"Oh yes! I finished it last night." she said, leaping from the bed.
He watched her with sad, longing eyes as she rummaged through a pile of cloth and leather on her side of their shared room. At last, she pulled out a small leather package and climbed back into the bed, holding it in her hand.
"What can it be?" Thranduil asked, slowly untying the package.
Inside the leather wrapping lay a small bow, carved from her favorite white wood. It was small enough so that the child could easily wield it. It was truly a weapon fit for an elven prince. As he ran his fingers over the small bow Thranduil said, "you have a gift for this craft, my Queen."
Glineth blushed and smiled, "Do you like it? Will he..."
It is perfect, Glinny. He will love it. It has not been strung yet, though. Do you mean to?"
"Of course. I was wondering if I may have a few strands of your hair. I will weave it with mine, and create a mighty string for his first bow."
He looked to his wife and nodded. He selected a few strands of hair and gave it to his wife, who then wove it with her own fine white hair, and strung the bow. As she tested its strength, she smiled. "There has never been a stronger bow."
"It shall serve him well, my love." Thranduil said as he placed the bow back into its leather wrapping.
"Our little leaf is growing fast." Glineth said.
"Fear not, Glineth. He will grow to be the mightiest of trees."

Glineth smiled, and got down from the bed and began to dress. She chose the favorite color of her King. A deep, crimson red. He took notice, of course and was soon enough at her side. "Why do you torture me so, Glineth?" he asked.
"I do not know what you mean." she said, as she twisted her hair into an elegant knot.
"You've never done that before. With your hair. I can see your neck...Glineth. " he said lustily, as he put his lips to her exposed neck.
Glineth sighed, and rolled her eyes. "Stop this. Our son is coming." she said, pushing him away and walking towards the door.
"Mama...Ada...can I come in now?!" the musical voice of their son called from behind the door.
Gineth in an instant replaced the disgusted scowl on her face with a look of love and called, "Of course, my child!"
The tiny elf child burst into the room and into the waiting arms of his mother. "Can we go into the Wood today? To where I was born!? I was born there!"
"Of course my son, it is your day. Let us go. " Thranduil said, smiling.
"No! I want mother to take me." Legolas whined.
"Very well." a wounded Thranduil said, leaving the room without further word.
Legolas looked to where his father had stood and said, "I hurt fathers feelings."
"He will be alright son." Glineth said, trying to ease her sons conscience.
"I love ada, I do not think he loves me." he said, frowning.
Shocked, Glineth said "No. Do not ever think that again. Your father loves you with all of his heart. He is just...strange." Glineth said, looking hard into the eyes of her son.
"Yes, mama. Where do you think he has gone?" he asked.
"To where he keeps all of his books, love. He likes it there, when he is sad." she said as she fastened his light blue cloak about his shoulders.
"Can you take me there?!" he asked, taking his mothers hand.
Glineth nodded and took her son to the study of his father. Seeing his wife and son standing in the doorway, hand in hand with looks of joy on their faces...all of his anger and hurt was washed away. "Ah, my family." he said. "I see that you are ready to leave."
Legolas then ran to his fathers side, looked up at him and said "Come with us, ada. "
"Are you sure?" the father asked his son.
"Yes! mother said that you know the way in the Wood better than she does."
Thranduil looked away from his son, and to his wife. Glineth stood in the doorway, leaning against its frame, trying not to laugh.
"Glineth, do not lie to the child." he laughed.
"Come, you two. I don't want to be out there all night!" Glineth said.
Thranduil picked up his child, who wrapped his tiny arms around his father. He placed his head upon his shoulder, and began to play with the long strands of his hair.
"Your hair is longer than mothers." Legolas laughed. "And you are very tall." the child said as though he finally understood that his father was a King among his people. "Are all Kings as tall as you are?" he innocently asked.
"I do not know many kings, son." Thranduil said, as he set the child down on the floor.

"Shall we fetch Tauriel?" Glineth asked, "it is up to you, Legolas."
Legolas nodded. "Yes! I like her. Her hair is very pretty."

The youth Tauriel was happier than she let on about being included in the Kings family for this outing. For the longest time she thought herself a mere pet. A burden to this great family. She thought that no one cared for her, not even the best friend of her mother. She tried to not let these sorts of thing weigh down her mind, though. She was devoted to her training, and her skill with a blade was becoming very well known. She was able to disarm and defeat many that were older, and very skilled opponents with seemingly no effort at all. She was truly the daughter of her mother, Kaylanya. She was also very much like her father, Nelion. Tauriel was scholarly and wise beyond her years.
The voice of the Queen brought Tauriel out of her silence.

"How goes your training, Tauriel?" she asked.
"Very well, thank you." she said in an even tone.
"You are very skilled with a blade, I hear." the King said as she adjusted Legolas, who was now sitting on his shoulders.
"I have very skilled trainers, Majesty."
"Tauriel, how would you like to take some training with me. I taught your mother, you know." Glineth asked.
"Truly?! I would be very honored, your Majesty!" Tauriel said excitedly.
"No, to you, I am Glineth."
Tauriel blushed, making her red hair all the more bright. "Thank you, Glineth. I am excited to begin my training with you."

As they always did, the small family made its way to the clearing. There the King and Queen enjoyed the somewhat clean, open air, drank wine, and watched as the two children chased and played together. "Stay close!" the worried parents called out.

"Glineth. We must speak." Thranduil said, as the children were sure to not hear the conversation.
"Yes, I know."
"I will not dance around the subject. I...we...it has been two years since we have been intimate with one another. I was hoping that perhaps this night we may...if it is agreeable..if you.." he could not finish his thought. He felt truly at this moment, very low. To have to beg to lay with ones of wife?
"I-don't think that it is wise...our child still shares our bed. We cannot...I cannot send him away, so that you may have your way with me."
Thranduil let out a frustrated sigh. "He is old enough to sleep in his own room!"
"I cannot be parted from him. I will not be able to rest without him by my side. He needs me" Glineth said.
"I need you, Glineth. I miss our love. Do you not...do you still love me?" he asked, taking her hand in his.
"I do. Very much. You gave me that beautiful child." she said, pointing towards her son, who had just jumped onto Tauriels back.
"But, you no longer desire me." he said, plainly.
"Thranduil...that's not...I..." she stuttered.
"I understand. Finally. You have gotten all that you required from me. A crown, that child. I will bother you no longer. You may have your old rooms back. Your son may go with you." he said, forgetting to hide the tears that formed in his eyes. "I will take the girl back with me. Goodbye, Glineth."
As Thranduil stood and made to walk towards the children, Glineth put her hand on his lower leg and said, "Please. Do not do this. I love you, desire you. By the stars, I desire you. Look at the child there. We created him. He is the result of that love and desire. I hate being parted from him, just as I hate being parted from you, and the light."
Kneeling to the ground, Thranduil spoke softly to his wife, "I just long to feel the bare flesh of my wife beside me. I too, love our son. But, I need my wife. The nights holding you bare and spent in my arms were the best nights of my existence." he turned to the running Tauriel and said, "Come, you need to come with me. I am taking you to be fitted for your Guard plate."
Tauriel let out a squeal of delight, and forgetting all propriety hugged the King. A hug that he gladly returned.

As they had washed and changed after their outing, Legolas sat on the lap of his mother as she combed out the tangles in his soft blonde hair.
"Is father angry with you because of me?"
"No, my love. It is I who is wrong this time." she said.
"But, you are never wrong, mother." he laughed.
"I am this time."
"Why?" he innocently asked.
"I hurt his feelings."
"How? Were you mean?" he asked, now brushing his mothers hair.
"Yes, I was." she said, frowning.
"You always make him smile. Try to make him smile!" he laughed. "Your hair is funny."
"It is only white, child. How should I make ada, smile?" she asked.
"You can...you can..." the child thought hard. "You can read to him! He likes to read."
"That is a wonderful idea, thank you my son." she said, kissing the little boys cheek.
"I don't like it when father is sad. You should hold his hand more. He always smiles when you do. And you should let him sleep next to you."
Glineth looked at her son with open confusion. 'How does he know so much already?' she thought. "But, where would you sleep?" she asked.
"I am too big to sleep in your bed now, mother."
Glineth smiled at her son, he knew. This beautiful, wise, perceptive son of her knew. He could sense the brewing trouble between his mother and father, and he wanted to help.
"Ada!" he screeched, running towards his father who now stood at the open door.
"My son." Thranduil smiled, picking Legolas up and hugging him. "Glineth, it is time." he said.

Glineth nodded and brought forward the package that contained the bow she had crafted for Legolas. "Here, my son. This is a gift from your father and I."
Legolas squealed with delight as he unwrapped, and held his first bow.
"Do you like it, Legolas?" Thranduil asked as he placed the child on his knee.
"It is my favorite thing. Thank you, father." he said, turning around and hugging the King.
"Your mother made it special for you." he said as he lovingly placed a loose strand of hair behind his sons pointed ear.
"Mama is special. She can make things."
"Yes she is, Legolas. Now, go and say thank you." Thanduil said, setting his son on the floor.
Legolas ran to his mother bow in hand, long legs taking him quickly to her. "Thank you mother. Are you going to teach me how to use it?"
"I don't know, ask your father."
Legolas ran across the room to where his father now stood. "Ada. is it...can she?" he asked, turning the full force of his blue eyes on his father.
"Alright, alright. Just, don't hurt her!" he laughed.
"Thank you! You are the best father in all the world!" Legolas shouted happily.
"And you are the finest son that a father could ask for. " he said tenderly as he held his child to his chest, kissing the top of his head.
Glineths heart swelled with emotion at the sight of the love that grew between father and son. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.

'May that bond endure when I am gone. For they need each other, more than they know.'

A/N:

Whew! That was a long one! Sorry for taking so long. I was at a little race called the Daytona 500, and I was in the middle of a move. I'm quite settled now...so expect more soon! My wisdom tooth extraction is in the morning...so who knows what Chapter 27 will be like! I hope you all enjoyed this one, I actually really liked writing this one, a lot. Please, do not be shy to send me any questions, recipes, or spare parts. Much love! -M